The Final Days of Saison: Mission Hot Spot Ready to Move to SoMa

The current chef's counter at Saison

By Meesha Halm

A few weeks ago we overheard a bunch of wine investors plotting their final blow-out meal at Saison before its much-predicted move and now word comes from The Inside Scoop that owner Josh Skenes has announced his final days on Folsom. According to the report, Skenes and partner Mark Bright plan to close the original Mission stomping ground on November 30, and reopen quickly thereafter in mid-December 2012 at 178 Townsend in the historic SoMa California Electric Light Company Building.

The new suppped up version of Saison will continue to present multi-course tasting menus, much of it cooked over the fire, but really play up Skenes desire to connect with the diners. Unlike at the current space where he has an exclusive chef’s counter in the kitchen, the entire 18-seat dining room will be in the kitchen. As Skenes explains, “I want it to feel like you’re coming into someone’s home, because this is my home.” However, something tells us this won’t be your average home kitchen. Skenes has tapped Tim Harrison, who has designed kitchens for The French Laundry, Per Se and Benu, to design the new crib which will include an 8-foot hearth, multiple grills and a five-level fire-fueled deck for breads and pastries. Read the full article here.