All stories about "Luisa Hanson"

Cow Hollow: With all the Luisa Hanson buzz surrounding her multiple upcoming projects, we've failed to mention how La Vinoteca is doing on Union Street. The answer? Not. Well. Following the crickets and tumbleweed of opening night at the end of May, the crowds remained thin at La Vinoteca, and drastic times call for drastic measures. As of this week, a giant "Now Open" sign fashioned from chic black and red crayons is newly erected in the window, and in the evening hours, a poor guy in a suit is soliciting customers a la North Beach restaurants. Sidenote: one can only hope that going forward, we get to use the Adventures in Crayons tag much more often.
· The Joys of Luisa: La Vinoteca Opens, No One Comes [~ESF~]
· The Joys of Luisa: The Complete Catalog [~ESF~]

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

It's been far too long since we've checked in with Ms. Luisa Hanson, but don't think for a millisecond that things have been quiet at her various restaurant colonies. With La Vinoteca open on Union Street and the Cafe Maritime takeover still a ways off, the two main fronts of plywood interest have become the Guerrero Street version of La Vinoteca and the 1500/Duffy's (Barleycorn) project on the corner of California and Larkin. Strap in:

Have a nugget of intel fit for EaterWire? Toss it this way, please.

THE MISSION—We're still not sure if Luisa Hanson and the City have cleared up AwningGate or not, but we do know the following with some degree of certainty: a) according to a tipster and the accompanying photographic evidence, the disputed awning was returned to its upright position sometime today, b) per our conversation with the building department earlier, there were still a few violations on record, and c) La Vinoteca should continue to be a show to behold. Get a good seat. [EaterWire]

ALAMEDA—Three San Francisco locations in hand (plus one in DC), BurgerMeister is making the cross-bay leap to Alameda, and according to this Craiglist ad, BurgerMeister #5 (with full bar) should be opening very soon in downtown Alameda. But people, haven't we already learned our lesson about Alameda? [Craigslist]

The Mission: Last week, the latest project by Luisa Hanson, a second branch of La Vinoteca on Guerrero, came under fire from feisty neighbors who didn't appreciate the new awning for a variety of reasons, aesthetic and legal. Hanson kept the metal frame up nonetheless. Over the weekend, the City paid a visit to La Vinoteca 2.0 and plastered an official notice to the door. As of this morning, the illegal awning remains but the notice is gone. However, an inquiry to the Dept. of Building Inspections reveals that there are still at least five active violations at La Vinoteca. In other words, neither the City nor the neighbors are making this easy for Ms. Hanson, whose reputation/past just might be catching up with her.

The Mission: Work just started on the second La Vinoteca location, and if you thought that things would go swimmingly between Luisa Hanson and her new neighbors, already you would be incorrect. From the Eater Inbox: "Last week, Luisa put an awning on the new Vinoteca on Guerrero (formerly Cafe Bellissimo); anyhow, the _very same day_, neighbors found in their mailbox a letter from one of the neighbors asking them to call the department of building inspection letting them know that the awning was too big and most likely not up to code and ugly. A couple days letter, awning covering gone (the metal frame was still up). Nice way to make friends with your customer base!"
· The Joys of Luisa Collection [~ESF~]

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

Cow Hollow: When opening a restaurant, one of the biggest fears faced by owners is the old "What if I open a restaurant and no one comes?" worry, and well, that's exactly what happened at La Vinoteca last night. The above shots were taken at approximately 8:40pm at Luisa Hanson's latest takeover, while the list of tried/failed LH restaurants approaches 30. Yes, it was a Wednesday evening, but consider the factors nonetheless: a brand new restaurant, wine bar focus, Union Street, heavy foot traffic, yet only one two-top occupied. Not the best start for the city's most ... infamous dining entrepreneur. 1785 Union Street, between Octavia and Gough; (415) 929-8032

All the day's news and notes go in EaterWire. Your tips appreciated at sf@eater.com.

