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    ama by Brad Kilgore, Restaurant in San Francisco
    Restaurant150Points

    ama by Brad Kilgore

    Chinatown, San Francisco

    Restaurant in San Francisco, United States

    SaveMark VisitedBook with Pearl

    The Read

    Dress

    Business Casual

    Why go

    Book ama by Brad Kilgore if the appeal is a polished, chef-branded dinner near San Francisco's Financial District and the group is comfortable with some unknowns. It is a stronger choice for curious diners than for strict planners, since price, cuisine format, dress guidance are not clear enough to treat it as a low-risk pick.

    About ama by Brad Kilgore

    The first decision filter here is the schedule: ama by Brad Kilgore is an evening San Francisco option, not an all-day fallback. The listed hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with the venue closed on Monday and Sunday.

    The smart reason to plan around it is curiosity, not certainty. public details are limited beyond the city, evening hours, a business-casual dress code, so this is a better fit for diners who are comfortable confirming current details directly before they go.

    Book for the evening hours, not for a proven checklist

    Clearest planning cues are practical ones: ama by Brad Kilgore is in San Francisco, lists evening hours, has a business-casual dress code. That makes it a planned dinner choice rather than an improvised lunch stop.

    San Francisco diners have plenty of other choices with different levels of formality and familiarity. This venue belongs on the shortlist when the appeal is trying ama by Brad Kilgore specifically and accepting that some details should be before going. If the group wants a different reference point, compare it against Bix or Verjus before committing.

    Who should choose it

    Choose it for diners who want an evening plan in San Francisco and are comfortable checking current menu, pricing, reservation details directly with the venue. Skip it if you need lunch, a fully defined public menu, or a known price tier before making plans.

    Quick reference: strongest for curious dinner plans in San Francisco; weaker for value shoppers and diners who need full format clarity upfront.

    The takeama is built for milestone meals and intentional evenings: anniversary dinners, special celebrations, and business dinners that require a setting with weight and refinement. The write-up places the restaurant squarely within the tasting-menu tier of the city, suggesting multi-course, chef-led sequences that are best experienced at dinner. Diners looking to mark an occasion or assemble a memorable corporate or celebratory meal will find the restaurant’s tone, provenance, and menu ambitions aligned with those needs rather than quick weekday lunches or casual nights out.
    Venue detailsWheelchair Accessible
    Also considerAlternatives
    Restaurant contextSan Francisco, United States
    Explore San FranciscoNearby

    Planning details

    Location
    Three Transamerica, Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111
    Reservations
    Book on OpenTable
    Website
    amabybradkilgore.com
    Phone
    +13057731045
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    ama by Brad Kilgore reads as an elevated, city-minded fine-dining destination that deliberately repositions the Financial District within San Francisco’s progressive tasting-menu circuit. The room leans on civic context — the Transamerica tower and its place in the skyline — to amplify the sense that a meal here is an event. Chef Brad Kilgore’s technical, produce-driven pedigree signals a service-forward, formal atmosphere where modern precision meets intimate table service. The overall effect is polished and memorable: a downtown address meant for curated, occasion-driven dining rather than casual drop-ins.

    Best For

    ama is built for milestone meals and intentional evenings: anniversary dinners, special celebrations, and business dinners that require a setting with weight and refinement. The write-up places the restaurant squarely within the tasting-menu tier of the city, suggesting multi-course, chef-led sequences that are best experienced at dinner. Diners looking to mark an occasion or assemble a memorable corporate or celebratory meal will find the restaurant’s tone, provenance, and menu ambitions aligned with those needs rather than quick weekday lunches or casual nights out.

    Ordering Tips

    Approach ama expecting a tasting-menu mindset given its placement in San Francisco’s tasting-menu circuit and its positioning alongside high-end peers. Opt for the chef-led sequences if available to experience the technical, produce-driven cooking that defines Brad Kilgore’s profile. When sampling, look for signature preparations highlighted in materials — Sushi Risotto, Miso Carbonara, Uni Puttanesca Agnolotti, Lasagnette Tri-Colore with Wagyu Beef Cheek, and otoro sashimi desserts like Matcha Tiramisu — to get a sense of the kitchen’s range from seafood to rich, umami-forward compositions.

