Blue Whale Restaurant for Contemporary Cantonese: Table for 8

Blue Whale Restaurant
San Francisco Foodies held an event during our inagural year at Empress by Boon, Blue Whale is their sister restaurant for more casual a la carte based dishes and they also have large party rooms for banquets, perhaps starting the recent San Francisco Restaurant Trend (followed by Wayfare Tavern and others). Setting International trends is something Chef Ho Chee Boon has done all his career.

Chef Ho Chee Boon defined or helped design upscale Cantonese dining for the world during his time as chief Chef for Hakkasan and opening their flagship locations including two star New York, London and here in San Francisco, where there was never an empty seat. He decided to call San Francisco his home and has been bold, creative and kind channeling the best of San Francisco's history.

Beautiful innovative architecture and decor from floor to ceiling and amazing food coming from their Chef de Cuisine Michelin starred Zhineng Chen. A Chinese-Cantonese-Fusion. Chinese and South East Asian (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia fusing with Shanghai and Hong Kong) traditional spices and dishes with the best ingredients and cooking techniques.

A joyous place to hold your wedding banquet according to many social media sites, but San Francisco Foodies is there to sample their menu.

This meal follows our Cocktails on the 19th floor of the Mark Hopkin's hotel, Top of the Mark (and perhaps a cheating tapa or two), so the time is more around when I enjoy my weekend evening meals. 9p.

Come to both or only one, but always #EatSanFrancisco.

History
At Blue Whale Restaurant, dining is more than just a meal—it’s a journey. We are a leader in sustainable Chinese fine dining, blending traditional Chinese techniques with modern innovation. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.

Our story begins with the majestic blue whale, a symbol of strength, endurance, grace, and wisdom. Like the blue whale, we embark on a culinary voyage. We explore the depths of Chinese cuisine using responsibly sourced ingredients and eco-friendly practices.

Every dish at Blue Whale tells a story—one of heritage, craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility. Enjoy delicate dim sum, savor bold Cantonese flavors, or indulge in a contemporary twist on a classic dish. Experience the perfect balance of sustainability and fine Chinese dining.
from restaurant website

Professional Review
Cantonese cuisine is Chee Boon’s specialty, and that’ll be central here, too. But so will the foodways of Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Indonesia. Rojak, a kind of fruit salad with spicy peanut dressing, is one favorite Javanese dish that’ll make the menu. Sharing a pan-Asian menu of salads, small bites, entrees, and rice and noodle dishes is how the chef wants to educate diners about the meals of his childhood in Malaysia and working across Asia. Lemongrass, peppercorn, and other indigenous ingredients from across these countries will appear, but as inspiration strikes chef says he’ll involve other techniques as well. Chee Boon is particularly excited about crab meat xiao long bao, a San Francisco dumpling favorite. Blue Whale has a full liquor license, with drinks coming from Brandon Clements who cut his teeth with the Bacchus Management Group, the team behind Spruce, Selby’s, and more.
from eatersf (full article link below)

Menus and Reviews
Blue Whale Restaurant
Blue Whale Restaurant - Food Menu
Blue Whale Restaurant (Instagram)
Blue Whale Restaurant (EaterSF)
Blue Whale Restaurant (7x7)

Administratriva
Blue Whale's menu shows three courses at dinner pricing is about $70 per person, excluding tax and tip. Alcoholic drinks can easily increase this average. We can do family style and share more dishes if desired.

Dress is Comfortable Cocktail Attire

Taxes and Restaurant Fees
Dining in San Francisco has a sales tax (8.625%) and probably an employee health mandate (3-10%), a tip (20%) may be automatically added, even on individual bills, if not we expect a 20% minimum tip to be paid for individual bills.

The host calculates each diner's orders separately and rounds the final payment up to the next dollar. Unless they allow separate orders and/or separate checks.

Each diner is responsible for their own orders and costs but we will have to consolidate and divvy up the final bill accordingly.

Please bring cash or have Zelle or Apple Cash available.

Transportation to Blue Whale Restaurant
MUNI: 45 (late night Muni may have stopped)
Finding street parking in Cow Hallow is usually difficult.
Use event comments for Car Pooling and Ride Sharing.

Many thanks for the photos and history from restaurant and EaterSF websites.