Bakery Nouveau (Bakery/Desserts), Seattle, WA

This restaurant in Seattle's foodie-famous western end is the epitome of excellence. I have never dined at a finer baking establishment in my life - before or since. Each pastry is perfectly crafted in every sense of the word (perfection, that is), and whether it be savory or sweet, you will surely enjoy whatever you order. Bakeries are, of course, more known for sugar than salt. Bakery Nouveau has an immense list of offerings from not-so-regular chocolate cake to their specialty "Phoenix". Simply put, I would heavily contemplate making the 1,000 mile drive just for this pastry; in fact, I do almost every day. Common sense and fuel prices win out in the end, but my desire is never quelled. I first purchased this dessert early in the morning on a beautiful Seattle day, but did not have a chance to eat it until late that night in Newport, Oregon. It held up miraculously well, a testament to the sturdiness of the boxes the bakery uses and the cakes which fill them. I initially intended to take a single bite and put the guilt-laden sweet away for the morning, but my will shattered. Creamy caramel mousse mixed with pear and chocolate varieties melted my taste buds. The chocolate sponge cake which formed the base was equally delicious, but arguably my favorite part was the thick sea of gooey caramel topping the cake. It seemed improbable that such a weak structure could hold up such an ocean of formerly liquified sugar but it did by some otherworldly influence. Though obviously a diet-breaker, I found sacrificing some of the roominess in my jeans was a worthy trade-off.

Another option is any one of their huge variety of fruit tarts and danishes. The apple tart is a succulent creation with fresh sliced Washington apples in a crispy puff exterior. The interior is actually a frangipan, or pastry cream with almond cream and apple filling. It is almost like a preserve in flavor when paired with the apricot glaze on top, but calling it one seems offensive. The entire sweet is covered in a delectable streusel as well, finishing off the perfect dessert. The pear option is quite different surprisingly. Though the same pate sucre crust awaits the diner, this one is filled cherries and pears, and then topped off with a tasty raspberry jam. The same apricot glaze coats the pastry, which is then, in turn, covered in sliced almonds. Both are two of the finest sweets I have had the pleasure to eat. 

Bakery Nouveau proves they are far from a one-trick pony by offering an intensely delicious array of savory pastries. Though their signature is the salmon quiche (apparently something not offered when I went in, bummer), all of their savory options are simply amazing. My favorite is the spinach quiche, usually the plainest one possible. This dish is the traditional tour de force for any French inspired restaurant. Bakery Nouveau's easily beats out the dozens of others I am used to back home in California. Giant slices of egg and spinach goodness are plated on finery and then topped with, wait for it, nothing. For once, simplicity wins out over ingenuity in the age old bakery battle of what ingredients can - and should - be shoved into classics.

Enough with the savory detour, let's get back on the sweet track with this restaurant's twice-baked almond croissant. Croissants were not one of my loves before Bakery Nouveau. I never really liked the buttery French rolls for some strange reason until I entered the hallowed patisserie. There they feature a number of the finest croissants available, all house-made of course. The one that immediately caught my eye was the twice-baked almond. Soaked to it's core in simple syrup, this almond-lover's dream contained and was topped with both almond cream and sliced nuts. For a croissant hater to fall in love with a variety of said pastry, you better believe it had to be something special.

Bakery Nouveau is easily the best bakery (and one of the top restaurants, period) I have had the pleasure of dining at; I recommend it to anyone with a sweet tooth in the Washington area. For that matter, anyone in the U.S. who has an day of and a few hundred dollars should take a vacation to Seattle to try this establishment and the thousands of others that call the city home.

Special: Boulder, Colorado

Nearly 1,000 miles from my comfortable desk and Apple computer lies a land unknown to many and adored by thousands more. It is a slice of a big city with a small-town feel situated just a few miles North of Denver, Colorado. This mystical region of food lore is known as Boulder. Settled as early as 1858, this city of just around 100,000 hungry citizens loves just two things: the UC Boulder Buffs and great cuisine. I had the immense fortune to be able to sample both over a four-day stop in the metro. Here's the story of the second mile-high city.

