What started as a brunch pop-up has evolved into one of San Francisco’s most imaginative Michelin-starred restaurants.
Founded by partners Ollie K.C. Liedags and Rachel Sillcocks, Hilda and Jesse first made waves as a brunch-focused pop-up before opening its brick-and-mortar location in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood in late 2021. The name is a tribute to Ollie's grandmother and Rachel's grandfather—Hilda and Jesse—honoring their roots while pushing culinary boundaries.
Described by the duo as “modern #FunLuxury,” the restaurant embraces whimsy without sacrificing depth. Designed by acclaimed interior designer Noz Nozawa, the vibrant dining room—complete with bright-red bar stools, checkered floors, and clashing patterns—mirrors Liedags’ bold culinary style: eclectic, thoughtful, and delightfully surprising.
What began as a crowd-pleasing brunch destination has grown into a fully-fledged tasting-menu experience, with highlights like Pancakes Without Borders, tempura sweet potato avocado “toast,” and more experimental dinner offerings, such as trout with avocado and citrus gelée or cucumbers topped with crispy duck skin. The restaurant also showcases Liedags’ distinctive beverage vision, incorporating playful elements like carrot juice, mead, and unexpected pairings.
Liedags draws from a wide range of inspirations—California, Asia, the Mediterranean—but rejects any single framework. “There are no guidelines,” they say, and that ethos permeates the menu, the space, and the culture.
A proudly queer-owned restaurant, Hilda and Jesse champions inclusivity and individuality, cultivating a collaborative workplace that values mental health, self-expression, and creative freedom. In 2024, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star, along with recognition for outstanding service.
