19 responses to “B’game Star (Michelin That Is)”

1. Joe

   October 25, 2015

   And speaking of new restaurants:
   A popular local eatery is headed to Burlingame, as a second Jack’s Prime restaurant will soon be opening to fill the long-vacant building at the Broadway Caltrain station.
   Micheal Mallie, owner of Jack’s Prime in San Mateo, said the company recently signed a lease for the building at 1190 California Drive, and hopes to open its doors to customers in spring of next year.
   He said the restaurant, which specializes in traditional American fare, was thrilled by the prospect of expansion.
   “We are super excited. It’s a great location” he said. “ We are going to bring some quality family time to diners in Burlingame.”
   The site at the Broadway train station was the former home of Brio restaurant, which closed roughly six years ago. It was previously also the home of Pisces restaurant.
   http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2015-10-24/second-jacks-prime-restaurant-set-to-open-san-mateo-restaurant-heads-to-burlingames-broadway-train-station/1776425152431

2. pat giorni

   October 25, 2015

   At last, a 1st class hamburger in Burlingame. I’m already drooling…..

3. B’game gal

   October 26, 2015

   Thrilled for Rasa (and Burlingame!) – well deserved. I’ve experienced their amazing food and great service. I first heard about them due to their BCE foundation sponsorship (auction item). Thanks for supporting our local schools!

4. Jennifer

   January 15, 2016

   This is a nice idea: Entertainment at Kingfish, in San Mateo-
   http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2016-01-15/stand-up-comedy-takes-stage-at-kingfish-downtown-san-mateo-restaurant-hosts-live-performances/1776425156813

5. Bruce Dickinson

   January 15, 2016

   Looks like you may be seeing Bruce Dickinson grace this new joint with his presence. Is a dynamite idea and should spice up the Burlingame dining scene, ya know what I mean?
   http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2016/01/14/nachoria-a-new-burlingame-restaurant-devoted-to-nachos/

6. Joe

   January 15, 2016

   The basement concert/comedy club at Kingfish is pretty cool. I recall seeing Mose Allison (http://moseallison.com/) there quite a few years ago and it was EssEff quality seating, sight lines and sound. Boy do I wish B’game had something like that!

7. pat giorni

   January 16, 2016

   I found myself downtown yesterday and figured I’d try the Nachoria place. Paying w/ a credit card got me an e-mailed receipt that asked for comment. This is what I sent last night….
   “I laughed when a coffee shop opened and expected to last while charging the unheard of price of $3.00 for a cuppa coffee and now we all call it 5 Bucks. I was again amused when I read about the concept behind Nachoria and wondered once again how long this business would last until I went in at 4pm today to check it out. I know you were understaffed because it took about 10 minutes to place my order with only 3 parties ahead of me…all deuces. But after sitting down my order was placed before me in under 10 minutes. All during my meal people continued to POUR in. When I left at 5:45, your restaurant was turning the tables for a second full seating. Having worked in the full service restaurant business…not fast food… for 35 years I have never seen tables turn so fast, especially during the dead period between lunch and early bird dining.
   AND, this is the most kid friendly place I’ve ever seen outside of Chucky Cheese where their menu is pure swill.
   So, I’ll eat my words, and your food, and predict that you’ll have a good, long run, barring a flue fire, for as long as you continue the business. Best of luck in a business that has a slim profit margin…but if you go public, I’ll buy stock!”
   Nachoria responded today w/….
   “I would like to thank you for your feedback and would love to know if you enjoyed your food.”
   I let them know…
   “I had the Super quesadilla filled w/ Pollo, Carne asada, and carnitas. I will definitely be back when the Al Pastor makes its debut! I enjoyed the use of a thick sour creme rather than the usual watery stuff. The quesadillas were crisped up nicely, and a cut above the usual preparation. The only thing I would add is that if they are grilled w/ butter rather than oil, the flavor and appeal would be spectacularly enhanced. bottom line is that your food is good enough to bring me back again and again.

8. Joe

   January 16, 2016

   Nice review. Now I guess I have to go stand in line.

9. Samiselfie

   January 17, 2016

   Me too!!!

10. Jennifer

    January 17, 2016

    Me three!! Good for them!

11. Cathy Baylock

    January 17, 2016

    Mrs. Giorni, how were the mojitos?!

12. Peter Garrison

    January 17, 2016

    Nini’s: Eastside-life!

