Peninsula treats?

[Fine]

Have been perusing but didn't find answer to this: What ethnic dishes or restaurants on the Peninsula (as far south as SJ) offer stuff unavailable in SF or East Bay or far better renditions?

Thanks!

[lrealml]

I am very hesitant to say anything on the peninsula that I have tried is "better" than anywhere else in the Bay Area (because I haven't tried everything), but there are a lot of places oin the peninsula/south bay where you can get just as good or better ethnic food than the rest of the Bay Area. Some Examples:
Tacos (in RWC, Los Gemelos being my favorite so far)
Japanese food in general: A lot of the best ramen and sushi places mentioned on this board are in the peninsula/SB. Wakuriya (although I unfortunately haven't been yet) is the only Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area with a Michelin star. There are also many other kinds great Japanese food (like Yakitori, Izakaya,etc...) that are good/possibly better down here.
The Indian food in Sunnyvale (at places like Taste Buds and Turmeric) is definitely some of the best in the Bay Area.
There are many Chinese restaurants (Koi Palace, Little Shanghai, etc) that are often mentioned in the "best" threads on this board.
The "Little Saigon" area in San Jose is known for some of the best Vietnamese food.
The best ceviche I have had (and I have had La Mar's, Limon Rotisserie's, and Inkas') is at El Hueco in RWC.
Not super ethnic, but Martin's West may be the best Gastropub and Old Port Lobster Shack has what are probably the best lobster rolls.

Anyway, there are definitely a lot of good eats.

[pilinut]

I agree with Irealml because my experience of East Bay places is very limited, and I think I've just scratched the surface of SF restaurants. But I think I can safely say that places like Koi, Little Shanghai, Shalizaar, and Wakuriya will not disappoint you. Oh, yes, there's also Romolo's for delicious filled-to-order cannoli and old-fashioned spumoni--better than anything I've ever had in North Beach.

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Shalizaar
300 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002

Little Shanghai
17 E 25th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403

Wakuriya
115 De Anza Blvd, San Mateo, CA

[chuckl]

Martins West better than Monk's Kettle or Alembic?
I will say that Gourmet Haus in Redwood City is the best German pub south of Suppenkuche in SF

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The Monk's Kettle
3141 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Martins West
831 Main Street, Redwood City, CA 94063

[lrealml]

I'm not sure what qualifies as a "gastropub"; I thought it had to have some British food...
Martin's is great for their takes on British classics like fish and chips, scotch eggs, pasties, and haggis. Don't know of better in the Bay Area.

[huckleberry]

i really love back a yard, a hole in the wall specializing in carribbean food off the 101 willow exit, and try to take advantage of it when eating in the peninsula. there is a more upscale restaurant in downtown palo alto but i like the original more. favorite dishes include: jerk pork and chicken, meat patties and corn festivals.

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Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill
1189 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

[lrealml]

Coconuts Caribbean (which is the same owners and food) is good as well.

[pamf]

Since Ti Couz closed recently in SF, Cafe Grillades in San Bruno is one of the few places to enjoy buckwheat crepes. They also have some North African dishes as well as mainstream salads and sandwiches.

It's in the shopping center at San Bruno Avenue and Cherry near Mollie Stone's.

http://www.cafegrillades.com/

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Cafe Grillades
851 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

Mollie Stone's
851 Cherry Ave # 22, San Bruno, CA