Aphotic (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | March 2023 |
| Defunct | December 21, 2024 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
| Products | Seafood, cocktails, spirits |
Aphotic was a seafood restaurant situated on Folsom Street within San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood. It operated from March 2023 until its planned closure in December 2024 and was distinguished by earning one Michelin star during its tenure.
Cuisine
Taking its name from the ocean’s deepest zone, Aphotic focused on seafood through a seasonal 11-course tasting menu. Signature dishes featured innovative elements such as oyster-infused ice cream and sauces crafted by fermenting fish bones with salt and koji. The establishment also enhanced flavors by dry-aging a significant portion of its fish.
Licensed as a distillery, Aphotic produced its own spirits using a rotovap, including a seaweed-flavored gin that was incorporated into its martinis. The restaurant offered an extensive selection of cocktails and wines to accompany the culinary offerings. In 2024, Esquire recognized its martini as one of San Francisco’s top three. For guests seeking non-alcoholic beverages, options included seafood-inspired creations like a zero-proof vermouth infused with uni aroma and a seaweed cream soda.
The interior design echoed an underwater theme with dark, oceanic decor that aligned with the restaurant’s concept. The Michelin Guide praised Aphotic’s menu as a "rarified pescatarian tasting menu abounding with personality," served within a "vast, tenebrous space." A review from the San Francisco Chronicle described it as "groundbreaking seafood" offered in what felt like a "drowned temple in the dark ocean."
History
Chef Hemsley, previously associated with Quince, opened Aphotic in March 2023 inside a refurbished warehouse—the same location where he had operated Palette, a combined restaurant and art gallery. By July of that year, Aphotic had secured both a Michelin star and a green star for sustainability efforts. In 2024, bar director Trevin Hutchins was honored with a Michelin award for crafting "exceptional cocktails."
In October 2024, Hemsley revealed plans to close Aphotic on December 21, attributing the decision to reduced patronage and concerns over neighborhood safety stemming from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
See also
References