A woman and a man are sitting close together, smiling at the camera in a cozy indoor setting. 
Lisa and Nick first met at UC Berkeley in an Asian American student theatre group called Theatre Rice. Our passion for building community and bringing people together under a shared cause was a foundational part of their friendship from the beginning, and is now foundational to Agnes and Sherman.

As a new restaurant, we're testing the limits of what we're able to give -- time, money, resources -- all while building a sustainable future for Agnes and Sherman. The uncomfortable reality is that more than 50% of restaurants don't make it past their first year. As a small business, the more focused we are, the more we're able to give.   

By sharing Agnes and Sherman's Giving Philosophy and Focus openly, we hope to partner with organizations with shared alignment. We don't have all the answers; what we do know is that we will be intentional in how we give and challenge ourselves to make a lasting impact. 
Lisa and Nick circa 2005

Our Giving Philosophy - How We Give

1.
Give Locally

We embrace our role as a part of a diverse ecosystem. and when our community thrives, we do too.

2.
Less is More

We work with a few key organizations vs. many organizations so we can give more to drive systemic change.

3.
Empower our Team

Our team is plugged into many communities around town and we empower them to help direct where/how we give to have the most impact.

A.
Amplify Asian American Voices

As Asian American kids who grew up rarely seeing people like ourselves represented in arts, media, and politics, we work alongside other progressive Asian American voices to tackle important issues that impact our community and inspire to get engaged.

Our Focus - Where We Give

B.
Uplift Marginalized Communities

We are building in the most diverse city in America. We direct our resources to protect and uplift marginalized and underserved communities because our formative experiences have taught us that diversity is a key ingredient of success.

C.
Strengthen the Restaurant Industry

We strengthen our industry by being in community with other operators, sharing business practices and knowledge, and getting involved with organizations that work to improve the quality of life for hospitality workers.

Upcoming Community Events

Past Community Events

  • Agnes and Sherman at Southern Smoke Festival

  • Two male chefs in a restaurant kitchen preparing dishes while a customer places an order at the counter. The kitchen features shelves with plants, decor, and kitchen tools, and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling.

    Agnes and Sherman x Pepitas Peruvian Pop-Up

  • Afters and Sherman: Dave Arnold Bar Takeover

  • Two women and a man at a social gathering. The woman with long dark hair is smiling and hugging the man, who is wearing a white shirt and a red apron. The woman is wearing a sleeveless black top and plaid skirt. The man is in front of beige curtains, with a wall sconce and part of a speaker visible in the background.

    Benefit Dinner for Culinary Careers Program

  • Two men kissing a large ice sculpture with the word "BEER" engraved, while people watch and laugh in a lively bar or restaurant setting. A woman in a white dress and a woman taking a selfie are visible in the background.

    Agnes and Sherman Pit Stop @ White Linen

  • Group of four restaurant staff members standing together inside a restaurant, smiling at the camera. The group includes two women and two men, with varied clothing styles. The background features a decorative wall with a tree branch and fruit pattern, warm lighting, and wooden furniture.

    Agnes and Sherman x Mister Jiu's

  • Three men in a restaurant kitchen, with two wearing colorful outfits and one in casual clothing, posing playfully for the photo.

    Drag Brunch Football Edition

  • Two restaurant staff members wearing aprons, smiling and forming a heart shape with their arms outside a restaurant with a window and curtains, during daytime.

    Agnes and Sherman x Golden Diner

  • People sitting at a banquet table celebrating, with one woman holding a small gift and a man in a suit clapping and smiling. Others are clapping and smiling, with a person standing behind a table and a large screen in the background.

    Agnes and Sherman at Bon Vivant 2026

  • Agnes and Sherman x Mimi Cheng's

  • People playing a game of mahjong at an outdoor patio with yellow walls, potted plants, and string lights.

    Agnes and Sherman x Food Mahjong Club

  • Agnes and Sherman x Khoi Barbecue