Quince Closing For Two Months For Major Renovations

Michael and Lindsay Tusk are certainly no slouches when it comes to keeping two-Michelin-starred Quince in fine fettle: after fully renovating the former Myth space when they moved from Pacific Heights in 2009, they did a second big remodel in 2012 that revamped the front bar and lounge area. (They also opened up next-door casual spinoff Cotogna in the midst of all that.) Now, after celebrating their 10th anniversary last year, they're embarking on their biggest project yet: a full revamp of the entire restaurant that will necessitate closing up for just shy of two months.

The revamp will be helmed by Douglas Durkin, a friend of the Tusks mostly known for his residential work. His goal is to make the space more intimate and comfortable, reminiscent of Quince's original location. More brick walls will be exposed, the color scheme will shift to brown and orange, and glass and metal carriage porch will be constructed in front of the entrance, leading into a new lounge, the Champagne Bar. Open Monday-Saturday nights for walk-ins, the bar will offer Champagne (of course), tableside cocktails, and a $25 menu of bar bites (much like that of The Restaurant at Meadowood). New sommelier Jai Wilson will expand the Champagne program to accommodate the shift, including offering more grower Champagne, verticals, and large-format bottles.

Quince's 18-seat private dining area will be flanked by two new private rooms that seat up to 12 guests. The three rooms will have their own dedicated chef and service staff. Michael Tusk is also introducing a chef's counter menu, with two seats and a special menu just for those diners. (No word as of yet on the price.) Cotogna is getting a semi-private dining room in its own kitchen as well, with room for up to 12.

To accommodate the renovation, Quince is going into shutdown mode on July 25th, two weeks from Friday. It'll reopen in its new guise just under two months later, on September 19th. There will apparently be some Quince pop-up dinners during the break, and Cotogna won't be affected by the changes. With a second Michelin star freshly awarded last year, it's clear the Tusks are pulling out all the stops to go for a third—an honor currently held in the Bay Area only by Meadowood and The French Laundry.

· Silverton, Brock, Waxman, Bloomfield to Headline Quince's 10th Anniversary Dinners [~ ESF ~]
· Quince Earns Second Michelin Star [~ ESF ~]