Six months is usually considered the earliest a new restaurant, bar or coffeeshop can receive a fair review. By then the kinks should be ironed out, the bad apples fired and the dishes and drinks refined. But who’s got time for that? This feature takes a look at new restaurants around the valley each month.

Blast & Brew
55 River Oaks Pkwy, San Jose
408.770.3090
blastandbrew.com
Blast & Brew takes the popular build-your-own-pizza concept to a whole new level by also including nearly 30 self-pour beer, wine and cider taps. Featuring local breweries like Drake’s, Lagunitas and Firestone-Walker, the self-serve sips go for as little as $1 per ounce. Their Neapolitan-style pies feature locally sourced ingredients, and to go along with the BYOP ($14) option, they also host a nice assortment of house specials, like the classic margherita ($12) and a fig-prosciutto-arugula ($16).

Pier 402
238 Race St, San Jose
Housed in the former brick-and-mortar location of Habana Cuba, Pier 402 is filling a need in the South Bay dining landscape for fresh seafood in a fast-casual setting. Their star attraction will definitely be their fresh lobster, which is featured in a variety of different dishes, including a classic lobster roll ($18), lobster poutine ($15) and a gigantic lobster plate (market price) that includes a whole lobster, fries, slaw and corn. Shrimp burger sliders ($16) and a fresh oyster bar help round out this menu—and don’t pass up the chowdah fries ($4) upgrade. So good…

Pho Wagyu
2762 Aborn Rd, San Jose
408.667.9067
This new pho house comes just in time for soup season. Featuring the well-marbled and highly revered Japanese wagyu beef, it’s clear Pho Wagyu is aiming to class up this classic and hearty soup dish. Patrons can order the eponymous beef on the side or in the savory broth. The prices are market-based, but hover around $7 for the side and $20 for a bowl of soup, respectively. Pricey for a simple bowl of soup, true… but sometimes you just gotta do Wagyu.

Krispy Krunchy Chicken
2855 S Winchester Blvd, Campbell
408.379.8612
krispykrunchy.com
With more than 2,200 locations in 41 states, including a bevy in the East Bay and San Francisco, Krispy Krunchy Chicken (KKC) has finally made its way here to the South Bay. Despite being almost unheard of in these parts, many in the industry consider them to be the kings of fast food fried chicken, far surpassing the Colonel and Popeyes. Much like Popeyes, KKC specializes in Louisiana-style spicy fried chicken that boasts a thick, hearty exterior and delivers a satisfying crunch. KKC’s hallmark is their ability to slip into any location, large or small, and this one is no different. It’s located inside a Valero gas station.

Lupita’s Taqueria
2341 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
408.216.0954
This solid Mexican spot on the El Camino does everything the proper way—including complimentary house-made tortilla chips, a kick-ass salsa bar and even handmade tortillas. The enchilada de mole ($13) and spicy pollo a la diabla ($13) are two of the house favorites, and patrons can also enjoy their take on the classic Mexi soups, posole and menudo ($13 each) on weekends.