One of Hayes Valley’s most prominent restaurants is about to close after a decade of fine dining riffs on Parisian dishes. Monsieur Benjamin, chefs Corey Lee and Jason Berthold’s expansive Hayes Street restaurant, will close for good on Saturday, June 29. In an Instagram post and note pinned to the website, ownership writes the ten-year lease expires at the end of the month, and they do not plan to renew. “We are proud and grateful to have been a fixture in the neighborhood, and a comforting restaurant for so many regulars,” the statement reads in-part.
The restaurant, thanks to its large footprint in the neighborhood and impressive pedigree, became a fast favorite. The Chronicle writes then-critic Michael Bauer wrote the seafood and service were enjoyable, though prices were high. Monsieur Benjamin came under fire in 2017 when a line cook alleged she was harassed at work. According to documents provided to the paper, Berthold fired the supervisor upon learning of the allegations. Regular service and reservations will continue through to June 29.
H Mart spends big, buying San Francisco mall
San Franciscans by and large hit the H Mart in the Oceanview Village Shopping Center, located in the liminal space between the south end and Daly City. That customer base can get excited as the Real Deal reports the international Korean grocer purchased the entire lot for $37 million. The deal closed on May 1 and did not include the 370 condos in the property. Still, there are no immediate details on what the business will do with the rest of the shopping center.
“Magical tea house” slammed for too much tea
Co-working and events space The Center is under scrutiny from San Francisco for billing itself as a tea house while not being properly permitted. The Standard reports the business was found out of permit in 2021, regarding snack and beverage sales, along with a litany of other issues. Co-owner Danny Kaufman told the outlet the back-and-forth with the city intensified this spring, and as of May, the business is putting its tea service on ice.
Sacramento restaurateur takes indefinite break
Pop-ups Tenko Omakase and basque cheesecake purveyor Keki will both go dark. Chef-owner of both, Tim Wong, took to Instagram stories to let fans know his third pancreatic cancer diagnosis has left him looking for a “carefree lifestyle, free of commitments and responsibilities.”
Skrillex loves dank Vietnamese cocktails, too
After tens of thousands descended upon Civic Center for a reportedly super well-run Skrillex and Fred Again concert, the two headliners made their way to newish Union Square bar the Felix. Instagram stories from the business confirm the DJs hung out and cooked beats at the vibey underground companion club to Bodega.
