We Be Sushi, a 39-year-old restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission District that served sushi rolls and nigiri, has quietly closed. Chef-owner Andy Tonozuka, 76, decided to retire, according to Mission Local. The restaurant’s name came from a contest, which became “notorious” to coverage from famed Chronicle columnist Herb Caen, according We Be Sushi’s website. At its peak, We Be Sushi operated five locations in the city.
San Francisco Italian restaurant Bettola served its last meals on Feb. 14. Owner Gianluca Legrottaglie is transforming the Clement Street space into a gluten-free trattoria called Clementina. The new restaurant is a continuation of Legrottaglie’s gluten-free pasta popup, Alice, according to an announcement. Legrottaglie opened Bettola in 2024; it served a variety of takeout-friendly meals, such as rotisserie chickens, baked pastas and crispy porchetta.
Legrottaglie also closed one of his popular Roman pizzerias, Montesacro Pinseria in San Francisco’s Marina District, according to an announcement. Two Montesacro locations still operate in SoMa and Walnut Creek.
Korean-Thai restaurant Kothai Republic closed for good in San Francisco on Feb. 15. Chef-owner Park Sung told the San Francisco Standard that his Inner Sunset restaurant struggled with inconsistent business. The restaurant opened in 2023 and offered dishes like tom yum, kalbi and grilled hamachi collar with nam jim.
A note posted in the front window of the North Beach location of San Francisco’s Hi-Way Burger,known for no-frills hamburgers and hot dogs, announced its closure and thanked patrons for their support. This location opened in 2022 and quietly closed in late February. Another Hi-Way Burger still operates in Noe Valley…