Empress by Boon
a modern Cantonese dining experience in San Francisco
If you’re seeking a restaurant to impress out-of-town guests or celebrate a special occasion, Empress by Boon delivers grandeur and flavor in equal measure. Perched high above San Francisco’s Chinatown in a sleek penthouse space at 838 Grant Avenue, the restaurant is a love letter to modern Cantonese cuisine—crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon and framed by sweeping panoramic views of the city skyline.
A Storied Address, Reimagined
The restaurant occupies the former home of the iconic Empress of China, a banquet hall and Chinatown staple for nearly five decades. Where weddings, Lunar New Year feasts, and family celebrations once unfolded, Chef Ho has created a refined yet welcoming dining experience. The design preserves architectural echoes of its past while layering in elegant, contemporary touches—including bespoke RUYI tableware and porcelain from French heritage brand LEGLE, designed exclusively for Empress by Boon.
Chef Ho Chee Boon brings more than 36 years of international culinary experience to this new venture. Originally from Malaysia, Chef Ho served as the global executive chef for the Hakkasan Group, opening and leading restaurants in London, Mumbai, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, New York, and beyond. His expertise in blending traditional Cantonese technique with local ingredients results in dishes that feel both rooted and refreshingly original.
During my visit with friends, we were welcomed warmly by the host and led to a table that offered a stunning view of San Francisco from above. The entire restaurant is designed with intention—three distinct vantage points frame unique perspectives of the city, adding visual drama to an already captivating meal.
A Seasonal Tasting Journey
Empress by Boon in San Francisco offers a refined prix fixe menu that reimagines Cantonese cuisine through a modern lens. Curated by Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon, the seasonal nine-course experience is priced at $118 per person and showcases dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, including produce from the restaurant’s own farm in Gilroy. The menu features highlights such as braised Dungeness crab with Kaluga caviar, California sea prawns accompanied by seaweed and green wasabi mustard, and Mongolian-style pan-fried Wagyu beef with crispy taro.
Additional offerings include thick noodles with lobster, scallop, and whitebait, as well as grilled black cod glazed with soya honey and cloud ear mushrooms.
Dessert selections like the coconut sago with yuzu pineapple sorbet and the black sesame crèmeux with yuzu-honey ice cream provide a sweet conclusion to the meal.
The Empress's Libations: Elevated Sips Above Chinatown
As a cocktail enthusiast, I was particularly intrigued by Empress by Boon’s curated cocktail menu, which nods to the classics while embracing unexpected twists. The restaurant also has a thoughtfully selected wine and spirits list, offering something for every palate.
At Empress by Boon, every detail—from the architecture and plating to the cocktails and city views—is orchestrated to elevate the experience.
