A few updates on some upcoming projects: first up, the Absinthe Group’s 200-seat restaurant at 888 Brannan is going to be Spanish, and Inside Scoop reports the chef is Ryan McIlwraith, who opened Coqueta as chef de cuisine. Look for a killer bar program from Comstock Saloon’s Jeff Hollinger and Jonny Raglin. The opening is planned for summer, and it will be open from breakfast through dinner. (You can take a deeper look at Gensler’s plans for 888 Brannan.) 888 Brannan at 8th St.
While this is far from being a definite, the Bay Area Reporter has word that Les Natali, owner of the THE PATIO that has been closed for, oh, ages, is trying to open a Hamburger Mary’s at the location. Hamburger Mary’s launched in SF in 1972, and there are now 12 locations around the U.S., which means Natali will need approval from the Planning Commission because of the city’s formula retail rules (any chain with 11 or more locations nationwide requires a conditional-use permit). Stand by for news on when a neighborhood meeting is scheduled; the BAR piece linked above has more details about Natali’s plans for the Castro location. 531 Castro St. at 18th St.
888 Brannan. Image © Gensler.
