SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Cassava, an award-winning French-California bistro in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, is closing after 12 years in business. In a post on Instagram, Yuka Ioroi and Kristoffer Toliao, the husband-and-wife chef duo behind the restaurant, announced that Sunday, Nov. 17 would be the restaurant’s last day of service in North Beach.
In the closure announcement, the couple cited “the current economy in San Francisco” as a reason for closing. Instead, Toliao and Ioroi plan to pivot to separate, smaller ventures. Among them are plans for a new takeout-focused cafe kiosk in SF’s trendy Jackson Square neighborhood.
The spot is expected to open in early 2025 and will offer “fresh salads, hearty soups, and open-faced sandwiches.” About 25% of the restaurant’s current staff are expected to transfer to the kiosk.
The remaining 75% of the staff will be joining the team at North Beach Restaurant, a soon-to-open eatery where Ioroi and Toliao are consulting. That restaurant is expected to open by the end of November, according to the closure announcement.
The couple also plans to open a “Future Dinner-Only” spot in the coming years under a new brand. That spot would be intended to showcase “Nouveau Bistro” cuisine and be designed with “Michelin recognition in mind.”
“Given the current economy in San Francisco, we believe it’s wiser to create smaller units in different market segments rather than running everything in one location,” the couple said on Instagram. “By pivoting to this approach, we believe that we’re setting a foundation that will help our business grow and thrive over the long term, and keep this beloved Cassava name going!”
The couple announced the closure as “bittersweet,” calling the North Beach spot a “dream come true location.”
Cassava was first launched in 2012 at an 8-seat cafe in the Outer Richmond neighborhood. The restaurant was acclaimed by the local food press with the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine and Eater SF all praising it.
The restaurant moved to North Beach in 2022 and received further acclaim, including recognition from the James Beard Foundation for its commitment to equitable restaurant operations.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Cassava, an award-winning French-California bistro in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, is closing after 12 years in business. In a post on Instagram, Yuka Ioroi and Kristoffer Toliao, the husband-and-wife chef duo behind the restaurant, announced that Sunday, Nov. 17 would be the restaurant’s last day of service in North Beach. […]
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