Japanese Small Plates Headed to the Mission

Come this July, the L'Aviateur space, which closed in February, will no longer lie dormant, springing back to life as a Japanese small plates concept called Bon, Nene. Conceived by co-owners Stephanie Chan and Miu Furuta, Bon, Nene is an amalgamation of the French word "bon," which means "good," and the Japanese name "nene," which Furuta named her dog. It’s telling of the food that Chan, who spent years in hotel kitchens, will cook — Japanese dishes with French techniques, like various gyoza and koji-marinated karaage (fried chicken) bao, or steamed buns. "It’s going to be more small bites," Chan told Eater. "It’s more of a tapas bar." Furuta will take care of all front of house operations, like the rotating Japanese beer on offer.

The 1,000-square-foot space only seats about 35 people, which Chan and Furuta hope will maintain a neighborhood, rustic feel to the space, which is focused on the open kitchen. "We’re trying to create something like if you were coming to our living room to eat." Bon, Nene is on schedule to open in early July, and will be open Tuesday through Sunday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.