Downtown workers have a pretty sweet lunch counter to perch at, CITY COUNTER. I broke the news about the project back in March, and kudos to first-time owner Harper Matheson on getting this project open so quickly. Go ladies (it’s female-owned and designed).
It’s a chic luncheonette in the Standard Oil building, bridging nostalgia for vintage lunch counters with a contemporary and minimalist style (by architectural designer Nicole Huang). The predominantly white and light-filled room features a long (60 feet!) white stone counter—with plenty of purse hooks and matching white stools—along with white subway tile and globe pendant lights. Since the space is elevated above the street, the café tables flanking the row of windows have a nice view. It’s the kind of pleasing design that makes your stress level drop and have happy feelings bubble up.
Sean Thomas (Blue Plate) consulted on the menu, which highlights some updates on classic sandwiches like egg salad (with crunchy vinegar chips) and a tuna melt with three-cheese fondue, plus a clever vegetarian Reuben with smoked beets. There are also salads and sweets. Check out the menu here. And there’s wine! (They will be offering some after-work bites and beers too.)
It’s designed to appeal to the busy schedule of office workers, so expect things to move at a nice clip (there are 30 seats at the counter and 35 at the window benches), and you can order to-go as well. Delivery and catering are coming soon. Open Mon-Fri 11am-7pm. 115 Sansome St. at Bush, 415-844-0633.
The tuna melt with three-cheese fondue. Photo: Kassie Borreson.
