Barcino, the Absinthe Group’s Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Hayes Valley, Is Closing | Eater SF

"At 399 Grove Street I watched Barcino, which emerged after the Boxing Room was remodeled into a Catalan-format restaurant, earn mixed reviews: I noted that Eater critic Rachel Levin praised its patatas and raw bar while calling other offerings “middle of the pack,” and that Chron critic Michael Bauer found the paella hit-or-miss but thought the restaurant was a welcome addition to Hayes Valley. The Absinthe Group leaned on partnerships — for a time Barcino hosted the co-working startup Spacious during the day to bring in revenue — but after Spacious closed in December 2019 the group decided to let go of the 399 Grove space and focus on other ventures; Barcino’s closure was set for February 15, and until then I observed it continuing dinner service and serving its well-regarded mandonguilles (meatballs made of beef, pork, and veal). Chef de cuisine Kaili Hill and general manager Michael Goss are being redeployed as the group shifts toward a new fast-casual concept." - Eve Batey