San Jose: Rosicrucian Museum, Olla Cocina, & much more

I've never set foot in San Jose before, passed through it in a car a few times, flown over it. Above is the SAP Center, and I think it's been just over the 20 years since the last time I was this close to a place where the NHL takes place. They've also got concerts by Roger Waters, Neil Diamond and Pitbull coming up.

Downtown San Jose Whole Foods, which is why we were here, as Robin was vending at their crafts fair. Two blocks from the stadium, with a CalTrains station in between, the airport just a bit north. This WFM has a brewpub up the stairs, and it also has a Poke bowl station inside. We got Poke for an early lunch, and it was more than enough for both of us.

Mural in Downtown San Jose.

Old & new. Plenty of buildings remain from San Jose's mission days.

Most of downtown SJ is unremarkable, but there's enough buildings from eras past to keep it interesting.

Olla Cocina: brilliant spot-on Mexican cuisine. Every detail is perfect. Tomatoes in the Salsa Rojo at left are charred. Big round flavor of ripe chiles and tomatillos in the Salsa Verde, and the Guacamole couldn't be better.

Pineapple/mango agua fresca.

Roast duck, chayote, sprouts, butternut squash, zucchini, oaxaca cheese served on a freshly cooked huarache, chile arbol salsa on the side. Mexican soul food at its finest.

Duck Carnitas tacos, again with Chile Arbol salsa. I look forward to our next visit.

I accidentally discovered a pub serving my favorite ale on the planet: Fuller's ESB! Haven't had one in years, thought I'd never have another. First time I've ever seen it on draught in California.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.

Francis Bacon Auditorium

Pythagoras statue in front of Planetarium

Cooter's Wine Reviews: Curve Balls

I can't barely remember where that whole thing started but I thought we were talking about the rules of Nine Ball pool, but then he started talking about aerodynamics as it related to putting "English" on the cue ball was just like two fingers together producing a curve ball, tacking the sail just off the headwind, or riding the curve while accelerating at the angle to increase velocity and stability. Some still objects could blow over with the amount of wind being generated.

Pitching a line from the dock takes a flick of the wrist like skipping a stone across the water. If the line or stone is wet, you'll get different action. Wind always plays a part, as does gravity. Buckminster Fuller spoke of the idea of a natural inclination for the velocity of a moving object to proceed in an arc instead of a straight line. Makes me think of the science of pouring ale into a pint glass, or vino into a wine glass.

Morande Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2008. Sweet, nutty and complex. Similar to Sherry or Marsala.

Riaza Faultline 2014 California Red Blend, 90% Tempranillo (from two vineyards) & 10% Zinfandel. Big berry and plum overtones, dry, earthy.

Hilt & Blade Zinfandel Lodi 2015. Full fruit, long finish, hearty. Typical of the better Lodi Zins.

Rock Springs Sierra Foothills 2013 Red Blend. Ripe fruit, balanced. Opened up nicely after two hours. Perhaps a bit more age would improve? Quite good nevertheless.

VQ Cuvee VIII Napa 2012  25% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 15% Tempranillo, 10% Carignan, 10% Petit Syrah, and others. Big fruit, complex, solid structure & finish. Pomegranate notes. Pretty sure this is only the second wine I've had with Carignan grapes.

White Cliff Pinot Noir 2013 Winemaker's Selection Marlborough, New Zealand. At first I realized I needed to let this wine breathe as it was extremely tart on first sip, and opened up to be a very interesting mix of cranberry & raspberry. Stunningly good when you consider this is about $6, and you'd normally pay $35-50 for a Pinot this good from down under.

Alder Springs Vineyard Ukiah Row Rive 2013 Red Cuvee. Full-bodied fruit, slightly dry, a solid choice.

Projection Winemaker's Cut Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. Strawberry notes. Great cab for the price, on par with most cabs I've had in the $25-30 range. One of my favorites I've had a few times from Grocery Outlet in recent months. I wonder if cellaring could improve this vintage? I'm happy to drink this now.

Pythian Rock 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Sebastopol Big, fruity Cabernet with solid tannins, structure, tart cherry, raspberry & plum notes. Another solid Grocery Outlet bargain.

Hippie Modernism Exhibit at UC Berkeley Art Museum

The work of Frances Butler, professor emeritus, UC Davis.

Nyum Bai: Cambodian cuisine at Emeryville Public Market

Chicken Salad at Nyum Bai.

I've heard this new restaurant is constantly updating their menu. The Chicken Salad above isn't on their online menu. What I understand is their best dish, their Fried Chicken, is only offered on Sundays. The Chicken Salad is an exquisite interplay between thinly sliced red chiles and Thai basil.

KUY TEAV PHNOM PENH (SOUP)

rice noodles, minced pork, pork slices, crispy garlic, herbs, khmer pork & shrimp broth

http://www.nyumbai.com/

The Kitchen: Dim Sum in Millbrae, CA

Shiu Mai & Sticky Rice Wrapped In Lotus Leaf at The Kitchen in Millbrae.

I rarely find myself in the South Bay, but whenever I'm there, I try to check out one of the many great Asian restaurants. We've tried to eat at The Kitchen before, because it came so highly recommended. 

Above and below: Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf. The contents are a blend of pork and Chinese sausage. Tasted like a bit of seafood in there too. Delicious start.

Shiu Mai. Obviously the real version, all the others are poor parodies of this. Dark meat chicken, possibly a bit of shrimp. Intense chicken flavor.

Above and below: Steamed Shrimp Dumpling. Eating these beautiful dumplings is a bit like eating a Faberge Egg. But in this case, with perfectly cooked, moist shrimp inside.

Above & below: Pea Sprouts Dumpling. Stuffed also with delicious shrimp. At this point I was marvelling that they could match or top the previous dish.

And, finally, behold: Veggie Tofu Skin Roll. Fried tofu stuffed with intense Shittake mushrooms. Easily the best Tofu dish I've ever had, and probably the best vegan dish I've ever had at a restaurant. Is it any wonder that all the close competitors would be other dishes I've had at Chinese restaurants?

The Kitchen

279 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030

Hours: 11am -2:30 pm & 5pm - 1am

(650) 692-9688