The Mission: Despite being proclaimed by some as being open last week (we like to think a silly Yelper wandered into, say, Farolito and just got really, thoroughly confused), Limon Rotisserie is still behind paper on South Van Ness. But it's very close: new signage is up outside, the interior has been getting paint jobs, and the entire place is firmly in the post-plywood stage of things. As of this weekend, Limon bossman Martin Castillo was still planning on opening this Friday as originally scheduled, no matter what Yelp says. Related: the return of Limon on Valencia remains a month or two off.
· Limon Update: Rotisserie Sequel Not Yet Ready [~ESF~]
· EaterWire AM Edition: Changes, New Project For Limon [~ESF~]
The Mission: A few people have inquired about the state of affairs regarding the new Limon spinoff that suddenly surfaced last week. We stopped by a few days ago, and the place didn't look very polished (see above), even though a debut was originally/optimistically planned for yesterday (Wednesday). Sure enough, according to an Eater Operative reporting from the corner of 21st and South Van Ness last night, Limon Rotisserie was still doing big construction work feverishly into the early evening hours, including taking out the tile flooring. They're moving quickly, so it's hard to say how far off it is, but from what we've seen and heard, it's not even in its Post-Plywood phase yet. The exterior, however, has a paint job that befits the name. Which is nice.
· EaterWire AM Edition: Changes, New Project For Limon [~ESF~]
· FireWire: Limon Forced to Shutter For Renovations [~ESF~]
THE MISSION—Just when you were starting to worry about Limon—closed for the past month-plus—7x7's Bits + Bites not only shares an explanation for the delayed reopening (chef/owner Martin Castillo is simply waiting for the insurance money), but some juicy plans for a new Limon spinoff:
Two weeks ago he quietly took over the Pollo Rico space on the corner of 21st and South Van Ness ... he plans to open his Peruvian-style rotisserie and small plates restaurant, quietly, by Wednesday of next week—named, simply, Limón Rotisserie.
Well, that's one way to spend your time while waiting for the insurance money, and a pretty quick turnaround for the 21st Street space too. Getting back to the original Limon, Castillo tells 7x7 that it when it reopens, it will be a "brand new restaurant" with more of a focus "on ceviche and lounging."
· When Life Gives you Limón's [B+B]
· FireWire: Limon Forced to Shutter For Renovations [~ESF~]
THE MISSION—About a week ago, a fire in the building—and the subsequent water damage—took a bite out of Limon, particularly its second-floor dining area. At the time, they only canceled lunch service and reopened for dinner, albeit only on the ground floor. But now, it looks like there's more damage than originally anticipated (see the interior) and the place is officially shuttered for "the next few weeks, until further notice." And yes, the latter part of that phrase is always an ominous sign.
· FireWire: Blaze Hits Limon; Lunch Off, Dinner On [~ESF~]
THE MISSION—Earlier today, we reported that Limon, following a fire in its Valencia Street building, was hoping to be open in time for dinner service, and checking back in, we have confirmation that yes, all systems are go for dinnertime tonight. [EaterWire, previously]
SAN FRANCISCO—From the Adventures in Promotions Dept.: this weekend, Denny's is launching a new late-night program with servers in jeans, alternative rock bands and special late night menus: "'For Denny's it's a no-brainer: 47% of its late-night customers are under 24. Two of three aren't coming from work, but from spots like night clubs or bowling alleys. A trip to Denny's is to continue the party...'There's a time when Denny's was cool, and we can get back there,' CEO Nelson Marchioli says." No word yet on how Denny's-turned-Danny's in Japantown will respond to this plot twist. [USA Today via Eater LA]
THE MISSION—SFist brings news of another apartment fire on Valencia, this time in the building that also houses Limon, and from what we're hearing from both the restaurant and other sources, it looks like the second floor of the two-tiered restaurant took the biggest hit. According to the Limon folks, lunch service is definitely canceled for today, but they are scrambling to be ready in time for dinner tonight. The second floor dining room will almost certainly be closed, but they are confident that at the very least, the ground floor dining area will "definitely" be open tonight. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to the evening hours. [EaterWire, SFist]
1) 66 Mint Street: Brace, San Francisco: the opening of the Blue Bottle Cafe is less than a week away, as the guys down there say that a Wednesday opening is a strong possibility. Next week will bring further updates, but it would appear that Blue Bottle will be the first opening at Mint Plaza. The front door (above) is newly-installed, and the interior space can be seen their Flickr page. There will be two menus—night and day—that will change on a weekly basis, though they will more or less stay static at the onset. Sunday brunch will see French press service. We've seen the food menus, and they seem rather glorious and nothing short of the hotness expected from Blue Bottle. Be very excited.
Frankly, we can't think of a better way to ready for the new year than to look ahead to the restaurants that will grace it. And what better place to spend 2007's final Plywood Report than with Mint Plaza's upcoming restaurants? Opening Labor Day 2007!
