Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s joint barbecue venture International Smoke is set to open to the public on November 13th.
The globally-inspired restaurant (301 Mission St. at Fremont) takes over the former location of RN74, a Mina project that shuttered in early October. According to a press release, the new restaurant seats 80 and will encourage a communal dining experience.
The menu includes a variety of barbecue styles and sides created with global flavors, including an order that combines St. Louis, Cuban and Japanese style ribs.
Other plates include duck wings with jerk spice and sticky mango, a bone-in, lemongrass pork chop with stir-fried clams and glass noodles, and binchō-tan-grilled lobster with a Japanese curry spice.
A center bar that seats 20 will offer international and local beer alongside craft cocktails. LA-based design firm Bishop Pass has flanked two columns in copper plate to "give the room additional warmth and evoke the look and feel of a fireplace and grill," according to the release.
“Our menu highlights global flavors that are balanced out by pairing an array of spices with delicious meats and fresh produce, and we have created dishes that are bold and dynamic,” said Mina in a statement.
The restaurant group's Executive Chef, Raj Dixit, contributed to the menu, as well as Ken Tominaga of Pabu, who helped train staff in charcoal cooking techniques.
The restaurant opens for service on November 13th with ticketed seating; a portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated to The Bread Project, a Berkeley-based nonprofit that trains underserved populations for culinary jobs, and No Kid Hungry: Share Our Strength, which connects kids in need with healthy food solutions through community organizing.
Information on how to attend International Smoke's opening night can be found on The Mina Group website.
Curry, who recently launched a line of cookware and has been named the new host of The Great American Baking Show, may help out in the kitchen on opening night, SFGate reports. Mina, a powerhouse chef since debuting at AQUA in 1993, has had a hand in opening more than 30 restaurant projects.
International Smoke will start with dinner service from 5:30 until 10pm Sunday through Thursday, and until 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday, with plans for lunch service still in the works. Visit Mina's web site for reservations.
