Nob Hill's Big Four Reopens
The iconic Big Four restaurant in Nob Hill has officially reopened its doors after a major renovation. Located in the Huntington Hotel, the classic American spot is back with a new chef and a refreshed look, reviving a historic piece of the neighborhood's dining scene.
The restaurant's name is a nod to the "Big Four," the influential 19th-century railroad tycoons Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker, who were instrumental in building the Central Pacific Railroad. These magnates all built mansions on Nob Hill, cementing the neighborhood's reputation for luxury and power. The Huntington Hotel itself, which first opened in 1922 as an apartment building, stands across the street from the former site of Collis Huntington's mansion. After a six-year closure that began in 2020, the restaurant's revival is part of a larger, extensive renovation of the century-old Huntington Hotel. The hotel and restaurant were purchased in 2023 by Highgate and Flynn Properties after the previous owners defaulted on their mortgage. The hotel officially reopened on March 1, 2026, with the Big Four following on March 17. Under the direction of new executive chef David Intonato, formerly of Appellation in Healdsburg, the menu will blend classic and contemporary. Diners can expect the return of iconic dishes like the chicken pot pie, which will retain its pre-pandemic price of $35. The refreshed menu also introduces tableside service for items such as steak tartare and cioppino. Celebrated interior designer Ken Fulk helmed the aesthetic refresh, aiming to preserve the restaurant's historic, club-like atmosphere. Original details, including the dark wood paneling, green leather booths, and ram's horn wall sconces, have been maintained to honor the establishment's 50-year legacy. The return of live piano music on Thursdays through Saturdays will further enhance the classic ambiance.
