UPDATE: A groundbreaking Filipino fine dining restaurant, Naides, is set to open this December 2023 in the heart of Nob Hill, San Francisco. This exciting new venture by Michelin-trained chef Patrick Gabon and partner Celine Wuu will occupy the former Sons & Daughters space at 708 Bush Street, promising to elevate Filipino cuisine in a competitive market.
The restaurant will offer an innovative 11- to 15-course tasting menu that reinterprets traditional Filipino dishes using advanced preservation and fermentation techniques inspired by Nordic cuisine. Gabon emphasizes that their approach is not about flashy fusion but rather a respectful deconstruction of beloved Filipino flavors. “We’re going back to our roots,” he stated, underlining the personal significance of this endeavor.
Gabon and Wuu bring an impressive pedigree to Naides. The couple met while working at Alexander’s Steakhouse before honing their craft at notable establishments like two-Michelin-starred Sons & Daughters and three-Michelin-starred Benu. Their culinary journey also took them to Restaurant Milka in Slovenia, a two-Michelin-star establishment known for its focus on local and foraged ingredients.
Diners can expect unique dishes that showcase Gabon’s creativity. One standout is a reimagined sinigang, typically a sour soup, featuring barbecue abalone in a clarified broth made with dry-aged beef stock and tamarind, presented with pickled daikon. Gabon expresses excitement about this dish, which he believes encapsulates the restaurant’s vision.
Wuu, overseeing the beverage program, aims to innovate beyond traditional wine pairings. She plans to collaborate with small-scale organic and biodynamic producers while introducing nonalcoholic options that incorporate hyperlocal ingredients and kitchen scraps. “It’s about matching the food’s flavor while enhancing body and texture,” she explained.
Naides joins a growing number of upscale Filipino restaurants, such as Abacá, which has garnered Michelin recognition for its contemporary Filipino-Californian cuisine. With the San Francisco area home to the second-largest Filipino population in the U.S., this new establishment addresses a rising demand for fine dining experiences rooted in Filipino culture.
The former Sons & Daughters space has a rich culinary history, having earned two Michelin stars under chef Harrison Cheney. As the area undergoes a dining renaissance, Gabon views this opening as a timely opportunity to share Filipino cuisine with a new audience.
As Naides prepares for its grand opening, the team has already submitted a liquor license application and is gearing up for what promises to be a remarkable culinary experience. Gabon reflects, “We always say it’s going back to our roots—that’s how we think of this restaurant opening.”
Stay tuned for more details as this exciting venture approaches its launch date!
