The Mmoon also rises. The family-run empanaderia, which had operated a downtown San Jose restaurant since 2010, decided to close the downtown eatery this summer and consolidate, focusing their energy on their Los Gatos location.
Articles by Kristine Bautista
Along El Camino Real, from Santa Clara to Sunnyvale in particular, has become one of the South Bay’s best bets for ethnically diverse dining choices and it now has another option to add to the list: Thali, a Gujarati-style restaurant that opened a few months ago. Many dishes are sweet, salty and spicy at the same time. Salt, sugar, lemon, lime and tomato are used generously in Gujarati food.
HP Market opened in October after almost three years of renovations. The new owner, Henry Nguyen, did extensive research before deciding which local and international products to stock. Looking to Zanotto’s as a model, his market carries some local products such as fresh Sumano’s bread, a Watsonville-based bakery, and an array of Asian, Italian and Spanish specialties.
In the land of fast-casual food, drive-thru coffee shops and online delivery, perhaps a new Italian-style café can help bring a refreshing pause to dining habits often governed by convenience and busy schedules. Owners Laura Mills and Edie Givens conducted research over a period of four years, studying 20-30 cafes in Italy before rolling out their own.
Located in San Jose, Misaka Grill embodies the Japanese “izakaya”, a concept that North America is just starting to wake up to. Like a Japanese tapas bar, izakayas serve small plate designed to be shared, along with a variety of liquor. We talk to owner James Culpepper about bringing an izakaya to the South Bay.
New food truck Small Fry doles out creative internationally inspired french fry dishes. Each item interprets the city that it is named after. Take, for instance, the Seoul Fry, garnished with succulent Korean style spicy pork, homemade kimchee, grated cheddar cheese and a drizzle of red pepper sauce.
At first glance, Tava Indian Kitchen’s format has a familiar feel. Customers have three different dining presentations to choose from, a choice of proteins and level of heat. Everything is prepared within view. It’s the fast-casual model that has triumphed nationwide.
Honey Creek Cafe in Mountain View is beginning to attract those savvy diners who know that boba and tea drinks are just the tip of the iceberg.
Community favorite Restaurant James Randall, located at 303 N Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos, is no more. It was owned by Brenda Hammond, who named the restaurant after her late brother who died of cancer 15 years ago. Hammond’s son, Chef Ross, will head the kitchen at successor restaurant Oak and Rye, now open in the same location.
Community favorite Restaurant James Randall, located at 303 N Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos, is no more. It was owned by Brenda Hammond, who named the restaurant after her late brother who died of cancer 15 years ago. Hammond’s son, Chef Ross, will head the kitchen at successor restaurant Oak and Rye, now open in the same location.
