I had birthday plans to spend a couple of weeks in Oahu with no itinerary, no restaurant reservations, just sunshine and relaxation. But in my predictably unpredictable fashion, those plans were cancelled indefinitely. The upside? I ended up celebrating locally in San Francisco with wonderful friends and many excellent meals.
And it’s been a delicious month so far! Highlights included The Dabney DC pop-up at Angler, a brunch at Lily (props to them for hosting 18 people), and a restaurant crawl with Omakase Group (Niku Steakhouse, Prelude, Third Floor, and Omakase) as a media preview for their new rewards app.
I kicked off the feasting marathon at Kiln in Hayes Valley. Led by chef-owner John Wesley (formerly of Sons & Daughters and Commis), Kiln recently earned its second Michelin star after just two years.
I’m not a “star chaser,” and I don’t put too much weight on rankings, but two stars have often struck me as the awkward middle child of Michelin dining. Reaching for three, but not quite there. In contrast, one-star spots often feel more approachable: better value, more casual, and sometimes more memorable for it.
That said, Kiln had zero misses for me in its nearly 20-course menu, which is a feat in itself. From the welcome glass of champagne, to a polaroid memento with the neatest handwritten cursive, the details were appreciated. The meal and service were fine.
Kiln didn’t necessarily move me, but maybe that’s the theme of this birthday month: food, like life, doesn’t always need to be a passionate love story. Sometimes it’s about good meals close to home, friends at the table, and small moments of joy. Turns out, celebrating myself with the people and places right here in my city has always been the real main event.
Salted Butter Toffee, Walnut, Chanterelle Mushroom.
70% Chocolate, Blackberry, Pig’s Blood.
Pâte de Fruit, Lillet Blanc.