There a few greater places on Earth for a bite than this quaint college town, which was ranked by Bon Appetit magazine as the foodiest town of 2010. After my trip, I can happily corroborate the magazine's findings. From the fancy to the affordable, Boulder simply has it all. On the expensive end, there's the city's flagship restaurant, Frasca Food and Wine, which features a head chef named Lachlan MacKinnon-Patterson, a culinary artist known to the world after a successful run on Bravo's popular "Top Chef" television program. Coming back down to the wallets of your average university attendee, Boulder features a stretch of restaurants on University Avenue and an open air mall on Pearl Street that boast dozens of top and affordable restaurants. One such stop is the Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery, a cherished local stop for gourmet burgers and microbrews.

Unfortunately for my tastebuds, neither heavyweight establishment drooled over above were in the cards for my tour first of the city. What I did eat, though, proved an astonishing and previously inconceivable theory; Boulder, for such a small place, has immense depth when it comes to restaurants. My travels took me to only a single eatery considered among Boulder's top 100, that one being the French creperie Crepes A La Carte on Pearl Street. Even still, nearly every experience was positive on par with the finest casual eateries I have ever dined at. Geisty's Dogg House, just a short walk from the university, is my second most-loved stop for hotdogs behind Show Dogs of San Francisco. I ordered a regional specialty, bison, as my meat of choice. What I received was a buffalo sausage cooked to perfection and topped with hot mustard and jalapeño slaw. The whole item was nearly nine inches long and wrapped in a butter-toasted sourdough bun for only $6.

Another such stop proved to be Illegal Pete's, a gourmet chain of five establishments located throughout the Boulder-Denver metro area. With a combination of simplistic chefs and loyal customers, this restaurant has moved to the forefront of Hispanic-influenced cuisine in the college town. Chipotle style tacos and burritos are their specialty. The standard meats are all there - chicken, steak, shredded beef, and carnitas - along with a vegetarian and a primavera option. I ordered a grilled steak taco in a flour tortilla and then proceeded to unload half the condiment bar onto it. Roasted green peppers, queso fresco, sour cream, black beans, and a small helping of white rice all were carefully added to the behemoth dish. All the flavors were simply spot-on and strangely light, giving me the hard-fought urge to purchase a second and a third. It still stands as possibly the best "non-traditional" taco I have ever consumed.

From the fancy to the simplistic, Boulder, the city of Buffs, has everything any foodie could possibly desire. Whether it is world famous Frasca or the lesser known establishments, every dish here is worth eating. Typing this a back home in California makes me crave everything I miss about my favorite mile-high city. I can only hope I have the fortune of one day going back and trying all the unexplored wonders Boulder has to offer to those willing to look.

Restart!

As you may have noticed, Taste. has been very quiet recently. With just one post in the past three months, I am sure you've been getting a little bored with it. After all, how many times can you read about the same Thai restaurant without bawling?

Well, now there's something to look forward to. Taste. will be getting back off the ground in a big way starting this week. In addition to some of the best restaurants in the Bay and Northern California, look forward to more write-ups in Tampa Bay and a whole new set including top eateries in Boulder, Colorado, America's foodiest small city. Just typing this leaves me tingling with excitement. See you soon, and good eatings.

-Taste.

Krung Thai, (Thai), San Jose, CA

Krung Thai, arguably San Jose's best Thai restaurant since it's opening years prior, has just recently won my acclaim. For years I had driven by the sleepy main-street store waiting for the day I would dare to try it; yet at the same time, I feared the dinner I'd have to. All this confusion can be simply explained by the fact I had little knowledge of Krung Thai's brilliance and esteem. At the same time, my overwhelming dislike of the Thai cuisine (or at least San Jose's version) helped keep me away. Adding to the errors even after dining, I just recently realized I have been contributing to the location blocks South, which I have yet to try. This is a minimal discrepancy, as both serve the same food and are owned by the same Thai family, so I will continue writing this article as if nothing were in question.

Krung Thai's aura of excellence has been built by great service, better than average food, and a outpouring of love from the online community. Falling into the food category is one area the restaurant specializes in, appetizers. Delicious and traditional small plates flow out of the kitchen at rapid speeds, seeing that each table has at least two to it's name. The most popular may be the Satay, a Thai specialty. This savory stick of marinated meat comes in either pork or chicken and is nearly always served with a peanut oil sauce. Another favorite is the Kung Tod, or fried prawns, consisting of - you guessed it - a plate of perfectly fried seafood served with Thai sweet sauce.