POLK GULCH—Shuttered since that fatal December fire next door, the new owners at Pasha have, obviously, taken the opportunity to go beyond "smoke damage repairs." Hoping to reopen in about a month, they are redoing everything, from the interior to the menu, which will abandon the traditional Moroccan menu for a fusion version. And you thought fusion was dead. [EaterWire]

COW HOLLOW—Thrillist has lots of deets on La Vinoteca—including a menu and some personnel info—but may have received a taste of the Joys of Luisa today when the Union Street wine bar did, in fact, not open today. According to Ms. Hanson, La Vinoteca will be open "by Thursday, for sure." Mark your calendars. [EaterWire]

SAUSALITO—Just over that bridge thingy, Sausalito three-star Poggio will hold an "Allo Spiedo Festa" from April 29 to May 3. The special five nights of special dinners—hoped to be an annual event—will showcase the traditional Italian style of roasting meats on a spit over a live fire. The meats are served tableside from a special authentic cart and everything. More info on the official site. [EaterWire Inbox]

YOUNTVILLE—Somewhat disappointing news for fans of Ad Hoc's fried chicken (read: everyone): it seems that ex-SJ Merc food gal Carolyn Jung's revelations about Keller fried chicken being available twice a week were not entirely accurate, as a call to Ad Hoc reveals that the fabled chicken is only on the menu every other Monday and every other Wednesday. So, once a week total, for the time being, unless there's something secret astir in Kellerville. [EaterWire]

Waitaminute here.

What you see above is the brand new canopy for Luisa Hanson's 1500, the Italian restaurant that has (almost literally) colonized the former Front Room space on the corner of California and Larkin. The curious aspect of the signage is, of course, the proclamation that 1500 has been open since 1959, when in fact, it's never been open, not even since 2008. It hasn't been open in a prior incarnation, so we have no idea what exactly has been around since '59—Luisa's in the Marina? a 49-year-old chef at 1500? the Front Room?— On a related note, there is also a new canopy right next door at Duffy's, in place of the semi-iconic John Barleycorn sign. Loyal Barleycorners still in mourning might not want to see this:

With a pair of wine bars/enotecas on the horizon, we can't help but juxtapose the two. One is a project of two young guys embracing modern Italian cuisine, the other by an older restaurateur who has over 30 endeavors under her belt, many of which play the role of red-sauce Ital-American joints. To the tracking.

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

1) Lower Haight: We've already taken a sneak peek inside Uva Enoteca, courtesy of The Yin. Now, the big plywood exterior is finally down at Uva, revealing a small but slick facade. Predicting an opening is always like hitting a moving target, but co-owners Boris Nemchenok and Ben Hetzel are hoping to debut in about two weeks, even though the interior is complete. Current due date: Thursday, April 24th.

2) Cow Hollow: The paper is down at Luisa Hanson's La Vinoteca, and according to Ms. Hanson herself, La Vinoteca will open in two days' time. All licenses have apparently been procured, and looking inside, the place does indeed appear ready to roll out. The layout is essentially the same as SkipJack Sushi, but with different furniture and some new wine racks. Current due date: Thursday, April 10th.

Got some news for EaterWire? The tip jar awaits.

NOB HILL—A tipster put forth the rumor earlier today, and now we've received confirmation from the restaurant: the official name of Luisa Hanson's upcoming pizzeria in the former Front Room space at 1500 California has changed from Pompei to 1500. We're not quite sure what to think of the name change—except that it probably won't be 200 better than 1300—but we do know one thing: this switch certainly won't get it off the Deathwatch. We couldn't get an opening date out of them though, so the date remains "soon." [EaterWire]

Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

And now, a special super episode of The Joys of Luisa. Since two of Luisa Hanson's three current projects are nearing completion, we thought it a good time to share some updates on the trio of battle fronts. Said updates are mostly self-evident in the exclusive interior shots above, but on the surface, Union Street's La Vinoteca remains the closest to completion, though Pompei—in the old Front Room space on California/Larkin—is supposed to open at the same time, which according to La Hanson, is any week now (salt, grain). Meanwhile, the old John Barleycorn, a.k.a. Duffy's, has been gutted and it looks like work has just begun on the reconstruction; it won't open with the others. Breathe easy, Barleycorners.
· The Joys of Luisa: Storefront Ads Reach New Heights [~ESF~]

As always, your Luisa tales and anecdotes are very much welcome at the TJoL Hotline.

