HOTTEST NEW RESTAURANTS
Adega. Pastry Chef Jessica Carreira and her fiance Chef David Costa were adamant that their first restaurant be in the working-class Little Portugal neighborhood, where she grew up. The result is San Jose’s first Michelinstarred establishment that’s only the second Portuguese restaurant in the country to gain that coveted star. Must order: Bacalhau à Adega, seared codfish fillets served over handmade ravioli. 1629 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose; (408) 926-9075. www.adegarest.com
Bird Dog. These shareable plates are all about chefdriven, contemporary cuisine with inventive touches. The restaurant recently added lunch service, Monday through Friday. Must order: Woodgrilled avocado, its crevice filled with a pool of ponzu, and accented with freshly grated wasabi. 420 Ramona St., Palo Alto; (650) 656-8180. www.birddogpa.com
The Bywater. David Kinch of Manresa pays homage to his New Orleans culinary roots with his second restaurant that serves Creole and Cajun specialties. Must order: Fried oyster po’boy. 532 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; (408) 560-9639. www.thebywaterca.com
The Catamount. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant by chef Ray Tang features updated American classics such as roasts, house-made extruded pastas, and softserve. Must order: “Steam of the Day,” featuring fish or shellfish. 50 University Ave., Los Gatos; (408) 442-5533. www.thecatamount.com
Din Tai Fung. Unless you go at an off hour, prepare to wait in a long line to get into Northern California’s only branch of this Taiwanese chain. That’s how legendary the dumplings are. Must order: Xiao long bao, soup dumplings with ethereal wrappers encasing a filling of juicy pork and hot broth. Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara; (408) 248-1688. www.dintaifungusa.com
Pausa Bar & Cookery.
Italian-born chef-owner Andrea Giuliani believes in a very hands-on approach, making everything inhouse, including salumi, mozzarella, pastas, gelati and the pizza dough crafted from imported Italian flours mixed with a special enzyme. Must order: linguine di grano arso, a briny tangle of manila clams, borlotti beans, Calabrian chile, bottarga and lemon zest. 223 E. Fourth Ave., San Mateo; (650) 3750818. www.pausasanmateo.com
Sushi Yoshizumi. Place yourself in the hands of chef Akira “Yoshi’’ Yoshizumi at his Michelin-star omakase-only restaurant, where the menu changes daily, based on what’s available in season. Must
order: Yohei Omakase, billed as the ultimate edomae sushi experience. 325 E. Fourth Ave., San Mateo; (650) 437-2282. www.sushiyoshizumi.com
Tacolicious. The Cal-Mex tacos are folded around abundant fillings in this light-filled space in the heart of Santana Row.
Must order: Guajillobraised beef brisket taco. 300 Santana Row, San Jose; (415) 649-6077. www.tacolicious.com