tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40108079280120820062024-03-13T14:14:48.651-07:00Eating San JoseDedicated to the burgeoning San Jose food scene. I'll share the best restaurants, bars and coffee shops in the South Bay and it's neighboring cities.dfederighihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130268060927079089noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010807928012082006.post-16144090985461339712014-05-07T11:37:00.001-07:002014-08-16T15:00:20.264-07:00The Table: Brunch Done Right in Willow Glen<div class="p-desc-img right-img">
<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/The-Table/i-sqv7VZf/0/M/DSC_4549-M.jpg" data-pin-description="Delicious Monkey Bread @ The Table" alt="Delicious Monkey Bread @ The Table" title="Delicious Monkey Bread @ The Table"/>
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<span>The Monkey Bread</span>
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<p class="fp">Those that know Amy and I well, also know that we have a special place in our hearts and stomachs for a good brunch spot. Restaurants will go to great lengths to offer specials, tasting menus and farm-to-table selections for dinner that are creative, delicious and unique. When it comes to breakfast and brunch, however, these same restaurants have a tendency to, well, mail it in. They throw a few egg dishes, some pancakes and a few meats and fruits on a menu and call it a day. The Table decided to go the other direction. They put together a deliciously eclectic, but not pretentious menu with enough kid-friendly items to satiate the critters and bottomless mimosas to help parents ease into their morning. While I've never had anything bad at this place, there are a few clear standouts, and we enjoyed a few of them on this visit. The kids and myself all had some of the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, which have amazing flavor and texture. They're light with crispy edges, but the Ricotta adds a bit of chewiness to the pancake that makes them irresistable. I love these pancakes and my kids can eat them by the truckload. For our main dishes, Amy had the Fried Chicken with Gravy on a Cheddar Biscuit and I had the Steak & Eggs with Chimichurri. When it comes to the Fried Chicken, one look at this dish and you know you're in for something special. She really loved this combination, and was nice enough to allow me to have a bite of it before it was dusted. From that one bite, I found the chicken, farm egg and gravy on that fluffy biscuit to be richly satisfying. I ordered the Steak & Eggs and it was very good. They serve a nice tender cut of hanger steak with chimechurri sauce, a generous portion of griddles potatoes and fluffy scrambled eggs. Since I normally order breakfast or brunch dishes that are on the sweet side, this dish was a huge departure for me, but I really enjoyed it. Everything was cooked perfectly and the chimichurri sauce was the perfect compliment to the beef.</p>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/The-Table/i-wHd8zqF/0/L/DSC_4558-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Lemon Ricotta Pancakes @ The Table" alt="Lemon Ricotta Pancakes @ The Table" title="Lemon Ricotta Pancakes @ The Table"/>
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<span>My Favorite: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes</span>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/The-Table/i-CtKC4GK/0/L/DSC_4578-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Fried Chicken w/ Gravy on a Cheddar Biscuit @ The Table" alt="Fried Chicken w/ Gravy on a Cheddar Biscuit @ The Table" title="Fried Chicken w/ Gravy on a Cheddar Biscuit @ The Table"/>
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<span>Fried Chicken w/ Gravy on a Cheddar Biscuit</span>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/The-Table/i-5FLF2CH/0/L/DSC_4490-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Storefront @ The Table" alt="Storefront @ The Table" title="Storefront @ The Table"/>
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<p>The atmosphere is really pleasant, and even though the place has a bit of an upscale/hipster vibe, we regularly see families with small children and the staff are accommodating and friendly in every way. I almost forgot to mention the Monkey Bread, which is messy, sweet and delicious. If you don't feel like you're getting enough carbs with the rest of your meal, by all means, order 1 or 2 of these for the table as well. This place is very popular with the locals, and reservations for brunch are accepted for Friday's only, but if you want to be on the safe side, just plan to show up within the first 30-60 mins of opening and you shouldn't have a problem getting a table. This is, by far, our favorite brunch spot in San Jose at this point and I recommend it to everyone we talk to. So, go ... enjoy and don't forget the mimosas.</p>
<h2>Useful Info</h2>
<a href="http://www.thetablesj.com/the-menu/" target="_blank">The Menus @ The Table</a><br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=1110+Willow+St+San+Jose,+CA+95110" target="_blank">Directions</a><br />
<a href="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/The-Table/" target="_blank">The Table Photo Gallery</a>
dfederighihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130268060927079089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010807928012082006.post-41644900755735479682014-05-04T14:35:00.001-07:002014-05-07T11:24:56.118-07:00Konjoe Burger: Front-runner for Best Burger in the South Bay<p class="fp">Amy and I have had what we ( as do <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/article/the-burger-at-chicago-s-au-cheval-is-just-about-perfect" target="_blank">others</a> ) consider to be one of the best burgers in the US. I'm speaking of the famous cheeseburger at <a href="http://auchevalchicago.com/" target="_blank">Au Cheval</a> in Chicago. While I'm not about to try and do a direct comparison between Au Cheval and <a href="http://www.konjoe.com/" target="_blank">Konjoe</a>, I feel that it bolsters my position, albeit slightly, as someone that can easily identify a really good burger. I have friends that have tried the <b>Pork Belly</b> and others have really enjoyed <b>The Basics</b>, but for my money, I wanted the <b>Konjoe Burger</b>. Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine tender grass-fed beef topped with melted jack, caramelized onions, pickled jalapeños, a bit of their signature sauce and as if that was not rich and fatty enough for you, top it all off with a fried egg. Gezuz! They wrap all of that in a rather tasty toasted bun and the entire combination is really fuckin' good.
