This original Art Deco inspired restaurant was built by Milan Kralevich in 1928 and was named the Lincoln Grill. The ceiling fans, light fixtures, mahogany bar, and private dining booths made it a popular place to be and "be seen" through its many incarnations. The Elite Cafe opened in 1981 under Sam Duvall and Tom Clendening. It was the premiere, upscale Cajun & Creole restaurant in San Francisco and one of the most beloved restaurants in the city. We feel honored to be the new proprietors of such an institution. Originally, the menu adhered to classical Cajun & Creole cooking. At the end of 2005, the menu underwent a complete overhaul to become a "Modern American restaurant with a New Orleans accent."

At the end of 2005, Peter Snyderman, Joanna Karlinsky, and Stephen Katten took the reins and both modernized the menu and returned the decor to its original design elements. All metals were stripped to their bare Deco essence and the original mahogany woodwork was refinished.

As 20-year veterans of some fine restaurants (including Alta Plaza Restaurant & Bar and The Meetinghouse), we are able to further nurture The Elite by bringing expertise and a heightened sense of style and quality to the food and beverages. We serve naturally-raised meats, a seasonally changing menu with Creole & Cajun accents, top quality ingredients, an extensive & often unique cocktail list, and a 100 bottle wine list with 20 offerings by the glass.

Management
The Elite Cafe ownership team brings more than 40 years of restaurant experience to our tables. We believe in creating an overall experience that is not only comprised of wonderful food, lovely service, and excellent value, but we strive to make your time with us entertaining, pleasurable, and satisfying in every way. If there is ever anything that is not exactly as you would like, PLEASE let us know so that we can correct it for you. The greatest favor any patron can do for an establishment is to give them the opportunity to make things right if something happens to be off.

Peter B. Snyderman
Proprietor & General Manager - Peter[at]TheEliteCafe.com
A San Francisco native, Peter Snyderman graduated from Lowell High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California at Berkeley.

Peter's restaurant education began in 1988 when he had the opportunity to "study" with some of San Francisco's top restaurateurs. He was part of the opening team for Doug Biederbeck's swanky BIX Restaurant & Lounge, Harry Denton's Southside nightclub, and Jeremiah Tower's Speedo 690 restaurant.

In 1990, Peter and a group of partners opened the Fillmore Grill in Pacific Heights. He and his partners then purchased and re-invented Union Street's famed Blue Light Cafe. After selling his interest in these two operations, Peter joined the boutique division of the Kendall-Jackson Winery as their sales & marketing manager for Northern California.

In early 1994, Peter re-purchased the Fillmore Grill to re-open the beloved Alta Plaza Restaurant & Bar. For more than five years, Peter operated the Alta Plaza, earning a Three-Star review from Patricia Unterman and accolades from many local publications, radio, and television critics. The Alta Plaza also received a Certificate of Honor from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for its Commitment to Public Service.

Joanna Karlinsky
Consulting Chef - Joanna[at]TheEliteCafe.com
With a passion for making simple foods come alive and a reputation for having fun and creating memories, Chef Joanna Karlinsky specializes in Contemporary American cooking that soothes the soul.

Joanna attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park where she graduated with highest honors. Tra Vigne, Restaurant Terra, and Table 29, all in Napa Valley, were early stops along Joanna's cooking journey. Cooking across the country made Joanna determined to create a special place of her own. She and then partner, John Snell, opened their restaurant, The Meetinghouse, in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco in February of 1996.

The Meetinghouse received such honors as "Top 10 San Francisco Restaurants" by San Francisco Magazine and "Top 50 San Francisco Restaurants" by Gourmet Magazine. It earned 'Three-Stars' from Patricia Unterman who wrote in the San Francisco Examiner: "I'd walk across town for a meal here. You feel at home sitting around a table there. Has the meal been cooked just for you? ... The food comes from the heart, and the restaurant experience is personalized".

Stephen Katten
Proprietor & Comptroller - Stephen[at]TheEliteCafe.com
Stephen Katten, another San Francisco native and life-long friend of Peter's, runs the business and office operations for the Elite. Stephen was the office manager at the Alta Plaza for four years. After spending a few years in Southern California, Stephen decided it was time to move home. Once he knew Stephen was heading north, Peter started working to find the perfect restaurant project for them. Stephen and Peter began discussions to purchase the Elite in January of 2005, and only 11 months later, their dream opened its doors.