Original Town Hall Chefs/Owners Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal, along with Co-owner Bjorn Kock, announced they will be departing from the acclaimed restaurant in October, just shy of its 20-year anniversary, passing the torch to Chef Tyler Florence to carry on its legacy. What began in 2003 as a shot for the Rosenthal’s to create a New Orleans-inspired, casual take on the pedigreed cuisine they developed at Postrio with Wolfgang Puck, the downtown institution’s New American fare and buzzy atmosphere quickly became a San Francisco darling beloved by luminaries from Mayor Willie Brown to Dave Chapelle. From pioneering one of the earliest Bay Area communal tables to its famous chocolate butterscotch pudding and storied Fat Tuesday parties, Town Hall set new standards as a vibrant gathering place for San Francisco residents and visitors from near and far.
“Town Hall has always been a joy for us, a place everyone could call home. While we’re sorry to see this chapter close, we leave with great pride in what we have accomplished. With its subtle New Orleans charm, awesome food, and warm and wonderful staff, Town Hall has been cherished as a San Francisco star and we will treasure the many wonderful memories we have for years to come,” M. Rosenthal states. Mitchell, Steven, and Bjorn are especially grateful for the hard work and devotion that their incredible staff put in over the years and would also like to thank the patrons and regulars for their continued support.
Town Hall’s next chapter will kick off in early 2024 when chef Tyler Florence teams up with San Francisco-based real estate investment firm DivcoWest. DivcoWest and its partners own the restaurant as well as the adjacent 199 Fremont, a Class A office building that features a newly renovated lobby and tenant lounge that can host private events. Tyler will take over all restaurant operations and reintroduce a new concept under the existing and beloved Town Hall name. Florence’s approach to the evolution of Town Hall includes a refreshed menu, extended hours, and valet parking.
“Town Hall has made a significant culinary contribution to the City of San Francisco and our team is looking forward to carrying on the tradition of this cherished institution. We are excited to pair a fresh, new experience with our elevated hospitality to create a new restaurant offering that will blow you away,” said Chef Tyler Florence.
“Town Hall is an institution that has created great memories over the years for which we are deeply thankful,” said Eric Lupinski, Managing Director, DivcoWest. “We are honored that Tyler Florence has chosen the evolving East Cut neighborhood for his next endeavor. He is a celebrated voice in the hospitality industry, and we look forward to introducing his new concept to the community.”
Town Hall is located at 342 Howard Street in San Francisco. For more information, please call (415) 908-3900.