Ama is the dapper, retro-chic itameshi restaurant and social lounge by chef Brad Kilgore at the foot of San Francisco’s unmistakable Transamerica Pyramid. In the heart of the Jackson Square dining scene, ama’s intimate 18-seat Copper Room teems with Japanese-inspired décor. Charred cedar walls and a central copper bar cast hushed amber lighting across a mirrored ceiling. Behind a weighted curtain, ama opens into its not-so-secret expansive lounge, outfitted with mid-century mod couches beneath the warm glow of an LED oculus light fixture, flanked by leather-bound booths and a DJ station with a vintage vinyl sensibility. With an emphasis on limited cellphone use, the lounge is built around being fully present in the moment.
Chef Kilgore’s menu may be the most refined expression of his signature itameshi style yet. His “recognizable but new” philosophy translates into a highly shareable lineup of dishes that blend modern Italian influences with Japanese precision. In his first San Francisco project, Kilgore leans into a California mindset, drawing on the region’s produce to craft everything from inspired crudos to koji dry-aged steaks and handmade pastas. Inventive Japanese cocktails and mostly Italian wines round out the offerings, while an approachable reserve-spirits selection adds a memorable layer to the lounge experience.
At ama, it’s hard to ignore the presence of the Transamerica Pyramid and Redwood Park at its base. Even indoors, the space carries a sense of scale that shifts the room’s energy and makes people relax into it. At its core, ama acts as a natural conductor of conversation, with a dining experience that reflects a chef in his prime, loosening his collar, and having fun in the kitchen.
