Bay Area | Aphotic’s Michelin-Starred Hot Dog 🌭✨

Thanks to a friend’s birthday, I got to try Aphotic—a Michelin 1-star spot in SF’s Folsom district with a moody, dimly lit vibe (the name means "without light"… fitting!). Luckily, we switched to the Chef’s Counter 16-Course Tasting Menu (+ mocktail pairing), which let us sit right in front of the kitchen. The glow from the oven and flames added just enough light for photos (and eyeballs). 🔥📸 The Experience: Food: Creative, avant-garde, and mostly memorable. The standout? A caviar-topped hot dog bun (yes, really!). Other dishes were intriguing but not all hit the mark. Mocktail Pairing: Highly recommend! Unique, playful, and elevated the meal. 🍹 Chef’s… Demeanor? 👀 Regrettably, the chef seemed deeply over it—constant sighing, zero interaction. For $450+/person (and now even pricier since October), we hoped for more warmth. Verdict: 7/10 – Worth trying for the novelty and a few stellar bites, but temper expectations (and check the updated pricing before booking!). 📍 Aphotic San Francisco, CA (exact address on their site) #MichelinStarMeal #SFfineDining #Aphotic #BayAreaFoodie #SplurgeWorthy #HotDogButFancy 💫