Hakkasan To Open Its Doors Dec. 3

A splashy new, modern Chinese restaurant will debut Dec. 3 in downtown San Francisco.

Hakkasan — with branches already up and running or under construction in New York, Miami, Las Vegas, London, the Middle East and India — will encompass a 170-seat, 10,000-square-foot space on the second floor of the One Kearny building in San Francisco.

Known for its eye-popping prices and gilded interiors, Hakkasan tapped the Parisian design firm, Gilles & Boissier, to create a dramatic V-shaped bar to play off the building’s wedge-shaped design. Look for stone, glass, steel, dark-stained oak, Calcutta marble, colored mirrors, silks and embroidered leather to customize the look.

The restaurant, which will be open daily, will offer Cantonese-style dim sum, as well as an extensive wine and sake list.

Executive Chef Ho Chee Boon, who has worked at the original Hakkasan in London, will be crafting dishes inspired by San Francisco’s dedication to organic ingredients. Look for “Jasmine Tea Smoked Short Ribs,” “Braised Kurobuta Pork Belly with Aged Vinegar,” and “Prawn and Pak Choi Dumplings.”

Ame Serves Up Fugu — In Sake

Yes, fugu, the prized Japanese fish that can be lethal in the wrong hands, will be served up at Ame in San Francisco in an unusual sake.

The restaurant, in the St. Regis Hotel, has taken the fins from the fish, roasted them, then steeped them in sake. The result is a drink that’s unique, rich and complex.

Honjozo style “Karatamba” Sake from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan will be available at the restaurant from December through February 2013. A six-ounce glass is served warm with a toasted fugu fin for $15.

Be the first on your block to try it — and live to brag about it.

Curry Up Now Opens in Palo Alto

What started as a food truck has now blossomed into two restaurants, the first in San Mateo and the newest in downtown Palo Alto.

Curry Up Now’s Indian-inspired Tex-Mex tacos, deconstructed samosa burrito, ”ItsyBitsy Naan Bits,” and other Indian-inspired  quick-service items can be found at its newest locale at 321 Hamilton Ave.

The 49-seat venue is open daily.