Orafo, a California-Italian inspired restaurant paying homage to Italy’s regional specialties from Chef Gunnar Planter, opened February 27th at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero, the newly renovated, sky-high urban luxury retreat in San Francisco’s Financial District.
Executive Chef Gunnar Planter’s debut restaurant in San Francisco showcases a fresh take on classic dishes showcasing authentic ingredients overnighted from Italy as well as Northern California’s abundant, local produce and seafood. The restaurant space features well-appointed interiors with ornate metallic detailing, distinctive industrial-style lighting, velvet and leather seating, and bronze fixtures and finishes—the perfect setting to gather family and friends around fun, shareable plates, and inspired cocktails.
The dinner menu entices guests with a selection of sharable Antipasti like Carne Crudo complemented by bone marrow, boquerones and Calabrian oil, as well as the Burrata & Culatello with pistachio, Calabrian honey, and Umbia EVOO. Chef Planter showcases authentic techniques with a menu of handmade pasta Primi from Squid Ink Linguine tossed in uni butter, paired with clams and bottarga, to the Rigatoni Pomodoro topped with burrata and confit cherry tomato which are roasted for 24 hours, adding a richness to the classic, simplistic pasta. Sample secondi dishes include Porchetta served with creamy polenta, king trumpet mushrooms, brussels sprouts, and apple gremolata, and the Grilled Lamb Two Ways with fregola sarda, harissa, and braised fennel, finished with confit tomato.
