New Openings and Revival of San Marco Square.

[stephendare]

Just dropped by the square for coffee, and San Marco is abuzz with new life and openings.

Cafe Carmon is being reopened as Taverna, and I chatted with the very attractive young married couple who own the place.  Sam and Kylie have redone the interior in a neo primitive wood motif with gorgeous contemporary designa and lighting elements.   The divider walls are this great rustic wood.  Its going to be awesome.

Square One has expanded to the upstairs, and their wednesday nights have revived everything good about the neighborhood.   Art, chatty beautiful people, great music, and that specifically cool san marco vibe.

Matthews market has reopened and seems to be doing great.  This neighborhood is thriving while all the suburban districts are collapsing.

Its awesome to see, and there will be more details in the articles on Taverna and the State of the Neighborhood report.

[stephendare]

I should have a copy of the Taverna Menu up shortly, as well as the Matthew's bar menu and schedule.

San Marco is really on the move again.

[Captain Zissou]

Thanks for the update!  I have been to TAG once or twice and loved it.  Taverna sounds like a place where I could spend a lot of time.  I noticed some shots of pool tables at square one and couldn't figure it out, but I guess they took over half of Thai Bistro's space.

[stephendare]

Zissou, their Wednesday Nights are probably the best night to go out in the city.   

Very beautiful people.  Smart conversation, definitely the best chances of hooking up with someone you would be stoked to have your friends meet.

Very fashionable people mixing with artists, musicians and the culturati.

I was surprised.  It was like being out in Seattle or S.F.

[Captain Zissou]

I have been there 3 or 4 Wednesdays this summer.  It's definitely a mix of some of the well to do young folks and the artistic crowd. Fun times!

[tufsu1]

but I thought that the San Marco area were reported near death in the recent past :-)

[stephendare]

a good portion of it died out, tufsu.   And now comes the part about filling the empty slots.

Which we actually predicted.

Watch and learn, my friend.

[tufsu1]

a good portion of it died out, tufsu.   And now comes the part about filling the empty slots.

Which we actually predicted.

Watch and learn, my friend.

umm...these were your words on another thread less than one year ago.


"We will be lucky to keep 25 percent of our entertainment and lifestyle related businesses that are already existing.  There isnt any possibility of an expansion of services."

[stephendare]

There wasnt.  And the neighborhood hasnt recovered from the round of closures yet, tufsu.  If I remember at the time, you were also pooh poohing the idea that there was going to be a serious recession at the time.

And for your convenience, I quoted my end remark from the thread.  Its on the forum.

I also believe that since you have followed the conversation for a while, you also know that I am of the opinion that after the initial wave of unsustainable business closures happen, that the core would have a natural advantage over the suburbs.

And we will be lucky if we retain 25 percent of the businesses that were open at the time of posting... of a year ago.

Try not to be so dense just because you thought you might score a point. 

Now hopefully the thread, which is about the San Marco renovations, and not about either of us, can get back on its way.

[904Scars]

I was just at Square One last night and caught a glimpse of Taverna. It looks awesome inside! Square One's new upstairs is also quit impressive, it gives visitors a choice between the dance/club scene and or a nice lounge with beautiful pool tables and nice comfortable seating in a relax environment. The pool tables (3) are rent by the hour and are a little pricy but nice all in all. I don't spend a whole lot of time in San Marco but when I do I enjoy it.

[AntigoneStarr]

As sad I am to see the Thai Bistro (I still preferred Pom's...) go, I'm fairly stoked that Square One got to expand upstairs. The crowd sizes on some Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday nights could easily become so large that one could hardly even walk in there...

The upstairs area is interesting. Pool tables (almost too well lit), lounge (you can smoke inside in that portion of Square One only), and another fully stocked bar.

My favourite aspect - three variations on the bellini are now served anytime. Amazing.

[Prax_N_Jax]

i've always loved the San Marco area. i worked in that area for the better part of 13 years down the street towards dt. in a medical office building. being there for lunch or on the weekends is always a treat!

[Gatorziggy]

Anyone know why the Gate store has been demolished on Hendricks, south of Emerson?

[billy]

Anyone know why the Gate store has been demolished on Hendricks, south of Emerson?

Is that recent?
I was just by there a few weeks ago.

[Bativac]

This Gate was demolished overnight, I think. I was there one day and got gas, and two or three days later, it was completely gone. I wonder why?