BREAKING: A new fine dining restaurant, Naides, is set to open in Nob Hill, San Francisco, this December, promising to elevate Filipino cuisine to new culinary heights. Co-founded by Michelin-trained chefs Patrick Gabon and Celine Wuu, Naides will occupy the former space of the acclaimed Sons & Daughters at 708 Bush Street.
Gabon and Wuu aim to showcase Filipino flavors through a meticulous 11- to 15-course tasting menu that incorporates innovative preservation and fermentation techniques. This is a significant milestone for Filipino cuisine in a city renowned for its competitive dining scene.
“It’s a homecoming of sorts,” Gabon told Eater SF, reflecting on the restaurant’s connection to his heritage. The duo, who met while working at Alexander’s Steakhouse, have honed their skills in some of the Bay Area’s top culinary establishments, including Benu and Sons & Daughters. Their experience at the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Milka in Slovenia has greatly influenced their approach to Naides.
Naides will not feature typical fusion dishes; instead, it will reinterpret traditional Filipino dishes with a fine dining twist. One standout item is a reimagined sinigang, showcasing barbecue abalone in a clarified beef broth, seasoned with tamarind and served with pickled daikon. Gabon emphasized,
“I would say the flavor is more on the Filipino side, and I’m very excited about that dish.”
Wuu, who oversees the beverage program, plans to emphasize sustainable and organic wines while also offering creative nonalcoholic pairings. Drawing from her experience at Milka, she aims to create unique drinks that complement the food’s rich flavors and textures.
The opening of Naides marks a notable moment in San Francisco’s culinary landscape, as the city is home to the second-largest Filipino population in the United States. Despite the rich cultural presence, fine-dining Filipino restaurants remain rare. Naides joins the ranks of other upscale venues like Abacá, which has already garnered Michelin recognition for its contemporary Filipino-Californian offerings.
The former Sons & Daughters had previously won accolades for its New Nordic-inspired menus, and Gabon is keen to build on this legacy while bringing his vision of Filipino cuisine to life. “Now I really want to do nontraditional Filipino food,” he stated.
As Naides prepares for its anticipated launch, there is growing excitement around its innovative approach to Filipino dining, which promises to captivate both locals and visitors alike. The team has already submitted their liquor license application and is gearing up for a launch by the end of December 2023.
Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling culinary venture as it aims to redefine Filipino cuisine in San Francisco’s vibrant dining scene.
