August saw the return of some San Francisco old timers. Sitting above Sutro Baths, Louis' Restaurant returned after a long renovation on Aug. 3, and Palace Steak House, which had been shuttered since 2009, returned later in the month. In between, August was filled with new places to buy grilled cheese, chile pies, and wine by the glass.
Summer is a cold season in the city, with the chill felt even more so in the foggy reaches of the Richmond District, which saw the August closures of LOL Cafe and Sweet Days Cafe. Hopefully fall brings warmer weather and new eateries to this neighborhood.
Openings
• The flip-camera creator, Jonathan Kaplan, started flipping grilled-cheese sandwiches at the first of his projected 500 restaurants called The Melt (115 New Montgomery at Minna).
• After a few false starts, May Lee's Dumpling and Buns is up and running (2411 California at Fillmore).
• The second Pittsburgh-sandwich making Giordano Bros. (3108 16th St. at Valencia), opened in the Mission.
• The second Chile Pies (and Ice Cream), Chile Pies Sweet & Savory opened in the Castro, and yes, they're serving pie milkshakes (314 Church at 15th St.).
• After a sustainable-themed overhaul of the restaurant interior and it menu, Lands End saw the return of 78-year-old Louis' Restaurant.
• With its own theme song, Palace Steak House came out of a two-year retirement to start serving old favorites (3047 Mission at Capp).
• After a closure and move, Five Star Truffle reopens to fulfill chocolate needs in the Castro (4251-A 18th St. at Diamond).
• The fastest beer taps this side of the Bay Bridge are at the Marina's Reed and Greenough 3251 Scott (at Chestnut). It's open and serving rounds. Fast!
• Outer Sunset saw the arrival of a new place to get coffee and lunch, at the aptly named Beachside (4300 Judah at 48th Ave.).
• North Beach sees the arrival of super cute, super-specialty food store Little Vine (1541 Grant at Filbert).
• Finally! A place to buy diamonds and wine by the glass: Rose Cut Wine Bar (2323 Market at Noe).
Additional Openings
• Kama Sushi (1497 Church at 27th St.)
• Chipotle (1523 Sloat at Everglade)
• Lite Bite (1796 Union at Octavia)
• Ayadi Pizza (377 Bay at Mason)
• Barrel Room (620 Post at Taylor)
• Green Island Restaurant (4012 Geary at Fifth Ave.)
• Ramen Underground (355 Kearny at Pine)
• Specialty's Café & Bakery (500 Howard at First St.)
• La Fusion (475 Pine at Kearny)
Closures
• Tell Tale Preserve
• Johnny Rocket's (2201 Chestnut St. at Pierce location only)
• LOL Café
• Sweet Days Cafe
• Cafe Cobras
• What's Up Dog (1599 Howard at 12th St. location only)
• Jasmine Tea House
