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CITY FOR TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITES!

Monday, March 6, 2023

GAO VIET KITCHEN - SAN MATEO, CA

GAO VIET KITCHEN
313 S. SAN MATEO DRIVE
SAN MATEO, CA
650-477-2524

Loved our visit to Gao Viet Kitchen in San Mateo, CA.  This definitely is a destination restaurant that was worth the 2500 mile flight from Honolulu and over one hour wait. We arrived for lunch and found the restaurant packed and a line out the door.  Rather than wait outside in the cold, I asked if they had a bar and was directed upstairs where we found four seats overlooking the restaurant.  Great spot to watch people and the incredible food being delivered to tables.  As each dish was placed on the table, the cameras came out for those Instagram moments.  Presentation is key here and they do not disappoint.  The oversize portions are artfully crafted for maximum impression.  This is a place where I highly recommend you eat family style so everyone can enjoy a variety of dishes and flavors.  We went big with a selection of appetizers, meat and seafood dishes.  The star of the show was the Phozilla.  A $95 bowl of Pho with giant Beef Ribs and a 1.5lb Main Lobster.  The equivalent of three large bowls of Pho, this monster was enough for our entire table and we still had leftovers.  The Lobster with Garlic Noodles looked and tasted incredible and again we had leftovers. The entire table loved the Pork Belly and I thought the Garlic Noodles 3-Ways was fantastic.  Also loved the Grilled Scallops and Chef's Signature Bo Ne with Filet Mignon, Sweet Sausage, Eggs and Pate served with bread.  Only dish that disappointed me was the Crab with Noodles but that may have been because I ate everything else before it.  Did not seem to have a lot of crab flavor and was mostly noodles.  I loved the food and experience here and would highly recommend.  We will definitely make the trip to Gao Viet Kitchen again!

GAO VIET KITCHEN


TWO STORIES OF DELICIOUSNESS

DON'T WAIT OUTSIDE.  HIT THE UPSTAIRS BAR

DEVIL'S LYCHEE MAI TAI'S

THE GALS LOVED THIS DRINK

CHEERS FROM GAO VIET KITCHEN



GOT TO MEET THE OWNER VIET!

CRISPY IMPERIAL ROLLS

PORK BELLY

GARLIC NOODLES 3-WAY WITH GRILLED SHRIMP AND RIBEYE

CHEF VIET'S SIGNATURE

GRILLED SCALLOP

THE PHOZILLA

                                                        THE PHOZILLA BONE REVEAL

THE PHOZILLA WITH BONES REMOVED

LOBSTER

CRAB WITH NOODLES

HAPPY HAWAIIANS AT GAO VIET KITCHEN

MAHALO FOR THE HOSPITALITY AND GREAT FOOD VIET!

 

IN N' OUT BURGER

SOMEWHERE IN SANTA CLARA, CA

I couldn't visit the mainland and not have at least one In N' Out Burger.  Absolutely the best burger and value on the planet.  This Burger came out looking like a masterpiece. 

IN N' OUT BURGER

 

PERBACCO - SAN FRANCISCO, CA

PERBACCO
230 CALIFORNIA STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
415-955-0663

Enjoyed a delicious lunch at Perbacco in San Francisco.  Both the food and service were excellent.  I had the Pappardelle with Slow Roasted Short Rib Ragu.  Pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious.  Liked the touch of Horseradish Crema.

ALBACORE TUNA SALAD

PERBACCO SAN FRANCISCO

PERBACCO MENU

FRITTO MISTO

BURRATA

ROTELLI AL PESTO

PAPPARDELLE WITH SLOW ROASTED SHORT RIBS

Sunday, March 5, 2023

PIZZA ANTICA - SAN JOSE, CA

PIZZA ANTICA
SANTANA ROW
334 SANTANA ROW
SAN JOSE, CA 95128
408-557-8373
HOURS:  Monday thru Thursday/Sunday 11:30AM - 10PM / Friday & Saturday 11:30AM -11

WE LOVE PIZZA ANTICA!  Every time we eat here we leave so happy and full.  One of my favorite Pizza joints of all time.  Very few restaurants deliver like Pizza Antica.  Great food and service plus when the wine is flowing, the happiest place on earth.  Our group had a great time and everyone loved the food.  I love the Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza.  Great crust, sauce, texture and flavors.  The simple Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce is another favorite.  The Pasta is cooked to a perfect al dente and the sauce is delicious.  Just this Pizza and Pasta would make me happy and it does.  But then there are the Meatballs, Salads, Fried Chicken and Desserts.  Yes...I did say Fried Chicken.  Crazy to have this on the menu at an Italian restaurant but the Chicken rocks.  A must try when eating here.  Cannot wait to get back to San Jose to eat here again.

