TLDR – SingleThread is probably the purest expression of a farm-to-table, produce-driven fine dining meal (California influence on Japanese kaiseki). If you're in to a fresh, veggie forward meal, or Japanese fish-focused meal, then it's worth the journey and money.
Food – the food is incredibly fresh and focused on the what is in season on the farm. The opening spread everyone has seen by now is a great way to open the palate for what's about to come. There was only two dishes I didn't care for (duck and buri (old amberjack)) the rest ranged from good to probably 2 dishes I was wowed by. Compared to other tasting menus, this one felt very healthy and clean, and a bit more subdued in flavor intensity. If you want subtle and you like fish, you'll love SingleThread. The dishes that wow'd me are:
- Snap Pea Dish (just wow… how can a pea dish be the favorite of the night!). The multiple layers, peas in different presentation, including "dip'n dots!" was just so pleasant.
- Black sesame square – on the initial spread with some sauce and wasabi was delectable
- Caviar and mint pea soup – the soup in the initial spread was refreshing and multi layered
- Potato foam soup – rich, warm, umami was great
- Koshihikari Rice – too bad this came at the end of the meal and we were full because this was great
Ambiance / Other – the building was beautiful, internal touches and architecture were so pleasing. The staff was very nice and well choreographed. We had a nice bottle of sake that complimented most of the dishes.
Most people will enjoy a visit to Healdsburg for SingleThread, but those looking for more intense flavors (rich French food etc) could be a bit underwhelmed. I wish there was some beef to offset all the fish and I knew this was a potential risk of the experience–though it seems dependent on the season. Personally this is not one I would rush back to, but my wife said it made her top 4 of all time as she is a sushi/Japanese fan.
by jackclsf