#topcitybites

Tokyo Bites 💯 . Chef David Schlosser’s Shibumi is an unconventional choice serving set menus that are more izakaya and kaiseiki than seafood-centric omakase most Japanophiles may be familiar . I myself was intrigued by the menu’s addition of ‘Chinmi’ translated as rare tastes or small intensely flavored delicacies often paired with sake . One of my favorite chinmi is Bonito shuto from Hakone but I was excited to see what would be featured here . The set menu or Emperor’s Set started with four chimni served with a small glass of sake: ikura, uni shrimp, miso ginseng, and persimmon . The chinmi add-on had four more as well as another pouring of sake : aged scallop, seasoned mushroom, fermented tofu, and finally bottarga or karasumi (salted roe) . Appetite stimulated and taste buds awakened, the next five courses continued the feast and included Hokkaido snow crab, seared saba, sashimi Bonito, tempura, and Wagyu . Each portion size is modest but by the time the rich and unique desserts arrive, I was completely satiated . For many, the style, nature and especially the price point will make this meal a secondary choice but for the right clientele it’s absolutely sublime and I for one appreciated and savored Chef Schlosser’s vision and execution . 📷 Chinmi $40 - rare delicacies, 4 types: aged scallop, seasoned mushroom, fermented tofu, and bottarga or karasumi (salted roe) / Emperor’s Meal $225 per person ~ hassun: fresh ginseng miso, 1 year aged smoked persimmon “hoshigaki,” cured salmon eggs “sujiko” first of the season, Santa Barbara spot prawn served with uni, served with sake / pike mackerel bo-zushi, wrapped in boterra konbu / silky egg with “dancing” maitake mushrooms / tempura - shrimp cake “satsuma age” / sashimi - Japanese bonito “modori katsuo” and 4 year aged “shoyu koji” / grilled sanuki olive wagyu fresh wasabi / green fig, white bean manju rolled with kinako - roasted soybean powder / koji ice cream / roasted green tea . 📍Shibumi (Los Angeles, CA) . #eaterla #losangeleseats #japanesefood #michelin #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feed feed #eeeeeats #foodpics #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #foodphotography #eatnorthamerica #foodsharinggroup (at Shibumi) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckr2mGTj65T/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Bay Area BBQ 💯 . The Bay Area isn’t well known for traditional BBQ with Oakland’s Horn Barbecue perhaps receiving the most respect of those from other states . Those of us on the Peninsula have even less choices, but after a shout out from SF Chronicle, I decided to stop by nearby Capelo’s BBQ . Located in a new location in Redwood City, Capelo’s BBQ is a clean and bright space with plentiful convenient parking . The indoor space feature a bar and dining area as well as outdoor seating that is definitely a step up from their food truck beginnings . I stopped by to sample all their signature meats and everything is solid with my favorites meats being the brisket and pork ribs. The sides are the star of the show with the Mac ‘N Cheese and baked beans deserving a shout-out . Capelo’s is legit Q and while it may not compete with Texas, it’s a great option for those of us on the Peninsula . 📷 3 Meat Plate $26 ~ USDA Prime Beef Beef Brisket, St. Louis Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork Shoulder with Mac N Cheese and Baked Beans / Texas Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage $6 / Corn Muffin $2 . 📍Capelo’s BBQ (Redwood City, CA) . #eatersf #redwoodcityears #meat #bbq #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feed feed #eeeeeats #foodpics #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #foodphotography #eatnorthamerica #foodsharinggroup (at Capelo's Barbecue) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkbsSwPS9iy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Due Dueci . Due Dueci is the latest restaurant in the small towns continually changing restaurant scene but the people behind the restaurant are long-time favorite of Los Gatos . Taking over the former Verge in the Tollhouse Hotel in downtown Los Gatos, Due Dueci is an Italian restaurant as envisioned by the owners of long-time restaurant Dio Deka . With a few menu items reminiscent of their other location, Due Dueci starts off with a solid appetizer menu and drinks, offers pastas and oven-fire pizzas, and a selection of traditional mains . Service is top-notch and I enjoyed the Due Dueci bruschetta and their lobster spaghetti . The other items were forgettable including the hyped wood oven pizzas that were only notable for their modest size and muted flavors. Similarly the Fritto misto,, osso bucco, charcuterie platter were not quite as strong as Dio . 📷 Spaghetti All’aragosta $38 ~ butter poached lobster, Grand Padano, viette bierre blanc, coriander / menu . 📍Due Dueci (Los Gatos, CA) . #eatersf #losgatoseats #italianfood #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #globaleats #foodphotography #eatnorthamerica #foodsharinggroup (at Los Gatos, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiqwAnXpSB3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

