For months, the former American Costume Company has been undergoing a transformation -- and you now can see the results for yourself, since Blake Street Vault has finally opened its doors at 1526 Blake Street. The restaurant/bar's opening this week was a few weeks behind schedule, but as one partner says, "it's quite a bit of work to bring the 19th century up to the 21st."

And the Vault still got open before the second location of 8 Rivers, just a few doors away on Blake, which is now looking at a mid-September opening.

• Word of Mouth