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Konjoe-Burger/i-7GZvNdZ/0/L/DSC_4413-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Their Signature Konjoe Burger with Fries" alt="Their Signature Konjoe Burger with Fries" title="Their Signature Konjoe Burger with Fries"/>
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<span>The Konjoe Burger</span>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Konjoe-Burger/i-DJJ5krB/0/M/DSC_4428-M.jpg" data-pin-description="Best burger in the South Bay" alt="Best burger in the South Bay" title="Best burger in the South Bay"/>
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<p>I had tried this burger a year or so ago and really enjoyed it, but for some stupid reason, I had them leave off the cheese. Also, this time around I specified that I wanted them to go easy on the Konjoe sauce. While the Konjoe sauce is good, there are so many other flavors happening (especially with the pickled jalapeños and the fried egg) that help it stand out as a truly great burger. I also thought the juiciness of the grass-fed beef, just the right amount of melted cheese and the sweetness of the caramelized onions helped bring it all together. The burger comes with a side of fries and ketchup, and even though they changed the cut of their fries from wedge to steak fries, they were still really good. This is definitely at the top of my list when it comes to great burgers in the Bay Area and right now, it is probably the best burger in the South Bay.</p>
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<p>In summary, I'll just say that if you want an incredibly good hamburger in San Jose, head over to Konjoe. San Pedro Square Market is a family-friendly spot with a large patio/outdoor area and a variety of alcoholic beverages to help smooth out your weekend. Konjoe Burger is located in San Pedro Square Market, near the recently reviewed <a href="/2014/03/bray-butcher-block-and-bistro-bbq-done.html">Bray Butcher Block and Bistro</a> and right across from the Market Beer Co.</p>
<h2>Useful Info</h2>
<a href="http://www.konjoe.com/burgerbar/" target="_blank">The Menu @ Konjoe</a><br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=100+N+Almaden+Ave+#180+San+Jose,+CA+95110" target="_blank">Directions</a><br />
<a href="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Konjoe-Burger/" target="_blank">Konjoe Photo Gallery</a>
dfederighihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130268060927079089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010807928012082006.post-14120895968213919192014-03-09T17:37:00.001-07:002014-03-12T20:41:16.415-07:00Bray Butcher Block and Bistro: Kick-Ass BBQ in the South (Bay)<div class="p-desc-img right-img">
<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bray-Butcher-Block-and-Bistro/i-V8ZKhW3/0/M/DSC_3346-M.jpg" data-pin-description="The Storefront at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro" alt="The Storefront at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro" title="The Storefront at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro"/>
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<p class="fp">Amy and I had been to <a href="http://www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com/san-pedro-square-market-tenants/bray-butcher-block---bistro/" target="_blank">Bray Butcher Block and Bistro</a> about a year ago, and although I enjoyed the experience, I only got to try one of their sandwiches and don't feel like I got the full experience. Well, we decided to visit again, this time with the goal of trying a variety of their menu items (the lone exception being a rather tasty Mission Hefeweizen I picked up at Market Beer Co). I'm not sure if our first impression was off-base, or they've just upped their game, but everything we ordered was super good. I ordered the Tri-Tip sandwich and was blown away by the fatty, juicy goodness of this sandwich. The Tri-Tip had a little bit of char and was tender with a bit of pink, but not bloody. Their house BBQ sauce was a revelation with it's tang and a bit of spice and when you take all of that, add some cheese, crispy bacon and put it on an toasted onion bun, well … it was perfect. Amy ordered the Ribs, as she is inclined to do when someplace interesting has them on the menu, and she was not disappointed. The Roasted Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce was very different from the house sauce, but equally tasty with just the right amount of heat. Messy, tasty, juicy and addictive. Yep, the ribs were good.</p>
