Max Hauser
2007-10-19 22:18:42 UTC
Might as well post this to ba.food too, if only to show Mark Lipton what
he's missing :-). Downtown MV now has the densest restaurant district in
the southern part (if not all) of the Bay Area. The Zolotars' independent
index at www.mountainviewca.net currently shows 92 eateries of all kinds
downtown, a high-water mark. (Two years ago it was 72.) All within easy
walk of each other and most near the Mountain View Caltrain and light-rail
station. Here are brief comments on 40 of them that I know (from between 2
and 200 visits each, unless noted). Stars * mark places I think especially
worth your attention.
* 3TA, 156 Castro St, (650) 988-1382 Asian "fusion"
-- One lunch recently. Eye-openingly good and creative Amarin offshoot
(pronounced "three-ta," I think). Spicy noodles with tuna chunks, vegs,
green peppercorns on stalk; duck curry; many appetizers; these dishes
generous and very good.
* Amarin, 174 Castro St, (650) 988-9323 Thai
-- The local, very good Thai restaurant to which others are routinely
compared.
Amber Cafe, 600 W El Camino Real, (650) 968-1751 Indian
-- MV outpost of the Amber India group in the region and unusual with its
"Indian pizzas" and other casual offerings, all good so far.
Amici's, 790 Castro St, (650) 961-6666 Pizza
-- Not your average pizza joint -- interesting toppings -- not wild
mushrooms, but almost. Pretty good pasta dishes tasted so far including
creditable pesto and meat sauces.
Bangkok Spoon, 702 Villa St, (650) 968-2038 Thai
-- Pleasant neighborhood Thai restaurant, good rice-noodle dishes.
Cafe Baklava, 341 Castro St, (650) 969-3835 "Mediterranean"
-- Popular upscale, actually Turkish, bistro. Various wraps, and things
served over pilafs with grilled vegetables.
* Cafe Yulong, 743 W Dana St, (650) 960-1677 Chinese
-- Consistent Chinese winner of _MV Voice's_ best-restaurants poll in
Chinese category. James and Miya Pei are from Shandong province and offer
unusual dishes and styles -- don't go there and order your favorites from
elsewhere, ask their advice.
California Roadhouse, 401 Castro St, (650) 254-8981 American / bar and
grill
-- Bit of sports bar with steaks and salads and sandwiches; competent in a
few visits, not atmospheric.
* Cantankerous Fish, 420 Castro St, (650) 966-8124 Seafood with new bar and
bar menu
-- Completely new menu and layout after recent remodel. New chef Ryan
Fillhardt loves "small plates" and filled menu with them, some very
creative; bar menu currently one of the best deals in town in "happy hour"
4-6 and after 9PM weekends, when the $7-$9 bar small plates are $5 each, and
some are very substantial -- try the Ahi roll or the shrimp ceviche tostadas
or the zucchini cakes. Good French fries too.
Cascal, 400 Castro St, (650) 940-9500 Spanish
-- Pleasant atmosphere, based roughly on a Spanish tapas bar. Most I know
prefer the new expanded Cantankerous, next door, for food.
Chef Liu, 236 Castro St, (650) 938-2968 Chinese
-- Specialty is hand-pulled noodles, in noodle soups, chao mein, etc.
* Chez TJ, 938 Villa St, (650) 964-7466 High-end international (often
mislabeled nowadays as "French")
-- The local high-end restaurant, latest chef Chris Kostow very capable; one
star in 2007 Michelin; great for relaxed, special-occasion dinners in its
house setting.
Clarke's, 615 W El Camino Real, (650) 967-0851 American
-- Assemble your own garnish for burgers and other offerings. Real, modest,
good, hardworking staff. Grilled sausages (Polish, Louisiana Hot,
Frankfurters) come split, grilled flat, served on French roll, with or
without tomatoes; you build further garnish.
* Dana Street Roasting Co., 744 W Dana St, (650) 390-9638 Coffee and light
foods
-- Espressos, light meals, salads, sandwiches; to coffee shops what Yulong
is to Chinese, the regular annual Voice poll winner for coffee. Big
communal table sometimes serves as ad-hoc annex for city or neighborhood
committees. Roasts, even imports, fresh beans. Free local Wi-Fi, jazz some
evenings including some fairly serious talent.
Don Giovanni, 235 Castro St, (650) 961-9749 Italian
-- Turkish ownership and chef, like many Bay Area "Mediterranean" and
Italian restaurants; big spaces for banquets, have eaten well there.
Frankie Johnnie & Luigi, 939 W El Camino Real, (650) 967-5384 Italian
-- Pleasantly hyperactive variant of an old-fashioned US southern-Italian
restaurant.
Fu Lam Mum, 246 Castro St, (650) 967-1689 Chinese
-- Old line seafood Chinese, inexpensive, good quality.
