Nob Hill's Big Four Restaurant Reopens
The iconic Big Four restaurant in San Francisco's Nob Hill has reopened after significant renovations. The spot features an updated menu of classic American cuisine and a new chef, aiming to modernize the experience while preserving its historic character.
The restaurant's name is a nod to the "Big Four" railroad tycoons of the 19th century: Leland Stanford, Collis P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker. These four men were instrumental in building the Central Pacific Railroad, which formed the western portion of the first transcontinental railroad. All four built mansions on Nob Hill, solidifying the neighborhood's opulent reputation. After a six-year closure that began in 2020, the restaurant officially reopens to the public on March 17, following the Huntington Hotel's own reopening on March 1. The restaurant first opened its doors in 1976 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The entire hotel and restaurant project was purchased in 2023 by Flynn Properties and Highgate, a hotel management company. Noted interior designer Ken Fulk spearheaded the aesthetic revival, aiming to preserve the restaurant's historic clubhouse feel. The renovation maintained original details like the dark wood paneling, green leather booths, rams' horn wall sconces, and mirrors etched with the names of the four magnates. The new executive chef is David Intonato, previously of Appellation in Healdsburg. While the menu is updated, it honors past favorites, bringing back the classic chicken pot pie at its pre-pandemic price of $35. Several dishes will now feature tableside preparation, including steak tartare and a "San Francisco seafood stew" cioppino.
