Intimately tucked away right across from Oracle Park is the impressively sleek 25 Lusk, an elevated, yet cozily casual restaurant experience that has recently reopened with an impeccably strong return.
Crafted by talented visionary and Executive Chef Matthew Dolan, 25 Lusk effortlessly exudes a perfectly balanced atmosphere of classic sophistication with modern approachability, trailblazing culinary approaches with their delightfully laid-back "choose your own adventure" dining style.
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First opened in 2010, 25 Lusk has remarkably persevered through the pandemic to powerfully reemerge in early August of 2022, supplementing their highly-anticipated return with an innovative reimagining of both the interior and menu.
The elegant entryway immediately transports you into a sultry lounge-like cove, evoking a contemporary speakeasy ambience with the dim lighting, rustic exposed wood and brick, and posh furniture. Casual comfort within an air of graceful opulence is what 25 Lusk strives for, thoughtfully ensuring you feel cozy and relaxed while still nourishing on precisely handcrafted cuisine.
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With no longer a traditional prix-fixe offering, Chef Dolan boldly encourages patrons to order and share tapas at their own pace without the typical rigid pressure of intermittent service. It is an ingenious and conscious method that underscores their laid-back approach and champions 25 Lusk as a cutting-edge trendsetter.
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The tightly curated menu of 14 dishes and three irresistible desserts boasts diverse New American fare with European flair and an emphasis on sustainability. A few of the must-order premier choices here include the silky Cauliflower Creme Brulee with preserved meyer lemon and confit shallots, the Steamed Manila Clams in a comforting rose wine broth, and the Day Boat Scallop Sashimi embellished with smoked avocado and kiwis.
Such playful flavor and textural complexities are no new feat for Chef Dolan, having also recently showcased his creativity on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. All the plates flow seamlessly into each other, varying in size as you move down the menu to the more entree-like Grilled Millbrook Venison and Braised Beef Short Rib, both of which are immaculately tender and lusciously rich with natural jus.
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The craft cocktail and wine programs also pair magnificently with all the meals and continue this delicate understanding of local-sourced freshness and clever flavor layering. The bespoke wine list is curated by acclaimed sommelier Peter Palmer, with the spirit-forward libations also formulated with adoring precision by Beverage Director Elmer Mejicanos.
With drinks like the Peas & Mint, Pear & Fennel, Blood Orange & Ginger, and Green Apple & Agave, the intelligent marriages of typically-savory produce with sweet fruit and spirits demonstrate an inventive reverence to highlighting their natural and earthy subtleties.
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You can truly feel 25 Lusk's genuine enthusiasm and commitment to serve their beloved community with their grand reopening. Their adjacent Rooftop 25 is also just as spectacular, providing a food truck-style of ordering under radiant string lights and courteous wind-repelling features.
Effulgently elevated as it is casually convivial, from the decor to the kind service, 25 Lusk stimulates conversation, local appreciation, and most importantly, smiles.
25 Lusk is the winning image of a proper welcoming back, as the city has surely missed you.
See also: The Best Rooftop Restaurants In San Francisco
Photography by: Anne-Claire Thieulon
