For more than three decades Lynn Ramsey has run Street Restaurant at 2141 Polk Street in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood. On Oct. 31 she arrived to find the building without electricity, and two weeks later the lights are still out.
PG&E’s delayed repairs
Ramsey says a similar outage occurred in early October when construction work at a neighboring business knocked the building’s connection to the grid. PG&E sent a crew that restored service, but the problem returned on Halloween. When technicians arrived this time, they told her the wiring had not been installed by PG&E, making repairs more complex.
PG&E later explained, “We understand how concerning and frustrating it can be to experience a power issue, particularly while construction is underway in the location. While we are generally not responsible for equipment that is not owned by PG&E, we are committed to addressing any issues related to our equipment and helping the customer understand the appropriate next steps.” The utility said it must dig trenches in front of the building to reinstall the wiring, a process that could leave the property with only “minimal power” until February.
Turning a setback into a candlelit bar
Undeterred, Ramsey hung a sign on Nov. 11 that read “BAR OPEN: Kitchen closed due to endless power outage.” With a Bluetooth speaker, battery‑powered string lights, and a bag of peanuts, she launched a cash‑only bar serving $5 martinis—up from the original $2 price when the kitchen was operating.
Regulars have responded warmly. Craig Herran, a longtime patron, said he has been coming to Street for years and now enjoys the intimate candlelight atmosphere. “I’ve been a regular ever since,” he said while sipping white wine.
Ramsey estimates the loss of a functioning kitchen costs about $2,000 in sales each day. Yet the community continues to gather, debating favorite dishes—fried chicken, meatloaf, burgers, and salmon—while the menu lives on in spirit.
Remembering a legacy
Ramsey’s husband, John Lamkin, who died of cancer three years ago, originally envisioned a street‑food‑inspired menu that evolved into New American cuisine with global influences. Patrons recall his legendary fried chicken plate and famous burgers. “He had a real knack for cooking and for understanding food,” Ramsey said, adding that Lamkin’s dedication to a New Year’s Eve themed menu and dancing busboys left a lasting imprint.
Neighbors and friends credit Ramsey’s resilience. Melanie S., who once babysat Ramsey’s college‑age daughter, praised the salmon dish and remembered the couple’s early days. “She survived Covid, she survived losing John,” said Keith, another regular, while sipping a beer. “This isn’t it for her.”
Looking ahead
Ramsey hopes PG&E will complete the trench work soon so the kitchen can reopen. In the meantime, the candlelit bar has become a gathering spot that underscores the strength of small‑business owners and the supportive spirit of the Russian Hill community.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
