Published November 3, 2025, at Virginia Miller’s Substack
For 24 years, I’ve been exploring and writing about the Bay Area’s Peninsula — including but not minimized to Silicon Valley. Yes, San Mateo County suffers from suburban malaise and mediocrity when it comes to its overall restaurant standards, especially compared to the dense, world-class glories of nearby San Francisco.
But this is also one of the most diverse counties in the world. Blessedly, the food reflects that with hyper-regional restaurant representing many regions of India, Mexico, the Philippines and beyond. It takes more digging and research for greatness than in SF, but the Peninsula is packed with gems — and is ever rising.
Here I review four restaurants around a year or more. In upcoming part two, I’ll cover four notable new South Bay openings.
ARTICLE: https://virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-eat-now-sf-peninsula-rising
Reviewed this issue:
—Palo Alto Food & Cocktail Gem: Sekoya Lounge and Kitchen, Palo Alto
—Downtown SJ Cal-Med Drama: Eos & Nyx, San Jose
—Fresh Life at Donato Enoteca with New Chef, Lunch, Cichetti Happy Hours, Redwood City
—“Sicilian Nights” at La Pizza & La Pasta at Eataly Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale
+ Hotel: Treehouse Silicon Valley