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| The HO-HO Dessert |
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| Crispy Polenta Fries!! |
So it has been a while and it is time for me to write again. And I have to admit my blog title is actually the tagline for the restaurant so I can't take credit. This time I am writing about
Astaria in downtown San Mateo, CA. I have to admit that I have been here four times with the intent to blog about it. Once with a very good friend who wanted to be included on one of my blog adventures and once for lunch with a group of nine people and a couple of other times. I have eaten there for both lunch and dinner. And I got pictures this time!!! (although only of one of the dinners) The food here is so good. The menu is an eclectic blend that I would sum up as American fusion, American fused with Thai, Italian, Spanish and the list goes on and on. You can find a little bit of everything here. But first I have to RAVE about the Crispy Polenta Fries with sun-dried aioli. Simply to die for, when I went for lunch with the large group, we ordered them for the table and then I ordered another side for myself as part of my lunch. Crispy on the outside and a nice soft polenta when you bite combined with the sauce is heavenly. I think you catch my point, if you go to Astaria, you must order the polenta fries even if you don't usually like polenta. Next I want to tell you about the Double Dipped, Buttermilk Soak'in Fried Chicken, now just by the name you know that it is going to be lip-smacking good (don't even think about the calories, it is worth them!) It is organic boneless chicken breast marinated in buttermilk and then dipped twice in seasoned flour served with garlic mashed potatoes, could it get any better?!?! For entrees and appetizers I also have to give honorable mentions to the Eleni's Tossed Thai Salad which is crunch, citrus, peanut, cabbage and a tangy peanut dressing. You can add grilled chicken or skirt steak to it as well. It is a big bowl so be ready to share or have leftovers, and it is really tasty. I also want to mention the Alaskan Halibut Mojito'd which is pan seared on a bed of herbed risotto with a citrus-mint sauce. For those who may want a healthy approach it is a good option. Now the next honorable mention is the Chicken Cordon Bleu Pappardelle which is panko crusted organic chicken breast paired with fresh pappardelle with gruyere, prosciutto and cream. I will mention that this dish is de-constructed so that the chicken is not stuffed with the cheese and prosciutto rather it is layered with the pasta. I have not tried this dish personally but out of our group of nine over half of the people ordered it and I swear I saw one of them licking the bowl. Astaria has a robust wine list and actually received a
Wine Spectator Award for 2009. Now last but not least, we get to dessert. I always share and I always don't want to, but it is good manners, right? Astaria's
HO-HO is one of the best desserts ever! For those of us who grew up unraveling those foil-wrapped chocolate rolls and even those people who have never eaten one in their life and laugh at something that can be called a "HO-HO" It is decadent without being too rich-- a roll of chocolate sponge cake and whipped cream dipped entirely in chocolate. I also have to give a shout out to the "Astaria" Brownie which is a star-shaped, moist chocolate brownie served with warm chocolate ganache and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. If you are looking for delicious food in a nice setting (even with the 80's music playing on the sound system), Astaria is the place to go.
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