I had some business in Mountain View today, so on the way I stopped in Palo Alto to grab some lunch at Calafia.  As usual, I resisted ordering something I’d had before and enjoyed, and got something completely different.

Today I went with the soup of the day: Potato, beer, and smoked gouda.  I’m not usually a fan of potato-based soups, but this was their soup of the day, so I figured I’d try it.  With chefs (pro or amateur), once I am confident in their ability I’ll try anything they prepare.  The upshot was that I loved it.  Creamy and smokey. Yum!

For a main course, I eschewed my “vegetarian until dinner” habit to try the burger.  Not the lamb burger, although I lingered over it on the menu.  I decided on the Queen Calafia Cheese burger with cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, and the usual accoutrements (including house-made pickles). On the side I had some mayo and ketchup.  No ordinary ketchup, this.  House-made, as are all their sauces, and OMFG it is tasty.  As is their hot sauce which I also had a sample of.  The burger was quite nice as burgers go.  No Spotted Pig burger, but very fine.

Once again, I left pleased with the food and service.

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