Michelin-starred SF restaurant Avery will close

The chef told the Chronicle that he is happy with what he has accomplished at his restaurant, but he is also excited to open a new version of the restaurant in another country.

Wages recently spent three months in Scotland, working on events and considering the move. He was visiting family in Edinburgh, according to an earlier social media post, and fell in love with local ingredients like langoustines and summer berries, he told the Chronicle.

“Everything fell into our lap at the same time. The space we found was perfect and everyone was excited for us to settle in,” Wags said. “It’s a new frontier for us and it will be a happy home for Avery.”

Wages, a former chef at Atelier Crenn and a Benu alumnus, launched the first version of Avery in 2018 as a pop-up called RTB Fillmore. He later opened the restaurant at 1552 Fillmore Street in April of that year, offering three set menus with sake pairings.

Former Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer praised the restaurant’s décor and the standards of the tasting menu. In their list of the best “ostentatious” restaurants, former restaurant critic Soleil Ho described it as “one of the hidden gems of the city’s dining scene,” praising dishes like tortellini that are “delicate as cat ears.” The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2021 and has retained it until the 2023 menu.

Wags said he will keep the San Francisco space, which will be rebranded as a casual restaurant in time for the holiday season. Avery’s last day of work will be November 4th.

Contact Mario Cortez: [email protected]