Hector Plascencia has deservedly earned the reputation of a mariscos master. Once a partner in South Bay seafood destinations such as Día De Pesca, Órale and Maverick’s, Plascencia is a 15-year veteran in the industry and he personally handcrafts every entrée, appetizer and salsa that…
Articles by Kathy Manlapaz
A strip mall in the heart of Koreatown may seem like an unusual place for an American-style bistro and taproom to set up shop, but it works well for The Halford, Santa Clara’s newest upscale beer bar. Surrounded by a sea of Korean barbecue joints…
Asian fusion is one of the culinary world’s most oversaturated categories. It runs the gamut, from dancing over cross-cultural borders (e.g. Kimchi Quesadilla, Ramen Burgers, Sushi Burritos) to mere minglings of Asian dishes. One of the newer restaurants to embark on the lighter side of…
Olla Cocina’s inviting patio on San Pedro Square catches the eye, but it’s the interior decor—a pleasing mix of bright white tiles and vibrant pops of color—that offers a hint of discoveries to come. Vintage Mexican movie posters wallpaper one of the dining rooms, and…
North vs South isn’t a question most people ask when they’re in the mood for Indian cuisine. In fact, most diners probably don’t know the difference. The Cliff Notes version is Northern cuisine is what most Americans would equate to “typical” Indian food featuring naan,…
The beginning of autumn is arguably the most creative time of year. A fervor spreads as we prepare to honor things popular and anachronistic by creating costumes as sexy zombie versions of those we cherish and hate. I felt this rustling of excitement as I…
As if Silicon Valley could get any techier, Mountain View-based startup Zume Pizza decided to slice things up a little differently. Look no further than their employees, Marta and Bruno, two robots that have revolutionized “handcrafted,” artisan pizza to be more sustainable, cost-effective and efficient for…
While Los Gatos’ Manresa Bread is tucked away at the far end of North Santa Cruz Avenue in a quaint cottage-styled building, the Los Altos location features an impressive floor-to-ceiling glass entry way that makes the bakery’s minimalistic, modern design the focal point of downtown…
You got the date. That’s the easy part. Now comes time to figure out where to go. It’s a torturous exercise that sends many a guy and gal scouring Yelp for hours like grandpa sweeping the sand with a metal detector. But fear not! We’ve…
Foodies are fickle folks, indiscriminately bolting from one food craze to another like a kid picking through Halloween candy. One minute it’s bacon-wrapped bacon, the next it’s cronuts and cruffins. The latest rage sweeping through the South Bay are fancy desserts, such as is Icicles…
