Big culinary moves are shaking up the historic San Francisco Ferry Building as the Michelin-starred Sorrel team prepares to take over a significant vacancy. Chef-owner Alex Hong, alongside director of operations Joel Wilkerson, plans to launch a new restaurant and bakery in the space long held by The Slanted Door. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that this new venture is slated to be "more casual than the fine-dining Sorrel" while focusing on the region's coastal offerings. However, details beyond that remain closely guarded by the proprietors.
With a 15-year lease secured, the ambition seems to be to quickly become a staple in the Ferry Building's storied culinary scene. Hong and Wilkerson aim to eventually reveal two distinct concepts in the capacious location: a "large format" restaurant featuring a seasonal ingredient menu and an adjoining bakery renowned for its laminated pastries. Amidst the Ferry Building's resurgence post-pandemic, this move is expected to contribute significantly to the area's dining reputation. Telling Biz Journals, the duo emphasized their intent to "becoming part of a historic landmark and the narrative of San Francisco as a culinary destination", as per the San Francisco Chronicle.
The new project marks a significant step for Sorrel, which has indeed come a long way since its 2018 opening, evolving from a sell-out pop-up to a Michelin-recognized establishment underpinned by Hong's prestigious culinary background and Wilkerson's experience managing renowned fine-dining establishments. According to SF Business Times, the James Beard Rising Star Chef nominee and his partner are set to fill the 8,200-square-foot space with unique features, like an open kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows, and outdoor seating that boasts scenic views of the Bay Bridge.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed lauded the economic implications of Sorrel's expansion, asserting that, as per the SF Business Times, "their investment in our city, in our waterfront, is just another building block in downtown’s dramatic comeback". The newfound space at the Ferry Building follows a trend of culinary revivals at the location, with high-caliber chefs and restaurateurs, such as Reem Assil of Reem's and Nite Yun's Cambodian noodle bar Lunette, having recently established eateries there.
