6

CRAWL
Caldo de Mariscos
La Viga Restaurant, 1772 Broadway St, Redwood City
You cant go wrong with anything at La Viga. But what really sets the Caldo de Mariscos apart is its spectacular sweet tomato broth that will knock your socks off with a punch of seafood flavor. Buon Appetito Italian Pizzeria, 69 37th Ave, San Mateo

Food
2013
Cappuccino Crme Brulee Neptune Sampler Barbaras FishTrap, 281 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay

The Lagonian Friday, May 31, 2013

By Carolyn Liu, Food Editor A food crawl is a multi-stop investigation of the best restaurants, meals or menu items. Inspired by 7x7s Big Eat list for San Francisco, we have compiled our own list of 50 dishes served at San Mateo County restaurants that we think you must try. Each dish was carefully selected by your very own Foster City neighbors, The Lagonians food correspondents and readers like you! These dishes represent inimitable flavors and hidden gems that are unique to the Peninsula. Your mission is to try everything on this list before June 2014. And with a list of 50, you can aim to accomplish our food challenge by trying out one dish a week! Want to keep track of your progress? Check lagonian.com to print out a downloadable list.

Foster City restaurant

Think theres a dish out there in San Mateo County that deserves to be on this list? Want to send us pictures from your Food Crawl journey? Hashtag #fcfoodcrawl2013 on Instagram or e-mail us at food@lagonian.com for a chance to have your photo or suggestion featured in this newspaper. Panang Avocado Thai Idea, 1457 Beach Park Blvd, Foster City
The place that I know and love is Thai Idea, right here in Foster City. Amazing curry, Pad Thai, great service and a favorite among Bowditch teachers. Jasmine Amar, Bowditch Middle School language arts/social studies teacher

Cumin Lamb Skewers Everyday Beijing, 637 S B St, San Mateo Green Mussel Shooters DASH Japanese Tapas and Sushi, 220 Main St, San Mateo
Tobiko, quail egg, green onion, shiso, goma... amazing. The next time I enjoy this I will save these for last because when I was finished, I really wanted to order another, but knew that would be overdoing it. I really enjoyed the citrus notes and fact that it took me three sips to get the whole thing down. It is definitely not a one shot shooter. The balance of the sour and savory flavors was perfect. Michael Greene, Foster City police detective

My wife and I have always enjoyed going to Barbaras, which I believe has the best clam chowder, crab sandwich and fried calamari on the coast. Ed Flank, Foster City Lions Club member and retired Bowditch Middle School history teacher

Xiao Long Baos

"Drinking a giant stein of this famous Oktoberfest beer is only half the fun, Gourmet Haus'sboisterousatmosphere andtheirwide selection of imported German beer makes every night uber Duetsch! Josephine Law, Foster City resident and The Lagonian food correspondent

A stein of Hofbruhaus Mnchen Gourmet Haus Staudt Gifts & Caf, 2615 Broadway St Redwood City

Omakase Sushi Sams Edomata, 218 E 3rd Ave San Mateo

Shanghai Dumpling Shop, 455 Broadway, Millbrae Butternut Squash Soup PJCC Caf, 800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City

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

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

My favorite restaurant in this years Food Crawl, this hidden gem always delivers outstanding Caribbean dishes. Though I enjoy trying new dishes here, I always find myself going back to their Jerk Chicken. This Back A Yard staple is always moist and packed with flavor from the jerk seasoning, which has a mouthwatering blend of island spices, herbs, chilies, onions and garlic.

"This is a great soup to warm you up on a cold day. Its rich and creamy! Stephanie Adams, employed in Foster City Note: the popular chef makes soups using ingredients grown in his own garden. It doesn't get more local than that!

"I have been coming here almost every week for the past 3 years for this delicious vegetarian fava bean dish. David Hamaoui, Foster City resident

Cajun Brunch Piccadilly Catering & Restaurant, 1072 Shell Blvd, Foster City Foul Mudammas Tannourine Restaurant & Catering, 120 W 25th Ave, San Mateo

There is no doubt that Ramen Dojo dominates San Mateos ramen empire. With a savory, rich broth, delectable pork, and incredibly fresh noodles, Ramen Dojo arguably has the best ramen in California.

Spicy Garlic Pork Ramen Ramen Dojo, 805 S B St, San Mateo

Tea Leaf Salad Mingalaba, 1213 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame

Ice Cream Cannoli

Lamb Kabob Platter Taste in Mediterranean Food, 1199 Broadway, Ste 1, Burlingame Cookie Dough Cupcake Jacqueline's Sweet Shop jacquelinessweetshop.blogspot.com (San Mateo)
These cupcakes are rich and flavorful, yet light. It has the perfect mixture of sweetness and I love the cookie dough surprise inside." Amy Aguiniga, employed in Foster City

This charming, family-run shop has been serving their famous house-made cannolis and ice cream since 1968. The creaminess of the ice cream paired with the crunchiness of the flaky cannoli shell is absolute perfection.

Romolo's Cannoli Factory, 81 37th Ave, San Mateo

The full-bodied stout and bitter IPA creates a lip-smacking contrast to the sweetness of Romolos vanilla ice cream.

