The new Michelin restaurant ratings are out and for the first time in my memory, a B'game restaurant has made the list with one star! The Times has the full list here. Reservations at Rasa just became harder to get and that is a good thing. While not as dour as the entertainment drought in B'game, the dining scene has been improving very slowly. Given how much work Rasa had to put into the space, this star will come in very handy.
Michelin stars are not easy to hold on to either. All Spice in San Mateo just lost the one they had. I've eaten there several times and it is quite good. Oddly, they opened a new location in EssEff and it got the star in its first year. My guess is that is more about the level of service than the food. Great restaurant anyway.
And speaking of new restaurants:
A popular local eatery is headed to Burlingame, as a second Jack’s Prime restaurant will soon be opening to fill the long-vacant building at the Broadway Caltrain station.
Micheal Mallie, owner of Jack’s Prime in San Mateo, said the company recently signed a lease for the building at 1190 California Drive, and hopes to open its doors to customers in spring of next year.
He said the restaurant, which specializes in traditional American fare, was thrilled by the prospect of expansion.
“We are super excited. It’s a great location” he said. “ We are going to bring some quality family time to diners in Burlingame.”
The site at the Broadway train station was the former home of Brio restaurant, which closed roughly six years ago. It was previously also the home of Pisces restaurant.
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2015-10-24/second-jacks-prime-restaurant-set-to-open-san-mateo-restaurant-heads-to-burlingames-broadway-train-station/1776425152431.html
Posted by: Joe | October 25, 2015 at 06:38 PM
At last, a 1st class hamburger in Burlingame. I'm already drooling.....
Posted by: pat giorni | October 25, 2015 at 06:39 PM
Thrilled for Rasa (and Burlingame!) - well deserved. I've experienced their amazing food and great service. I first heard about them due to their BCE foundation sponsorship (auction item). Thanks for supporting our local schools!
Posted by: B'game gal | October 26, 2015 at 02:28 PM
This is a nice idea: Entertainment at Kingfish, in San Mateo-
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2016-01-15/stand-up-comedy-takes-stage-at-kingfish-downtown-san-mateo-restaurant-hosts-live-performances/1776425156813.html
Posted by: Jennifer | January 15, 2016 at 11:08 AM
Looks like you may be seeing Bruce Dickinson grace this new joint with his presence. Is a dynamite idea and should spice up the Burlingame dining scene, ya know what I mean?
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2016/01/14/nachoria-a-new-burlingame-restaurant-devoted-to-nachos/
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | January 15, 2016 at 04:41 PM
The basement concert/comedy club at Kingfish is pretty cool. I recall seeing Mose Allison (http://moseallison.com/) there quite a few years ago and it was EssEff quality seating, sight lines and sound. Boy do I wish B'game had something like that!
Posted by: Joe | January 15, 2016 at 06:22 PM
I found myself downtown yesterday and figured I'd try the Nachoria place. Paying w/ a credit card got me an e-mailed receipt that asked for comment. This is what I sent last night....
"I laughed when a coffee shop opened and expected to last while charging the unheard of price of $3.00 for a cuppa coffee and now we all call it 5 Bucks. I was again amused when I read about the concept behind Nachoria and wondered once again how long this business would last until I went in at 4pm today to check it out. I know you were understaffed because it took about 10 minutes to place my order with only 3 parties ahead of me...all deuces. But after sitting down my order was placed before me in under 10 minutes. All during my meal people continued to POUR in. When I left at 5:45, your restaurant was turning the tables for a second full seating. Having worked in the full service restaurant business...not fast food... for 35 years I have never seen tables turn so fast, especially during the dead period between lunch and early bird dining.
AND, this is the most kid friendly place I've ever seen outside of Chucky Cheese where their menu is pure swill.
So, I'll eat my words, and your food, and predict that you'll have a good, long run, barring a flue fire, for as long as you continue the business. Best of luck in a business that has a slim profit margin...but if you go public, I'll buy stock!"
Nachoria responded today w/....
"I would like to thank you for your feedback and would love to know if you enjoyed your food."
I let them know...
"I had the Super quesadilla filled w/ Pollo, Carne asada, and carnitas. I will definitely be back when the Al Pastor makes its debut! I enjoyed the use of a thick sour creme rather than the usual watery stuff. The quesadillas were crisped up nicely, and a cut above the usual preparation. The only thing I would add is that if they are grilled w/ butter rather than oil, the flavor and appeal would be spectacularly enhanced. bottom line is that your food is good enough to bring me back again and again.
Posted by: pat giorni | January 16, 2016 at 07:39 PM
Nice review. Now I guess I have to go stand in line.
Posted by: Joe | January 16, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Me too!!!
Posted by: Samiselfie | January 17, 2016 at 07:56 AM
Me three!! Good for them!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 17, 2016 at 09:43 AM
Mrs. Giorni, how were the mojitos?!
Posted by: Cathy Baylock | January 17, 2016 at 02:07 PM
Nini's: Eastside-life!
Posted by: Peter Garrison | January 17, 2016 at 04:06 PM
Ahhhh, Mrs. Baylock; you'll find this hard to believe, I'm sure, but I can provide no review of the imbibe-ables, other than to comment that it's outrageous to pay $4.75 for a 1 liter bottle of Coke, albeit Hecho en Mexico.
While the light level remains low at this time of year I generally forgo alcohol consumption when I'm on the bicycle in the early evening. And I'm not inclined toward warm weather cocktails when the ambient temperature hovers below 60' with the exception of the G & T which is used for medicinal purpose...no malaria, you say? The tonic factor is a well known remedy to ward off those leg cramps so familiar to elderly bicycle riders.
Knowing you're gonna ask, this time of year is just right for those warm you up whiskeys in Old Fashions,or hot toddies and buttered rum.
Posted by: pat giorni | January 17, 2016 at 05:30 PM
Listen, Pat, that was a dynamite review!
Has Bruce Dickinson finally met his BV wit-'n-wisdom rival?
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | January 18, 2016 at 08:16 AM
One might think so; but I couldn't possibly comment.
Posted by: pat giorni | January 18, 2016 at 12:56 PM
I am convinced that B'gamers are suffering from a lack of top notch eateries as stated here where we got zero Bib Gourmand awards:
http://www.burlingamevoice.com/2017/10/dining-bookends-millbrae-and-san-mateo.html#comments
But at least we can enjoy the fact that Rasa has retained its Michelin star:
https://sf.eater.com/maps/san-francisco-bay-area-michelin-restaurants-stars-2018
Kudos to the Rasa team and here's hoping you get some support from your neighbors-- Park & Howard shows great promise and the old standby, Narin, is still excellent!
Posted by: Joe | October 26, 2017 at 11:16 PM
After eight years in Burlingame, Michelin star Indian restaurant Rasa will close this week, to be reopened as a second location of Saffron, a more casual offering under the same ownership in San Carlos.
Owner and Executive Chef Ajay Walia said the Burlingame location at 209 Park Road will get a remodel for a lighter atmosphere, with an expanded menu as part of the revamp.
“We are keeping the essence of Rasa,” he said. “The quality of food we serve, the focus on our guest relations, the type of location we provide and what we want people to experience and what Indian food should be, all of that remains the same, now they just have more choices.”
Posted by: Sign me up | May 08, 2022 at 01:48 PM