Man, these are some lousy pieces of news about places closing. Sorry to report that FiDi’s CITY COUNTER is no longer open and serving their luncheonette-inspired menu. We’ll have to see what’s next for owner Harper Matheson and talented chef Sean Thomas. 115 Sansome St. at Bush.
A major bummer is SHANGHAI DUMPLING KING, home of the amazing sugar egg puffs (and affordable massive plates of steamed dumplings), has closed. According to a post on Yelp, the 696 Monterey Blvd. location remains open, and “an employee mentioned that his boss is retiring and wanted to close that [SF] location down because that location is too small and couldn’t keep up with the high demand of to-go orders.” (I have been guilty of adding to the dumpling delivery overload.)
Hoodline reports the new owner is Mary Feng Shimei, who will be reopening it as Bao Bao Noodle Bar in September. She will reportedly continue to offer the same dumplings at the same price. No word on the puffs. Sigh. That place was always a little pocket of no-fuss and vintage charm. 3319 Balboa St. at 34th St.
Since we’re talking bao, Hoodline also reported the brick-and-mortar Tenderloin location of THE CHAIRMAN has closed. The truck continues, and they may be seeking a new location. 670 Larkin St. at Ellis.
Due to close at the end of September will be HOFFMANN’S GRILL & ROTISSERIE in the Mission. An impending soft-story retrofit of the building was going to necessitate a yearlong closure, which chef-owner Karen Hoffmann and partner Chandra Asken didn’t want to weather. There’s a new business coming in, however, called Plain Jane, and according to the ABC beer and wine license transfer, it looks like the owners are behind the breakfast place Mymy cafe on California St. in Polk Gulch. 1000 Guerrero St. at 22nd St.
A peek at the counter (during an evening preview party). Photo: © tablehopper.com.
