Arrangement in Tan and Black: The Castro's Father

Over the weekend I stopped by the newly renovated Harvey's for brunch, and it was like dropping by on an old friend -- one with a big liquor cabinet and a deep-fat fryer. 

Harvey's welcomes you

In spite of the major construction, on the surface little is changed.  It's the same menu, the same staff, the same mysterious upstairs-around-the-corner kitchen.  However, the place has been polished up with a more sophisticated color scheme and some richer finishes.

You notice it first at the entrance, where the walls are covered with a woody, rattan-like material on one wall and slick black tiles on the other.

At the time of this photo, they were still working on decorations and artwork on the walls.

Inside, the color scheme continues with the walls painted a rich caramel/tan color, and the bar and banquette upholstered with black leather (well, OK, a black leather-adjacent fabric).

The center-piece, literally and aesthetically, is the bar, which is the one area where the fundamental layout has changed.  As before, there are high, round tables and low, square tables on the Castro side of the restaurant, and high, square tables against the banquette on the 18th street side.  The two slightly-sketchy but hard-working bathrooms and the server's station are still in the back corner.  But the bar which used to be a chevron jutting into the center of the room has been reshaped into a straight line against the back wall.  This opens up the space considerably, and also allows for a more visually arresting design for the bar.  A wide swath of the natural rattan shoots dramatically up the wall and onto the ceiling.

I have no idea why this waiter is walking toward me with three Bloody Marys

I am really pleased with the makeover, but mostly I'm pleased to have this neighborhood mainstay back.  Looking airier and more inviting than even, it's a beautiful anchor to this high-traffic intersection.  Well done, Harvey!