Alex Sinclair, the owner of Willow on the Green — a shop in Inner Sunset that stocks imported cheeses, meats, and specialty pantry items — tells What Now San Francisco that he is looking to open a restaurant near the store, responding to an increased demand for British meat pies.
Currently, a GoFundMe page exists to help cover moving and remodeling costs with a $50,000 goal. Sinclair shares that he began fundraising as a way to gauge demand and that he is currently talking to some investors and looking for a venue. The new restaurant would ideally open in Inner Sunset, a neighborhood that he describes as “moving toward a gourmet center,” listing Hometown Creamery as an example.
He describes the concept as a “four-part restaurant,” serving a full English and Scottish breakfast in the mornings, plates like black pudding and kedgeree for lunch, and a pie and mash for dinner. On the weekend, Sinclair envisions a Sunday roast dinner with British light ales on tap, offering a familiar and family-oriented gathering space for the ex-pat population.
Sinclair tells What Now San Francisco that the upcoming restaurant and Willow on the Green would have a functional relationship. For example, dishes at the restaurant would be prepared with the store’s imported cheeses, or the frozen section at Willow on the Green could be used to stock dishes that were not served at the restaurant.
A restaurant name has not been confirmed and an opening date has not yet been announced.
