Vegas Chef With Michelin Pedigree Will Open Multi-Million Dollar SF Steakhouse

Infusion Lounge made a splashy Union Square debut in 2008, following two years and a $4.6 million buildout. Last April, after ten years of antics (which equals 20 years in club years), Infusion closed. Now comes news that it will transform into Akira Back Steak, a 130-seat luxury restaurant from a chef with Vegas roots, Akira Back.

Despite its bad timing (e.g. opening in the middle of a recession), Infusion Lounge was billed as the “most lavish nightclub buildout in city history,” with 6,500 square feet of lasers, neon lights, fire and water features, and... holograms. Another multi-million dollar renovation is on the way to Hotel Fusion (estimated to open in November), and will serve “Asian fare with American influence.” Following along with Back’s first steakhouse concept that opened in Jakarta in 2017, that means a Korean-style steakhouse with dry-aged grilled beef, but with a chef’s table serving special selections.

Courtesy of Akira Back

Courtesy of Akira Back

Courtesy of Akira Back

Born in Seoul, the chef grew up in Aspen and was a professional snowboarder before becoming a chef, competing on Iron Chef America and working in kitchens of celebrity chefs. Back earned a Michelin star at his Seoul restaurant DOSA, but is known stateside for his restaurants on the Las Vegas strip, Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge by Akira Back at Bellagio Resort & Casino and Kumi Japanese Restaurant + Bar by Akira Back at Mandalay Bay, and Lumi in San Diego. His first San Francisco restaurant is part of a global expansion plan with ten locations planned to add to his 14 existing restaurants.

• Akira Back [Official]