sf.eater.com curbed picked up this article
Since 1981 I have been on a mission to eat in every great restaurant the world over. Living in San Francisco, and traveling, has given me every opportunity to hit many 5 Star establishments. The list includes: Charlie Trotter, Aqua (SF), Masa’s (SF), Martini House (Napa), Gary Danko (SF), Jardiniere, Postrio, Boulevard, Slanted Door, Stars (back in the day), Tra Vigne (Napa), Lark Creek Inn (Larkspur), Terra (Napa), Acquerello, the Ritz (NY), Cafe Kati, Bix, Farallon, Domaine Chandon (Napa), Auberge du Soleil (Napa), the Meetinghouse (back in the day) and the list goes on and on to the detriment of my retirement fund.
Yesterday I found what may be the greatest health oriented restaurant, better than SF’s Green’s, in California: Ubuntu. Ubuntu bills itself as a restaurant & yoga studio. The restaurant is located in the revitalized up and coming downtown Napa. The space is nothing less than New York sophistication meets San Francisco luxury loft. Supporting high ceilings, matching polished steel, warm earth colors, and multi grained polished woods, Ubuntu feels like a destination restaurant.
Like most great destination restaurants, service and atmosphere go hand in hand. Our service from runner to general manager was outstanding. Everyone had a kind word and a smile on their face. It is obvious the staff understands that they work at a spectacular establishment that is about to take off locally as well as on the world wide culinary stage. The driving force behind this wonderful undercurrent of positive joy is GM Ed Puccio. Ed is a joy and his enthusiasm for Ubuntu and it’s concepts is evident in every way. Fine job Ed!
Like the special atmosphere, the food is spectacular! To attempt to describe it would be almost futile. Simply put it taste rich, creamy, crunchy, fattening, buttery, and filling. Yet all of these taste sensations come WITHOUT THE CALORIES, fat gram intake, or bloated feeling you get from a steak-lobster-pasta dinner of waistline wasteland! There is little doubt that chef Jeremy Fox is a superstar in the making and one of the fastest rising culinary stars in America.
For further proof of Ubuntu’s burgeoning greatness, look no further than Michael Bauer SF Chronicle’s superstar restaurant critic . Bauer knows food and he has seen and met them all. Check out Bauer’s review: “Ubuntu Takes Vegetarian cuisine to New Heights.”
Here is the menu from our lunch:
Bites: Assorted Olives; Marcona almonds
Starters: Garden Broccoli soup a la catalan; marinated beets and asian pears; savory fruit salad; artichoke salad with celery salsa verde; crunchy vegetables and redwood hill chevre.
Entrees: cauliflower in a cast iron pot- This tasted so rich and creamy yet it is all vegetarian and fantastic!; anson mills speckled grits, hickory smoked bbq brussels sprouts-The brussel sprouts were bacon flavored and so tender with creamy grits and celery root for crunch awesome!; stew of black radish, sunchoke, and turnip; mushroom pizza; and wild nettle pizza.
Desserts: Artisan Cheese plate; vanilla bean “cheesecake” in a jar; a shot of hot chocolate; float of tart autumn fruits.
Trust me on this one. It doesn’t get any better, any tastier, and any healthier than ubuntu. All their ingredients including vegetables and spices are grown organically in the restaurant. Combine the world class space, rising superstar chef, outstanding service and warmth, and ubuntu’s spiritual platform and you have what promises to be a nationally recognized restaurant on the rise!
If you liked this review so did Curbed site http://sf.eater.com. Check out my review and comments over there too.
DeansGuide 