José Andrés discusses new cookbook, Palo Alto restaurant and the restaurant industry as a whole
About a month ago, I received a very exciting email with the subject “Adrienne – invitation to meet with José Andrés.” He was speaking at Stanford University and checking up on his restaurant Zaytinya – just the right amount of time to squeeze in a lunch with me.
Very little lunch was actually consumed that Wednesday afternoon. Andrés opted for a more liquid diet: a Za’atar margarita followed by two glasses of wine. When I asked Andrés how he keeps track of all his various accomplishments, he replied, “I don’t. That’s why I’m having a margarita at 12:30.”
Other notable tidbits I found interesting from our conversation that didn’t make it to the final draft was that Zaytinya wasn’t Andrés’s first choice of restaurant to debut in the Bay Area – it was Jaleo. As a cigar aficionado, he said he would definitely be open to the idea of creating a cigar bar. And when asked about his biggest accomplishment, his immediate response was “that my wife has not left me after 33 years.”
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
Chef José Andrés answers questions on the state of the restaurant industry, his new cookbook and what the world needs right now
The renowned restaurateur sat down with the Peninsula Foodist for a Q&A at his Palo Alto restaurant Zaytinya. Here’s what he had to say.
A delayed opening for Asia Live, the return of Pub in the Park and a halal food truck park
- BTS fans are flocking to Vesta after the K-pop group praised its pies during its concerts at Stanford Stadium earlier this month.
- Asia Live has pushed back its grand opening at Westfield Valley Fair and is now planning to debut June 5.
- The Ma’lawah Bar, a fast-casual Yemenite-Israeli restaurant in Palo Alto, is permanently closing Friday after two years.
- One Bowl Wonder, a fast-casual build-your-own hot pot restaurant, recently opened in Santa Clara.
- Pub in the Park returns Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Red Morton Park.
- Santa Clara’s first all-halal food truck park, The Munchbox, recently opened.
- Mentone and Manresa Bread are planning on opening at Los Gatos’ The Junction, according to a news release.
- Alana’s Cafe in downtown Burlingame changed ownership last month from its founders to five of its longest employees, reported the San Mateo Daily Journal.
- Heritage Fire, a walk-around feast featuring an open fire cook-off, is coming to San Mateo July 26.
- Elia, a Greek restaurant with a location in San Carlos, recently expanded to Campbell.
Fiery chicken sushi burrito at IJ Sushi Burrito
Lunch at the food court at Westfield Valley Fair was a highlight of my adolescent years. There was something about the bustling energy, the excited crowds and, of course, the Sushirrito. And there was one Sushirrito I loved much more than the rest: the Fiery Chicken, chock full of chicken karaage, crunchy from carrots, cabbage and house chips, spicy from jalapenos and creamy from avocado and Peruvian herb sauce.
So when I heard that a new sushi burrito joint recently rolled into Westfield Valley Fair’s food court, I knew I had to try it.
Much to my surprise, IJ Sushi Burrito also had a sushi burrito by the exact same name: Fiery Chicken ($14.95). And much to my confusion, there was nothing spicy in the sushi burrito. It included crispy chicken, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, avocado, sweet corn, red cabbage and crispy onion. For sauce, you have a choice of spicy mayo, eel sauce or both (the spicy mayo was barely spicy – a far cry from “fiery.”) To amp it up, I did add jalapenos to my sushi burrito (adding vegetables is no extra charge.)
Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by the Fiery Chicken sushi burrito. The main problem was that there was nearly no chicken karaage in the burrito, with one half of the burrito containing just a small piece of chicken. The ratio of meat to vegetables was about 1:6, and that’s a generous estimate. The other thing to note is that the topping choices are very basic, with plain, unseasoned vegetables such as cucumber and corn kernels.
While I’m glad that sushi burritos have once again returned to Valley Fair mall, it’s not an option I’ll be returning to anytime soon.
IJ Sushi Burrito, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose; Instagram: @ij_sushiburrito. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tane Vegan Izakaya brings plant-based sushi to downtown Palo Alto
Tane offers a similar menu to Shizen, its sister restaurant in San Francisco
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