Octavio Peña

2 days ago | kqed.org | Octavio Peña

Apr 22Failed to save articlePlease try againChicken Licious' smoky char kway teow features a heavy dose of wok hei. The San Jose restaurant specializes in Malaysian bento boxes. (Octavio Peña)I was driving by a strip mall in South San Jose when a window portrait of a cartoon chicken in a Hawaiian shirt and Comme des Garçons shoes caught my eye. What I assumed would be a fried chicken spot turned out to be a Malaysian restaurant, a rarity in the South Bay.

1 week ago | offthegrid.com | Octavio Peña

From May to October, we’re hosting a weekly Mid-Week Mercado at Salesforce Plaza from 11am to 2pm. We’re drawing inspiration from the vibrant night markets of Mexico City and the celebration of various cultures from the Queens Night Market. Each week, we’re bringing 20 of the Bay Area’s best Latin American food creators cooking up tacos, tamales, pupusas, ceviche, arepas, lomo saltado, ropa vieja, empanadas, churros, and more.

2 weeks ago | offthegrid.com | Octavio Peña

Let’s be honest, when you’re choosing where to spend a fun day in the Bay Area, visiting Pleasant Hill is probably not on the top of the list. It’s a quiet city that seemingly doesn’t have a lot to do on the surface. But there’s a lot of hidden gems for family activities, and it has easy access to unique experiences in neighboring cities like Concord and Walnut Creek. Whether you’re looking to speed down a water slide or stroll through a botanical garden, this list has something for you.

2 weeks ago | offthegrid.com | Octavio Peña

We’re thrilled to be returning to our home base at Fort Mason Center for a night filled with the best food trucks and pop-ups from across the Bay. Not only is it one of SF’s oldest night markets, it’s also one of the largest in California! Join us on April 18 for our opening day!Swing by to enjoy a full bar, live entertainment, activities, and over 110 retail booths. Here’s a list of some of the bites we’re looking forward to at Fort Mason.

3 weeks ago | offthegrid.com | Octavio Peña

2025 has had a great start for food lovers in the Bay Area. The trend of smash burgers seems to just be getting started and is developing into new forms with influences from various cuisines. The Saluhall and Thrive City food options are also expanding with the addition of popular restaurants and pop-ups. Here are some of the spots that we can’t wait to try this year. New OpeningsChe Fico Pizzeria and Señor Sisig recently joined the team at Thrive City at Chase Center.