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Pausa Bar & Cookery

4.2 (1k reviews)
Closed 4:00 pm - 8:30 PM

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PAUSA BAR & COOKERY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Pausa Bar & Cookery

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Margaret T.

As someone who doesn't like pizza, I actually enjoyed pausa. The pizzas aren't your standard greasy cardboard pies, but actually have good texture and tastes fresh. We ordered the primavera ($34) to split and it came topped with mozzarella, pesto, ricotta, english peas, fava beans, and spring onions. They also offer chili flakes or this amazing chili oil if you want a splash of heat. It seemed like most tables ordered the margherita, so will have to come by to give it a try.

Nonno pizza
Karen N.

Michelin bib gourmand SM restaurant. Prices are comparable to San Francisco, where pastas are in the $30 some range. But if you don't feel like going into the city, the vibe is good. The food is tasty and the cocktails are equally good with a full bar and wine list We had the beet and burrata appetizer, the nonno pizza and the rigatoni along with some Manhattans. There is only one red sauce pizza for those who only like red sauce although they can add meat to the margherita. The pasta was fresh and flavorful, the bone marrow added an extra flavor to the pizza. Service was good overall. A solid option for a local restaurant that's on par with everything you'd expect at a nice modern restaurant

Alice S.

I had dinner here one weekday evening and had a pretty good experience overall. It seemed like most people were there for work dinners. My group shared a couple of charcuterie board appetizers and split a margherita pizza. I liked the charcuterie boards. But the pizza was a bit too soggy for my liking and was falling apart. For my main, I got the pappardelle. This was delicious! The pasta was perfectly al dente and chewy, and the dish was pretty flavorful. But the dish could've used some freshly grated cheese. I also tried a variety of dessert items, most of which were pretty good. The restaurant was packed when I was there, but service was still great and very attentive.

Blue Prawn appetizer
Pamela D.

I've been a long time patron at Pausa and it NEVER disappoints. Easily my favorite Italian restaurant. While I could rave about the entire menu, it changes seasonally, so expect to see the dishes in these reviews change. Try anything, you can't go wrong. They make a lot in-house, including the charcuterie, gelato, and breads. Pizza - the dough is special here. I cringe whenever I see customers tossing the crust - such a waste. I'm not a fan of pizza, but Pausa's are exceptional. Charcuterie and cheese boards are the best around. Try the charcuterie and cheese combo board (2 of each) - an off-menu item - and you'll get all the delicious accompaniments including the housemade pickled veggies, seasonal compote, and the hot tigella bread. Service is always knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, and inviting. The restaurant feels trendy, but without the uptight snobbery and is certainly more warm. Parking is easy in the garage next door - unless it's peak times, in which case all parking in dt San Mateo is tough.

Lynn N.

I came here with my friends for dinner, and we had an amazing time! I had a reservation, but unfortunately due to traffic came significantly later. We called the restaurant, and they kept the table for us during this busy night. Inside has lots of seating, a bar, with low lights and fancy decor. The service was amazing, our waitress checked in on us often and was so easy to converse with! The food was also great! Though it was expensive for the amount, they were good bites. The pasta was filling without being too heavy. The Autumn Pizza was also good and it was a nice touch with the yam. Though the dishes were not bursting with flavor, they were lighter which I do appreciate. I had a great time and would recommend!

Crystal Y.

I love the moody ambiance in here. Perfect for Valentine's Day dinner. It wasn't too packed, and they have outdoor tables if you're feeling that. We sat at the bar and ordered a spritz and ginger limeade to start. I loved our combo meat and cheese board. We left it up to the chef for the selections. It comes paired with 2 types of bread and assorted toppings like fig jam, truffle honey, and mustard to top. The warm focaccia bread for $5 was delicious, I just wish it came with a spread or even just olive oil and vinegar. For the main we chose the spinach tagliolini, which was handmade spinach pasta with a briny and rich butter shrimp sauce which was delightful. If you're looking for elevated Italian with a modern flare and ambient lighting this is the spot!

Derek S.