The restaurant's famous appetizers and succulent desserts set the stage for mediocrity in the main course. However, Krung Thai breaks free from San Jose's traditional downfall - the inability to plate three perfect plates in a single meal. The middle entree is surely the best. Each dish has an affordable price tag to go with stunning flavor. The Yellow Curry is a perfect example, with large hunks of savory chicken and potatoes awash in a golden coconut sauce. A personal favorite is the Pad Ka-Na Prik Hang, or marinated beef with Chinese broccoli, a dish lathered in oyster broth. The dried red chills add an unexpected kick of subtle heat that pairs well with the boiled broccoli and savory beef.

For dessert comes sweet offerings such as the mango ice cream with fried banana, whose combination of oil and fruity cream makes for a wonderful finish. Never before had I tried mangoes and bananas as separate components of the same dessert. Now, it's something I regularly crave. The aromatic mango ice cream created a nice (albeit soupy) counterpart for the sweet crunch of the fried banana Thankfully, the dairy component was rather like a gelato in texture and took much longer to melt than a normal scoop, allowing the textures to be featured as ugh as the flavors.

Krung Thai has to be a top choice for dinner any time you stumble into the South Bay, a region known for mediocre cuisine when compared to the vibrant scenes of San Francisco, Oakland, and the North Bay. Krung Thai gives me and many others who call San Jose home hope that our little slice of California may soon develop into a renowned foodie hub.

A Slice of New York (Pizza), San Jose, California

A Slice of New York lives up to it's name. Everything from floor to ceiling creams "NEW YORK!!!". That is not meant as an analogy or cute literary line, but as fact. Their fifteen-foot ceilings are covered in pictures of NYC's subways, skyline, and cuisine. The restaurant just has one of those vibes when you walk in. It sends a welcome chill down your spine, like you simply know staying there means a great time in your near future. Essentially, at first step, not even first bite, you can be confident your meal is in good hands.

Though the visual and atmospheric attraction ends there, the fun has just begun for the customer. Following that, they will experience excellent service and top-caliber food I have been hinting at since line one. Around a dozen signature pies are served here. The City slice is my personal favorite, with The Sutton a close second. The first of the two sports sausage, pepperoni, olives, and vegetables. This combination-style pie has you from the start. Each ingredient comes through just enough to be appreciated in full. At the start, you catch a touch of the sausage, and as you continue to the crust, the produce and fungi take the front seat. Throughout, spicy hints of pepperoni make their way in.

The latter pizza is almost as good, but is one I find nearly too bland. The strong meat flavor hits you from the start. Following it comes more and more mushroom. The Sutton is finished off with a perfect crust that is crispy to the touch, but soft in the center. There is nothing better than folding your pizza in half and hearing the crunch of the edge as it breaks in half. Both are a mere four dollars for a colossal slice. Two will fill you up, and a drink is free with the pair.

A Slice of New York is San Jose's premier stop for an East-Coast triangle of heaven, and may even knock off growing juggernauts such as Bocca Lupo (a traditional Italian version). With it's pizza, pricing, service, atmosphere, and decor, it is a complete package. That is a phrase often said, but rarely accurate. At A Slice of New York, it rings true.

Naglee Park Garage (American), San Jose, California

Dreams can be built on Naglee Park Garage. Dreams on how they made the restaurant what it is today, dreams on how to afford the food, and, most of all, dreams as to just how good the food will be. While being able to purchase the fancy burgers is a sure question mark, no concern needs to be placed on the quality of the food - it's delicious.

When you have a good-sized chunk of meat, some Portobello Mushrooms and some tasty Swiss cheese, what could you make except a delicious burger. Maybe a nice pasta... At Naglee Park Garage, though, they specialize in the creation of mouth-watering burgers. Though each lip smacking beef patty packs a financial punch ($10-$15 dollars per burger), the size and quality makes up for the stimulus-sized bill. The meat is tender flavorful, and the remaining ingredients taste fresh and hearty. It's a real burger! A real good one, that is.

If you love juicy meat in your burgers and gooey cheese under a bun, you need to stop by Naglee Park. Then, there's the homey feel of the popular restaurant and the excellent service, two other undeniable pluses. Most of all, you have to appreciate Guy Fieri exposing this San Jose hotspot to the world. He got this one right.

