of Portugal. The authentic cuisine is the creation of Michelin-trained chefs Jessica Carreira and David Costa, who put their own modern spin on Portuguese classics. Seafood is the star, featuring dishes like seared monkfish, oven roasted octopus with potatoes, and pan-seared codfish with scrambled egg and caramelized onion. Hearty meat dishes, like rib eye steak and duck breast, are also on the menu. Pastry chef Carreira crafts unique and modern Portuguese desserts, including the Arroz Doce, a fried coconut rice pudding with passionfruit sauce. Located in Little Portugal in what was once Sousas, Adega’s new décor is chic and contemporary, created by Portuguese designers. $$$ SEAFOOD Blue Water Seafood & Crab, 860 Willow St., San Jose. 408/289-8879. East Coast-style crab house with a wide selection of seafood specialties as well as plenty of choices for land lovers. $ Driggsy’s Seafood, Sports Bar & Grill, 1150 Murphy Ave., Suite D, San Jose. 408/437-1986. Traditional American-style food and drinks served up in a spirited atmosphere. $$ Fish Market, Palo Alto, 650/493-8862; Santa Clara, 408/246-3474; San Jose, 408/269-3474. Enjoy fresh, high-quality seafood that comes from the restaurant’s own fishery and partnering seafood farms. $$ McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, 170 S. Market St., San Jose. 408/283-7200. More than 30 species of fresh seafood are on a menu that changes daily. $$ Old Port Lobster Shack, 3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650/561-9500; 851 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City, 650/366-2400. Fresh lobster dishes and other seafood selections served in a New England-style lobster shack. $$ Pacific Catch Fresh Fish Grill (The Pruneyard), Campbell, 408/879-9091; Mountain View, 650/941-1810. Fresh fish prepared with a combination of local ingredients and spices and sauces of Southeast Asia, Japan and Latin America. $$ Sawa, 1042 E. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale. 408/ 241-7292. Fresh fish and seafood, including delightful prix fixe sushi-focused entrees. $$$ Steamer’s Grillhouse (in Old Town), 31 University Ave., Los Gatos. 408/395-CRAB. Steamer’s features a variety of steaks, chops, seafood and Mediterranean-inspired dishes and more. $$ The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse, 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/213-1111. Blend of contemporary cuisine and Japanese sensibility. $$$ SINGAPOREAN Shiok! Singapore Kitchen, 1137 Chestnut St., Menlo Park. 650/838-9448. An exciting fusion of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine. $ Straits, 333 Santana Row, Suite 1110, San Jose. 408/246-6320. Serving up fine Singaporean cuisine, this sleek and sophisticated spot is well-suited to its posh Santana Row locale. $$$ SOUTHEAST ASIAN Ginger Café, Sunnyvale, 408/736-2828. Gilroy, 408/847-2625. Comfortable, family-run restaurants feature a fusion of Chinese favorites with Southeast Asian influences. $ Mint Leaf Cuisine, 14420 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/872-3763. Eatery features fusion cuisine 112 South Bay Accent including soft-shell crabs with peanut sauce and curry scallops. $$ SPANISH Cascal, 400 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/940- 9500. Spanning the globe with spectacular dishes from Spain and South America, Cascal serves up a menu of “spirited Latin cuisine.” With over 25 tapas—small plates and tastes—divided into “old world” and “new world” choices, there’s something for everyone. Try the classic Spanish chorizo in rioja wine or minted lamb meatballs in a saffron and almond sauce. For a full dinner, start with one of several ceviches and move on to an exquisite, traditional paella (including one for vegetarians). The casually elegant interior, with its bright, bold colors was created by renowned designer/architect Chuck Thompson. $$ Donostia, 424 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/797-8688. Traditional Spanish-Basque experience featuring fresh local ingredients transformed into vivid flavors. $$ Joya, 339 University Ave., Palo Alto. 650/853- 9800. The hip modern décor mixes well with the contemporary Spanish and Latin tapas and the tasty variety of new age cocktails. $$$ La Catalana, 3720 N. First St., San Jose. 408/324- 1321. Unique Spanish dishes are prepared from family recipes in an ideal setting for business, social or romance. $$ THAI Amarin, Mountain View, 650/988-9323; San Jose, 408/253-8424; Santa Clara, 408/988-2982. Fresh, contemporary Thai menu with traditional accents and vegetarian dishes. $ Bangkok Cuisine, 407 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/ 322-6533. Charming ambience with lovely patio dining. The curries are especially tasty. $ Siam Orchid, 496 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto. 650/325-1994. A menu that mixes traditional Thai dishes with more modern cuisine, all infused with the finest quality organic ingredients. $$ Thaiphoon Restaurant, 543 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650/323-7700. Well-appointed restaurant with a mix of traditional and contemporary Thai dishes and a tropical themed outdoor patio. $ VIETNAMESE Fuel Restaurant, 385 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose. 408/248-0018. The stylish dining room sets the stage for some very tasty, contemporary Vietnamese fare. $-$$ Tamarine, 546 University Avenue, Palo Alto. 650/ 325-8500. Elegantly presented dishes, such as crab wontons in a consommé of lime, coriander, lemongrass and coconut milk served in a warm atmosphere. $$ Three Seasons, 518 Bryant St., Palo Alto. 650/ 838-0353. Chic restaurant and bar offers fresh take on traditional Vietnamese flavors. $$ Vung Tau, San Jose. 408/288-9055; Milpitas. 408/934-9327. This authentic Vietnamese cuisine has a distinct focus on fish preparations. Be sure to try the shrimp cupcakes! $ Xanh, 110 Castro St., Mountain View 650/964- 1888. Trendy, upscale restaurant featuring Vietnamese cuisine that pleases both the eye and palate with creative combinations. $-$$ n 200 DINING HOT SPOTS THE FITNESS GURUS (continued from pg. 77) “I was single at the time and I said, for one time in my life I’m going to say yes and throw inhibition to the wind, get out of my own way for a while,” he says. “I tend to stick with very set goals, but for once I wanted to take a risk.” Zorn didn’t imagine he’d actually get chosen for the show, but three weeks later he found himself in Los Angeles filming on what he calls the greatest experience of his life. Talking about his life on television, going on group dates and doing ridiculous things all enabled him to learn to step out of his comfort zone and open up in ways he never imagined he could, he says. One thing he learned from being on “The Bachelorette” was the impact of creating memorable experiences. It’s something that stays in the back of his mind as he works with clients, striving to give them training and exercises that will stand out as unique and therefore stay with them. “I was only on the show for seven weeks, but it felt like it was a year, because I experienced so much,” he explains. “I had no phone, no internet, no TV, nothing, but that allows you to live in the moment and be very present. When I’m with people now face to face, I try not to be on my phone or social media, because I want to experience what that person has to say, see their face, watch how they say things.” The intensive time spent with the other bachelors forged lifelong bonds, he says, and he and the other guys from the show remain in close touch. “I know more about these guys whom I met for seven weeks than I know about guys on my football team that I spent five years with! But that shows you that what you do with the time you are given is so important, and that’s a lesson I’ll take with me throughout my life.” Even so, he says, he remains a private person, and broadcasting his relationships didn’t hold any appeal. “I’ve played team sports my whole life and in the end, I don’t really want for the focus to be all on me,” he says. “And as awesome an opportunity as it was…I want to be known for fitness, for what I do, for my work. I want to educate people so they can live their life in health and fitness successfully by themselves.” With a little help from friends like Zorn, their odds are certain to improve. n
South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2016
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