Osito
| Osito | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | October 15, 2021 |
| Closed | May 11, 2025 |
| Owner(s) | Seth Stowaway, Jenn Yoo |
| Chef | Seth Stowaway |
| Food type | Live-fire California cuisine |
| Rating |  |
| Street address | 2875 18th Street |
| City | San Francisco |
| State | California |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 94110 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 37°45′42″N 122°24′39″W / 37.76167°N 122.41083°W |
| Website | ositorestaurant |
Osito was a restaurant in San Francisco, California, opened in October 2021 by chef Seth Stowaway and using exclusively live-fire cooking over a wood fire. It held a Michelin star. It closed in May 2025.
History
[edit]In partnership with Jenn Yoo,[1] Seth Stowaway opened Osito on October 15, 2021.[2] Stowaway, who had been executive chef at Bar Agricole, named it for his nickname, which means "little bear".[3][4] Originally planned for early 2020,[3] the opening was preceded by trial pop-ups and was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][6] Stowaway leased the space, in the Mission District, in May 2020.[7]
It was the first entirely live-fire restaurant in the Bay Area, originally serving a tasting menu built around a different meat or seafood each evening,[3][7] in two seatings at a long communal table from which about 22 diners observed the meal being cooked over wood-fed flames.[2][8][9] The menu came to follow a monthly theme, such as "Growing Up" and "Old World Techniques".[4][8] Stowaway described the cuisine as California cuisine with Latin American influences, based on his upbringing in Texas and on the Mission, where he also lives.[3][10] Prior to opening, he planned to employ formerly incarcerated and rehabilitated people.[3] The kitchen butchered whole animals and sourced produce from local farmers.[10] Designed by Studio Terpeluk, the restaurant had dark wood panelling including reclaimed redwood[10][11] and was decorated with numerous plants.[8]
Osito later added an à la carte menu and a private dining room.[5][10] An associated cocktail bar called Liliana's operated next door[8] until December 2023;[12] the Bar at Osito replaced it in February 2024[13] but closed the same month after Stowaway found running a second business distracting.[14] The space was later a pop-up for Bar Agricole after its closure in SOMA.[10]
In April 2025, Stowaway founded The Same Sun, a collective of independent hospitality business owners to reduce operating costs by pooling resources.[10][15] The following month, he annnounced that despite a plan to make up rent arrears,[6] Osito had become financially unviable, and the restaurant would close permanently after brunch on Mother's Day, May 11, 2025.[5][10][16]
Reception
[edit]Osito was awarded a Michelin star in December 2022[1][10][17][18] and retained it until it closed. The Michelin Guide described it as a "rustic, lodge-like spot" whose food was "both elemental and elevated";[4] other reviewers described it as "a breathtaking commitment to communal dining"[17] and "both casual and special",[19] although one found the experience more memorable than the food.[8]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Kadvany, Elena (December 7, 2022). "Michelin stars announced: These Bay Area restaurants won (and lost)". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ a b Bitker, Janelle (June 7, 2021). "S.F.'s Osito finally has an opening date for its $295 live-fire tasting menus". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Bitker, Janelle (September 26, 2019). "No burners, no ovens: San Francisco's next $200 tasting menu restaurant Osito promises all live fire". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ a b c "Osito – San Francisco". Michelin Guide. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c Vaziri, Aidin (May 6, 2025). "Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco announces sudden closure". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ a b Guerrero, Susana (May 8, 2025). "'Doesn't make financial sense': Michelin-starred SF restaurant calls it quits". SFGate.
- ^ a b Bitker, Janelle (June 1, 2020). "15-course tasting menu restaurant Osito to land in S.F.'s Mission". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ a b c d e Chen, Julia (September 21, 2022). "Osito". The Infatuation (review). Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ Hogan, Clara; Amy Sherman (April 20, 2023). "The best restaurants in San Francisco to try right now". Time Out San Francisco. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Deseran, Sara; Lauren Saria (May 6, 2025). "Another acclaimed restaurant burns out: Osito is closing". The San Francisco Standard.
- ^ Tsapovsky, Flora (March 17, 2025). "Take a Look at San Francisco's Most Beautiful Restaurants". Eater SF. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ Saria, Lauren; Dianne de Guzman; Paolo Bicchieri (December 20, 2023). "Veritable Oakland Soul Food Classic Set to Close". Eater SF. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ Cortez, Mario (February 6, 2024). "Michelin-starred restaurant unveils new bar next door, and more S.F. restaurant openings". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Cortez, Mario (March 1, 2024). "A rare Hawaiian bakery shutters, and more Bay Area restaurant closures". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Deseran, Sara (April 10, 2025). "A former 'crackhead' reinvented himself as a fine-dining chef. Now he wants to pay it forward". The San Francisco Standard.
- ^ Okorie, O. Gloria (May 11, 2025). "Michelin-star restaurant, Osito, shuts down due to 'SF economy'". KTVU.
- ^ a b Bicchieri, Paolo; Dianne de Guzman (December 6, 2022). "Here Are All the New San Francisco Bay Area Michelin Starred Restaurants for 2022". Eater SF.
- ^ "2022 California MICHELIN Stars". Michelin Guide. December 5, 2022.
- ^ Tsapovsky, Flora; staff (November 20, 2024). "The Best Splurge Restaurants in San Francisco". Eater SF. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official website (archived from the original on December 4, 2024)