The Fish Market

My friend picked me up after school and treated me out to lunch. For more than five months he has been practicing a pescaterian diet. He chose to dine at The Fish Market in San Jose. We ate lunch at 3 o'clock so the dining room was empty, but in my head I could just imagine the restaurant filling up fast on the weekend.

A host at the front greeted us with a friendly smile and quickly sat us at a table. She handed us the menus and told us our server would be right with us. I also noticed that the menus were printed out daily suggesting their fresh selection of fish.

There was plenty of fish to choose from: Mackerel, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Salmon, Trout, Swordfish, and many more. I has swordfish with two sides of rice and vegetables. My friend had Mahi Mahi with two sides of coleslaw and vegetables. My swordfish was very tender and I enjoyed every bite.

Every now and then our sever would check on us and replenish our waters. As she cleared our plates she handed us the desert menu and recommended the chocolate seduction. The chocolate seduction was a flourless chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream.

This restaurant makes me think that during Lent for Catholics, especially on Friday's, would have every seat taken in the house.

Zao Noodle Bar

Zao Noodle Bar Conquers from East to West of Asia

An unforgettable Trip to Asia for an Unexpected Price

Generous portions of delectable delicacies from China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam have been clashed together for an inexpensive price. It is called the Zao Noodle Bar located in Palo Alto and has just recently opened five years ago. Other locations that have established this chain can be found in San Francisco and Emeryville.

This casual dining room is dressed in red and black hinting the remembrance of “good luck,” to the Asian culture. Employees flaunt around with t-shirts saying different fortunes on the front and back, pacing up and down the restaurant for efficient and fast service.

Friday night in Palo Alto, I finally stepped into this hidden location off University Avenue. Regardless of how agitated it made me driving back and forth to find a parallel parking spot on the strip was all forgotten after this pleasant experience at Zao. I was no way near expecting to spend less than what I did for a party of two in this upscale location.

Quickly, our waitress arrived with our drinks and placed our order shortly. I was looking forward to my meal, the Shanghai tender beef and chicken. No less than 10 minutes are food arrived looking delicious and mouth-watering. The portions were gigantic, definitely too much for myself. My Shanghai plate was bursting with flavor, complementing vegetables like bok choy, carrots, bean sprouts, and shitake mushrooms in a sweet ginger sauce. This huge portion was overwhelming and fit all sides of my plate. Not even including my steamed rice, it ended up becoming a heavy dinner. This dish was one of the exceptions that exceeds their $8.50 price limit, but not costly at all. The cost of dinner was well worth it.

Zao has reached the entire continent of Asia, and if you are indecisive of what type of Asian food you are craving, try Zao.