Eating well in unexpected places
Sitting out in the back patio of the book store, I felt miles away from the touristy center plaza. I managed a few peeks at the dishes at a table nearby - a platter of salumi, another of crispy bacon, a decadent looking thick macaroni and cheese - simple things that looked like a million bucks - an Asian family at the table chewed and nodded approvingly. Knowing that no casual tourist would ever discover this hidden spot made the meal ever more enjoyable on the perfect 80-degree day in mid November.
What is particularly interesting about this place is the whole set-up in the back of a bookstore. It appears to be a new phenomenon: gourmet eats can be had in places you'd least expect - a roaming food truck, the back of a touristy bookstore, a gift shop at a national park, or a cafe in a museum.
Example of the latter is Cool Cafe at the back of the Stanford's Cantor Arts Center, next to a souvenir shop. Jesse Cool is considered by many the Alice Waters of the SF Peninsula. Her Cool Cafe (and several other restaurants) serve only fresh, in-season, organic and local ingredients. Her grilled grass-fed beef burger with caramelized onions, chipotle aioli on a potato bun is excellent. I also tried her grilled chicken sandwich and the pulled pork sandwich, and both had unique twists, and were very good. Sit back, relax, grab one of those delightful sandwiches, and feel very smart out there on a veranda at the back of the cafe, looking over the lush green lawn, the famous Rodin sculptures and the ornate buildings of the venerable Stanford campus, knowing that only Stanford intellectuals and real hard-core foodies frequent here.
Is this a trend, a movement? I think so. Chefs opening their comfort food eateries away from beaten paths, where even the knowledge of such gems means you are an "insider". Just ask the hoards of rabid fans following food trucks on twitter.
Where can you find more spots like Bovolo and Cool Cafe? Let us know where your favorite hidden gems are.
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