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a tasty experience. Made a reservation and our table was ready upon arrival. Pausa is featured in the Michelin guide. Parking is available in the parking garage above the restaurant or on nearby surface streets. Dining was available both indoors and outdoors. Service throughout the evening was phenomenal. Staff came by to check up on us as well as refill waters. Staff also did a phenomenal job in providing suggestions on the menu. Started off with the bone marrow and it was quite tasty. The couple of pizzas we ordered had the dough maturation for 72 hours making it for an easier digestions. The toppings were quite tasty! Ended off the meal with their panna cotta which was tasty too! ~$80/head after tax and gratuity for dinner with plenty of leftovers!

Valerie M.

This might be my 10th time coming back to this place. Every time there was something new. They keep leveling up. I always try their new cocktail and a new dessert. If anything I learned if you come after 6pm you beefed make a reservation it's ALWAYS packed here. The service is super attentive.

Michelle B.

I've been here a few times now and the service and food have been great every single visit. It's one of those places that feels consistent, which I really appreciate. We often start with the cheese and meats board along with some bread and it's always a solid choice. For my main, I usually order one of their pastas. The portions are generous and very satisfying. I've also tried their pizzas and really like the texture of the dough. The drinks are good across the board, even the mocktails. Service is attentive without being overbearing. They're always refilling our water and checking in to see if we want another drink. Dessert here is pretty good, but since there are several great dessert spots nearby in downtown San Mateo, I sometimes opt to grab something elsewhere instead. It's also great for large parties and celebrations, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time since they're often booked.

Rucha S.

Came here on a Saturday evening for an 8:30 PM reservation but arrived a bit early. The hostess was friendly and asked us to wait briefly, and we were seated fairly quickly. Our server was friendly and attentive from the start. We were promptly offered water and given menus. We ordered the burrata, baby kale salad, and Autunnale pizza for food, along with the Nudo e Famoso (0 proof) to drink. Our server did a good job pacing the food and checked in on us throughout the meal. The burrata was delicious, with a unique flavor profile that worked well together. The baby kale salad was slightly citrus-forward but refreshing. The pizza, however, was just okay. The dough--especially the crust--was dense and heavy, and overall lacked sufficient salt. We also noticed multiple plates around us returning to the kitchen with leftover crusts, which reinforced that observation. Overall, the food was decent, but the service stood out as the stronger part of the experience.

Cynthia N.

I was introduced to Pausa by my coworker, as she picked this spot for our team on site dinner. I fell in love with the cocktails and the food so I had to take my friends here as well. They have spritz hour ($14 off for spritzes), HH food, & $2 off all house cocktails! The service was quick & friendly, and I'm excited to take my friends here for more happy hours. :)

Cristallo
Josephine C.

Food was disappointing (pasta and pizza), but service and cocktails were exceptional. I enjoyed the Autunnale pizza. The flavors are subtle but come together well. I still think it was 4/5 We ordered the wagyu and vegetarian pasta. The wagyu pasta lacked flavor. It tasted like a plain tomato sauce. The vegetarian pasta was more tasty. In all case for the food flavors, I would honestly rather go to Olive Garden. The Cristallo milk punch cocktail and the 0 proof Nudo e Famoso were exceptional drinks though

Pizza Anatra
Aye K.

Excellent vibes and service. The restaurant was super busy on a Friday night but definitely a great spot for celebrations! Unfortunately, we weren't as impressed by the food. We tried a variety of dishes, including some from a special truffle menu (apologies for not snapping a photo). The veal was very soft and tender, but the truffle flavor in the dish was subtle and didn't come through as much as expected. Surprisingly, the truffle flavor really shined in the dessert, which was creamy, light, and perfectly balanced. The pizzas were the standout dishes of the night! The thin crust had a great chewiness and I even finished the entire crust, which doesn't usually happen! We tried the anatra (duck confit) and nonna (chanterelle mushrooms) and both were delicious. The pastas left a bit to be desired. Both dishes had very soft pasta that was not al dente, and the sauces were fairly standard. The risotto however was excellent with perfect texture. Octopus croquettes were not worth the price for two pieces. If I return, I would stick to the pizzas and maybe try their charcuterie selection. For the price, it's a bit hard to justify, but I wish them the best of success!

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Ask the Community - Pausa Bar & Cookery

Does their Tiramisu contain liquor?

I don't know for certain, but when we tried it I could not taste any. If it is there it is very light

Which of the vegetarian/vegan options can be made allium-free (no onion, no garlic)?

They're very accommodating, so I'm sure you can ask for any item.

