An enormous, century-old Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant on a beleaguered stretch of the tourist corridor plans to reopen after a drawn-out legal battle with the Port of San Francisco.
Steak and seafood mainstay Castagnola’s at 286 Jefferson St. closed its doors in March 2020, and like many other Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants (opens in new tab), it never reopened.
In late 2021, the city sued it over unpaid rent (opens in new tab), accusing the owners of rejecting earlier offers of financial relief (opens in new tab) and letting the property “fall into disrepair.” In 2023, the San Francisco city attorney filed a new lawsuit demanding more back rent, along with compensation for deferred maintenance. In addition, it sought to have Castagnola’s leave the premises, despite the restaurant’s lease extending to 2036…