Celine Wuu

I miss these views. What a life-changing year it’s been!

JANUARY 2024 - I sat with my four younger siblings and my older sister presenting our five-year plans to each other in a small beach town in Mexico. My short-term vision included working abroad, learning more about fermentation & mixology, and opening a restaurant. Two very short years later, I can proudly check them off my list. Having @ipatreek as a life partner step-by-step to accomplish what you set out to do for yourself and together has been key to these accomplishments. Here’s to my support systems that have contributed to where I am today. I love you all and thank you for all that you’ve done ❤️

Reflecting on 2025… If you had told me six months ago that we would open a restaurant by the end of this year, I would have probably just given you a look and smirked. It was an idea that sounded impossible still working at @restaurantmilka . If you had told me two years ago that it would be a Filipino-inspired fine dining restaurant then I definitely would have looked at you like you were crazy. Filipino fine dining isn’t something that’s common and the handful of restaurants that do, mainly exist back home. Fast forward to December 5th, we opened our doors and since then time has felt both long and short. It truly takes a village to run a tiny restaurant. We’ve been lucky to be surrounded with a team of like-minded people and a community of artisans that help us execute our vision. We’re thankful for our guests that we’ve had meaningful conversations with about Filipino food culture, what it means to have representation like this and to the beginning of many friendships. That to us is a big part of why we do this. Timing is everything. There will be times when you feel unsure, but stay ready. You’ll never know when the door opens, and when it does, give it your all. In the words of @hcheneychef , a close friend and mentor, “Whatever you choose to do, learn from both the good and bad experiences, that way you can continue to grow and be a little better everyday.” We’re proud to say this is what Restaurant Naides embodies. We will be pushing to be better each day, learn from both the good and bad and give you the most honest and genuine experience. Happy New Year to all and Cheers to 2026! Sincerely, Patrick & Celine 📸 : @_mediumraw

[Nai•des] my mother’s name origin / homage / identity Naides celebrates the evolving story of Filipino cuisine where memory meets modernity. A story of where we come from told through flavors. - Patrick Film by: @_mediumraw

dinnertime bubbles + amphoras above ground + amphoras under ground + ribollas from Gravner + sunset at Damijan Podversic + front hallway at La Castellada + 4.5 finger legend + Collio views + Radikon old label + sivi pinot at Franco Severo = my weekend How was yours? p.s. thank you @_jooelgomez24

~ August in Italy ~

Beautiful experience @sonsanddaughterssf . The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Every dish displays the bounty of spring in a very special way. I have sincere appreciation of the hyper focus seasonality that is conveyed in the very true spirit of Nordic and Californian cuisine. Thank you Harrison, Michelle, Tanya, Patrick, Nick, Yony, Jason, Patrick, David & George!

Harbor House Inn was an experience. Drove three hours north along the coast to arrive early enough to explore the little beach behind the inn. Their ethos of incorporating food they’ve foraged and grown is nothing new, however, they’ve executed the idea quite well. I’ve never really had this many words for a dining experience. Sure there were some things I wouldn’t mind tweaking, but I know they’re on the right track. I highly recommend making this trip out and experiencing it for yourself before they get their third star. 😉

Every now and then, a moment of zen.