rave: *ubuntu* in downtown napa

I had a marvelous lunch today at a new restaurant- slash- yoga studio in Napa called ubuntu.

Before you sigh at the patent gimmickry involved in combining yoga with food, let me assure you: it works.

The restaurant is located on Main Street in Napa, in a space with exposed concrete walls, soaring ceilings, and bright photo collages that hang on the walls blending global images with provocative thoughts. From the dining room floor, one can look up and glimpse the frosted doors of the yoga studio on the second floor, where classes are held 5 or 6 times a day (the yoga schedule is mouthwatering - candlelight flow on Wednesday nights? Yes, please!), imparting an air of serenity to what is already a visually arresting space.

Star dish: ratatouille with zucchini bread croutons (thick cubes of moist green zucchini bread with a crisp exterior, oh!), garnished with burrata cheese and herbs.  Hours later, I'm still thinking about it. Close second: fig pizza with caramelized shallots.

Chef Jeremy Fox (formerly of Manresa) has created a vegetarian menu, but please discard any notion of austerity or lack - the flavors are sumptuous and decadent, and the ingredients are exquisitely fresh. According to the restaurant web site, "Ubuntu is less about a philosophy of no meat and instead a celebration of our own biodynamic gardens, what shows up at the door, and relationships with the local farms in Napa."

"Celebration" is precisely the word that comes to mind upon dining here.

My mouth is still dancing. I'm already planning my next visit.

Ubuntu
1140 Main St. (near Pearl)
Napa, CA
(707) 251-5656

P.S. Sorry about the absence of pictures; I wish I had taken my camera, because the space is gorgeous.

Comments

[Tana]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. A friend of mine is working there, too: sharpening her exquisite skills after a year in the kitchen of Acquerello. It's nice to know there is no dearth of flavor without the meat.

Sending light from here to there, Ms. Beautiful.

[The Purloined Letter]

That sounds just entirely too wonderful. But I have a feeling the East Coast won't catch this idea for quite some time....

[susanna]

Well, this place is certainly on my list of places to visit on the West Coast. It sounds like a truly wonderful experience.