Chef-owner Gian Marco Cosmi confirmed the closing to the Chronicle, explaining that the rising costs of rent, utilities and taxes, among other expenses, had become too much for the restaurant.
“Like many local businesses, we’ve felt the pressures that have made it challenging to sustain operations at our current location,” he said. Ciccino’s final dinner service was in June.
Restaurant newsletter Tablehopper first reported the closing.
Cosmi told the Chronicle that the restaurant, known for modern Italian dishes inspired by his native Emilia-Romagna, was hampered from the beginning. Building permit delays pushed his planned August 2022 opening back to the end of the year, putting him in debt with his landlord. He financed the opening himself with an $80,000 investment. “When I opened the doors, I only had a few thousand dollars in reserves left,” he said.
The initial reception of Ciccino was positive, with solid demand for reservations, Cosmi said, but increasing overhead without financial backing from other investors forced him to close. He said that he is currently facing eviction from Ciccino’s space at 1400 California St. in Nob Hill.
The Chronicle critics praised Cosmi’s cooking, highlighting its regional flair and the execution of dishes like ravioli carbonara and passatelli. “Handmade pasta is the move here,” they wrote.
Still, this may not be the end for Ciccino. Cosmi said he is looking to reopen, with an eye toward a turnkey location.
“I’m young and that was my first experience opening my own restaurant,” the 38-year-old chef said.
Dining and Cooking