Benu
Contemporary American
22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States
OUR SCORE
Accolades
- Three Michelin stars
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating
- AAA Five Diamond Award
- San Francisco Chronicle four stars
- James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant (2011)
- James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: West (2015) for Corey Lee
Restaurant Summary
Benu, an epitome of culinary artistry in the heart of San Francisco Bay, stands as a beacon of luxury dining, where Eastern flavors embrace Western techniques to create a dining experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional cuisine. Chef Corey Lee, a master of his craft, guides the establishment with a steady, innovative hand, earning the restaurant its well-deserved three Michelin stars.
The atmosphere at Benu is one of understated elegance, where each table offers a stage for the food to shine. The interiors are sleek and modern, with a touch of minimalism that ensures an uninterrupted focus on the gastronomic journey that awaits each guest.
Benu's tasting menu is a finely woven tapestry of dishes that showcase the best of local produce, combined with ingredients that pay homage to Chef Lee's Asian heritage. Patrons may savor the Thousand-Year-Old Quail Egg, which arrives with a potage of alliums, a dish that beautifully balances the delicate flavors of the preserved egg with the savory depth of the soup.
The menu often features a luxurious reinterpretation of "Shark Fin Soup," made with a sustainably sourced shark fin substitute, presenting a dish that is as ethically responsible as it is delicious. The Barbecued Quail, reminiscent of the finest Peking duck, is another exceptional creation, served with crispy skin and tender meat that's infused with an array of spices and accompanied by bao to create the perfect bite.
Seafood lovers may indulge in the Wild Cod with fermented chili and black bean sauce, a plate that marvellously blends the fresh, clean flavors of the ocean with the piquant and umami notes of fermentation. Meanwhile, the savory steamed bun with truffle, a dish renowned for its decadent simplicity, is a testament to Benu's ability to elevate even the most humble ingredients to new heights.
Dessert is no less spectacular, with offerings like the "frozen air," which tantalizes the palate with its lightness and subtle sweetness, rounding off the meal with a deft touch of innovation.
At Benu, every dish is a statement of refinement and creativity, inviting discerning diners to embark on a culinary journey that is as visually stunning as it is tastefully compelling.
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