BREAKING: Chef Gizela Ho, formerly of Rich Table, is launching her own restaurant, Good Morning 96, in San Francisco. This new venture marks a significant shift in the city’s culinary landscape, focusing on fresh, shareable dishes inspired by Ho’s diverse background.
After four years leading the kitchen at Rich Table, Ho is set to create a casual dining experience that celebrates her roots in Guam and Hong Kong. The restaurant aims to offer a menu that reflects her culinary journey across Northern California, emphasizing seasonal ingredients and a variety of flavors.
Ho’s path to this solo project has been remarkable. She began her career at UC Davis as a biochemistry major before pursuing her passion for cooking at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa. After staging at Rich Table in 2014, she honed her skills in Michelin-starred kitchens in Hong Kong, eventually returning to San Francisco in 2017 as chef de cuisine at Rich Table, where she was instrumental in developing their market-driven approach.
What sets Good Morning 96 apart is Ho’s refusal to confine the menu to a single cuisine. Instead, it will feature a “snacky” format with rotating entrees that change with the seasons. Early reports highlight exciting dishes like a cold glass noodle salad with spicy shiso vinaigrette, grilled Monterey squid, and a seasonal pizookie for dessert, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The name Good Morning 96 carries personal significance, referencing a popular Hong Kong kitchen-towel brand, Guam’s motto, and the year Ho’s grandfather opened a storefront.
This launch comes at a time when San Francisco’s dining scene is increasingly gravitating toward smaller, chef-driven establishments. Ho’s venture aligns with a trend of former chefs from renowned kitchens creating intimate, personality-driven concepts. Rich Table has already spawned offshoots like RT Rotisserie, showcasing the growing influence of chef-led initiatives in the area.
Currently, Ho is in search of a brick-and-mortar location for Good Morning 96 and has not disclosed an opening timeline. As she finalizes the lease and assembles her team, details of the menu are expected to evolve.
The anticipation surrounding Good Morning 96 reflects a larger movement in San Francisco’s restaurant culture, which increasingly prioritizes personal stories and seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. With Ho’s impressive background and creative vision, this is a project to watch closely.
Stay tuned for updates on Ho’s progress and the exciting developments at Good Morning 96, as this promising new addition to San Francisco’s vibrant culinary scene takes shape.
