Joya Restaurant and Lounge in Palo Alto, California presents a showcase of modern Latin cuisine. Joya, (Spanish pronunciation – ho-ya) means jewel, and this is surely a jewel of a restaurant!
We had the privilege of dining with the personal selections and recommendations from their talented Sous Chef, Brian Grebow. Being a long time family friend, we were extremely impressed with his culinary prowess and artistic presentations. Incorporating the best of Latin cuisine, Brian led us on a gastronomic journey that left us completely satiated.
We were introduced to our first taste through an “amuse bouche” tasting spoon filled with scallop, onion, cilantro and a citrus vinaigrette that was light and refreshing. The spoonful was delicious!
As a beverage for our meal, we shared a pitcher of White Peach Sangria, house-made with fresh fruit and Sauvignon Blanc wine. A perfect accompaniment to their cuisine.
For our first starter, we enjoyed an Ahi Tuna Tartare made with fresh ahi, avocado, jicama, lemon, and serrano chili essence topped with micro greens and served alongside house-made taro root chips. I’ve had several versions of this appetizer before and theirs was done perfectly, with just the right amount of spice and balance between the creamy avocado and fresh fish.
Our next tapas dish was Seared Sea Bass with an ancho chile -tapenade style sauce served over a pancetta and mushroom ragout garnished with asparagus and the chef’s “secret recipe” chile oil. A heavenly combination of flavors creating a unique and amazing dish!
Next up, Guacamole and New World Chips. I’m a fan of guacamole and know immediately if it passes the test or not. This one definitely did. With an assortment of house-made taro root, sweet potato, yam and plantain chips, it was taken to the next level!
An array of Grilled Shrimp, Spanish Chorizo and Summer Squash served with a pimenton sauce was our next dish. Very light, fragrant and nicely plated. The chorizo was divine, as well as the other accouterments.
Center stage ending the main portion of our meal was an incredible Stuffed Hanger Steak that was marinated for four days, then butterflied and stuffed with a mixture of jack cheese and sautéed onions & peppers, then grilled to perfection. This was plated over a layer of black beans and chimichurri sauce. We thought we were too full to eat until we smelled the aroma of the grilled steak and vegetables. Clearly not something we could pass up and it was absolutely scrumptious!
They say there’s always room for dessert and a little chocolate is good for the soul, so we opted to try their Churros with Hot Chocolate. Argentinian doughnuts with an Ibarra chocolate dipping sauce. I don’t even like doughnuts and these were amazing! Not what you remember from your local fair or food stand. These were lightly sugared, delicately crunchy and almost creamy inside with a dark chocolate sauce that tasted like it had a hint of coffee and spice. I seriously wanted to swirl my finger in the sauce so as not to leave a drop.
Quite a wonderful finish to an incredible meal. If you get up near Palo Alto, you must stop in and try out their Latin specialties. I am surely going back to seek out other taste sensations on their menu next time I am up there!
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Yum! I’m so intrigued and curious to try this restaurant while I’m in the Bay Area! Thanks for all the pictures!
Also, I was blown away at the decor and art in the coming new Fish Gaucho in Paso as I was peeking in the window yesterday (corner of 13th and Park St?, I think)! Have you peeked inside? When you do, don’t forget to look at the lighting above the entry door! If the food matches the care given to the ambiance, we will have an exceptional winner in Paso. Please let me know if you know anything about the chef coming in or anything. So exciting!