Just six months after the much-hyped opening of Chotto Matte, San Francisco's rooftop fusion hot spot is entangled in legal drama. The restaurant, which tops off Union Square with one of the city's largest rooftop bars, was hit with a lawsuit by CalAsia Construction, Inc. claiming the glitzy venue has failed to cough up approximately $1.9 million in construction fees, as reported by SFGATE.
The construction company filed the suit in San Francisco Superior Court on April 18, asserting that Chotto Matte, LLC, entered into an agreement back in October 2022 that included a $700,000 contractor's fee, and $90,000 for insurance coverage, yet the payment was never made in full. "Failed and refused" to settle the account, the lawsuit alleges, painting an unflattering picture of the business behind the scenes of the sprawling 400-seat restaurant that offers a range of tasting menus priced between $90 and $165 per person.
Opened to public acclaim last October, Chotto Matte SF promised a delectable mixture of Japanese and Peruvian flavors, according to Hoodline San Francisco. The restaurant joined the trendy slew of rooftop dining experiences in the city, such as Charmaine's at the Proper Hotel and Kaiyo Rooftop in SoMa, aiming to elevate San Francisco's urban palate.
The San Francisco outpost, perched on the eighth floor of 50 O’Farrell St., boasts not just a robata grill and DJ lounge, but also, stunning views that have undoubtedly contributed to its packed reservations list. Chotto Matte's chain spans internationally with establishments nestled in London, Miami, Toronto, and even as far as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Inside, guests find a modern aesthetic complete with an open sushi counter and central robata grill, all set to the backdrop of a live DJ's beats.
CalAsia Construction's lawsuit seeks damages for labor, materials, services, and equipment totaling $1,879,195.34, which includes penalties and interest on top of the core sum. A case management conference has been scheduled for September 18, 2024, to address these allegations. Meanwhile, calls to Chotto Matte and CalAsia Construction by SFGATE for comments on the matter went unanswered.