Are dogs allowed at the outdoor seating?

Do you sell physical gift cards at your restaurant? (I've seen the digital ones you have through your rsvp booking site but looking for physical).

What is your corkage fee and do you have a limit of # of bottles we open?

$30, max # 2 bottles as of 9/23/22.

When will you open for lunch?

Hi! What's your corkage fee?

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Gao Viet Kitchen & Bar - San Mateo

Gao Viet Kitchen & Bar - San Mateo

4.0
(2.2k reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

Ambience: amazing, mix of nice casual, had both upstairs and downstairs seating…read more Service: seemed fast, regularly had waters refilled Food: - banh cahn cua: so good! The soup was very flavorful. It was a thinner broth, not the mildly gelatinous one I usually think of but still delicious. The noodles itself had good texture, not too soft. I also loved their spin on the crab being deep fried soft shell crab. I thought that was fantastic - gao rolls platter: great for trying their various rolls, the pho cuon was my favorite

This restaurant is so popular so when we joined the waitlist, we were 17th in line. However, the…read moreline moved really quickly and we got seated shortly after arrival, about 20 minutes after we joined the WL during peak dinner rush hour on a Sat night. The restaurant has two levels with the second level dining being a more intimate space. We ordered three dishes to share and a coffee flight for three people and had leftovers because of how big the portions are. The coffee flight was least impressive as the pistachio cream viet coffee was more on the sour side and the salted cream viet coffee was a bit too bitter. The corn milk one was delightful and not as strong as the other two. The main highlight of the might was the What Da Duck!! The fatty duck skin was flavorful and the meat paired well with the coconut sticky rice from the Pork Ribs dish! The sauce was also savory, sweet and added a perfect bit of juiciness to the lean duck meat. The banh cuon was as expected, nothing super fancy. The pork ribs were also really flavorful but a tad bit dry. Our server was attentive and refilled water quickly. We overall had a fun girl's dinner here!

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Inside
Inside
Banh Canh Gio Heo $25.00
Banh Canh Gio Heo $25.00
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Avenida Restaurant

Avenida Restaurant

4.0
(1.1k reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

Located in Downtown San Mateo, parking is plentiful but availability is difficult to find. The…read moreinterior is quiet and spacious making it good for groups of all sizes. Food is delicious. I loved the lumpia and pancit. Lumpia was very crispy and the pancit was light whilst having flavor. Tap to pay is accepted. Overall, Avenida Restaurant is a delicious place for Filipino food.

Growing up in a Filipino family, there was one unmistakable sign that a celebration was about to…read morehappen. Someone would yell from the kitchen... "The rice is done!" Suddenly, cousins appeared out of nowhere. Uncles magically volunteered to "help." Aunties started uncovering steaming trays of food like they were unveiling national treasures. And somehow, there was always enough food to feed a small village...plus the neighbors. Walking into Avenida in San Mateo felt exactly like stepping back into one of those family gatherings. Only this time, someone gave Grandma's recipes a modern wardrobe without changing her soul. Let's begin with the Extra Crispy Lechon Kawali. If crispy pork belly had its own Olympic event...this would win gold. The skin shattered with every bite like delicious edible glass before giving way to unbelievably succulent, juicy pork underneath. Every glorious crackle echoed through the dining room like applause from my ancestors. I may or may not have looked around to make sure nobody planned on stealing the last piece. Then arrived the Kare Kare. Now, Kare Kare isn't just another stew. It's one of those Filipino dishes that quietly whispers, "Sit down...you're staying awhile." The rich peanut sauce was silky, deeply savory, and wrapped every piece of tender oxtail like a warm culinary hug. Poured generously over a mountain of steaming rice, it instantly reminded me why carbohydrates are one of humanity's greatest inventions. Then came the Chicken Adobo, arguably the unofficial ambassador of Filipino cuisine. Tangy Savory Perfectly salty Fragrant with garlic Whole peppercorns making surprise appearances just when you thought each bite couldn't get any better. Every forkful tasted like it had been simmering all afternoon in someone's family kitchen while stories, laughter, and a little friendly gossip floated through the house. And then... The dish that quietly stole my heart. Palabok Those delicate rice noodles blanketed with rich orange shrimp and pork sauce, topped with shrimp, hard-boiled egg, crispy pork bits, and all the little finishing touches that somehow transform simple ingredients into pure nostalgia. One bite... And suddenly I wasn't sitting in a beautiful restaurant anymore. I was back at birthday parties Christmas celebrations Baptisms Family reunions Plastic folding chairs Kids running around the backyard Someone asking for seconds before everyone else had finished their first plate. It's amazing how food can unlock memories you didn't even realize were waiting. That's Avenida's greatest accomplishment. They don't simply recreate Filipino classics. They honor them. Every dish carries the comfort of homemade cooking while adding just enough modern refinement to make it feel fresh without ever forgetting where it came from. It's memory lane...with better lighting. Overall: 5 stars. Outstanding Filipino cuisine that beautifully balances tradition with contemporary presentation. From the perfectly crackling Lechon Kawali and heavenly Kare Kare to the unforgettable Chicken Adobo and deeply nostalgic Palabok, every dish felt like a heartfelt tribute to Filipino family cooking. Avenida isn't just serving dinner...it's serving home, one delicious plate at a time. Come hungry and Go Big!!!

