When my significant other drove up from Los Angeles to San José, we managed to arrive in town in time for a late dinner at the hotel. With the application UberEats, we catered a decadent dinner directly to our location. We shared a masala dosa with tomato onion chutney and the biryani bowl combo. The restaurant prepared the food to order and the dishes arrived securely in carefully packed take-out cartons. The food still had steam funneling through the vents perforated on the top of the containers and the combinations of spices enticed me.
And we feasted. The dosa is a gigantic, thin, crisp crepe that is filled with curried potatoes and peas. The tomato chutney complemented the dosa perfectly with a bright contrast in flavor.
Biryani is a rice based dish that could be served as a side or an entrée. This briyani included a symphony of flavors and that played a delicate balance amongst the sweet, sour, bitter, and umami. Every bite consisted of a different note and a pop of delicious.
The generous portions gradually filled our bellies.
Transitioning to a new apartment can be tricky and I’m so glad we stayed at a hotel near the airport while I was settling into my new apartment. During our working lunch, we sampled the classic shredded chicken bowls with brown rice pilaf, and quinoa topped with crunchy water chestnut slices.
The chicken was extremely tender and lightly seasoned. The playful textures of the pilaf and quinoa interplayed with the bright pop of sliced scallion. Every bite was a celebration.
When I was having dinner with new friends, we were in strolling in this outdoor shopping center called Santana Row.
Santana Row includes many different upscale dining and retail options with spacious courtyards, live music, and seasonal decorations.
When I was dining at Zazil, dinner started with chips and guacamole. The guacamole include ripe avocados, diced onions, tomatoes, cilantro, serrano pepper, and served with freshly fried corn chips.
After my friend and I finished the appetizer, my entrée arrived. I ordered the enchilada suiza with chicken, green tomatillo sauce, and a touch of sour cream. The tender smoky chicken smelled amazing and the heat from the green tomatillo balanced with cool rich fluff of the sour cream. The first bite was a kick in the mouth, but drew me back for the next one.
Across from Zazil, resides the charming Vintage Wine Bar. The architecture resembles a Gothic cathedral with a miniature stained window.
My friend and I lounged with our glasses of rosé in the elegant court yard and also sampled the perfectly paired chocolate truffles. This is one of those bars I would recommend to all my friends and family when they visit me.
My other friend and I were building office furniture at home and we decided to order in pollo (tender shredded chicken) fries with a loaded quesadilla to share in between DIY projects.
With the UberEats, the food could be ordered and delivered to the door within 1 hour or earlier.
The crispy fries held up under the yellow salsa and shredded chicken and the portions fed multiple people easily. If I ever have a small gathering at my new place when it is safe, I would order catering from La Victoria Taqueria in a heartbeat.
Before I started my new job, my mother flew up from Los Angeles to stay with me. I took her shopping downtown, and we ran multiple errands that weekend. I knew I wanted to show her the glamorous Santana Row. When we were strolling and looking for lunch, we decided to sample the curries at Amber India.
Amber India had elegant table spread, impeccable service and the freshest, aromatic dishes. We ordered malabari fish curry and lamb with flaky paratha. we sat outside Friday afternoon, Mom and I engaged in lighthearted conversation and people watching. The fish filet consisted of rich, fluffy white flesh and the rich lamb were cut with a perfectly balanced spice mix.
Lilly C. Lew Ph.D. 