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? Each month, Metro spotlights five of the newest places we think are worth a look-see.

Taco Annex
387 S First St, San Jose. 408.217.8789. konjoe.com/taco-annex
Inspired by the Japanese word “konjue,” which means daring and adventurous, this new taco joint comes from the same folks who created Konjoe Burger Bar. From street tacos to artisan creations and rice bowls, options abound. We recommend the brisket barbacoa street tacos (3 for $10), which come with chile braised brisket, butter toasted tortilla, salsa verde, guajillo sunflower chile, yellow onion and cilantro.

Must Be Thai
3143 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara. 408.816.7179. mustbethai.com
Flavors from the north, east and south of Thailand have been combined into one menu, which also includes a choice wine, sake and beer election. Enjoy a Kikumasamune sake ($9) with a Navy Seal the Deal! ($13.90), which comes with cuttlefish stir-fried with salted egg, carrot, chive and maui onion, all served with jasmine rice.

QBB – Quality Bourbons and Barbecue
216 Castro St, Mountain View. 650.969.1112. eatqbb.com
Trimmed from top to bottom, this restaurant captures the essence of the American frontier. The QBB Smoked Meat Plate ($11-$16) offers guests choices of thick prime brisket, succulent sausage links, tender pulled pork, chicken, pastrami, pit beef and pork spare ribs. QBB also has a true bourbon selection. Most are 70 percent corn and roughly equal parts of rye and barley for the remaining mash bill. Their wheated bourbons are especially creamy and lightly sweetened. Happy hour runs every day 2pm-6pm.

Lobster ShackXpress
240 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. 650.656.8266.
Maine-style lobster rolls and clam chowder have this pop-up gaining a reputation for no-nonsense, quick and tasty meals. Shack specials include New England-inspired fish and chips and the Louie Salad. Handmade ice cream milkshakes come with sweet add-ons like Fruity Pebbles, fluffernutter and banana Nutella.

Salad Box
387 S First St, San Jose. 408.216.0807. saladboxsj.business.site
For those healthy eating days or when simply craving some greens, the “Build your own box” ($8.95) allows customers to select all the veggies, proteins, seeds, fruits, cheeses and salad dressings their hearts desire. Think of Whole Foods, but better.