Potography by Seema Hamid
Anna Weinberg’s Big Night Group Restaurant has just announced some exciting changes at two of their restaurants. Marianne’s, the previously members-only private salon at the back of The Cavalier, is opening up its doors to the public—effective immediately. Why the shift from exclusive lounge to everyone welcome? Apparently Weinberg and her co-owner of the group (who also happens to be her husband), James Nicholas, were feeling uninspired by the private club trend sweeping San Francisco by storm. “We got bored of it,” Weinberg said. “We wanted more of our customers to be able to enjoy the edgy, throwback glamour at Marianne’s. So we made her over into an uncurated boho bar inspired by San Francisco’s rock heyday.”
Photography by Seema Hamid
If you were a member or attended a party at Marianne’s, note that the space has been completely redesigned by Big Night’s creative director, Jake Mogelson, and interior guru Ken Fulk. The new look is pure 70s rock and roll with zebra banquettes, deep purple walls, plenty of leather and dark lighting. The back bar was named for Weinberg’s style icon, Marianne Faithfull, an ex-flame of Mick Jagger. A makeover calls for a new cocktail program and the list of libations brings to mind the glamour of Studio 54. Sip on updated classics, like the Long Island iced tea or contemporary concoctions such as the Indian summer, a beverage that mixes gin with jalapeño, cucumber, lemon cordial and soda. Rolling deep with your squad? Certain drinks can be turned into communal cocktails that serve a crowd. Big Night’s executive chef, Jennifer Puccio, has created an equally tantalizing food menu of hearty and upscale bar snacks like pork sausage rolls with grainy mustard, smoked trout dip with sunchoke chips, ham and cheese finger sandwiches, and lamb schnitzel lollipops.
Photo Credit: Aubrie Pick
The second announcement from Big Night involves Park Tavern, which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary. Its upstairs private event lounge, the Eden Room, also underwent a remodeling. Now it has lacquered baby blue walls, gilded chinoiserie De Gournay wallpaper and a gallery wall of vintage artwork. New lighting by Jonathan Adler has been installed and a beautiful brass bar updates the corner of the room. Anyone can host an event in the Eden Room—it accommodates 80 guests for a cocktail reception and 50 people for a sit-down dinner.
