David Kinch’s departure to focus on his more casual restaurants follows a trend among Peninsula fine-dining establishments from the onset of the pandemic to shift toward casual. (Courtesy Marc Fiorito.)
By Kate Bradshaw
After a 20-year run, Manresa, Los Gatos' three-Michelin-star restaurant, will close Jan. 1, according to a Nov. 7 announcement.
Manresa is one of the area's most renowned fine-dining institutions – it has received three Michelin stars for six consecutive years, and chef David Kinch has been named James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Pacific and was recognized by Le Chef as one of the top 10 chefs worldwide. So it was surprising to some that Kinch announced in August that he planned to leave the restaurant at the end of 2022 and put the business and Los Gatos property up for sale.
"For the past 20 years, Manresa has essentially been my whole life. And like all passion projects, it has been more challenging and more rewarding than I could have imagined," he said at the time.
To round out the last month of service, Kinch and his team have added Tuesday services to accommodate more reservations. The restaurant has been planning seasonal menus to highlight new dishes and classics from the past two decades.
The last month's worth of reservations will be available starting at midnight on Nov. 14 on Tock. The tasting menu is $595 and there is an optional $255 wine-pairing cost.
On the restaurant's last night, New Year's Eve, Manresa will offer a special "no holds barred" tasting menu, highlighting luxury additions like truffles, caviar and fine wines, priced at $725, plus $325 for optional wine pairings.
Over its 20-year history, Manresa has become known for its seasonal tasting menus with a focus on fresh local ingredients. (Courtesy Marc Fiorito.)
In the new year, Kinch plans to focus on his more casual establishments, including the New Orleans-inspired The Bywater, Italian and French-inspired Mentone, and Manresa Bread, a local bakery led by founder and head baker Avery Ruzicka, according to a press statement.
"Since the announcement of my forthcoming departure, I’ve been overwhelmed by the support from my team, industry colleagues, and our guests—all encouraging my pursuit of new adventures. Our team is immensely talented, and I can’t wait to see what they do next," he said in the press statement.
The property is currently listed for sale, but a Manresa spokesperson said they didn't have any additional details to share right now about what might take Manresa's spot in the future.
Manresa, 320 Village Lane, Los Gatos; 408-354-4330; Instagram: @manresarestaurant.
