The project, which was set to transform the former Madam Bonnie's space at 411 Market Street into a fusion dining experience with a hidden speakeasy, has been halted due to personal and medical issues within Lawless's family. The decision marks the end of a venture that had generated significant buzz since its announcement in September 2024.
Lawless, known for her appearances on cooking shows such as Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef, and Supermarket Stakeout - where she claimed the championship title - had partnered with her husband, Joao Duarte, to lease the 6,000-square-foot property on Market Street. The plan was to launch Tigerlily, an upscale Asian-inspired tapas bar featuring a lush, floral interior with suspended lily flowers and a hot pink bar, alongside Nine Sons, a speakeasy inspired by the Nine Sons of the Chinese Dragon King with a darker, masculine aesthetic incorporating black, red, and traditional Chinese elements.Ìý
The menu, co-crafted with Chef Josh Cinco, promised bold dishes like lobster corn dogs with kimchi and caviar, Wagyu tartare torched tableside, and a variety of sushi and oysters, complemented by handcrafted cocktails. The cancellation comes after Lawless cited personal circumstances as the driving factor.Ìý
"We have some personal and medical issues going on in our family and a can no longer move forward," she stated, indicating that the challenges have forced a shift in priorities.Ìý
This development ends a project that leveraged Lawless's culinary background, which includes previously running the Flawless Cuisine Food Truck with HGTV's Steve Cederquist, operating Flawless Bistro & Bar in Escondido, and publishing her cookbook, Flawless Cuisine: Inspiring the World One Plate at a Time. The project's cancellation leaves the Gaslamp Quarter space vacant once again.
While no further details about the personal and medical issues were disclosed, the decision underscores the unpredictable nature of the restaurant industry, where personal circumstances can abruptly alter ambitious plans. Lawless, a San Diego resident with a reputation as a fierce competitor and culinary innovator, had aimed to bring her Michelin-star aspirations to the city, but for now, her focus has shifted away from this venture.Ìý
Fans and followers can continue to track her updates via , where she has historically shared her culinary journey.
Originally published on March 11, 2025.Ìý
