Chef Yoni Levy Leaves Outer Sunset Darling Outerlands

Chef Yoni Levy has moved on from his role as executive chef at one of San Francisco’s favorite brunch destinations, Outerlands, as of last Saturday. Levy has been overseeing the constantly busy restaurant on the very edge of the world in the Outer Sunset for the past three years, after leaving his post as opening chef of the now-closed Alta in Mid-Market.

Levy took the reigns after a formidable series of peers, including Greg Kuzia-Carmel and long-time chef Brett Cooper (Aster). “My goal at Alta CA was to make the food as delicious as possible; my goal at Outerlands is the same,” said Levy in 2015. ”I’m not there to change the structure, because it’s a huge success and a beautiful place with good energy. I don’t want to change that, I just want to add to it.”

From co-owner Lana Porcello confirms the departure:

Yoni has been phasing out of his role over the last few months to take more time to be with his family, and his last day is June 16th. It has been an incredible three years and we are heartbroken to see him go, but he has become an integral part of the community at the restaurant and in the outer sunset, and we’re looking forward to his continued involvement here as a part of the OL family.

We’re still working out next steps for the restaurant, but in the meantime have a strong interim team of current staff dedicated to continuing the beautiful work that Yoni has been doing here.

Despite changes in leadership, the restaurant co-owned by Dave Muller and Lana Porcello has remained steady in its popularity and commitment to baking incredibly good bread for the lines that form on weekend mornings.

It expanded into an adjacent Chinese restaurant in 2014, debuting 30 more seats and a new look. News of a possible bread-focused expansion leaked last summer, though updates have been scarce. Stay tuned for more on that, where Levy will end up next, and who will take over the kitchen at Outerlands.

• Essential SF Brunches [ESF]
• Yoni Levy IN at Outerlands [ESF]
• Where to Eat and Drink in the Sunset [ESF]