Blog has moved

Hi fellows,

All of the posts of this blog have been moved to the main blog page now under the Restaurant Review label. I'll be hiding this page eventually. New reviews will be posted on the main blog only.

Thank you,
Kanan

Coconut Bay

One of my favorite restaurants for Thai food on the Peninsula. I actually like Narin that's next door from this place better, but since I ate here only last week, I thought I'd write about it.

I do have to tell you that it's a little pricey for the amount of food they give, but it's good nevertheless. The place is very well lit from the inside and also has quite a lot of daylight because of being located on the corner.

For lunch, as a vegetarian you don't have too many choices but you can request them to make a meatless/egg-less Pad Thai noodles and their Panang Curry is quite good.

They have a bar next door as well and the place is small but very cute and clean. The service is good but they get very busy at meal times so if you're planning to eat there, make reservation or go a bit early.

* - the dinner item I've tried in the past and liked.

Garden Fresh Rolls * - Rice paper rolls with fresh vegetables served with a carrot sauce

Roti with Curry sauce * - Grilled East Indian flat bread served with a curry dipping sauce

Jungle Tom Yum Soup * - (Special request to make it vegetarian without chicken broth or meat) Chicken or prawns in spicy and sour soup with mushrooms, tomatoes and lemon grass

Papaya Pok Pok Salad * - Shredded green papaya mixed with green beans, Chili, carrots, tomatoes and ground peanuts. This stuff is very delicious! They do give a small amount for this one.

Vegetarian Delight Salad * - Green salad, bean curd, tomatoes, cucumbers, Red onions, bean sprouts, topped with peanut dressing.

Then they have a whole section for the veg. items:

Spear & Shield - Sautéed asparagus spear with whole shitake mushrooms and garlic sauce (Seasonal)

Curry Powder Vegetables - Sautéed mix vegetables with mild curry powder and garlic

Tangy Vegetables - Sautéed mixed vegetables with pineapple, onions tomatoes, cucumbers and black fungus

Oyster Sauce Broccoli - Sautéed broccoli with oyster sauce garlic and black mushrooms

Vegetable Combo - Sautéed fresh seasonal vegetables with soy sauce and garlic

Curry Vegetables * - Fresh seasonal vegetables in panaeng curry with coconut milk mushrooms and sweet basil

Peanut Sauce Vegetables - Boiled spinach, cabbage and bean curd topped with mild curry peanut sauce

Sweet Basil Bean Curd - Sautéed bean curd with sweet basil, chili, garlic, zucchini, bell peppers, green beans and snow peas

Bean Curd with Eggplant * - Sautéed bean curd with eggplant, egg, chili, black bean sauce and sweet basil

They have about five or so desserts. I've tried the fried banana with ice cream only, but I am sure others will be good as well. Can't wait to try the fried banana with honey the next time I go.

My rating for Coconut Bay: 4/5

Name: Coconut Bay
Type: Thai
Average Price: $8-10/person (Lunch), $12-18/person (Dinner)
Address: 1300 Howard Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010 (At the intersection of Howard & Park Rd)
Phone: (650) 558-8268
Website: http://coconutbayrestaurant.com/

Vaso Azzurro Ristorante

Classy Italian-French dining - that's what I call it. I love this place. If you're going out on a dinner date or for lunch with your colleague, you will love it here.

The food is great and the service is awesome! The staff is very polite and always smiling to help.

It gets a little crazy when they are crowded so the best time to go is in the early hours to avoid waiting for your meals.

My favorite dishes are:

* - my personal favorites

PANINI

Vegetali Panino - On a bun with aioli, grilled marinated eggplant, zucchini, roasted bell peppers, portabella basil, and sun-dried tomatoes, served with mixed baby greens side salad.

ANTIPASTI

Bocconcini Di Mozeralla Lombardy - Fresh mozzarellas, tomato slices, basil, oregano, olive oil & balsamic vinegar.

Aubergines Au Grill Modena - Hot stew of marinated eggplant with olive oil, diced red onions, tomatoes, garlic, roasted sweet red peppers.

Bruschetta Milano * - Freshly baked bread topped with fresh chopped tomato, red onion, garlic, basil & olive oil.

INSALATE

Insalata Della Casa * - Spring baby greens, kalamata olives, red onion, grated parmesan cheese & house dressing.

Insalata Trevisiana * - Fresh spinach, arugula, radicchio, caramelized walnuts & cherry tomatoes, house dressing. (Arugula is a herb)

Insalata Avocadro * - Fresh avocado, romaine lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, tomatoes, lemon-herb dressing.

Insalata Arugula * - Fresh baby arugula, hearts of palm, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, lemon-herb dressing.


ENTREES

Capellini Al Pomodoro Fresco - Angel hair pasta, fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, EVOO, and spinach.

Penne Alla Diavola * - Pasta tubes with chunk of marinated eggplants, garlic, onion, basil, red bell pepper, spicy marinara sauce. If you like a spicy Italian dish, this is the one to order. It's very delicious!

Gnocchi Di Spinaci Al Gorgonzola - Spinach and potato dumplings in rich creamy gorgonzola cheese sauce, splash of chardonnay. Great if you are a cheese lover.

Ravioli Con Spinaci Di Mascarpone * - Pasta, stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese, sauted in a marinara mascarpone cheese sauce.

Risotto Fungi - Imported Arborio rice with Portobello mushroom, peppercorns, sundried tomatoes, and touch of cream.

You can practically order anything else that you see on menu and request them to not include the meat and they are kind enough to make it for you.

They have a fantastic collection of desserts as well, ranging from Italian ones to the Middle Eastern ones, including Flan, Mud Pie, Tiramisu *, Creme Brule, Cheesecake, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Baklava *, Affogata, Zabaglione, Sorbet, Gelato *, Chocolate Sundae, and Helen of Troy.

And btw, if you still didn't know, Vaso Azzurro means blue vase; they do have a whole bunch of them in the restaurant as well.

My rating for Vaso Azzurro: 4/5

Name: Vaso Azzurro Ristorante
Type: Italian-French
Average Price: $10-14/person (Lunch), $12-18/person (Dinner)
Address: 108 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041 (At Evelyn Ave)
Phone: (650) 940-1717
Website: http://vasoazzurro.com/