The story
Frances is an ode to refined but comfortable sensibilities in both food and decor. On a tree-lined stretch of 17th Street in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood, this restaurant from chef-owner Melissa Perello and chef de cuisine Ricky Chu offers a technique-rich, yet relatable rotating menu that spotlights seasonal ingredients from the region’s best farms. The atmosphere is open and familiar, a modern, relaxed neighborhood setting where elevated cooking feels entirely natural.
Chef Perello’s path to opening Frances began in her grandmother’s kitchen in Northern Texas. After training at the Culinary Institute of America, she moved to San Francisco, working under Michael Mina at Aqua and then Ron Siegel at Charles Nob Hill. She earned a Michelin star at Fifth Floor before taking a hiatus to travel and refocus, ultimately opening Frances in 2009—named for the grandmother who nurtured her early talents. The restaurant quickly earned a Michelin star of its own and continues to be recognized, including a current Michelin Recommended distinction.
In 2023, Ricky Chu became chef de cuisine. A first-generation Chinese American from San Francisco, Chu honed his skills at Maven before joining Perello’s team at Octavia in 2015. His dishes at Frances are rooted in local, seasonal ingredients, balancing local sourcing with classic techniques to express a diversity of stories and inspirations.
The wine program, led by Iris Rowlee, is equally thoughtful. A Court of Masters certified sommelier, Rowlee previously oversaw programs at Cotogna and A16—which won a James Beard Award for Best Wine Program. She brings that same curiosity to Frances, curating a list that tells the stories of its wines.
Private dining is available for buyout events, accommodating up to thirty seated or forty-five standing guests, with a personalized menu and wine experience.
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