Longtime Napa residents may recall restauranteur Eiko Nakamura from her original restaurant, Fujiya, located in the Napa Premium Outlets. In 2011, she and business partners Rick and Mike Zaslove founded Eiko’s. In subsequent years they added sister locations, Eiko’s at Oxbow and Napa Noodles, to the family of restaurants.
Today Rick Zaslove and his daughter, Allison Hallum, who serves as Director of Operations, continue Eiko Nakamura’s vision of Eiko’s as a family-owned and operated restaurant which Hallum describes as a casual, fun, community-centric Japanese-inspired culinary destination where both locals and visitors gather for meals and special occasions.
Executive Chef Tateki Noma creates an innovative menu driven by fresh seafood and contemporary Japanese cuisine. The extensive sushi menu has received many accolades, including Best Sushi in Napa Valley Life’s Annual Best of Napa Valley Reader’s Choice Awards five years in a row. The sushi selection includes a broad selection of classic sushi rolls, nigiri, sashimi, poke bowls, lunch Bento boxes, and sushi dinners. Especially popular are the signature seafood rolls inspired by the owners and longtime employees, such as the Ricky Ricardo in honor of Rick Zaslove, Hot Mama inspired by Hallum’s mother, and Sanchez named after longtime cook José Sánchez.
“While we are known for our sushi rolls, we also offer dishes that everyone can enjoy. We want our menu to appeal to guests who may not eat raw fish but want to enjoy a delicious meal, like our phenomenal Pan-Roasted Teriyaki Chicken and our 15-Spice Baby Back Ribs, some of the best sticky ribs you have ever tried,” said Hallum. Favorite non-sushi items include the Healthy Fries made with tempura green beans and sesame dipping sauce, Seared Royal Sweet Scallops in a coconut lemongrass sauce with ginger-cured Chinese long beans and shitake mushrooms, and the Akaushi Wagyu Filet prepared in a brandy cream sauce with shimeji mushrooms, asparagus, and fingerling potatoes. Eiko’s also offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options and will happily accommodate special dietary requests.
Eiko’s handcrafted cocktails and locals bar scene are also popular attractions. The Eiko’s Cosmo made with Skyy raspberry vodka, elderflower liqueur, cranberry and lime juices, honeysuckle lavender, with a sugar rim is a customer favorite, as is its extensive sake menu.
In 2021, after having thrived during a decade of challenges like the 2014 Napa earthquake, seasonal wildfires, and the pandemic, Eiko’s is celebrating its tenth anniversary. “We are a locals’ spot with a lively vibe, where guests live in the moment, share sushi rolls, enjoy libations, celebrate milestones, and watch sports on our television, all with a backdrop of memorable music. We are extremely thankful for the support of our Napa community as we begin our second decade,” said Hallum.
Open daily – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Happy hour – 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Take-out service is also available with home delivery on a limited basis through DoorDash.
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Story By: Elizabeth Smith // Photos By: Mars Lasar