PIZZA ANTICA

MY DAUGHTERS CREATION

THE BEST SIMPLE PASTA

MEAT BALLS ARE A MUST APPETIZER 

CAESAR SALAD


CRAZY GOOD FRIED CHICKEN

HAPPY AND FULL AT PIZZA ANTICA

 

SARA'S KITCHEN - SANTA CLARA, CA

SARA'S KITCHEN
1595 FRANKLIN ST
SANTA CLARA, CA
408-247-7272

It was nice to be in Santa Clara and to be able to enjoy a rare breakfast with my Daughter.  Sara's Kitchen sits between my hotel and her house near Santa Clara University.  Perfect location to enjoy a warm cup of coffee on a chilly morning.  I went for a Hamburger Patty with Eggs and chose Fresh Fruit over Hash Browns or Fries.  Fruits were delicious.  Liked the breakfast too and the service was friendly and fast.

SARA'S KITCHEN

SARA'S KITCHEN

SARA'S KITCHEN MENU








 

HOTEL VALENCIA SANTANA ROW - SAN JOSE, CA

Enjoyed another stay at Hotel Valencia on Santana Row.  This time I was upgraded and received an incredible welcome package from the management.  Champagne, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Cheese Platter, Creme Brûlée and Fresh Fruits.  Wow...this blew me away.  Service at the front desk was better this time with more smiles, welcome back and good mornings.  I stay here mostly for the location as it sits right on Santana Row.  I can walk down to shops and restaurants and not have to worry about driving or parking. Wish I were younger because the hotel bar rocks on Friday and Saturday nights.  They even have a bouncer at the front entrance to the hotel which is a bit uncomfortable at times.  Minor inconvenience.  

HOTEL VALENCIA SANTANA ROW

UPGRADED TO THIS LARGE KING ROOM OVERLOOKING SANTANA ROW






REFRIGERATOR AND SAFE

HALL TO BATHROOM




RECEIVED AMAZING WELCOME PACKAGE OF CHAMPAGNE AND TREATS

NICE VIEW OF SANTANA ROW




 

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES - HONOLULU TO SAN JOSE

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES - HONOLULU TO SAN JOSE

I stay very loyal to Hawaiian Airlines primarily for their mileage program, local and mainland routes and service.  The one thing I don't enjoy is the food.  It has been terrible over the past year and this meal was uneatable.  Chicken Schnitzel with Boiled Potatoes and no seasoning. The breakfast coming back with Eggs, Sausage and  Boiled Potatoes served with Hoisin Sauce.  Yuck!  Great service on both flights made up for the food.

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES - HONOLULU TO SAN JOSE

FIRST CLASS MENU

PERSONAL IPAD LOADED WITH MOVIES, TV AND GAMES ALONG WITH SOME BUBBLY


CHICKEN SCHNITZEL 

 

THE LOCAL @HNL

THE LOCAL @HNL
DANIEL K. INOUYE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
300 RODGERS BLVD
HONOLULU, HI
808-824-3955
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-local-honolulu

Stopped into The Local @HNL prior to a flight to the mainland.  Enjoyed a chilled Caesar Salad with Mahi Mahi that looked liked they stole it from the Fish Tacos.  Two small strips of Mahi were actually good but for around $20, I expected a bit more fish.  Excellent service on this visit with the waitress doing a great job.

CAESAR SALAD WITH MAHI MAHI



 

HAM, TURKEY, SWISS & AVOCADO SANDWICH

LUNCH AT HOME

Lots of cold cuts in the fridge so I made this delicious sandwich with low carb bread.
Ham, Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Avocado, Tomato, Lettuce, Deli Mustard and some Central Grocery Spicy Olive Salad.

HAM, TURKEY, SWISS & AVOCADO SANDWICH