Craft/code Kitchen - San Mateo

I was taken aback by the positive reviews this restaurant received. The menu appeared enticing, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Howe... read more I was taken aback by the positive reviews this restaurant received. The menu appeared enticing, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was pleasant. However, something seemed off in the kitchen during my visit. Both the falafel and tuna tartare I ordered were quite disappointing. They were severely lacking in salt; the tuna had an unusual bitterness to it and didn’t have the flavors of soy, sesame, or ginger that I would expect. The falafel had an overpowering mint taste and was lacking in other flavors. It was so unusually subpar that I wondered if the regular chef was not in that night. I’m giving one star for the menu, one star for the service, and one star for the atmosphere, but unfortunately, no stars for the food, at least not on this occasion.

I ordered the chicken Caesar salad to go for $20, and it was quite disappointing. The chicken breast tasted at least two days old and was incredibly dry; I stru... read more I ordered the chicken Caesar salad to go for $20, and it was quite disappointing. The chicken breast tasted at least two days old and was incredibly dry; I struggled to swallow it without water. The cheese was just the cheap, pre-packaged variety from the grocery store, and the lettuce was swimming in dressing. To top it off, it came with two stale breadsticks. Looking back, I should have returned to the restaurant to request a refund. It’s surprising how poorly they managed such a simple dish as a Caesar salad.

Just came to grab a drink at the bar. Great vibe and friendly bartender. Highly suggest the ?None of Your Beeswax? cocktail (pictured). read more Just came to grab a drink at the bar. Great vibe and friendly bartender. Highly suggest the ?None of Your Beeswax? cocktail (pictured).

I ordered the chicken Caesar salad to go. It was $20. The chicken breast was clearly at least 2 days old and dry. It was so dry, I actually couldn?t swallow it... read more I ordered the chicken Caesar salad to go. It was $20. The chicken breast was clearly at least 2 days old and dry. It was so dry, I actually couldn?t swallow it down without water. The cheese was the fake sprinkle cheese from a grocery store, and the lettucewas drenched in dressing. It also came with two stale bread sticks. In hindsight, I should have walked back to the restaurantand asked for a refund. For something as simple as a Caesar salad, I can?t believe the kitchen botched it as badly as they did.

So surprised by the great reviews here. The menu looks appetizing, service was great, and the atmosphere is nice. Something about the kitchen must have been off... read more So surprised by the great reviews here. The menu looks appetizing, service was great, and the atmosphere is nice. Something about the kitchen must have been off tonight, though. Both the falafel and the tuna tartar that I ordered were just... bad.Really really undersalted, tuna somehow had strong bitter notes, didn't taste like soy or sesame or ginger. Falafel was heavy onmint, light on everything else. It was so weirdly bad it made me wonder if their normal chef was out. One star for the menu,one start for the service, one star for the atmosphere. Sadly, no stars for the kitchen, at least tonight.