Kiln

Kiln is a two-Michelin-star tasting-menu restaurant in San Francisco's Hayes Valley, opened in May 2023 by chef John Wesley and general manager Julianna Yang, both alumni of the Michelin-starred Sons & Daughters. Set in a converted Fell Street garage with 30-foot ceilings and a Sonoma olive tree at its center, the roughly 20-course menu leans Nordic, built on curing, drying, and fermentation. For non-drinkers, beverage director Vincent Balao — formerly of three-Michelin-star Atelier Crenn — created a dedicated spirit-free pairing ($135), offered alongside the wine and reserve pairings rather than as a substitute. It draws on housemade kombucha, seasonal shrubs, and amazake, plus Seedlip, Lyre's, and Proxies non-alcoholic wine. Named pours include the Why Yuzu Sour (yuzu, genmaicha, Seedlip Garden 108, Oro Blanco, kombu syrup, amazake foam), Verde Side, and Smoke & Mirrors.

“It's about being hospitable. Just because you're not drinking doesn't mean you should have only water, soda or ginger ale.”

— Vincent Balao, Kiln beverage director

The San Francisco Standard, 2023 →

Non-alcoholic brands they serve

Location

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