13. pat giorni

    January 17, 2016

    Ahhhh, Mrs. Baylock; you’ll find this hard to believe, I’m sure, but I can provide no review of the imbibe-ables, other than to comment that it’s outrageous to pay $4.75 for a 1 liter bottle of Coke, albeit Hecho en Mexico.
    While the light level remains low at this time of year I generally forgo alcohol consumption when I’m on the bicycle in the early evening. And I’m not inclined toward warm weather cocktails when the ambient temperature hovers below 60′ with the exception of the G & T which is used for medicinal purpose…no malaria, you say? The tonic factor is a well known remedy to ward off those leg cramps so familiar to elderly bicycle riders.
    Knowing you’re gonna ask, this time of year is just right for those warm you up whiskeys in Old Fashions,or hot toddies and buttered rum.

14. Bruce Dickinson

    January 18, 2016

    Listen, Pat, that was a dynamite review!
    Has Bruce Dickinson finally met his BV wit-‘n-wisdom rival?

15. pat giorni

    January 18, 2016

    One might think so; but I couldn’t possibly comment.

16. Joe

    October 26, 2017

    I am convinced that B’gamers are suffering from a lack of top notch eateries as stated here where we got zero Bib Gourmand awards:
    http://www.burlingamevoice.com/2017/10/dining-bookends-millbrae-and-san-mateo#comments
    But at least we can enjoy the fact that Rasa has retained its Michelin star:
    https://sf.eater.com/maps/san-francisco-bay-area-michelin-restaurants-stars-2018
    Kudos to the Rasa team and here’s hoping you get some support from your neighbors– Park & Howard shows great promise and the old standby, Narin, is still excellent!

17. Sign me up

    May 8, 2022

    After eight years in Burlingame, Michelin star Indian restaurant Rasa will close this week, to be reopened as a second location of Saffron, a more casual offering under the same ownership in San Carlos.
    Owner and Executive Chef Ajay Walia said the Burlingame location at 209 Park Road will get a remodel for a lighter atmosphere, with an expanded menu as part of the revamp.
    “We are keeping the essence of Rasa,” he said. “The quality of food we serve, the focus on our guest relations, the type of location we provide and what we want people to experience and what Indian food should be, all of that remains the same, now they just have more choices.”

18. Joe

    October 22, 2024

    According to the Merc, Rasa is back as Rasa. I haven’t been by lately, but here is what the Merc is reporting:
    Rasa, the Burlingame restaurant that was one of California’s first Michelin-starred Indian restaurants but shuttered in May 2022, is making a comeback. The 2.0 version of Rasa opened Oct. 15.
    That first shuttering was more of a rebranding — Rasa became Saffron Burlingame, with the same menu as the original Saffron in San Carlos. However, as restaurateurs Reena Miglani and Ajay Walia began to work on their third restaurant concept, Amara, set to open in Belmont this winter, they said they concluded that separating the two Saffrons and bringing back Rasa would be less confusing to restaurant visitors.
    In this version of Rasa, Walia and Miglani say, they’re bringing more confidence to the space and a stronger emphasis on hospitality, and they’re focused on their pastry and cocktail programs.
    “We are playing at the same level, and the food is more refined than before,” Miglani says.
    ——————-
    Welcome back.

19. Joe

    August 10, 2025

    The Comical doesn’t often give B’game restaurants much spotlight–and that might be accurate. But today’s edition had a little shout out for Rasa–new Rasa–just like the old Rasa. But first another shout out for a great restaurant up on Skyline. From the Food and Wine section:
    “I’m a Baby Boomer. Yesterday I had lunch with a friend who is also a Baby Boomer. She lives near San Jose and I live in San Francisco. She said she seeks out quiet restaurants wherever she is, and I’ve noticed a huge difference in my ability to hear when in a restaurant that has carpet on the floor. Could you do a search for the quietest restaurants on the Peninsula — approximately equal distance for both of us? The Boomers, and probably even younger people, will love it. — Christina
    If you and your friend are down for dinner instead of lunch, I would book a table at the Mountain House in Woodside. The front bar area, complete with taxidermy and a roaring fire, can have raucous roadhouse vibes, but the dining rooms in back are marvelously hushed with plenty of space in between tables. One of the rooms — almost entirely glassed-in, giving the illusion of dining among the redwoods — even has that coveted carpet. Don’t miss the flourless chocolate cake. — MacKenzie
    If you’re looking for a lunch spot (and your San Jose friend doesn’t mind a slightly longer drive), check out Rasa in Burlingame. Specializing in contemporary Indian cuisine, the restaurant reopened last year after closing in 2022. Try to sit on the mezzanine level, which is styled with tropical wallpaper. It’s much quieter during the day than at night. — Cesar
    Rasa. 209 Park Rd., Burlingame. rasaindian.com”