OMVNA

(Per our printed quarterly newsletter, now in press; late news added here, including Steins final demise.)

Earlier this year, Tandoori Junction replaced Bay Biryanis, 698 W. Dana at Hope.

Steins Beer Garden and Restaurant, 895 Villa at Bryant, was “saved” with a new owner taking over in June.  However, three weeks ago the Daily Post reported that it’s winding down for real closure:

New owner is preparing to close, and transform the space “within the next year as Barrio Queen, a chain with five locations in the Southwest.”

People ask me the significance of Chez TJ (938 Villa) losing a Michelin star award.  There’s context: Michelin’s criteria evolve.  Formerly a Bay Area guide recommended hundreds of restaurants here, some with “stars” for special mention.  Lately there’s just a “California” edition dividing similar attention across the whole state.  TJ, which has held zero, one, and two stars, also got a new chef last year, which would trigger new evaluation even if the Guide had awarded as many stars locally as in years past.

On July 15, Fish With You opened at 156 Castro, former Bushido site.  This chain from China has other Bay Area locations and names (in Cupertino, Wei’s Fish).  Sichuanese dishes in bowls (à-la the “boiled” whitefish filets in broth floated with fierce-looking red chilies, a specialty long popular at area restaurants and less spicy than the peppers’ appearance suggests).  Bowls in the pictorial menu are mainly, but not only, seafood dishes.  The restaurant’s name reflects a wordplay in the Chinese original, changing “with” to “fish” in a sentimental idiom (“with you together”).  A commenter online opined that the translation might have used “Fish You Were Here” to better capture the original’s spirit.

Works-In-Progress, listed from north to south (latest status from City staff via Jamil Shaikh): 

• Kitchen Story (171 Castro):  Planning Permit for new restaurant approved Nov. 2023.

• 735 Villa, former Fiesta Del Mar Too:  Tenant improvement building permit submitted for a new restaurant; still under review.

• 236 Castro (long-closed Mervyn’s), where a start of remodeling is apparent:  Planning Permit for a minor addition and façade remodel approved May 2024 and subsequent building permits submitted.  Main work slated to begin soon.

• Yakiniku Ginza (475 Castro, more info in May’s report):  Tenant improvement building permit issued.