Hibari

Intimate kappo-style omakase from a former Nobu head sushi chef. Six-seat counter with chef-prepared courses and a 22-seat dining room with prix fixe tasting menus.

Hibari brings a thoughtful Japanese dining experience to Alpine Road in Portola Valley, with a menu that makes room for both an appealing lunch and seasonal omakase. We like the attention given to different fish preparations, from sashimi rice bowls to grilled dishes, allowing each meal to take its own direction. The lunch selection includes tuna, salmon, and assorted seafood dons, with combinations featuring cuts of tuna, salmon roe, or sea urchin. Sesame-dressed kanpachi offers another way to enjoy the fish. Grilled salmon marinated in sake lees and black cod with saikyo miso introduce cooked alternatives, while fried chicken with a soy vinaigrette adds contrast. Chef Taka's background at Nobu Palo Alto informs a restaurant whose appeal lies in the range of Japanese flavors presented through a focused, carefully considered menu.