Water crudo of albacore
$$, Korean, Grand Lake
"Not quite a restaurant yet—still a popup right now—but what a great dish! Clean, fresh and flavorful."
ChefLissa Doumani
Napa
Accolades
- Outstanding ServiceJames Beard Foundation
- One Star (Ame, Terra)Michelin Guide
- Nominee for Outstanding Restaurant (Terra)James Beard Foundation
- Best New Restaurants (Ame, Terra)Esquire magazine
- Top 10 Restaurants (Ame)San Francisco Chronicle
- Top 100 Restaurants (Terra, Bar Terra)San Francisco Chronicle
- AuthorA Visual Guide to Sushi-Making at Home
- AuthorTerra Cooking from the Heart of the Napa Valley
- ChefsFeed WinnerOne of the Best Things to Eat in Napa/San Francisco
Where I Go Out
Seafood stew
$$, Outdoor Seating, Pizza, Modern, Full Bar, Italian, Bar,
"This dish isn't always on the menu (usually just during the winter), but if it is, order it. Beautifully fresh shellfish and fish are served in a light tomato-based broth. It's perfectly cooked and seasoned with a light hand to let the seafood shine through. I always have to tap the bowl to get the last drops. Or I could use the crusty grilled bread if I had manners."
Frozen Kirin beer
$$$$, Outdoor Seating, Reservations, Modern, Full Bar, American, Breakfast, New American,
"On a hot day in Napa Valley, nothing better than sitting in the shade drinking a frozen beer."
Tasting menu
$$$$, Mexican, Reservations, Mission
"Dinner here is most intriguing. Many chefs try to reinterpret traditional dishes but the chef really gets it here. The soul of Mexican cuisine is present in every bite, though visually it's a surprise. Especially the menudo—the taste is perfect but there's no tripe."
Omakase
$$$, Sushi, Japanese, Full Bar, Inner Richmond
"They always say to just trust the chef—at this place, you really should. Tomo-san knows his fish and gets the very best. As he gets to know you, he will surprise you with specialties that you may not have experienced. Wako is a tiny place, so reserve your spot ahead of time."
Dictator pizza
$$, Outdoor Seating, Pizza, Reservations, Wine Bar, Italian,
"You'll either love it or you won't because it's so far out of the box (pun intended)—sort of like Korea meets Italy. It's topped with marinated rib eye, mozzarella, garlic, scallions, Serrano chile, kimchi, Kewpie mayo (a Japanese mayo) and shichimi (a Japanese spice blend). Make sure you have a cold beer next to you, because it's so burning good!"