INNER SUNSET — Korean Thai restaurant Kothai Republic closes on Sunday, February 15, the San Francisco Standard reports. The restaurant opened in 2023, and despite a menu that merged classics with chef Sung Park’s original creations, he told the Standard that the numbers just didn’t add up. “I’m angry. I’m sad. But I have no regrets,” Park said to the news outlet. “I think we’ve done a wonderful thing.” 1398 9th Avenue, San Francisco
COW HOLLOW — A fire at Mel’s Drive-In on Tuesday, February 3, caused extensive damage to the restaurant’s kitchen, SFGATE reports. The San Francisco Fire Department says the one-alarm fire may have been caused by grease that ignited in a vent above the kitchen area. KTVU confirms the restaurant will be closed indefinitely. 2165 Lombard Street #102, San Francisco
MARINA — Tablehopper caught a double scoop on some changes afoot with restaurants Montesacro Marina and Bettola. Gianluca LeGrottaglie and Viviana Devoto own the sister restaurants, and they’ve decided to close the Steiner Street location of Montesacro Marina on Saturday, February 14. Further, their tavola calda Bettola will transform into a neighborhood Italian restaurant designed to be fully celiac-safe called Clementina. The switch was inspired by the couple’s youngest daughter, who was diagnosed with celiac disease. The couple explored creating Italian food that’s gluten-free and piloted it as Alice, a gluten-free pop-up. Clementina is expected to open in mid-March. Montesacro Marina, 3317 Steiner Street, San Francisco; Bettola, 343 Clement Street, San Francisco
Dining and Cooking