From Christmas panettone to New Year’s king cake, here are the holiday breads available along the Peninsula
Gingerbread is my favorite holiday bread. Sweet and spicy in flavor and moist and springy in texture, its origins began with 11th-century crusaders returning to Western Europe from Mediterranean countries, according to “The Gingerbread Book.”
Perhaps more popular than the bread form of gingerbread is the cookie form, which is the only food I can think of that is commonly shaped like humans. Legend has it that Queen Elizabeth I requested gingerbread cookies be formed into the shapes of her courtiers, gifting special guests these edible caricatures, according to an article on the Martha Stewart website. Back then, it was thought that eating a “gingerbread husband” might lead to a woman’s marriage (how has this concept not been made into a Hallmark movie yet?).
This week, writer Sophia Markoulakis rounded up Peninsula bakeries offering holiday breads like panettone, stollen, babka and more. (Unfortunately for me, she didn’t have any luck finding a bakery that is offering gingerbread.) So put on some stretchy pants and enjoy those carbs.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
Your comprehensive guide to freshly baked holiday breads along the Peninsula
There’s no shame indulging in holiday bread this time of year, especially when it’s studded with dried fruit and nuts and coated with a sugary crust. But why indulge in those mass-produced European sweets that are baked and packaged months ahead of the holiday season and travel via container ship, when you can snag one at a Peninsula bakery? (I’m looking at you, industrial panettone!)
Hobee’s expands, a new drive-thru opens in Redwood City and a Korean ghost kitchen comes to Santa Clara
- Beloved breakfast classic Hobee’s is expanding to offer dinner and craft beer at its newest location in San Jose.
- Redwood City’s bikini barista bar Pink Pantherz Espresso has closed and been replaced with ALpresso Coffee, a family-friendly drive-thru cafe that began in Half Moon Bay almost two decades ago.
- After 45 years in Los Gatos, Steamer’s Grillhouse will permanently close on Christmas Eve.
- Simbongsa, a Korean croquette and doughnut shop, soft opened its second location on Nov. 29 in Santa Clara.
- Check out what Embarcadero Media food blogger Laura Stec is eating this holiday season. She recently ate at Meyhouse and Eos & Nyx.
- Springline’s third annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Celebration is Saturday from 4-9 p.m. In addition to holiday movies, live music and special performances, expect food and drinks from Il Mercato di Che Fico, Mi Comedor, Barebottle Brewing Company and Andytown Coffee.
- Beginning Friday, ONKI Bakery will offer its pastries at Village Hub Coffee Bar. It previously sold its pastries at the Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers Market.
Birthday dinner at Pausa
If you’re looking for unique and interesting flavors matched with impeccable service, Pausa is the place for you. It was my first time dining at the San Mateo restaurant on Monday, and it was the perfect restaurant for my birthday dinner. Owned by chef Andrea Giuliani and Steve Ugur, who also owns Sekoya and Porterhouse, Pausa is a seasonal contemporary Italian restaurant open since 2017.
For a drink, I ordered the matcha daiquiri ($18) with lime, matcha cordial, Planteray rum and Chareau (aloe liqueur). While the matcha flavor was more subtle than I would have liked, the drink was very tasty with a smooth citrusy flavor.
The waitress explained that Pausa is known for its house-cured meats, so I decided to build my own charcuterie board ($38), an off-menu option where you can select two salumi and two cheeses, which are accompanied by truffle honey, cherry preserves, crackers, pickled vegetables, mustard, lard and two types of bread. I opted for the wagyu bresaola (made with thyme, black pepper and red wine), salame ungherese (made with sweet and hot paprika, garlic and red wine), pirano di bufala al vino passito, a semi-hard buffalo cheese made with red wine, and pecorino toscano, a hard sheep cheese.
I was blown away by this charcuterie board. It had all the elements I could have wanted – rich and savory from the salumi, nutty and funky from the cheese, tart and sour from the cherry preserves, sweet and umami from the truffle honey, bright and briny from the pickled vegetables, and salty and decadent from the seasoned lard spread. My favorite bite was the pecorino toscano dipped in the truffle honey.
For my entree, I ordered the duck leg confit ($42) with chestnut puree, sunchokes, braised leeks and pomegranate gastrique. The duck was perfectly seasoned and cooked, falling off the bone, its decadence balanced by the bright pomegranate gastrique, earthy chestnut puree, sweet sunchoke and buttery leeks.
As a birthday treat, the dinner came with a complimentary piece of lemon white chocolate cheesecake topped with a birthday candle. The dessert I opted for was the zuppa ingelese ($16) with cheesecake gelato, lychee foam, sour cherry compote, chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumble. It tasted like cherry cheesecake and an ice cream sundae had a baby, but I could have done without the lychee foam, which overpowered the subtle tangy flavor of the gelato and left a gelatinous film in my mouth.
While the pricepoint of Pausa doesn’t make it widely accessible for frequent dining, it’s worthwhile for a special occasion or if you just feel like splurging. The welcoming atmosphere, knowledgeable staff and exciting menu make it a restaurant that’s definitely worth a return for me.
Pausa Bar & Cookery, 223 E. 4th Ave., San Mateo; 650-375-0818, Instagram: @pausasanmateo. Open Monday to Thursday 4:30-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4:30-9:30 p.m. and Sunday 4-8:30 p.m.
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