A restaurant inspired by California foraging, from a team with Michelin Guide cred, is debuting in Palo Alto.
Kappo is coming out of its soft-opening phase and will open for reservations in early December at the Stanford Shopping Center, with Dec. 3 the first date available on Tock. It is run by the Omakase Restaurant Group, whose local eateries include the one-Michelin-starred Niku Steakhouse in San Francisco and the chain Dumpling Time (which has a location inside the same mall).
The restaurant features communal-style eating and will have just 12 seats and two seatings nightly, according to Kappo’s Instagram. The kitchen is run by Birdsong and Niku Steakhouse veteran Nikolas Neuwirt — an experienced forager, hunter and diver, the restaurant notes — who is preparing such delicacies as spiny lobster with sweet-crunchy chili and Mt. Lassen trout cured in yuzu, dried in cedar and rolled in locally procured Californian nori.
“Kappo is a communal counter service style tasting menu that serves an all Californian adventure,” Kappo says on Tock. “Foraging from the ocean, forest and farmers markets, Chef Nik brings you fresh and composed courses that tell a simple story of nature, connection, and craft.”
A winter tasting menu with nine courses costs $140 per person, with three levels of additional beverage pairings including a nonalcoholic option.
Details: Open at 660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto (the location is adjacent to the Dumpling Time at 180 El Camino Real, #1410); kappoca.com