About Us

If you have a question that’s not covered here, please ask us at inquiries@commonwealthsf.com (inquiries null@null commonwealthsf NULL.com) or at (415) 355-1500.

What does “progressive American” mean?

In the last few years, the term “progressive American” has been applied to some of the most exciting restaurants in the country, like Alinea in Chicago and WD~50 in New York, which play with the traditions of haute cuisine through their modernist culinary techniques and presentations. At Commonwealth, “progressive American” describes our kitchen’s innovative style, but it also reflects our philanthropic goal of contributing to progress beyond the culinary sphere. As a San Francisco restaurant, Commonwealth draws inspiration from the local culture as well as national and international influences, from California cuisine to molecular gastronomy and from the diverse traditions that contribute to contemporary American culture. Ultimately, for us, “progressive American” means constantly striving to satisfy our diners’ evolving palates and passions, as part of the ongoing reinvention of American cuisine.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes. Our menu changes frequently, so vegetarian choices will vary depending on the time of your visit. Our servers are always happy to help your party identify dishes that will suit your needs and desires. If you would like more information about vegetarian options on a specific night, please contact us directly at 415-355-1500 or inquiries@commonwealthsf.com.

Are these “small plates”? How many should I order?

We call our dishes “medium plates,” as they tend to be larger than most tapas-style fare, but smaller than standard entrée sizes. We recommend three savory courses per person for a full dinner and think this makes for a broad and diverse dining experience. The six items on our tasting menu are slightly smaller than their a la carte counterparts.

Why use liquid nitrogen?

Extreme cold can be used to “cook” food by altering cell structure while preserving flavor. We also use it to make ice cream and cocktails because it freezes so rapidly that the resulting crystals are incredibly small, resulting in the smoothest texture possible. We currently use liquid nitrogen to produce the fabulous texture in our cocktail and our ice creams.

Why is the restaurant called “Commonwealth”?

Commonwealth is named for the early modern concept of organizing for the common good. We wanted a name that suggested both bounty and cooperation. The name refers to our goal of providing a first rate dining experience at an approachable price point, as well as our charitable agenda.

How does the charitable aspect of Commonwealth work?

Commonwealth donates ten dollars from every tasting menu we serve. We do this in support of the work being done in our local, national, and global communities. A charitable organization—ranging from the SF Food Bank to Kiva.org—is featured on our tasting menu each month.

Is Commonwealth a non-profit?

No. Commonwealth follows a benevolent business model, which means we donate a portion of our profits to charity but we pay taxes like any other restaurant. We hope that our benevolent business practices will encourage people to come in and try our food, and realize that it tastes really good. It’s a win-win situation.

What is the relationship between Commonwealth and Mission Street Food?

One of the partners of Commonwealth, Anthony Myint, was a co-founder of Mission Street Food, which became Mission Chinese Food in 2010. While we’re all friends and the two restaurants are located a few buildings apart on Mission Street, there is no formal affiliation. Both follow benevolent business models and both are delicious, but the two restaurants have their own cooks, servers, and management.

What’s the story with the “Hunt’s Quality D” sign outside?

Before Commonwealth opened, 2224 Mission was occupied by a Mexican restaurant known for the enormous orange “Aztec” plastic tiles that covered the top half of the building. We removed the tiles during our renovations and were surprised to discover evidence of an even earlier business: Hunt’s Quality Donuts. Since then, long-time Mission residents have stopped by to share their memories of Hunt’s, where a dozen donuts cost a dollar. Apparently, there were eight donut shops on Mission between 16th and 24th in the early 90s, and the Hunt’s at the corner of 20th and Mission was the most notorious, known as “the epicenter of crime” in San Francisco. You can learn more about Hunt’s Donuts here

What’s up with the bathroom art?

The Chinese posters in the Commonwealth bathrooms are a nod of recognition to Mission Street Food, which provided some good will toward Commonwealth’s financing. The same posters—and many more—decorate the dining room of Lung Shan Restaurant, where Mission Chinese Food is located. The owners of Lung Shan bought dozens of these massive posters in Shanghai, and they gave us a few when we opened Commonwealth.

What do those arrows mean?

It’s the symbol for chemical equilibrium, which reflects something of the reciprocal nature of our charitable agenda and the slightly scientific orientation of the kitchen. And it helps us point to stuff.

Why do you have a disco ball?

We found it in the attic and thought it would look cool.

How do you pronounce Xelina?

With a CH. Che-lee-na.

How do you pronounce Myint?

It starts with a Mee, not a My, and the syllables get equal emphasis: MEE-INT.