Empire Building

Charlie Palmer Is Opening a ‘Chef-Driven’ Boutique Hotel Off Union Square [Updated]

Chef Palmer in the house!
Chef Palmer in the house! Photo: Courtesy of Charlie Palmer

And there you have it folks: In the space of a few days, the rumor of celebrity chef and Sonoma resident Charlie Palmer opening his first San Francisco restaurant becomes confirmed fact. Palmer insisted as of Friday that talk of his opening something near Union Square was still just rumor and there was nothing to talk about, but today, ta-da, we receive a release from the Palmer-City Core team that they are in fact taking over the Crescent Hotel (417 Stockton Street, home of the Burritt Room) to make it over into “a ‘chef-driven’ boutique hotel providing guests with a fresh approach to hospitality comprised of a cohesive, gracious and welcoming experience that permeates every moment of the stay.” What a difference a weekend makes.

Given the Dry Creek Kitchen chef’s earlier reluctance to move in on the S.F. restaurant scene — he told Grub Street he loved it here too much to open a restaurant here, because it would mean when he and his wife came down to their pied-a-terre it wouldn’t just be for pleasure anymore — and given that he said he’d had tons of great offers over the years to open something here, this was obviously an offer too good to refuse.

The team promises an “unparalleled dining experience” and Palmer says he’s “proud to join the thriving San Francisco food community.”

We’ll let you know the ETA and further details as soon as they’re released. But we guess this means bye-bye to the Burritt Room in the not-too-distant future.

Update: The Scoop gets word that the developers plan to “retain the historic nature of the Burritt Room,” including the name. The restaurant will be located in a space behind the bar. Also, the hotel will remain open while renovations begin next year. [Scoop]

Earlier: Charlie Palmer Just Might Be Opening a Restaurant at the Crescent Hotel
Charlie Palmer Loves San Francisco Too Much to Open a Restaurant Here
Meet the Pigs of Pigs & Pinot Fame

Charlie Palmer Is Opening a ‘Chef-Driven’ Boutique Hotel