Commission approves Maestro permit with condition to report on neighborhood outreach

The Entertainment Commission voted March 13 to grant a full entertainment license to Maestro, a restaurant at 555 Golden Gate that plans limited private events and periodic special‑event entertainment.

Michael O’Hayan, speaking for owner Svetlana Porrias, said the venue will operate primarily as a restaurant with occasional private events and special evenings. “It’s not a club…we fall in needing to have a full entertainment license because they intend to operate more than 10 times a year,” O’Hayan told the commission.

Commissioners pressed the applicants on neighborhood outreach and security. Staff noted the block is largely nonresidential and recommended approval, but several commissioners and community representatives asked that the operator conduct formal outreach to neighborhood groups. A representative of the Community Leadership Alliance said local organizations had not received notice and urged outreach to Northern Station and Tenderloin neighborhood groups.

Commissioner (mover) moved to approve the permit with the condition that the operator report back in two months with documentation of community outreach; the motion passed unanimously with a roll call: Commissioners Perez, Hyde, Lee, Tan and President Newland all voted Aye.

The commission recorded that Maestro must still obtain approvals required by other departments (fire, building inspection) before the license is final. Staff agreed to provide the applicant contact information for neighborhood organizations to support outreach.