UGH. It's one thing after another this spring with the abrupt closings, and after last week's news about longtime stalwart The Orbit Room, now we get word that there are only three nights left for Minako Organic Japanese Restaurant (2154 Mission Street). As Eater reports, the landlord wants the space back for a family member, and the mother-daughter team of chef Yoko Kondo and host/waitress Minako "Judy" Hisamatsu are on their way out. On the bright side, they pledge to look for another space and reopen after a few months' rest, but nothing's been nailed down.
They made the announcement via Facebook nearly a month ago, saying, "Sadly, we've lost our lease. The landlord's uncle wants the space, and they've already signed papers. There was a bit of a misunderstanding for a little while, where we thought we had another year or so, but we actually don't, so we'll be closing April 10th."
The tiny place with its handwritten menu has had many loyal fans over the years, many of them vegan and vegetarian, and with little space to wait for a table inside, you could sometimes be shuffled out the door brusquely, and/or rushed through your meal, but that was just part of the charm of the place. You either waited in back by the refrigerator, or out on the street, and you hoped to snag a seat before the cutoff of 8:45 p.m., which is technically when they stop serving nightly.
They've held a place on SFist's Best Sushi list, and will likely continue to if they manage to relocate.
But if you're in the neighborhood and Judy will seat you, do yourself a favor and grab some hamachi mint while you can.
Minako Organic Japanese Restaurant - 2154 Mission Street between 17th and 18th - Open 5:30 to 8:45 p.m.