End of an Era

the tablehopper | 10:08 am | August 19, 2008 | Foodie 411

After 14 years of business, Rubicon, a landmark food and wine destination, has closed. The current cost of doing business in San Francisco was a primary component of owner and restaurateur Drew Nieporent’s decision to close, plus a shrinking profit margin. The talented team of executive chef Stuart Brioza and his fiancée, pastry chef Nicole Krasinski, were at Rubicon for 4 ½ years. They intend to stay in San Francisco, but have no firm plans at this time. For now, they will be cooking for private events, and Krasinski is doing some consulting. There is also no word about the fate of the famed wine cellar, which Larry Stone was instrumental in creating; there are a couple interested parties who may buy the building, but nothing is final.

Stuart and Nicole said they really valued the opportunity to make Rubicon their own, and were creating new dishes every day until the very end, inspired by the remarkable ingredients from local purveyors and farmers. They said the evolution of their craft, and their dishes, was very much inspired by their access to top-notch ingredients; they feel like both their food and the restaurant were made better because of these relationships with the people supplying them. They were also so grateful for their solid and talented staff behind them, many working there for years. And lastly, they were proud of their relationship with Larry Stone and owner Drew Nieporent, who were so very supportive of their food. Here’s wishing the entire staff of Rubicon all the best, and many thanks from the entire food and wine community.

Marcia Gagliardi writes a popular weekly e-column about the SF dining scene, “the tablehopper.” Subscribe for free at www.tablehopper.com and get it in your inbox every Tuesday. Got news? Email Marcia at taste@sanfrancisco.travel.