Empress by Boon

"Getting to this Cantonese tasting menu restaurant in Chinatown requires an elevator ride up to the sixth floor, so expect anticipation to build as you ascend (and let your ears pop, too). Once you make your grand entrance, you’re greeted with intricately carved wooden pergolas, a brightly lit marble bar, and expansive views of Chinatown, North Beach, and the bay. Sitting in a plush teal booth along the windows is the move—that way, you can watch the sun dip below Coit Tower while cutting into the excellent dishes like jasmine-smoked short rib bao and scallop and caviar rolls." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez

"In 2021, chef Ho Chee Boon and Atelier LLYS design studio returned the historic Empress of China banquet hall to its former splendor, redesigning the nearly half-a-century-old restaurant but retaining some elements including the impressive wooden pergola just inside the entryway. Teal leather-wrapped booths and wooden partitions retain diners’ sense of privacy, while modern art and black tilework do little to distract from the sweeping views of Chinatown and North Beach. The old-meets-new approach to the restaurant design appropriately echos the chef’s approach to modern Cantonese cuisine." - Flora Tsapovsky

"A restaurant in San Francisco hosting a special three-day event with Simone Caporale from Sips, featuring a collaboration with chef Ho Chee Boon for cocktail and dining experiences." - Dianne de Guzman

"Empress By Boon is the rare spot in the city where you can dress up, sit down to some Beijing dumplings and crispy-skinned duck, and stare at Coit Tower views. This Cantonese restaurant instantly makes you feel like you’ve crossed the velvet ropes to the VIP section of an exclusive club, especially after you’re seated in a curved booth behind a towering wooden pergola. The $118 prix fixe menu of occasionally changing dishes also makes you feel like royalty, like jasmine-infused short rib bao, sea prawn rolls, and a roasted duck that’s fatty bliss. A meal here adds up to a memorable night, every time, and is an experience unlike any other in the city." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway

"Capacity: 14-225 The semi-private Empress Room is as decadent as the rest of this Las Vegas-y Chinese restaurant. The opulent dining room is filled with carved wooden doors, lattices, and blue accents everywhere, and offers both Chinatown and Coit Tower views. A seasonal tasting menu of excellent dishes like jasmin-smoked short ribs, scallop and caviar rolls, and shrimp dumplings also ensure your path to event hosting success. The room fits 14-22, depending on the set-up. There’s also the larger, just-as-decadent Yan Yan room with a capacity of 48 people, and a full buyout option for up to 225." - lani conway