Snapshots from Ubuntu

A big, gigantic, nay, HUGE thank you to my friend and co-worker Rachel, who also works as a server at the Michelin Star rated Ubuntu in Napa. She mentioned I should bring some friends for lunch, and I thought that was a pretty good idea. It turned out to be a great idea. Maybe the best idea of the month.

So I took pictures. Because she said I could. Brian and Leah took pictures too. We were those people. Apologies, all around.

So I don't know what to tell you. This meal was amazing. The space was amazing. The wines were incredible. It was a memorable meal, and I think you can garner some idea of the explosions of taste from the pictures. They don't really do it justice, but they'll give you an idea.

We were advised that this was a small plates kind of place, and were encouraged to order generously and share the dishes. We thought that was an excellent idea.

If you had been at the table next to ours this afternoon, here are a few things you might have overheard:

• "This is wrong. This is just dirty and wrong." - Leah (she was being sarcastic)
• "If someone said 'Why eat at a vegetarian restaurant?' I'd put these carrots in front of them and say, 'That's a carrot. BAM!'" - Brian
• "I want to slap this in the face it's so good." - Leah
• "SHUT. UP!" - Leah
• "Hey Sexy, let's hang out." - Brian
• *High Fives* - All Around the Table

When you taste a dish, stare it down and feel compelled to tell it to shut up, that is a very good thing. It should give you some idea of the caliber of this meal. I mean, dessert came out in a jam jar. A JAM JAR!!! How awesome is that?

Very, is the answer to that one.

So here you go. Some snapshots. Be jealous, be very jealous. And the next time you're in Napa, do yourself a favor and book a reservation.

"French Breakfast" radishes, burrata and torn spring onion donuts

Borage and Lemongrass Curry - chard condimento & pickled stems, whipped coconut, preserved lemons

Marinated "Merlin" Beets with Goats Milk Labneh

Escabeche of Nantes Carrots, Local Citrus & Marash Chili

Celtuce ala Gringlia with Red Miso and Parmesan - Sardinian Pearl Pasta, Fresh Bergamot, Bitter Greens

Young Roots with their Braised Greens - Ritual Coffee Jus, Spiced Garnet Yam & Cocoa Nibs

Farm Egg 'a la Catalan', Stewed Chickpeas with Sauce Romesco

Yellow Corn Grits, Goat's Milk Ricotta

Meyer Lemon Sorbet Float - Orange Cream Soda, Beet Tapioca, Kieffer Lime Granita

Vanilla Bean 'Cheesecake' in a Jar - Sour Cherry with Verbena, Teeccino Crumble

Thanks again to Rachel, and to Ubuntu. It was the highlight of my week.