SAN FRANCISCO
A row of shiny maneki-neko figurines—the beckoning cats that are thought to bring good luck in Japan—keep watch over the dining room at Ernest, a lively restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission district. The cats are meant to represent moments of joyful discovery, like the ones owner chef Brandon Rice had on a life-changing trip to Japan that shaped his approach to food. Here, global flavors, from Puebla to Sapporo, are artfully applied to dishes inspired by nostalgia, a nod to the chef’s childhood in Roanoke, Virginia, where he spent a lot of time with his grandfather, a food-loving butcher named Ernest. The final pieces of the puzzle are the ingredients sourced locally from Bay Area farmers for cheeky dishes like heirloom lettuce from Napa dressed with togarashi ranch and caviar served up on tater tots, which help take Northern California cuisine to surprising new places.
INCLUDED IN THE FEAST
Ernest
BRANDON RICE
Between his grandfather’s influence, cooking family meals with his mom and his job as a prep cook at a local restaurant in Virginia, chef Brandon Rice had a pretty clear idea of what he was going to grow up to be way back in high school. After training at the Culinary Institute of America, Rice went on to stage at Quique Dacosta on the Mediterranean coast of Spain and Copenhagen’s Noma before returning home. He found his muse, local Bay Area farm-fresh ingredients, while working at Coi and, after a few years there, was hired as chef de cuisine at Rich Table. In 2021, Rice opened Ernest, an unpretentious, chef-driven restaurant and, the following year, was named Rising Star Chef of the year by Starchefs.
RESERVE YOUR FEAST
STAR CHEFS
D.C. Rising Star 2022
THE INFATUATION
Best New Restaurant San Francisco 2021
WHY WE LOVE IT
What could be better than ordering a dish you already love and think you know and discovering something entirely new to love about it? That’s what happens pretty much every time someone puts a plate in front of you at Ernest.
THE MOVEABLE FEAST EXPERIENCE
Reserve for Thursday or Friday delivery. Prepare and enjoy anytime through Sunday night. Delivered nationwide.
• INCLUDES •
Detailed written & video instructions, ingredients in stainless steel & compostable packaging, & curated Spotify playlist.
• PREP •
All ingredients are pre-measured, no culinary experience required, takes no more than 30-45 min to prep, heat, & plate courses.
• SERVE •
Enjoy 6+ courses that can serve up to 12 guests. Fine dining has never been easier than right in the comfort of your own home.
