Palo Alto's New Culinary Destination: Yutori Blends Food, Drink, and Convenience

Jerome Ito, a former Google chef, has expanded his culinary empire in Palo Alto with Yutori, a Japanese cafe, konbini, and hot deli hybrid. The ambitious project combines food, drink, and convenience under one roof.

Ito left the comfort of Google's first full-service sushi bar to pursue his passion for Japanese cuisine. With his wife Linh Tran-Ito, he launched Go Fish Poke Bar in San Jose in 2015, followed by two additional locations in downtown Redwood City and Palo Alto's Stanford Shopping Center, as well as Taro San Japanese Noodle Bar.

Yutori boasts a modern interior with deep green tiles, white oak, and plush upholstered dining chairs. The restaurant seats 68 people indoors, including a dozen at the marble-topped bar and 32 on the patio. Ito has assembled an experienced team, including chef de cuisine Jason Lee, pastry developer Janet Tong, and sake sommelier Charles Choung.

The menu features California-inspired dishes with Japanese flavors and ingredients. Highlights include wagyu nori crisp ($20), seafood pasta ($58), cauliflower katsu ($34), and whole-roasted branzino (market price). The restaurant encourages family-style dining, allowing customers to try a variety of dishes.