From elote old fashioneds to smoked oysters with Oaxaca cheese foam, this new Menlo Park restaurant is celebrating Mexican flavors
On Monday night, I was crying. Not because I was sad, but because I was so moved by the James Beard Awards. I sat through the three-hour ceremony, the glow of my computer screen illuminating my tears, and was incredibly touched by the stories of all the winners and presenters who drove forth the message that America’s culinary scene relies on immigrants.
While the only Peninsula nominee did not win a James Beard Award, just being nominated is still quite the achievement. Some of my favorite quotes include: “It’s never too spicy; it’s flavorful,” from Chutatip Suntaranon of Kalaya, and “When you stop dreaming, it’s time to die,” from Ryan Roadhouse of Nodoguro.
This week, we highlight the newest restaurant to come to Menlo Park’s Springline development: Alisios. The Mexican restaurant was created by a team of immigrants: Desmond Tan, who grew up in Myanmar; Carlos Villegas, who grew up in Mexico; Renee Gomez, who grew up in Bolivia; and Humberto Galeano, who grew up in Honduras.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
Contemporary Mexican restaurant Alisios opens at Menlo Park’s Springline development
Burma Food Group opened the first restaurant at Springline. On June 11, it debuted a new concept at the Menlo Park development, the final addition to a now full list of restaurant tenants.
A new food hall with Michelin star cred, Asian chicken wings come to Mountain View and a festival celebrating ube
- The team behind Dumpling Time, Kappo and Michelin-starred Niku Steakhouse debuted South San Francisco food hall Omakase World Market on Tuesday.
- Longtime Mountain View Mexican joint La Salsa has permanently closed. Asian fried chicken wing concept Wing So Good is expected to open in its place.
- Here’s where to watch the World Cup – from city-organized events to the top bars for viewing.
- New Calfresh work requirements put 67,000 in Silicon Valley at risk of losing food assistance.
- Penelope’s Coffee & Tea is hosting the grand opening of its new Daly City location June 24 at 9:30 a.m.
- The Breakfast Club at Midtown’s newest restaurant in Mountain View is hosting its ribbon cutting Saturday from 3-5 p.m. with complimentary food and beverages.
- The Ube Festival is returning to the Cow Palace in Daly City on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Filipino food vendors, live music and more.
- Jesse Cool of Flea Street in Menlo Park is teaching virtual cooking classes with Stanford Continuing Studies on Mondays from July 20 to Aug. 17.
- Falafel Stop in Sunnyvale recently debuted next-door dessert shop Italian Ice and Cream (dogs eat free!).
- Shabu Shack is permanently closing its South San Francisco restaurant on Monday.
Ravioli carbonara at La Stanza
If you’re looking for Italian food that won’t break the bank, La Stanza’s got you covered.
Located in Menlo Park since 2020, this quaint restaurant doesn’t focus on the aesthetics (the restaurant is basically one square room with no decorations), but the menu is legit. Large portions of pasta go for $18.50-$22.50, and nothing on the menu is more than $30.
The vibe is old-school (despite the restaurant only being six years old), with white tablecloths and complimentary bread. Notably, La Stanza doesn’t have a full liquor license, so don’t expect any cocktails.
To start, I opted for the polpette di melanzane, which are fried balls made of eggplant, potato and grana padano served on a bed of tomato sauce ($10.95). They were crispy and creamy, reminiscent of a croquette, and a delicious start to the meal.
The ravioli carbonara is a rich, decadent dream of meaty pancetta-stuffed ravioli coated in a creamy, cheesy and peppery sauce ($22.50). For something a tad lighter, the fiocchetti aurora features pear- and Asiago cheese-stuffed pasta pockets and a creamy tomato sauce ($20.50). The pear flavor is very pronounced and doesn’t get overwhelmed by the orange-hued sauce.
The tiramisu isn’t a must-try – the cream was a bit too light and fluffy for me; I prefer a richer, mascarpone-forward filling ($9.50).
La Stanza Cucina Italiana, 651 Oak Grove Ave., Suite H, Menlo Park; 650-326-1314, Instagram: @lastanzacucina. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 4-8:30 p.m.
Here’s the tea: 15 boba shops to try on the Peninsula
After a half-decade of buying boba in the Bay, author Grace D. Li shares her drink recommendations
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
