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Name: All Spice
Address: 1602 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA, 94402
Telephone: (650) 627-4303
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.27

All Spice

1602 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA, 94402

(650) 627-4303
Store is closed

All Spice Menu

Appetizers

Warm Mirchi Salad

Ode to My Wife, Part II

Chilled English Pea Soup

Indian Bread Fritter Ma Mere

Roots and Shoots

Lavender and Cumin Scallops

Tuna Tataki

Tandoori - Spiced Crispy Veal Sweetbreads

Warm Mirchi Salad

Ode to My Wife, Part II

Chilled English Pea Soup

Indian Bread Fritter Ma Mere

Roots and Shoots

Lavender and Cumin Scallops

Tuna Tataki

Tandoori - Spiced Crispy Veal Sweetbreads
Entrees

Herb-Rubbed Venison Steak

Roasted Spring Lamb Loin

Aab-e-gosht

Harissa - Spiced Bison Shortrib

Braised Wagyu Beef Brisket

Fennel-Oil Poached Halibut

Beet and Coconut Ravioli

Popeye's Dream

Jerusalem Artichoke and Black Garlic Agnolotti

Herb-Rubbed Venison Steak

Roasted Spring Lamb Loin

Aab-e-gosht

Harissa - Spiced Bison Shortrib

Braised Wagyu Beef Brisket

Fennel-Oil Poached Halibut

Beet and Coconut Ravioli

Popeye's Dream

Jerusalem Artichoke and Black Garlic Agnolotti
Desserts

Selection of House-made Ice Creams

Seasonal Creme Brulee

Snowglobe Ice Cream Sundae

Dark Chocolate Kulfi

Selection of House-made Ice Creams

Seasonal Creme Brulee

Snowglobe Ice Cream Sundae

Dark Chocolate Kulfi

Healthy Meal suggestions for All Spice

Appetizers

Warm Mirchi Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ode to My Wife, Part II [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilled English Pea Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Indian Bread Fritter Ma Mere [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roots and Shoots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lavender and Cumin Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Tataki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori - Spiced Crispy Veal Sweetbreads [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm Mirchi Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ode to My Wife, Part II [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilled English Pea Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Indian Bread Fritter Ma Mere [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roots and Shoots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lavender and Cumin Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Tataki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori - Spiced Crispy Veal Sweetbreads [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees

Herb-Rubbed Venison Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Spring Lamb Loin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aab-e-gosht [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Harissa - Spiced Bison Shortrib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Braised Wagyu Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fennel-Oil Poached Halibut [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beet and Coconut Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Popeye's Dream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jerusalem Artichoke and Black Garlic Agnolotti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Herb-Rubbed Venison Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Spring Lamb Loin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aab-e-gosht [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Harissa - Spiced Bison Shortrib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Braised Wagyu Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fennel-Oil Poached Halibut [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beet and Coconut Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Popeye's Dream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jerusalem Artichoke and Black Garlic Agnolotti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Selection of House-made Ice Creams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Creme Brulee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snowglobe Ice Cream Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dark Chocolate Kulfi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Selection of House-made Ice Creams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Creme Brulee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snowglobe Ice Cream Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dark Chocolate Kulfi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Anson T.

This place is great for a nice date. Very sad that the appetizer Ode to My Mother was not on the menu [definitely amazing]. Our party of four ordered the rack of lamb [excellent], the duck [fantastic] and the wagyu skirt steak [solid but not mind blowing]. With two rounds of wine the bill was about $300. The staff let us know the chef is also opening up a new restaurant in the city called Game sometime this month and we plan on checking it out
(4)
Yin H.

3.5 stars. My first time at a Micheline starred restaurant - decided to take my friend here for her bday. Reservations were easy. The great - Service was amazing - very attentive and knowledgeable servers. We arrived a few min after our reservation and were greeted and seated promptly. Ambiance and decor had a cozy feel. The restaurant is in a house with plenty of dedicated lot parking (huge plus since parking on El Camino is almost impossible to find!) Beautiful presentation of the food. Housemade zinfandel was delicious (and I'm not normally a fan of zins). The good - Ode to my wife part V - beet salad with ricotta Chocolate terrarium for dessert The average - the entrees The food - I had the braised beef cheeks and my friend had the wild boar. Although the beef cheeks were very tender, they were oversalted and a bit on the fattier side. I also tasted my friend's aab-e-gosht (wild boar) and wasn't impressed. Not sure if we just ordered the wrong entrees.... Overall, I'm not sure if my expectations were too high going in but i was very underwhelmed by the food here. The overall dining experience was nice, but the entrees we had are overpriced for their quality.
(3)
Neesh Q.

I don't know what it was that evening, but every dish was knocking itself out of the ballpark. From the appetizer to the dessert, my friend and I were all but gasping every time we tasted the dishes! We are both big foodies so we decided to share the wealth by also trying each other's orders and let me tell you- this restaurant is AMAZING. First off, don't expect this to be authentically Indian. It certainly has an Indian flair, but is mainly American. We started off with a wonderful soup compliments of the chef. For the starter, we split the scallops. which were done just right. I also ordered the 48 hour braised shortrib which I kept eating far after I was full to give you a sense of what this food will do to you. To add insult to injury, we ordered desserts which consisted of the chocolate terrarium (OH. MY. GOD.) and the snowglobe ice cream sundae. Both were to die for. Will definitely return as soon as I possibly can!
(5)
Siraj N.

Very delicious and fine food.. Little in the expensive side but that is wat fine dining is about.. Pretty good experience
(5)
Bane B.

They have the technical skills for a Michelin star place but food wasn't that impressive. Octopus app was okay and the Indian break tasted like pani puri. The sea bass broth was too salty for our taste. The only decent dish was the saddle of lamb. Desserts are the saving grace!
(3)
Stan L.

This is the closest Michelin star restaurant to my location. I've probably passed by this place hundreds of times without noticing. It is located off highway 92 on a busy El Camino Real and isn't visible from the main street as you have to turn into a private lot to access the restaurant. If you have difficulty finding the place, it is across the street from Safeway between the 76 station and McD's. Once I drove into the lot, I noticed a beautiful house that turned out to be the restaurant. There were plenty of parking at each sides of the house. Later when I left, I found there is street parking behind the restaurant. No valet though. Very nice decor. Throughout the different small dining rooms of this house. Although I wouldn't want to sit in the dining room that leads to the bathroom. I felt weird walking pass the patrons to get to the bathroom, feeling I had invaded their privacy and dining experience. Lighting was a little too dark in my opinion. Not good for taking pictures or even reading the menu for dinner. Amuse Bouche: Vanilla Potato Foam with potato chip and granola-went to wash my hands, came back and it was already on the table. Being a Michelin star restaurant, they should make their guests are present when they present any dish so they can explain the dish. That being said, the appetizer was ok. Granola mixed with the potato chip to top didn't exactly jive with me. Maybe my expectations were too high but I wanted a little more complexity to accompany the vanilla potato foam. Coconut Lemongrass Pork Belly-Flavor was ok and could improve with more of the coconut lemongrass punch. I almost forgot it had coconut and lemongrass since the taste was hidden. Accompanied it is a poached egg and vegis with caesar dressing, though menu said citrus anchovy vinaigrette. The dressing is like something I can buy at the market. Need something more creative considering it's status. Poached egg was a bit overcooked. A good poached egg should have running yolk. This was not. Pork belly itself was a bit dry. Sitting beneath it is a potato purÃ©e. This I thought was a bit thick. Was expecting a creamy texture. Although dry, the pork belly's flavor really saved the dish. Star Anise and Fennel Sea Bass-the fish is cooked perfectly. Perfectly executed. A very nice buttery texture and flavor really stood up next to the citrusy olive tapenade, which was not my cup if tea. The fennel, in my opinion, gave the flavor to the sea bass to make it different from any other sea bass from other restaurants. This is a must get! For dessert, I just wanted something cold since the day I visited turned out to be one of the hottest of the year. Opted for the 'homemade' trio of ice cream. This was the highlight of the entire meal. First flavor, coffee, was good but nothing different other ice creams I've had. Second flavor, garam masala, wow. It is unlike any ice cream I've ever tasted! I asked what was garam and they said some kind of Indian spice. It sure did turn out well as an ice cream! Third flavor was orange flower. This was great as well. The lavender really matches well with the orange. You can tell they try really hard in their service. Although there are room for improvements such as when to present each dish. They also didn't refill my glass automatically like other Michelin places. At one point I didn't fill it on purpose just to see what they would do. When they picked up my finish plate they noticed and added to my glass. But that was it. I end up grabbing the bottle to pour the rest of the pellegrino. There were also times that they asked how my dishes were when I was chewing. Kind of awkward to respond as I don't like to talk with a mouth full of food. I see room for improvements on what is already a very good foundation the restaurant has laid. Although there were some ups and downs, the restaurant's name end up saving the day. Their creativity in spices really worked well for certain dishes. The blend of Indian spices with Western ingredients worked out well in the end. I hope to explore more of what they have to offer. This place is also one of the more affordable Michelin one star restros.
(4)
Elizabeth C.

Recently dined here with the hubby last week. We've been fortunate in our dining experiences, in that they've been most enjoyable overall, but there are a few that go above and beyond and stand out--All Spice is such a place. Not only do I congratulate the chef and kitchen staff for orchestrating such unique flavors, but I applaud the sincere, knowledgeable, and attentive wait staff for their recommendations. Thank you very much, All Spice, and best wishes on your continued success. We'll be back!! :)
(5)
Helen T.

I've been talking about this restaurant all year since it was Michelin rated, had fantastic reviews, and was right in our neighborhood.. My husband surprised me with a reservation here for our overdue date night! Yay- he does listen! It's a bit confusing to find since the restaurant is not right on El Camino, it's tucked away in the back and the sign is subtly placed on it's yellow house frame! Very cute! The place is small but can probably hold a group of 8-10 if you have a reservation in advance. We started with the Indian Bread Fritter and the Crispy Fried Chicken. The fried chicken was good, but not something that I would get again - the accompanying lamb tongue didn't really agree with my taste buds. However, I did love the Indian Bread Fritter! It was filled with amazing flavors and even the accompanying beans were spiced perfectly. For entrees, we ordered the aab-a-ghost (wild boar curry) and the coconut lemongrass seabass. We never had wild boar curry, but the flavor was good and the meat was tender. The seabass came on a bed of onions, clams ,and vegetables. After I told the waiter that I loved the broth that came with the seabass, he brought me more broth. It was delicious. I tried not to drink it straight since I was in a fancy place. :) For dessert, we ordered the snowglobe ice cream sundae. It was blondie a la mode, in a fancy glass with a wafer on top (my elementary interpretation). When they bring it to your table, they pour sauce over the wafer and dissolves it into the ice cream. Should not have eaten all of it, but I did. Overall, my favorite item of the night was the Indian Bread Fritter - hands down! Make sure you order it!
(4)
Marvin D.

Words fail to describe our fabulous dining experience last weekend. Chef Gary prepared cuisine perfectly balanced and outrageously delicious! The service couldn't have been better as well. Such a treat! 5 Stars!
(5)
Si Hyun K.

Came here for my birthday. It was very nice cozy place with good ambiance. Only complaint was that the group next to our table was extremely loud, but I can't really put that on the restaurant. We started with Pork Belly appetizer. It was absolutely fantastic. Pork belly was very tender and juicy and all the garnishes added different flavors. As for main dish, we ordered Aab-e-gosht (boar dish) and squid ink risotto. Boar meat was so tender, it melted in my mouth. Spices in the sauce was little strong, but overall flavor was very amazing. Squid ink risotto was very creamy and all the seafood was cooked to perfection. I must say the risotto was little on the salty side. There were little flaws to the dishes, but that's very minor and I'm being quite nitpicky. All the dishes were quite delicious and I would love to come again and try other dishes.
(4)
Zici L.

This is not your usual indian food. It fine dine fusion indian food and its pretty good. I would definitely go back and leverage their nice ambiance and excellent services to host my business relationships. I enjoy the way how the chef combine the spices and different flavors, and it is obvious that every dish is created with love. Although some dishes are a bit too salty/heavy for my taste.
(4)
Richard R.

