How Chez TJ’s new executive chef plans to bring change to the Mountain View mainstay
It was pouring down rain the day I was scheduled to talk with Chez TJ’s new executive chef Stan Michalski at the Michelin-starred restaurant. The front door was locked, and six calls to the restaurant went unanswered. I decided I’d leave after 15 minutes.
At the 15 minute mark, I began my soggy descent down the stairs from the patio to the sidewalk. And that’s when I heard a man shouting at me from his car: “What are you doing?!?”
“I’m here for an interview!!” I shouted back.
“Try the back door!!!” I heard before the light turned green and he drove away.
So I tried the back door. And it worked. The main food story this week introduces you to Michalski, a man who’s not only trying to make Chez TJ more affordable, but who also has quite the passion for biking and pizza.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
Meet the new executive chef at Michelin-starred Chez TJ in Mountain View
Chez TJ’s new executive chef Stanley Michalski discusses his culinary style, what he aims to achieve in his new role and his interests outside of cooking.
SPONSORED
HyperSpace After Dark Featuring Murdoch’s Bar!
Friday, March 1st, 6 to 9 p.m. enjoy drinks, snacks, gaming, karaoke & VR with the whole family! Entrance fee of $15/person includes 100-credit game card plus 25% off of karaoke, gaming lounge, & VR. Murdoch’s Bar will offer beer, wine, & cocktails for sale. Buy tickets at the door or online. Game on! > TICKETS
A search for Clifford, a new downtown Mountain View restaurant and kimbap galore
- Where is Clifford? The namesake of Mountain View restaurant Clifford’s Chicken & Fish hasn’t been seen by staff since its opening.
- Chinese restaurant Joyous Cuisine soft opened Monday night in downtown Mountain View.
- Mediterranean restaurant Mazra is planning to open its Redwood City location April 2, said founder Saif Makableh.
- Yum Kimbap, a restaurant specializing in kimbap and operated by a mother-daughter duo, opened Feb. 19 in San Mateo.
- Tiny Tea Co. in Burlingame is officially closed, but don’t be upset quite yet: The company said it has “BIG plans ahead” in a recent Instagram post.
- Local Kitchens will be adding a new sandwich and salad concept Thursday at all locations, except the recently opened San Bruno location.
- Mezza Luna Restaurant in Half Moon Bay closed Monday for “deep cleaning, maintenance and much deserved time off for staff” and will reopen March 18, according to a recent Instagram post.
- Love for Butter will have a Korean fried chicken sandwich pop-up at BarZola in Palo Alto tonight from 9-11:30 p.m. and a pastry pop-up at Vina Enoteca in Palo Alto Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon.
SPONSORED
Attention all food lovers, April 19th – 27 is your chance to try specialty dishes at some of your favorite local restaurants
Explore Peninsula Restaurant Week’s dining deals from nearly 100 local restaurants. >LEARN MORE
Black sesame Vietnamese iced coffee from Mochi Waffle Corner
Fun fact about me: I worked at a cafe specializing in Vietnamese coffee during my senior year of college. And I loved it. Sweet, creamy, coffee-forward with a slight nuttiness and insanely refreshing on a hot day, I became obsessed with Vietnamese iced coffee.
So naturally when I moved back to the Bay Area post-college, I continued to search for specialty Vietnamese-style coffees. Much to my chagrin, it seemingly only existed in San Jose.
That is, until I stumbled upon Mochi Waffle Corner in Mountain View, a tiny takeaway cafe with no seating and kiosk or online ordering only. And despite coffee not being in the name, it has an incredible assortment of Vietnamese iced coffee drinks.
For my full review of Mochi Waffle Corner and to learn about why the owner chose this concept, click here.
Mochi Waffle Corner, 805 E El Camino Real Suite F, Mountain View. Instagram: @mochiwafflecorner. Open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
At the table: eating with Kenji López-Alt, San Mateo’s ‘mad scientist chef
Food Lab creator and Wursthall owner on his next cookbook, kitchen culture and ‘why it’s impossible to take politics out of food’
FROM THE FOODIST
When you support local journalism, you support the Foodist
The Peninsula Foodist is proud to be a sister publication of Palo Alto Online, and as an independent and local news organization, we rely on reader support to bring you 100% original content focusing on the places where you live and work — and of course — eat out. Your support is needed now more than ever. Help sustain local journalism and the Peninsula Foodist by becoming a member. > SUPPORT US TODAY
About the Peninsula Foodist
We cover the dynamic, under-the-radar food scene around the Peninsula through articles, interviews and eating excursions. Pass along tips, comments and recipes to PeninsulaFoodist@PaloAltoOnline.com.
Are you looking to reach locals interested in food and dining on the Peninsula? Learn about advertising in the
Peninsula Foodist newsletter.
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*
Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*
You can update your preferences and manage your groups, or if you really never want to hear from us again, including other emails from us you may have signed up for, you can totally unsubscribe from this list.
View this email in your browser
