THE LAST WORD

Three summers ago, Pilot staffers and the occasional columnist spent

nights at the Cannery Restaurant as we bid the landmark eatery a sad

farewell. It was the least we figured we could do for owner Bill

Hamilton, a noted community volunteer and, as we say in the newsroom, a

friend of the Pilot.

Now we could hardly be happier that the lid is back off the Cannery,

saved by local landowner Jack Croul, who purchased the property to save

it from becoming condos.

New owners Ron Salisbury and Steve Herbert have redone the inside and

added that bit of haute California dining -- the sushi bar -- to go along

with the seafood plates that regulars remember from Hamilton’s kitchen.

We’re confident these touches will keep the Cannery around more than

long enough for us to belly up to the (sushi, of course) bar a few times.