Scoop reports that LUELLA in Russian Hill is closing at the end of the month. Chef-owner Ben de Vries is closing up shop to spend more time with his family and friends, but is looking forward to working the stoves somewhere where he won’t have to work the books too. No word yet on the new takers for the restaurant. Luella will be taking reservations via phone for the rest of the month. Best wishes to the de Vries clan! 1896 Hyde St. at Green, 415-674-4343.
Thanks to a tip from a tablehopper reader, it appears that both MONDO CAFFE and KATZ BAGELS in the Financial District have closed. It’s not clear if this is a lease issue (the two are neighbors) or if something else happened. I remember going to Mondo for their focaccia sandwiches when I had my downtown ad agency job back in the late 1990s, so they have been around for a while. Awww, memories. 602-606 Mission St. at 2nd St.
The exterior of Luella. Photo from Facebook.