Maybe We Should Have PBR Instead?

Today was a sad day, my friends. Today, the restaurant Josh and I loved so much - the first restaurant we ever ate at in the Haight, the restaurant we went to on the day we moved in to our apartment together - has closed. Technically, it will reopen in a few months, but only technically. We've talked with the staff, and it sounds like the owners are going for a complete remodel and new menu in order to try to turn a profit. So the name will be the same, but nothing else.

We loved this place because it was like home. It was unpretentious and flawed. The booths had rips in the seats. The paint was peeling. But everyone was so gosh darned nice. The wait staff was charming and sweet. The food was dependable and delicious and even healthy at times (tempeh sandwiches, vegetarians rejoice!). It was totally affordable in a city that is increasingly not. It had art on the walls from the 70s and a beaded curtain in front of the stairs that led to the bathroom. It felt like this city should always feels - freewheeling and comforting at the same time. And it had pitchers of PBR.

Change happens, and no one can deny that turning a profit in the restaurant biz is hard. It's really hard. We get it. But it doesn't make it easier to let go. We just hope the new place doesn't become too hipster. Please, don't start cooking with lard and truffles. Please.

To celebrate what was, and mourn our loss, we drink one of the finest champagnes we've ever had - the  1993 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame ($290). You've probably guessed we love our Veuve, and it's true. This champagne is amazing, delicious, and worth every penny. We actually bought this for Valentine's Day at the liquor store down the street. When we asked the cashier to retrieve it from the locked mini refrigerator, he asked if we realized how much it cost. We assured him we did (maybe we shouldn't wear torn jeans and sweatshirts when buying fine wine? Oh well, it's the Bay Area, we could be Dot Com billionaires for all he knows). If you have the money, buy this.

And to all our favorite wait staff from All You Knead, this glass is for you.