According to The Infatuation, Bay Area pop-up concept Carabao has found a permanent home in Napa.
Coming to 145 Gasser Drive, the Filipino restaurant will land near establishments such as the restaurant Chetuphon Thai, the pizzeria Forge Napa, and the cafe Southside Century.
“Former pop-up Carabao is settling into a permanent space in Napa. The Filipino restaurant will serve high-end takes on classics, like sinigang, sisig, lechon, and more,” the write-up states.
What Now San Francisco reached out to the concept’s owners, Matthew and Chef Jade Cunningham, to inquire about their plans for the spot, but they could not provide additional information before publication.
Nevertheless, the Carabao website provides a look into the restaurant and the Chef’s history.
“Born and raised in Bulacan, Philippines, Chef Jade Mauricio Cunningham’s love for cooking began when she was just seven years old, helping her aunt prepare vegetables for beloved Filipino dishes like pancit and Lugaw (rice porridge) at a small neighborhood eatery,” the introduction states.
“After graduating in 2018, Jade joined The Meritage Resort and Spa as a Line Chef, where she explored California’s rich agricultural bounty… [then] volunteered at the iconic French Laundry, working alongside chefs Thomas Keller and David Breeden. Inspired by their mentorship, she joined the team as a commis and quickly rose to Chef de Partie, mastering various stations in one of the world’s most celebrated kitchens.”
“In December 2022, driven by a desire to honor her roots, Jade launched a late-night Filipino pop-up… The success of those gatherings inspired Jade to take a bold next step: founding Carabao Napa LLC. She left The French Laundry to focus full-time on her own culinary vision,” the statement concludes.
The anticipated opening date has not been announced yet. Stay tuned for updates.
