San Francisco, California – Chotto Matte, a large rooftop bar, opened its doors in Union Square in October last year and quickly saw its reservations fill up due to high demand. Recently, however, the 400-seat restaurant has come under legal pressure. It is being sued by CalAsia Construction, Inc. for an amount close to $1.9 million.
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The lawsuit was filed on April 18 in San Francisco Superior Court. According to the suit, CalAsia Construction, which is based in Los Angeles, claims that Chotto Matte, LLC did not pay the full amount due for the work they completed. This work included mechanical services, plumbing, concrete work, painting, and other tasks at the restaurant’s location. CalAsia Construction states that there was an agreement made with Chotto Matte in October 2022. This agreement was for a payment of $700,000 for the contractor’s services and an additional $90,000 for insurance, which Chotto Matte has allegedly not paid.
CalAsia Construction is now seeking $1,879,195.34 in damages. This sum includes compensation for labor, materials, services, and equipment, along with penalties and interest.
Chotto Matte is known internationally, with locations in cities such as Miami, Toronto, London, Manchester, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The chain is recognized for its Nikkei-style cuisine, which blends Japanese and Peruvian influences, and it offers cocktails alongside. The San Francisco branch is located on the eighth floor of 50 O’Farrell St. and features a variety of dining options, including tasting menus priced between $90 and $165, a DJ lounge, a robata grill, and views over Union Square.
A case management conference for the dispute has been set for September 18, 2024. Attempts to contact Chotto Matte, CalAsia Construction, or the lawyers representing CalAsia Construction for a comment were unsuccessful before this report was published.
