Q: What about the many restaurants of Santa Clara County?
A: Historically, we haven’t considered that area, due to the logistical and financial difficulty of getting a San Francisco-based critic enough time to do justice to its incredibly rich food scene. But that’s not to say it’s off the table forever: Someone should put me up in their house in San Jose for a month and I’ll get right on it.
There you go.
We went to August 1 Five based on the recommendations of someone my wife knows who’s Indian and whose family traveled extensively and internationally for food. We thought it was nice. But I thought it would be better given why we went in the first place. But, we aren’t Indians and didn’t grow up eating the cuisine, so we aren’t comparing traditional Indian restaurants around here against the wedding feasts in India, and relatives’ kitchens. So inevitably we give bigger preference to traditional Indian restaurants than any elevated version of Indian.
Our reaction to August 1 Five was similar to our reaction when we went to Rasa. Quite nice. Now many Indian expats around here have said that the best Indian food in Santa Clara are at best a 7 in India, and a lot of spices, flavors just taste different here. Now, I have not been to Rooh or Vik’s, the other 2 Indian restaurants on the list. With that said, its hard for me to fathom that there isn’t a single traditional Indian eatery in Santa Clara county that can’t crack the list, given Santa Clara county is home to the most concentrated Indian population in the US outside of certain areas in the tristate area. Probably just a function of the fact that its too far for Soleil to make regular treks down here. And who really wants to deal with 101 traffic.
I have not been to Maum. But same argument for Korean. I asked a Korean coworker about great Korean food and he thought Maum was ok, but should be better given the price. In the expensive Korean space, he thought Benu was better.
A similar argument can be made for Vietnamese restaurants if e.g. Slanted Door or Khai is on the list, except that there aren’t any Vietnamese restaurants on the list.
The Chinese/ Taiwanese list needs some revisiting. I am not saying those on the list are bad. But there are many that are just as fine around the Bay Area. They are just not those that have gotten on Chronicle’s radar traditionally.
That’s quite a lot of ramen places on the list. If high end is pitted against each other, shouldn’t ramen also?
Some other random thoughts:
Should In Situ be on the list? Its borrowing others dishes, after all.
Didn’t really like Montesacro nearly as well as the Tara Duggan or Paoli Lucchesi.
I like Reem’s, and Reem’s can be considered significant for various reasons. And I am happy to eat there often. Though I find it hard to consider it top 100. If Reem’s there for its the significance of La Cocina, then its neighbor and fellow top 100 Nyum Bai is a better choice. Foodwise, if Dyafa is Assil’s and there isn’t a break between her and Patterson and the recent controversies around the parent restaurant group, then I think Dyafa is a better candidate.
