I came across Colander Kitchens while searching on Yelp for new spots in San Mateo. Cozy vibes with brick and warm wood interiors. They have a waiting area with comfortable seating. We arrived right around lunchtime on a Friday and all tables were taken. So we took our time looking over the menu, while we waited for a free table. It seemed like the patrons sitting were finished with their meal but sat for an extended period to chat, not being aware that others were waiting to be seated. I wish others were more considerate and would limit their time when they see a line forming. Many cafes and dessert shops in San Mateo can easily accommodate those who wish to sit and converse for hours. It was frustrating for the host, who wanted to seat us, yet she didn't want to rush out her guests. After about 15-20 minutes, a table cleared. Finally, we sat down and ordered our dishes through the QR Code. *** O U R P I C K S *** CRISPY GOAT CHEESE SALAD (WITH SALMON) ~ Crispy goat cheese salad with Salmon ~ Baby greens, panko crusted goat cheese, toybox tomatoes, candied walnuts, pears, creamy roasted shallot balsamic vinaigrette. While the salmon was cooked perfectly, it was quite fishy. We enjoyed the crusted goat cheese balls being crispy on the outside and melted and oozy on the inside, and the sweet candied walnuts and pears to balance the savory flavors. However, it would have been better without the fish. 3.5/5 ROASTED HAMACHI COLLAR ~ Another fishy dish. The meat was tender, but I could not get past the fishiness even with lemon juice. 3/5 RIBEYE STEAK ~ Finished with a drizzle of Fina'denne', a tangy soy and vinegar sauce. This steak was tasty, juicy, tender, and cooked perfectly, if you like medium-medium rare. They even had thinly fried taro on top which was unique. Probably the best dish out of all we had due to its doneness and flavor. 4/5 POKE TRIO ~ Trio of marinated raw salmon, hamachi, and tuna. I was expecting some furikake on top to give it more flavor and appeal. I think it was average. 3.5/5 BEIGNETS ~ I wanted to bite into a pillowy, airy beignet, but it was like an old-fashioned donut with a dense texture. And they looked overcooked and almost burnt, but more than likely the oil needed changing. I also had the powdered sugar placed on the side, since I was taking most of it home. I had one fresh and I had one air-fried at home. Disappointingly, nothing had changed the texture. 2.5/5 They need some improvement for the food. Fishy fish made us think the fish wasn't fresh enough. It seemed a lot of their entrees come with rice and edamame beans. We had 3 dishes with the same sides. Maybe a few options would have been nice to give some variety and not the same repeated pairings. While the service was top-notch and considerate, the food fell short and was about a 3.5/5. The extra half-star was for the service. Wishing Colander Kitchens the best of luck in working out the beginning kinks, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and hoping improvements will be made thereafter. read more

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Affordable (pre-pandemic prices are very much appreciated) and delicious plates in a comfortable, elegant space. Eclectic menu features New Orleans-inspired breakfasts (and a very flexible build-your-own option), salads, Hawaiian and seafood mains, and sushiritos. Perfect for coffee, brunch, and lunch. read more

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Such a cute spot for weekday lunch, and such a steal! Street parking in downtown san mateo (unfortunately gets busy at times). The storefront is on a main street and you see a cute coffee truck inside. Open seating and easy to find a table when we were there. It's a few restaurants/kitchens with a variety of (mainly seafood) dishes to try. Ordered through QR code, food came out quickly. Everything was truly delicious, and at an amazing price point! We got stuff to share and were super impressed. Looking forward to coming back and trying some of their other items. read more

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We happened across Colander Kitchen and boy what a fabulous surprise. We were out for a Carmel machioto for my son and had to order a full blown lunch. 10/10. I crave fresh food low carb and my husband the opposite and this satisfied all 3 of us. The menu is fresh and inventive and the service impeccable. So charming inside, very chic with a vintage feel as well. See photos for what we ate. We will be back very soon. read more