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<p>For our boys, we ordered the Mac N' Cheese, which we know they love, and as a side, Amy and I shared a piece of the Roasted Corn with Spicy Cotija and Lime Rub. Oh Sh!t … was that good! It takes a lot for a cob of corn to stand out on my plate, but the Corn was perfectly cooked and the Spicy Cotija was so delicious, I wished we had ordered more. To round out the meal, we also ordered a Salad with Fresh Arugula, Onion, Rasberries, Walnuts, Feta and a fresh vinaigrette. It was very good actually, especially when you consider everything we had on our table. But, if we're being honest, you don't go to a place like this for a salad, do you?</p>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bray-Butcher-Block-and-Bistro/i-59cC7RR/0/L/DSC_3285-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Grilled Corn with Spicy Cotija and Lime Rub at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro" alt="Grilled Corn with Spicy Cotija and Lime Rub at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro" title="Grilled Corn with Spicy Cotija and Lime Rub at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro"/>
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<span>Grilled Corn with Spicy Cotija and Lime Rub</span>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bray-Butcher-Block-and-Bistro/i-g3vQbQL/0/L/DSC_3324-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Tri-Tip Sandwich at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro" alt="Tri-Tip Sandwich at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro" title="Tri-Tip Sandwich at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro"/>
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<span>Tri-Tip Sandwich with Bacon, Cheese and House BBQ Sauce</span>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bray-Butcher-Block-and-Bistro/i-9GBxJN7/0/L/DSC_3282-L.jpg" data-pin-description="St. Louis Ribs with Roasted Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro" alt="St. Louis Ribs with Roasted Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro" title="St. Louis Ribs with Roasted Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce at Bray Butcher Block and Bistro"/>
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<span>St. Louis Ribs with Roasted Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce</span>
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<p>The upsides to someplace like Bray Butcher Block and Bistro are numerous, but I'll give the highlights. A friendly staff, preparing some damn good BBQ, with quality ingredients (including grass-fed beef) and an open environment were you can get a beer at one of the bars, or anything else you desire. This is officially one of my new favorite spots in the entire south bay. I cannot wait to go back and get that sandwich again. Check them out, and reply in the comments with your thoughts.</p>
<h2>Useful Info</h2>
<a href="http://www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com/san-pedro-square-market-tenants/bray-butcher-block---bistro/menu/" target="_blank">The Menu @ Bray Butcher Block and Bistro</a><br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=100+N+Almaden+Ave+#182+San+Jose,+CA+95110" target="_blank">Directions</a><br />
<a href="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bray-Butcher-Block-and-Bistro/" target="_blank">Bray Photo Gallery</a>
dfederighihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130268060927079089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010807928012082006.post-86312121136407843012014-03-02T14:00:00.000-08:002014-03-03T09:10:16.587-08:00Roy's Station: A crafted cap in Japantown<div class="p-desc-img right-img">
<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Roys-Station/i-7pjMhkN/0/S/DSC_3254-2-S.jpg" data-pin-description="My cappuccino at Roy's Station" alt="My cappuccino at Roy's Station" title="My cappuccino at Roy's Station"/>
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<p class="fp">There are many good coffee shops scattered around the Bay Area, but they vary greatly with their types of drinks, variety of roasts or the overall level of snobbery. Roy's is a favorite of mine and our friends because they have a great location with a young, hip environment and most importantly, they make very good espresso drinks. What you'll find inside of Roy's is a counter area with a large espresso machine, a cold case with snacks (often used to feed my little rascals), a vintage coke machine and some tables. What I find to be the most enjoyable part of Roy's is the outdoor seating. This was originally a Mobil gas station and the way in which they repurposed and styled this cafe is truly unique. My wife, kids and I really like this spot and will often use it as a halfway point destination for weekend bike rides. It helps that it's situated on Jackson in Japantown, and within a short walk you've got restaurants and a number of shops. For those into sneakers and street wear, you have <a href="http://cukui.com/" target="_blank">Cukui</a>, <a href="http://headlinersboutique.com/" target="_blank">Headliners</a>, <a href="http://www.aristocratsboutique.com/" target="_blank">Aristocrats</a> and <a href="http://azukisj.com/" target="_blank">Azuki</a> all within 1-2 blocks.</p>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Roys-Station/i-cWS7HST/0/L/DSC_3262-L.jpg" data-pin-description="The vintage Coke machine at Roy's Station" alt="The vintage Coke machine at Roy's Station" title="The vintage Coke machine at Roy's Station"/>