Gelato Classico, 241 Castro St, (650) 969-2900 Frozen desserts
-- Proprietor sometimes serves up philosophy with the gelatos.
Golden Wok, 895 Villa St (650) 969-8232 Chinese
-- Lots of dim sum available on weekends, not bad, have not used it much for
other things.
Gyro's House, 212 Castro St, (650) 940-9316 Mediterranean
-- Turkish grill, simple layout but some good food: Try the Iskender
(Alexander) platter.
Hangen Szechuan, 134 Castro St, (650) 964-8881 Chinese
-- Another Castro St. institution; only one visit so far, lunch, was not
bad.
* Hunan Chili, 102 Castro St, (650) 969-8968 Chinese
-- Outstanding hot savory Ma Po tofu, subject of past postings here (one
customer comes regularly only for that) and other spicy dishes and "Chinese"
Chinese dishes -- with "variety meats," etc. --that you don't see on some
gringo-oriented menus. Restaurant featured on a KPIX-TV special on
good-value Bay Area restaurants.
Kapp's, 191 Castro St, (650) 961-1491 Pizza variations
-- Pizza kitchen and bar with diverse beers on tap, pizzas, calzones, and an
unusual "baked stuffed" sandwich that works very well, I recommend it.
Classic looking bar.
King of Krung Siam, 194 Castro St, (650) 960-7077 Thai
-- Tough competition from Amarin nearby, but have had several excellent
lively meals here too. Nick Chaput, owner of Dana Street Roasting Co.,
first drew attention to the Angel's Wings and other serious "appetizers" at
King of Krung.
Le Boulanger, 650 Castro St, (650) 961-1787 Bakery/Cafe/Deli
-- Competent sandwiches, especially for take-out or quantity; fresh
sourdough loaves and rolls daily.
* Maru Ichi, 368 Castro St, (650) 564-9931 Japanese Ramen house
-- One of two real Japanese noodle-soup houses, fresh noodles made
constantly, very satisfying, cold noodle bowls in summer and a truly wicked
"spicy miso" hot noodle soup. (You have been warned.)
* Nami Nami, 240 Castro St (650) 964-6990 Japanese
-- New elegant, different Japanese restaurant, very good in two visits.
New China Delight, 360 Castro St (650) 961-6635 Chinese
-- Elegant Chinese, with Shanghai specialties you don't find elsewhere.
* Queen's House, 273 Castro St, (650) 960-0580 Chinese
-- Family-run hole-in-the-wall, good soups and specialties, does lots of
take-out filled-dumpling business with Chinese customers, ask about that.
Red Rock Coffee Co., 201 Castro St, (650) 967-4473 Coffee and light foods
-- Very competent espresso house in my experience -- good cappuccinos. Lots
of people running computers on Wi-Fi. Sandwiches daily, free Wi-Fi, music
some evenings. Chocolate truffles offered for sale or to put in your
coffee, if you like that sort of thing.
Rose Market, 1060 Castro St, (650) 960-1900 Market with deli
-- Persian market on other side of el Camino from most of the entries here.
Grilled skewer specialties for take-out only, popular at lunch.
* Ryowa, 859 Villa St, (650) 965-8829 Japanese Ramen house
-- The other Japanese fresh-noodle-soup place, good, crowded for lunch like
Maru Ichi.
Spice Islands, 210 Hope St, (650) 961-0628 Singaporean
-- Unusual specialties, interesting, unique.
* Sushi Tomi, 635 W Dana St, (650) 968-3227 Japanese
-- A real Japanese master chef, does omikase feasts by request; enormous
fish and sushi selection. Popular, crowded at lunch.
Tied House, 954 Villa St, (650) 965-2739 Brewpub
-- I like the fresh beer, but food has been consistently, relentlessly dull
for years; moreover everyone says so, including regulars and former staff.
Actually not just former.
* Totoro, 841 Villa St, (650) 691-0796 Korean
-- Outstanding comfort food (the core of Korean cooking), hotpots, grilled
marinated meats and fish. Try the tofu and mushroom hotpot.
Vaso Azzurro, 108 Castro St, (650) 940-1717 Italian
-- Established by two cousins (Turkish, naturally); became a local
underground favorite and excellent value. The cousins sold it not long ago,
some staff remained including in kitchen, haven't visited since sale.
W.g. Grinders, 142 Castro St, (650) 390-9388 Sub (long sandwich) shop and
bakery
-- Recent, a sandwich chain from the East, they often bake the sandwiches
after assembly, sell by length.
* Xanh, 185 Castro St, (650) 964-1888 Vietnamese
-- Slightly pricey, yet still good-value, at lunch because offerings are
complex and elegantly presented and often have lots of little garnishes. No
dinner
experience there.
