Paul Ng of Noodleosophy finishes making pulled noodles by hand at Dealmoon’s Asian Street Food Night Market in Milpitas. Photo by Sara Hayden.
Just in time for summer, cooling and colorful desserts are spreading throughout the Peninsula. From golden waffles topped with strawberries and ricotta cheese to dark purple grape bubble tea, there are plenty of new choices for lovers of sweets. Los Altos also gains a second location of one of the region's only Georgian restaurants, and Francophiles will soon be able to head down to Los Gatos to spend a sunny afternoon at a Parisian bistro.
Tong Sui already serves bubble tea and Cantonese desserts in Sunnyvale and San Mateo and is best known for its variety of coconut puddings. Some flavor combinations like floral osmanthus draw from traditional desserts, and others like Oreo mochi have more modern inspirations. Classic sweets like mango juice dotted with juicy bites of pomelo and sago and cooling bites of grass jelly are also now available at the brand new Redwood City location on Broadway.
Tong Sui, 2400 Broadway Unit 110, Redwood City.
Ice cream lovers, soft serve specialists SomiSomi have announced a new location in Palo Alto on University Avenue. On a hot day, guests will be able to enjoy ah-boong, fish-shaped pastries, filled with ice cream swirls of purple ube or green matcha.
SomiSomi, 440 University Ave., Palo Alto. Coming soon.
Up north, the ornate building that housed Agenzen Cuisine has become a mini food court named Social Eatery. The renovated space houses three businesses: boba shop Grapeholic, a new location of build-your-own noodle bowl eatery Noodleosophy, and Rice Monster, which will serve clay pot rice. Noodleosophy and Grapeholic are open now, and Rice Monster is preparing for a July launch.
True to its name, Grapeholic dedicates an entire section of its menu to grape-flavored beverages and places a heavy emphasis on fruit teas. Rice Monster’s specialty, clay pot rice, is rarely found on the Peninsula. Traditionally, bowls of rice and meats like Chinese sausage were cooked over charcoal fires to create a golden crispy crust at the bottom of each serving.
Social Eatery, 102 S El Camino Real, Millbrae.
Mints & Honey, San Carlos’ homey coffee shop, has launched a soft opening for its second location in Burlingame. The San Carlos cafe attracts fans for its attention to aesthetics and a menu filled with toasts and waffles but is temporarily closed for renovations. In Burlingame, diners can savor both sweet and salty snacks on baby blue patio seating.
Mints & Honey,1166 Howard Ave., Burlingame.
Meanwhile, Georgian eatery Bevri has opened its Los Altos location on Main Street. During Peninsula Restaurant Week, we covered how Pavel Sirotin is continuing his journey to share Georgian cuisine with Peninsula residents. He also invites guests to try the restaurant’s selection of Georgian wines.
Bevri, 325 Main St., Los Altos.
Lastly, Chez Philippe looks to open this month and serve French bistro classics in downtown Los Gatos. A brunch menu offers benedicts topped with duck confit, and dinnertime promises coq au vin, chicken braised in red wine sauce and a favorite of chef Philippe Leroy, and desserts including crème caramel.
Chez Philippe, 34 N Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. Coming soon.
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