The past 24 hours in gossip, innuendo, and cold hard facts about the San Francisco food scene.
Born the year Prohibition ended, the city's oldest liquor store has passed on. Tablehopper shares that the Financial District's John Walker & Co. has shut its doors for good. What Eater SF and Grub Street had first reported as a temporary closure, due to a liquor suspension stemming from the sale of adult beverages to under-21s, has turned into the end of a 78-year run.
In other boozy news, Grub Street reports some more details on the bar Dear Mom, which we noted by its LLC name yesterday (Mustaches and Beards). From Thieves Tavern bartenders Oliver Piazza and Jay Beaman, and its owner Paul Bavaro, the bar slated for the El Rincon space will feature French-leaning gastropub bites from chef Laurent Katgely (of Chez Spencer and Spencer On the Go). No word yet on an opening date, as the El Rincon is still serving drinks.
Saison has found a spot it likes. However, even if all goes to plan, it will still be at least six to eight months until it opens. Inside Scoop reports chef Joshua Skenes' plans for the future third phase of Saison includes "comfort," a nontraditional waitstaff, and a larger hearth than the one he currently uses. Fingers crossed the wait won't end up being 18 months.
Trading in the wheels for more horsepower: The Feast reports the Crème Brûlée Cart is launching a truck. It will park at the Civic Center's Off the Grid this Friday, and plans are to take the brûlée on the road to other Bay Area cities. Look for all the regular crème brûlée options and (maybe) a disco ball. Don't worry, cart fans, he'll still be pushing his miniwheels through the Financial District some weekdays.
And a few openers from Tablehopper: The new sustainable, local, organic Louis' (902 Point Lobos at Merrie) reopened today. We're sure it's already overrun with tourists.
SOMA sandwich lovers will soon be able to pull up a seat at the Deli Board. Tablehopper shares that the current sandwich line snakes away from the catering kitchen, which will be moving to 1058 Folsom (at Cleveland). The catering kitchen will adjoin the new restaurant and will seat 25 to 30. Expect an opening in late August or early September.
And in a quick switch, Quattro Stagioni has become Pachino (318 Kearny at Bush). In addition to the "four seasons" restaurant from Pino Spinoso (of Tiramisu) getting a new moniker, it now serves Neapolitan pizzas and includes partner Gabriele Originario, former general manager of Burger Bar.
