Old-school flavors get a revamp at the new Old Post Office
I’ve been fortunate enough to dine at seven Michelin-starred restaurants in my life: one in Ireland, one in Thailand, one on the East Coast and four in the Bay Area. For some, this may be a shockingly small amount, while for others, dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I recognize it’s a privilege to experience the upper echelon of fine dining, and it is mesmerizing to see the inner workings of these businesses.
I met up with Tim Stannard last Wednesday at his newest project in Burlingame: a 1940s-inspired fine-dining restaurant located in a former historic post office. Stannard is the founder of Bacchus Management Group, which owns an impressive portfolio of restaurants, including Michelin-starred The Village Pub and Selby’s – and he’s gunning for yet another Michelin star for his newest concept, The Old Post Office.
Located in a former historic post office, Bacchus’ newest restaurant is serving modernized versions of classic 1940s dishes. Think duck carved tableside and a dramatic flambéing of sauce, as well as old-school menu items such as crispy pig’s tail and fondue. Guests are seated near original brass teller windows and post boxes, and the original bank vault door decorates the wall near the bathrooms.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
A historic Peninsula post office is reopening as a fine-dining restaurant from the restaurant group behind The Village Pub and Selby’s
The Old Post Office in Burlingame combines 1940s-inspired fare with architectural flair.
Taiwanese spot comes to Redwood City, Cupertino Restaurant Week and a pub crawl
- Mr. Pan Bistro, a Taiwanese restaurant previously in Cupertino, has relocated to the former Redwood Bistro space in Redwood City.
- Coffeebar – which has locations in Menlo Park and Redwood City, among other cities – is opening its new Los Altos cafe Monday at State Street Market.
- Thomas Fogarty Winery is celebrating its 45th anniversary in Woodside at the opening of its new Redwood Room Saturday.
- Thai Basil Restaurant, located in Sunnyvale since 1995, recently moved from Murphy Avenue to E. Evelyn Avenue.
- The Redwood City Library Foundation is hosting its fifth annual Upscale Pub Crawl Oct. 7 from 5-9 p.m. in celebration of Banned Books Week.
- Odd One Out Tea is hosting the grand opening of its San Mateo shop Thursday, with the first 100 customers receiving a tote bag, milk tea bottle and sticker set.
- Agape Grill is permanently closing Friday after nearly 17 years in Sunnyvale.
- Cupertino Restaurant Week is Oct. 5-11, with participating eateries offering special promotions and deals.
- Living Room Craft Coffee in Campbell has reopened with a remodeled space and menu.
- Out of the Barrel in San Carlos is hosting Pups for a Purpose Saturday from 2-5 p.m. with future service dogs and a portion of sales donated to DogFest.
- Menlo Park Cal-Indian restaurant Eylan has been named to Yelp’s list of top new restaurants in the country.
- After 40 years in Sunnyvale, The Pasta Market has permanently closed; its Los Altos and San Jose locations remain open. Ownership cited “rising operating costs, current economic conditions, and changes in the area” as some of the reasons for the closure in a recent Facebook post.
Dinner at Yutori
Five months after debuting its cafe and konbini market, Yutori has introduced its full-service restaurant for dinner service. While chef-owner Jerome Ito (who also owns Go Fish Poke Bar and Taro San Japanese Noodle Bar) told me in an interview that Yutori is “something that could be had multiple times a week as opposed to (a) once a year type of restaurant,” I’d argue that’s only true for those in a much higher tax bracket than me.
Yutori’s menu is divided into bites, small plates and large plates, although the server described it as a menu divided into just small and large plates, with the pastas (located in the middle section) actually being large plates. That being said, I’d estimate an average diner will likely spend at least $100 before tax and tip on their individual meal.
I personally was very impressed by the cocktail program, which I found innovative, unique and broadly appealing. If you like Bar Underdog, I think you’ll like Yutori. I tried the Melon Cream Soda (with pisco, Midori, honeydew, soda, lemon and vanilla ice cream whip) and the Yugo Carre (with whisky, rye, hojicha vermouth, fig leaf and bitters), both of which made for easy drinking and were nicely balanced.
The dish I was most excited to try unfortunately fell slightly short of my expectations. While the black sesame Nikkei ceviche ($32) had a nice black sesame flavor and a beautiful blend of fresh bluefin tuna, salmon and local halibut, I would have liked significantly more leche de tigre on the plate and more contrasting textures in the ceviche itself. The ratio of chips to ceviche was also off, with the small ceviche portion easily being finished in five bites, leaving the chip bowl nearly full after completing the ceviche. If you’re craving Nikkei ceviche, I’d recommend checking out La Costanera, which offers a larger portion for just $27, and you get a waterfront view.
The Hiyayakko tofu, the least expensive dish on the menu at $19, was OK, but not a must-order dish, with the predominant flavor being salt.
If you have the budget for it, the Japanese A5 Shinshu Wagyu is truly excellent ($98). Perfectly cooked with a rich marbling and juicy bite, the wagyu is smartly served with freshly grated wasabi, daikon oroshi and house ponzu with an egg yolk and a bowl of rice. I would have liked the addition of a pickled vegetable to cut through the fatty richness of the A5 wagyu and for the rice to not feel like an afterthought – perhaps cooked in a rich broth or garnished with furikake.
Do not skip the hojicha Earl Grey tiramisu with Earl Grey toffee ($14) – it’s heavenly. The cream is much richer and more decadent than traditional tiramisu, and the toffee adds a bit of crunch. I would return just for this tiramisu.
To watch my review, follow @peninsulafoodist on Instagram.
Yutori, 3375 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650-764-0110, Instagram: @yutori_pa. Konbini market open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cafe open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Restaurant and bar open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5:30-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5:30-10 p.m.
Burma Spice brings Burmese flavors to Redwood City
The menu includes rainbow and tea leaf salads, noodle dishes, curries and more
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