Back in March, a one-alarm fire erupted in the basement and kitchen of Russian Hill restaurant Mason Pacific. Now, after four months of repairs and fire mitigation, the bistro is ready to reopen its doors on Thursday, with a brand-new chef and completely new menu. 

Annie Happel, a representative for the restaurant, told us that Max Mackinnon will be taking over as executive chef. Mackinnon hails from Burlington, Vermont, where he was the chef/owner of Pistou, a 2012 nominee for Best New Restaurant in the James Beard Awards. 

Mackinnon's new menu will feature dishes like Santa Barbara sea urchin with potato, garlic and seaweed; braised lamb with flowering broccoli and citrus; and dry-aged Liberty Farms duck with eggplant and turnips. According to Eater SF, Mackinnon's predecessor in the job, chef Sean McTiernan, has left the city to open a new restaurant in the Florida Keys.