On a recent reconnaissance mission through downtown Saratoga, I was struck with the depth of diversity in the Village. In the space of two blocks, there is relative newcomer Diamond Music next to Uncorked Wine Bar—22 years and going strong—and adjacent to the decadent pastries of Kandoo Patisserie & Café.
Within steps, you’ll find Indian, Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese and Peruvian restaurants, including Pisco Bar (where Little Amsterdam was decades ago). The bright windows and American flag outside Many Friends Brewing Company are in stark contrast to the serene Hachi Ju Hachi, where hoshigaki (dried persimmons) hang from a bamboo pole above the entrance to the Japanese restaurant.
Speaking of Japanese, Chef Aoki and Yuko of newly opened Hashiri Bettei – Kaiseki Aoki in downtown Saratoga may be familiar to fans of traditional Japanese cuisine, as they formerly owned Ramen Saryo Hachi in Burlingame. They specialize in “kaiseki ryori,” a style of fine dining designed for a Japanese tearoom. This tiny space with its nine wooden tables focuses the diner’s attention on the precisely prepared and beautifully plated dishes that reflect the chef’s creativity and his reverence for each ingredient, whether it’s crab with uni caviar in kombu gelee, eel with pinot noir salt, maitake with egg yolk ponzu or A5 Hokkaido Wagyu filet shabu shabu. Reservations via Tock. 14417 Big Basin Way, Suite A, 650-885-1242
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At the very west end of the Village, Sue’s Gallery Cafe at 14665 Big Basin Way employs functional art to serve carefully sourced and prepared mochas, teas, lattes, espresso and pour-overs. Next to the café is a cozy display of pottery by Korean artist/owner Sue Kang, who has been molding clay and firing ceramics for 30 years. Her passion is creating functional pottery to enhance your lifestyle. Whether you indulge in a shrub, matcha latte, Cortado (aka Gibraltar, with equal parts espresso and steamed milk) or an Aztec mocha, the experience is part Zen, part art. The vibe here differs from that of your typical Starbucks: it’s very mellow and respectful inside, with people studiously working on laptops and tablets. The outside patio is perfect for socializing, and many groups were lazily enjoying their lattes in the brilliant sunshine.
Just across the Saratoga border is The Best Sandwiches 187, so named because the first location was at 187 Main St. in Milpitas. Catering to Bay Area’s melting pot of tastes, you can get everything from torta Mexicana to a burrata salad to a chicken shawarma wrap on lavash. There are vegan and vegetarian options, including a fig and arugula salad, but the meat-laden Torta Cubana is a fan favorite. Dinner options include tacos, burritos and chile rellenos with orange sauce. Order the family-style Mamalena Chicken Adobo for $45.99 that includes a whole chicken with special house green rice, roasted poblano pepper, black beans, tortillas, salad, potatoes and coleslaw. 5126 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose. thebestsandwiches187.com
