A couple of notable downtown closures to report after the weekend: 17-year-old Chaya Brasserie closed its doors after service on Friday, as Eater reports; and 20-year-old Italian chain restaurant Buca di Beppo has closed its SoMa location as well, as Socketsite tells us.
In the case of Chaya, which is also a chain that began in LA fusing Japanese and French culinary traditions, this opens up a prime restaurant spot on the Embarcadero strip that's also home to Boulevard and Perry's. Restaurant group owner Yuta Tsunoda issued a statement saying, "From the bottom of our hearts, we thank the City of San Francisco and all the guests that have visited and supported us throughout the years." The restaurant's two LA locations remain open.
As for Buca di Beppo, the red-sauce Italian chain maintains locations in Sacramento, Palo Alto, Campbell, and all over the US, however it seems they may be in the process of downsizing a bit. Back in October, the chain shuttered a seemingly popular location in Santa Monica, prompting Eater LA to ask, "How Does Any Restaurant Survive in Santa Monica if Buca di Beppo Can't?"
The location at 855 Howard Street will be transforming from restaurant use into office, as Socketsite tells us, with 12,000 square feet available on two floors. But the site is actually zoned for going up to 130 feet, so there's that.