According to the always-thinking-green Luisa Hanson, both La Vinoteca (above, via tipster) and Pompei are hoping to open in "maybe one or two weeks," so expect the next couple weeks to be a busy, busy time for Luisa watchers, though take the dates with a grain of salt. For now, we'd like to point out the storefront eyecandy going on at La Vinoteca (to be precise, in the lower right hand corner of La Vinoteca). Now, not only is a) the torn newspaper curiously placed in the least visible spot possible, but b) the unrelated "Think Green" section has been preserved, and c) the actual ad showcases quite the misleading Luisa visual, taken a lifetime ago, seeing as how this is what she looks like now. Brace: should openings actually occur in the next two weeks, this should be fun.
· Barleycorn Faithful Not Going Quietly [~ESF~]
· The Joys of Luisa: Vinoteca to Test Marina's Wine Bar Love [~ESF~]
· The Joys of Luisa: Work, Controversy Begin on Union [~ESF~]

Spread the joy: your Luisa Hanson stories, anecdotes and the like are very much encouraged to sf@eater.com. As always, anonymity will be protected if desired.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT—With a move down to the Embarcadero in the works, it seems only fitting that Perry's Downtown would go in another direction when it comes to its name, even though its location-to-be on Steuart Street might be able to be construed as downtown as well. Whatever the geography may entail, the liquor license application for the new location has the appropriate DBA being Perry's on the Embarcadero. See what they did there? [ABC]

SOMA—Venture the third from Team Rosenthal, Rosenthal and Washington might be closer than originally anticipated, as Anchor & Hope is already staffing up and currently looking at a mid-April debut: "The new 'Anchor & Hope' - an oyster bar/fish house - from the same people that brought you Town Hall and Salt House will be opening in mid-April. Unique urban turn-of-the-century warehouse, stunning design and energetic vibe will be paired with personable and skillful service." [Craigslist]

1) Since not all restaurants have the luxury of a PR machine that keeps everyone updated on the always changing arrival dates, some restaurants—believe it or not—still do it the old-fashioned, neighborhood-friendly way: storefront notes. Up first, on the corner of Fillmore and Clay, Long Bar and Bistro has officially announced its presence to Pacific Heights. We took a gander at Long Bar's long bar earlier in the month, and now it appears they are aiming for an April debut. Given the state of the interior, it seems possible, but we'll take the conservative bet. Eater projection: April 28.

On the left: Vinoteca on Union; On the right: Pompei on California/Larkin

Thanks to a quick-snapping tipster, we have visual (and live!) evidence of a new paint job underway at Ms. Luisa Hanson's colony on the corner of California and Larkin, and well, it would appear that the leftover paint from her concurrent project on Union Street—which got a paint job earlier this month—is being put to good use. Along with the Barleycorn next door, the former Front Room space is still in the midst of heavy construction, but Vinoteca (the space on Union) is more polished, so the jury's still out to see which one arrives first. Getting back to the proliferation of recycled red paint, it's a bit like the British Empire's use of red to mark its colonies on old maps, no?
· Luisa Cometh: Rumblings at Hanson Colonies [~ESF~]
· The Joys of Luisa: Work, Controversy Begin on Union [~ESF~]
· The Joys of Luisa: Vinoteca to Test Marina's Wine Bar Love [~ESF~]

If there was ever a can't-miss proposition for the Marina and its gentrified post-college/ cougar mashup crowds, it's making a wine bar work, or at least one would think. Enter Luisa Hanson's Vinoteca, or as it's now advertising itself, "La Vinoteca." As you can tell from the above shot, the wine bar is still in the plywood phase. Nonetheless, La Hanson has already taken the liberty of posting a menu on the storefront, and well, let's just say it's going to test the limits of wine bar popularity in and around Cow Hollow. As best we can tell, the menu is basically just a list of appetizers from a faux-Italian joint (like Luisa's down the block), and we're going to venture a guess that, in a town where there's a wine bar on every corner, this might be the only one where you'll be able to nab "three large homemade meatballs in special tomato sauce" and wash it down with a prosciutto, arugula and vodka sauce calzone.

A new project means new problems for everyone's favorite entrepreneur, Ms. Luisa Hanson. Already causing a stir up in Nob Hill, Luisa has now commenced work (mostly, from what we can tell, in the form of paint) at her next project, Vino Teca, at 1785 Union Street. It's still unclear if the place has closed escrow, not to mention received the proper permits. Rest assured the Barleycorn Faithful are on her every move: "... it looks like the space--dormant since last October--is getting a makeover. It looks like counters and perhaps cooking areas are getting torn out. Interestingly, there is no construction permit posted in the window as required by law. And it also looks like La Hanson has not even applied for building, electrical or plumbing permits for the space. Shades of her Front Room debacle all over again." Luisa Hanson: the gift that keeps on giving.
· Union St. Activity [Luisa Confidential]
· LuisaWire: Vino Teca Not Clear For Takeoff Yet [~ESF~]

Tetanus shots needed at 1415 Larkin Street.