Wasn't very impressed with the food here. A very minimalist (French?) approach to Indian food didn't work for me.
(3)
Vince E.

All Spice is an unassuming little place on El Camino. I wouldn't call it straight up Indian, and this isn't the place for Chicken Tikka Masala, but it is Indian influenced California cuisine Everything was excellent this night. The standouts were the scallops, which were excellently cooked. I would definitely recommend All Spice
(4)
Elizabeth C.

A true gem. We had dinner here in February and were very impressed by the quality and presentation of everything we ate. The wild boar was especially delicious, and the wines that were paired with our appetizers and entrees were also excellent. The dishes were not only of high quality, but the portions were sizable, so much so that we actually were too full to order dessert (which looked amazing, so we certainly be going back to try them). The atmosphere is very cozy and quiet; a perfect date-night spot. We enjoyed this meal so much that we took my parents to the sister location in San Francisco last weekend and had an even more incredible meal there!
(5)
David G.

We went to this place to celebrate my birthday this month. It was totally worth! The ambience is perfect, not too quiet nor too noisy and adheres to the aptly lit up fancy feel. We ordered Bread fritters and Pork Belly for appetizers. I assume anything ordered here is made from scratch and hence takes longer than the usual restaurants. As a compensation, the server offered us with Wine that pairs well with the appetizers. Both the appetizers were really flavorful. Each bite was tongue gratifying. The Pork was so tender and juicy , the best I have ever had. The fritters were also very tasty. Furthermore, for entree we ordered a vegetarian ravioli and Sea Bass and dessert was chocolate terrarium. Everything ordered here had great flavors! Surely recommended.
(5)
Callista S.

My birthday treat dinner out was an amazingly good find! The service was endearingly hospitable from the first phone call I made to secure a reservation to the affectionate warm thank you from the staff and hostess as we left for home after a very satisfying dining experience. The food was exquisitely prepared and served. It was delicious all the way around. When trying a new restaurant you never know if it will have be chalked up as just having been out on a "lark" or if you will come away from the evening knowing you now have a "real find" for a new go-to place. All Spice is a real find. We will go again and bring some friends next time, too.
(5)
Michael K.

This place was definitely a treat to my friends and I. Being the foodie of the group, I recommended this restaurant for a birthday and it turned out to be a great decision! I would say this is a modern American restaurant with some Asian and French influences. My party and I all got different dishes and we all got to try a little bit of everyone's dish. Every single dish was amazing. We got the Crispy pork belly, ode to my wife, and Indian bread fritter for appetizers (which I liked in that exact order). Although they were all great, the pork belly was pretty much melt in your mouth. For entree's we got the aab-e-gosht, the spring lamb, the braised short rib, and the venison. We all got to try each others dishes but ended up liking our own in the end. I got the lamb and it was cooked perfectly. Definitely took the cake in my opinion. And i thought it was pretty cool how there was edible silver in the goat dish. Presentation and service was amazing. They live up to their Michelin star and I'd say they are on the lower end of the price range spectrum. Of course if you come here you'd have to get a few drinks, apps, entrees and the dessert to really get the whole experience so it won't be cheap in the end regardless. But well worth it if you want a nice dinner experience with close friends. I believe that the normal maximum per party would be about 4 people. The portions are modest here so don't come with a huge appetite, but it ended up being surprisingly enough. We were all content at the end even though the portions seemed smaller while we were eating it (we all started off somewhat hungry). Anyways, this is a great place for a nice intimate dinner. Highly recommend.
(5)
Latha D.

I wish I can give 3.5 rating. This place has amazing ambience. Its located in a cute little house and has limited seating so make sure you reserve before you go. Good wine selection and food selection. I like the fusion of the dishes and the presentation of the food. We reserved for 8.30 and got delayed till 9 because the people sitting in our spot were just not leaving! The staff was amazing they gave us drinks and an appetizer as complimentary for waiting so long and received us really well. Being vegetarian we could not do complete justice to the menu and couldn't try the best dishes they had on the menu - but I would definitely recommend this place for the ambience and friendly staff. Just for FYI the dark chocolate kulfi is not kulfi made from dark chocolate but its scoop of dark chocolate with dab of kulfi. :)
(3)
Binjina J.

I got the scallops and the duck. The scallops were cooked perfectly and very flavorful and tasty. I ordered medium well duck, but it was quite hard to chew. Also asked them to tone down the salt, guess it was still quite salty. Couldn't enjoy too much. My husband ordered ode to my wife and the steak. He personally really liked both of them. Overall, the service was very good, comfortable. It's just my personal preference that I couldn't enjoy the meal very much, but I figure I should give an objective review. (Not sure if I will ever go back, but definitely recommend the scallops!)
(4)
j k.

Such a fantastic meal!! We eat out several times a week, but it's been a really long time since I've had such a fantastic complete dining experience. Service was great, without being stuffy nor pretentious. No issues at all on the basics (eg water glasses never empty). Our waiter gave great recommendations. Wine selection was decent and reasonable. The food was simply amazing! Green garlic soup was complex and smooth The fried bread was totally unexpected...it's like a samosa on crack The sparerib special appetizer was the most tender, flavorful and moist spareribs I've ever had The flavors in wild boar main was so amazing. Only disappointing thing in the whole meal was the bread that came with this dish...surprisingly blah paratha To cap off the night, amazing desserts of course! I can't remember the other dessert (lemon with some kind of sauce) which was really good, but the chocolate one was great! And the French pressed coffee complemented nicely. Overall such a fantastic place!
(5)
Cynthia C.

Cute neighborhood resto with an interesting twist on Indian eats. Enjoyed most of the food: *definitely order the ode to my wife, part II, my favorite dish, lightly dressed bitterness of the greens was a nice contrast to the sweetness of the beets, texturally perfect with the nutty crust *good scallops, could have had a better sear, flavor spot on *skip the gnocchi, not traditional, super dry *tender venison, pungent miso eggplant *order the pearl barley pilaf, super fragrant *desserts and French pressed coffee were a perfect way to cap off the meal Reservations are a must for a Saturday. Book on Open Table two weeks prior to get a decent time. Wines by the glass are cheap cheap: most less than $10. Those who want to beat the heat probably best stay away from AS, old house, HVAC system is not advanced. They do have some oscillating fans positioned throughout to assist. Nice variety and quality for the prices charged. 3 apps, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, 2 glasses of wine and coffee for less than $160. Overall good value and loved all the veg components. I spied some planter boxes in the parking lot, perhaps they grow their own ingredients?
(4)
Yun W.

This michelin-star rated gem is worthy of its hype! My first 4+ star rating given to a somewhat pricey restaurant. This expensive meal actually left me rejuvenated and inspired instead of making me feel like I overpaid for mediocre quality food. AMBIANCE All Spice is situated within a stand-alone single family house (albeit surrounded by a parking lot). Instead of feeling like you're being hustled through a restaurant, you get the sense that you're going to someone's house for dinner. The interior is quiet and relaxing. The restaurant has very limited seating, making it virtually impossible to walk in and very necessary to make reservations several weeks in advanced. FOOD They started us off with complimentary chilled tomato soup which was perfect for the hot muggy day. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/all-â€¦ ). Unfortunately the house is old and the air circulation is not so great, but the service staff was good about opening all the windows when we spoke up about the temperature. Appetizers: 1) Indian bread fritter "Ma Mere" - stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes and cheese, served over cumin tarbais beans - 3.5 stars - ( yelp.com/biz_photos/all-â€¦ ). Loved the presentation of this dish. Unfortunately its taste somewhat reminded me of premade samosas, so I would not recommend ordering it. 2) Ode to My Wife, pt II - almond-ricotta cheesecake with red and golden beets with goat cheese mousse, crushed walnuts & greens - 4.5 stars - ( yelp.com/biz_photos/all-â€¦ ). This dish was creative and inspiring. Highly recommended. Main courses: 1) Slow roasted venison - fondant potatoes, root vegetables and miso eggplant - 4 stars - ( yelp.com/biz_photos/all-â€¦ ). A great combination and definitely recommended. 2) Veal cheeks vindaloo - warm farro salad, vanilla potato cream, lemon brussel sprouts, and king oyster mushrooms - 4.5 stars - ( yelp.com/biz_photos/all-â€¦ ). This dish was near perfect. It was the right combination of meat, vegetables, and mushrooms, and definitely left me wanting more. Dessert: Summer snowglobe trifle - soft pistachio butter cookie topped with pineapple coconut ice cream and peach mousse - 3 stars - ( yelp.com/biz_photos/all-â€¦ ). This dessert was well presented and seemed like the chef had fun putting it together, but the ingredients were pretty average, so I would recommend skipping it. OVERALL Our meal came out to ~$60 / person with wine after tax and tip. Not cheap, but definitely recommended for that special-occasion date night.
(4)
Pinkilism M.

Awesome dinner! *thumbs up* My husband ordered the tasting menu, the black cod was the highlight!!! -Chicken liver mousse -Black cod (crispy skin with soft meat underneath, AWESOME! but the foam surrounded the black cod fillet was the bomb, love the little hit of spicy! Great combination!) -Wagyu beef -Chocolate cake I ordered the scallop with bone marrow puree (good) but i think it was little too big for appetizer and I also had a soup, it was nice too. My main course was the milk-braised lamb saddle, it was phenomenal! The best lamb that I've ever had. Love the egg yolk on the top of each slice of lamb. The chef really know how to combine ingredients and creative flavors! Their customer service were excellent. I have been told that they change menu almost every month. Yay! can't wait to go back and try their new dishes next month! This is not traditional Indian food. Chefs are combining Indian spice with French technique to create all those lovely dishes! Very impressive! Highly recommended!
(5)
Holla F.

Came here for my birthday and was super excited to try since seeing this restaurant on Check Please. Service was excellent; however, food was just ok. I supposed the price was to make up for awesome dishes? The best part of the meal was the scallop appetizers, but the shrimp dumpling didn't taste anything like shrimp. For the entrees, my friend had the duck but came out a little undercooked. I had the chicken, it was good but not sure it was worth the $30+ per entree. My other friend had the sea bass. It was not as buttery as we would have liked it. For each dish at least $30, we expected our pants to be knocked off..they were kept on. For dessert, we shared the Snow Globe. That was worth trying. The hot espresso was poured over a slab of chocolate melting it into the ice cream and other goodies. Lastly, my friend had the passion fruit drink, it was nothing we expected..tasted like yogurt and cream cheese--would not recommend.
(3)
Olga R.

Food is fantastic! Inside is a little stuffy and old-fashioned.,, the wine pairing is awesome too. Highly recommended!
(5)
Divya K.

Tried a Michelin starred restaurant for the first time and I must say it was a great experience and worth every penny. Every morsel of food had immense flavor and thought put behind it. Great Indian and modern American frenchish fusion ! We had: Appetizers: Ma mere - kinda samosa/bread pakora -delicious Ode to the wife IV - really good. Didn't care about the oats in the salad Main course- Spring lamb- delicious ! Got well done Dessert- chocolate terranium - loved the idea and presentation - chocolate and tart flavors explode In your mouth and had a nice kick. All in all servers were very attentive(Renan) and we would love to come back. Don't be fooled by the homely feeling of this restaurant- it's cozy and professional at the same time.
(5)
John K.

My wife took me here tonight for my birthday. Pretty much a flawless dining experience. Lemongrass Pork Belly appetizer was so good....I had the wild boar and my wife had the lamb....both were excellent! the Salted rosemary creme caramel dessert is one of the best desserts i have had. and the service was impeccable. I can see why this place earned a michelin star
(5)
Anthony N.

