PlumpJack Prez is Focused on the Future; No Word on Leiva's

Leiva: Up in the air

PlumpJack Group president (and sis to the mayor) Hilary Newsom told SFoodie she was looking ahead, not dwelling on tomorrow night's last supper at Jack Falstaff. "We had a terrific five years in the SOMA neighborhood," Newsom said, adding that she's focusing on a reconcepting of PlumpJack Café on Fillmore that should launch later this year.

Newsom all but admitted that Jack Falstaff's Second Street location had been challenging. "The space had tremendous potential," she said. "but probably wasn't right for the Jack Falstaff concept. It's a great location for someone, but the PlumpJack Group was probably not the right brand for it."

Jack Falstaff began with an upscale menu that sometimes seemed at odds with its location near the ballpark. In recent years -- under executive chef Jonnatan Leiva -- the menu emphasized comfort foods, stars of its Sunday and Monday night family dinners. As for Leiva's future, Newsom said it was too soon to say if he'd be staying with PlumpJack. "We're absolutely actively talking to him," she said. "I know he's talking to others as well."

The new concept for PlumpJack Café seems to acknowledge diners' search for bargains and feel-good dishes in the present gloomy climate. "We'll be going back to our roots," Newsom said, "offering Mediterranean-American cuisine heavily focused on our favorable wine pricing."