Welcome to number5kitchen, where we share a passion for creating Californian cuisine with the finest local ingredients. Our warm and inviting restaurant is nestled in Bay Area mid-Peninsula in downtown San Carlos. Established at this location in 2019, we strive to serve simple yet extraordinary dishes that celebrate the bounty of our region. Join us for a delightful culinary journey.
Mandy Feuerbacher
Found this amazing little place that’s just delicious. They source locally and do farm-to-table. The prix fixe menu changes seasonally, and usually the Chef also does the serving. The steak was perfectly done, and the scallops were so yummy. Highly recommend for a cozy date night or special occasion.
… moreDavy Cheung
You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a homey atmosphere and fresh, quality food. We ordered a homemade pizza, fish, and steak—all of which were delicious! Surprisingly, the fish had a unique twist with a subtle hint of soap in the flavour, and it actually tasted quite good! The pizza had a perfect crispy crust with fresh toppings, and the steak was cooked just right. The service was friendly and welcoming, making it feel like a cozy, family-run spot. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting a comforting meal with great ingredients!
… moreDavid Frank
My wife and I found this special place last night. Farm to Table food was incredibly well crafted and delicious. And it was paired with a very good wine. Henry definitely offers a person touch, and there was a special appearance by his son, Cedar, who is a very bright and creative boy. We loved our time there and will definitely return!
… moreJenny Xu
I came here with a friend since they loved the chef, Henry!
Good:
– Henry was so fun to chat with! He gave us recommendations and also was just a personable person
– The food came out quickly
– The caprese squash salad was so good! I loved how the burrata was flavored with olive oil and squash had texture and crunch
– The breakfast pizza dish was amazing, huge portion sizes and also had so much on them
– The dessert tart was so good too – small but was just what hit the spot for me
– Cute outdoor vibe, we had a nice view of the street and it was a great sunny day
Bad:
– I thought that the bolognese dish was the least unique since it tasted good, but it tasted like what I could get at a high end Italian restaurant
Overall the experience was so fun! I like supporting local restaurants too
… morecamie S
What a gem! 4 of us enjoyed most of the menu. Every bite was delicious!
Fresh flavors, perfectly prepared. Wine with 3P pair so well. Simply wonderful.
Do yourself a favor and allow time to savor each bite.
… moreCarol Carnevale
I was referred to Number5 Kitchen for hosting a dinner party for 14 people. Working with the owner, Henry Eng is a host’s dream! In advance Henry inquired about food preferences and allergies, and he prepared a special menu for the occasion. We started with a beautiful Little Gem salad and this was followed by a vodka pasta, scallops and flat iron steak. Service is family style, and guests who had special requirements were served separately. Food is fresh and absolutely delicious.
Henry does it all – from greeting, cooking, and serving and one might expect a frenetic pace. However, Henry’s warm demeanor and great attention to the overall dining experience produce a wonderful and memorable evening.
… moreJennifer Weedn
It’s taken us too long to try this place, since we live in San Carlos, but now that we’ve tried it we will be back! In a bustling Laurel St, this small quiet restaurant front is easy to miss. The food is delicious, full of flavor, made from fresh seasonal ingredients – familiar but made with extra touches and care. Henry the chef/owner does everything, so if you come at a busy time like a Friday night, build in some time to wait. But it’s worth it. We had 3 different pastas, all amazing, the steak, chicken wings (made better than typical places) and the chopped salad which is so good.
… moreOren Williams
This place is just amazing. In my top two restaurants in San Carlos, especially as a vegetarian. The chef is now doing everything. You order from your table with your phone. The pandemic was really hard on restaurants.
The food here is just the best. Obviously quality ingredients. Every bite of asparagus in my pasta was just perfect and bursting with flavor due to the quality of the produce and the expert preparation. This has been true every time I’ve eaten here. Truly special.
… moreDavid H
We tried the 8-hour bolognese, the local black cod, and the citrus burrata. They were absolutely perfect, no seasoning was needed. Everything was locally fresh, impressive, and yet so familiar; great setting for perfect comfort food in a family-owned restaurant. We regret we didn’t try their signature Dungeness crab pasta and that will be something for another visit. This experience was an excellent surprise on our work trip.
… moreWook Chung
Absolutely delicious. This restaurant is really “down-to-earth” or farm-to-table as you can get. It is a small joint where the chef prepares the dishes himself. It really feels like homestyle cooking more than a restaurant. The interior is simple, just like the dishes. Plenty of wood, clean lines, chairs. The plates and utensils complement this principle. Again very well balanced. The food is absolutely delicious with fresh ingredients. But perhaps too much so? It really didn’t feel like we were eating at a high-end restaurant which the prices might suggest. The only reason for the 4-stars rather than 5 is due to the price and the value you get. The restaurant is priced as a high-end restaurant while foregoing the niceties of a ambience, the mood and the glamor associated. Perhaps different people value different things from the price you pay. But for me, a bit too steep for what you get.
Out of everything we ate, the steak was the most disappointing (although yummy compared to other places). The middle wasn’t too cooked at all, despite us asking for medium-well-done. Also the fries were soaked in the au jus with peppercorns sort of dancing around. The roasted chicken was to perfection. Tasteful without garnish. Pasta Bolognese was again homely. And the burrata was magnificent with well interpreted snow pea paste and imaginative strawberry preparations. Again, very well done.
I respect the chef and what they are going for. And I really hope this place prospers. Thank you for the meal.
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