After just two years in its new location in the Castro, and after more than a decade in smaller digs on Polk Street, Pesce (2223 Market Street) is calling it quits. The restaurant had seemed somewhat popular in the neighborhood over that period, but executive chef and owner Ruggero Gadaldi says, "When we moved from our Polk St. location to our Market St., location, we noticed how the change in neighborhood and the expansion in square footage affected the concept's integrity."

Ruggero adds, "Although I'm sad to close what has been a labor of love, I want to thank our loyal fans and the regulars who we got to know intimately since Pesce opened its doors. I’m sad to say goodbye, but look forward to what the future holds and doing what I love best, cooking."

The restaurant's last day will be September 13, after which the fate of the space is up in the air.

A new buyer has apparently claimed the space, and we'll update you when there's more info on who that is.

The news comes to SFist via a rep for Back of the House Inc., the restaurant group founded by Adriano Paganini who was an original partner in Pesce and now owns Beretta, Delarosa, Lolinda, Starbelly, Belga, Super Duper and Uno Dos Tacos.