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View from below
View from below
BUKO PANDAN MILKY ICE
BUKO PANDAN MILKY ICE
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Flores San Mateo

Flores San Mateo

3.9
(417 reviews)
2.1 mi
$$

Normally, I love Flores! I went to a Yelp event here a few years back, and have been back several…read moretimes for their happy hour. Really enjoy their pitchers of margaritas. They also have super delicious chips and salsa. Great ambiance, easy parking, and good service. Without happy hour though, it is on the pricier side. On my most recent visit, I ordered just a beer and the churros. Though the sauce was good (chocolate and caramel I believe) the churros were super underdone in the middle. Ended up tossing most of them. Hopefully they get it right next time!

OVERCHARGED. CHECK YOUR BILL! We visited for the first time…read morewith our 1-year-old daughter and were pleasantly surprised by the food. It was flavorful, and while it's more expensive than a typical taqueria, you're paying for an elevated dining experience and great ambiance. Unfortunately, our experience ended on a very disappointing note. Our final bill was $120 (including tip), which we reviewed, signed, and left with. Shortly after, I received an Amex notification showing a pending charge of nearly $160. Since we weren't far, my husband went back to ask about it. Before he could even explain why he was there, our waiter, Ivan G., was already walking toward him with an updated receipt in hand. He claimed other drinks were accidentally charged to our tab, but that doesn't explain how we were given and signed the correct final receipt before leaving. Had we not received the Amex notification, we would have been overcharged by almost $40. It's unfortunate because we were excited to find a new family spot, but because of this experience, we won't be returning or recommending it to others.

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Bar area was packed!!!!!!!
Bar area was packed!!!!!!!
PLATANO MACHO
PLATANO MACHO
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Bar Underdog

Bar Underdog

4.3
(53 reviews)
13.6 mi

I think it's kind of funny that there is such a discourse amongst other reviews about whether or…read morenot this place is a speakeasy. As a speakeasy enthusiast myself I definitely agree to the fact that it is "hidden" but also it does kinda give corporate vibes a little bit - maybe we can say they "gentrified" the speakeasy experience which is honestly so funny for Palo Alto. But anyways I don't think a classification should stop you from visiting it. The food is actually surprisingly really good. We came with a pescatarian and honestly while the offerings for snacks were a bit slim, every option was really good. I feel like this was the first time where I understood the price even the the quantity is no where close to be desired. One shrimp is like $6 and I was like whoah. Service is definitely more laid back and it's overall just like a more chill atmosphere. I'm fortunate to work nearby so I'll definitely visit this place a few times after work to blow off some steam... And the drinks! Yes they are good! They are also quite strong! Would come back again but also if you're conscious of budget then I'm not sure if you'll find the same value proposition.

Note: I believe the menu has changed since my last visit…read more Stopped by Bar Underdog for a quick drink and was recommended their take on a martini from the "Traditional" section. It came out quickly, crisp, and as cold as it gets. I also tried a shrimp dish from the "Steamed" section, and it was delicious. Their chicken was also larger than I expected, making it a good bang for your buck, especially if you plan on grabbing a few drinks. Excited to come back and try more of their cocktails!

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Fru-ti Punch and Old Soul
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