NOB HILL—The above mess you see is the newest action at Luisa Hanson's maligned Larkin/California Street colonies. As mentioned by a tipster earlier in the week, work has indeed finally started in the hallowed former Barleycorn space (aka Duffy's). Now, even though Luisa has said that she's aiming for February, this does not look like a tidy project by any means. They are ripping out the floor, rumors of asbestos continue to swirl, and work continues simultaneously at the restaurant next door. Busy times, no? One more photo and a compare/contrast follow:

True story: one of the new year's resolutions here at Eater HQ is bring more Eater Deathwatch to the huddled masses. Have you noticed a restaurant knocking on death's door? Let it be known that the Deathwatch Committee is now accepting nominations for Deathwatch, 2008 edition.

What, you thought a restaurant had to be open before getting placed on Deathwatch? For the case of Pompei, the Committee took the liberty of doling out the famed stamp to Luisa Hanson's next project a bit prior its grand opening. The sad thing is that, were it not for the supreme Barleycorn hubbub earlier this year, Pompei might be deemed too low-profile for the 'Watch. But here we are, so let's get to the paperwork.

Even if the Committee was to look past the obvious karma shortcomings of the Luisa Hanson empire (cf. this), and the Barleycorners' continued assault of Yelp, simple mathematics says that Pompei is doomed from the get-go. By our count, Hanson has attempted to open approximately 30 restaurants in the past 20 years, and two are currently open. Most never got off the ground, and those that did often closed within the year. Throw in the fact that the corner of California and Larkin won't get the foot traffic of Luisa's on Union Street or the easy revenue of a bar (the only hope for Duffy's next door), and you've got yourself the first Deathwatch of the year. So you see, it's just a number game, really. With a tinge of karma.
· Hanson Reveal, Part II: The Front Room's Fate [~ESF~]

Not to be outdone by the drama next door, Luisa Hanson's other Nob Hill colonization project is beginning to take shape quite rapidly. The former Front Room space at 1500 California shall be called Pompei (one "i" supposedly). It is scheduled to open in four weeks' time, and will specialize in "pizza and pasta," presumably in the same Americanized style as Luisa's on Union Street. The good news is that the open-air toilet has finally been removed the premises, but the bad news is that pigeons are still nesting there, that Columbus Avenue Italian eateries are multiplying elsewhere, that the Front Room (like the Barleycorn) is/was a beloved institution ... and pretty much everything else.
· Hanson Reveal, Part I: The Barleycorn's Fate [~ESF~]
· Fall Tracking Report: 1500 California [~ESF~]

The saga of the John Barleycorn is, by now, a well-known tale. Along with the Front Room next door, the San Francisco institution was bought by controversial restaurateur Luisa Hanson and subsequently forced out, spawning blogs, forums and even a YouTube video. Now, straight from The Hanson herself, we have word of the much-speculated fate of the (completely gutted) space at 1415 Larkin. It will indeed remain a bar, but will be called Duffy's Irish Pub. Given the current holy martyr status of the Barleycorn, Duffy's has pretty hard act to follow, especially with the fervor of the neighborhood Barleycorners; it'll be like watching the LBJ presidency, in pub form.

Along with the restaurant next door (more on that in part two of the Hanson Reveal!), Duffy's is hoped to be open by February, though a peek at the interior suggests otherwise:

The SkipJack interior decor lingers at 1785 Union Street.

Down on Union Street, it seems that the much ballyhooed arrival of Luisa Hanson's next Cow Hollow endeavor, Vino Teca, is still a bit of a ways off. The wine bar project in the 1785 Union space that once housed the late SkipJack Sushi (soon to be Umi in Potrero Hill) still has to clear escrow to make the sale final and official, so it is very much on the back burner for Team Luisa.

Bonus: in addition to the California/Larkin project, everyone's favorite controversial proprietress has three new projects waiting in the wings, according to Ms. Hanson herself, which means that the total number of Hanson projects past and present is now pushing 30, two of which are currently open. Heavens.
· Hey, A Wine Bar in the Marina! Or, the Luisa Hanson Empire Grows [~ESF~]
· If at first you don't succeed... steal! [Luisa Confidential]