Obituaries

Renowned San Francisco Restaurateur, Maurice Rouas, Dies

Rouas
Rouas Photo: via Bravo

Maurice Rouas, owner of Fleur de Lys since 1970 and longtime maitre d’ in the restaurant, has died at age 73. The cause, as the Chron reports, was complications from diabetes, pneumonia, and kidney failure. Rouas followed his brother Claude from Paris to San Francisco in 1962, and both worked at Ernie’s and L’Etoile before Maurice went on to buy Fleur de Lys. He brought on Hubert Keller as chef and partner in 1986, and the restaurant held four stars from the Chronicle for almost a decade, and more recently earned a Michelin star. Keller says of Rouas, “He was one of the greatest hosts in America… We’ll miss him.” [Chron]

Renowned San Francisco Restaurateur, Maurice Rouas, Dies