Evvia (Greek, Palo Alto). This has been my go-to casual-dining restaurant in Palo Alto for over a decade. The cooking isn’t very fancy or creative, but it doesn’t have to be, because classic Greek food is inherently delicious. Evvia does it right with no missteps.
Ethel’s Fancy (Palo Alto). The menu and plating look the part of a Michelin star contender, but for me this restaurant is just okay. The cooking isn’t very refined, and the dish composition doesn’t always make sense. I prefer Evvia and Zola’s nearby for their less creative but better tasting food.
Aurum (Los Altos). Pretty good. Not spectacular, but I’d go back if I were in the area. The menu strives to be modern, but the food adheres pretty close to Indian roots. Remarkable that everyone in the restaurant but me was Indian heritage.
leo’s, the al pastor truck chain from LA (only just learned they now have 16 trucks in their fleet), opened in san mateo (1990 S El Camino Real, across the street from the taco bell and heidi’s pies). if you are tempted by it based on the name recognition, i save you the trouble - it’s very very mediocre tacos.
I haven’t visited yet but surprising to hear as the feedback was good from others - what did you have and what didn’t you like ? (And have you tried their second truck in Outer Sunset ?)
i got al pastor, lengua, suadero. the tortillas were quite dry, very industrial quality; the salsas were passable but not notable in any way; the lengua was adequate, the suadero was dry but still adequate, the pastor had some seasoning spice but not terribly notable; what was notable is the quantity of filling, which was on the stingy side.
these wouldve been solid in the late 2000s early 2010s, but the taco game has evolved since then, including in the bay area, where there has been a significant profusion of street stands lately. e.g. there is one on Delaware next to the 92 and Ross Google Maps (not sure if the name corresponds to the current stand, but the location is the same), and i’ve been to similar ones in mountain view, redwood city, burlingame, which are greasier but also have more soul to them.
that being said, the only taco truck worth going to in the peninsula is Los Carnalitos, which now also has a second truck in hillsdale right off 101 ( Google Maps ).
I think there are some truck in the San Jose area like Orale, Ortiz etc. I like LC but I think their weak point are their tortillas which are just commercial ones
The Progress. I loved the food tonight. It was creative and delicious, and healthy too. The cod in mole verde (bottom picture) was particularly amazing. I also appreciated the warmth of the staff. It feels good to be treated well.
State Bird Provisions. A Michelin star can be a curse when it sets unfair expectations. None of the 6-7 dishes I tried at State Bird Provisions was close to Michelin star level to my tastes. They were more like Majordomo level. Definitely I’ve preferred my three meals at The Progress next door. I’d say every dish I’ve tried at The Progress is better than every dish I’ve tried at State Bird Provisions. But it was an enjoyable, healthy meal that I might praise if the expectations were lower.
