Vegetable-Focused Restaurants in California

"A counter and open kitchen put the culinary pyrotechnics of Chef Josef Centeno on full display at this intimate spot, where a deeply robust prix-fixe menu channels the traditions of Japan and Italy into a vibrant celebration of flavor. Courses might include thin slices of geoduck tossed with top-grade abalone, charred onion, nori oil, and citrus for a refreshing, flavor-packed opening, followed by binchotan-grilled sea bream that brings spring into focus alongside vegetables like locally farmed rapini and pea leaves. Hand-torn pasta with porcini "bolognese," lovage-dashi butter, and salted shiso showcases the kitchen’s inventive approach, while the signature satsuki porridge, surrounded by a moat of parmesan cream and enriched with luxurious Santa Barbara uni, stands out as a defining dish." - Nancy DePalma