News that Corey Lee, executive chef at Benu and onetime chef de cuisine at the French Laundry, was opening a new casual concept at Gough and Hayes arrived back in July. But this week we get more details via the Chron, including the fact that it's going to be a late-night, modern French bistro serving just that, French bistro fare.

Lee snagged chef Jason Berthold away from RN74, who'll be heading up the kitchen at the new venture, which will be called Monsieur Benjamin. Lee tells the Chron that the name comes from "a name I heard when I was in Paris. I have no idea who this person was, but it was an American [they were referring to. And it sounded right." Lee hopes to have juxtaposition of French and American in the place, hence the name, which is being designed by Aidlin Darling architects, and he wants it to have all the hallmarks of a traditional bistro, including late-night dining and a large menu.

"We have some great late-night dining in San Francisco, but there are only a few of them," Lee says, adding that he was also looking for more traditional French cuisine [when he first moved here], but updated with seasonal ingredients and modern techniques.

They're aiming for a spring opening at 451 Gough Street (between Hayes and Grove).

PS: Lee hints that he's also working on a Korean BBQ concept, name and address TBA.

[Chron]
[Inside Scoop]
[Hayeswire]