Lord Stanley, the beloved French restaurant nestled in Union Square’s Cornell Hotel de France, has permanently closed its doors after 52 years of operation. The September 2024 closure marks the end of a storied culinary institution that had become a fixture of San Francisco’s dining scene.
Rich History defined the establishment. Founded in 1972 by Claude and Micheline Lambert, the restaurant at 715 Bush St. transformed a residence hotel into a tourist destination with its distinctive medieval-themed decor, including faux stone archways and a life-size statue of Joan of Arc.
Brief Revival proved unsuccessful. After the Lamberts retired in 2020, new owners Oceanic Properties attempted to resurrect the restaurant in December 2023 following a three-year hiatus. Despite efforts to maintain its classic French bistro menu and unique ambiance, the revival lasted less than a year.
Market Shifts drove the closure decision. The space will now be repurposed as a private event venue accommodating up to 80 people with outside catering, reflecting growing demand for event spaces in San Francisco.
This closure joins a concerning trend of restaurant shutdowns in downtown San Francisco, including recent losses of Le Colonial, Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen, and Mourad. For longtime chef Bernard Moutal, who returned to helm the kitchen during the brief reopening after previously serving from 2000 to 2012, the closure represents a second farewell to the establishment.
The loss of Lord Stanley, renowned for its soufflés and traditional French cuisine, leaves a significant gap in San Francisco’s culinary landscape and marks the end of a dining tradition that spanned more than five decades.