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Walked in and was informed that there's a kiosk, or I could use the QR on the table where I can seat myself, to place my order. Was there on a Friday morning early so it wasn't very crowded. I believe they were soft opening their new brunch menu so it was interesting navigating that. I was unsure about the dishes as they seemed more eccentric than a classic breakfast but my friend I was dining with went for the crab cake Benedict and was thoroughly impressed. I highly recommend that dish. I ordered the build your own breakfast which was a nice option because I could pick only the things I actually felt hungry for. Eggs, potatoes, toast and avocado. All priced individually as you "build" I was most impressed with the potatoes and andouille sausage. I would come back here for that alone. The toast was also really yummy but you only get one option so I think that's important to note because I'm used to being asked: "white, wheat, sourdough or rye" and I only had the option of brioche. I ordered a bottled ice tea and I stated to realize the way that this place feels is a restaurant that usually only does door dash items delivered to local tech types who need an excuse to leave the office. Feels a bit disjointed in that way. But the coffee cart is a nice touch. I just get the feeling that this place doesn't really know itself yet. Maybe it's because of Covid that many restaurants have adopted the kiosk/QR code dining experience but we've moved away from that and it doesn't feel necessary in a space that seems like it wants to feel personal. Bring on the fresh squeezed juices and maybe a condiment station and I'll stay a while next time. read more

Colander Kitchens - Build Your Own Breakfast - Salad Near Me - San Mateo, California

Went to Colander Kitchens today for lunch and it was lovely! Ordered the crispy spicy tuna sushi burrito, crunchy musubi & beignets. Everything was delicious. Didn't get a photo of the beignets because we devoured them right away. The beignets were an amazing consistency, light and airy. We ordered at the kiosks and the food came pretty quick. The purple flower was a nice touch to add some color to the plate. I love the coffee truck! Very cute. The restaurant has very chill vibes. Would definitely recommend to others and hope to be back soon. read more

Colander Kitchens - Crunchy Musubi & Crispy Spicy Tuna Sushi Burrito - Salad Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This place is super cute! Love the quiet music, spacious lounge-like layout. Super kind owners greeting and managing the place. Miso Black Cod - 5 stars!!! Deliciously soft, perfect texture. Good portion. Miso marination was perfect. Not too salty. Just perfect. Steak - 4 stars Flavor-wise, it's delicious. While the description wnd picture looked "medium-rare," it was more medium well! If there was an option or more attention to detail, it would easily go up to 5 stars. Rice is an add-on ($3.5) for dinner but it was kinda hard. Maybe this place is better for lunch bc rice is included with these protein options. Felt super healthy and clean. Welcome to San Mateo! read more

Colander Kitchens - Steak & Black Cod - Salad Near Me - San Mateo, California

So glad to have found this place. Walked by and thought it was a coffee shop or a bar lounge. It is a bit of both as well as a restaurant. The large windows make this space really airy and welcoming. They're between backhaus and foreigner. I used to love going to Roy's in SF. The owner is a former chef at Roy's, and the menu is a little reminiscent of that. We came here for dinner. All the dishes were great (see photos) and the menu prices are unreal. I would fully expect the prices to go up after initial opening, and it would still be worth coming to. I brought my friend and her kid here for lunch and coffee when they were visiting from out of town. The owners are super friendly and warm, and also gave my friend's kid a mini sushiritto roll on the house. We just chilled and lounged around. Shared the salmon rillette salad which was good. I liked my macchiato and will be back. read more

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I've been wanting to try this place for a while because I keep hearing great things about it. I was invited to a private tasting, and wow, I'm impressed!! The decor is so cute and inviting. But the best part is the food. We were all anticipating that the food was going to be good because of the reviews, but I think we were all pretty wowed by just how good everything was. Every dish was perfectly cooked and presented. And just when we thought it couldn't get any better, the beignets came! They were heavenly pillows! And to finish the meal off on the best note, a prefect latte. I think it might be the best I've ever had. If you're a coffee lover, you have to come here and try it, you might not ever get any elsewhere!! You can really taste the care and dedication the owners put into their product, I can't wait to come back!! read more

