Food

Meet SoMa's International Smoke, From Michael Mina

With a Little Help From His Friend, Ayesha Curry

By Joe Starkey ·
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Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina walk into a restaurant, right?

And proceed to completely renovate it to make it the new, must-go spot in SF.

We're working on that punchline.

For this very real life place called International Smoke that's now open in SoMA. It's an ode to all things cooked-over-flames in the base of the Millennium Tower and a superstar collaboration that will also double as your next romantic rendezvous spot. Check it out.

You and a more-than-friend will head inside the former RN74 space, admiring the wood-block-patterned wall on your left on your way to the bar between copper-plated columns. Procure drinks like the Rhinestone Cowboy with kaffir lime vodka, tequila, coconut and calamansi. Or one of three "Pickle Back" options like lime, soy and yuzu with Suntory Toki Whisky. Or order them both and let life just sort itself out naturally.

Libations underway, next you'll be escorted to your table to get down to business. Barbecue business. Start with something like the Kalua "Instant Bacon" with Hawaiian teriyaki and pineapple salsa, before moving onto the Vietnamese BBQ pork chop with glass noodles, lemongrass sausage and clams.

Oh, and good news. They're keeping the RN74 burger on the menu.

Correction: great news.

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.

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