STREET TALK | CYNTHIA TRAINA
Restaurateur Kevin Chen has quietly opened Ninniku, a ramen bar at 1730 Fillmore. This new spot takes over the former location of his izakaya NoNo, which is relocating to the old Pizza Inferno space — both larger and more prominent on the corner of Fillmore & Sutter. Ninniku — “garlic” in Japanese — offers a $16 lunch special that includes ramen, an appetizer and dessert. Happy hour runs daily from 5 to 6 p.m., featuring $5 sake, beer, appetizers and yakitori.
Moving & Going: The Le Labo perfumery has temporarily moved into the former Cielo space across the street at 2225 Fillmore. The old location is closed for several weeks for renovation, with plans to re-open sometime in March. … Meanwhile, nearby Zero& Reimagine Tea and Boba appears to have permanently closed. A “no trespassing” sign is now displayed on its storefront and the windows have been covered with butcher paper.
Still Here: The Walgreens at Fillmore and Bush has escaped the ax once again. The company has announced that it’s shutting down another dozen of its stores in San Francisco in the coming weeks. The Fillmore store is not one of them, to the great relief of local residents. … But three other nearby stores are closing: 1363 Divisadero, near Mt. Zion Hospital; 1301 Franklin, which serves nearby senior homes; and the 24-hour store at 3201 Divisadero.
Walter Adams, the frame shop at 2019B Fillmore, has received legacy business status from the city denoting businesses that have been in operation for at 30 years or more. The first Walter Adams shop opened in 1978, and there are now three locations, including one nearby on Presidio Avenue. The business was purchased last year by Lloyd Haddad and Keith Wicker, who also own Capricorn Framing in Jordan Park.
Mehta Watch: Cody Allen, the leasing representative for investor Neil Mehta, who funded the purchase of the Clay Theater last year, has hinted that updates regarding the future of the Clay will be announced within the next few weeks. … Renovations are also underway at several of Mehta’s other properties on that block, including the former Starbucks and Ten Ichi locations.
News from Japantown: Japantown welcomes the Year of the Snake, which is associated with good fortune, rebirth and transformation. … Hed11, listed in the Michelin Guide, is now open for lunch. The 5-course tasting menu is available for $40, a bargain compared to their 11-course dinner tasting menu for $185. … The Peace Plaza redo continues, with hopes it will be completed late this year. … But there’s more construction ahead: Upgrades on the Osaka Way plaza on Buchanan Street will begin this fall.
Cynthia Traina is a longtime Fillmore resident and a residential agent with Vantage Realty. Send items and ideas for Street Talk to CT@cynthiatraina.com.
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