Going the way of almost every hotel restaurant in San Francisco, Union Square's Grand Café is closing its doors July 31 for a renovation and casual-ization. It will reopen later this year under a different name, with a different concept, and I'm putting $20 down that it will be "cocktail-driven" with a focus on "shareable small plates."
I'm making reference to recent hotel-restaurant transformations at the Ritz-Carlton, where the renowned Dining Room at the Ritz disappeared and became the more lounge-y and casual Parallel 37; and most recently, the cocktail-focused Dirty Habit replaced the much fancier Fifth Floor. (Sidebar: Try the smoked fondue!) It's a trend sweeping the nation of course the eschewing of tablecloths, an obsession with comfort food, burgers, and cocktails and perhaps it's just the case that no one really wants to dine in their hotel anymore unless it's a quick, casual bite. There is tons of competition across the city from more destination-worthy eating spots.
As Inside Scoop reports today, the plan is for something smaller at the Hotel Monaco, because the current, enormous dining area is going to be turned into a ballroom which was actually the original use of the space. Details are still TBA, but the replacement will still be operated by the Kimpton Group, and will include a bar and restaurant. Stay tuned later this year for more. And you have exactly two months to go enjoy some classic escargot and cassoulet.
