8FFLFOE sauteed banana, kinako (soybean flour), ancho chili, and sesame seeds suspended in a transparent brittle. It was dessert to linger over, savor and remember. The butterscotch pot de creme was so good, I nearly became teary-eyed. It was a lush creamy pudding with roasted pineapple slices, mandarin and navel orange segments, cocoa nib brioche croutons, and roasted-pineapple sherbet. A spectacular dessert well worth getting fat over. Chez TJ is an elegant dining experience. Being awarded a Michelin star extends beyond
kitchen capability. The anonymous inspectors rate service, ambiance, wine list, upkeep, cleanliness: the attention to detail that separates the special from the good, the memorable from the predictable. Joey Elenterio’s star is in ascent. He has coupled technique and imagination with an intuition for aromas, textures and sublime tastes. His plates are artistic, tantalizing and eloquent. This is no accident — it came from long hours, hard work and diligence. Don’t miss out. V
N DININGNOTES
Chez TJ 938 Villa St., Mountain View 650-964-7466 www.cheztj.com Dinner: Tue.-Thu. 5:30-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 5:30-9:30 p.m. MICHELLE LE
Waiter Mikhail Chalov sets a table at Chez TJ, located in a historic house in downtown Mountain View.
ma squab, a breast and confit of leg sauced with a squiggle of date ketchup mustard, whole dates, and a carrot-and-Brussels sprouts vegetable composition. It was a complex tapestry of flavors and aromas, with kisses of both saltiness and sweetness to the bird.
The other option was South Texas wild boar, three cuts: osso bucco, belly and sausage. Two sauces accompanied, a reduction from the braising and an asparagus puree. There were muscat grapes, kumquats, asparagus tips, freshly shucked English peas, pea
tendrils, and tiny pools of pureed peas also on the plate. It was a mosaic of flavors both on the plate and on the tongue. There was no letdown with pastry chef Denise Iida’s desserts. The chocolate bread pudding had been reimagined with slices of
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low excellent street
Bariatric Surgeons Mountain View 650-404-8400 Prithvi Legha, M.D. Palo Alto 650-853-2331 John Feng, M.D. Beemen Khalil, M.D. Redwood City 650-853-2331 John Feng, M.D. pamf.org/wls
May 18, 2012 ■ Mountain View Voice ■ MountainViewOnline.com ■
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