Woodward’s Garden to close after 22 years in the Mission

“We are leaving our Garden.”

Woodward’s Garden is seen in San Francisco, Ca. on September 17, 2013. Photo: Susana Bates/The Chronicle

Thus begins the e-mail sent yesterday afternoon from Dana Tommasino and Margie Conard, the pair of chefs who opened Woodward’s Garden in 1992, in a rather desolate, overpass-dominated corner of Mission and Duboce. In 1994, they were part of a class of Chronicle Rising Stars Class that also included Michael Mina, Traci Des Jardins, Brad Levy, Loretta Keller and Wendy Brucker.

(For more on Woodward’s Garden origin, and the rise of the restaurant as a personal chef statement, check out our May interview with Tommasino and Conard.)
Over two decades after its debut, Woodward’s Garden is still there, but the end is near.



Dana Tommasino and Margie Conard (right) in the window at
Woodward’s Garden in the early 90s. Photo: The Chronicle/John O’Hara

The restaurant’s lease is up, and according to Tommasino and Conard, it will not be renewed.

There is no definite closing date at this point, but if you’re a fan, you might want to get back in there sooner than later.
After the closure, they hope to find a new location, and are currently looking for possibilities.

They end their goodbye note: “We are so grateful to SF and its fine support of our Garden all these years. Can’t wait for the next chapter.”



Woodward’s Garden: 1700 Mission Street (at Duboce), San Francisco (415) 621-7122 or woodwardsgarden.com




Article and Photos Sourced From:  http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2014/08/16/woodwards-garden-to-close-after-22-years-in-the-mission/