Kenzo

The story

Kenzo: Michelin-Starred Japanese Kaiseki in Napa, CA

When Natsuko and Kenzo Tsujimoto founded Kenzo Estate winery, they dreamed of bringing an authentic, elegant Japanese dining experience to the Napa Valley. That vision became reality at Kenzo Napa, a downtown restaurant that has earned eight consecutive Michelin Star ratings since 2017.

The Setting

Located on a quiet corner of Pearl Street, the restaurant’s 27-seat dining room is intentionally intimate. The simple, elegant décor transports guests to Japan without needing a passport. Every detail is designed to keep the focus on the food.

The Chef and Cuisine

Head Chef Kenji Miyaishi crafts seasonal menus that fuse Japanese tradition with innovative techniques and inventive presentation. The cuisine is rooted in kaiseki and Edomae-style sushi, using ingredients flown daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market—the world’s most acclaimed fresh fish market—alongside produce from the Kenzo Estate winery.

The spring 2026 kaiseki menu showcases this precision. A course of crispy Fukushima icefish pairs estate-grown turnip, broccolini, and plum with a yuzu pepper sauce. The seasonal hassun presents Hokkaido snow crab wrapped in daikon with caviar, Hyogo seabream with bottarga and mizuna, Aomori cherry trout nanbanzuke, and sesame tofu with yuzu miso. A warming Hokkaido scallop shinjo arrives in a signature dashi broth with estate-grown komatsuna, shimeji mushrooms, and yuzu. Shizuoka golden eye snapper sashimi is served with myoga ginger, chives, and ponzu. Ehime bluefin tuna kuwayaki comes with Brussels sprouts and grated ginger. A crispy wagyu tendon spring roll surprises with potatoes and blue cheese, followed by slow-roasted A5 wagyu tenderloin with string beans, king oyster mushrooms, and burdock root miso. The meal concludes with a Hokkaido sea urchin, ikura, and Mediterranean bluefin tuna sushi bowl, served with red miso soup.

Pairings

Every artistic course is meant to pair harmoniously with a selection of eclectic wines and sakes, including Kenzo Estate’s full Napa Valley wine collection. The result is a transformative experience where people, place, and flavors unite into a singular moment in time.