Exciting news at ~THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON~: after 20 years of a fine dining format, the esteemed location will be closing to undergo a makeover and a total re-concepting. The new space will be more approachable, contemporary, and less formal—the publicist for the property emphasizes the feeling will be warm and comfortable. Chef Ron Siegel—who has been leading The Dining Room since July 2004—will be creating a new dining experience that will offer more flexibility, modernity, and simplicity (more details on the menu format soon).
One big change will be the addition of a bar and lounge area in the dining room—featuring handcrafted cocktails and small plates—designed to appeal as much to locals as to guests just passing through. The plan is to create a lively and prominent bar, with a fun environment that will spill over a bit into the actual dining room. There will also be a chef’s table and a glassed-in private dining room. (When all is said and done, there will be 146 seats total.)
There will also be two entrances to the restaurant, either a direct (and more prominent) entrance from the porte-cochère, or through the lobby. Speaking of the lobby (and lobby lounge), those two spaces are slated for some upcoming renovations down the road as well.
The redesign will begin after September 15th, and should be reopening before the end of the year. In honor of Siegel’s groundbreaking salt and pepper tasting menu, it will be available once again from August 9th-September 15th. You’ll be able to congratulate Ron during this weekend’s SF Chefs—he’ll have a table at the Saturday afternoon Grand Tasting (from 12pm-4pm).
Chef Ron Siegel. (Photo originally provided by Ritz-Carlton San Francisco.)
