Acclaimed Chef Behind Michelin-Starred Restaurant Now Serving English Classics In Lodi

by Lauren Saria of SF Eater

Bay Area diners likely know Srijith Gopinathan as the starpower behind San Francisco’s Taj Campton Place and Ettan in Palo Alto, where the chef weaves California’s seasonal bounty into Indian cuisine and has earned both restaurants Michelin recognition. But with his latest project Oxford Lodi the fine dining chef is taking things in an entirely different direction, crafting a menu of simple English classics for a family-friendly restaurant in the heart of the California’s Central Valley. The casual family-friendly restaurant officially opened in late 2021 but celebrated it grand opening earlier this month.

Considering the chef’s pedigree, we had to ask: why Lodi? “You’re not the first person to ask this question. It’s a question I asked myself when I was working on this project,” Gopinathan says with a laugh. The answer isn’t quite as adoit as you might imagine. Gopinathan says his friend and business partner Narender Ramarapu wanted to make a real estate investment in the area, which is home to a robust and expansive wine appellation. He found a building and convinced Gopinathan to go in the project. For the chef, the draw is the community itself… READ MORE