We’re a neighborhood restaurant highlighting the bay area's finest produce and artisan product. Our food and beverage philosophy is locavore: honest ingredients and food craftsmanship with great care for our guest's taste experience. We cook from scratch with flair, humor and the finest ingredients. Saltbox pays homage to classical cuisine while being rooted in the present with Cal-modern influences.
Sean Johnston
Proprietor
Hometown: Portstewart, Northern Ireland
Sean grew up on the North Atlantic Coast of Ireland. Before moving to San Francisco he worked much of his career in his family’s vibrant Irish pub, full of local characters. He brings that same love of community and warm Irish hospitality to Johnston’s Saltbox. Sean thrives on creating an atmosphere where locals gather and share a meal & a moment together. He's constantly impressed by the quality and variety of artisan products grown right here in the Bay Area. Johnston’s Saltbox is a celebration of those two loves: local people, local product.
Jennifer McAteer Johnston
Chef | Proprietor
Hometown: San Carlos, CA
Jennifer spent her career working with great chefs & mentors- Jeremiah Tower, Bradley Ogden, Pierre Koffmann, and Robert Cubberly.
Partnering all these years with local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen- witnessing them put so much love and care into their craft, Jennifer sees a Chef’s role as simple- to source great local product and cook it with care. She’s excited to bring these experiences and values back to her hometown of San Carlos.
The rooftop kitchen garden is a very tangible way we demonstrate our commitment to quality local ingredients. It's coincidentally also a great place for their three Johnston daughters to toil in the soil, and to feel a part of it all.
At Johnston’s Saltbox, we care deeply about quality and integrity, and take every opportunity to partner with like-minded people.
Architect | Glass Associates Inc
Construction | Midglen Studio Associates
Designer | Jeanne Ettrick
Sarah Kersten Ceramics Studio | Oakland
Marius and Shannon Ciortea | NFO Bee Company (two honeybee hives on our roof!)
Golden Nursery | San Mateo
Annie’s Annuals | Richmond
Fifth Crow Farm | Pescadero
Prospect Restaurant | San Francisco
Vesta | Redwood City
Gibraltar Gems at Jettywave | Half Moon Bay (shout out to Chef Jose Luis!)
Surfrider Foundation | thank you Christine Chang- local environmentalist. leader. change maker.