Scheduled to open downtown in November 2012, Hakkasan San Francisco, a 10,000-square-foot haven for contemporary Chinoiserie and fine Chinese dining, aspires to set a new benchmark with its elegant design and sophisticated sense of space. Hakkasan tapped internationally-renowned Parisian design firm, Gilles & Boissier, to create a rich and sensuous interior inspired by the building’s unique wedge-shaped design, yet in tune with the strong DNA and core design concepts of Hakkasan. The result is a dynamic, sultry venue, comprising five distinctly varied spaces that deliver a sense of mystique.
“San Francisco is one of the most sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and beautiful cities in the world,” noted Richard Toshio Miyashiro, West Coast new projects operations director of Hakkasan, “Steeped in modern and authentic Chinese artistry, we’re confident Hakkasan will add an intriguing new dimension to our city’s design heritage and further advance San Francisco on the design map.”
Gilles & Boissier, the go-to designers for the fashion cognoscenti, was commissioned by Hakkasan to design the company’s first overseas restaurant. Since then, the acclaimed design firm has worked on all of the company’s international openings to date, with its latest projects being Hakkasan New York and San Francisco.
With its unique concept of emotional architecture, Gilles & Boissier has developed a dramatic interior that takes guests on a journey through a sequence of emotionally-charged spaces, centered on the V-shaped bar, the focal point of the room. Hakkasan will feature a 25-seat curved bar; two private dining rooms; a main dining area, enclosed in latticed “cage” partitions filled with Chinese screens; and a 50-seat Ling Ling, a signature feature of Hakkasan, reflecting the old-school decadence of Chinoiserie. The prominent materials in the space are stone, glass, steel, dark stained oak, Calcutta marble, colored mirrors, silks and embroidered leather. Gilles & Boissier’s careful utilization of lighting, organic textures and contrasting feminine and masculine elements help create a heady and evocative sensory experience.
Situated on the second floor of the iconic One Kearny building, the 170-seat restaurant boasts soaring, arched windows, which bathe the space in natural light, a dramatic change from the darker interiors of previous Hakkasans, and afford guests views of Market and Geary streets. A “retro-lit” blue glass sign and reception desk – a nod to the company’s ubiquitous use of blue glass – set against floor-to-ceiling white marble walls, signal arrival at the elegant eatery. An elevator whisks guests up to the second floor where they are greeted by a bronze-colored V-shaped bar. Flanked to the left by the Ling Ling and to the right by the cage, the bar acts as the main stage, allowing guests to flirt with one another and the different areas of the restaurant. The bar top and back bar are done in Hakkasan’s signature blue glass and accented by silver resin bottle shelves. Sleek, comfortable barstools clad in leather invite guests to linger for hours, while a “Sommelier Bar”– an extension of the existing bar comprising 4 seats – is available for guests to have a more intimate experience with the sommelier. A dark wooden ceiling over the bar transitions to black mesh in the caged areas to emphasize the beauty and incredible detail of the screens.
The Ling Ling and cage are situated around windows lining Market and Geary streets, respectively. Swathed in a palette of warm earth tones such as orange, gold and tobacco, the Ling Ling is enhanced by natural light during the day and hand-blown glass pendants at night. The hallmark cage elements defining the two areas are made of oak, accented with organic pieces of hand-carved white Carrera marble, creating a sense of privacy and intimacy, while allowing guests to capture glimpses of the energy throughout the distinct areas of the restaurant. An open-plan kitchen done in white subway tiles and polished stainless steel will be visible from the cage on the right, making the activity in the kitchen – which will showcase five world-class wok stations – part of the restaurant’s theatre. The two private dining rooms, adjacent to the Ling Ling, boast abundant natural light and stunning hand-woven silk panels in blue and emerald green.
“There is a lot of mystery to the Hakkasan experience,” said Patrick Gilles of Gilles & Boissier. “A single glance can capture a wealth of different emotions and ambiences, like a snapshot of pure life that builds up frame by frame into a movie, taking you on a trip to a fantasmagorical China.”
Set in a modern ethnic interior infused with Chinese motifs, Hakkasan will offer modern Cantonese cuisine including dim sum by Michelin-starred ChefHo Chee Boon, extensive wine and sake programs, late-night dining, and a lively bar and lounge scene. As part of the Hakkasound program, Hakkasan will showcase a rotating roster of cutting-edge and of-the-moment local and international DJs, spinning an eclectic blend of world and electronic music and sensual tracks to create a seductive yet energetic feel.
Hakkasan will be open daily from 11:30am–2:30pm for lunch and 5:30pm for dinner with last dinner orders taken at 11pm, featuring a bar menu with drinks and food throughout the day. Open Saturday and Sunday from 11am–3pm for brunch. The main entrance of the restaurant will be conveniently located on the corner of Kearny and Market streets, and guests will benefit from a private entrance, as well as valet parking on Geary Street.
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