A Celebration of Wine and Food At Adega — San Jose’s First Michelin-Starred Restaurant

Chefs David Costa and Jessica Carreira of San Jose's first Michelin starred restaurant, Adega.

Chefs David Costa and Jessica Carreira of San Jose’s first Michelin starred restaurant, Adega.

 

Last Thursday, a mere two days after Adega scored the first Michelin star in all of San Jose, the vibe was still celebratory and one of complete shock.

Co-owner Carlos Carreira recounted that after they got the early morning phone call with the announcement, his daughter, Pastry Chef Jessica Carreira, who along with her fiance Chef David Costa, oversee the kitchen, were so dumbfounded that they thought it might have been a prank call.

Carlos Carreira assured her it couldn’t have been. But he also thought to himself, “What did we just do?”

Merely make history by becoming the first restaurant in San Jose to score a coveted Michelin star, and only the second Portuguese restaurant in the United States to garner such acclaim (following New York’s Aldea).

Adega takes its wine very seriously.

Adega takes its wine very seriously.

The intimate dining room.

The intimate dining room.

Art on the walls.

Art on the walls.

All this for a restaurant that only opened last year, in the frill-free, working-class neighborhood known as Little Portugal.

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“Soup Nights” Part II: Roasted Carrot, Parsnip & Garlic Soup

A simple looking soup that has a deceptive depth of flavor.

A simple looking soup that has a deceptive depth of flavor.

 

Here’s the funny thing: As much as I liked the “Pumpkin Brownies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting” from Betty Rosbottom’s new cookbook, I liked this soup recipe even better.

Duh!

After all, the book by this food writer and cooking teacher is called, “Soup Nights” (Rizzoli).

Soup is the focus to be sure — every kind imaginable from “Creamy Smoked Trout and Cucumber Chowder” to “Vietnamese-Style Shrimp Soup” to “Icy-Cold Watermelon Soup with Whipped Feta and Mint.”

But what’s genius is that Rosbottom also includes recipes for salads, sandwiches and desserts to round out the soup meal.

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“Soup Nights” Part I: But First — Pumpkin Brownies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting!

Pumpkin spice bars with a cloud of fluffy, marshmallow-y cream cheese frosting.

Pumpkin spice bars with a cloud of fluffy, marshmallow-y cream cheese frosting.

 

Leave it to me to thumb through a soup cookbook, and end up making a dessert recipe first.

I may subscribe to the philosophy that “Life is short; eat dessert first.” But I’m usually too guilt-ridden to follow through on it.

So I did have a proper dinner beforehand, but my attention was always on what was to come.

Namely, “Pumpkin Brownies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting.”

soupnights

It’s from the new cookbook “Soup Nights” (Rizzoli) by food writer and cooking teacher Betty Rosbottom, of which I received a review copy.

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Chowing Down at Honolulu’s Mahina & Sun’s and The Pig & The Lady

Chef Ed Kenney sporting the world's craziest mug at Mahaina & Sun's.

Chef Ed Kenney holding the world’s craziest mug at Mahaina & Sun’s.

Chef Ed Kenney’s New Mahina & Sun’s

OAHU, HAWAII — Chef Ed Kenney never in his wildest dreams thought he’d have a restaurant on Waikiki Beach.

The touristy scene just wasn’t his particular cup of tea. After all, his other restaurants — Town, Kaimuki Superette, and Mud Hen Water — are all mere steps from one other in the quieter, residential neighborhood of Kaimuki.

But when Aqua-Aston Hospitality got the idea for revamping an old motel in Waikiki, they wooed him for a year until he finally agreed to open Mahina & Sun’s there in the Surfjack Hotel.

When he first saw the property, it was deja vu. Kenney chuckled, remembering that he once was a regular at a punk rock club that was on the premises.

The social media-sensation of a swimming pool.

The social media-sensation of a swimming pool.

The fun artwork.

The fun artwork.

Movies pool-side at night.

Movies pool-side at night.

Call it fate. But Kenney’s forward-thinking, Hawaiian farm-to-table cuisine seems right at home in this super cool and funky fun space.

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A Visit to Koko Head Cafe, Tin Roof, and the Huge Shirokiya Village Walk

Breakfast is served -- by Chef Lee Anne Wong at her Koko Head Cafe.

Breakfast is served — by Chef Lee Anne Wong at her Koko Head Cafe.

Honolulu’s Koko Head Cafe

OAHU, HAWAII — Even if you think you’re not a breakfast person, you will be after eating at Chef Lee Anne Wong’s Koko Head Cafe.

The down-home Hawaiian diner entices from the get-go, as I found when I was invited in as a guest two weeks ago.

Three years ago, the former “Top Chef” contestant made the big move to Hawaii from New York, after falling for a local farmer.

Shortly afterward, she opened her lively joint that serves only breakfast and brunch.

Whether you favor sweet or savory, you’re sure to find something to enjoy.

Fruit-topped bruschetta.

Fruit-topped bruschetta.

Each day, there is a different dumpling offered.

Each day, there is a different dumpling offered.

For us, that meant Breakfast Bruschetta ($6) — toasted bread slathered with macadamia yogurt and garnished with fresh tropical fruit. I’d eat this every morning quite happily.

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