Hi there,

My husband and I and friends have enjoyed many wonderful evenings dining at Cafe Riggio in the Richmond district in San Francisco. Last visit we were disappointed when we arrived at the restaurant site to find that it has been closed. Does anyone know if they relocated, or are just gone? Also, there was a restaurant named Ciao! near (I think) Mac Arthur Park is it still there? We will be in the city this weekend and looking for places for dinner. Thanks

Closed nearly a year ago. Here's a June 2005 excerpt from SfGAte.com:

John Riggio is not going quietly. After 26 1/2 years, he has sold Cafe Riggio -- as he says, "lock, stock and barrel." He wouldn't say who bought it, but did say he sold the building (4112 Geary Blvd., at Fifth Avenue, San Francisco) as well.

"I'm happy and sad," the Mill Valley resident says. "I did not really decide to sell until about a year ago."

"I thought we needed to refresh our idea, reinvent ourselves, but I'm 64, and if something happened to me, I'd be forced to sell."

Luckily, a buyer came along with an offer he couldn't refuse.

Riggio, an outdoorsman, says he's going to kick back for awhile. His last day of business is July 3.

"July Fourth will be double Independence Day for me," he says.

Ciao

Thanks Suzie, for your reponse. Sorry our fears were correct, Cafe Riggio will be missed. L