It’s been a good year, South Bay. From expansions of some of the top restaurants in the Bay to brand-new institutions, we’ve seen no shortage of openings to pique our interest and whet our appetites. Here are the 12 openings, from Los Gatos to Burlingame, that we were most excited about in 2014.
LOS GATOS:
Just making it into our 2014 roundup, this bread and bakery outpost of the much-lauded Manresa is one decided silver lining to this year’s unfortunate fire. With Manresa bread comes fresh breads, creative pastries, and a renewed commitment to carbs.
SANTA CLARA:
Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak & Pub
With the opening of Levi’s Stadium came a brand-new Michael Mina outpost in the South Bay. We appreciate having both fancy and casual options; the Michael Mina 49ers Tailgates are easily one of the best things to ever happen in football, too.
MOUNTAIN VIEW:
There’s no such thing as too much Indian food, particularly when the food in question showcases the flavorful and diverse cuisine of the South. Chennai does that, and more — we love their expected offerings (dosa, uttapam) along with weekend specials like goat brain chili fry.
PALO ALTO:
Chef Guillaume Bienaime was greatly missed when Menlo Park’s Marche closed. This year, we saw his return in the form of Zola, a platform for his brand of seasonal, California-influenced French cuisine.
There’s no such thing as too many Delfina’s. We’re particularly in love with their new Palo Alto location, housed in the former Empire Tap Room. They’ve kept Empire’s gorgeous garden patio, and their own excellent menu of seasonal Neapolitan pizzas and sides.
Sustainable meat, creative dishes, and an education in lesser-known animal parts? Get all that and more at Belcampo’s Palo Alto location, guaranteed to change the way you think about meat-eating. Plus, their meatball sandwich is the best in town.
MENLO PARK:
The only thing we love more than a great diner is a great diner with a great chef at the helm. Chef Bradley Ogden has created a menu of classy comfort food, including short rib pot roast, apple turnovers, and a killer burger, of course.
SAN CARLOS:
This charming restaurant is exactly the place you want to go for a creative meal of seasonal, local fare — expect housemade goods, greens from the restaurant’s rooftop garden, and a fried chicken sandwich (with garam masala honey) that you’ll dream about.
SAN MATEO:
This is the spot in San Mateo for delicious seasonal food — Block 34 is working with local farms, has a raw bar, a cocktail menu, and comforting dishes like bacon-wrapped scallops. Keep an eye out for special events like winemaker dinners, too.
This culinary “accelerator” is a brand-new spot on the Peninsula dedicated to helping enterprising food-lovers start their own businesses. They’ve got a charming cafe, too, slinging goods from their commissary kitchen.
BURLINGAME:
Another stellar South Indian eatery can be found in Burlingame in the form of Rasa, where the dosas are laced with ghost chiles and the Dungeness crab toast is spiced with black mustard seeds and chutney mayonnaise.
Sometimes, there’s no beating a solid Italian joint. Fattoria e Mare is that, and more — featuring local seafood, handmade pasta, and live jazz, this is a special occasion restaurant you’ll want to create occasions for.
