Hi Neighbor opens Sergeant Ma waterfront restaurant in San

Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group will open its Sergeant Ma restaurant on the San Francisco waterfront on September 9, 2026. The new venue in the China Basin neighborhood represents the group's most ambitious project to date after nearly four years of development.

Executive chef and partner Jason Halverson leads the kitchen, creating a menu that merges Northern California's seasonal ingredients with Asian culinary traditions. The restaurant's name honors Halverson's mother, who emigrated from Vietnam as a teenager and was known for her commanding family presence and generous cooking.

"For me, this restaurant is incredibly personal," Halverson said. "Sergeant Ma is my way of honoring that spirit while sharing the kind of food I love to cook today."

Menu and Shareable Dishes

The menu focuses on shareable plates, with seafood featured prominently. Dishes include Shigoku oysters, halibut and uni crudo with carrot-citrus vinaigrette, and king salmon tartare with wood ear mushrooms and chili crisp. Larger, family-style plates round out the offering.

Beverage Program and Design

Beverage director Suzanne Miller crafted a cocktail program inspired by the building's history and her childhood visits to Oakland's Chinatown. One Old Fashioned uses syrup made from traditional Chinese candy, while a tequila-based cocktail draws inspiration from Haw Flakes, incorporating lychee and hibiscus. A milk punch called The Banana Depot pays tribute to banana pudding and the site's industrial past.

San Francisco architect Cass Calder Smith designed the space to emphasize its waterfront location along Mission Creek, directly across from Oracle Park and near the Chase Center. The design incorporates teak wood, lush landscaping, and sliding glass doors that open onto a large terrace.

"We wanted people to immediately feel connected to the water," Calder Smith said. "The architecture isn't about spectacle, it's about creating an experience where the building, the landscape, and the dining all feel naturally connected."

Company Vision and Location

Hi Neighbor Hospitality, founded in 2013, also operates the Vault Steakhouse, Trestle, and Mama Oakland. CEO Ryan Cole stated the group aims to create restaurants that belong authentically to San Francisco. The China Basin location was chosen for its access to a growing mix of residents, tech workers, and sports and event crowds.

Cole said Sergeant Ma embodies the group's 13 years of hospitality experience, focusing on creating welcoming and community-connected spaces. The restaurant includes a main dining room, bar, lounge, and private dining room.