A new restaurant celebrating a blend of Panamanian and Southern soul food is preparing to open its first permanent home in San Francisco. Properly Seasoned Kitchen, the culinary concept created by Bay Area chef Kyle Best, is among the small businesses selected to receive funding through the City of San Francisco’s Storefront Opportunity Grant Program, which supports entrepreneurs opening brick-and-mortar locations in vacant commercial spaces.
The restaurant will showcase Chef Kyle’s signature “Pana Soul” cuisine, a fusion of bold Panamanian flavors, Southern comfort food, and classic French culinary techniques. While details about the restaurant’s opening date and location have not yet been announced, the grant marks a significant milestone for the chef, who has spent years building his reputation through catering and private chef services.
I’ll be highlighting some upscale menu items that I’ll be doing in fusion style,” he said. “I’ll be merging the flavors, different techniques as well as different cuisine styles.” While the menu will feature elevated dishes, Best said his goal is to create “a community destination where you can come and experience some high-end food without the price tag.”
The concept extends beyond the kitchen. Best plans to use the restaurant as a platform for local artists, featuring murals, rotating artwork, and exhibitions, with the possibility of hosting art auctions. He also envisions showcasing music memorabilia and organizing private screenings for independent films. “It’s not just the opening of the restaurant,” Best said. “It’s pulling in other aspects of the community into the space.” Ultimately, he hopes the venue will create “an opportunity for other artists and creators in the neighborhood” while serving as a gathering place for the community.
Born and raised in San Francisco’s Bayview and Fillmore neighborhoods, Chef Kyle traces his passion for cooking to his two grandmothers, both professional chefs, one from Montgomery, Alabama, and the other from Panama. Their influence shaped the culinary perspective that would later become the foundation of Properly Seasoned Kitchen.
The Storefront Opportunity Grant Program recently awarded more than $3 million to 39 small businesses opening in vacant storefronts throughout San Francisco. The initiative provides grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 to help offset startup costs while revitalizing commercial corridors and supporting local entrepreneurs.
