Ayesha Curry & Michael Mina’s International Smoke San Francisco Closes: What’s Next for Millennium Tower?
In a surprising twist that’s sending ripples through the Bay Area dining scene, Ayesha Curry and Chef Michael Mina’s acclaimed International Smoke San Francisco has shut its doors after several years. Fans of their globally-inspired barbecue might feel a pang of disappointment, but this move isn’t just an ending—it’s a calculated step toward something new in the heart of the city.
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A New Culinary Chapter Unfolds in San Francisco
International Smoke’s San Francisco outpost, known for its creative fusion of grilled meats and barbecue traditions from around the world, has officially closed. The spot marked Ayesha Curry’s first real leap into the restaurant world and stood out thanks to her partnership with the well-known Mina Group.
Since its debut in 2017, the restaurant drew crowds looking for bold flavors and a lively atmosphere. It really did become a fixture in the city’s vibrant dining landscape.
The Reasons Behind the Closure
Michael Mina says several overlapping factors led to the decision. The aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic still challenge many restaurants, and International Smoke wasn’t immune.
Ongoing construction in and around Millennium Tower, the restaurant’s home, made things even tougher. These projects, some tied to widely reported structural issues at the tower, probably hurt foot traffic and made dining there less appealing.
Introducing Mina’s Neighborhood Test Kitchen
Now, the old International Smoke space at Millennium Tower is getting a fresh start. The Mina Group plans to launch Mina’s Neighborhood Test Kitchen there, and honestly, that’s pretty exciting.
This new project builds on the vibe of Mina’s earlier *Mina Test Kitchen* pop-up, which featured a rotating lineup of talented chefs before it closed in 2019. There’s a buzz around what flavors and ideas might come out of this next chapter.
A Unique Dining Experience Focused on Collaboration and Feedback
Mina’s Neighborhood Test Kitchen promises an innovative approach to dining. The restaurant invites the community to join the culinary journey, not just as guests but as collaborators.
Instead of sticking to a single, permanent menu, the concept features a lineup of rotating chefs. Each chef takes over for a few months at a time.
This rotating residency keeps things fresh and unpredictable. Menus tend to lean toward comforting, family-style meals—perfect for sharing with friends or just digging in with loved ones.
One thing really stands out here: diners get to engage directly with the chefs. When a chef’s residency wraps up, guests can offer candid feedback, suggestions, and even wild ideas.
This interactive setup isn’t just about refining dishes. It’s about building a genuine connection between chefs and their audience, and maybe even shaping future menus—possibly beyond San Francisco, into places like Sausalito or Tiburon.
The price for these family-style meals usually lands between $55 and $65 per person. That gives you a sense of the quality ingredients and the level of skill you’ll find here.
International Smoke might be gone, but San Francisco’s spirit of innovation and good food keeps going strong. Who knows? Maybe this little experiment will ripple out to spots like Mill Valley or Larkspur too.
Here is the source article for this story: Ayesha Curry’s International Smoke San Francisco quietly closes
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