Thai Your Loved One Up this Valentine's Day

Restaurant, located at 1316 El Camino Real, was recently selected "Best Restaurant in Belmont" by the US Commerce Association.  

"I am so blessed having a great team from the kitchen to the front and put us in this spotlight within a year," said Chez Saigon owner, Chala Santino, a veteran in the restaurant business.

Santino took over ownership and management of the restaurant about one year ago, and has made some changes in the menu, including offerings from her native Thailand. 

Of her staff, Santino says, "I am so very proud of them because I wouldn't get to this point if it were not for of them."

Foodies may be familiar with Chez Saigon's sister restaurant, the popular in Half Moon Bay (which truly is run by her sister now that Chala’s efforts are here in Belmont).

Santino’s enthusiasm for cooking fresh, healthful dishes belies the entire menu at Chez Saigon.

“I serve what I eat,” beams the friendly Santino “I care about health and quality and using the best ingredients. I pick all the meat and produce myself.”

She explains that the design of the menu blends the best of both worlds: the fresh and healthy ingredients used in Vietnamese dishes and the unique elements and juxtaposing flavors of Thai cuisine. The stock for her pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup, simmers for 12 hours to get the best flavors from the chicken and beef bones.

The small restaurant (seats 50), has a stylish, yet comfortable decor. Santino credits her friend and former Chez Saigon owner for the dark wood features and authentic artful touches; “My friend is Vietnamese and I think she did a fabulous job creating a warm ambiance.”

Despite its size, Chez Saigon produces an ambitious, creative lunch and dinner menu featuring a diverse selection of appetizers, soups, curry dishes, meat and poultry, seafood, noodles and rice dishes and an entire page of vegetarian appetizers and entrees. Lunch specials are served daily until 2:30 p.m. and special lunch combos include two mini-entrees served with steamed rice and salad.

Although the ethnic Thai population is small in the Bay Area (as opposed to Vietnamese or Cambodian, for example), it’s refreshing to find a restaurant that will prepare dishes authentically.

The key to Thai cooking lies in the explosiveness of the seasonings and the combination of the aromatic flavors in every dish.

Signature dishes at Chez Saigon include Pad Thai—panfried rice noodles with shrimp, ground peanuts, tofu, egg and bean sprouts in a delicate tamarind sauce, and Lamb Jungle Curry, which Chala admits is her personal favorite dish. The tender Australian lamb is served in a rich and spicy curry with hints of lemongrass, bamboo shoots, peppers and basil. 

“I’ve never seen anyone leave a drop of sauce left on the plate,” she said. “It’s a homemade family secret recipe, and is the only one of its kinds in the Bay Area.”

In addition to traditional jasmine tea, Chez Saigon offers a selection of beer and wine.

Santino has a refined sensibility for running a dual-cuisine restaurant and for preparing food that has clarity of flavor, variety of fresh ingredients, beautiful preparation and gracious service.

“We go the extra mile for our customers,” Santino explains. “For me, it’s important that our customers know they are getting the freshest ingredients and the best of both worlds of Vietnamese and Thai cooking.”

And just in time for Valentine's Day, Santino is offering a free order of spring rolls with a $25 purchase. 

In addition to traditional restaurant seating, Chez Saigon offers private parties, catering services, luncheon meetings, and wedding rehearsal dinners.

For more information, call 650-591-9888, or go to www.chezsaigon.com. The restaurant is at 1316 El Camino Real.

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