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<p>For the coffee geeks out there, it's worth mentioning that this is not the place for those obsessed with pour-over and cold-brewed coffee. They do, however, source their coffee from <a href="http://www.vervecoffeeroasters.com/" target="_blank">Verve Coffee Roasters</a> in Santa Cruz, which I hold in great esteem when it comes to roasters in the Greater Bay Area. At the risk of oversimplifying, the baristas just know what their doing. Nothing tastes burnt, the milk is not scalded and they use syrups and powders used in their flavored coffee drinks with subtlety, which is always nice to see. I know I'll always get a great cappuccino and my wife knows that she'll always enjoy the Spiced Mocha w/ Soy.</p>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Roys-Station/i-xMqZgwX/0/L/DSC_3248-L.jpg" data-pin-description="The menu at Roy's Station" alt="The menu at Roy's Station" title="The menu at Roy's Station"/>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Roys-Station/i-9Qr4V5S/0/L/DSC_3263-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Roy's Station Coffee & Teas" alt="Roy's Station Coffee & Teas" title="Roy's Station Coffee & Teas"/>
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<p>In short, Roy's is a great spot all the way around. The people, the vibe and the coffee are all awesomely good. Pay them a visit and I hope you enjoy.</p>
<h2>Useful Info</h2>
<a href="http://www.bibosnypizza.com/" target="_blank">Roy's Station Coffee & Teas</a><br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=197+Jackson+Street,San+Jose,CA+95112" target="_blank">Directions</a>dfederighihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130268060927079089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010807928012082006.post-12152668102721150982014-02-23T13:59:00.001-08:002014-02-24T21:26:00.781-08:00Bibo's NY Pizza: A Slice of Heaven<div class="p-desc-img right-img">
<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bibos-NY-Pizza/i-W9snvkC/0/M/DSC_3188-M.jpg" data-pin-description="The Owner's Son at Bibo's NY Pizza"/>
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<p class="fp">Amy and I had been hearing a lot of amazing things about Bibo's for the last year or so and finally decided to give it a try. If you're looking for a pizza made with organic ingredients on a gluten-free crust, baked in a zillion-dollar wood fired oven and served with a fine glass of Pinot Noir, do not go to this place. You will be disappointed and furthermore, they will probably laugh at you. If what you're looking for however, is some delicious thin-crust pizza, then pay Bibo's a visit. Now, try as you might, you will not lure me into any sort of verbal sparring or holy war when it comes to the debate about New York Pizza vs. Chicago-Style Pizza and whether or not California Pizza even belongs in the conversation. I won't do it. I haven't had the pizza in Chicago or New York, so I can only tell you whether I found this to be tasty and, well, yes it was incredibly tasty. </p>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bibos-NY-Pizza/i-2FfrQ9p/0/M/DSC_3158-M.jpg" data-pin-description="Pivo Hoppy Pils by Firestone Brewing at Bibo's NY Pizza"/>
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<span>Pivo Hoppy Pils by Firestone</span>
