Flinstone House is now a fully-booked sushi joint
Raw fish under the dinosaurs: After many disputes over its whimsical decorations, Hillsborough’s Flintstone House is turning a new page.
By Saul Sugarman
If ever you’ve driven north on I280 towards San Francisco, you’ve probably noticed the eccentric, dome-shaped Flintstone House in Hillsborough. Now, rather than just wondering about life inside, we can dine at a high-end sushi pop-up opening there this week.
Beginning tomorrow, Stoneage Omakase will feature a 15-course menu priced at $230, created by sushi chef Masa Sasaki. Known for his previous Michelin-starred ventures in San Francisco, Sasaki presents an array of delicacies such as premium Wagyu beef and sea urchin.
The Flintstone House is a creation of architect William Nicholson from the 1970s, and it has long been a subject of fascination with its bulbous, otherworldly structure and vibrant lawn decorations. Owner Florence Fang infused the property with childhood nostalgia and making it their “happy place.” She’s opening it to the public for the first time since she acquired it in 2017.
Some neighbors have considered it an eyesore; The town of Hillsborough sued Fang in 2019, declaring her house a public nuisance. The lawsuit claimed that the various Flintstones-themed statues and other decorations installed by Fang were “highly visible eyesores” and “out of keeping with community standards.”
Obviously things must have worked out since it’s now a restaurant. Fang received a tidy $125,000 settlement for her troubles in court.
This isn’t a full-fledged restaurant but a catered pop-up, with some skeptics curious about proper permits. Given its popularity though, maybe it’ll turn into something more permanent.
If you were lucky enough to snag a rez, you’ll not only get sushi but also receive a guided tour of the home and its eye-catching dinosaur statues. Reservations opened on July 3 but it’s already filled up. We mostly caught wind of it by some cute videos by food influencers, but all links point to joining Stoneage’s email newsletter if you want to get past the red rope next time.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
The Bold Italic publishes first-person stories on topics that are on the brains and lips of San Franciscans. We’re a hub for conversations to be heard and discussed, and we celebrate all that’s great about living in San Francisco and the Bay Area. We hope our continuing conversation will get you thinking, talking, and inspiring you to share your opinions with us on living in San Francisco.
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What we’re doing this week
Art Battle San Francisco
Art Battle is a timed, three-round live painting competition consisting of two preliminary rounds and a final round. Each artist is provided with the same Fredrix® Canvas, acrylic paint, basic equipment, and their easel. Artists bring only their brushes or other non-mechanical tools. No at-easel references. No outside material or tools (ex. tape) may remain on the canvas. No pre-made stencils.
WHEN: July 17 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Great Northern, 119 Utah St, San Francisco, CA
‘Blooms and Bubbles’ bar crawl
Is it fun to drink with strangers at many different bars? We don’t know, but you can find out by joining the “Blooms and Bubbles” bar crawl. Here are the details of their June 20th event:
Immerse yourself in Union Square’s vibrant nightlife with visits to 12 distinctive venues, including bars, hotel lounges, and restaurants. Each location offers exclusive specials—whether it’s a complimentary shot or bites.
WHEN: July 20, 2024 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: 12 participating bars, including Sool Bar, The Poppy Lobby Bar at Hilton Union Square, The Barnes Hotel, The Grand Hyatt, Pls on Post, Dirty Habit, Parc 55, Redwood Room at the Clift, Marriott, Post Room (Beacon Grand), The Marker/Tratto, and Harlan Records
I heard that the neighbors blocked this. Is it still on?