This San Mateo plant-based seafood company is run by three generations of women
“That’s kinda weird and freaky…I’m actually impressed,” were my exact words after trying a Jinka plant-based crab popper for the first time in April.
Jinka, a plant-based seafood company based in San Mateo, has been churning out vegan seafood dupes since 2020. Created by Alberta Liao and her mother and grandmother, Jinka offers products like plant-based calamari and sashimi at grocery stores nationwide and even at some restaurants, including Twelvemonth in Burlingame. Ever go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and feel bad eating fish at the food court? Soon, Jinka will be available there as well, according to Liao.
In other news, I drank a pint of beer at Your Mom’s Haus, and you (and your mom) can too. A new German-inspired taproom has opened in El Granada, and yes, that’s actually the name of the business.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
Seafood with a catch: Three generations of women created this San Mateo company crafting vegan versions of fish products
Six years ago, Alberta Liao crafted a vegan tuna sandwich for her mother and grandmother’s Cupertino summer camp. That tuna spread is now available in stores nationwide, among an assortment of Liao’s other plant-based seafood products.
Your Mom’s Haus opens on the Coastside, a new addition to University Avenue and a celebrity chef abruptly leaves her restaurant
- Want to try sausage made from rattlesnake or alligator? Now you can at this new German-inspired taproom in El Granada called Your Mom’s Haus.
- La Corneta Taqueria, a 30-year-old family-run burrito joint, is expanding to downtown Palo Alto.
- Yeobo, Darling, a new upscale Asian restaurant created by a former Michelin-starred duo, will open Friday in Menlo Park.
- “Next Level Chef” winner Tucker Ricchio is no longer with Campbell’s Lira Restaurant, which she co-founded less than five months ago. “Decided it was time that Lira Restaurant and I part ways,” she posted to Instagram.
- Junbi Matcha & Tea, a Southern California-based franchise, opened its newest location in Mountain View on Sunday.
- The Palo Alto City Council will soon consider a proposal adding “activation spaces” to Cal Ave., a proposal that would remove pop-up tents; wood-framed roof structures or umbrellas that extend into the street or sidewalk; and corrugated plastic and metal roofs in outdoor dining areas.
- Alamo Drafthouse is hosting a ribbon cutting for its newest Mountain View location on Tuesday, offering 25% off all food and nonalcoholic beverages.
- The Mountain House in Woodside is hosting a ticketed event Wednesday, June 18, at 6 p.m. called Tinctures & Twilight. The $280 ticket includes a five-course chef’s dinner with cocktail pairings.
- San Francisco-born ramen chain Marufuku Ramen will open its new Campbell location Wednesday, June 18.
- Tickets are now on sale for the Star Chefs and the Wines & Spirits They Love 2025, an event at The GlassHouse in downtown San Jose Sept. 21 benefiting Momentum for Health. Woodside’s Kings Mountain Vineyards, Campbell’s Be.Steak.A and ASA, Oak & Rye and The Bywater in Los Gatos are some of the notable participants.
Cherry pizza at Vesta
In January, I wrote the ultimate Peninsula pizza guide, inspired in part by the debut of Silicon Valley Pizza Week. I made the grave mistake of leaving Vesta off the guide, which was quickly corrected by Peninsula foodies rightly proclaiming Vesta should be included.
I completely agree.
Vesta, which owners Peter and Courtney Borrone opened in 2012, offers an abundant selection of both red and white wood-fired pies. And for the vegans out there, Vesta’s menu boasts four distinct vegan pizzas as well. For drinks, there’s a nice selection of beer and wine, but no cocktails.
The Redwood City restaurant previously was ranked as Michelin Bib Gourmand for many consecutive years, but is currently not listed in the guide.
Out of the three pizzas I tried, my favorite by far was the seasonal cherry pizza ($27). The sweetness and slight sourness of the cherries, tanginess of the goat cheese, spicy and meaty savoriness of the soppressata and the spicy and sweet heat of the Calabrian chili honey drizzle all worked together to create the perfect flavorful bite. The smoked mozzarella added a luscious, chewy cheese pull that contrasted with the crispy edges of the soppressata. The crust was chewy and pillowy and didn’t get soggy, even with the juice of the ripe cherries.
Vesta, 2022 Broadway, Redwood City; 650-362-5052, Instagram: @vestarwc. Open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Inside the San Carlos bakery crafting a gluten-free version of a San Francisco staple
Young Kobras sells its artisanal sourdough bread online and in Peninsula markets
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