After more than two decades of pouring Barolo and twirling pasta for the Marina crowd, Ristobar is calling it quits. Owner Gary Rulli has announced that the Italian restaurant and wine bar will close after final service on Memorial Day, ending a 22‑year run at the corner of Chestnut and Scott.
Rulli shared the news on social media this week, setting May 25 as the restaurant’s last night. He wrote that “After 22 unforgettable years in San Francisco’s Marina District, Memorial Day will mark the final service of Ristobar.” The Chronicle notes that his announcement did not give a reason for the closure. The site at 2300 Chestnut St. has housed Rulli’s projects in several incarnations over the years, starting with Emporio Rulli Gran Caffè and later evolving into the current Ristobar.
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Legal cloud over the business
While Rulli stayed quiet publicly on the why, there has been some stormy weather behind the scenes. Last year, the city attorney filed a civil claim in Superior Court alleging unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest tied to Ristobar, with the total topping $150,000, according to The San Francisco Standard. The Standard puts the combined bill at about $152,980. The lawsuit offers some context for the timing of the shutdown, although Rulli did not mention the case in his social media post.
What’s next for the Chestnut space
Fans holding out hope for another neighborhood trattoria in the same spot may want to reset expectations. The Chronicle reports that the Chestnut location will continue in a new direction through a partnership with Eria Events, and nearby listings are already promoting the address as Eria Marina, an indoor and outdoor events venue.
Eventective lists Eria Marina at 2300 Chestnut St. and describes it as a private events space geared toward weddings, corporate gatherings, and community parties. According to the Chronicle, a launch party for the new operator was posted for June 13 on event listings, a quick turnaround that suggests the corner will not stay quiet for long.
A changing Chestnut Street
Ristobar’s exit will not leave Chestnut Street short on red sauce. The block already has a deep bench of Italian options, including A16, Napizza and Delarosa, and Little Original Joe’s joined the lineup across the street last year. SFist covered Little Original Joe’s May 2024 opening at 2301 Chestnut St.
The shift from a nightly restaurant to a mostly booked events venue will change the evening rhythm on that stretch, cutting down on walk‑in tables and replacing them with wedding toasts and corporate cocktail hours. Longtime regulars are already sharing memories online and organizing farewell dinners before the doors close.
Ristobar’s final service is set for May 25, on Memorial Day. Anyone hoping for one last plate of pasta or a final glass at the bar should plan ahead, because the corner that served as a neighborhood standby for 22 years is about to be reintroduced as an events destination in the weeks that follow.
