Bravo Taqueria reopens after a 3-year closure
Trying to interview Carlos Rios at his Redwood City restaurant Bravo Taqueria was like trying to interview a celebrity. Even though it was 3 p.m. (typically a slow time for restaurants), a constant flow of customers would enter through the newly renovated doors – and each one had to say hi to Carlos.
Rios even told me that while walking through the Costco parking lot with his sunglasses on, a customer hollered at him from her car, parked and hugged him.
“I told my cousin, ‘This is why, when I go to this Costco, if I see a regular customer, I have to go around because they’re all over,’” Rios joked.
Bravo Taqueria has been in Redwood City since 1991 and was forced to close in 2023 due to ADA compliance issues. After a three-year renovation, the taqueria has finally reopened, and regulars are returning in droves to their old hangout spot. More on that in this week’s food feature.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
P.S. This is not an April Fool’s joke: I’m going on a two-week trip to China, so assistant lifestyle editor Karla Kane will be taking over all things Peninsula Foodist in the interim.
Regulars are once again flocking to this 35-year-old Redwood City taqueria following a 3-year closure
Bravo Taqueria underwent extensive renovations for ADA compliance and doubled in size, but ‘the head and the heart’ of its business remain.
A new bistro and bar in Menlo Park, James Beard Award finalists announced and Easter events
- Causwells, a San Francisco-based American bistro and bar, is opening Thursday at Springline in Menlo Park.
- The creators of Ettan, Eylan and Little Blue Door are finalists for a James Beard Award.
- Here’s a guide on where to find Easter treats and feasts this weekend along the Peninsula.
- Mountain View’s only board game cafe permanently closed Thursday after two years.
- The Chai Lab is soft opening its mobile chai trailer, Ginger, Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at Main Street Dog Park in Redwood City.
- Upscale Mexican restaurant Amado opened over the weekend in Burlingame.
- Wow Tea Drink, a Cupertino boba spot, held the grand opening of its new Palo Alto shop over the weekend.
- Shang Dumpling recently soft opened in downtown San Mateo in 213 Bistro’s former space.
- Tipsy Putt Sunnyvale, a mini golf and craft beer venue, has permanently closed.
- Shake Shack is expanding with two new Silicon Valley locations. The burger chain is hosting its grand opening in Sunnyvale today and in Mountain View April 9.
Brunch at Causwells
When I first heard that a San Francisco-based, bar-focused American restaurant was coming to Menlo Park, I thought I was having deja vu. Horsefeather, which has the same general concept as Causwells, also recently expanded from San Francisco to the Peninsula (but instead of Menlo Park’s Springline, it opened at Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village). Notably, both restaurants are known for their bar programs and burgers (both made with two beef patties, American cheese, onions, lettuce and house sauce).
So how does it compare? Personally, I thought Causwell’s bar program edged out Horsefeather’s, although Horsefeather’s food is a tad more creative and interesting.
I was blown away by Causwell’s cocktail selection. Every drink was approachable, yet had an unexpected twist that’s hard to find at other restaurants or bars in the area. The attention to detail was incredible – ube foam not made with premade powder or extract, but by dehydrating and grinding ube root; winter melon syrup made by stewing down fresh winter melon. Causwells also distills its own nonalcoholic spirits and offers a bar cart experience (which I’ve only seen locally at Second Story and Selby’s).
I tried six cocktails, and I loved each and every one. If I had to pick a top three, in no particular order I would choose the New Espresso Martini, Ceviche and Deconstructed Pimm’s Cup ($18 each). The New Espresso Martini is espresso martini perfection. It’s bold and coffee-forward, with a sweet, caramelized fruitiness from the roasted banana contrasted with the creamy smoked coconut foam.
If you love spice, passion fruit and pisco sours, you’ll love the Ceviche. Lusciously foamy with a sweet-tart passion fruit punch, you get a nice hit of heat from the aji amarillo and savoriness from the sorrel oil.
The Pimm’s Cup was my favorite from a visual standpoint, and it’s no slouch in flavor either. Made with aloe liqueur, cucumber, strawberry, lemon, ginger beer and mint, it’s light and refreshing – the perfect drink for a hot summery day.
The food was good, but without the standout bar program, I don’t think Causwells would necessarily merit a return visit based on food alone. If there’s one dish you definitely should order, it’s the housemade ricotta ($15). The ricotta is ultra thick and creamy, almost buttery. Dressed with rosemary honey, olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper, it has an addictive sweet-savory balance. It’s served with crispy lavash, which is sturdy enough to scoop the ricotta without breaking and yields the perfect crunch.
Causwells is a great addition to Menlo Park, which doesn’t have many cocktail bars. I’m excited to return and try some other inventive beverages (I’m looking at you, Pina Colada with coconut skin Japanese shaved ice).
To watch my review, follow @peninsulafoodist on Instagram.
Causwells, 550 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park; Instagram: @causwells.menlopark. Beginning April 2, open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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