BDK Opens With Classic Fulk Flourish at Hotel Monaco

Last night the highly anticipated BDK opened at the Hotel Monaco on Geary and Taylor. The space, which was the former Grand Cafe, has been significantly downsized and completely redone by San Francisco’s most beloved design du jour, Ken Fulk. Chef Heather Terhune, a Vermont native and Top Chef contestant, is behind the menu of American tavern food (think ham and cheese pop tarts, truffled deviled eggs, and bacon jam and brie crostini). Kevin Diedrich, one of the city’s most innovative mixologists (who was last seen at Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen), is manning the bar.

The name BDK stands for Bill Drennon Kimpton, the founder of the Kimpton Hotel Chain and grandfather of the boutique hotel concept in America. Kimpton was known for having his head in the hotel business, but his heart in the restaurant industry. BDK plays homage to his legacy with the name and subtly through certain menu items, like the spaghetti and meatballs, one of his favorites.

The space is Ken Fulk at his most refined: there’s plenty of playful patterns on the chair backs and tile floors. Texture is influential from the plush houndstooth chair backs to the reddish brown leather banquets to the sage green sponge-painted walls. And of course, no Fulk designed restaurant would be complete without masculine medieval touches as seen in the chain link chandeliers and enormous antlers.

You must be wondering about the scene, right? Well, it was a trendy mix of fashion and food folks. Anna Weinberg jumped up from her seat to greet Tyler and Tolan Florence, while Brenda Zarate, director at Christian Dior, air-kissed Claudia Ross. The Moscow mules and draught old-fashioneds were addictive yet refreshing, while the extensive cheese and charcuterie plates were plentiful and delicious.

Photos Credit: Katie Sweeney