By: Kyrie Sismaet
San Francisco, CA – Abacá, the beloved contemporary Filipino-Californian restaurant in the heart of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, is set to elevate the dining experience for its patrons with their meticulously crafted four-course Chef’s Tasting Menu. Helmed by the culinary genius of Chef Francis Ang, this gastronomic delight promises an exquisite journey through the vibrant flavors of Filipino culture and the bounty of Northern California’s seasonal ingredients.
Curated as a comprehensive tour of the cozy establishment’s signature dishes, the Chef’s Tasting Menu offers a plentiful symphony of intermingling flavors, textures, and ingredients all fresh, seasonal, and endemic to classic Filipino favorites. This culinary odyssey preludes with a selection of tantalizing bites that awaken the palate, including tender Blue Fin Tuna Tartare with sunchoke, juicy pomegranates, and a cassava chip, a classic Bibinka embellished with Sturgeon Caviar and Brentwood Corn Flan, and an ornate and spiced rendition of the crispy and familiar lumpia. Such light, but remarkably vibrant offerings truly set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience to follow.
The second course greets you with perfectly grilled Monterey Squid, delicately elevated with a Longganisa Vinaigrette and Hami Melon, along with Chicken Thigh Satti, and Grilled Broccolini lusciously bathed in Adobe Gastrique. Such plates pay homage to both the coastal and street food heritage of Filipino cuisine, evoking homestyle tastes and memories while also lauding the freshness of Californian seafood and seasonality.
The third course presents the main event of Wagyu Truffle Carpaccio and their renowned Sisig Fried Rice, stunningly displayed with vivid pickled onions and a carefully poached egg. Each course is also paired with specific wines both local and international which enhance the flavor nuances and the entire dining experience underneath their sultry and breezy canopy.
Abacá is truly no stranger to balancing such dualities, whether it be salty and sweet, classic and contemporary, or Filipino and Californian. “The Chef’s Tasting Menu is our way of showcasing what we think are the best dishes on the menu,” Chef Francis Ang elucidates, “we also wanted our guests to leave full but not overly so, we’re excited for our guests to experience this new menu as we feel like it’s a great showcase of what we do.”
The balance of filling and satisfied all culminates with dessert, as it arrives in the form of a beautiful traditional apple pie presented as an apple. The Halo Halo is also not to be missed, presented in elegant glassware and overflowing with toppings both standard and sophisticated.
Beyond the gastronomic delights, their diverse cocktail program also features imaginative Filipino-inspired libations, such as their Why You Always Laing? with Coconut Monkey Shoulder Scotch, Velvet Falernum, and a Taro Coconut Milk Wash, and their ever-beloved Ube-Colada.
Tradition truly meets innovation at Abacá, standing as an authentic testament to the rich tapestry of Filipino culture and cuisine while seamlessly blending family recipes with the flavors and offerings of Northern California. Abacá’s new Chef’s Tasting Menu is not merely a meal; it is a culinary masterpiece that invites guests on an unforgettable sensory journey, celebrating the artistry of Filipino heritages.
ABACÁ is located at 2700 Jones Street inside the Kimpton Alton Hotel and is open for breakfast Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m, brunch and panaderia Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and dinner Monday – Saturday, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome and you can make Reservations here. For more information, please visit www.restaurantabaca.com.