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Such a great find in downtown San Mateo! I finally got to try Colander Kitchen for a lunch date with my husband. I got the miso cod dish and he ordered the ribs one. The food was delicious. My fish was moist and flavorful. The plate also included rice and edamame beans which was a pleasant surprise considering the $15 price for the dish. My husband loved his dish too and said the ribs were great. I really liked the overall vibe and ambience, like a combo of upscale cafe and restaurant. Relaxing and quiet enough you can talk to each other across the table. For now it's open through lunch only, but the owner mentioned they will be opening for dinner soon. I really wanted to try the beignets too, but didn't have any room so that will have to wait til the next visit! read more

Colander Kitchens - Ribs - Salad Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Omg! We came for lunch on a Friday. We ordered a Sushirrito with baked salmon and Sumo Crunch Sushi Burrito. Both of them came with edamame. Tye gave us last of the beignet to try since it was sold out on the menu. Everything was delicious! We took home half of our sushi-burrito because we couldn't finish it. Will definitely come back again. Cheers to Jenie and Tye. read more

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Great food and great service. We ordered through the app and it was pretty quick to come even though it was a big group. The miso cod was amazing! Will definitely come back! read more

I literally wolf down the beignets. They were incredible. Fresh, hot, melting, perfect. Enjoyed the brunch, have enjoyed the sushirittos in the past, love the poke plate, super fresh, really enjoyed the steak and ribs. I haven't tried anything there that I thought could have been better. It's a beautiful space and is a wonderful addition to the San Mateo food scene. read more

Colander Kitchens - Salad Near Me - San Mateo, California

New spot just opened downtown San Mateo. There's a cute vintage truck in the window with an antique espresso machine. The four of us had lunch here, and the bill was only $60. That's unheard of these days. We had a little bit of everything: the pesto pasta, the red sauce, an americaine salad, braised beef cheeks, and ribs. The food is really good! Front has big comfy seating, and there are dining tables in the back. There's also a huge bar when you enter, but the owner is still waiting for the liquor license. There's a cute vintage truck in the window with an antique espresso machine. Definitely going to come for coffee and get get a little work done. The big windows are great for people watching. read more

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The cod is so delicious! The salad is fresh and tasty as well. I can't eat carb so I had to order both entry but I can only finish half of the salad and wasted the rice. It will be great if the restaurant can offer an option for us to choose a side (salad instead of rice). That way we can reduce food waste. Food is very tasty so I highly recommend the restaurant read more

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The sushi was fresh and portions generous. We were served by the owner himself so no complaints. The deco was unique and love the coffee Car/cart. Will definitely comeback. Wish they serve lunch as well. read more

My husband and I have already been to Colander Kitchen three times since they opened. The first time we tried the Sushirito. On our second and third visits, we ordered the miso black cod and the chicken salad. The miso black cod is outstanding--hands down the best I've ever had. Perfectly cooked, rich, and full of flavor. The Sushirito and the chicken salad were also very good; I'd recommend asking for light dressing on the salad. Beyond the food, the space itself is clean, spacious, and modern, with a really nice overall vibe. The owners were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. And for the quality of the food, the prices are honestly a steal. We highly recommend Colander Kitchen and will definitely be back again. read more

Currently hours 9 am-2 pm Monday thru Friday. Excellent food and menu choices. Comfortable seating, not rushed. Got there at 9:30am, didn't leave until 11:30am Party of 8 "seniors" for a reunion get-together. Needed some assistance ordering by QR code/phone. Foreign experience for senior who are accustomed to a waiter and notepad. Our party had black cod, baby back ribs, different eggs benedict. All agreed that it was delicious. We will be back. read more

Interesting choices for food and for seating here - order on your phone with a QR code - ordered the goat cheese salad to share and a crab sushirito to share since we couldn't make up our minds - love the idea of a sushi burrito - genius! Tasty and fresh. Wish it had been served with wasabi (did receive shoyu packets) - the salad was a little overdressed, but tasty roasted shallot vinaigrette - the toasted goat cheese balls we're good and still warm - tomatoes were good too which is a surprise as it's December so that's great. Ordered a Macchiato after, served with a mini Loacker - a nice touch - flavorful and not too much foam. Check the address and walk on in. Looks plain from the outside and cozy contemporary inside. Needs a little more signage outside so more people will notice it and come in, because I want them to make it! Super cute! And with the higher ceilings, not too loud - I could hear my friend talk! Spoke with the owner, Tai (sp?) - very nice hard working man. Best wishes! read more

