Bay Area/ San Francisco
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Published on December 28, 2024
Seal Rock Inn Restaurant to Make a Comeback in San Francisco with New Parisian TwistSource: Google Street View

A familiar face is set to return as the Seal Rock Inn Restaurant, once shuttered after a dramatic rent hike, is slated to reopen—this time under new ownership.

Vacant since its 2020 closure, the Seal Rock Inn Restaurant, which has been a constant in the city's oceanfront dining scene for almost half a century, found new life when Alfred Schilling, a chef with deep roots in the city's food industry and a love for its iconic views, took it over in October. Schilling, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, has been revamping the space into a Parisian bistro with plans to serve breakfast with a "French flair" and, eventually, lunch and dinner.

Formerly run by the Psarras family for decades, the restaurant was forced to close due to an unsustainable increase in the rent, as Andy Psarras told Eater San Francisco. However, hotel owner Larry Elam provided a different perspective despite the rent issue, indicating the family had chosen to close rather than being forced out. This came after a brief stint of trying take-out services during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was unsuccessful.

The reopening of Seal Rock Inn's restaurant marks a glimmer of hope in San Francisco's challenging dining environment. It's set to again join the ranks of local landmarks such as the Cliff House—to undergo major renovations until 2025—and the 83-year-old Louis' Diner, still awaiting a new tenant. As told to SFGATE, the National Park Service has not yet issued a request for proposals to fill the diner's vacancy as of February. Together, they form an important part of the city's dining history and lore, with the Cliff House and the Seal Rock Inn famously serving as a refuge for writer Hunter S. Thompson during a frenzied writing spree.

As the New Year approaches, those who appreciate San Francisco's culinary history can look forward to revisiting the stunning waterfront views and enjoying breakfast dishes such as scrambles with goat cheese and herbs or French toast made from fresh-baked brioche.