Bay Area/ San Francisco/ Food & Drinks
Published on October 12, 2024
Castro Restaurant From Petaluma's Angela's Ice Cream Previous Owners Set to Take Over Former Vico Cavone / Firewood Space [Updated]Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

A new restaurant is on the way at 4248 18th Street, formerly Italian restaurant Vico Cavone and longtime Castro staple Firewood Cafe.

According to a liquor license notice displayed in the window, the new restaurant will be called Flora King, though the name may be subject to change.

Vico Cavone closed last year amidst a dispute between its owners. The more fast-casual Firewood closed in 2019 after 22 years in the Castro.

Flora King is owned by the husband and wife team of Ignacio 'Iggy' Garat and Angela Pryor-Garat. The couple's son Ignacio 'Iggy' Garat owns Iggy's Organic Burger in Healdsburg and ice cream shop Angela's Ice Cream.


New Castro restaurant Flora King will be opening at 4248 18th St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

Details on Flora King are slim, and Garat did not respond to Hoodline's request for comment. At this time, an opening date has not been announced.

Garat opened Iggy's Organic Burgers in 2023. Ignacio Garat and his wife Angela Pryor-Garat purchased Petaluma's Lala's Ice Cream in 2017 before changing the business' name. Angela's Ice Cream has two locations in Petaluma, one in Forestville and another in Healdsburg next to Iggy's Organic Burger.


Construction work is ongoing inside 4248 18th St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

In an interview with the Marin Independent Journal in July, Garat explained his family immigrated from Argentina in 2001 where they worked in the restaurant business.

Construction workers have been seen inside the space for the past few weeks.


Liquor license notice in the window at 4248 18th St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

Public records indicate Garat applied for the Type 41 beer and wine license on October 8 and the application is currently pending. Garat did not transfer the Type 47 license from Vico Cavone owners Alessandro Raimondi and Sanaa Hams.

Hoodline will update this story as we learn more about Flora King.

Update, 2:30 p.m.

After publication, Angela Pryor-Garat tells Hoodline that Flora King is co-owned by her and her husband Ignacio Garat.

Pryor-Garat explained they bought Lala's ice cream in 2018 and then transferred it to their son Iggy Garat who also runs Iggy's Burger.

"Iggy is our son but not the owner of this new project," said Pryor-Garat.

Pryor-Garat explained they are still working on a menu and concept.

Pryor-Garat confirmed the new restaurant will be called Flora King, after her great-grandmother. "She was a pioneer in Argentina that came from Scotland," explained Pryor-Garat. "We owe much to her."