The Fish House (Seafood), Ruskin, Florida

My trip to beautiful Tampa Bay would simply not have been complete without a visit to this shack legendary for it's fresh-caught fish sandwiches. The Fish House was rumored to have, along with strange business hours, excellent food at affordable prices. The fish, or so I heard, had a perfect set of seasoning and a picture-worthy fry. Nothing here was supposed to be anything short of spectacular. And, of course, it wasn't. Every whisper proved true as this lonely wood frame of a building won my affection at first bite. I myself dined on a succulent Grouper offering crafted out of newly captured seafood, a bun, and a light fry. Basically, think of fish fillet shoved in a Po Boy in the place of shrimp or andouille. It was to die for, a far too often used phrase that I have to use to accurately describe this sandwich. If you find yourself in the vicinity of Ruskin, the long drive here and sometimes insanely
long wait would be well worth it. After one taste of the
Fish House's Grouper sandwiches,
you'll understand for yourself.

That's Sweet!, Pleasanton, CA

The streets just got a whole lot sweeter with the unveiling of That's Sweet, one of the Bay Area's first mobile bakeries. The treats that come off this truck are on par with the best, including the hundreds of stationary cupcake shops located in the region. The rich frosting perfectly complements the base, and the fillings inside each goody are equally succulent. Lemon Buttercream has a tangy lemon center, for example, while Vanilla Salted Caramel is filled with fleur de sel. 

This truck is not limited to classics, either, as it has a firm root in the extra-ordinary with a Chocolate Maple Bacon offering that has breakfast and confection fans alike drooling for a taste. This delicacy in particular combines rich, sponge-textured cake and a maple frosting coated with savory bacon bits to create a tantalizing dessert. Like all of That's Sweet's other cupcake offerings, the pork option is an affordable $3 flat.

Next up is a traditional offering: Red Velvet. A vanilla frosting covers the top of this blood red pastry. It is simple, yet delicious, as even those like myself who shy away from red velvet choices enjoy this treat. It is a perfect foursome of baked flavors; red velvet, lemon buttercream, caramel and chocolate bacon, all of which are served separately or all together at this mobile eatery based in the diverse East Bay.

Bay Area Top Twenty Food Trucks - 2012

Hundreds of the world's best roam the streets of the Bay Area. We talk not of business men and celebrities, but of food trucks and carts. This growing movement has become a fixture in Bay Area culture from San Francisco to Oakland to San Jose. Here are the Bay Area's top twenty mobile eateries.

#1 - Sam's Chowdermobile, Half Moon Bay

Sam's, of Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, is our top truck because of the amazing food. It simply does not get any better than a Lobster Roll and cup of Clam Chowder on a cold San Francisco morning.

#2 - Spencer on the Go!, San Francisco

This on-wheels version of Chez Spencer serves up traditional French fare, earning the title of San Francisco's first "mobile bistro". This top-tier truck plates everything you can think of including their famous escargot lollipops, giving them solid control of the second slot on our top twenty board.

#3 - Creme Brûlée Cart, San Francisco

Another San Francisco legend, the Creme Brûlée Cart pulls in at number three because of it's traditional and not-so-traditional array of French desserts that has stolen the hearts of thousands of Bay Area foodies. 

#4 - Chairman Bao, San Francisco

A creative name, appealing truck design and, above all, outstanding food puts this truck at number four in our countdown of the Bay’s top twenty. From Pork Belly Steamed Buns to baked duck ones, The Chairman shows a mastery of all meats - and displays how different styles of Chinese Bao can taste so good.

#5 - Hapa SF, San Francisco

Hapa gets the five spot for it’s modern take on Filipino food that leaves us all in awe. Still, it sticks to tradition in it’s menu with delicious offerings such as Chicken Adobo and Sisig. Fresh ingredients and amazing flavors greet the customer at every trip to Hapa. 

#6 - Sanguchon, San Francisco

Peruvian cuisine has found itself a home on the streets in Sanguchon, the  first truck of it’s kind in San Francisco. Sandwiches are the highlight at this mobile Sangucheria, with options ranging from Pan Con Chicharron (fried pork) to Lomo Saltado (seasoned steak). 

#7 - Treatbot, San Jose

The South Bay’s crown jewel, Treatbot, claims number seven with it’s decadent ice cream and futuristic style. Inventive flavors and smooth, rich ice cream help push it above dozens of other worthy wagons.