1) 414 Jessie Street: Believe it or not, the end is in sight for Chez Papa, where the interior is beginning to resemble a restaurant near completion. The photo speaks for itself (note the snazzy light fixtures installed from the ceiling), and the finishing touches on the electrical work were underway when the Eater Spot Inspection Brigade stopped by earlier. The kitchen is complete, and plumbing is just about done as well. Rumor has it that work will be done within the next week or so; still no word on when an opening will follow.
Administrative note: this post was compiled in full via the wonderful Mint Plaza free wireless. You haven't lived until a guy comes up and asks you for "a nickel or some Cheese Doodles" in the middle of a post.
It's been quite some time since we've poked our nose around Mint Plaza, mostly because news has been pretty slow down on Jessie Street. Ever since the grand opening ceremonies in mid-November—which really didn't change a thing here, btw—it seems that the pedestrian plaza and its upcoming quartet of eateries have slipped out of the consciousness of the public. Given the state of affairs in Mint Plaza, that might be a good thing for everyone involved. Here are the happenings:
1) The delays at Chez Papa continue to take place per normal. After the Jocelyn Bulow brigade failed to make the November 16th opening date, lots of heavy-duty work continues in the back of the restaurant. As seen in the above photo, all furniture and fixtures (including the bar) have been piled under wraps in the dining room; paint is up only in the main room. Compare/contrast with the more polished appearance last month.
There has been plenty of action down on Jessie Street lately, and as they hurtle towards the grand opening, we have a feeling things shan't be slowing down anytime soon. Have some Mint Plaza juice? Lay it on us, would you? Chez Papa: sofas, chairs front and center; bar area to the right
1) As expected, Chez Papa did not open this past weekend. The target date is still the Newsom-led grand opening ceremony on November 16th. They are hoping—hoping!—to have debuted before then. Odds that it's open when Gav cuts the plaza ribbon: 5 to 1. Place your bets!
2) A peek inside the Chez Papa space (above) reveals that an opening within a fortnight just ... might ... be plausible, depending on how the back of house things are going. Some burnt orange paint was spotted in the entryway. The flooring is finally done and the furniture is ready to roll out. But don't worry: there's still plenty of finishing work to be done.
Our sister site may have declared her annoyance with the molasses-paced SoMa project, but sadly, we cannot quit Mint Plaza. Yet.
1) As a whole, the plaza looks quite legit, between the completely open walkways and developing foliage. Compared to a month ago, the entire complex is cleaner and shinier ... with more security guards roaming around.
2) To the restaurants! Question the first: is there a tenant for 418 Jessie Street? Work has been furious within, which would seem to indicate something. About a month ago, we had on good authority that Limon was finally taking the space after some initial cold feet, but our source quickly retracted the statement, saying nothing official had been signed yet. Meanwhile, the Mint Collection site still speaks of a "a two-story Nuevo-Latino/Peruvian restaurant-lounge on the street level." Curious.
The Mint Plaza construction: slow and steady wins the race.
SOMA—The on-again, off-again ordeal involving the negotiations between Peruvian/Nuevo-Latino restaurant Limon and the Mint Plaza group may be finally complete. Way back in the spring, Limon had been included in the initialannouncements. Oddly, talks between the two soon fell through, leading some to speculate on other options for the space. But no longer.
Today, an Eater tipster who is intimately involved in the project has revealed that, in fact, Limon will be the fourth and final restaurant in the Jessie Street corridor, joining Chez Papa, Sushi Groove and Blue Bottle Coffee. Now, perhaps we can turn to the matter of one of these places actually opening in Mint Plaza. [EaterWire]
Back in the halcyon days of spring 2007, with the Mint Plaza construction just underway, the good folks behind the project proudly announced the impressive lineup of restaurants, cafes and bistros that would litter the pedestrian-only public plaza on the 290-foot stretch of Jessie Street between Fifth and Mint Streets. Among the star attractions would be a second Chez Papa, a fourth Sushi Groove, a massive 800-square-foot Blue Bottle Cafe (aka coffee mecca) in the Provident Loan building and last but not least ... "a two-story Nuevo-Latino/Peruvian restaurant-lounge" headed by the people behind Limon.
Since the initial announcement, someone has gotten cold feet, because there has been absolutely no mention/acknowledgment of the mega-Latino project. In fact, it appears to have been abandoned completely. The Mint Plaza site has no record of such a thing; the only evidence that proves we're not crazy lies with a pair of offhandmentions.
So what happened to the Nuevo-Latino/Peruvian two-story restaurant? Might Senor Bauer's summer surge of harsh reviews for upscale Latin American restaurants be at blame? (See Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C)
Could this be the first time that a powerful food critic has closed down a restaurant before said restaurant even opened?
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THE MISSION—Just when you were starting to worry about Limon—
THE MISSION—Earlier today, we 
THE MISSION—
