Former Tribeca Grill Chefs Launch Exciting New Wine Oasis in the Bay Area Chris Lehoux, October 31, 2025 The owners of Somm Cellars Wine & Spirits have recently unveiled Café Vivant in Menlo Park, California, marking their first restaurant venture after years of planning. Located an hour south of San Francisco, Café Vivant features an extensive wine list of over 3,000 bottles and aims to serve as a culinary gem in Silicon Valley. Sommeliers Daniel Jung and Jason Jacobeit, who previously worked together at the acclaimed Tribeca Grill, decided to open a full-service restaurant rather than a wine bar because they believed it filled a gap in their community. They were inspired by the intimate charm of Menlo Park and feedback from locals longing for a top-notch dining option closer than Palo Alto. Café Vivant opened its doors on October 28, and its menu focuses prominently on heritage chicken. After extensive research into heritage breeds, Jung and Jacobeit sought to replicate the experience of enjoying poulet rôtie in French brasseries, specifically in Burgundy. They realized that sourcing these breeds through conventional means in the U.S. wouldn’t work, leading them to establish a local farm to raise the chickens themselves. Partnering with a farmer known for sustainable practices, they ensured a closed-loop ecosystem by raising not only chickens but also guinea fowl, pigs, rabbits, and sheep. Chef Jared Wentworth oversees the menu, which includes crispy fried quail, rabbit pâté, and, prominently, a heritage chicken meal meant for two that comes with farm-fresh vegetables and foraged mushrooms. For those not ready for a full chicken, they do offer chicken nuggets. The impressive wine list features a wide array of selections, primarily focusing on California wines, including a significant collection from Ridge Vineyards and a comprehensive assortment from the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA. Besides, the list is also rich in Old World wines, particularly from notable French vineyards. Jung and Jacobeit emphasize making their selections accessible to diners, which is a philosophy borrowed from their time at Tribeca Grill. In an exciting move for San Francisco, chef Michael Mina has reopened his acclaimed Bourbon Steak at the Westin St. Francis, nearly ten years after it closed. The restaurant debuted on October 10, showcasing classic dishes like tuna tartare and lobster pot pie, alongside innovative seafood offerings. As part of this reopening, Mina has collaborated with NBA star Stephen Curry to expand the dining experience with a reservation-only bar named Eighth Rule, which offers innovative cocktails and whiskey tasting menus. Bourbon Steak’s extensive wine list includes rare selections, with many bottles remaining untouched since the restaurant’s previous incarnation. Mina aims to blend luxurious dining with an approachable atmosphere, emphasizing community engagement through features like live music and unique experiences tailored for celebrations. For more details, visit: Café Vivant Bourbon Steak About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine