Conceptual Art and Food Mashup From a Fine Dining Chef to Open in SoMa

An extremely high-concept concept from a fine dining chef is about to land on a barren, auto body shop-filled SoMa street (155 12th St), bringing art and food together in a restaurant called Palette. It’s the brainchild of chef and artist Peter Hemsley, who’s spent time in the kitchens of Quince and Alain Passard, and produces his own art in a variety of mediums beyond the plate.

The restaurant and art hybrid will fill 8,500 square feet, with separate spaces for an art gallery and dining area; it’ll all be connected by an open kitchen, according to the Chron. An upper level has a mezzanine, and will provide space for a possible artist-in-residence program, encouraging work inspired by food and the hospitality industry.

The design portion will be handled by CCS Architecture (also behind projects like Hotel Castro, and the impending rooftop at 25 Lusk). The restaurant is currently still in the design process and is slated for an opening later this spring, though the art gallery will open next month; the website also lists a retail component, which it says will “present fine art and hand-crafted goods.”

• Former Quince chef looks to combine food with art at new SoMa destination [SF Chron]