***I like the idea of this place more than the execution; there were some bright spots and the owner/manager was very nice, but I did not love the food; maybe I would have had a much more satisfying experience if I had ordered differently*** All Spice is a small modern Indian restaurant in San Mateo. Similar to Chez TJ, it is nestled in a small and quaint house (very home-like and cozy); All Spice also has a Michelin star. Given the type of cuisine and the location, it is no surprise that All Spice is one of the more affordable Michelin starred restaurants with several starters in the $9-$12 range and most entrees in the mid-$20s. All Spice is not a tasting menu spot but more of a 3-course restaurant. They do an amuse bouche and it was a garlic and sourdough soup with croutons on my visit. The soup was very thin, but it had a decent flavor. I started with the lavender and cumin scallops, which sat on top of a bacon and black cardamon potato sauce. The scallops were nicely seared and moist (pretty tender though not as soft as what you will find at some upscale restaurants). The scallops had a good amount of spice from the cumin. yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ There was also a very strong bacon aroma and flavor, which you do not often get with Indian cuisine. The bacon mixed with the thick potato sauce definitely was reminiscent of baked potato soup. The sauce did go well with the hearty flatbread, which was an additional charge. I thought about trying the short rib vinadaloo, but I had braised oxtail recently and I hesitate when ordering short rib because it is not my favorite cut. I also thought about the lobster, but I was turned off by the vanilla listed on the menu, which I just have not liked with savory dishes. I ended up getting the lemon verbena sea bass and the sea bass was very nicely cooked. It was moist and soft and it flaked very well. Unfortunately, it was quite bland. The garnishes were a little on the bland side too. There was a good amount of spice and heat, but the dish needed more salt. The garnishes included marble potatoes, sunchokes and corn. The lemon verbena topping was not bad, but the citrus miso cauliflower sauce did not add much. yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ I ended up getting their special dessert and it was okay though it was a tad dainty. The dessert did include a good variety of preparations though. There was good torn cashew praline cake, which had a good flavor. There was also a very good cocoa nib yogurt sauce and yuzu cheesecake, which was creamy and definitely had the sour flavor of the Japanese citrus. Finally, there was blackberry cremeux, which did not have he texture of cremeux; it was more like a gelee. yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ Service was good. The food came out at a good pace and the staff was attentive. My server was a little bit stiff, but the owner / manager / hostess was very nice and personable. Prices were reasonable for a highly regarded fine dining restaurant. As mentioned, All Spice's prices are among the lowest of any Michelin starred restaurant in the Bay Area. I wish my experience at All Spice was better in terms of the food. The scallops dish was decent, but everything else was just okay. Still, it is a nice place and the menu offers many intriguing options. Maybe different menu choices would have resulted in a much more satisfying experience. All Spice has its own free parking lot with a few spaces. You can also park on the street, but that might be difficult.
(3)
Cheri R.

Not sure what else I can say that others haven't, but after growing up and living off/on on the Peninsula for decades, I can't believe I didn't realize this place was here -- a cute, little house hidden just off of El Camino, near the 92 ramp. The menu identifies the cuisine as New American exotic. Our server referred to it as French Californian. Some Yelpers mentioned contemporary Indian fusion. I don't care what you'd call it -- it's delicious. Wasn't sure what their house wine blend would be like, but we ordered a carafe and enjoyed it -- it went with everything we ate. We started with the endive salad (very good, and I love how it's displayed on the plate, though I wish there was a bit more!). We also had the scallops -- also delicious bites, but again, wished there were more than a few. My husband had the Aab-e-gosht -- boar with a lovely, complex sauce of coriander and fennel, served inside a container, with flatbread -- and I had the venison, which was a interesting dish with chlorophyll cake (!), beets, and a really good red cabbage puree/sauce. Desserts were great: my husband, who loves chocolate, had the kulfi, which felt like a more classic dessert, while I had the salted rosemary creme caramel. So good -- especially the bacon-peanut brittle, of which I added a bit to each bite. Cozy, intimate spot for dinner and a nice occasion. Bill for two at just under $150 wasn't too bad -- initially I thought the servings were small, but when I left, we were satisfied -- yet not too full -- so I realize the sizes were just right.
(5)
Wiley W.

I suggest parking at the next-door McDonald's to further increase your appreciation for the humble perfection of this Michelin starred restaurant. You're surrounded by a wallpaper of golden arabesques on framed drawings of butterflies in a deeply intimate, genuine space. Imagine Californian dishes but with Indian flavour palettes, truly mindblowingly complex and deep and intelligent. Some giant gnocchi with pickled vegetables and marmalades - those candied spicy sweet sour salty blood orange peels that remain the most interesting thing I've ever eaten, such complexity, getting better and more appreciative with every bite, like a good piece of art. Halibut with sweet pea puree and clove-y celery and a variety of colour sauces. Richly thick eggplant soup with spicy and crunchy bits, to start. Obscene desserts: a float with cocoa puffs, they pour hot espresso through a chocolate lid on the glass, and a mound of fudgey spicy chocolate. Deeply satisfied with the food, the atmosphere, the value (60$ including tip for three large courses!), the company (shoutout to Emma), and with life.
(5)
Tarun B.

Went there because it was Michellin rated - walked away "meh". Basically everything looked it was cooked in the exact same sauce so after about 2 dishes everything tasted exactly the same...oh and I am Indian so I am very aware of tastes.
(3)
Karen C.

I went to tis place two years ago. And I still want to go back today! It's a kinda brand new experience dine there! Like the deco too.
(4)
Yumiko N.

I am not a fan of Indian food but this made me a convert.
(4)
Janani S.

"Indian with a twist"... A nice place for date or romantic evening! I enjoyed every aspect of tis restaurant... Ambience, service and TASTE is tasty much! Want to take ur parents for a nice classy tasteful dinner or want to take ur bff for a fun evening, GO HERE!!!
(5)
Gavin S.

I had a very enjoyable meal here recently. The scallop and bone marrow dish is an absolute winner, as was the lamb. I really like the ambience of the restaurant, the complexity of the dishes and the attention to detail. Strongly recommended!
(5)
Ryan W.

Wonderful decor, extremely attentive hosting and wait staff, heavy/beautiful silverware and that's all before even mentioning how delicious every single item I tasted was. The desserts especially are such a wonderfully original retelling and fusion of the classic Indian desserts. Deserving of its Michelin Star.
(5)
Michael M.

Definitely one of the first one star Michelin rated restaurants that delivers on its promise. Had the lamb entree and my wife had the duck entree. Pretty amazing. A non-pretentious, but very intimate homey setting in a very unexpected location. Really enjoyed our experience!
(4)
O.D. S.

We had a New Year's Eve 2013 tasting menu. Good food, service has room for improvement. Pluses: * Small cozy place looking like bed and breakfast * Excellent hostess by the entry * Small portions - no overeating here (except for the desert - it was the same size as the beef order) * Good food, good wine * Dishes were coming at a very good pace - not too fast, not too slow * Roasted squab was absolutely perfect Minuses: * I had a feeling our waiter didn't enjoy explaining what we are eating, and we had a hard time understanding him * Beef was good but not excellent, I didn't finish some of it as parts were burned * Coffee and dessert arrived about 15 minutes apart Interesting point: they offer a cup of Kopi Luwak coffee for 40.00. I was intrigued to taste coffee that costs so much. The taste was great! And there is a good story behind it too. Make sure to ask when you are there.
(4)
Andy W.

Really impressed with the food here. The seafood here shined. Really love the fish entree and the scallop app. Service was on point as well. Total hidden gem. Be sure to ask what is spicy if you are sensitive to it like me. They do have lots of options even if you don't eat spicy food. They have parking available. Be sure to make a reservation, it's a small place. We saw them turn people away who didn't have reservations.
(5)
Alex N.

I was expecting much more from a Michelin starred restaurant. Food was just okay, nothing was memorable. Service was hit and miss. I can't say that I would return.
(3)
TM P.

This was my third visit to All Spice and I was truly disappointed with my meal. I had the vegetarian eggplant tomato tart. Presentation was beautiful as always and held so much promise, but when I cut into the tart it was a runny soupy mess. We asked our server if this was how the dish was supposed to be served (thinking maybe it might have been undercooked) and he said yes, it's supposed to be that way. To me texture is just as important as taste and presentation, so this dish just didn't meet the high standards we've come to expect of All Spice. Thankfully, my husband shared his perfectly cooked lamb with me. He says his dish could have used some kind of a starch to round it out. Not sure if I'll revisit All Spice again... maybe they are too focused on their new endeavor "The Game" and it's effecting the quality of food at All Spice - just my two cents.
(2)
Joe G.

Wow. The snotty, sneering and disdainful "no walk-ins" from the server at the door was shockingly rude and unprofessional. With service like that who cares how good the food is. Well done for losing what would have been a well paying and generous tipping customer at the door.
(1)
Peggy S.

A romantic, cozy and intimate place to have a nice dinner! This would have honestly been a five-star review had my veal cheek vindaloo not been so extremely salty! Our reservation was at 7:30 but we arrived at 7:15 on a Saturday. Unfortunately they could not accommodate early arrivals, which is completely understandable. Matt and I drooled while we examined the menus, deciding what we wanted. We were offered water or any beverages that we wanted while we waited. The host was courteous and professional. After we were seated, the waiters came by. They were hilarious! Very entertaining, friendly, and made us feel valued and welcomed. After we got our orders taken, they served us amuse bouche with pickled lentils, daikons and other vegetables, diced up and served in a small cup. The tart lentils were refreshing, but it was a bit too sour for me. We ordered lavendar-cumin scallops and chicken-fried sweetbreads as appetizer. The scallops were cooked to perfection - tender, juicy, but has that slight chewiness that comes with fresh scallops. The lavender taste is very faint, but does leave a fragrance in your mouth. Matt and I both loved the sweetbreads. We loved that they were crispy and the sauces around them complemented the dish well, yet not overpowering the taste of sweetbreads. Matt got the wagyu beef flat iron steak as his main course, and I got the veal cheeks vindaloo. Maybe it was just a glitch in that day's vindaloo preparation, but it was EXTREMELY SALTY. I had one bite of my dish and couldn't really continue eating afterwards. My tongue was completely numb from the saltiness of the vindaloo, I couldn't taste anything else. What a shame! The veal cheeks were cooked to perfection, too! They melted in my mouth and the meat was so soft and tender. The presentation of the dish was beautiful and luckily I had little onions, Brussels sprouts and oyster mushrooms to look forward to, as well as the vanilla potato cream to balance out some of the saltiness of my dish. Matt's wagyu beef was delicious! Beef's natural flavor was amazingly presented in this dish as we effortlessly chewed on the meat. We did not specify how done we want the dish to be but medium rare was how they had it, and it was so perfect. I love the sweet potato cream that came with it, because it added a little sweet and spicy to balance out the beef flavor. I told our waiter that my veal cheek vindaloo was so salty and that it was hard for me to stomach. He apologized time and time again, and told me that he has informed kitchen about my complaint. He then proceeded to comp us a dessert, so of course I chose the dark chocolate kulfi that everyone raved about - and that was an excellent choice! The kulfi was chilled, like cutting into chilled chocolate truffle. So good! I loved the fresh fruits on the side, as well as the cream because not only they added texture, the refreshing fruits also helped me clear out my palate. It was so, so good!! I highly recommend this dessert, especially for all my chocolate fiends! I think overall I have to give it a four-star, unfortunately. The service was great, the dishes were served with perfect timing in between, and most dishes we tasted were fantastic! I just wished that my vindaloo wasn't so salty, but otherwise I enjoyed the fusion concept of this intimate restaurant.
(4)
Denise P.

Outstanding eclectic food...we have been in SF. For a week and this has been the best so far. Wild boar was tender and flavorful not Gamey at all. The fish was outstanding and perfectly cooked. Service is excellent. Small place so call for reservations
(5)
Dhinal C.

Good food, nice ambiance & excellent service. Just loved this place!
(5)
Elizabeth T.

