43731 Mon Feb 20 00:09:01 -0800 2006 6 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 214280 Last time I was in town I had a great meal at Tartare (which was packed). Just found out they closed. Anyone know what happened? Mon Feb 20 00:09:01 -0800 2006 0 drew 1 214312 Michael Bauer probably reviewed them. Mon Feb 20 12:05:03 -0800 2006 214280 0 Tony 2 214313 Yes, he did and it seemed pretty personal. Mon Feb 20 12:22:07 -0800 2006 214312 0 anon 1 214364 I don't think Bauer has such an impact. 'La table' got 3.5 Stars from Bauer and Marc Rasic (the chef then) was one of the Chronicle's "rising star" of the year. But ... the restaurant closed very quickly (less than a year after opening if I remember correctly). Grand Cafe, Elite Cafe, Globe, Cote Sud, First Crush, Watercress, .... all those have less than 2 stars in Bauer's book. But they are doing well I think. Tartare chose a bad name: a lot of people thought they were serving only raw food. Investors didn't get a good return on investment and gave up quickly. Mon Feb 20 18:48:23 -0800 2006 214280 0 Peter 2 214376 It was a mixture of both. The name was indeed misleading for many and the space is just not right for high-end dining that depends on liquor sales for the bulk of its revenue (no bar space). But Bauer certainly didn't help matters. Mon Feb 20 19:50:10 -0800 2006 214364 0 anon for this 3 214378 maybe if they renamed the restaurant "George" and had a full liquor license if would have worked ;-) Mon Feb 20 20:03:01 -0800 2006 214376 0 Peter 4 214384 That *was* going to be the name... They eventually did get a full license but too late and no room for a bar w/ their lay-out. Mon Feb 20 20:23:11 -0800 2006 214378 0 anon for this