Eight Tables

First, a Rickshaw Brings You to a Hidden Entrance...

Then, China Live Reveals Its Most Prized Possession

By Joe Starkey ·
None 16 Photos Eight Tables

You're about to win date night. Forever.

And it all starts with a rickshaw ride to a hidden alleyway entrance.

Obviously.

Welcome to Eight Tables, the crown jewel restaurant of China Live that looks to rival the Saison experience with a 10-course tasting menu, opening tomorrow. Take a long, hard look around.

That rickshaw ride is optional (read: essential), and will take you directly through the secret alleyway entrance to this place's own elevator.

Stepping off, you'll be greeted by the sounds of old-school jazz and a custom cocktail cart in the foyer of a space decorated less like a restaurant and more like an elegant home. All part of the concept of shifan tsai, or "private chateau cuisine."

You and your lucky date will then be escorted to one of eight, semi-private tables for a 10 course experience, starting with an amuse course of the nine essential flavors of Chinese cuisine, in case you needed a refresher.

From there, you'll move on to the other nine courses, which change nightly but can feature the likes of a har gow-style shrimp dumpling with Russian golden ossetra caviar, trout roe, crème fraîche and uni. Or Velvet Chicken with Burgundy truffles and Matsutake mushrooms with veal soya jus.

All of which, of course, can be paired with sommelier-chosen wines.

No, you can't sleep there.

Joe Starkey

Joe Starkey is the tallest person in the room 90% of the time. He enjoys liquors that aren’t smoky, dive bars that are, and has a vague dread that someone, somewhere might be having more fun than him.

Vitals

Eight Tables
8 Kenneth Rexroth Pl
(at Columbus)
San Francisco, CA, 94133
415-788-8788
website

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