California has long sported a Spanish accent. Michelin-starred chef Jarad Gallagher, formerly of Chez TJ, exploits its charm at BROMA with a modern spin on Bay Area meets Iberia.
Melding local ingredients with the best of Spain and Portugal gives the menu an exotic feel that goes beyond tapas or pinxtos. An amuse of gazpacho was followed by perfectly dressed Caesar salad, salmon mousse, chicken croquettes, buttermilk fried quail and an impressive dish called Fideuà, essentially a toasted squid ink pasta vermicelli version of paella, topped with PEI mussels, shrimp, linguica and green garlic.
But it was executive chef Aubree Arndt’s spectacular whole trout dish, deboned and served with wild rice stuffing, preserved lemon, vadouvan and a chive cream sauce, that was perfection. Braised lamb in gazpacho, house-made cavatelli, Duroc pork tenderloin wrapped in Serrano ham with polenta, and a New York strip with chimichurri are among the other items necessitating a return visit to the restaurant, located in Mountain View’s Shashi Hotel.
BROMA’s wine list is an equally adventurous foray into local vineyards as well as imports, and the cocktails from The Emerald Hour are strong on creativity and flavor.
In celebration of its first year under the culinary guidance of chef Julian Silvera, The Tasting House in Los Gatos has rolled out a new menu for fall with entrees like Beef Wellington for two, Carolina barbecue short ribs, duck leg confit and steak frites with bearnaise. Small plates include Thai laab salad, pumpkin soup, French cheese and rilettes, Korean barbecue chicken and raviolo with prosciutto, ricotta and fava beans.
Silvera showcases locally sourced ingredients, including Fogline Farms chicken, piopino mushrooms from Far West Fungi, sugar pie pumpkin from Post Street Farm in Santa Cruz, and onions and Yukon Gold potatoes from Santa Cruz Perma Culture.
Trevor Felch, author of the recently released “City Eats: San Francisco,” will make a guest appearance at the Tasting House on Saturday, Nov. 9, 1-2:30 p.m., in the Champagne Bar. Tickets are $42 at https://www.tastinghouse.com/product/-city-eats-san-francisco-book-signing/6335 and include a cookbook, to be personalized by Felch at the event, plus wine, cheese and chocolate.
Suspiro at Santana Row is making a big deal out of Sundays by serving sangria all day for $10, along with a paella party from 4-10 p.m., featuring plates for $16. Monday is Wine Night starting at 4 p.m., with 50% off selected bottles. Wednesdays in the Speakeasy feature flights of three whiskies for $20, with brands like Angel’s Envy, Four Roses Small Batch and WhistlePig six-year, plus a premium flight for $29, featuring Aberlour 16-year and Hooten Young 12-year. Enjoy whiskey cocktails, too.
Gonzalo Aramburu, the latest chef to take up residence at Ritual at Manresa, is known for his highly technical and mature cuisine, featuring Argentinian seasonal ingredients presented in 16 to 18 courses. His is the first and only Argentinian restaurant to earn two Michelin stars.
November at Ritual welcomes British born multi-Michelin-starred chef Paul Liebrandt, owner of Corton restaurant in New York City and the subject of the documentary film “A Matter of Taste.” Tickets are $390 (typically $530) at https://www.ritualatmanresa.com.
The MOHI Food and Wine Fest is set for Sunday, Oct. 27, 1-5 p.m., in downtown Morgan Hill, where they’ll close off the streets to share regionally sourced food and wine presented by local and celebrity chefs alike. Twelve food and wine stations featuring chefs Michael Mina, Tyler Florence, Todd Fisher and Elizabeth Faulkner and local wineries Alara Cellars, Calera, Guglielmo, Leal and Lion Ranch. The event supports the creation and development of hospitality programs across the Morgan Hill Unified School District. Tickets are $200 at https://www.mohifarm.com/store/event/2024-mohi-farm-food-wine-festival.