Hidden away off the streets, it's across from Safeway and just past McDonald's. Watch your step inside since I've found myself stumbling every time I've been here (I might be a bit clumsy too...). The food here is great and I like the cozy ambiance. I am also a huge fan of goat cheese (almost all cheese) and grilled red meat and this place sure has a lot of both on almost every menu item :) The pricing is rather fair for a one starred restaurant although I can see that they are working on improving the dining service because it looks like they are trying to recite dialogue. It's very cute and adorkable. Ode to My Wife Part 2: All I can say is that I am so glad the chef loves his wife and came up with this phenomenal dish. I find myself fighting the urge to scrape the plate every time I'm here. Pumpkin and fresh fennel dosa: This is actually an entree but it's small enough that I was able to split it as an appetizer. The combination of the goat cheese and chutney is delicious! I really like the pumpkin flavor and the hint of sweetness. Slow roasted venison: I can't get enough of this dish. I'm not a big person and most days I have problems finishing a plate on my own. I don't think there was a speck of food left over from this. The venison was not gamey nor tough and was cooked to a perfect medium rare. I loved the onions, mushrooms, and grapes that complemented this entree as well. I also could not get enough of the farro risotto which seemed to have truffle oil in there although it was not listed on the menu. Yum! Short rib vindaloo: Very tender and flavorful with strong spices. This was probably the most "Indian" dish I had. This is very hearty so please have a big appetite if you order the short ribs. Lemon verbena seabass: Not bad, but nothing about this really stood out to me. I felt like I can order something similar elsewhere but that's not to say it wasn't good. Snowglobe" ice cream sundae: It's really fun to watch them poor hot olive oil through the thin chocolate wafer sitting on top of the "globe."
(5)
Nisha A.

My hubby and i came here for our Anniversary and loved every bit of it. The Chef sent out some special small plates as it was our Anni and everything which came after that was noting but awesome. The ambiance is cozy and pretty and the creativity of the Chef was a big surprise. Right from the starters to desserts we loved it all !!
(5)
Lily P.

Coworkers brought me and husband to celebrate wedding day almost a year ago. Still remember wonderful meal we shared with superb service and love love love the food. Can't wait to come back again!
(5)
Cay A.

5 Star Meal!!! What an amazing dinner... We came in without any reservations and were told that they were fully booked, but Shoahanna, the manager, worked her magic and gave us a 1hour and 15 minute window for our meal. We ordered 4 apps among the 3 of us, 3 entrees and 2 desserts. Each dish was interesting and unique. Contemporary Indian fusion in a nutshell. Amazing service and super charming place to boot! Awesome, awesome experience :-)
(5)
Stephanie Y.

Definitely down hill from the initial review. Steak was just all right, and everything was either too sweet or too salty. Will not be coming back. Which is unfortunate given the good service.
(2)
Warren B.

Sorry but they have really declined. A year ago I'd have given a 4.5 but tonight a 3. The wife ordered the short ribs. It was smothered in a sauce that looked and tasted like A1 sauce. My wild boar was great but it was like a lamb curry and they served without rice. They served it with greasy flat bread. The server asked what I thought. When I suggested it would be great with rice he responded that they didn't have any rice on the menu whatsoever, as thought it was a boasting point. The dessert was way too sweet. Sorry. It was a huge disappointment.
(3)
Kate B.

Here are my reviews: ode to my wife, part iv - beautifully presented and is a great idea, however, the cake is too sweet and has almost no goat cheese tartness, which would have been a great compliment to the salad with sweet oat nuts. scallop appetizer - my favorite. delicate and just as delicious to the eye as it is to the stomach. I am usually not a fan of fruit in my salad but the parsley foam tied it all together beautifully. aab-e-gosht - delicious and spicy. Earthy flavors of the boar with tons of spices, you get a lot for your money as well. The bread/naan that came with it was also great. gnocchi - i tried this dish because i lived in Italy and i know how hard it is to execute it just right. Unfortunately All Spice missed the mark. Gnocchi were chewy and heavy BUT everything that it came with was delicious - warm braising greens, blood orange marmalade, spring vegetable escabeche, almond-chive oil vinaigrette - i could just have a plate of all this without gnocchi. Service and ambiance - fantastic!
(4)
Terri W.

On our 2nd time coming to the restaurant we were driving down from Napa and hit really bad traffic. They not only held our reservation for over an hour. But, they held the table next to the fire place that we requested. I didn't care for the texture of the scallops, they were too soft and rubbery. But I am not a clam fan at all. My fiancÃ© really liked the flavor and loved the fried capers on top with the cauliflower. Fritters remains a favorite We were told by our server that between the sea bass and boar, that this is the more traditional meal bw the two and is more like a curry. It is served with a crispy bread-like side that was a cross between a poppadom and a naan. It was crispy and it was tasty indeed. Place was really hopping, even for a Wednesday night. The customer service is really unparalleled. Eating here is less like eating at a restaurant but more like going to a good friend's house for a unforgettable meal.
(4)
Ashley C.

The atmosphere is nice, and it's in a small victorian house off el camino. It's cute and quiet. I came here for my birthday a couple of years back. their lamb is very tendered, dosa was huge. I also ordered a couple of desserts - feeling indian desserts are too sweet for me, so next time i won't order the desserts but just entrees.
(4)
Amy W.

So I'm torn...I was VERY much looking forward to the dessert featured prominently on Check Please - The globe with the chocolate disk and the olive oil - DENIED - something B.S. about it being "seasonal" I learned this little disappointing factoid about the dessert immediately upon arrival (since they have menus in the little vestibule while you wait for the hostess), so i started the meal a little miffed. I got the scallops (app) and the short rib vindaloo (entrÃ©e), I was out-ordered on the appetizer (my b.f got a mushroom fritter thing that was better) and the entrÃ©e that won for me was the wild boar stew my friend ordered. The next table had the corn soup app - The presentation was incredible - mason jars filled about 2" with flowers, then the waiter pours the soup on top. The table all said it was amazing. Then came dessert ;( I ordered a pecan pie thing that was just MEH. I do believe my review is tainted by not being able to order the dessert I came here for - but it was good food, a bit of a drive from S.F. and for a Michelin star reasonable priced. Maybe Michael Bauer's review was correct that it is slipping: sfgate.com/restaurants/aâ€¦
(3)
P R.

Liked this place a lot. Doesn't look like a restaurant (more like a victorian house converted to one). Food was full of flavor ... Loved their Gnocchi.. it was to die for. Not a big fan of their pot pie...Their sea bass was good as well... Overall no complaints ...
(4)
Cindy W.

Location: random little house next to Metro PCS. very easy to miss so look for the sign pointing to All Spice and directing you to the parking. There you will find the little yellow house that is oh so cute and out of place in the row of commercial shops on El Camino. Came with a party of 5 and reserved a nice center table in one of the rooms of the house. Service: attentive and knowledgeable Food: They try to fuse Indian with Western foods. Mostly successful though flavors lean towards one or the other rather than a pure marriage of the 2 styles. Appetizers: - Ode to my Wife aka Beet Salad ($9), "ricotta-almond cheesecake layered with red and golden beets in a sundried tomato crust, with goat cheese mousse, crushed walnuts and lightly dressed green". It was rather small though presentation was pretty. - Indian bread fritter "ma mere" aka Samosa bread fritter ($8), "stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes and cheese, served over cumin tarbais beans". To me it was a samosa just not triangular in shape. Tasty though. Main: -Pan-seared seabass ($30), "lemongrass shrimp mousse, pea shoots, summer corn polenta cake, sherry-sausage vinaigrette and smoked fish cream". Very light and tasty though not sure where the Indian flavors are. - Lemongrass-braised wagyu beef shortrib ($28), "tiny root vegetables, charred carrot, roasted garlic cream, cashew coconut yogurt reduction". My hubby ordered this one and we both thought while it was good it wasn't the best short rib we've had. Beverage: - Passionfruit Mint Lassi ($3) - really refreshing and light for a lassi. Dessert: - Summer snowglobe trifle ($9), "a soft pistachio butter cookie with pina colada ice cream and peach fluff". This was surprisingly good. We devoured the layered ice cream cookie combo. Overall - pretty good and innovative for the San Mateo area but would have liked to see a true fusion of Indian flavors.
(4)
Lauren W.

Very very tasty! We had a cauliflower appetizer and I had the beef. The only reason I gave it one less star was because the portions were quite small and we ended up snacking when we got home.
(4)
Ken L.

When I first heard about this place and saw the price range, I was taken aback. I mean, how much does chicken tikka masala cost? After getting a little more educated, I wanted to give the place a try. It's tucked away in the back along El Camino (but fortunately for me, is within walking distance of my home) but was very quaint and cozy inside. My wife and I were in the "butterfly and sea urchin" room. (I'm pretty sure that's not what they call it but look at what's on the walls.) Our waiter was super friendly and helpful. The food was all unique and exquisite. We got an amuse-bouche of carrot soup which was delicious. Our appetizers were the Ode to My Wife part III (probably the best dish of the night for me) and the chicken confit kebab, which was also good but maybe a tad salty from the anchovies. The sea bass that we got for our entree was amazing, tender on the inside and crisp on the outside. I also enjoyed the sauce that the short rib came in. We got the Banana pecan cake which came with an interesting lychee panna cotta. I can't wait to go back to try more dishes!
(5)
Nikki B.

Summary: The service here was impeccable and the food was delicious! To begin with lets talk about the stand-out points: #1 our waiter + wait staff - EXCELLENT!! He was able to make a knowledgeable wine recommendation (kudos), he knew the menu well, offered suggestions to suit our wine choice, as well as provided us with his honest opinion of the offerings we inquired about (extra kudos for honesty!!). Our table's busser had a fantastic sense of humour and made us feel very comfortable, we enjoyed our interaction with him just as much as with our waiter. Truly top notch staff - good job All Spice! The FOOD: very good. The Indian bread fritter is as good as it gets (yum!); the coconut lemongrass pork belly is delicious (a must order! IMHO); the octopus a la plancha has great flavor (truly) but was just not for us; at this point we had eaten quite a bit of food so for dinner I ordered the day boat scallop from the appetizer menu (it was beautifully presented and perfectly cooked - sooo good!) and my bf ordered the aab-e-gosht, which was so good he insisted I try it (and he was correct), it was superb tasting! It had a sweet, underlying flavor of what I likened to mole chocolate, a very good dish indeed. Nothing negative to say, no suggestions for them, so I give them 5 stars on yelp!
(5)
katerina v.

Best Indian fusion I have ever had! The grilled octopus appetizer was delicious and do die for. The main courser was curry with real silver pieces, which was very unique. The meat was tender and had a balanced flavor. Service was impeccable. The decor was literally like eating in someones's living room, very homey. I would go back again.
(5)
Maile N.

I bookmarked this place after seeing it on Check Please! in case I was ever in the San Mateo. A friend of mine moved there, and I had meaning to go visit and check out her new digs and neighborhood. We made plans and I made reservations for us at All Spice as I was just all too curious! What a cute, little house the restaurant resides in and the decor is beautiful with jeweled colors walls and decoratives. Service was so nice, patient and lovely. We had the soft-shell crab appetizer -- mmm, hit the spot! I had the wild boar which came in a covered cup - mmm, a little spicy (I was a little sweaty), but the flavors melded together just perfectly as it was slow-cooked. With a smooth glass of wine, we were so happy to be here! Thank you, All Spice, for a lovely lovely meal!
(4)
Sherry B.

This probably goes without saying when talking about a restaurant holding a Michelin star, but our meal was phenomenal. Everything was very classic, but with subtle nods to Indian flavors and cuisine. Amazing does not even begin to describe our meal here. In fact, I would count this among one of my top 5 meals of all time. The prices were just right. The interior was cozy and charming. The wine list was wonderful. If I could eat here once a week, I would.
(5)
Nancy S.

I wouldn't categorize this restaurant as Indian or Asian fusion at all. It's more American than anything. Food was decent but overpriced. You can get better for less at one of the downtown restaurants, and with more options too. Disclaimer: I wouldn't consider myself as a foodie but I definitely enjoy food. Maybe I'm missing something here?
(2)
Evie D.

Loved this place. The food was creative and wildly flavorful. Service was friendly and knowledgable. This is the kind of place that you could put yourself in the hands of the staff and get a great meal cooked with commitment and soul. Everything is thoughtfully executed here and we will definitely be back.
(5)
Tasha H.

