Narsai David

Biography

Narsai Michael David was born in South Bend, Indiana to Assyrian parents Michael Khanno David and Shulamith Sayad. During college he supported himself by working in restaurants, then opening a plastic fabricating business and a print shop. In 1959, he took a job as manager of the Potluck Restaurant in Berkeley, California, eventually becoming a partner. In 1970, he began a catering business. Among his first clients was Bill Graham, the legendary San Francisco rock impresario, for whom Narsai catered events for all major bands including The Rolling Stones. He has since catered a number of special events, some for the British Royal Family on their visits to San Francisco. In 1972, he opened his restaurant, Narsai's, in the upscale community of Kensington, on the northern tip of Berkeley. The restaurant was described by The New York Times as having one of the finest wine cellars in the world. In 1978, Narsai's Market was opened next door. Narsai's Market closed in 1985, and the restaurant in 1986.

David owns one vineyard in the Napa Valley and produces his own Cabernet Sauvignon.. On the shelves at Narsai's Market were many imported and gourmet products, several of which are still made exclusively for him using his own recipes and bearing his distinctive label. He currently makes regular appearances on radio as Food and Wine editor of KCBS radio.