San Francisco's Big Four Restaurant Reopens

The Big Four's return to Nob Hill on March 17 marks the end of a six-year closure that began in 2020 due to the pandemic. The restaurant, a 50-year-old San Francisco institution, and the Huntington Hotel it resides in, were acquired in 2023 by Highgate and Flynn Properties, prompting an extensive remodel. The restaurant is named after the four powerful railroad tycoons of the 19th century: Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker. These men, known as "The Big Four," were instrumental in building the Central Pacific Railroad and once had mansions on Nob Hill, where the restaurant now stands. Under the direction of renowned interior designer Ken Fulk, the restaurant's classic clubhouse atmosphere has been preserved. The famed dark green and brass color scheme, along with original details like rams' horn wall sconces and carved wooden columns, remain. The 72-seat dining room will also see the return of live piano performances. The new menu, crafted by Executive Chef David Intonato, formerly of Appellation in Healdsburg, will feature updated takes on classic dishes. Longtime favorites like the chicken pot pie will return, maintaining its pre-pandemic price of $35. New additions include tableside service for steak tartare and a cioppino inspired by an old Big Four menu. The reopening of The Big Four is seen as a significant moment for the revitalization of Nob Hill and a positive sign for San Francisco's rebound. It brings back a cherished gathering place for the city's cultural and political figures.