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South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2016

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO OUTSTANDING RESTAURANTS IInndduullggee iinn OOuurr MMeennuu ooff AAddvveerrttiissiinngg PPoossssiibbiilliittiieess April/May 2016 83 Connoisseurs of real Mexican food seek out soft tacos, 10 wonderful iterations of which are featured at Zona Rosa. Accompanied by a little bowl of tasty, housemade Rancho Gordo beans, these come two smallish tacos per order and include sublime choices like scallops cooked tempura style with asparagus and chipotleserrano glazed blue corn tortillas. Cazuela literally means “casserole,” and this is what makes up an entree-type section of the menu. Served in the traditional clay pot, it includes various enchiladas and a few other familiar names from Mexican menus. But there the similarity ends. The carnitas here – nuggets of tender braised pork – are sweetly spiced with complex flavors. Chicken or duck enchiladas show off high-end meat and well-chosen sauces. The duck version, for example, demonstrates how full-flavored fowl rather than bland chicken breast isn’t overpowered by an assertive mole negro sauce. Carne asada is often ubiquitous on Mexican menus but this iteration – subtle, tender, marinated skirt steak with shitake mushrooms and green beans – is the region’s best, as is the magnificent chile relleno. Modest portions – another departure from the gut-busting norm – provide an excuse to order dessert, with the hands-down favorite being buñuelos with horchata ice cream. These soft-inside, crispy-outside warm donut spheres are superb with the nutty, creamy, cinnamonflavored ice cream. With just two-dozen seats packed into a petite, cute space, the San Jose location is noisy and lively, with many happy regulars streaming in. The friendly servers gamely try to keep up, but frills like clearing away plates and bringing fresh utensils between courses are often forgotten. No worries. The food is so good and the prices so modest that nobody is seeking white-glove service in this South Bay gem. ZONA ROSA, 1411 The Alameda, San Jose, 408/275-1411; 81 W. Main St., Los Gatos, (408) 884-8268; zonarosasj.com HOURS: Lunch, Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Dinner, Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m., Friday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Closed Monday. Reservations recommended. PRICES: Starters: $4-15; tacos plates, $14- 16.50; entrees: $16.50-24. n BBeessttBBiitteess 408.244.5100


South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2016
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