The end of an era

It’s the end of an era on Turquoise Street. The French Gourmet, a neighborhood landmark that has been part of Pacific Beach for 36 years, will close on Jan. 4, 2026.

Owner Michel Malécot sold the property to Kalonymus LLC, the Los Angeles developer that wants to build a controversial 23-story high-rise in place of the restaurant. Members of the beach community have voiced strong opposition, arguing the development would far exceed the 30-foot residential height limit that many believe is essential to preserving the character of our neighborhood beach town. Malécot has said the sustained backlash contributed to a decline in business, ultimately leading to the restaurant’s closure.

The French Gourmet has been on Turquoise Street since 1989, supplying french cuisine, baked goods and catering to generations of PB locals. For some, this will be a tough goodbye.

Still, the beloved restaurant is going out with full force. The French Gourmet is offering a festive lineup of holiday specials, along with a four-course prix fixe New Year’s Eve dinner. Reservations and holiday pre-orders are available on their website. If this place has meant something to you or your family over the years, it may be worth stopping by one last time.

This is a reminder of how quickly things can change in our neighborhood, and how important it is to support local businesses as part of the community. 

The newsletter will be off next week for the holiday. Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday season!