Palo Alto’s First Korean Tasting Menu Restaurant Is Poised to Open in July | Eater SF

"Located on a leafy, trendy stretch of University Avenue in Palo Alto, I found Maum to be an intimate, 16-seat, tasting-menu-only Korean restaurant born from venture capitalist Brian Koo’s desire for high-quality Korean food; it began as a low-key private dining venue for Koo and his wife Grace before opening to the public. Maum (meaning “from the heart” in Korean) is run by married chefs Michael and Meichih Kim—Michael with experience at Redd and SPQR, Meichih with time at Benu and Per Se and currently leading Maum’s pastry program—and features a beverage team led by master sommelier Rebecca Fineman and MS candidate Chris Gaither. The restaurant serves a single 10–12-course modern interpretation of traditional Korean flavors based on Michael Kim’s memories of growing up in Los Angeles’ Koreatown and trips to Korea, emphasizing integrity, seasonality, and locality; the only seating is one long communal table to reflect the shared, non-linear nature of many Korean meals. I also note the project’s larger ambitions (possible future Korean barbecue or izakaya concepts and retail ventures) and practical details: tickets for the roughly $150–$180 menu were slated to go on sale June 12 via Tock, with service beginning July 12 and two seatings on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays." - Ellen Fort