Prepare to fulfill ABSteak in San Francisco, a Barbecue spot with Korean flare. What involves thoughts once you consider Korean Barbecue? Should you haven’t boarded a aircraft for Seoul for a completely immersive expertise, you’ve seemingly skilled Korean Barbecue in a neighborhood city or metropolis close to you. After I was in Seoul, my eating experiences didn’t embrace BBQ, so a minimum of for us, our experiences have been restricted to the States and Europe. In smaller cities or metropolis suburbs, it has usually been over-crowded and we’ve needed to share a desk with fairly a couple of others we didn’t know. Generally this could flip into an surprising treasure as you break bread with full strangers. Different instances, you may’t wait to get away from the noise of everybody talking loudly round you.
Both method, it’s a singular expertise. The standard of the meat nonetheless can differ considerably from place-to-place.
Larger finish locations exist corresponding to Michelin-star rated San Ho Gained in San Francisco, Jeju in Portland and Cote Korean Steakhouse in Miami. ABSteak hadn’t been on my radar even though famend Michelin-starred Chef Akira Again has over 25 areas. Even if he’s initially from Korea, a few of his eating places have extra Japanese affect than Korean till extra not too long ago. Now, he returns to his roots.
Credit score: ABSteak
ABSteak in San Francisco, which opened on October 8, 2024, is Again’s first location within the Bay Space. Different main U.S. areas embrace Las Vegas, Beverly Hills and San Diego, though yow will discover his masterful dishes and steaks in London, Paris, Dubai, Toronto, Jakarta, Florence, Rome and lots of others as properly. In different phrases, he’s no stranger to the worldwide culinary scene. Now you realize why he’s sometimes called the Globe-Trotting Chef by others.
Introducing ABSteak in San Francisco
The doorway to the ABSteak location in San Francisco
Chef Again bought his notoriety from Meals Community’s “Iron Chef America,” the place he battled Iron Chef Bobby Flay and appearances on NBC’s “The Immediately Present,” Meals Community’s “Greatest Factor I Ever Ate,” and The Cooking Channel’s “United Tastes of America.” The most recent addition on San Francisco’s Ellis Road takes up a contemporary and stylish 6,500-square-foot house. After you make your method down the steps from the unassuming entrance, its modern design strikes by means of each room, beginning with the bar off to the left of the hostess stand. The bartender shared his artistic choices with us, noting that they alter on a regular basis as he gave a nod to an Elderberry concoction in a transparent class bottle to his left.
The bar at ABSteak. Courtesy: ABSTeak.
Wine is as elaborate as their cocktails should you need to go that route and why not should you’re signing up for an night of steak pleasure. Should you need to choose one thing from their in depth wine menu, they’ve a scrumptious (okay . . . to-die for) Turley Zinfandel from Napa on the menu, a excellent pairing with most of their choices. The Neyers 2021 Mix from Sage Canyon additionally doesn’t disappoint. For white wine lovers, you may’t go flawed with the Far Niente Chardonnay, one of my favorites. There are tons of clean choices to tickle your fancy.
Behind the scenes of their open kitchen.
BEHIND THE SCENES at ABSteak:
Earlier than we get to the meals, it’s value noting two observations that made an impression: Design and Service, each of which appear to be extremely valued by the restaurant chain. It appears to trickle down, or a minimum of that’s what we felt. From the bartender to the meals runners and our overly attentive waitress, their ardour for his or her jobs and curiosity in caring for his or her prospects’ wants and needs have been paramount.
You may be pondering: “Should you’re there to evaluate the restaurant, wouldn’t they put their greatest foot ahead?” Certain and it’s definitely an affordable query. That stated, I’ve reviewed near 200 eating places over time from around the globe––typically they know a evaluate is coming and different instances, they don’t. In each circumstances, we’ve had excellent service and mediocre ones. Put one other method, realizing {that a} reviewer is in the home doesn’t cowl up unhealthy service if it’s a part of the restaurant’s DNA. It additionally doesn’t cowl up unhealthy meals. If neither are valued belongings, it doesn’t trickle down.
I keep in mind reviewing a restaurant in Napa County a few years in the past which was connected to a stylish bar . Though the meals and repair have been removed from memorable, they led with what they noticed as their raison d’etre––“We’re the go-to spot for stylish drinks and folks watching.” The expertise mirrored it, not the meals or service. You get the concept.
Have a look at the oh so enjoyable design of the menus
We determined to go together with cocktails over wine and should you can’t tell from the under image, we began with a Gochujang Margarita, which is made with Don Julio, Aramas Verde Mezcal, Lime, Gochujang and Seven-Spice. Let’s simply say that it has a kick to it.
My private favourite? The Tokki Bi-Heng-Gi (belo), which is made with barrel-aged Tokki Soju, Aperol, Lemon, and Amaro Nonino.
As a result of we have been curious, we tried the Royal Sonbi, which is made with Korean Dry Gin, Candy Vermouth, and Italian and Japanese Amaros. Discover how the Korean infusion isn’t simply with the meals? All of their cocktails are fantastically introduced as properly. Bravo!