My experience at All Spice was amazing, all around. The ambiance was intimate and cozy - not at all pretentious or stuffy. It's a small place set in what seems to be a residential house that was converted into a restaurant. It's hard to see from the street, but there is a parking lot. I would say this place is best for date night (what I did), but there were a couple families there as well. We started with the sunchoke soup. It comes as a soup bowl with just the condiments presented beautifully, then the server pours the actual soup into the bowl. The texture of this soup is unforgettable - light and fluffy yet rich and comforting. The truffle/black garlic oil was so delicious and went perfectly with the soup. We ordered two entrees: pan-seared seabass and crispy marjoram potato gnocchi. I loved how the entrees were placed in the middle of the table, and we each had our own plate - family style. The seabass had the most amazing texture (really crispy on the exterior, melt-in-your-mouth interior) - my date was convinced it was sous-vide. The server insisted that it was simply pan seared and finished in the oven. The gnocchi was unlike any gnocchi I have had before - it was shaped into triangles and fried. That shape/texture plus the spices made the gnocchi very reminiscent of samosas! The gnocchi dish was a little on the acidic side for me, personally, but still enjoyable. All Spice is really a fantastic experience all around - It was a really fun adventure trying to match up what we were tasting to the components listed on the menu. Highly recommend!
(5)
Yvonne L.

Where do I even start? I waited 1 hour for an appetizer and when it arrived it was COLD. I wait another 20 mins for my entree and I got wagyu and my mom got seabass. Both were COLD again. Man I was so angry I'm paying $40 for 4 pieces of wagyu and not only is it cold but the meat was tough. I then ordered the short rib and it was extremely salty. Probably won't come back for another few years.
(2)
Tracy C.

There's nothing better than trying a new restaurant and then realizing that you just hit the jackpot! Oh yes, this is how I felt about this place. It was unique, romantic, and most importantly, delicious. Their restaurant crew was so amazing, I'd give them an extra star if I could! This restaurant is hidden behind a few other businesses. You wouldn't know that this place was here unless you were actually looking for it (even then it's pretty hard to find). It's a small tiny restaurant in a house-like place. It's small size and cozy atmosphere makes for a very romantic evening :). However, it also means that you need to make reservations far in advance! Their menu was interesting. There were a lot of different dishes. I tried the venison steak for my main entree and the scallops for my appetizer. Wow... I was blown away by both dishes. I loved the texture and sauce of the scallop dish. The venison steak was very flavorful and came with a yummy risotto and mushrooms. I tried my boyfriend's wild boar and was really surprised at how tasty it was. For dessert, we had the Kulfi. The description on the menu doesn't do it justice. This dessert is absolutely amazing. It's a small chocolate ganache-like cake and ice cream mixed into one small piece of dessert. That probably doesn't make sense, but it doesn't matter... Because you'll take one bite of this thing and think it's amazing. Oh yea, one last thing... they serve my favorite beer- Young's Double Chocolate Stout. It didn't go with my meal, but it was still delicious, as always! :)
(5)
Christine L.

Wow this little place is totally unexpected. A Michellin star restaurant in my neck of the woods? Sure, I'll give it a shot! Imagine walking into an old house. Now convert every possible floor space into a restaurant, and you have All Spice. This is the perfect unexpected date spot. The ingredients are definitely Indian, but the technique and finish remind me of French cuisine. I found my meal to be very tasty. My only gripe was the temperature. I understand the doors need to be kept open for air circulation but my seat got a little chilly towards the end. Big warning for those with nut allergies, because almonds are in practically everything served. Warn your waiter about your allergies. My surprise winner is the cold chai. Yes, the cold tea here is that good.
(4)
Christina L.

Had a delicious dinner here for a birthday party with 20 people. For being a restaurant with a Michelin star, the owners and staff were super nice and accommodating (not at all stuffy like other places might be). They didn't kick us out even after everyone else had left, they ran separate checks for all the couples, and the food was excellent. This is definitely more of a French / American cuisine with Indian spices & influence than a straight Indian restaurant. The dishes were really innovative, unique, and flavorful. We had a prix fixe since we were a large party, so I wasn't able to pick from the entire menu, but was able to get a good feel for what the dishes are like. I'd definitely recommend getting an appetizer and entree since there are not too many carbs and the portions are a little bit on the small side. I wasn't full after my appetizer and entree, but after the dessert, I was satisfied. Since my boyfriend was with me, we got to try 2 sets of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Pumpkin and fresh fennel dosa with goat cheese and roasted-garlic tomato chutney ($13) - This was delicious; the dosa was a bit on the small side (and the price is steep for something so small), but it was crispy and cooked perfectly. Jerusalem artichoke and goat cheese soup ($9) - Delicious, thanks to the goat cheese and/or cream. Good flavor, not overly heavy, and the fried sunchoke at the bottom was delightful. Would recommend this since you can't just get artichoke soup anywhere. I wanted more when I was done. Slow Roasted Venison ($29) - Slow roasted venison, farro risotto, braised ciopollini onion, wild mushrooms and grapes. Don't leave without getting this dish. Everyone that ordered this in our party loved it. The meat was tender and flavorful. I don't typically like or eat red meat that often, and this was great. There was not too much farro risotto, so it's basically just meat. Mint and purple potato gnocchi ($18) - Handmade dumplings, sunchokes, kuri squash and brussels sprouts with cardamom brown butter and meyer lemon gastrique. This was good, but nothing exceptional. I think there were 4 gnocchi dumplings, and I couldn't taste the mint in them. I felt like I was eating a dish of potatoes and root vegetables - good, but nothing I couldn't stir fry or bake at home. The seasoning was good, and I could definitely taste the Indian influence here. Dark chocolate kulfi ($7) - I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I wanted to lick my plate clean but figured I shouldn't, given I was at a birthday party and it was a Michelin star restaurant. Had I been in my own home, I would have, it was that good. I don't know how they made this, but the texture was creamy, it was not too sweet, and I loved every bit of this. One of the best desserts I've had. Home-made ice cream ($7) - We had vietnamese coffee, mint, and persimmon. Was good, but I prefer the chocolate (can you tell? ;)) Overall, a great experience here and I'll be back for more. Definitely get the venison if you like meat, and the dark chocolate kulfi.
(5)
Elijah M.

Very nice dining experience here. Ordered two appetizers and an Entree between two people, and we were quite stuffed. Te decor and atmosphere was very enjoyable, intimate enough for a date, while still being around other people and not shut off. Small enough setting that there doesn't seem to be that annoying hum when too many people are talking in a single space. The plating was quite excellent, and everything was very tasty, albeit somewhat exotic (which I believe is the point of this fusion place), so be prepared for interesting choices. Wait staff was very attentive without being overly intrusive, which is a difficult balance to achieve. It tends to be a bit on the pricey side, being fancy dining and valley adjacent, but for a nice treat it is definitely worthwhile.
(4)
Raymund S.

"Michelin star Indian American? Let's go!" Boy they did not disappoint! First the service was great. We had a party of 2 adults and one child. Online we couldn't book a party of 3 for the desired time, but they had an opening for a party of 4. So we called and they nicely accommodated us. Flavor, flavor and more flavor. That's what I loved about All Spice. Each ingredient used can actually be tasted and has a great harmony. I felt there was no senseless things on each plate. The ingredients had a job to do, not just to display. We had: 1. Indian bread fritter: Perfect traditional Indian flavors! 2. Roots and shoots: Nice and refreshing! Beautiful presentation. 3. Lavender and cumin scallops: Amazing! Scalloped were cooked perfectly. Nice brown sear and a slight translucent center. The bacon sauce was amazing 4. Braised veal osso bucco with rosemary jus: MY FAVORITE! I like my shanks nice and firm that it holds together and doesn't crumble, but when pulled with a fork it just gives way. They cooked it perfect to me! This dish had the perfect balance of flavor and textures. The jus smothered on top was well seasoned, and the polenta underneath was just yummy. Then you have a bite of the bacon wrapped date and you just swallow with a smile. The potatoes and eggplant was well prepared and gave the dish a nice hearty feel. I would order this again! It went well with the Syrah blend we got. 5. Lemon verbena seabass: My son had this and I thought it was the second best dish of the night. A very generous portion of perfectly cooked seabass was on top of some nicely seasoned corn. The potatoes were so good! 6. Special of the day Wagyu strip: Weakest dish of the night. The wagyu was actually bland and had a bitter taste due to the sauce. 7. Ice Cream trio (salt and pepper, pommel, and walnut and caramel): salt and pepper ice cream was just amazing!!!! it sounded weird when described, but it was my favorite. 8. yuzu crÃ¨me brulee: It was good, but nothing really earth shatteringly special. Overall, what a great experience. Really well thought out flavors and execution. Easily, the osso bucco and seabass were the stars. I can't wait to come back and try other items on the menu! The prices are actually reasonable as well!
(4)
Erica L.

Love this place! Took bf here for his birthday. Really cute, romantic, not too formal dinner. Random location, almost missed the place because you drive into a small driveway, its not directly on el camino. The food.... YUM YUM YUM! We tried the... Indian bread fritter = Really good. Good mix of spices and a touch of sweet. I want more. I had the.... Braised Osso Bucco = I loved the smoked eggplant and wild mushroom polenta! Although the veal was very tender and tasty, I absolutely fell in love with the items around it. Bacon wrapped date!!! really goooood.... I didn't want to share that with my bf! But I did, because it's his birthday. He had the.... Slow roasted venison = Meat was well cooked, onions were amazing especially with the steak. Mushrooms had really meaty flavor. I love mushrooms so I really liked it. Dessert! I had the snowglobe sundae = So much fun. Idk who came up with it, but very creative. It came with rose ice cream and there were some nut brittle, so yummy. He had the Dark Chocolate Kulfi = SO RICH, n not too sweet, im not a big choc fan but this was pretty good. Service was really good. My water was filled constantly. And when my dessert came, the guy waited for me to get my camera ready so i can get a shot with him pouring the olive oil. I MUST come back! :D
(5)
Olivia B.

Exceptional every time we dine here. My husband and I love to splurge on great food and this is one of our absolute favorites!
(5)
Alex C.

The good: I like the house set up, the service was nice but you have to be ok with high frequency waiters keeping your water full to the brim. The 2-3 bites of lamb on that entree are superb. Lovely complimentary 2oz shot of soup to start things off. The bad: the wild boar was no better or worse than the cheapest curry you can find. The ode to my wife was interesting but ultimately not what I would call good. Do not get the creme with peanut bacon brittle dessert no matter what the waiter tells you. 1 app, 2 glasses of wine, 2 entrÃ©es and 1 dessert for $140 but you can get better food for a third of that. For the experience and the unique flavors, would go back if I had a 50% off coupon...maybe.
(2)
Omar L.

Let's start this year with a bang. My dad was making a fuss of coming here for months, but we did not get a chance to come to this restaurants. The restaurant is kind of an odd, yet nice look of a home. It is only strange because we kept missing the parking lot due to small sign, and it was a restaurant that looks like a house, which is odd since it is in a business area. But the design gave a very homely feel, which I totally like (especially since I had just arrived back from a 3 week business trip). Food: We had the New Years Eve set menu for $100/person. The peas & broth didn't impress at first, but as the meal continued I became very impressed with the originality and flavors of the food, especially once we got to the Beet salad (with lobster), Squab (w/ country sausage) and the Beef Dukkah-spiced Wagyu w/ bone marrow butter. Did I mention I was very impressed? Service: Service was very good, paid attention and new answer to all our questions. Not to mention the owner was also there to help answer any questions we had. Parking: They do have their own lot, you might miss it though when you drive on El Camino Real. I will definitely be coming back here, when I get a chance.
(4)
Eileen R.

Hadn't been back for a while so you never know but All Spice did not disappoint! The presentation is impressive, the menu is inventive and the flavors are intensely delicious. The service can feel a little rushed (hence the 4 vs. 5 stars) but I think it's due to the fact that they have such few tables that they need to turn them in order to make their #'s. Reservations are hard to come by so plan in advance. Definitely still deserving of it's Michelin star!
(4)
Julie W.

