I really hate to start reporting on permanent closures, but it’s happening, and will continue to do so in these brutal times. In case you missed the news elsewhere, our dear NOPALITO has decided to close their Sunset location on Ninth Street since catering business has dried up, and that was a big part of the location’s output. They’re moving their kitchen to the 18 Reasons space in the Mission to keep up the production of their take-home kits and to be ready when catering starts to return. Within a month, they will be offering carnitas tacos and more for takeout (how handy, they’re just by Dolores Park) through the Bi-Rite Creamery soft-serve ice cream window. You can read more in this Hoodline piece. Fortunately, the original Broderick Street location remains open for takeout and delivery.
Dominique Crenn has decided to temporarily close ~PETIT CRENN~ in Hayes Valley until 2021. In an Instagram post, she announced, “In the meantime, we are thrilled to be partnered with @rethinkfood.nyc and utilizing this kitchen to help feed the hungry. Stay tuned for popup announcements and invitations to come out and support.” I’m curious to see what other local kitchens convert to this model…
I checked in with Kavitha Raghavan of INDIAN PARADOX, the Indian street food wine bar on Divisadero, and sadly she does not see a path to reopening with such a tiny space, so she has made the hard decision to close the business. It makes me so sad to see the special place she worked so hard to create, her dream, have to close. Kavitha (and chef Maribel Palomo!), thank you so much for all the heartfelt meals and wine discoveries for the past four-plus years, and offering our city a cozy little place that felt so personal. I loved sitting at your bar, and was so in love with the recent update from Lorena Zertuche…all that color. You will be missed! (And your eggs akuri, and bhel puri, and chile cheese toast.) Gah, this is making me cry. With love and thanks! Thank you for following your heart and dream! You created a unique experience that only you could do. 258 Divisadero St. at Haight.
Over in the Tenderloin, Juanita More let me know about a couple closures in her neighborhood: TOWN CUTLER has reportedly closed their location at 1005 Bush St. (More did a collaborative Pride 2020 knife set with them, pink handles and all), but you can still visit their Reno store or work with them via the mail. More news: neighborhood stalwart THEM KY—known for its affordable and authentic homestyle Vietnamese dishes, along with some Chinese dishes and combo plates—has closed after 27 years. I hope they can enjoy their retirement, that is quite a run. 717 Ellis St. at Larkin.
A change-up is coming to EKO KITCHEN in August: owner Simileoluwa Adebajo is going to be leaving her first brick-and-mortar location in SoMa and moving to a new location in the Mission in August, and only offering delivery, online ordering, and pick-up. (Be sure to order from her in the meantime.) San Francisco’s only Nigerian restaurant will be at 160 14th St. at S. Van Ness.
I was so sorry to see OLD JERUSALEM suffered a fire just before the Fourth of July, and illegal fireworks are the potential culprit. And this, after they just recently moved locations, ugh. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but they’ve posted a GoFundMe to help support their employees as they will be closed for several months to repair the roof and water damage. 2966 Mission St. at 26th St.
Across the Bay, Nosh has the story behind the closure of the Indigenous CAFE OHLONE due to the closure of Berkeley’s 46-year-old University Press Books (the restaurant hosted its special gatherings on the back patio). They’re going to be looking for another location, and hope to launch a takeout box in the fall.
The interior at Nopalito Sunset. Photo via Nopalito’s Facebook page.
