Just as I got home, this big news hit my inbox: chef Traci Des Jardins is closing ~JARDINIÈRE~ after service on Saturday April 27th, after 21 years as our bastion of bubbles, charcuterie, and fine dining in Hayes Valley. You can read more in this in-depth interview about chef Traci’s reasons, memories, and perspective, but in sum, instead of remodeling or reconcepting to fit SF’s changing (and costly) current dining landscape, she decided to close the restaurant. In this The New York Times piece, she also mentions being fatigued with fine dining, and is more interested in focusing on Mexican cuisine right now. Right on.
I know many of us are going to miss sidling up to that shimmering horseshoe bar, one of the city’s sexiest, and Jardinière’s high level of hospitality and quality service will be so missed—such a great staff. Des Jardins and her team are dedicated to ensuring that each staff member finds a new place to work where they will thrive. Kudos to chef Traci, who has had so much talent come up and out of her kitchen, including chefs Douglas Keane, Peter Armellino, Richard Reddington, Michael Hung, Robbie Lewis, Elizabeth Binder, Deepak Kaul, as well as bar directors Thad Vogler and Elizabeth Takeuchi-Krist; sommeliers Eugenio Jardim and Jai Wilson; general managers Doug Washington and Anna Corporeal—the list of Jardinière alumni is long (you can only imagine how busy the closing parties will be).
She will continue to be busy with her other properties throughout the city, including The Commissary and Arguello in partnership with The Presidio Trust, Mijita, School Night, and Public House. I need to come in for one last warm bread salad (and thankfully it’s artichoke season). Best wishes to her and the entire team, thanks for all the memories and creating a place for so many celebrations.
I heard from a tablehopper reader that the popular Vietnamese restaurant in Oakland, THE TEMPLE CLUB, has closed. (I was seeing the retaurant location listed in a real estate newsletter, and hoped the writing wasn’t on the wall, but alas, the inside is reportedly all torn up.) Owners Geoff Deetz and his wife Quynh Nhu are looking for another location, here’s hoping we get a positive update soon (I reached out to Geoff for an update). 2307 International Blvd. at 23rd Ave., Oakland.
More closures: unfortunately, Chinese-American sandwich spot PAPER ROOSTER has closed their Tenderloin shop, here’s hoping they return in some form.
A tablehopper reader let me know the Vietnamese and Chinese KIM THANH has closed, an unpretentious spot known for its seafood in the Tenderloin. After 32 (or 37!) years—I have read conflicting numbers—the owner has retired. At least they made it through one more crab season for us. 607 Geary St. at Jones.
I also heard back from one of the owners of COLETTA GELATO: “It looks like we are going to sell part of the company, but not the name. This means that Coletta will be permanently closed.” Sorry, everyone!
And this is just a temporary closure (thank goodness): ~NAMU GAJI~ is closed for a mandatory seismic retrofit of their building at 499 Dolores St. (just like their neighbors, Bi-Rite Creamery). They will continue catering and Caviar to-go orders throughout the closure over the next couple months, and you can get your Namu fix at Namu Stonepot at 553 Divisadero St. and Namu at the Ferry Building.
Jardinière. Photo: © FrankenyImages.com.
