Palo Alto has a new downtown dining destination where chicken and waffles get a Japanese makeover, avocado toast gets a hit of white miso, and comfort food comes with a distinctly Yoshoku accent. Demi, the latest restaurant from Demiya chef Demi Ebara, is now open and aiming to make Japanese-Western fusion feel like an everyday meal rather than a culinary stunt.
The restaurant is at 407 Lytton Ave. and is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5:30 to 9 PM, according to The Mercury News. Demi offers sit-down service spanning Japanese breakfasts, lunches and dinners, with a small backyard garden planned to add about 12 outdoor seats.
The menu leans into Japanese takes on Western favorites
The menu’s chicken and waffles pair Japanese karaage with dashi maple syrup for $24, while the $28 omurice wraps fried rice in a fluffy omelet. There is also Japanese carbonara for $30, plus avocado toast topped with white miso avocado for $22.
Dinner options include salmon with spinach miso cream for $32 and yakiniku steak for $42. Smaller bites include Japanese curry empanadas for $9, while yuzu sorbet costs $12 and provides a somewhat more peaceful ending to the meal…