Your regular dosage of restaurant and bar closings around town arrives via The Shutter. Notice a place that has recently closed its doors? Do share your sightings.
The Marina: It took longer than expected (as in six months or so longer), but Eastside West has finally shuttered temporarily to make way for the new regime from Butterfly. It's a quick turnkey move for now, as Butterfly honcho Rob Lam is anticipating reopening the place in seven to ten days, and then taking things from there (i.e., the future may see bigger changes). Per the original plan, Dino Vasquez will be the executive chef and will bring along a seasonal American Regional menu as Eastside West basically starts the transition to a more true version of a restaurant rather than another Marina bar.
All closure notices arrive via The Shutter. Please pass along all sightings to the hotline. Shuttered, at approx. 7pm last night.
Polk Gulch: Here we have the curious case of O'Reilly's Holy Grail. Earlier this week, it came to our attention that O'Reilly's closed the kitchen and laid off all kitchen staff, leaving only the bar operating. To make matters (much) more ominous, a spot inspection last night revealed that the entire place to be closed all together, and the phone disconnected. But then the situation takes a turn for the curious: the sister O'Reilly's in North Beach insists that the Holy Grail is, in fact, open ... which would appear to go against the direct evidence above. Perhaps it's a hiatus while the kitchen mess gets sorted out? Or maybe they're hopping on the bandwagon and turning it into a gastropub?
UPDATE: This horror story may or may not be related to the current situation.
All closure notices arrive via The Shutter. Please report all sightings to the ShutterLine.
North Beach: The curious case of Jazz at Pearl's keeps getting curious-er, though it looks like things might be coming to a halt, if they haven't already. To review, some months ago, owner Kim Nalley announced the jazz club was closing at the end of the April, but then she reportedly got the club in a divorce settlement, momentarily avoiding the shutter. Now, it looks like the deal—or maybe some new buyers?—may have fallen through. The phone is dead, the website has become this, and a tipster had this to say: "a friend of mine found the doors closed and locked during regular hours with no explanation." Anyone with more info is encouraged to enlighten, either in the comments below or straight to us.
· The Shutter: Jazz at Pearl's All Jazzed Out, Again [~ESF~]
· The Curious Case of Jazz at Pearl's [~ESF~]
· The Curious Case of Jazz at Pearl's, Cont. [~ESF~]
Notice a place that has recently closed its doors? The Shutter wants your report. Those wolves finally conquered it. [Photo: West County Grill]
Sebastopol: Following news that celeb chef Jonathan Waxman was absent to the point of his employees calling him out in the press as "throwing [them] to the wolves," it should come as zero surprise that the West County Grill is doneski. The restaurant billed as the Chez Panisse of Sonoma was just opened less than 18 months ago by what Bauer originally termed "an all-star group of owners." Obviously, the train went off the tracks rather quickly, and thus, West County Grill had its last service on Sunday. According to sources up there, the space is officially for sale.
· West Country Grill closed [PressDem]
· Jonathan Waxman, MIA [~ESF~]
The Shutter is where we bid farewell to restaurants and bars. Pass along tips here.
1) Russian Hill: Right on schedule, lunch service today marks the swan song for neighborhood fave Le Petit Robert. According to a Polk Street tipster, a few regulars were shuffling in for the last hurrah before La Boulange moseys on into the bigger corner space. But what will Roland Passot do with the old La Boulange space? [ShutterWire, earlier]
2) Embarcadero Center: Little Bobby's isn't the only place shutting down after lunchtime, as the dubiously-name SF-New York Deli will close today too. The closet-sized kosher deli has (had) pretty good real estate: tucked below the Hyatt, right next to Osha Thai, steps from the Embarcadero and in the midst of office buildings. I.e., it's the kind of space Dennis Leary would love. Taking its place will be Celebrity Deli, which is reported to be a falafel joint. [ShutterWire]
Your regular dosage of restaurant and bar closings around town arrives via The Shutter. Notice a place that has recently closed its doors? Do share your sightings.
Broadway Strip: Ladies and gents, we may have a new record for the quickest shuttering. Almost exactly two months after opening, the Usual Suspects Cafe has removed any doubt that the market for Russian vegan comedy clubs is indeed a tough one. We're still awaiting the details, but the place is "closed for renovation." Don't forget that the restaurant got rave reviews from the vegan set upon opening; unfortunately, once the chefs left the Russian waiters to do the only cooking they knew, the restaurant's fall from grace was even faster than anticipated. The good news, though, is that at least they won't have to put the Grand Opening banner back up when/if they reopen.
· Openings: Usual Suspects Cafe [~ESF~]
· Mashups Gone Wild: Usual Suspects Is Now a Russian Vegan Comedy Club [~ESF~]
All closures around town are reported in The Shutter. Spot a place that has recently locked its doors? Kindly pass along your intel.
North Beach: After reemerging with a crepe-centric theme just back in November, Eguna Basque has already shuttered, again, meaning Eguna is quickly establishing itself as a bit of a quandary, especially with its sister next door, the more popular watering hole/tapas joint Iluna Basque. But all is not yet lost, because chef/owner Jason Rucker is retooling the cafe space, again. Sources say that the plan is to reopen sometime in August, with a new concept, new menu and possibly even a new name. Third time's the charm? [ShutterWire]
Cow Hollow: We can't help but feel warm and fuzzy after reading the misty farewell note left by Joji's House of Teriyaki. 36 years in the business have clearly imparted much happiness and wisdom upon Joji and company, who leave behind maxims like "Life is short -- but it is wide." Take note, potential ex-restaurateurs: this zen-like attitude is how you should exit stage left, as opposed to say, this rant a few doors down. Fare thee well, Joji; enjoy your life that is spring.
North Beach: Yesterday, a new patient was admitted into the Eater Hospice, and today an old patient exits, albeit horizontally: Avenue G, as we know it, has officially shuttered. After a four-day happy hour and other various stunts, the Ave G folks have finally decided to pull the plug on the current incarnation of the restaurant in favor of a "new exciting" one due in August. The Deathwatch Committee is fairly confident that this counts as a closure, so let's get to the paperwork:
The transformation of 24th Street continues to continue. From the tipline: "I went to Chili Lemon Garlic ("CLG") on 24th St in the Mission for lunch, only to discover it was closed. Their sign's still up, but the inside is almost completely gutted, and there's no info posted about when they closed or anything. Maybe your other readers know more?" Our guess is evolving neighborhood lease woes; anyone? [ShutterWire]
All restaurant and bar closings are documented in The Shutter. Notice a place that has recently closed its doors? Kindly send along your sightings.
Pacific Heights: Following over three decades of rather unremarkable sushi, Toraya has called it quits on Fillmore Street. Once upon a time, in a time called the '80s, the place was a trendy hotspot, but obviously times change. More importantly, its shuttering means some prime real estate is up for grabs in Pac Heights. The space is an odd one (see the various rooms above), and Fillmore rent is surely not cheap, but prospective restaurateurs should love the location, right across the street from SPQR. If something like Wine Jar can survive—thrive, even—on the SPQR spillover crowd alone, we have to think that the good-sized space and money location must have potential.
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