Phenomenal! Our first time, and we will definitely be back. From the service, to the charming yet stylish ambiance, to the food - it was a perfect evening. Tried the Octopus a la plancha with smoked chilies, gypsy peppers, salted turnips and "patatas bravas" and the special quail appetizer. Both spectacular. Main courses were the Pan-seared seabass with smoked kale, wild mushrooms, verbena-chile fume, oro blanco citrus, and the slow braised Duck with preserved lemon and thyme, broccoli di ciccio, jicama, pineapple-bacon saute and anise scented jus. It was all fantastic and we can't wait to visit this restaurant again!
(5)
Cherylynn N.

Contemporary Indian Fusion Fare served in a Victorian House?!?!? GENIUS CONCEPT! *Clap Clap* Walking into All Spice is like walking into someone's humble abode w/ aromatic spices subtly permeating into the air giving you that warm, comforting feeling all over... On Sunday, 5.1.11, my friend and I arrived at All Spice for our 7:30 PM reservations and were promptly seated. WINE: All Spice NOW has their liquor license w/ a small wine selection. I opted for a glass of the 2007 Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon ($16/glass) which has been one of my fav reds for years. It's seemingly smooth and rich w/ prominent berry flavors and a slight spiciness. FOOD: *AMUSE-BOUCHE - Oyster Mushroom Salad: GOOD! The mushroom was silky w/ a nice meatiness and the vinaigrette added a bright acidic punch to it w/out hindering the mushroom's earthy flavor. *ODE TO MY WIFE - Roasted Beets w/ Fresh Dill Goat Cheese Ice Cream ($8): TO DIE FOR (sans the beets)! yelp.com/biz_photos/kw56â€¦ In general, I'm not a fan of beets because they tend to taste like dirt to me, but the ones at All Spice was cooked to a sweet and earthy tenderness. Nonetheless, it's still something I don't care much for. BUT, the goat cheese Ice Cream...OH MY!!! *DROOLS* It was decadently rich and savory w/ a touch of sweetness. It was like eating a soft frozen cheesecake. I had to stop myself because I wanted to able to savor my other dishes too. *ROASTED EGGPLANT DOSA ($12): BEST DOSA EVER!!! yelp.com/biz_photos/kw56â€¦ Dosa is a South Indian crepe that's normally filled w/ savory fillings. The crispy crepe was filled w/ tender, smoky eggplant, goat cheese, peanuts and tamarind. Along w/ the fiery garlic tomato chutney was an EXPLOSION of flavors: salty, savory, smoky, sweet, sour, spicy and nutty!!! *BACON WRAPPED RACK OF LAMB w/ Sundried Tomato Chili Sauce & Mushroom Marmalade ($25): GOOD! yelp.com/biz_photos/kw56â€¦ As per Yelpers' recommendations, we both ordered the Bacon Wrapped Rack of Lamb requested medium rare. Although it was good, I was a little disappointed in the preparation. My lamb was overcooked to almost a medium-well and unlike the pictures on Yelp it was drenched in the mushroom marmalade sauce. The lamb was very tender though w/ a slight gaminess and a subtle smokiness from the bacon. However, the abundance amount and the sweetness from the marmalade took away from the lamb's natural flavors. The accompanying sundried tomato chili sauce did a nice job of adding a kick and acidity to help balance the rich flavors of the dish. *VANILLA SCENTED ROTI ($2): DISAPPOINTING! yelp.com/biz_photos/kw56â€¦ The roti, an Indian flatbread was hard and had no aroma or taste of fragrant vanilla. We actually held the roti up to our noses several times while taking a big whiff and nothing. *SELECTION OF HOMEMADE ICE CREAMS ($7): REFRESHINGLY GOOD! yelp.com/biz_photos/kw56â€¦ 1) WHITE CHOCOLATE: Rich and creamy but tasted like plain vanilla. 2) ALMOND CARDAMOM: Rich, creamy and nutty w/ a hint of exotic spiciness from the cardamom. I wish the almonds were toasted which would have intensified the nuttiness and given the ice cream a crisp texture contrast. 3) PRESERVED ROSE: OUR FAV!!! The rich, creamy ice cream was intertwined w/ pieces of rose petals which had a light, sweet floral taste to it. It was like picking up bouquet of roses and the aroma lightly infusing into your mouth instead of your nose. SERVICE: Professional and attentive, although our waiter was a bit too serious. It took less than 10 mins to get our apps, but our entrees took awhile; approx.35-40 mins later. Before leaving, we heard two of the wait staff talking about a customer who had just left which left us w/ a sour taste in our mouths. Having worked in retail during my college years, I would have had enough common decency to wait until there were no customers around before bad-mouthing one. AMBIANCE/DÃ‰COR: LOVED IT!!! It's classy and romantic w/ the utmost homey charm; shiny hardwood floors, neutral and turquoise interior design, crisp white linens, a cozy fireplace, paintings and live orchids. There are 3 separate dining rooms each accommodating 10 people. Noise level is low and tables are well-spaced out which makes it a perfect place for a date. PARKING: Small parking lot. All Spice is on a class of its own; the Contemporary Indian Fare is refined and packed w/ bold, exotic flavors and the charming atmosphere is truly unique. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at All Spice, I think they need to have all their "I's" dotted and their "T's" crossed before they can earn that much coveted Michelin Star.
(4)
Ginger L.

The food was delicious and the staff were very on point. Nice and clean restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere considering it is a Michelin rated restaurant.
(4)
Helen D.

Homey space, gracious service, beautiful presentation and tasty food concoctions! Highlights: - spiced butternut squash soup (yes - this was the amuse-bouche, but it was so tasty and it was the perfect warm, hearty concoction for this time of year) - "ode to my wife" - 3 cheers and 5 stars for the goat cheese foam! (and loved this in combination with the beets and the sundried tomato / almond crust) Worth trying - may not order a second time, though (so many amazing things to try): - indian bread fritter (had wonderful spices, very hearty, loved the chickpeas, but would likely try something else next time) - snow globe (caramel and cashew ice cream - love the artistic touch of the chocolate lid that then gets melted with hot olive oil) Slightly disappointing: - lobster tail with saffron-vanilla reduction (this may be my fault for ordering something i was hesitant about - because I've found I don't particularly like vanilla as a flavor outside of desserts - but the saffron-vanilla reduction tasted strange to me. the lobster was well-cooked, but somehow the saffron-vanilla sauce had more of a gourmet peanut butter-y flavor ... very difficult to explain ... i will simply choose a different entree next time) All in - All Spice is a wonderful, homey, tasty experience. The service is wonderful, the space is extremely cute, I will definitely be returning. Some extra notes: - It's set back from the street, so don't look on El Camino for the cute house in the pictures, you won't see it - you have to turn into the driveway when you see a sign on the street that says "All Spice" - The crowd is slightly older / more mature / more formal, fwiw.
(4)
V. C.

Met a couple we hadn't seen for over a year at this restaurant, and had a very enjoyable reunion. Four of us shared 2 orders of gazpacho (boring) & one order of the day boat scallops (good) for appetizers; for entrees we shared the wagyu beef special (good), the wild boar curry (boring), the duck breast (ok), and the sea bass (ok); we finished with the dark chocolate kulfi (ok) and the snow globe sundae (good) as shared desserts. We also had a couple of passionfruit mint lassis (heavy on the mint, not much passionfruit flavor at all), a blackberry soda, and a bottle of ale. Generally speaking the food was good, with delightfully intricate side bits, as you'd expect for a Michelin 1 star. Although the good dishes hit the mark for taste and interesting combinations of texture and flavor for the plate garnishes/sides, nothing really seized the spotlight. The gazpacho was pedestrian, the wild boar curry garnished with silver foil nothing notable in the way of flavor, and the duck breast good but just not out of the ordinary. Sea bass is so forgiving that getting it cooked decently doesn't merit any wows. That said, none of the dishes were disappointing, either. They were serviceable and workmanlike, not too salty, not too sour, not too spicy, not too sweet. How the restaurant earned a Michelin star with these, I don't know. Some people enjoy the fact the restaurant is in a house, apparently a holdover from before the commercial area was built around it. The decor of the house is mildly busy, with wallpaper and art everywhere; nothing that set off my admittedly uncritical aesthetic sense, but tables were crowded together much more closely than I would have expected. The service was quite casual, which I found unexpected although not off-putting, and then, even more unexpectedly, we got the bum's rush from the table after two and a half hours. I know the owners need to make ends meet, and probably expected to turn the tables once, but it gave our evening an unpleasant end. I've been to much better Michelin one star restaurants elsewhere, and don't expect to return soon to this place.
(3)
Marilyn T.

Indian style + Michelin star was always intriguing to me. I love that it's a small, unpretentious, warm place. Even the reservation confirmation was done by the owner herself, and she was the one who greeted me and seated me when I walked int. The building itself is an old remodeled house and reminded me a little bit of the Chez TJ set up. The food is Indian inspired, but I wouldn't call it Indians. They do have quite a few vegetarian options available. There's no tasting, per se, so we kind of created our own..,. 1. Amuse: potato and leek soup - warm, smooth, good with the thin mini flatbread crisp 2. Ode to my wife part IV: I had to ask Shoshana what parts I-III were, and she described them to me as various versions of beets and cheese (all of which sounded great). Our version was a light summer starter. It was a layer of house made date cake, then a layer of goat cheese cream, then a layer of orange-beet. You definitely need all layers in one bite. the toasted oat nut strusel added extra texture, as did the subtle roasted garlic walnut crisps. The greens were dressed lightly. 3. Fried chicken: who gets fried chicken at an Indian style place? I'm so glad we did! It was a nice moist fried breast with the most amazing black rice grits. The black rice grits had so much rich flavor and was arguably the best component of the entire meal. The lamb tongue was a nice touch, but the black rice really stood out 4. Corn bisque: sweet and like a taste of summer, poured table-side over pickled tomatoes, red corn, wild mushrooms. The pickled tomato was pretty tart and probably not the best for the first bite, but the rest of the dry components of the bisque balanced the soup nicely. 5. Scallops: two large scallops seared and topped with roe. I love the roe, but the scallops were actually a bit fishier than I was expecting. It came with fresh red strawberries, pickled green ones, and pickled carrots. I didn't love the fruits and vegetable part of it, but I loved the shrimp cilantro mousse/cake 6. Spring lamb two ways: medium rare lamb loin, which was well seasoned and amazing with the sauces underneath, then a gamier spiced lamb dongue. The bok choy had a nice char, and the oyster mushroom was a good vegetable to go with this more substantial meat dish 7. Salted rosemary creme caramel: smooth creme caramel with the most amazing bacon peanut brittle (savory, smoky, crisp), balanced out by fresh berries 8. Chocolate terrarium: a base of passion fruit curd, then pink peppercorn chocolate mousse (couldn't quite taste the peppercorn), almond chocolate soil, and fresh berries. It reminded me a little of the "dirt cups" kids eat with oreos and chocolate pudding, but this is a much better adult version of that No liquor, Beer and Wine only. They have a limited but nice selection, and prices are very reasonable. We went with a Pinot Noir from Burgandy (Maison ambroise bourgogne rouge), which was just under $50. Our server was very attentive. Food came out pretty quickly, and they did a good job coursing out our random combination of dishes. Plating was beautiful on all of the dishes, and each one had a lot of thought and detail put into it. I like that All Spice has something different to offer, and I would definitely go back.
(4)
Theresa B.

I don't give enough 5s, but All Spice deserves it from start to finish. It's in the strangest location - not visible from the street, but accessible through an alley in an unassuming section of San Mateo. Fresh, crisp spicy lentil amuse-bouche, sweet corn chowder artfully poured over squash blossoms, fresh cherry tomatoes, blue-cheese butter and honey pecans (a generous portion, I might add, for such fine dining). I was particularly smitten by the molten lemon ricotta on the gnocchi appetizer plate. Seabass - tender like butter inside a crispy exterior. Wagyu beef (sage and sweet potato cream) that had no need of the Laguiole knife with which they served it... The decor is tasteful, the ambiance sophisticated and inviting. The seating arrangement allows for a great balance between enjoying the bustle of the restaurant, and not having to converse over the noise. It's a simple wine list, but very carefully selected. Everything was impeccably served and presented. Only suggestion for them is to put espresso on their after dinner menu - the french press coffee was an elegant finish, but sometimes you just need that extra oomph. Far and away, my new favorite on the peninsula.
(5)
Kenneth D.

