Here's the latest in San Francisco food news. In this edition, a longtime Castro eatery closes its doors, Sauce shutters its remaining location and North Beach gets new Thai and Italian restaurants.
Closing
Castro
Eureka Restaurant and Lounge (4063 18th St.)
Multiple tipsters alerted Hoodline to the sudden closure of the Castro's 12-year-old Eureka Restaurant and Lounge, announced via a sign posted to the restaurant's window on Monday morning.
“Many thanks to our staff as well as our patrons,” the note reads. “We are so grateful that our paths crossed!”
Owned Opened by chef Gaines Dobbins, the restaurant offered upscale Southern fare like gumbo, ribs and fried chicken. A Hoodline reporter reached out to the restaurant to inquire about the reasons for its closure, but our call was not returned.
Eureka is the latest in a series of notable restaurant closures in the Castro this year. So far in 2019, the neighborhood has lost veteran restaurants Firewood Cafe and Chow (reborn as Cook Shoppe), as well as high-profile newcomer Izakaya Sushi Ran.
FiDi
Sauce Belden (56 Belden Pl.)
After seven years, the remaining location of Sauce, on Belden Place, will shutter on July 26. The closure follows last year's departure of Sauce's original location in Hayes Valley.
According to Eater SF, Sauce’s owners — brothers Nathan, Matt, and Trip Hosley and chef Ben Paula — decided not to renew the restaurant's lease on Belden.
The quartet had already sold their Gough Street property (which also contained an upstairs hotel) to allow Nathan and Matt Hosley to focus on their East Coast businesses, leaving Trip Hosley and Paula to run Sauce Belden.
The closure may not be the end for the Sauce quartet. Hosley told Hoodline last year that despite the Gough Street sale, the group planned to open some fast-casual spots around the city.
Sauce Belden will continue to be open on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. through July 26, so regulars can drop in for one last meal. We'll keep you posted on what's next for the space.
Openings
North Beach
New Thai Elephant (393 Bay St.)
Tipster Al M. alerted us that a Thai restaurant is on its way to North Beach's former Mayabi Sushi spot. Renovations are currently underway at New Thai Elephant, which shares ownership with New Thai Restaurant in San Mateo.
According to Al, plans for the spot include an elephant gallery, including a hand-drawn elephant mural on one of the interior walls. It's currently projected to open on or around July 28.
Luisa's Ristorante (759 Columbus Ave.)
Al also spotted another new restaurant in North Beach — Luisa's Ristorante, which has softly opened in the old Burgermeister space on Columbus Avenue.
The restaurant's new owner, Luisa Hanson, has run several now-shuttered San Francisco restaurants, such as La Vinoteca, Delaney's Bar, Duffy's — which never officially opened — and Luisa's Pizza and Pasta.
We've reached out to Hanson on a few occasions to learn more, but haven't heard back. However, back in January, a source told us that the Italian bistro will offer "a nice selection of Californian and Italian wines, and some of her signature dishes, like gnocchi and freshly made sauces."
Seen something new (or closing) in the neighborhood? Text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.
