Culinary and Cultural Destination to Open in San Francisco's Chinatown

Scheduled to open by Chinese New Year in February 2015, China Live will be the city's newest must-visit epicurean destination, providing unprecedented access to Chinese gastronomy. On the ground floor, China Live includes a Chinese Market-Restaurant, curated retail, and a lively café -- all featuring Greater Chinese cuisine in a lively communal space. On the second floor are three separately designed areas: Eight Tables by George Chen, an elegant restaurant offering a seasonal 12-course tasting menu; a craft cocktail bar overlooking Broadway Street; and a private dining / lounge space.

“We're proud to offer San Francisco a place to explore the many yet-undiscovered culinary riches of China,” said George Chen, creator of China Live and 40-year industry veteran, who brought to San Francisco the venerable establishments Betelnut and Shanghai 1930. “It has been my longtime dream to create an engaging environment that celebrates the heritage and future of Chinese cuisine – one of the world's great cuisines that has for too long been under-appreciated and misunderstood, particularly here in America.”

Located on the Broadway corridor in an iconic building designed by Philip Choy, China Live will serve as an anchor point for revitalization efforts within the greater San Francisco Chinatown – a historic neighborhood since the late 1800s. The China Live Market-Restaurant is inspired by both the Greater China geo-sphere and local regional ingredients and will serve bold interpretations of traditional Chinese dishes prepared with sustainable, organic products. The energetic 155-seat Market-Restaurant will highlight five specialized exhibition kitchens: 1) noodle bar; 2) dim sum and dumplings; 3) charcuterie & barbecue; 4) seafood and raw bar; and 5) a rice table and seasonal vegetable kitchen. The menu will feature products from the finest local and Far-Eastern artisanal purveyors. As part of the educational efforts, guests will be able to purchase the ingredients of their meals from the open and interactive Retail-Market.

The Retail-Market will sell approachably-priced, hand-crafted products ranging from spices, teas, condiments, produce and house-cured meats and poultry to cookware and cutlery -- all thoughtfully curated and presented seasonally. Knowledgeable guides will assist guests with exploration and education via tasting tables, integrated digital content, and interactive components.

A 28-seat café serving the finest Chinese teas, specialty coffee and drinks, and Asian pastries and small bites is the first impression to all visitors entering China Live. Envisioned by acclaimed design and concept firm Avro/KO, the China Live market spaces will feature clean lines and true-to-form materials. An honest, earth-toned palette of wood, clay, ceramic, and concrete will provide a serene and functional backdrop to the vibrant marketplace activities. Custom lighting, icon-driven graphics, and unique art features will pay homage to the historical legacy of Chinese culture within a thoroughly modern design aesthetic. The newest in technology will enhance all guest experiences for delightful and user-friendly transactions.

The second floor will feature the fine dining restaurant Eight Tables by George Chen. This sophisticated and elegant 40-seat hideaway will be accessible via a separate, secluded back alley entrance. Eight Tables will offer a constantly evolving 12-course Chinese tasting menu created by George Chen and his handpicked chefs from China. Crafted in a world-class kitchen, the menu will push Chinese culinary boundaries and serve as an ongoing well-spring of innovation and creativity.

Upstairs, a futuristic, 42-seat bar evoking an Asian-influenced dystopia will serve craft drinks overlooking the hustle and bustle of Broadway. For larger parties, a lush, richly-layered 48-seat private space evocative of San Francisco's more colorful past is available for private dining or lounging.

China Live San Francisco is conveniently located at 644 Broadway (between Columbus and Stockton). The building will also house the San Francisco Film Society, establishing the location as a completely immersive cultural and entertainment hub. In addition to George, Cindy and Richard, the China Live team includes Doug Collister, director of marketing and IT; Janine Shiota, director of communications and corporate programming; and Spencer and Jeanne Wang, co-directors of finance.

For more information, please visit www.ChinaLiveSF.com.