This is an awesome find in Burlingame. Food is amazingly prepared, staff is great, and the portions are human size. Deserts were fantastic and although a bit on the pricy side I think it is worth every dollar! You must try this place.
(5)
Anup D.

I was really eager to try All Spice. It seemed like a significant deviation away from the standard Indian fare (which I love, but can get tedious). When we entered the restaurant, I certainly thought this would be a new experience. The set up in the house is very distinctive and the service is excellent. The food, however, while good doesn't really match up the framework. The issue is that there just not a lot of ingenuity that has gone into the menu. The hints and suggestions of Indian cuisine for the most part are just extinguished. That in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it's replacement is not overly compelling. But its still pretty good. And given the special feel to the restaurant, I would come back.
(4)
Neha B.

Cute little place hidden on El Camino. Food was delicious, really good ambiance and service. Wish they have more vegetarian options. But would definitely go back to try their dessert next time.
(4)
Kendra C.

We had dinner here last January and LOVED it! The quality is on par with restaurants in SF, the atmosphere is quiet and romantic and the service is fantastic. Happy to have this restaurant nearby and wish that more places in San Mateo/Burlingame could be this good!
(5)
Tomomi K.

Hidden gem in San Mateo! I have been here a couple times, and every time I am thrilled to see what will be brought to our table. You might have a hard time imaging the dishes on the menu, and it gives you a great surprise when you taste them. All the dishes are very creative, unique, delicate, flavorful and savory with a hint of amazing Indian spices. They are such a great mixture of flavors and fabulous presentation. This is a very cozy restaurant remodeled from a house with the simple and sophisticated interior. The service is very attentive and pleasant all the times. I appreciate All Spice for being so extraordinary in every aspect.
(5)
D. K.

Our dinner at All Spice was truly fabulous. The waiter (I believe his name was Johnny?) was friendly, helpful, and went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. The restaurant was intimate (I might be wrong but I think I counted only 12 tables?), and the food? The food was amazing! Ode to my Wife, part iv: Such an interesting combination of flavors--it was a little too sweet for me, but my dining partner absolutely loved it. I thought it was amazing--just felt like a dessert to me! Turkish Eggplant soup: Really creamy and delicious. They were so nice and divided the soup into two bowls for us to enjoy. Perfectly seasoned. Star anise and fennel sea bass: AMAZING. The sea bass was so flavorful, and the accompanying items were each an explosion of flavor. Shortribs: Again, can't say enough about this dish. The meat was so tender, and the flavors blended beautifully. For dessert, we tried the dark chocolate kulfi. It tasted like the most delicious frozen fudge served with plump berries and edible silver. Definitely recommend. An overall great experience, and I will definitely be back. Great work, All Spice! A michelin star is definitely deserved.
(5)
Susan Y.

As one who is happy with dive-y joints I'm not normally one to comment on decor, but I have to say that the minute I walked in the door at All Spice I was quite taken by the vibrant hues ... and excited to see if the cuisine was a match for the space. My friend and I started with the Star Anise and Fennel Confit Chicken Wings -- the sauce was so delicious that we wanted to lick the bowl. Our server saved us that embarrassment by suggesting an order of the Vanilla-Scented Flatbread. The bread itself was a revelation -- perfumed just enough to be pleasant and a little surprising, but not so much as to be cloying. For entrees, I stuck with an Indian classic -- the Lamb Sona Chandi -- while my friend ordered the Thai-inspired Coconut Pork Belly. I regretted my conservatism; my Sona Chandi wasn't quite the tender, flavorful chunks of lamb I had hoped it would be. Meanwhile my little taste of my friend's pork belly was just exploding with flavor. We shared an order of the Balsamic Blackberry Brulee for dessert. Made with yogurt, the custard had a pleasant tang and a wonderful creamy texture. Delicious! All in all, a beautiful space with some wonderful, creative food. I think the fusion dishes are the way to go, if you are seeking flavors to match the vibrancy of the decor.
(4)
Natalie S.

What a treat! This is truly a hidden gem inside a Victoria set back from the hustle and bustle of El Camino. I love the decor and choices of paint colors and wall papers. The food is simply delicious. There are very few restaurants that can do Indian fusion. All Spice does it right. Western food with Indian spices and flavors = YUMMINESS! I had the seabass which was so tasty. I think it had dill inside and it was fantastic. I also had the spinach dumpling entree dish as an appetizer and I loved the delicate flavors. Highly recommended!
(5)
Heather C.

A restaurant in a Victorian house, I'M SO THERE!! Wait, there's more? Indian fusion?? DOUBLE, I'M SO THERE!! Gosh trying to find this place was a little frustrating, the GPS went crazy and looking for the address by eye did no good. Thank God, Cherylynn N. got there first because me and my GPS would have been going in circles for another 10 minutes. This place is so freakin' cute. The waiting area, a patio. The dining rooms, again so cute. Each room was decorated differently and I believe there were 4 dining rooms. For our FIRST APPETIZER: OYSTER MUSHROOM SALAD- don't let the word salad led you to believe that it was an actual salad (it was one piece of mushroom). Aside from that, it was good. SECOND APPETIZER: ODE TO MY WIFE - Roasted red and golden beets served with lollo rosso lettuce and fresh dill goat cheese ice cream. I am NOT a fan of beets, it's too earthy tasting and tastes like eating dirt (I was a child once so yes, I have eaten dirt before). The goat cheese ice cream on the other hand was probably one of the best tasting things I've had. I will admit that I was a little skeptical, beets and goat cheese ice cream..WTH! I tried the beets with the ice cream and the ice cream made beets taste good but Cherylynn N. and I ended up leaving the beets and eating the ice cream. =) ENTREE NUMBER ONE: TAMARIND EGGPLANT DOSA - Crisp rice and lentil crepe with smoky eggplant, peanuts and goat cheese, roasted garlic tomato chutney. OMG this thing was HUGE (that's what she said)!! Crispy crepe, smoked eggplants and goat cheese? I don't see how it could get any better than that. =) The crepe was super crispy, the eggplants nice and smokey and flavorful. The goat cheese, well I just LOVE goat cheese and All Spice has proven to me that it goes well with just about everything (the goat cheese ice cream). ENTREE NUMBER TWO: BACON-WRAPPED RACK OF LAMB- Sundried tomato red chili sauce and mushroom marmalade. *DROOLS* Anything wrapped in bacon has to be good, the lamb was very tender and a little gamey but gaminess is expected. The bacon was crispy and went very well with the lamb. I found myself avoiding the marmalade sauce because I felt like it didn't do the lamb any good, in fact I felt like it took away from the lamb if anything. VANILLA SCENTED ROTI- Um, either I have a bad sense of smell or there was NO vanilla scent. I stuck this thing in right in front of my nose more than a couple of times and did not smell a trace of vanilla. THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR DESSERT!! Selection of house-made ice creams which change daily. Flavors we had: 1) WHITE CHOCOLATE- which I believe was just vanilla and a little bit of chocolate ice cream. 2) ALMOND CARDAMOM- nice almond flavor and bits of almonds sitting at the bottom, too bad they were soggy by the time we got down to them. 3) PRESERVED ROSE- The BEST out of the three! It tasted like how you would expect a rose to taste, just like how it smells like. The aroma and the taste = heaven! =) The SERVICE: Our watier was polite and attentive but a little too serious. =X Before we left we heard two of the employees talk/ complaining about a customer she was helping which was a complete turn off, at least make sure all the customers have left before doing that! 4 STARS!
(4)
Adlyn S.

My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary dinner. I was a little let down that he said we were going to eat in San Mateo...I know....when I think anniversary dinner I want SF! I got over it and tried to go into it with an open mind. I did some research on the way there and saw that it has a Michelin Star. The fact it's in a Victorian home got me super excited for the ambiance. There are a few different rooms all with a different charming ambiance. I saw a lot of pictures on yelp of things I had in mind to order but their menu does rapidly change. Go into it with an open mind and ask your waiter for suggestions! I ordered the sea bass which was melt in your mouth perfect! I downed it with a Hitachino beer which is now my favorite Japanese beer. The service was absolutely perfect. Not too pretentious, just warm and welcoming. Will definitely be back for another special occasion.
(5)
Aneesh B.

Excellent California-style cuisine with Indian influences. Definitely not "Indian food," so if that is what you are expecting, you will be surprised. Took the missus here for our anniversary dinner in mid-June, though I don't think Allspice has to be a "special occasion" place only. Service was excellent, but the person that took our order was a lot less engaging than the person that cleared our plates. Not a problem at all; it was just something we noted. What we enjoyed: - two glasses of Rose - "pakora"-style amuse bouche - Ode to My Wife, Part II (partly because it seemed appropriate for an anniversary, and also I'm a sucker for any version of the proverbial beet salad) - lavender and cumin scallops - shortrib vindaloo - butter poached lobster tail - "snowglobe" dessert - housemade sorbet It was a joy to eat the chef's food, and the flavors were well-employed in each dish. I found the seasoning to be pretty spot-on, and really enjoyed each dish. My favorite had to be the shortrib vindaloo with a "melted" baby bokchoy and softened goat cheese wrapped in a delicate zucchini roulade. Sounds fussy, right? But that 's the thing - is was pretty damn far from fussy, which made the experience that much better. We got excellent food without the fuss, and even managed to respect the missus's "no foam" rule (which I think is absurd, but she's entitled, I suppose). All of the dishes are thoughtfully prepared, and that to me is the beauty of it - the chef is fussy about how he prepares the food, but not about how his customer is meant to enjoy it. That might be a part of the Indian influence to the cuisine as well... All told, for all of the above, including tip, it was around $150. Way cheap for a meal of this caliber, in my opinion. We shall return as often as we are able.
(5)
Ann N.

It's relatively inexpensive for a one start Michelin restaurant. I loved the cozy ambiance. They also have a small parking lot. The food was really tasty. I had the Smoked Seabass. It was really tendered and flavorful. However, the portion was really small.
(5)
Stacy L.

what can i say about All Spice except that's it's wonderful!
(5)
Amanda G.

We had been meaning to eat here for quite awhile, and finally made it in about a month ago. Service was fantastic, waters were kept refilled, servers were knowledgeable about the food, and gave us some good recommendations. The restaurant has a bit of a fancy feel to it, but without the fancy prices. We shared the "tamarind Eggplant Dosa" it consisted of: Crisp rice and lentil crepe with smoky eggplant, peanuts and goat cheese, roasted garlic tomato chutney. Totally loved this dish. The flavors and textures were amazing. My guy had the much raved about shortrib vindaloo. Unfortunately, he had to send it back because it was so tough it couldn't be cut through. The server was nice about it, and the new one was brought out very quickly. It was good, but after all we'd heard about the bold flavors, it was pretty bland. I had the lobster tail entree, and although it was a bit salty, i enjoyed it. The presentation was beautiful, and even though it was a small portion, it was satisfying. The prices are reasonable, especially given the creativity and quality of ingredients. I'm not returning anytime soon, but I would recommend it, and will return at some point.
(4)
Shana O.

I've been wanting to come back ever since we originally tried it, and we finally had the chance recently. The meal was worth waiting over two years for. Ode to My Wife, Part II was very good and creative, but after tasting my husband's tomato soup (which was poured into the dish over the blue cheese butter at the table), I wish I'd ordered that instead. Hubby got the venison which was cooked perfectly. The venison was my first choice, but since he ordered it, I ordered the short rib instead, and I'm glad I did. The meat was melt-in-your mouth tender, and the sauce accompanying it was incredibly rich and complex with a hint of coconut. It was truly one of the best dishes (and sauces) I've ever had. Hopefully our next visit to All Spice won't take another 2 years!
(5)
Jayne W.