Zucca, 186 Castro St, (650) 864-9940 Mediterranean
-- Upscale bistro with pleasant bar in front.
he's missing :-). Downtown MV now has the densest restaurant district in
the southern part (if not all) of the Bay Area. The Zolotars' independent
index at www.mountainviewca.net currently shows 92 eateries of all kinds
downtown, a high-water mark. (Two years ago it was 72.) All within easy
walk of each other and most near the Mountain View Caltrain and light-rail
station. Here are brief comments on 40 of them that I know (from between 2
and 200 visits each, unless noted). Stars * mark places I think especially
worth your attention.
* 3TA, 156 Castro St, (650) 988-1382 Asian "fusion"
-- One lunch recently. Eye-openingly good and creative Amarin offshoot
(pronounced "three-ta," I think). Spicy noodles with tuna chunks, vegs,
green peppercorns on stalk; duck curry; many appetizers; these dishes
generous and very good.
* Amarin, 174 Castro St, (650) 988-9323 Thai
-- The local, very good Thai restaurant to which others are routinely
compared.
Amber Cafe, 600 W El Camino Real, (650) 968-1751 Indian
-- MV outpost of the Amber India group in the region and unusual with its
"Indian pizzas" and other casual offerings, all good so far.
Amici's, 790 Castro St, (650) 961-6666 Pizza
-- Not your average pizza joint -- interesting toppings -- not wild
mushrooms, but almost. Pretty good pasta dishes tasted so far including
creditable pesto and meat sauces.
Bangkok Spoon, 702 Villa St, (650) 968-2038 Thai
-- Pleasant neighborhood Thai restaurant, good rice-noodle dishes.
Cafe Baklava, 341 Castro St, (650) 969-3835 "Mediterranean"
-- Popular upscale, actually Turkish, bistro. Various wraps, and things
served over pilafs with grilled vegetables.
* Cafe Yulong, 743 W Dana St, (650) 960-1677 Chinese
-- Consistent Chinese winner of _MV Voice's_ best-restaurants poll in
Chinese category. James and Miya Pei are from Shandong province and offer
unusual dishes and styles -- don't go there and order your favorites from
elsewhere, ask their advice.
California Roadhouse, 401 Castro St, (650) 254-8981 American / bar and
grill
-- Bit of sports bar with steaks and salads and sandwiches; competent in a
few visits, not atmospheric.
* Cantankerous Fish, 420 Castro St, (650) 966-8124 Seafood with new bar and
bar menu
-- Completely new menu and layout after recent remodel. New chef Ryan
Fillhardt loves "small plates" and filled menu with them, some very
creative; bar menu currently one of the best deals in town in "happy hour"
4-6 and after 9PM weekends, when the $7-$9 bar small plates are $5 each, and
some are very substantial -- try the Ahi roll or the shrimp ceviche tostadas
or the zucchini cakes. Good French fries too.
Cascal, 400 Castro St, (650) 940-9500 Spanish
-- Pleasant atmosphere, based roughly on a Spanish tapas bar. Most I know
prefer the new expanded Cantankerous, next door, for food.
Chef Liu, 236 Castro St, (650) 938-2968 Chinese
-- Specialty is hand-pulled noodles, in noodle soups, chao mein, etc.
* Chez TJ, 938 Villa St, (650) 964-7466 High-end international (often
mislabeled nowadays as "French")
-- The local high-end restaurant, latest chef Chris Kostow very capable; one
star in 2007 Michelin; great for relaxed, special-occasion dinners in its
house setting.
Clarke's, 615 W El Camino Real, (650) 967-0851 American
-- Assemble your own garnish for burgers and other offerings. Real, modest,
good, hardworking staff. Grilled sausages (Polish, Louisiana Hot,
Frankfurters) come split, grilled flat, served on French roll, with or
without tomatoes; you build further garnish.
* Dana Street Roasting Co., 744 W Dana St, (650) 390-9638 Coffee and light
foods
-- Espressos, light meals, salads, sandwiches; to coffee shops what Yulong
is to Chinese, the regular annual Voice poll winner for coffee. Big
communal table sometimes serves as ad-hoc annex for city or neighborhood
committees. Roasts, even imports, fresh beans. Free local Wi-Fi, jazz some
evenings including some fairly serious talent.
Don Giovanni, 235 Castro St, (650) 961-9749 Italian
-- Turkish ownership and chef, like many Bay Area "Mediterranean" and
Italian restaurants; big spaces for banquets, have eaten well there.
Frankie Johnnie & Luigi, 939 W El Camino Real, (650) 967-5384 Italian
-- Pleasantly hyperactive variant of an old-fashioned US southern-Italian
restaurant.
Fu Lam Mum, 246 Castro St, (650) 967-1689 Chinese
-- Old line seafood Chinese, inexpensive, good quality.