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<p>We decided to take the kids with us for an early dinner, and found Bibo's to be clean, well-lit, with a very friendly staff, but not meant for large groups. Of course, when you show up for dinner before 5pm, you won't have trouble getting a table for 4. We all shared a half & half of regular cheese pizza and another half of a specialty pizza called 'Slice of Heaven'. The toppings on this pie were comprised simply of Bacon, Roasted Tomatoes and Basil. This pizza was sinfully good. We felt like we needed to hop onto the treadmill directly after our meal, but it was worth it. The crust was thin and crispy, with a little bit of chew to it. The toppings were rich and flavorful, but as I would expect, they don't overload the pizza with cheese. Even though I've never had any of the pizza in New York, this is what I imagine it would taste like. The slices are big, and once you remember that it's easier to fold it in half like a taco, all you need to do is grab your favorite beverage and enjoy! And about those beverages: Bibo's has a few nice beers to go with your pie. Maybe I've been to too many Round Tables, or maybe the standards for beer in pizza joints have been raised, but both Amy and I really enjoyed the draft beer with our pizza. Amy got a belgian white called 'White Rascal' from Avery Brewing and I got a Hoppy Pils by Firestone. Both beers were excellent, served in no-frills mason jars and reasonably priced. What more could you ask?</p>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bibos-NY-Pizza/i-FMLwbtr/0/L/DSC_3161-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Slice of Heaven at Bibo's NY Pizza"/>
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<span>Slice of Heaven & Some Cheese</span>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bibos-NY-Pizza/i-X2GP4Pr/0/L/DSC_3168-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Slice of Slice of Heaven at Bibo's NY Pizza"/>
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<span>Slice of Slice of Heaven</span>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Bibos-NY-Pizza/i-DGnFbPx/0/L/DSC_3153-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Bibo's NY Pizza"/>
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<p>Bibo's was everything I hoped it would be. A clean and friendly place where you can enjoy a great thin-crust pizza, made by those that care about the details with some nice beers to go with it. Just Awesome! We will certainly be back, and if you haven't been yet, you'll want to go soon and … you're welcome.</p>
<h2>Useful Info</h2>
<a href="http://www.bibosnypizza.com/" target="_blank">Bibo's NY Pizza</a><br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=1431+Bird+Ave,+San+Jose,+CA" target="_blank">Directions</a>dfederighihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130268060927079089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010807928012082006.post-58630858458721978842014-01-23T11:58:00.001-08:002014-03-19T11:51:45.243-07:00KANSUI: A Legit Ramen Joint in Willow Glen<div class="p-desc-img right-img">
<img align="right" src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Kansui-Ramen/i-wfLs4w3/0/M/DSC_2702-M.jpg" data-pin-description="Order form at KANSUI in Willow Glen" alt="Order form at KANSUI in Willow Glen" title="Order form at KANSUI in Willow Glen"/>
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I am a relative novice when it comes to ramen, and even I noticed the lack of well regarded ramen spots in the San Jose area. I've had some good ramen at Shalala in Mountain View, and also tried a few other places on the peninsula, most of which I found to be underwhelming. So I'm sure you could imagine, with me living in The Glen, how happy I was to find out that Kansui was going to be opening with what looked like a very tasty menu. If you're considering hitting this place for lunch, I'll save you the suspense and give you the verdict on KANSUI. <b>It's Good! Really Good! You should go there</b>. For those unaware, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GO6NZJhHzftMXHBt9yxm6Fi2MpyRaiHdE1oLYILJhDJ3mrQ1KI0RWbyyf_-8yoSqtlN6nkJkaTRnJrOcfBSZkln2iydaqg4tFO_3NEufdB8K-TFEBbDAd0iYksViZn3EQZCP14TOjFI/s1600/kansui-ramen-menu-revised.jpg" target="_blank">KANSUI</a> is pop-up restaurant in Willow Glen's <a href="http://haymarketwillowglen.com/" target="_blank">Hay Market</a> focused on ramen, sake and a few small plates. My wife and I are big fans of Hay Market and have enjoyed some lively conversations with it's owner, Joe Cirone on the food scene in San Jose, Chicago and beyond. While enjoying our lunch, we got a lot of interesting details about the process of getting KANSUI up and running, but that can wait. The food was very good, so I think I'll write about that for a bit. Amy and I both stuck with the plan and ordered Ramen and were not disappointed. My wife has a taste for all things spicy, so she got the Spicy Red Miso Ramen and I ordered the Tonkatsu (72 Hour Pork Broth). First off, the Tonkatsu. If it's at all possible for a broth like this to have a light taste and texture, well, they achieved the near impossible. This is not to say it wasn't rich and tasty, on the contrary. It was full of flavor, but it did not have the heavy and salty taste and texture that I've had at other Ramen places when ordering the same item. Amy was especially impressed that they include a soft-boiled egg in each ramen bowl. It seems a lot of places cannot be bothered to deal with soft-boiled eggs, but at a place like this, it's all about the details.</p>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Kansui-Ramen/i-dbjqtv8/0/L/DSC_2706-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Tonkatsu Ramen at KANSUI in Willow Glen" alt="Tonkatsu Ramen at KANSUI in Willow Glen" title="Tonkatsu Ramen at KANSUI in Willow Glen"/>
