The story
Octavia is chef Melissa Perello’s second San Francisco restaurant, named after its location on Octavia Street. The menu rotates with the seasons, drawing from the Bay Area’s best farms to create dishes that are both refined and approachable. The restaurant earned a Michelin star and continues to be recognized for its elegant yet relaxed neighborhood atmosphere.
Perello, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, trained under Michael Mina and Ron Siegel before leading kitchens at Charles Nob Hill and Fifth Floor, where she earned a Michelin star. At Octavia, she brings a commitment to sustainability and a natural ability to craft simple, expertly balanced dishes. The open kitchen faces the dining room, exposing the building’s 19th-century masonry and original framework, while natural light floods the space. The result is a seamless blend of history and modern comfort.
Octavia’s Californian cuisine is driven by seasonality. Recent offerings include sweet potato mochi with walnut salsa macha, wild mushroom lasagna with fava leaf fonduta, and Liberty Farm duck with celeriac purée and huckleberry jus. The menu also features housemade sourdough, a Dungeness crab “roll” croissant, and desserts like black lime pavlova. A Chef’s Tasting Menu is available for $98 per person, with a supplemental wine pairing for $68. The restaurant also offers a private dining room for groups.
With its Michelin recognition, Octavia stands as a testament to Melissa Perello’s vision of seasonally driven cuisine served in a setting that feels both special and familiar.
Recognition
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