There’s a new Asian fusion brunch destination in San Mateo, thanks to the chef behind Sweet Maple.
Nick Yoon, a Korean-born chef, recently opened Whisper, an airy, natural-light-filled, artfully decorated new restaurant on Baldwin Avenue specializing in Asian-fusion brunch.
The former executive chef at Sweet Maple — a brunch joint with locations in Palo Alto, Cupertino, Walnut Creek and San Francisco famous for its sweet-spicy Millionaire’s Bacon — Yoon has also worked as head chef at luxury hotels like the Ritz Carlton, JW Marriott and W Hotel, and as executive chef at Surisan in San Francisco, according to Palo Alto Online.
Look for menu items like Gogi Morning, a serving of eggs Benedict with beef bulgogi, caramelied onions, lemmon hollaindaise, galbi sauce and a croissant base ($25), or Gochujang Fried Chicken, boneless chicken fried with sugar dust, covered in gochujang glaze and topped with sesame and parsley ($14), alongside other fusion flavors like Nori Pasta ($26), Bone Marrow Cioppino ($39) or Seafood Jjambbong Pasta ($29).
Jayden Lin, manager, says his current favorite menu item is the Kimchi Carbonara ($26)— a pasta dish featuring kimchi, bulgogi and a creamy white sauce.
The restaurant, which launched its soft opening Jan. 22, plans to begin offering dinner service soon from 5-9 p.m. daily, according to Lin. The dinner menu will be largely similar, minus the omelets and Benedicts, he says.
“We’re trying to create a warm, welcoming environment,” he says.
The restaurant takes over the space of the former Wursthall, which closed last September. Wunderbar, the speakeasy beneath it, has reopened. Seating is by reservation only.
Details: Open 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends at 310 Baldwin Ave., San Mateo; whisperfusion.com
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