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<span>Tonkatsu Ramen - 72 Hour Pork Broth</span>
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<span>Spicy Red Miso Ramen</span>
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<p>Along with a huge heaping of incredibly good noodles (more on those in a moment), comes some green onion, seaweed and a perfectly cooked piece of chashu. I'm so tired of ramen places throwing an overcooked piece of grey-looking chashu in the bowl as an afterthought. At KANSUI, they give that piece of pork the respect it deserves. The chashu was tender and a really nice complement to the noodles. Oooohhh, the noodles. They have the perfect slightly chewy texture and I could not stop eating them. We learned halfway through our meal, after talking with Joe, that they went through countless versions of the noodle recipe to get it just right. He was very happy with the result, and needless to say, you're gonna really dig the ramen at this place. Amy's Spicy Red Miso was incredibly good, and not overpowering with the spice. It had lots of flavor and the right amount of kick on the palate, but I didn't feel like I had to nurse a glass of water with every bite, which is nice.</p><br />
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Kansui-Ramen/i-wxBCH5k/0/L/DSC_2713-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Okonomiyaki at KANSUI in Willow Glen" alt="Okonomiyaki at KANSUI in Willow Glen" title="Okonomiyaki at KANSUI in Willow Glen"/>
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<span>Okonomiyaki - Seared Cake with Cabbage, Bonito and Housemade Sauces</span>
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<img src="http://federighi.smugmug.com/Photography/Eating-San-Jose/Kansui-Ramen/i-zBvmNB3/2/L/DSC_2717-L.jpg" data-pin-description="Low Pickled Salmon at KANSUI in Willow Glen" alt="Low Pickled Salmon at KANSUI in Willow Glen" title="Low Pickled Salmon at KANSUI in Willow Glen"/>
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<span>Low Pickled Salmon with Haas Avocado, Cucumber and Tapioca</span>
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<p>Rounding out the meal are two small plates we wanted to try. Amy and I really enjoyed the Okonomiyaki. It was crispy and delicate with a nice housemade sauce drizzled on top. It came out in a small skillet and the perfect mix of cabbage and bonito with that sauce made for a nice (but brief) respite from our ramen bowls. We also tried, based on the recommendation from Joe, the Low Pickled Salmon. So, I'm into many different types of fish, but pickled fish to me, well ... it's a hard sell. I couldn't have been more off-base with my assumption about that dish. The Salmon was flawlessly prepared, the fact that it was 'pickled' did not dominate the flavor of the dish at all. It was served with fresh avocado and cucumber in a sauce with tapioca and it was really refreshing. Amy I both loved it.</p>
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<span>The Requisite Lucky Cat</span>
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<p>I'm not much for sake, but I do know they did their research to find some really good sake at reasonable prices to go with your meal. If sake is your thing, try it with your lunch and let me know the verdict. It would be easy to let my bias take hold here, and just give a blind thumbs-up to KANSUI, but that's not my steez. If I think it's good, I'll tell you and this is GOOD!</p><br />
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<h2>Useful Info</h2>
<a href="http://haymarketwillowglen.com/" target="_blank">Hay Market</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GO6NZJhHzftMXHBt9yxm6Fi2MpyRaiHdE1oLYILJhDJ3mrQ1KI0RWbyyf_-8yoSqtlN6nkJkaTRnJrOcfBSZkln2iydaqg4tFO_3NEufdB8K-TFEBbDAd0iYksViZn3EQZCP14TOjFI/s1600/kansui-ramen-menu-revised.jpg" target="_blank">Kansui Menu</a><br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=Hay+Market,+1185+Lincoln+Avenue,+San+Jose,+CA+95125&hl=en&sll=37.306933,-121.900166&sspn=0.007493,0.012124&geocode=CQD4RWguAC5IFTVCOQIdevO7-ClzobYjWDOOgDEc4_kOWNikXw&mra=ls&t=m&z=17&iwloc=A" target="_blank">Directions</a>dfederighihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130268060927079089noreply@blogger.com6