Kiln (restaurant)
| Kiln | |
|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | May 16, 2023 |
| Owner(s) | John Wesley, Julianna Yang |
| Manager(s) | Julianna Yang |
| Chef | John Wesley |
| Food type | Contemporary fusion |
| Rating | |
| Street address | 149 Fell Street |
| City | San Francisco |
| State | California |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 94102 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 37°46′34″N 122°25′14″W / 37.776095°N 122.420424°W |
| Seating capacity | 34 |
| Website | kilnsf |
Kiln is a fine dining restaurant in San Francisco, California, opened in 2023. It has two Michelin stars.
Restaurant
Kiln is co-owned by chef John Wesley and general manager Julianna Yang, previously chef de cuisine and general manager at Sons & Daughters. It serves a tasting menu that blends French, Japanese, and Scandinavian techniques (Wesley previously cooked at restaurants including the New York City Scandinavian restaurant Aska) and emphasizes curing, drying, fermentation, and pickling.[1][2][3][4] The Michelin Guide describes the food at Kiln as "lean[ing] Nordic".[5] Wesley stated that he had been planning his first solo venture for a decade and chose the name "Kiln" to reflect the transformation both of the food and of the diner.[3]
The restaurant is located in Hayes Valley in San Francisco, in a former garage with exposed concrete walls and a 30-foot ceiling.[1][3] An olive tree from Sonoma County grows out of a custom serving station by furniture builders Oxford Design.[1][2] Capacity is 34, at ten tables and the bar.[1][2] Kiln retains the high-end sound system installed by the previous restaurant in the space, Cala.[2] One reviewer noted that the minimalist decor contrasted with the loud rap and punk rock playing during dinner.[6]
History
Kiln opened on May 16, 2023.[1]
In January 2024, Kiln was a semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category of the James Beard Foundation Awards.[7] It was awarded a Michelin star in August 2024[4] and a second in 2025.[8] Wesley was also named Michelin Guide California's Young Chef of the Year in August 2024.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e Mamoon, Omar (May 15, 2023). "This new S.F. restaurant is shooting straight for Michelin stars". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Keay, Steph (September 5, 2023). "Kiln". Haute Living San Francisco. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c Guzman, Dianne de (June 6, 2023). "Beef Tendon and Venison Get the Star Treatment at San Francisco's New Tasting Menu Restaurant". Eater SF. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ a b Kadvany, Elena (August 5, 2024). "Michelin stars: Which Bay Area restaurants won — and lost". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "Kiln – San Francisco". Michelin Guide. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ Rodriguez, Ricky (February 21, 2024). "Kiln - Hayes Valley - San Francisco". The Infatuation. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
Kiln is an exhilarating journey through contrasts. The music might not match the space, and the minimalist food presentation might not go with the maximalist flavors
- ^ Goldstein, Li (January 24, 2024). "These Are the James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists, 2024". Bon Appétit. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Kadvany, Elena (June 25, 2025). "Michelin stars: Two new restaurants win in the Bay Area". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "John Wesley of Kiln is The MICHELIN Guide California 2024 Young Chef Award Winner". Michelin Guide. August 5, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2025.