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Really good food and affordable prices. The owners are very friendly and take time chatting with the customers Love the place read more

We went back to try other dishes: Moroccan salad, coconut shrimp, black cod, ribeye and creme brûlée, all yummy! read more

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We enjoyed a lovely lunch at Colander Kitchens today, and I want to leave them a review because I'd love to see them get busier and be successful here in San Mateo. My friend and I both ordered salads, and I've got to say, this is the best salad deal you can find in the area. Both salad plates were generous portions, layered with greens, vegetables, proteins and other goodies, and were only $9.99 each. I don't know where else you could find a deal like that, except for a take out box from Trader Joe's. Even Whole Foods' salad bar will cost twice that, and be half as yummy. The ambiance is somewhere between a lunch place and a lounge, and you can choose to sit at a comfy arm chair, or at a regular table. A cute little truck turned into a coffee bar is parked in the front entrance of the restaurant. Overall, it's a great spot for a yummy lunch that won't break the bank. I'll be back to try other things on the menu. The poke and sushirittos seem promising. read more

Open on Fridays, despite what Yelp says. Delicious food and nice ambiance. Got a sushi burrito, crab cake benedict and latte. Will be back to try out the miso cod, hamachi collar, and ribs. You order at a kiosk by the front door which I wasn't expecting since it was our first time and we spent some time scrolling the menus. Service was pleasant and the food presentation was beautiful. Very special place. read more

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Soft opening. Yelp hrs wrong. They are open for dinner Thursday thru Sunday 5-8pm. Just finished dinner and service and food was amazing. Ambiance also very cool spot. Took over the old Three restaurant. Soft opening focus on Kissy Fish dinners items. Hawaiian flavored dishes. All priced at $19. A steal for the quality of food you get. I was to get their ribs. Off menu. Wife got Miso Black Cod and we shared the poke trio. Asked for no rice her dishes and they graciously added more mixed greens. Come and support a new local small business! read more

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Great new restaurant! My friend and I shared the cashew chicken salad, the duck, the seared ahi tuna, and the miso black cod. Everything was delicious (particularly the duck and cod) and the prices were very reasonable! Service was quick and friendly. I'm excited to visit again and definitely recommend for people looking for a healthy and tasty option downtown. read more

Colander Kitchens - Duck, seared ahi tuna - Salad Near Me - San Mateo, California

Debated between 3 or 4 stars, but since they are new, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Great airy space. Tables not too crowded together. The food was hit or miss. The crispy spam musubi was the best thing we ordered. However, both the salmon and ribeye were overcooked. The salmon was advertised as "seared salmon" with ponzu and truffle essence. It was not seared. It was cooked all the way through and dry. I did taste the ponzu but not the truffle essence. The ribeye pictured on their menu looked medium rare. What we got was somewhere between medium and well done. The flavor was fine but the texture was too tough. I suppose I could have complained, but I felt bad doing so since I know restaurants' margins are thin. And it looked like there was just one guy working there, so didn't want to add to the burden. Hopefully they will make some adjustments, as it is a cute space. read more

Walking by, did a double and triple take, never knew this place existed! Immediately smitten by their 'salads' section, got their Nicoise salad to go.I was drawn to the full description, which included anchovies and green beans. I got it home--super bummed: no beans or anchovies :-(! I also did not much care for the earthy caper vinega based dressing. I added some ingredients, e.g. olives and radish, spinach, and tomatoes ... splashed a bunch of red wine vinegar, salt and pepper, which spruced up the salad big time. But the good news: this place is adorable! A truck inside plus a coffee bar and their customer service is awesome! While I was waiting for my order, a beautiful lady comes up to me and hands me a beignet to "nibble on." So gracious and sweet, such a thoughtful gesture. The interior is gorgeous, comfortable chairs and sofas, tables with a dining space that's urban in soul. Love the menu, and given they're relatively new, I think the little kinks (missing ingredients in salads :-) will iron themselves out. We live a few blocks away and definitely will be back to try out other items. This is such a welcome addition to downtown San Mateo, a cafe but with more heft and a varied menu. I ordered at the online kiosk, super convenient and easy, then grabbed a table to wait, and you get to let the kiosk know if you prefer to be texted or emailed. Street parking can be tough but not impossible. read more

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Just went to their soft opening for dinner. Beautiful place. Super nice helpful owners. The two dishes we ordered were great. We are coming back and bringing friends. read more

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Excellent food and very nice environment. Price is very reasonable for the quality food provided. Highly recommended

The food was delicious and everything taste very fresh. Great service overall. I would definitely comeback again.

