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Looking for your next dining destination in San Mateo County? From made-to-order bodega-style breakfast sandwiches in Half Moon Bay to revitalizing smoothies and nonalcoholic craft beverages in Pacifica or rich and flavorful bún bò huế Vietnamese noodle soups in San Bruno, these recently opened restaurants on the upper Peninsula have something for everyone. Check out our roundup of five noteworthy spots to visit next.
Kusina 7107 – Montara
Open since November, Kusina 7107 is an oceanside eatery along Main Street in Montara offering Filipino and traditional American comfort food, all-day breakfast, fresh-baked pastries, espresso drinks and more. Named for the 7,100+ islands of the Philippines and kusina, meaning “kitchen” in Tagalog, the restaurant is a dream come true for chef-owner Jocelyn Madamba, who previously worked in catering.
When the restaurant space next to Ocean View Inn opened up, Madamba knew she found the perfect “beach cafe location” to serve home-style cooking with her own touch. Popular dishes include adobo loco moco, beef tapa, ube lava pancakes and freshly baked empanadas for those wanting a grab-and-go option. Madamba also whips up seasonal creations for guests to enjoy, such as coconut-topped bibingka pancakes served in a banana leaf. Kusina 7107 offers dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, with plans to expand service over time.
Kusina 7107, 1400 Main St., Montara; 650-563-4960, Instagram: @kusina7107. Open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Viet Time – San Bruno
Located in San Bruno Towne Center, Viet Time has been serving up flavorful Vietnamese pho, sandwiches and rice plates in a fast-casual setting since November. Owned by Bay Area natives Victor Lui and Nelson Kwong, the pair was familiar with the shopping plaza and took the opportunity to open the eatery when the space became available. Since opening, business has been “hectic, but going well,” said Kwong, who manages restaurant operations.
Lui previously trained with traditional Vietnamese chefs for four years and developed the broth recipes used in their phở and bún bò huế noodle soups. Other popular dishes include the lemongrass pork chop, bun rieu, fried egg rolls and their $12 banh mi sandwich and drink combo deal. Beverages include homemade Vietnamese iced coffee, three color drink (commonly layered with pandan jelly, yellow mung beans and red kidney beans), fresh avocado shakes and milk tea.
Viet Time, 1212 El Camino Real Suite F, San Bruno. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Turtle Island – Princeton-by-the-Sea & Half Moon Bay
Bodega-style sandwiches by the sea? Look no further than Turtle Island, a new mobile kitchen that chef-owner Jimmy Foti opened Jan. 11. A native of Long Island, New York, the eatery was born out of Foti’s dream to bring the spirit of East Coast sandwich shops and delis to the Bay Area. With family ties in Half Moon Bay, Foti decided to open Turtle Island in the area to be part of people’s daily routines thanks to its laid-back community feel. Diners will find the bright orange mobile kitchen by Dawn Patrol Coffee in Half Moon Bay. Turtle Island has also popped up at Blue Ocean Brewing in Princeton-by-the-Sea.
The current menu offers four breakfast sandwiches layered with egg, cheese and a special sauce: bacon, latke, mortadella and peppers. Turtle Island will also pop up at Bay Area breweries and farmers markets with a lunch- and dinner-focused menu. The diversity of the region has also influenced Foti, who plans to incorporate cross-cultural ingredients on the menu. In fact, Turtle Island’s name pays homage to the Indigenous peoples who inhabited North America and is emblematic of Foti’s belief that “American food is not one thing, but a unique amalgam of many.”
Turtle Island, 155 Broadway, Half Moon Bay, Instagram: @turtleislandsando. Open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
The Boys’ Deli – San Bruno
Owners Fady Abedalnour and Nick Dabit opened their second The Boys’ Deli location on Feb. 1. Peninsula locals can now get a taste of the hefty sandwiches offered at their Polk Street deli in San Francisco. The Boys’ Deli takes over the former Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop.
The new location offers the same nearly 40 specialty toasted sandwiches using Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses. Diners can opt for sandwiches like the popular “San Franpsycho” (honey turkey, smoked Gouda cheese, bacon, pesto, garlic spread and remoulade), go the spicy route with the “Rated R” (fiery chipotle chicken, habanero Jack cheese and remoulade) or try a Thanksgiving-inspired sandwich in the “Gobbler” (Ovengold turkey, cranberry sauce and mozzarella), to name a few. Homemade side dishes like red skin potato salad, coleslaw and sweet macaroni salad are also available by the pint.
The Boys’ Deli, 428 San Bruno Ave. W, San Bruno; 415-776-3099. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Golden Sol – Pacifica
Golden Sol is a family-owned wellness cafe and nonalcoholic bar in Pacifica that held its grand opening Feb. 4. Jointly owned by Becca Guzzetta and her daughters Krizia Ferreria-Arteche, Sasha Arteche and Raquel Payne, Golden Sol is designed around Blue Zones – communities around the globe noted for longevity and vitality among residents. Through their healthy food and drink options, Golden Sol aims to “provide a place to come meet like-minded people and build connections that will last a lifetime,” said Ferreria-Arteche.
Offerings include coffee and espresso drinks, açaí bowls, soups, salads and a variety of diverse bites and drinks. The recipes emphasize functional ingredients that carry numerous health benefits, such as blue majik spirulina extract, maca powder and MCT oil used in their wellness lattes. During evening lounge hours, guests can also enjoy nonalcoholic elixirs and kava beverages, which provide drinkers with a natural mood boost and sense of relaxation.
Golden Sol, 1905 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica, Instagram: @goldensol.pacifica. Open Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.