All The Hits 💯 . Kemuri has quickly become our local go-to spot and we dine here so often that we know the menu so well . While we always love the newest menu additions, these are all our favorites and must orders: . 📷 Kemuri Ceviche $17.95 / Habanero Chicken $16 / Kobe-style Medium Rare Beef Steak $21 / Oxtail Udon $22.50 / Kemuri Udon $15.50 / Genmai Tea Flan $8 . 📍Kemuri (Redwood City, CA) . #eatersf #redwoodcityeats #izakaya #japanesefood #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #globaleats #foodphotography #eatnorthamerica #foodsharinggroup (at Kemuri Japanese Barú) https://www.instagram.com/p/CidOBY_vAKD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Vegetable Centric . We had one meal outside our hotel and choose FnB, a favorite among locals and known for their farm to table menu . It’s a very vegetable forward menu with more items featuring locally grown produce and probably my most vegetable-heavy menu since I dined at Daniel Patterson’s Coi in San Francisco . Portions are quite generous and we were soon overwhelmed with our order of 2 items per person . Thankfully, everything is fresh, delicious and well-done with highlights being the roasted carrots, lobster mushrooms, Atlantic swordfish, and Peruvian chicken . 📷 soft scrambled duck eggs, chanterelles, thyme, buttered bread $17 / hatch Chile relleno, crow’s dairy goat cheese, peruano bean relish $18 / chilled smashed eggplant, white beans, tomato, red onion, chives, preserved lemon $14 / fresh pasta, corn, jalapeño, bacon, basil, young pecorino, green onion $28 / Peruvian 1/2 chicken, roasted red fingerling potatoes, spicy green sauce $32 / Atlantic swordfish, lobster mushrooms, Marcella beans, summer squash, tarragon $36 . 📍FnB (Scottsdale, AZ) . #eaterphx #scottsdaleeats #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #globaleats #foodphotography #eatnorthamerica #foodsharinggroup (at FnB Scottsdale) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiLzmmvPtPk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

KBBQ . Seorai is one of the newest Korean BBQ spots along this stretch of El Camino Real in Santa Clara known for their Korean restaurants . With a pedigree from Chungdam, Seorai is a decidedly more casual vibe than the fancier tier best represented by Jang Su Jang, Chungdam and now 10 Butchers . The soju menu of full watermelons and pineapples is a popular focus as are the beef and pork combos . Meat quality is solid but the side dishes such as corn cheese, cold noodles and Korean army stew almost steal the show . Truly a lot of choices in this area nowadays and while it may not match SoCal, it’s gotten a lot better recently . 📷 Corn Cheese $9 / Cold Noodle $17 / Beef Combo $135 ~ Beef Brisket + Chuck Flap + Marinated Galbi Pieces, Soybean Paste Stew or Kimchi Paste Stew / Banchan . 📍Seo Rai Korean BBQ (Santa Clara, CA) . #santaclaraeats #yelpbayarea #koreanfood #eatersf #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #globaleats #foodphotography #eatnorthamerica #foodsharinggroup (at Seorai Korean bbq) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch3rWlBOKW2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Georgian Cuisine . As one of the Bay Area’s only Georgian restaurants, Bevri now has two locations: one in Palo Alto and their newest location in Los Altos . I stopped by the restaurant to try their unique and signature cuisine including their Khinkaki dumplings and their khachapuri . Both items are among their most ordered items and given the lesser known cuisine one can’t help but compare it to more well known dishes . The Khinkali dumplings are most frequently compared to Xiao long Bao or Chinese soup dumplings but I think that comparison is unfair. Khinkali have a much thicker skin and a trademark thick top that is used as a handle when eating the dumplings and that often isn’t eaten to keep track of how many dumplings one has consumed . The flavors are different as well with contrasting spices and meat mix that is more lean (available in pork + beef or lamb) . The Khachapuri fares better and is most often compared to pizza as it consists of oven baked bread and plentiful cheese . The egg yolk and butter topping on the still hot entree lends it an air of fanciful ness beyond that of most pizza and it’s best eaten hot . All in all, a novel experience best for a leisurely meal as all items are made to order . 📷 Khankali Dumplings Pork & Beef 5/8 pcs $20/$30 / Khachapuri Adjaruli $21 ~ capture our sun in our cheesiest boat and set your sail . 📍Bevri (Palo Alto, CA) . #paloaltoeats #yelpbayarea #georgiancuisine #eatersf #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #globaleats #foodphotography #eatnorthamerica #foodsharinggroup (at Bevri) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChsyWerP4e1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Elevated Indian Cuisine 💯 . Ettan is a gorgeous space with two level and both beautifully decorated indoor and outdoor space . But even more spectacular than the ambiance is the wonderful cuisine . I ordered takeout from Ettan during the pandemic but the dine-in experience is another level . Thanks to our server Sumit who was spot on with so many of the recommendations from the drinks to one of the best desserts I’ve had this year . The flavors are bold and they don’t shy away from the spice preferring authentic flavors versus muting for a Western palate . We loved the monkey bread and black cod which were unlike any version of the dish I’ve had before . Finally the light passion fruit dessert is a combination of flavored lychee milk ice, meringue and berries . 📷 Passion Fruit $12 ~ lychee milk ice, berries, meringue / Voodootini $17 ~ Vodka, St. Germain, Dry Curacao, Fire Bitters, Lemon, Ginger Ale / Hype $16 ~ Gin, Lemon, Chili Agave, Basil / Cast Iron "Monkey Buns" $13 ~ Signature Bread Rolls, Butter And Eggplant Chutney / Sesame Leaf $15 ~ Chaat Flavors on Sesame Leaves with Mango, Chickpea Crumble, Sesame Brittle and Cilantro / Black Cod $45 ~ Shallot Crust, Coconut Rice and Travancore Shrimp Curry . 📍Ettan (Palo Alto, CA) . #paloaltoeats #yelpbayarea #indiancuisine #eatersf #topcitybites #sffoodie #foodie #nomnom #feedfeed #eeeeeats #foodpics #foodgasm #dailyfoodfeed #globaleats #foodphotography #eatnorthamerica #foodsharinggroup (at Ettan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Chf9-OfvMiO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=