Hilda and Jesse

HILDA’S ICED COFFEE – Cold Brew, Housemade Oat Milk, Malt

DUCK WINGS – H&J Wing Spice

SHRIMP TOASTIE – Chill Mayo, Sesame

GRILLED BEEF TONGUE – Smoky Beet Dip, Fig Chimichurri, Chili Crunch

PANCAKES WITHOUT BOUNDARIES – Double Stack of our Buttermilk Pancakes, Grilled Strawberry Maple, Butter Pat

GRADE SCHOOL BREAKFAST – French Toast Sticks, Cinnamon Sugar, Strawberries, Fig Leaf Caramel, Rice Krispie Ice Cream

Proudly queer owned by Kristina Liedags Compton and Rachel Sillcocks Hilda and Jesse recently captured a Michelin Star for their brunch and dinner space in North Beach, the focus on #funluxury making headlines since the start and seeing Chef Kristina named a 2024 James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef: California.

Catercorner to Washington Square, a concise space where both owners contribute fine dining experience including tableside service, it was after a short wait due to lingering guests that two sat down near floor-to-ceiling windows bathing the room on light.

Born out of Brunch for Dinner pop-ups, with a menu rethinking classic dishes offered as a $49 3-course Prix Fixe, $85 Chef’s Adventure or a la carte, those opting for the latter will find diverse influences highlighted by quality Ingredients and portions outpacing the pricetag.

Friendly in terms of service, each team member including the Chef chipping in to serve, bus or offer an explanation, course one featured boldly spiced Duck Wings served hot from the fryer while a “Shrimp Toastie” to follow riffed on Cantonese Dim Sum topped in Microgreens.

Named after the couples’ grandparents, each owner providing a name, Hilda’s Iced Coffee proves thick with subtle sweetness well-suited to Beef Tongue soft as Pot Roast or “Gayest Pancakes Ever” AKA Pancakes Without Boundaries AKA fluffy clouds of Buttermilk drowned in Cream, grilled Strawberries and Maple Syrup.

Regretting not ordering the Chef’s Adventure a little, though everything thus far was exceptional, regardless of what menu is selected no table should go without Hilda and Jesse’s “Grade School Breakfast” matching fried French Toast to Fig Leaf Caramel and Ice Cream that tastes identical to Rice Krispies Cereal.

www.hildaandjessesf.com