Gochi Japanese Fusion Tapas

The food was overly seasoned with garlic and lacked variety in flavors. Despite spending $147, we left the restaurant feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.

There are very few gluten free options available at this restaurant. The fusion food is enjoyable, especially the matcha crème brûlée. The staff are often busy and it can be difficult to get their attention. The restaurant is best suited for family-style dining.

This restaurant offers a blend of American and Japanese cuisine, leaning more towards American style with a slightly greasy feel. Unfortunately, the seafood is lacking in freshness and the fish, scallops, and sea urchins don't have a strange smell but they also don't taste great. Even the octopus tasted spoiled and bitter. The claypot eel chazuke rice is strange but not terrible, although it doesn't compare to more traditional chazuke or claypot rice dishes. The service is good, but the environment is dark and cramped. Overall, the only standout dish was the claypot rice, the rest of the food was not worth it.

Excellent atmosphere, exceptional service, but food was average. I must have expected too much. The soboro clay pot was not very flavorful yet salty. The pork used in Tonkatsu (it's called something else) wasn't fresh (had the light smell to it), and Kanpachi Carppacio was served warm (maybe this is intentional). Nasu Curry Pizza was good but nothing special. I think it's a decent spot if you are looking for an Izakaya experience or a casual meal, but I don't recommend for a special occasion.

During a recent work trip, I secured a table at Gochi in Palo Alto without a reservation. This visit was my 4th visit to this restaurant, situated in a strip mall, that offers truly unique Japanese fusion creations. So many amazing options that it will challenge your decision-making with their innovative combinations. I opted for a combination order of ahi with uni and beef with uni, which were both outstanding and the Nasu, Tofu with ground pork in Miso appetizer was full of flavor and easily a separate meal. The only lowlight was that the restaurant can get a bit noisy due to the close proximity of other diners, but the culinary experience more than made up for it.