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Dark, intimate 70s-inspired lounge aesthetic with dramatic tableside presentations and refined lighting creating a sophisticated yet energetic dining environment.

    Tags

    Vibe

    ElegantModernIntimate

    Best For

    Date NightBusiness DinnerSpecial Occasion

    Experience

    Open KitchenPrivate DiningDesign Destination

    Sourcing

    Local SourcingSustainable Seafood

    Accessibility

    Wheelchair Accessible

    At the Table

    Dress Code
    Business Casual
    Noise Level
    Conversational
    Service Style
    Upscale Casual
    Meal Pacing
    Leisurely
    Capacity
    Intimate

    Signature Dishes

    • Sushi Risotto
    • Miso Carbonara
    • Uni Puttanesca Agnolotti
    • Lasagnette Tri-Colore with Wagyu Beef Cheek
    • Matcha Tiramisu
    • Otoro Sashimi with Green Olive Granita
    Planning details

    Location

    Three Transamerica, Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111 · Directions

    +13057731045

    amabybradkilgore.com

    Book on OpenTable

    Also consider

    Where to look if this is not the right fit

    If the group wants less uncertainty, cross-shop Kusakabe for a defined sushi splurge or Verjus for a wine-led evening with a more flexible feel. If ambiance is the deciding factor, Bix is the safer San Francisco room to consider.

    Restaurant context

    How it compares in San Francisco

    Kusakabe is the clearer splurge if the group wants a defined sushi and Japanese format at $$$$. ama by Brad Kilgore is the more exploratory choice, better for diners who want to try a newer-feeling downtown dinner room and are less concerned with knowing the exact structure before arrival.

    Maison Nico gives French specificity, while Verjus is the easier call for wine-led grazing and a looser evening. Pick ama by Brad Kilgore when the priority is a full dinner decision in the Financial District; pick Verjus when the night is more about bottles and flexibility.

    Bix is the safer ambiance play for diners who want a known San Francisco room, Sai's Vietnamese Restaurant is the more casual alternative. ama by Brad Kilgore sits in the middle as the curiosity pick: less proven from the available details, but more appealing for diners who want to test a downtown restaurant with a chef-name signal.

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    Compare ama by Brad Kilgore
    ama by Brad Kilgore and similar venues
    VenueLocationCuisinePriceAwards
    ama by Brad KilgoreSan Francisco; ; No published awards
    BixSan Francisco; ; No published awards
    Maison NicoSan FranciscoFrench;
    2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #3792024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #413
    KusakabeSan FranciscoSushi, Japanese$$$$
    2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #5972024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended
    VerjusSan FranciscoWine Bar;
    2026 San Francisco Chronicle Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants · #25Star Wine Lists 20262026 New York Times Best Restaurants in San Francisco2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2025 New York Times America's Best Restaurants2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4252023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Recommended
    Sai's Vietnamese RestaurantSan Francisco; ; No published awards

    How ama by Brad Kilgore compares with similar nearby venues.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When should I plan to visit ama by Brad Kilgore?

    Plan around the listed evening schedule: Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM, Friday through Saturday from 5:30 PM to 12:30 AM. The restaurant is listed as closed Monday and Sunday.

    What should a first-timer know about ama by Brad Kilgore?

    Expect an evening visit in San Francisco rather than a casual lunch plan. The details here are the city, evening schedule, Monday and Sunday closures, business-casual dress code.

    What are alternatives to ama by Brad Kilgore in San Francisco?

    Other named options to consider include Bix, Verjus, Kusakabe, Maison Nico, Sai's Vietnamese Restaurant, depending on the kind of night you want.

    Is lunch or dinner better at ama by Brad Kilgore?

    Dinner is the fit, since the listed hours begin at 5:30 PM and no lunch hours are shown. If you want a daytime meal, choose another San Francisco option.

    Is ama by Brad Kilgore good for a special occasion?

    It can be, if the occasion is a planned evening meal in San Francisco and you are comfortable confirming current details directly with the restaurant. The business-casual dress code also points to a more polished plan than a very informal outing.

    What should I wear to ama by Brad Kilgore?

    The dress code is business casual. Choose a polished outfit rather than very relaxed or athletic clothing.