Two prominent chefs from the Bay Area, Chef Ray Lee and Chef Tommy Cleary, are set to launch a new dining concept in San Francisco next month. The restaurant will occupy the location previously home to Akikos, Lee’s acclaimed omakase establishment, situated at 431 Bush Street in Union Square. Although the name of the new venue has yet to be revealed, it promises to bring an exciting culinary experience to the area, which is also near popular spots like Harlan Records, Pagan Idol, Posh Bagel, and The Irish Bank.
While the official menu remains under wraps, early test dinners have offered a glimpse into what diners can expect. According to SF Eater, some featured dishes included tsukune, a chicken meatball glazed with a savory sauce, served with an egg yolk, kawa, a skewer of grilled chicken skin, and grilled octopus. The collaboration between these two chefs marks a promising addition to San Francisco’s vibrant dining scene.
Chef Ray Lee is well-regarded for his work at Akikos, which has been a staple of the San Francisco dining landscape since its inception in 1987. It holds the distinction of being the first omakase restaurant in the city, serving a nine-course tasting menu that showcases dry-aged fish sourced from local vendors and Tokyo’s renowned Toyosu Fish Market. This high-end dining experience is complemented by a carefully curated selection of handcrafted spirits.
On the other hand, Chef Tommy Cleary brings his experience from Hina Yakitori, which started as a casual eatery in Oakland in 2016. It relocated to San Francisco in 2019 but ceased operations in 2023. Currently, Cleary runs the concept as a pop-up, allowing him to maintain a presence in the culinary community while preparing for this new venture.
As the launch date approaches, details remain sparse. Interested diners are encouraged to follow updates from What Now San Francisco on social media for the latest announcements regarding this exciting new restaurant in the Bay Area.