#8 - Curry Up Now, San Francisco

CUN is a Bay Area favorite. Great, innovative food has earned it that title. Their Tikka Masala Burritos are just one example of their iconic Indian/Mexican-fusion fare.

#9 - Bacon Bacon, San Francisco

Yes, they serve bacon, and a lot of it. Bacon Bacon is the first of it’s kind - an eatery that serves little but bacon. Vegetarians beware everything from their bacon burgers to the famous Bacon Bouquet, a dish consisting of five slices of the heavenly meat.

#10 - KoJa Kitchen, San Francisco

This Korean/Japanese truck serves up new-age Far East fare with options such as the short rib rice bun. This is essentially two rice cakes with a helping of spiced meat layered inside topped with sauce and sesame seeds. Oh, is it delicious.

#11 - Grillstars, Union City

 BBQ has never been so good. Grillstars hits the streets with smoked meats, sandwiches, and hotdogs unlike any seen before in the Bay. Since the meats are left to smoke for a full twelve hours, this truck sells out quick at rallies. How can you be disappointed with commitment to excellence?

#12 - Senor Sisig, San Francisco

Mexican fusion is nothing terribly new on gourmet food trucks. Filipino-Mexican fusion? Yeah, that’s a little different. Senor Sisig gets this slot for it’s ability to pump out great Filipino fare in South of the Border packaging, such as tortillas and taco shells.

#13 - An the Go, San Francisco

Our first Vietnamese slot goes to An the Go and it’s famous Garlic Noodles. Don’t be fooled - that’s not all they serve. This truck has versatility, as it also aces Coconut Shrimp and barbecue Pork Skewers.

#14 - The Rib Whip, San Francisco

The Rib Whip is San Francisco’s Grillstars, with barbecued meats and hot sandwiches being their specialty as well. They too run out fast any time they serve, so get there fast for a taste of Southwestern flare off of a killer truck.

#15 - O Mi Ninja, San Jose

Meet the second of our Vietnamese star trucks, O Mi Ninja. This truck is known for serving large and over the top Bahn Mi sandwiches. Their specialty, the Ninja, has a whopping eight proteins including Vietnamese Sausage, tofu, and bacon stuffed inside a foot-long French Roll. Add in some veggies and Ninja Sauce, and you are good to go. 

#16 - MoGo BBQ, San Jose

One of San Jose’s most popular stops, MoGo delights customers with Korean-Mexican fusion. Their centerpiece is the Short Rib Burrito, a giant concoction consisting of meat, cabbage, tortilla, and sauce that can be yours for just seven dollars. They may be one of the better deals in town, as even their tasty tacos are an affordable two dollars each.

#17 - Nom Nom, San Francisco

The brother of the Los Angeles sensation, San Francisco’s Nom Nom gives out Bahn Mi on par with many trucks in the state. The menu is not limited to sandwiches, but it is what the truck is known for - great Bahn Mi.

#18 - BBQ Kalbi, San Jose

This truck ranks eighteenth for one reason, the food. Sure, the truck is nice and the service excellent, but the fare stands out. Amazing meats fill their affordable, good-sized tacos, which sell for a measly three dollars apiece, allowing you to escape with top-notch food for a little over ten dollars.

#19 - We Sushi, San Jose

This landmark truck simply had to be placed in the top twenty. It is the first time a sushi serving vehicle has rolled down Bay Area streets. The truck is similar in layout to an Izakaya bar, with equally excellent food. Even with the expensive equipment and high-caliber ingredients, We Sushi maintains a large, expansive menu at a low price to the customer.

#20 - Seoul on Wheels, San Francisco

Rounding out the top twenty is this gem. This truck pumps out delicious food at a slow pace, one so sluggish, you wonder when it’s coming. Still, the tacos are indeed excellent, prompting the masses to crowd around this rising star in the food truck community.

And there you have it, the Bay Area’s Top Twenty Trucks (2012). Feel free to comment on the results. Just remember, not everyone can be a winner, and there’s another dozen worthy of this list. Eat well, and submit more of your favorites for consideration in the next Top Twenty!

