Check out these 10 Oktoberfest celebrations along the Peninsula
The return of pumpkin spice lattes, end of Labor Day weekend and resurfacing Halloween decor are all indicators that autumn is in the air, despite the summery temperatures. But perhaps my favorite indicator is underway: a packed Peninsula Oktoberfest event schedule.
Even if you aren’t a fan of beer, Oktoberfest events are an absolute blast – full of live music, dancing, German bites, competitions and contests and a lively, jovial vibe. My personal favorite competition is the stein-holding contest, a test of strength where participants hold full steins straight out in front of them until just one person remains (although yodeling comes at a close second).
I’ve rounded up a list of 10 Silicon Valley Oktoberfest events, from longtime events such as the 31st annual Campbell Oktoberfest to newer celebrations including Oktoberfest Coastside. And the Mountain View Oktoberfest is back and bigger than ever before.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
10 ways to celebrate Oktoberfest along the Peninsula
Get your stein-holding arm and beer bellies ready, because it’s almost Oktoberfest season along the Peninsula. From San Mateo to Los Gatos, a variety of Oktoberfest events are scheduled throughout September and October.
A new San Carlos watering hole, ube bake off and upcoming art and wine festivals
- Zac’s Bar & Grill has opened in the former The Office Bar & Grill space in San Carlos.
- Blue Bottle has opened its new Palo Alto location across the street from its old Varsity Avenue cafe.
- Friday is the last day to nominate or sign up for 7 Mile House’s Ube Bake Off.
- Tapland in Santa Clara is hosting Puppies and Pints on Saturday from 1-4 p.m.
- Menlo College is hosting its first Art & Wine Festival Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free, all-ages event includes local art, wine, food trucks and live jazz.
- The Mountain View Art & Wine Festival is Saturday and Sunday in downtown Mountain view. Expect live music, hundreds of artist vendors, activities, wine and food.
- Eylan is teaming up with Yeobo, Darling for a special five-course collaborative dinner Oct. 12 from 5:30-8:45 p.m.
- Dumpling Kitchen is opening soon in the former Shanghai Dumplings space in Millbrae.
- The Scullery, located inside Table Wine in Pacifica, is soft opening Friday from 5:30-7 p.m. The small shop specializes in plants, vintage kitchen goods, pottery and cookbooks.
- Angelica’s in Redwood City is celebrating Mexican Independence Day Sept. 16 with extended happy hour, specials and a DJ.
- Rooh in Palo Alto is offering a special Maharastrian menu Sept. 14-27.
Mapo tofu noodles at Seasons Noodles & Dumplings Garden
Mapo tofu is comfort food for me. Numbing, spicy and deeply savory with a soft, silken texture, it’s addictive and doesn’t feel too heavy. So when I saw that a casual noodle and dumpling spot in downtown Mountain View offered mapo tofu over a bed of chewy, hand-pulled noodles ($16), I had to try it.
Seasons Noodles & Dumpling Garden’s version of mapo tofu doesn’t have ground beef in it and is not nearly as numbing or spicy as what I’m accustomed to, but nevertheless made for a very tasty meal. When you order a noodle dish at Seasons, you have the option of six noodle shapes, and I picked the regular flat noodles for extra chew. The texture of the thick, chewy noodles contrasted beautifully with the bouncy, silky tofu.
I also tried the braised beef noodle soup with regular round noodles ($16), but I preferred the mapo tofu. The noodle soup was too salty for me and a tad one-note. The meat was OK, but not nearly as tender as the noodle soup from nearby Joyous Cuisine.
Seasons Noodles & Dumplings Garden, 702 Villa St., Mountain View; 650-282-5116. Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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