As promised, since we have a feeling that many of you haven't eaten—or perhaps even set foot—in the Metreon for some time, here is our photo tour of the current state of affairs at the Metreon as 1999 knew it. Keep in mind that the implication is that by the time Tavern on the Green arrives, The Powers That Be want the entire place to be re-tenanted and remodeled. This is surely a good thing because frankly, the place right now is a sad, sad sight: a chain-filled food court, countless abandoned retail spaces, a norovirus outbreak, the shitshow called Jillian's, a few lost convention-goers wandering about, more than a few crickets and those signs. In other words, it's hard to picture the glamorous chandeliers of an iconic Tavern on the Green spinoff next to posters for Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay. More color in the photo captions above.
· In Case You Were Wondering About Tavern on the Green's Intended Audience [~ESF~]
· Tavern on the Green Coming to Town, Opening SF's Biggest Restaurant [~ESF~]
Since the big announcement on Tuesday, we haven't really said much about the Tavern on the Green's impending invasion of the Metreon, mostly because a) the idea of a Tavern on the Cineplex is still sinking in, b) a due date of summer '09—one that could easily lead into 2010—is a long time away, and c) we're not mechanical bull aficionados, so we can't remember the last time we actually stepped foot inside the Metreon. Thus, we stopped by the other day and to our delight, found a small army of signs begging for private events. The above gallery is just a small sample of the deluge at work, but the message is clear: no matter what kind of facelift goes down at the Metreon over the next year or so, Moscone convention-goers will be a key part of the equation. More on the current state of Metreon affairs on tap for tomorrow.
· Tavern on the Green Coming to Town, Opening SF's Biggest Restaurant [~ESF~]
The SF Business Times just dropped the bombshell that Manhattan's Tavern on the Greenwill be taking a massive space in the Metreon overlooking Yerba Buena: "The world-famous Tavern On The Green, which has never expanded beyond its home overlooking Central Park, has leased 30,000 square feet plus a 13,000-square-foot terrace overlooking Yerba Buena Park [Ed. note: 43,000 sq ft total, FYI]. That's bigger than its New York flagship, which is the second-highest grossing independent restaurant in the United States, with 750,000 annual visitors and annual revenue just under $40 million."
The move, surprising to begin with, is made even more curious when you consider that it will be housed in (atop) the Metreon movie theater, which—as the article points out—has been a blackhole of a flop for retailers and restaurants alike since opening in 1999. Other notables: 75% of the space will be reserved for special events, it will cater to the nearby convention center attendees, emphasis will be put on local ingredients (shocking, yes), there is no executive chef yet, and summer 2009 is the initial aim. Discuss.
· N.Y.'s famed Tavern On The Green to open S.F.'s biggest restaurant [BizTimes]
UPDATE:The Chron's piece is out, and former Le Bernardin chef de cuisine and current Citarella executive chef Brian Young will be manning the kitchen. [Photo courtesy]
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The SF Business Times just dropped the bombshell that Manhattan's Tavern on the Green 
