Nami Nami, Mountain View, California

"Karoshi" is apparently the Japanese term for death by overwork. I wish I knew the Japanese word for death by overeating.

One of many memorable meals during last week's 9-day visit to D Guy's San Francisco turf was at Nami Nami, a three-month old restaurant on the very hip Castro Street in Mountain View, California.

I have never heard of Kappo Dining but apparently it is casual-style dining from Kyoto. This little restaurant has a very authentic vibe and it feels almost like dining in Tokyo especially since the waitstaff seem to only speak Japanese. A loud "Sumimasen" should get their attention.

To start off the meal, I would recommend the Chinmi - little dishes to accompany sake or beer. The tatami iwashi (flattened crispy whitebait) is always a personal favorite but they also have a few other interesting dishes with strange descriptions you should to try. If you like a good bottle of sake, we had a Kikusui Junmai Daiginjo from Niigata which was very nice and best when serve chilled (I hear only cheap sake is served hot).

Due to my recent education on the terrible plight of the global tuna stock (see National Geographic March issue), I find myself now more partial to interestingly prepared non-fish Japanese dishes and Nami Nami did not disappoint.

The kobe beef sashimi (pictured above) was delicious and is similar to beef carpaccio but lightly seared and garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.

The other two definite must-trys are the grilled eggplant and the fragrant deep-fried black pork, recommended, of course, by D Guy. The grilled eggplant was served in its skin but the meat had been dug out and cubed, mixed with sauces and then returned to the skin for final grilling. The outcome was a delicious visual delight.

The pork (pictured on right) was lightly floured and still succulent. It was like the sweeter and juicer version of Chinese roast pork marinated in teriyaki sauce. Eating it with the spring onions gave it a kick with none of the overly porky taste. Both the eggplant and pork were wonderful with a bowl of steaming Japanese rice.

240 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041
650.964.6990