Kappo, a Japanese restaurant offering a modern take on traditional cuisine, is preparing to open at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto at 660 Stanford Shopping Ctr.
The 12-seat chef’s counter is part of Omakase Restaurant Group, which also owns the Michelin-starred Niku Steakhouse in San Francisco and Prelude, according to a new release first reported by SFGate. Kappo will open on December 2, 2025, in the Stanford Shopping Center. Guests can expect an immersive nine-course tasting menu emphasizing live-fire cooking, seasonal ingredients, and locally foraged elements.
Under the direction of Executive Chef Nikolas Neuwirt, Kappo reimagines Japanese cuisine through a modern Californian lens. Chef Neuwirt trained in Michelin-starred kitchens across Denmark and California, and apprenticed in France and Italy. His experience at Niku Steakhouse, Prelude, and Birdsong informs menus that highlight pristine seasonal produce, ancient fermentation techniques, and live-fire preparation, providing a nature-forward dining experience.
Chef Neuwirt’s culinary journey began in coastal New England and has taken him across Europe and the United States. He forages mushrooms, berries, and wild greens, and harvests sea urchins and seaweeds from California’s waters. These elements are integrated into the tasting menu, including signature dishes such as seaweed soup with bull kelp and house-fermented squash miso, spiny lobster grilled over coals with sweet chili, and California-grown Koshihikari rice with uni and forest notes.
Kappo offers a communal dining experience with three beverage pairing options: a non-alcoholic pairing at $75, a traditional Californian beverage progression at $85, and a reserve pairing at $150 featuring select wines, beers, and sakes. The restaurant emphasizes intimate interaction with the chef and the cooking process, making each meal an immersive exploration of nature, craft, and seasonal flavors.
Stanford Shopping Center has been updating its dining offerings, with recent additions including RH Palo Alto and Dumpling Time, and upcoming openings such as Zaytinya by José Andrés, Delarosa, Cedar & Sage Bistro & Lounge, and Bacio di Latte. Kappo’s addition adds a unique, high-end Japanese tasting experience to the center’s evolving culinary mix.
