Eiji Onoyama

Eiji Onoyama has an extensive history with Japanese cuisine: after the Kyoto-native graduated from the local Kyoto Cooking School, he joined the esteemed Kikunoi restaurants. There for nearly a decade, Onoyama was a part of the team when the Kyoto location earned three Michelin stars, and was selected as head chef for the Tokyo location opening, which he describes as a pivotal moment of his career. Kikunoi Tokyo would later go on to earn two Michelin stars.

In the fall of 2016, Onoyama was asked to come stateside for the grand opening of Kenzo in Napa Valley, the first U.S. restaurant from Kenzo Estate owner—and Capcom founder—Kenzo Tsujimoto. (Tsujimoto also has four restaurants and tasting rooms in Japan.)

“I love that Kenzo Napa transports you to Japan without needing a passport, traveling thousands of miles, or experiencing jet lag,” says Onoyama. “It’s truly groundbreaking to offer an authentic upscale Japanese dining experience here in the Napa Valley.”

At Kenzo, Onoyama brings forth an authentic taste of Japan via two kaiseki menus, one of which is centered around sushi; each menu is priced at $225 per person with service included.

A daily selection of sashimi, crustacean sushi and rotating chef specialties can be found on the sushi kaiseki menu, while items like straw-smoked bluefin tuna sashimi with grated daikon and shiso leaf, as well as roasted Sonoma duck breast with sesame tofu and wasabi-infused dashi gelée can be found on the kaiseki menu. Fish is flown in daily from Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Market.