Chef Jason Francisco
The San Francisco fine dining scene can feel like a crowded space, but with a new executive chef and an exciting slate of luxurious upcoming events, Hotel Nikko is standing out well above the rest this summer.
Hotel Nikko has always been home to exceptional dining experiences at in-house Restaurant ANZU and Kanpai Lounge. Now, the hotel is elevating its offerings even further by welcoming Michelin and James Beard-recognized Chef Jason Francisco to its downtown San Francisco restaurants.
As Executive Chef Francisco and the Hotel Nikko team continue to reimagine the in-house dining and drinking experience, they’re kicking off summer at ANZU with an intimate celebration of a California winery and an industry partnership that’s sure to create some unforgettable cocktails.
Pull Quote
“I don’t want people to remember my food,” said Chef Jason Francisco. “That’s what pictures are for. I want them to remember how it makes them feel. That’s creating memories with them.”
Celebrating Local Wine
There’s nothing quite like connecting with friends or family over a shared evening of unforgettable wine, food, and storytelling that gives you something to talk about for months afterward.
At Hotel Nikko’s Wine Dinner with Schermeister Winery, slated for 6 p.m. June 11, diners will have the opportunity to experience one of those special evenings.
The night of luxury dining in the heart of San Francisco, hosted at Restaurant ANZU, will highlight Chef Francisco’s culinary artistry alongside the work and wines of Rob and Laura Schermeister, the craftsman and creative minds (respectively) behind the award-winning Schermeister Winery.
At the Sonoma Valley winery, Rob Schermeister creates “low intervention” wines that are unfiltered, sourced from sustainably farmed grapes, and contain minimal ingredients and sulfites, making each bottle an ode to its vineyard. As an experienced professional designer, Laura Schermeister has crafted a stunning brand around Schermeister wines, creating bottles just as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate.
The Schermeisters
Jillian Goulding
The Schermeisters — sole operators and owners of their winery — are extraordinarily intentional about their products, taking care to use native yeast for fermentation and to focus on letting their ingredients shine.
While wine enthusiasts would usually have to make the drive to Schermeister’s Glen Ellen tasting room to sample the winery’s products, the June 11 Wine Dinner will highlight the winery’s Rosé of Merlot, Pinot Noir, Salmon Vineyard Viognier, and Laura’s Chardonnay alongside an amuse-bouche and four thoughtfully crafted seasonal courses from Chef Francisco.
“Each year, I visit multiple vineyards to assess grape quality, vine health, soil structure, slope, and overall climate,” said Rob Schermeister. “I only want to work with the best grapes and will also turn down a lesser quality vineyard in a low-yield year, which means that we have had to sacrifice some production growth. Fruit price is a secondary concern for me as quality has to be perfect, above all else.”
As guests enjoy their meals and sip their wine, they’ll hear from Rob and Laura Schermeister, whose deep knowledge, passion, and knack for storytelling will enchant and educate listeners. Tickets for the fine dining and wine experience are available via OpenTable.
Elevating Fine Spirits
A laid-back, intimate evening of wine and food isn’t the only way to do San Francisco fine dining. From 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, renowned mixologist William Tsui, co-owner of Oakland’s Viridian Bar, will take over Hotel Nikko’s bar with his Viridian colleagues to bartend alongside Hotel Nikko’s team.
Industry guests will enjoy a DJ set with DJ GOYO while sipping creative concoctions fueled by Tsui’s rich mixology background and by products from Suntory, a Japanese whisky and spirits brand that’s partnered with the San Francisco cocktail event.
Tsui, formerly the lead bartender at Hotel Nikko, brings over a decade of experience crafting fine dining beverages, with a particular focus on Asian-American flavors and local, seasonal ingredients.
Transforming Food and Beverage
The upcoming events aren’t the only Hotel Nikko offerings guests and locals can look forward to.
With Chef Francisco on board, the hotel will transform its food and beverage offerings, a process that will include new menu development and the relaunch of lunch service at Kanpai Lounge.
June also brings a host of new entertainment offerings at Feinstein’s, Hotel Nikko’s onsite nightclub and venue. Here’s the exciting lineup:
June 4 and 5: Stop by to hear stories and songs from Broadway veteran Jenn Colella.
June 12 and 13: Immerse yourself in an evening of Hollywood history with performer Lorna Luft.
June 14: Dance along to classic Motown tunes from the Top Shelf Classic performers.
June 19 and 20: Enjoy an evening of delicious nostalgia and Whitney Houston renditions from performer Kevin Smith Kirkwood.
Guests can find all Feinstein’s event details and purchase tickets at Ticketmaster. Stay tuned throughout the summer as Hotel Nikko continues elevating its luxury dining options with new additions and events.
Learn more and keep up-to-date on the latest happenings by visiting our website: hotelnikkosf.com.