Castro seafood restaurant Fisch & Flore (2298 Market Street) has closed after one year and will pivot to a cafe concept.
Hoodline was alerted to the closure by an anonymous tipster. Fisch & Flore closed on Sunday, July 13.
Owner Serhat Zorlu opened the long-awaited Fisch & Flore last April, inside the former longtime home of historic neighborhood restaurant Cafe Flore.
According to a letter posted on the exterior of the restaurant, the closure is temporary. "For now, the restaurant will be temporarily closing as we take this time to prepare for an exciting new chapter; transitioning into a vibrant café concept that we can't wait to share with you," wrote Zorlu.
Fisch & Flore has temporarily closed. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Hoodline reached out to Zorlu but did not receive a response. At this time, it's unclear when the restaurant will reopen.
Zorlu took over the space in 2022 with plans of opening it by year's end; however, those plans were quickly delayed multiple times due to construction and permitting issues.
Zorlu opened the restaurant to much fanfare last April after overhauling the interior and exterior patio spaces, expanding the kitchen, remodeling the indoor and outdoor dining area, adding an ADA bathroom, repairing the restaurant's fence, installing a fire suppression system, pouring a new concrete slab for the patio, and adding two fire pits.
Public records indicate construction costs were estimated at $471,000.
Letter posted by Fisch & Flore owner Serhat Zorlu. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Earlier this year, Zorlu listed the restaurant for sale at $795,000 and told Hoodline, "I'm looking for a buyer or an investor." Last month, the price was dropped to $349,000. A listing for the restaurant remains active.
Recently, Fisch & Flore's hours have fluctuated. Last month, the restaurant expanded to being open from Wednesday to Sunday. Before that, Fisch & Flore was only open Friday to Sunday.
Zorlu has invited anyone interested to help shape the new concept. "If you'd like to share ideas, offer feedback, or be involved in what comes next, please feel free to reach out," wrote Zorlu. "Your support means so much to us."
Fisch & Flore had recently expanded its hours. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
As many long-time Castro residents will recall, Cafe Flore was a popular hangout and brunch spot during its heyday.
"Stay tuned - we're excited to share what's next and welcome you back for a fresh new experience," added Zorlu.
According to SF Gay History, Cafe Flore opened in 1973 and was purchased by Mahmood and Ahmad Ghazi in 1977. The brothers ran the restaurant for the next 25 years before selling it to JD Petras in 2002. Petras brought on Stu Gerry and others as managing partners in 2014.
View of Cafe Flore from Market St (June 1985), notice the Pride Flags on the Path of Gold light standards. | Photo: Max Kirkeberg/SFSU
An off-site prep kitchen behind what is now Flore Dispensary was approved in 2013 with the help of former District 8 Supervisor, State Senator Scott Wiener.
In 2017, Terrance Alan and Aaron Silverman purchased the restaurant while Petras and Stu Gerry remained as minority owners. Alan eventually closed the restaurant in December 2019, shifting to private events, but that concept never materialized with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hoodline will keep you updated as we learn more about the new concept.
