 |
Restaurants
The Rosemary and Thyme Deli in San Jose knows how to cut it
SILICON VALLEY’S best pastrami sandwich happens to be hiding in a Russian/Georgian deli in San Jose. The pastrami sandwich is a classic of the American deli. The brine-cured and sometimes smoked beef brisket came to America via Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. The origins of the deliciously tangy, fat-moistened meat are thought to be in Romania, but several neighboring countries including Armenia and Turkey also have a history of pastrami. More
|
 |
Restaurants
Sushi takes centerstage with chef Howard Arita
IN ADDITION to the potential for great food, I think part of the appeal of pulling up a chair at a sushi bar is the ceremony and ritual that surrounds the meal. For the non-Japanese among us, there’s often a slight anxiety about the Japanese dining experience. The typically gruff and undercommunicative itamae behind the counter can be off-putting at first and throw you off your game. More
|
 |
Restaurants
Chef Tuyen Chung shows off his range with pan-Asian menu
When I visited Ginger Cafe for the first time a little while ago, I expected ordinary American-style Chinese food awash in sauces as thick and sweet as ketchup, in a garish dining room that’s supposed to evoke Chinese exoticism to non-Chinese diners. More
|
 |
Restaurants
The head chef at Alexander's Steakhouse in Cupertino is profiled by Silicon Valley Restaurant Week
ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE in Cupertino has been embraced by vegetarians, carnivores and fish lovers alike thanks to the diverse and imaginative culinary skills of executive chef Jeffrey Stout. Providing refined cuisine in a stylish setting with an Asian flair serves as the foundation of a restaurant that defies easy categorization and continues to innovate. Along with co-owner James “J.C.” Chen, Stout remains ambitious in his efforts to deliver dishes without compromise. More
|
 |
Restaurants
Stett Holbrook takes the TV chef to task for not understanding Bay Area values
ANTHONY BOURDAIN just isn’t that cute anymore. I don’t tune in regularly, but his Travel Channel show, No Reservations, is usually entertaining and informative in a watch-the-booze-thirsty-hedonist-travel-to-far-flung-lands-and-eat-with-the-natives kind of way. It’s one of the few bright spots in a sea of formulaic celebrity cooking programs and vapid chef competitions. More
|
 |
Restaurants
The Mountain Winery in Saratoga welcomes wine lovers and woofers
WINE TASTING is a social pursuit—in theory, anyway. In reality, tastings are often very private affairs, with couples and small groups that stick mostly to themselves. Even a fair amount of imbibing isn’t guaranteed to bring together the cliques in a room packed with wine lovers. More
|
 |
Restaurants
Santa Clara’s Golden Falafel Ball does falafels right
I WOULD love to have been a fly on the wall at the brainstorming session when the owners of Santa Clara’s Golden Falafel Ball were naming their restaurant. More
|
 |
Restaurants
A Silicon Valley Restaurant Week shines a light of master chef at Los Gatos Brewing Co.
EXECUTIVE CHEF Jim Stump breaks the mold of typical brewpub fare at the Los Gatos Brewing Co. Stump has created a diverse menu of upscale comfort food that goes well beyond burgers and grilled-chicken sandwiches. The handsome wood-accented interior and open kitchen with its wood-fired pizza oven and rotisserie grill add to the restaurant's appeal. More
|
 |
Restaurants
Mendoza serves real Mexican cuisine, but Americanized chips and salsa
I SHOULD HAVE known better. I was eating lunch at San Jose’s Mendoza Taqueria a few weeks ago, enjoying a meal of uncommon dishes made in a central Michoacan style, when I let it slip. More
|
 |
Restaurants
A new blend from Eauqator Estate Coffees and Teas help African families
THERE’S ORGANICALLY grown coffee. There’s shade-grown coffee that preserves forest habitat for wildlife. And there’s fair-trade coffee that ensures coffee workers are paid a fair wage for their labor. But Chido’s Blend from San Rafael’s Equator Estate Coffees and Teas is in a league of its own in terms of social consciousness. Coffee is supposed to be stimulating, but a cup of java that’s inspiring is something quite different. More
|
