San Francisco’s Beloved Catch RestaurantAnnounces Closure After Years of Service

media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

San Francisco’s Beloved Catch Restaurant
Announces Closure After Years of Service

Last Dinner Served Saturday, March 9, 2024

5 March 2024, San Francisco, CA: After 22 years of delicious service and community socializing, San Francisco’s iconic Catch Restaurant (2362 Market Street) will serve its last seafood stew and stir its last martini this Saturday, March 9, 2024.  Beloved by the local Castro community and beyond,  Catch owner Sanjay Gujral has decided to retire, marking the end of an era for the beloved dining spot known for its welcoming atmosphere and exceptional cuisine.

“Closing Catch is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” said Gujral. “This restaurant isn’t just a business to me. It’s a home, a family, and a legacy that I’m proud to have nurtured along with my incredible team over the years: behind the bar, on the floor, in the kitchen and of course, our loyal customers.”

Under Gujral’s stewardship, Catch Restaurant has flourished, earning accolades for its innovative dishes and the warmth of its hospitality.  Since its inception in 2007, Catch Restaurant has been a cornerstone of the community, celebrated for its commitment to quality, service, and the creation of unforgettable memories. Prior to becoming a restaurant, the site was historic for once having housed a camera shop for gay icon Harvey Milk. In later years, the building was the birthplace for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, where thousands of people over the years came in, free of charge, to sew quilts in honor of their loved ones who had died from the pandemic. After the NAMES Project moved into a larger facility, a section of Quilt continued to hang in the entry way to Catch as a permanent tribute, along with a memorial plaque. Additionally, prior to Gural’s successful readapting of the space, it housed Under One Roof: the world’s first retail outlet for AIDS relief.

“I’ve been so honored and grateful for this opportunity and the friendships made along the way, and to have help preserve the legacy of this space, especially for the  LGBTQ+ communities who were so impacted by HIV and AIDS,” Gujral reflected. “Our patrons and the community have been the heart of Catch. I thank each of you immensely for your support, patronage, and friendship throughout the years.”

Gujral also took a moment to express his deep appreciation for his staff, whose dedication and hard work have been integral to the restaurant’s success.

“The team at Catch has been nothing short of extraordinary,” he said. “Their passion and commitment have been the backbone of this establishment, and I am forever thankful for their hard work and the joy they’ve brought into this space.”

As Catch Restaurant prepares to close its doors, Gujral looks back with fondness on the journey and the legacy left behind. “Though it’s time for me to retire, the spirit of Catch will live on through the memories we’ve created together. This isn’t just the end of a restaurant. It’s a celebration of what we’ve built and the impact we’ve had on each other’s lives,” he concluded.