Cannot believe with this price can get such good quality of dishes, decent portion, size, taste, environment and services... I will come back many times I guess. Highly recommended. Oh, coffee is really good, should not miss that. read more

Colander Kitchens - Salad Near Me - San Mateo, California

I had heard great things about Colander Kitchen and been wanting to go for a while. I was originally worried my expectations would be too high, but the restaurant did not disappoint. The food was super tasty and fresh and very reasonably priced for the quality and quantity that you get. The interior is very cute, too. I can't wait to go back. read more

I was enticed to give this place a try because I have always enjoyed my meals at Roy's of Hawaii affiliated restaurants. Finding out that Tai, the owner was a chef at Roys was positive for me. Went there for lunch with my wife. Since it's a soft opening, the aesthetics were basic and no frills but comfortable. We had to order via a kiosk or QR code on our phones. There were a few kinks that need to worked out with their system as we received a couple of error msgs. But Tai was very helpful and apologetic. The prices were very reasonable. We ordered fried spam musubi which was god but a bit too fried. We also ordered a chicken cashew salad which was refreshing but could've used a bit more dressing. For the main dishes we ordered salmon and miso cod. In Hawaii, this is called butterfish. There's no place around here where you could get salmon or miso cod for much less than $20. So the value was very good. Salmon was cooked perfectly but a bit under seasoned. Overall, the food and value was very good. It had nice touches like friend shoestring taro root and sweet potato crisps on top of the fish. I had a brief talk with Tai afterwards, he was very approachable and gave me a bit of his background with Roys. He was very warm. I look forward to giving this another try once Tai expands his menu. I def recommend a try of this place. read more

Great atmosphere. Simple and elegant food. Very fair pricing. Serviced was attentive but not overbearing. Very casual.

Colander Kitchens offers an impressive combination of high-end quality at very affordable prices, all in a relaxed, casual setting enhanced by smooth, jazzy music. Ty and his wife Jeanne are exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and attentive, creating a warm dining experience that makes you feel right at home. For our first visit, we enjoyed the Miso Cod for lunch -- perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. On our return for dinner, we tried the Lilikoi Duck, Hamachi Collar, and a Beet Salad. The duck was tender with beautifully crispy skin, while the Hamachi Collar was generously portioned, roasted to perfection, and glazed with a savory teriyaki sauce. Since this was during their soft opening, desserts weren't yet listed on the menu, but we were treated to a complimentary Lilikoi Crème Brûlée, which was absolutely delightful. Overall, every dish we've tried has been excellent, and the entire menu looks so tempting that we're already looking forward to coming back again -- and again -- to try more read more

Love the deliciously flavored and very fresh entrees, served with smiles in charming ambiance!

$15 for perfectly prepared steak and koshihikari rice + edamame is bar none the best deal in town. Outrageous.

I love European style coffee, strong flavor, not bitter, and this is the closest I've had in the peninsula. Walked by really happy we stopped in. Great service. Beautiful space and nice ambiance. read more

I can't believe how reasonably priced their menu is. The food is good too. Had the steak and sea bass. Both had great but simple flavors. The cut of the steak wasn't the best, a little sinewy, but on the other hand I'm not expecting a5 for $18. Everything else was amazing for the price. The vibe was great, service was nice. Will keep going as long as they keep things up. read more

We rented out Colander Kitchen for a private corporate lunch event. Ty Mahler, the restaurant owner & chef, was very easy to work with and accommodating. The food was excellent -- our guests raved about it. The space was so charming & fun. We had a great time, and hope to return again soon! read more