Charles Phan’s Latest Project, South, Opens at SF Jazz Center

The SF JAZZ Center has been a rousing success after opening its doors a little more than a month ago. Now, those attending a show can grab a bite to eat in the same building with the opening of South.

A project headed by chef and restauranteur Charles Phan, South will eventually be an all-day cafe and bar. But for now, the space will be serving dinner and drinks, with Tuesday, March 5 marking the grand opening.

The food menu is an ode to the South, with the idea being that guests can choose from small plates and items that are best shared like spicy beef jerky, baked oysters, fried pickles, shrimp and grits, chicken gumbo and alligator sausage. The cocktail program, developed by Erik Adkins, also has a heavy New Orleans/Southern influence (lots of bourbon and gin including drinks such as The Battle of New Orleans and the French 75). There will also be beer and wine on the menu.

Food Menu

Drink Menu

As is the case with all of Phan’s other restaurants, the space was designed by Olle Lundberg of Lundberg Designs. Along with a long bar, the floor-to-ceiling windows and glassed in kitchen are the most prominent design features. There is also a smaller bar upstairs which will offer beer, wine and cocktails for guests.

South, located at 201 Franklin Street (at Fell), is currently open from 5:30-10:00pm daily with breakfast and lunch hours possible by April.

It's simple. Keith Mizuguchi loves to write and write and write some more. After taking a hiatus from the journalism business, he has rekindled his passion for writing over the last two years, holding a job as both a web and on-air writer for San Francisco news radio station KCBS. While he enjoys the news business, his true passions are twofold: sports and food. Bay Area born and raised, he lives in San Jose, commutes to SF and loves every minute of it. You can follow his food adventures on Twitter @foodie_keith.