Castro's newest French restaurant Catch French Bistro opened last week in the space of former longtime seafood restaurant Catch at 2362 Market.
Catch closed in March after 22 years in the Castro but the space didn't remain vacant for long.
New owner Mina Habil quickly reopened the space after spending the last month remodeling the interior and modifying the menu.
Catch French Bistro is now open at 2362 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Habil currently owns two locations of French restaurant Chouchou. Chouchou's original Forest Hill location has been open since 2003, and last year opened a second location in Burlingame.
While it was initially reported that a third location of Chouchou would be opening in this Castro space, Habil decided to keep the name Catch to honor the space's legacy.
"I'm giving Catch the French bistro touch," said Mena. "I wanted to combine French cuisine with seafood elements."
Keeping the name Catch was important says Habil. "I saw a lot of people loved Catch," says Habil.
Catch French Bistro owner Mina Habil. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Recognizing the restaurant had a strong following after over two decades, Habil said "I love the name and wanted to keep it for nostalgic reasons."
Customers will notice that many of the menu items from Catch are still on the menu along with a handful of Chouchou's French dishes. Over the coming weeks, Habil plans to add more French dishes as the kitchen staff gets up to speed.
Current new menu additions include escargots au beurre ($15), a New York steak ($45), and beef Bourguignon ($39). Habil plans to add a duck leg confit Wellington, and filet de boeuf Charolais to the menu.
Catch French Bistro's lunch and dinner menus. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
The liquor license has been transferred from Catch and Habil will continue to offer cocktails and daily happy hour specials.
Habil says he opened in the Castro because he likes the open-air space and the neighborhood. "I like the energy and wanted to bring French cuisine back to the neighborhood," he said.
Habil purchased the restaurant from the previous owner Sanjay Guiral and signed a five-year lease with two five-year extensions.
Catch French Bistro's patio dining area. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Over the last month, Habil and his team made some cosmetic changes to the space including fresh paint, new tables and chairs, upgraded kitchen equipment, and removing a partition wall in the dining room.
While many Castro restaurants offer a fast-casual concept, Habil believes a fine dining experience will be popular. "Many customers have already called and asked about reservations," said Habil.
Catch French Bistro joins two other French restaurants in the area — Duboce Triangle's L'Ardoise Bistro and Church and Market's Aquitaine.
Catch French Bistro's main dining area. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Overall the first few days have been successful and feedback has been positive says Habil. "I haven't done a lot of marketing, I want to go slowly," explained Habil.
Regular Catch customers will recognize longtime server Alberto Garcia has stayed on. Having worked at Catch for 18 years, Garcia says that "the community has been amazing."
Garcia says he loves supporting all the community events including Dining Out For Life and working with community leaders like LGBTQ+ rights activist and creator of the AIDS Memorial Quilt Cleve Jones and 'First Lady of the Castro' Donna Sachet.
"This neighborhood is amazing," added Garcia.
Catch French Bistro's bar area. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Catch French Bistro will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Customers will be greeted with a live piano player on Fridays and Saturdays.
The building was the original home of the NAMES Project, commonly referred to as the AIDS Memorial Quilt. In May 2004, the building was officially designated San Francisco Landmark 241.
In 1993, the quilt had outgrown its space in the Castro and moved to 310 Brannan St. Then in 2000, the NAMES Project Board of Directors elected to move the quilt to Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2019, stewardship of the AIDS Memorial Quilt was transferred from the NAMES Project Foundation to the National AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco. In 2020, the AIDS Memorial Quilt was returned to the Bay Area.
A panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display at Catch. | Photo: Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District/Instagram
A panel of the AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed at Catch for many years. Habil confirmed to Hoodline that the AIDS Memorial Quilt will remain on display. A new panel is expected to be installed on Friday. Garcia tells Hoodline that panels are rotated regularly.
The building was also briefly home to San Francisco Supervisor and LGBTQ rights activist Harvey Milk's camera shop Castro Camera from 1978-79 after it was forced to move from its space at 575 Castro St by a rent increase.
"There's a lot of history in this place," said Habil.
Chouchou's opening comes after a handful of new Castro businesses have opened, including seafood restaurant Fisch & Flore, Chinese restaurant Joyful Garden, and Tijuana-style tacos restaurant Tacos El Tucán.
Bar 49, a new restaurant and bar from Hi Tops alum Colm O'Brien, is opening soon in the former Bagdad Café space.
