Michelin-Starred Crew Opening Hand-Roll Sushi Bar In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The owners of Hina Yakitori and Michelin-starred Ju-Ni in San Francisco are opening their newest Japanese restaurant — the Handroll Project — on May 18 in the former AL’s Deli space in the Mission District.

The fast-casual eatery from Chef Geoffrey Lee and restaurant partner Tan Truong will feature hand-rolled, hand-held sushi with imported seafood and nori, small plates and a playful beverage menu including sake, wine, Japanese beers, green tea, citrus-y Calpico soda and Fentimans' ginger beer.

Lee's chef-crafted, hand-held sushi rolls will come in 10 varieties, including: salmon & sesame; spicy tuna; spicy kani; smoked hamachi; Chef’s Poke Hand Roll (chef’s choice poke, ikura); creamy scallop; and toro takuan (fatty tuna, pickled radish, shiso, negi), according to the restaurateurs.

Diners can select from rolled sets of five, seven or ten, plus indulge in Lee's specials, including A5 Wagyu (garlic chips, shiso, chives), Smoked Uni & Ikura (smoked hokkaido uni, ikura) and Ikura & Ankimo (salmon roe, monkfish liver pate).

As he does with his restaurants Ju-Ni and Hina Yakitori, Lee will work with such select purveyors as Sakasyu, which imports fish and nori directly from Tsukiji in Japan.

Alice Lee, from Berkeley's Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya, was named Handroll Project's general and beverage manager. Her drink selections will feature a high-end sake from Kuboto, the “Manju” Junmai Daiginjo, plus the Junmai Ginjo and Oka “Snow Angel” Nigori.

The 16-seat, Handroll Project took over the space formerly occupied by AL's Deli, an Israeli street food-inspired sandwich joint that closed in 2020. Now, the remodeled sushi site includes dual counters and a mural from local artist The Apexer.

Handroll Project, at 598 Guerrero St., will be open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays — initially for walk-ins only or via Yelp waitlist. Expansion to lunch hours and takeout (with DIY hand roll kits) planned for the summer.

Follow this link for more restaurant details.

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