Kenzo — Restaurant in Napa

This is my first Michelin star restaurant. This restaurant is located in downtown Napa and there are plenty of parking spots around the restaurant. It requires reservations. Right when I entered I was shocked by the ambience. The decorations make you feel warm and the space is ample. We were seated at a table instead of in front of the bar because we had four people. However, you could still see the chefs making dishes. The dishes are designed well with the traditional kaiseki style. The server explained everything including the ingredients and the meaning of each dish right after serving.

Since the restaurant has its own vineyard, they also provide tasting flights. I didn't try that because I had already been to several wineries that day. Nonetheless, I still ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for the starter. The name of the wine is asatsuyu, which means morning dew. And as the name suggests, the wine is very fragrant and smells fruity, which makes you feel like you're on a mountain waiting for the sunrise. The taste is also very smooth just like the small drops of water on the leaves as they slide down. I would definitely recommend bringing one bottle home (or more).

As for the dishes, most dishes were not warm dishes that day, which is not really my preference. However, we could still experience different umami brought by various ingredients from the mountains to the seas. Saying that, I wasn't really astonished by the dishes. The major reason is that the combination of ingredients is the most important part of presenting them. The presentation of the dishes that day did not make me feel like 1+12. Just 1+1=2. If not for the wine, I would just give this place a 4. I still enjoyed the dishes but I would expect more from a Michelin restaurant. Since their menu changes every season, maybe I'll give it a try next time and see if I will...

Kenzo Napa is the brainchild of Kenzo Tsujimoto, the founder of Capcom of Street Fighter fame. He wanted to bring the love of Napa Valley wines to his home country so started the award winning Kenzo Estates vineyard.

Missing authentic Japanese Kaiseki cuisine while in Napa, he then opened Kenzo Napa helmed by the 3 Michelin star chef of the restaurant Kanda in Tokyo.

Kenzo, located in Napa, is a serene oasis to Japanese cuisine and our excellent meal was greatly enhanced by the food and wine descriptions of Patrick

📷 Kaiseki Menu $275 / Grilled Shizuoka Fresh Water Eel / Seasonal Hassun ~ blue shrimp, kanagawa octopus, Hokkaido scallop with sweet corn, yukon gold potato caviar, tomato gelée / Yamaguchi Tilefish Owan / Seared Chiba Cutlassfish Sashimi / Chiba Seabass and Green Asparagus Okakiage / Chilled Somen Noodle with Nagasaki Abalone / Slow Roasted A5 Satsuma Wagyu Tenderloin / Chef‘s Sushi / Chef’s Dessert

📍Kenzo (Napa, CA)

Reservations are required on Opentable and dining is all inside with both counter and table seating available. All credit cards including AmEx...

Visited Kenzo a month ago with a few friends during our trip to Napa Valley, and it was truly a highlight of the entire journey. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the staff and, to our surprise, escorted to a private dining room - without even requesting it. This unexpected gesture immediately elevated the experience, adding a sense of exclusivity and care that stayed with us throughout the evening.

The multi-course tasting menu was masterfully curated, and each dish was paired with wine selections that complemented the flavors with precision, like an elegant orchestral performance where each note had its place! Every course flowed seamlessly into the next, creating a balanced and immersive culinary experience that felt both refined and intimate.

Unfortunately our schedule didn’t allow time to visit the Kenzo Estate, but after such an exceptional dining experience, we’re already planning our return trip with a vineyard visit at the top...