Diners devastated as iconic Michelin-star restaurant faces eviction for ‘$96,000 in back rent’
A BELOVED Michelin-star restaurant in California has been issued an eviction notice over outstanding rent.
The San Francisco destination eatery is known for its Moroccan food and live entertainment.
The lawsuit filed in San Francisco Superior Court on November 1 by the restaurant’s landlord alleges that Berber owes $96,000 in past-due rent, San Francisco Business Times reports.
Berber, co-founded by experienced restauranteur Borhem Hammami and first-timer Tony Garnicki, opened in California in 2018, starting in a 4,000-square-foot space.
Their landlord, Polk Street Associates, submitted the lawsuit that states Berber’s overdue rent dates back to July 2023.
Despite the eviction notice, Berber continues to post about their San Francisco Restaurant Week deals, as well as their Thanksgiving special on Instagram.
Their menu ranges from popular Moroccan dips to a camel burger.
The Michelin Guide has commented on the individuality of Berber in the past, calling it “dinner and a show” and noting its “live musicians and dancers to acrobats and aerialists” paired with its Moroccan prix fixe and creative cocktails.
The restaurant was issued a three-day notice to either pay the overdue rent or halt operations but that deadline passed on October 23, 2023, SF Gate reported.
The next steps in the lawsuit weren’t immediately clear.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Berber’s owners for comment on the eviction notice.