Beer Float 31st Union, 5 S Ellsworth St, San Mateo

"La Tapatia does a good job at combining all their ingredients and having authentic Mexican flavor from the beans to the rice to the meat. The crunch from the chicharrn makes this burrito so good." Ernesto Perez Garcia, employed in Foster City

Super Burrito with Al Pastor and Chicharrn La Tapatia Mexicatessen, 411 Grand Ave, South San Francisco

Banana Crepe Brule Cafe Grillades, 851 Cherry Ave, San Bruno

The Lagonian Friday, May 31, 2013

Blue Line Pizza, 1108 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame
"Their deep-dish cornmeal pizza crust is heartier and tastes incredible. Its less greasy than your standard pizza, so you can taste all the fresh vegetables. Katie White, employed in Foster City

The Little Star

7
Lau Sa Bao Koi Palace, 365 Gellert Blvd, Daly City
Koi Palace has, hands down, the best dim sum in the Bay Area. Whenever I come here, I always finish my meal off with a Lau Sa Bao. This soft bun is filled with a piping hot runny mixture of salty egg yolks and sugar that will tempt your taste buds.

Vitello Marsala West Coast Cafe, 466 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno Beef Tongue Skewer Yakitori KOKKO, 509 2nd Ave, San Mateo Pescado a lo Macho Fusion Peruvian Grill, 45 North B St, San Mateo Reuben The Refuge, 963 Laurel St, San Carlos

Tortilla Soup Fernando's Mexican Restaurant, 63 37th Ave, San Mateo Prime Rib Hash Chow Down, 1064 Shell Blvd, Ste G, Foster City

A breakfast creation fit for a king! Matt Martell, Foster City police chief

Prosciutto with Figs and Mascarpone Bruscetta

B Street and Vine, 320 S B St, San Mateo
"I like the unique combinations of the bruscetta and the complexities of the flavors. Emily Schulz, employed in Foster City

"When you find a sandwich where you dread having that last bite because it means your meal is going to be over, well, that's a place worth sharing. Also, getting to have really good Belgian beer to go with really good food, is like winning the lottery twice! Needless to say, Im a big fan." Larry Prensky, Foster City resident

Foster Citys Vice Mayor Charlie Bronitsky loves Soons seafood pancakes and we know why: Soons head chef hails from a particular city in Korea that makes all of their dishes from scratch. So these pancakes are as fresh as it gets!

Shrimp and Crab Mini Pancake Soon's Tofu and Korean BBQ, 1062 Foster City Blvd, Foster City

Garlic Steak Inshou Japanese Cuisine, 2942 S Norfolk St, San Mateo
Inshous Garlic Steak has more garlic and butter than Id like to know, but thats exactly what makes it taste that incredible. Served sizzling with a hashbrown underneath, this perfectly cooked steak will make you reek of garlic for days.

Oatmeal Pancakes Alana's Caf, 1020 Main St, Redwood City

Pistachio Latte

"This dish is well-portioned, flavorful, juicy and tender. I cant believe Yummy World doesnt add fillers in this dishits just frog! Just talking about this dish has me craving it again! Anna Liu, Foster City resident

Salted Egg Yolk and Frog Yummy World, 2216 S El Camino Real, San Mateo

Pan de Sal (straight from the oven) Valerio's Tropical Bake Shop, 1420 Southgate Ave, Daly City Never Too Latte Cafe & Bakery, 486 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno Rotolo Chalet Ticino, 1058-C Shell Blvd, Foster City

Five Spice Chicken with Garlic Noodles

Ben Tre Vietnamese Homestyle Cuisine, 219 Grand Ave, South City
A garlic lovers delight, these noodles will not disappoint. Cooked with plenty of fried garlic, Ben Tre is as close to Vietnamese home cooking as it gets. And how can you resist when it comes with a huge portion of tender, sweet chicken?

Alex at Chalet Ticino has created a little gem of a Swiss-Italian restaurant. I take all my family there regularly. Little medallions of pasta are filled with chicken, spinach and ricotta cheese and served with a rose sauce and vegetables. I love the meal andappreciate that Alexs meals are served with soup or salad. Lee Foster, executive director at Hillbarn Theatre

Sizzling Sisig Patio Filipino, 1770 El Camino Real, San Bruno

Patio has the best sisig in town. Their sisig dish has a giant mound of tender pork in a savory, perfectly sour marinade. Jan Lumanlan, employed in Foster City

New England Clam Chowder Sams Chowder House, 4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay Lychee Passion Fruit Green Tea Tpumps, 106 S B St, San Mateo

Princess Cake Copenhagen Bakery & Caf, 1216 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame Pulled Pork Sandwich Ravioli House, 505 S B St, San Mateo The Untouchables Burger Godfathers Burger Lounge, 1500 El Camino Real, Belmont

You havent lived on the Peninsula until youve stood in that long line for Tpumps. Their refreshing natural teas come at a great price, with great customer service and the option to customize your drink.

Frutti di Mare al Pomodoro E Zafferano

Godfathers creates an intimate experience with food and the people around you. I have ordered something different every time I have been there and I have never left disappointed or unsatisfied. Lindsey Hatcher, employed in Foster City

Frosted Mocha
This confectionary masterpiece is made with HagenDazs ice cream and ground up coffee beans. Generously topped with their decadent house made whip cream, this sinfully delicious drink is impossible to pass up.

Caf Figaro, 1318 Broadway, Burlingame Naked Lobster Roll Old Port Lobster Shack, 851 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City Molcajete El Sinaloense,1622 Palm Ave, San Mateo Hong Kong Style Egg Puffs Cooking Papa, 949A Edgewater Blvd, Foster City

Simple, but amazing. The bun is nicely toasted and it tastes so fresh. Casey Antonio, employed in Foster City

They are so fluffy and sugary! Tastes like authentic food from the streets of Hong Kong! They also come in very large portions. Priscilla Law, Foster City resident

Cafe Borrone, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park Hot Pot Lunch Special Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot, 215 S Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo

I always enjoy the Bistecca. The combination of flavors is delicious! Noemi Avram, president of the Rotary Club of Foster City

Bistecca La Lanterna Ristorante, 180 W 25th Ave, San Mateo