First, a huge apology to Chef Jeremy Fox for not writing up our meal at Ubuntu in July. Second, a huge congratulations to Chef Jeremy Fox for being named by the James Beard Foundation as one of the final nominees for Best Chef: Pacific Region. As it has been some time since this meal, my descriptions will be somewhat limited (I can’t find my notes), but hopefully the photos will tell the story.
Ubuntu is an all vegetable restaurant – no meat, no fish. This is not to say that it is green grass restaurant with no taste or low in calorie. Jeremy handles vegetables with the care and finesse normally accorded to proteins. What you are immediately struck by is his layering of flavors and his reliance on culinary technique not “tricks.’
Adorable Jeremy
Italian olives, Nasturtium pesto, Nasturtium petals
Marcona almonds with lavender sugar and sea salt
Breakfast radishes with local chevre, nori infusion and smoked black sea salt
Chickpea fries with herbs, Romesco sauce
All of the above are addictive
Assorted fried peppers from the garden with mint
Watermelon Velouté with Basil, Basil Seed Caviar, Sprouts – I am not sure I got this right so apologies to everyone if I am wrong.
Cool Watermelon and Lemongrass Soup with a splash of coconut milk and decorated with a cascade of shoots. This had a definite Asian feel due to the lemongrass and coconut milk.
Leaves and Things – walk into a garden and enjoy.
English Peas and Shoots in Pea Shoot Consommé with White Chocolate, Macadamia and Mint – never in a million years would I think to pair peas with white chocolate, but it was a remarkable marriage.
Grilled Peach Panzallels, Burrata, Mozarella, Brioche, Basil, Aged Balsamic – I think
Water-retained Plants
Ubuntu Pizza with truffled pecorino and ???
Roasted, Puréed, and Raw Courgettes and Succulents with Ubuntu Vadouvan and Panisses
Squash #2
This was in a word a masterpiece – we requested an egg dish and Jeremy did eggs in all its various guises – absolutely extraordinary
Now for Deanie’s desserts
Plums with Nasturtium
Strawberries
A wonderful meal and a huge thank you to Jeremy and Deanie.
Great writeup Liz. I made it a point to make it to Ubuntu last year when I was visiting SF. We had a special chef’s tasting arranged for lunch. Having dined at Manresa the night before, can you guess which was a better experience?
Actually I love both restaurants. They are very different, but their commitment to sourcing, technique and no short-cuts is extraordinary.
Oooh – interesting !!! I have to try it when I go back to Napa this fall…
I’ve wanted to go here for over a year, ever since my cook-friend told me that it was the best meal he’s ever had in his life. and no he is not a vegetarian. let’s put it this way, I am terribly hungry after reading this post. I love my vegetables.
Awesome report Liz. Chef Jeremy Fox’s work at Ubuntu has caught my attention: refreshingly different, moving, creative.