Gelato Classico, 241 Castro St, (650) 969-2900 Frozen desserts
-- Proprietor sometimes serves up philosophy with the gelatos.
Golden Wok, 895 Villa St (650) 969-8232 Chinese
-- Lots of dim sum available on weekends, not bad, have not used it much for
other things.
Gyro's House, 212 Castro St, (650) 940-9316 Mediterranean
-- Turkish grill, simple layout but some good food: Try the Iskender
(Alexander) platter.
Hangen Szechuan, 134 Castro St, (650) 964-8881 Chinese
-- Another Castro St. institution; only one visit so far, lunch, was not
bad.
* Hunan Chili, 102 Castro St, (650) 969-8968 Chinese
-- Outstanding hot savory Ma Po tofu, subject of past postings here (one
customer comes regularly only for that) and other spicy dishes and "Chinese"
Chinese dishes -- with "variety meats," etc. --that you don't see on some
gringo-oriented menus. Restaurant featured on a KPIX-TV special on
good-value Bay Area restaurants.
Kapp's, 191 Castro St, (650) 961-1491 Pizza variations
-- Pizza kitchen and bar with diverse beers on tap, pizzas, calzones, and an
unusual "baked stuffed" sandwich that works very well, I recommend it.
Classic looking bar.
King of Krung Siam, 194 Castro St, (650) 960-7077 Thai
-- Tough competition from Amarin nearby, but have had several excellent
lively meals here too. Nick Chaput, owner of Dana Street Roasting Co.,
first drew attention to the Angel's Wings and other serious "appetizers" at
King of Krung.
Le Boulanger, 650 Castro St, (650) 961-1787 Bakery/Cafe/Deli
-- Competent sandwiches, especially for take-out or quantity; fresh
sourdough loaves and rolls daily.
* Maru Ichi, 368 Castro St, (650) 564-9931 Japanese Ramen house
-- One of two real Japanese noodle-soup houses, fresh noodles made
constantly, very satisfying, cold noodle bowls in summer and a truly wicked
"spicy miso" hot noodle soup. (You have been warned.)
* Nami Nami, 240 Castro St (650) 964-6990 Japanese
-- New elegant, different Japanese restaurant, very good in two visits.
New China Delight, 360 Castro St (650) 961-6635 Chinese
-- Elegant Chinese, with Shanghai specialties you don't find elsewhere.
* Queen's House, 273 Castro St, (650) 960-0580 Chinese
-- Family-run hole-in-the-wall, good soups and specialties, does lots of
take-out filled-dumpling business with Chinese customers, ask about that.
Red Rock Coffee Co., 201 Castro St, (650) 967-4473 Coffee and light foods
-- Very competent espresso house in my experience -- good cappuccinos. Lots
of people running computers on Wi-Fi. Sandwiches daily, free Wi-Fi, music
some evenings. Chocolate truffles offered for sale or to put in your
coffee, if you like that sort of thing.
Rose Market, 1060 Castro St, (650) 960-1900 Market with deli
-- Persian market on other side of el Camino from most of the entries here.
Grilled skewer specialties for take-out only, popular at lunch.
* Ryowa, 859 Villa St, (650) 965-8829 Japanese Ramen house
-- The other Japanese fresh-noodle-soup place, good, crowded for lunch like
Maru Ichi.
Spice Islands, 210 Hope St, (650) 961-0628 Singaporean
-- Unusual specialties, interesting, unique.
* Sushi Tomi, 635 W Dana St, (650) 968-3227 Japanese
-- A real Japanese master chef, does omikase feasts by request; enormous
fish and sushi selection. Popular, crowded at lunch.
Tied House, 954 Villa St, (650) 965-2739 Brewpub
-- I like the fresh beer, but food has been consistently, relentlessly dull
for years; moreover everyone says so, including regulars and former staff.
Actually not just former.
* Totoro, 841 Villa St, (650) 691-0796 Korean
-- Outstanding comfort food (the core of Korean cooking), hotpots, grilled
marinated meats and fish. Try the tofu and mushroom hotpot.
Vaso Azzurro, 108 Castro St, (650) 940-1717 Italian
-- Established by two cousins (Turkish, naturally); became a local
underground favorite and excellent value. The cousins sold it not long ago,
some staff remained including in kitchen, haven't visited since sale.
W.g. Grinders, 142 Castro St, (650) 390-9388 Sub (long sandwich) shop and
bakery
-- Recent, a sandwich chain from the East, they often bake the sandwiches
after assembly, sell by length.
* Xanh, 185 Castro St, (650) 964-1888 Vietnamese
-- Slightly pricey, yet still good-value, at lunch because offerings are
complex and elegantly presented and often have lots of little garnishes. No
dinner
experience there.
Zucca, 186 Castro St, (650) 864-9940 Mediterranean
-- Upscale bistro with pleasant bar in front.