Cocktails at ABSteak in San Francisco
I used to be shocked to see oysters on the menu but when seafood is your jam, you then may need to attempt their distinctive variation which they make with chojang, olive oil, lime and granny apple salsa. Yum, proper? They kicked issues off with their Yuza Lotus Root, which they served with contemporary orange segments, olive oil, arugula and lime zest adopted by a blended salad and Cabbage Kimchi.
Additionally they provide an attention-grabbing Chadol Dwen Jang Jjigae soup, which is made with Australian Wagyu Brisket, and Korean fermented soy bean stew.
The Chadol Dwen Jang Jjigae
Should you’re a vegetarian or eating with one, there are a couple of choices on the menu, such because the Yuza Lotus Root famous above, their Chili Sesame Broccolini and their Egg-Souffle, which our waitress loves. The dish was oh so fluffy. Easy however delish, they toss it with inexperienced scallions and sesame seed oil. Additionally they provide a Veggie Platter with asparagus, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and zucchini.
The Egg-Souffle
Our favourite appetizer goes to the AB Wagyu Pizza, which is made with thinly sliced uncooked Australian wagyu, crispy tortilla, ponzu aioli, inexperienced olive and white truffle oil. BTW, the Tokki Bi-Heng-Gi cocktail was an ideal pairing with this one.
Above, the AB Wagyu Pizza at ABSteak
Like its Los Angeles-based location, the restaurant options custom-designed tabletop grills and so they use smokeless Japanese Binchotan Charcoal, which interprets to this: You don’t depart smelling like BBQ. As for the cuts, we began with what they confer with as Chadol, which is Australian Wagyu Brisket. Relying on who you discuss to, some want Australian wagyu over Japanese and others say it’s the opposite method round. Each are tender and heavenly, so when you’ve got both choice on a menu, go for it.
Not like the bigger Korean Barbecue steakhouses, we had our personal scorching grill in the course of the desk. The employees appeared at our desk with numerous cuts for us to attempt, all paired with a set of 4 condiments: jalapeno, wasabi, rock salt and garlic chips. Banchan too.
It involves the desk uncooked and onto the open grill it goes. We get to look at till it’s completely cooked and able to eat.
Our favourite was the Picanha, which is their Australian Wagyu Sirloin. It was oh so tender, a lot in order that I misplaced observe of what our waitress was saying.
Our subsequent favourite was what the supervisor known as their King of the Kings: the Deung Shim Ribeye and I’ve to confess, it had us at hiya. In hindsight, I used to be so full by the point the Ribeye arrived, I ought to have began with it. Fact be instructed, the Picanha and Deung Shim Ribeye would have glad me alone. My good friend Deanne, who joined me for this beautiful meal, felt the identical method. Two thumbs up!!
After it’s prepared, out come the steak reducing scissors to allow them to create chunk sized parts for us to take pleasure in.
ABSteak in San Francisco
Lastly, they introduced out the Marinated Galbi, which is their Boneless Quick Rib. Just like the others, they convey it out uncooked, however on this case rolled up and seasoned with garlic and soy sauce.
The garlic made its method into the pores of this divine brief rib and left us basking in its scrumptious flavors properly past the final chunk.
The Marinated Galbi at ABSteak
Suggestion: I’d order the Australian Wagyu Ribeye and the Sirloin (Picanha) should you don’t have room in your stomach to eat all night time like we did. Splurge on a bottle of clean, deep, wealthy Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon, order a aspect salad and a few broccoli and also you’ll be a cheerful camper (Smile). BTW, in addition they provide Japanese Wagyu cuts in case you’re questioning: Ribeye and Sirloin. It’s also possible to go for shrimp to accompany any of the steak dishes, which is particularly helpful should you’re there as a bunch. Given the ambiance, it’s an excellent selection for six.
Lastly, how might we are saying no to tangerine tea and the dessert they stated we should attempt? HANWOO. This scrumptious creation is made with darkish chocolate mousse, matcha sponge cake, brown butter tulie, berries and candied orange peel. What a approach to finish a night! Gorgeous, proper?
Above and under, the Hanwoo Dessert at ABSteak
Dessert at ABSteak in San Francisco
Beneath is the primary eating room.
The principle eating room. Courtesy: ABSteak
Should you’re a bigger group, it’s also possible to reserve your personal room the place they’ll seat ten or twelve round a protracted sq. desk with glass doorways.
A personal room at ABSteak with glass doorways.
Would we return? You betcha. For steak lovers, you’ll be in for an actual deal with with their premium meat cuts which might be dry-aged 30 days in a devoted on-premises chamber. Their raison-d’etre of their phrases? A five-star, smokeless, open grill tabletop cooking expertise in a vibrant and social setting. Beneath is a brief video and slide collage that captures a couple of highlights of our night.
DETAILS:
ABSteak
124 Ellis Road
San Francisco CA 94102
415.421.9014
Go to www.absteaksf.com for extra data and to check out their menu.
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Observe: we have been hosted by the restaurant however all opinions expressed are solely our personal.
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