Mykonos (Greek), Tampa Bay, FL

The hole-in-the-walls of America her their mascot: Mykonos Grill of Tarpon Springs, Florida. This place is ancient, traditional, and well-kept-up, though from the exterior shows that it shouldn't hold much promise. Inside is a Mediterranean wonderland, complete with the staple of the region, great food. Each dish served is seemingly better than the last, from a lemon, rice, and chicken soup to a wine-braised leg of lamb. The service is slower than average, but who minds that when being delivered one of the best meals of their lives? Tarpon Springs' most renowned restaurant has gotten even better over the years, something difficult to do for a restaurant this steeped in tradition. Hopefully, the next fifty years will be just as good as the opening decades. This one will be around for a long, long time.

Pizzeria Delfina (Italian), San Francisco, CA

The Italian pizzeria has finally found a home in the city of San Francisco. For years, the Bay Area has had an apparent trepidation towards traditional pizzerias of styles other than Cali-thin. Now, with major hotspots opening up in San Jose and Delfina's rise in The City, the scene seems to be finally changing. And what better restaurant than this is there to spearhead this growing movement? Pizzeria Delfina, with it's local flare and Napoletanian ideals, has become an instant classic in just a few short years of operation. After my first meal there, it received near-perfect marks with it's broad, yet simplistically themed menu containing dish after dish prepared to perfection.

A Funghi Misti combined with a Meyer lemon Aioli was my first impression after a plate of various marinated olives (a perfect starter) was scarfed down in seconds. And what a flawless first choice this platter of fungi was. The Chanterelles, Oysters and King's were bursting with various flavors and textures, only further accented by the aioli and light breading. This initial salvo of delight was quickly reinforced by two distinctly different pizzas - a Salsiccia and a Parma Pie.

The first -  with it's ideal crust, bell peppers, onions, and house-prepared fennel sausage - has to go down in the books as my favorite sausage-based creation. The second, though, was what I crave all the more. Again, a prime crust and crushed tomato sauce awaited the consumer, but what separated it came on top. The beautiful combination of proscuitto and arugula overwhelmed me in every good way possible. Each element - the meat, the greens, the sauce, and the dough - melded together to give me the best pizza experience of my life, only rivaled by that of Pizza Bocca Lupo in San Jose.

But, of course, the sortie was not yet finished. One last course remained: dessert. I ordered the coppa gelato with two flavors, Tahitian Vanilla Bean and Tcho Chocolate. This housemade, traditional gelato hit home. What seemed as a finale for Delfina affirmed it was only a beginning; this dish, and every other, convinced me that many a return trip would be of utmost necessity. Pizzeria Delfina has stolen my heart, and I never want it back.

Special: San Jose

San Jose, California's third largest city with nearly one million residents, is not exactly known as a food power. In fact, this gleaming city to the South is better associated as being San Francisco's younger brother, formed around one year after the iconic metropolis to the North took shape. Complete with a height limited skyline and a knack for the unimpressive, San Jose has nothing to gawk at on the surface aside from a perennial Stanley Cup disappointment. But underneath all those layers of excess mingling with poverty, a site seen in many South Bay neighborhoods, there is a budding and booming food scene unlike many on Earth. While I will not invest in San Jose as a food city of present, it has the potential to become one of the nations top stops for a bite to eat.

From the shining facade of the new San Pedro Square Market to the growing contingent of gourmet carts and trucks, this city is exploding; finally catching up to those so far ahead (S.F. and L.A., to name a few). New restaurants are popping up every day, and some already have the first hints of becoming world-renowned establishments. Pizza Bocca Lupo and Bibo's NY Pizza have bolstered the Italian side of the city, while Korean sensations Omogari and MoGo BBQ are sweeping up hundreds of new, returning customers.

Also, San Jose and Santa Clara have taken the food truck boom to heart, unleashing a flood of excellent eateries on wheels, many of which participate in the city's rallies. SJ Eats, Word on the StreEats, and Moveable Feast are just a few of the big-name festivals found here. Some of these rallies have between ten and thirty trucks serving cuisines from Vietnamese to Cajun fusion. Also, San Jose's first sushi truck, (yes, you read right) We Sushi, just hit the streets, adding an element of the Far East never before seen on South Bay asphalt.

They are few and far between, but there are some gems in this concrete jungle. From institutions such as Henry's World Famous H-Life and Original Joe's to newbies like We Sushi and Pizza Bocca Lupo, this city proves it has the range and quality to compete with the juggernauts of California cuisine. San Jose is coming into it's own, just much more slowly than some residents might like. But, really, it already is fairly unique. This place is one where all cultures can combine and mingle on our plates, and where else can you say that but the Bay Area?