Brother-created, pandemic born: Mazra is expanding
My pandemic was spent sitting in Zoom classes and making lattes for caffeine addicts at Peet’s Coffee. Jordan Makableh, who is also 23 years old, spent the pandemic opening a restaurant with his brother, Saif – a restaurant that would place twice on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat within four years of operation.
Thanks for making me feel inferior, Jordan.
All jokes aside, the Makablehs were determined to transform their father’s failing grocery store into a busy fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, and they succeeded. Now, they’re setting their sights on opening a second Mazra in Redwood City next month, an opening delayed since last summer due to difficulties with bringing a charcoal grill inside.
It looks like the Makablehs have to listen to their own motto: “Take it easy, Habibi – good food takes time.”
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
How two brothers turned their family’s struggling San Bruno market into a thriving Mediterranean restaurant set to open its second spot
A year after opening Mazra in San Bruno, the Makableh brothers’ restaurant earned second place on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat, and Mazra made the nationwide list again this year, at No. 23. Now, the brothers are setting their sights on opening the second location of their Mediterranean restaurant in Redwood City April 2, an opening delayed since last summer.
$3 tacos in Los Altos, Coupa Cafe turns 20 and a new wine bar
- Recently opened Tacos Al Vapor Michoacán is serving handmade $3 tacos in downtown Los Altos.
- Coupa Cafe is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the original Ramona Street location tomorrow with free drip coffee all day, live music and a cake cutting.
- Somm Cellars is replacing the shuttered Le Boulanger in Menlo Park, according to the alcohol license posted on the storefront’s window.
- It’s-a-Mario! Out of the Barrel in San Carlos will be celebrating National Mario Day Sunday with Mario movies and video games all day long.
- Kirin Restaurant, which has been in Mountain View since the 1970s, is undergoing an ownership change, according to a license-change notice dated Jan. 29.
- The Refuge San Carlos is celebrating its 16th anniversary tomorrow from 5-8 p.m. with beer merchandise giveaways.
- Bigz Boba is coming soon to Burlingame, replacing Tiny Tea Co., according to a recent Instagram post.
- Portola Kitchen has closed after 20 years. Owner Mike Wallau will now be focusing on his eatery Mike’s Diner Bar in Palo Alto, according to a recent Instagram post.
- Eleven College Avenue in Los Gatos is permanently closed.
Dumpling soft tofu soup from So Gong Dong Tofu House
I’ve been frequenting So Gong Dong Tofu House in Palo Alto for years, and it’s one of my favorite spots to eat along the Peninsula. And while I’m aware the spillover on my soft tofu soup above isn’t the most appetizing, you have to trust me that the taste is beyond fantastic.
As soon as you’re seated, you’re given a selection of complimentary and unlimited banchan. Trust me, you’ll want multiple servings of the sweet soy-glazed braised potatoes (gamja jorim). Whether you order a soft tofu soup or a bibimbap for your main, you can’t go wrong. The tofu soup is hearty, comforting and extremely flavorful, and it stays hot throughout the entire meal due to the stone bowl (if you order the dumpling flavor, it comes with rice cakes, which add a wonderfully chewy texture.) The stone bowl also makes a huge difference with the bibimbap that allows the rice to crisp up, adding extra texture.
So Gong Dong Tofu House, 3127 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650-424-8805. Open Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m.
Pasha Mediterranean lights up the nightlife scene in Redwood City
Restaurant offers hookahs, hummus and more
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