Empress by Boon to open June 18

Empress by Boon, the expansive Cantonese culinary destination spearheaded by Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon, is thrilled to confirm its grand opening on Friday, June 18, 2021.

Located at 838 Grant Avenue in the space formerly occupied by the landmark Empress of China, the exciting new restaurant will celebrate the milestone with a private opening event and ribbon cutting on June 18 with individual reservations available beginning June 19. Empress by Boon will be open Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and will serve a special opening prix fixe menu for the first month.

“Opening my own namesake restaurant has been a career goal of mine for decades and I’m very pleased that my dream has come to fruition here in the United States’ most historic Chinatown,” said Chef Ho. “The delays this past year due to COVID-19 has only made our team more grateful to announce the opening so we can contribute to the revitalization of this beloved community.”

On Friday, June 18, Empress by Boon will host an exclusive event to welcome local dignitaries and community members for a first look at the masterfully renovated destination. Guests will enjoy a sampling of Chef Ho’s opening menu of Cantonese fare and refreshments from the bar. A formal ribbon cutting will take place as well as Chinese cultural entertainment such as traditional lion dancing.

Before launching a curated a la carte menu, Chef Ho will present a prix fixe menu that features modern Cantonese dishes prepared with fresh and local ingredients from the restaurant’s own organic farm in Gilroy, California as well as an extensive wine list and cocktail and tea service. Anticipated dishes to be featured on the opening menu include Crispy Quail with 20-year-aged Huadiao wine, Steamed Shrimp with Kaluga Caviar, Clove Smoked Baby Rib with plum and lemon, and House Made Hand-Pulled Noodle with Enoki & Shitake mushrooms.

Chef Ho is a Michelin-starred chef with close to 30 years of experience at several of the world’s most renowned Asian restaurants, including his role as international executive chef of Hakkasan. His international culinary expertise transforms any restaurant and its cuisine into a true epicurean experience. Chef Ho’s traditional techniques combine fresh ingredients from local purveyors to produce dishes that are both contemporary and with the essence of traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Empress by Boon is located at 838 Grant Avenue (between Washington and Clay streets). The opening prix fixe menu is available for dinner from June 19 (Monday through Saturday, 5-10 p.m.) at USD68++ onwards and can be booked via www.theempresssf.com or by calling 415.757.0728.

About Empress by Boon

Empress by Boon is San Francisco’s newest, must-visit epicurean destination in the heart of Chinatown, offering a seasonal menu of modern Cantonese cuisine. Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon applies traditional culinary techniques to fresh ingredients from local purveyors and the restaurant’s own farm to produce distinctive contemporary dishes infused with Cantonese flavors.

The expansive restaurant, with several unique dining areas and striking city views, occupies the former location of Chinatown’s celebrated Empress of China. The original Empress served the San Francisco community with an elegant dining experience for nearly half a century before closing in 2014. Reimagined by Chef Boon and team, the iconic space was brought back to its former glory by embracing modern design elements while incorporating restored original features, creating a welcoming atmosphere that pays homage to the history of the beloved landmark. www.theempresssf.com

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