I was a little worried when I got there since they couldn't find my reservation, but they gave us a table right away with no problem - very gracious. I had been looking forward to the evening since I had read so much about how wonderful the place and food were, and I was so happy to find that I wasn't disappointed. Excellent food, service, ambience. Wonderful little culinary surprises. Everything was delicious, including the artichoke soup, the beet appetizer, the duck, the supper yummy chocolate dessert, the French pressed coffee, and even the Riesling which I normally hesitate to drink because they are usually too sweet. Happy, Happy, Happy.
(4)
Rich P.

Cute, old house bizarrely in the middle of its own parking lot just off ECR. Very nice staff although it seemed all the guys were into body building which I wasn't expecting. Some really creative dishes, beautifully plated with a nice mash-up of Indian spices and modern Cal cuisine. Reasonable size servings. At end of day trying just a wee bit too hard, and the simpler dishes are usually the best. And yes, the chocolate kulfi is awesome.
(4)
Lily L.

The restaurant is in a charming little house surrounded by a small parking lot. There's a sign off El Camino but you have to turn into a small street (not so much a street as a parking entrance) to get to the restaurant. We made a reservation for two but we were a bit early so we had to wait a bit before we could be seated. The waiting area was very charming and homey. We were greeted at the door by a very friendly hostess.The restaurant is very well decorated. It feels very much like you're dining at someone's house. The service was also excellent. The servers were extremely helpful in explaining everything to us since we were first time customers and they were very prompt with filling water, taking order, getting the check, etc. We also got a small cup of soup which is apparently usual there. We had: Lavender and Cumin Scallops - One order comes with three scallops. These scallops were delicious! I definitely recommend them. bacon ftw! Short Rib Vindaloo - These were good but I wasn't extremely impressed with them. You get a chunk of boneless meat that is easy to tear off on a bed of bok choi. My boyfriend suggested that I wasn't impressed with this dish because it's very similar to a Chinese style braised beef. Butter Poached Lobster Tail - This was my favorite dish here but I'm particular to lobster. For one order, you get one lobster tail with four little cake things. I'm not sure if they were crab cakes, lobster cakes, or shrimp cakes. Regardless they were pretty good. I have to say what made me like this dish more than the others was the gravy sauce. It was rich, buttery, and extremely savory. Passion Fruit Mint Lassi - This was absolutely amazing... I'm usually not a fan of mint but wow, this drink makes really good use of mint. I strongly recommend this drink! But beware it's a bit sour. Snow Globe Ice Cream Sundae - This seemed like an interesting dessert and a couple of people recommended it on yelp. I think they change the ice cream flavors once in a while. Ours was caramel scotch. Unfortunately since I'm Asian, the taste of alcohol is really strong and unpleasant for me and the ice cream definitely tasted alcoholic. So this was a "meh" for me. But I could definitely see how the sundae would've been delicious with a different flavor of ice cream. It came on a bed of a cake similar to sponge cake, with a lot of crunchy things (don't remember what they were but they were delicious!) and fruit. Overall, I really liked this restaurant. I'd definitely go back again just for the passion fruit mint lassi! The portions were pretty small but still filling because everything just tasted so rich.
(4)
Melissa L.

The food, ambiance, and service are excellent! The price is actually very reasonable for the quality of food and service. I would recommend to start with the Tamarind Eggplant Dosa and share it as an appetizer (it's listed as an entree). For the entree, I highly recommend the sea bass. It does not matter how he prepares it, it is always cooked perfectly and is delicious. The shortrib vindaloo is a signature dish of theirs.
(5)
Robert G.

To the entire staff of All Spice: Many, many thanks for a tremendous experience for my wife and me. My expectations were very high, based on the many Yelp reviews and first-hand reports from my work colleagues. My expectations for some incredible food and the service were exceeded! My wife has difficult dietary restrictions which were met by Shoshana many days IN ADVANCE of our evening. These were then executed magnificently by Sachin and the rest of the kitchen, AND the wait staff who relayed additional requirements from our table back to the kitchen. I cannot wait to return to All Spice.
(5)
Rina M.

I came here last week as an alternative to Avatar's in Sausalito. Granted, these two places are nothing alike, I still had a phenomenal meal here. First off, this place is located inside a tiny house off of El Camino, which lends itself perfectly to a laid back but still sophisticated dining experience. Our server (blanking on the name) was one of the most attentive waiters I have ever seen and he really heightened an already great dinner. On to the food! Amuse bouche- broccolini + goat cheese concoction = mediocre, could have done without it. Appetizers: Scallops with butternut squash puree (in lieu of the bacon)- Perfection! seared with just the right amount of spice (lavender and cumin) Ode to My Wife, Part II (complimentary)- a terrine of beets and ricotta cheesecake, this was also stellar and tasted lovely with the accompanying goat cheese mouse (sweetened with vanilla, I could eat bowls of this!) Main course: Popeye's Dream- a new take on saag paneer, this spinach custard was somewhat heavy and one-noted in flavor. Not as spiced or seasoned as its indian food inspiration, but pleasant nonetheless. I tried a bit of the shrimp mousse from the poached seabass dish and that was also delicious. We ended the dinner with snowglobe ice cream sundae, which was a perfect decadent end to a lovely meal. I really recommend this place to anyone curious about elevated indian-inspired cuisine; it's delicious and not just chicken tikka masala and naan.
(4)
Diana L.

Gorgeous setting and very nice service and food presentation but...I won't come back. You could say the food is interesting, or you could say the chef put trace amounts of unusual ingredients that you often couldn't even taste, just to appeal to the pretentious and not very hungry "foodie". If you like "subtle" flavors -- otherwise known as bland -- and you are not hungry and have lots of money to spend on fine dining do come here it is really a lovely restaurant. But I won't return.
(3)
Laura S.

Cute place, a little cramped on the inside but that's to be expected since it's a converted house. The food was great, especially the desserts, and while it's pricey, it's definitely not completely outrageous for the quality of food and dining experience. I will be coming back here for special occasions in the future. You need to make reservations and they're usually fully booked for at least 2-3 weeks ahead of time.
(5)
Rob P.

Pros: * Interesting building (a Victorian hidden among the strip malls of El Camino) * Polite, attentive service. * Pleasant interior. * Interesting concept - French + American + Indian synthesis * Nice presentation of food. Cons: * Of the four dishes I tasted, only my lamb loin seemed "cohesive." My wife's fish was not good - the fish was very rubbery and unappealing. The appetizers I sampled (chicken kabobs, salad pt. 3) had fine ingredients - they just didn't work well together for me. Summary: An interesting enough place, but for the price the execution towards deliciousness was just not there for me.
(2)
Chris L.

I didn't know this was a "Pardon my reach" type of place but I should've expected it from the pricing of the menu that it was nicer than most Indian places. I thought it kinda reminded me of Chez TJ or Manresa because it's in a random house. The hostess and wait staff were professional. Our waiter was gracious and kinda looked like out of place but then got into his element. He was hilarious and attentive. The tables are close to each other and seating is limited. Sound also carries so if you get loud, patrons can hear your conversation. They close at 9:30 p.m. but didn't kick us out when we were still finishing up our desserts and banter close to 11:30 p.m. No rushing at all, which was appreciated! I had the passion fruit mint lassi. It was kinda sour at first but I got to like it after a couple of sips. We had the hamachi with the lotus chips and the beet salad, which were both delicious! I had the venison (medium) with the farro risotto and it was amazing. I literally licked my plate clean. The deconstructed ravioli, sea bass and pork loin were also very good. This was the first time that our dinner group licked all of the plates clean - including the dessert plates of the dark chocolate kulfi and coffee ice cream, berries, chocolate and olive oil drizzled on top table side. We would definitely come back! It's a hard to find and I had to make a U-turn, but it's definitely worth the trip to San Mateo.
(5)
John Y.

Lovely, intimate restaurant. The hostess is the Chef's wife and made us feel very much at home. The food is an inventive mix of Indian and California flavors and styles - quite tasty and well executed. The only slight negative was our waitperson, who seemed eager, but young, with a few rough edges around his slightly over-casual style ("Hey, How's it going?", as a mid meal check-in), which didn't quite fit the style of the restaurant. Easily fixed, and at least it seemed earnest as opposed to service at other places. I would highly recommend this restaurant, especially for a quiet, romantic evening.
(5)
Sonya M.

a cozy victorian house on the side of the street... oh wait, don't let that fool you! it's a cozy fancy family owned restaurant! the chef here specializes in indian french fusion cuisine. we came care for valentines day for a taste of their special valentines day menu. My favorite is gotta be their scallops, grilled/tender mixed with truffle sauce and kataifi, a bite into that scallop was like cloud 9! The kobe beef was also very good, I usually don't eat rare beef much due to the slight bloody taste, but this is just tender and juicy to the max and soooo flavorful. Their fried porridge was mixed with brown sugar.. very flavorful and interesting. The dessert was chocolate mousse, as much as I loved the smooth and chocolatey dessert, it was wayyy to complex and rich. Since you got dark/white chocolate and lemon custard. I have to say the lemon custard was too sweet for my taste, but the crust mixed in the mousse was good! Overall a very "spiceful" unique experience. If you want an experience of fancy and homey dinner, that is super flavorful, stop by!!
(4)
Kim N.

I've eaten at all Chef Chopra's restaurants. Iwas particularly impressed with Sakoon even on opening day. SO there was no way I was going to miss opening night here. The old Dollie Marie's space is now a modern twist on Indian cuisine. Chatted with the chef and his wife throug out the night while we had the following: -Ode to My Wife - Roasted red and golden beets served with frisee and fresh dill goat cheese ice cream -Smoked Lavender and Cumin Scallops - With bacon and black cardamom potato sauce -Bacon-wrapped Rack of Lamb - Sundried tomato red chili sauce -Lamb "Sona Chandi" - Traditional Kashmiri sauce of cashews, noble elements and saffron served with vanilla-scented bread -Chili bread pudding -honey/lavender, black pepper, mint ice creams Everything is as good as I remember from all the other places. the bonus here? the chef gets his own vision and will change the menus as he sees fit.Congrats to the team on their opening and we look forward to trying the many dishes down the road...
(5)
S P.

Awesome food. The Ode to my wife appetizer is to die for! Boar Curry was perfectly done. Staff was super attentive and friendly. Enjoyed an awesome dinner.
(5)
A W.

This place has too much hype. I guess I was expecting something mindblowing along the lines I had eating at Aziza which also has 1 Michelin Star. I'm not sure what/how/why this is considered much better food than what we ate Saturday, but here's how we see it: "Ode to My Wife II" sounded good, was a very nice beet tart with simple side salade. It had a few Indian Spices on top of what would be a very regtular, French bistro standard. I had the venison and ordered to chef's suggestion. I was shocked when it came almost well done, smothered in sauce, sort of defeating the purpose of eating a good piece of venison. The faro' with porcini that was with it was excellent, yet again, no better than standard fair at your regular Northern Italian resto. My dinner guest had the braised boar. It came in a soup container, had not been braised but tasted very dry, cooked beforehand and then mixed with a simple Indian curry. They mentioned a saffron nan but the nan was nothing big deal. I have much, MUCH better currries at my local takeaway. The dessert was an interesting take on Kulfi, but again, not that amazing. The fresh fruit was the best on the plate. The prices were fair, but again, if I want good Indian I know where to go, ditto with French and Italian. Too much fanfair and not enough amazing cooking for me. ~ Ms. Ali
(3)
Anjali M.

We had the most amazing dinner at All Spice a few weeks ago! The service was impeccable, the restaurant / ambiance was warm, friendly and inviting, and the food was some of the most modern, playful and inventive Indian cuisine I have ever had. The menu has tons of vegetarian options, but also appeals to meat-eaters, and each dish is PACKED with flavor and spice. Overall, it was an excellent meal - I'd highly recommend this restaurant and we'll definitely be back soon!
(5)
Piyush C.

This is such a nice little gem! The food is delicious and the ambiance is intimate. Definitely going there many times more...
(5)
B S.

This place is so good. The service was great and the food was fantastic. Very refined and tons of flavor. Splurge-worthy!
(5)
Hannah K.

So it's hard for me to gauge since I've been to Providence when it was 1 Michelin Star and it was amazeballs. It can't even compare to be honest. But, if I judge All Spice for what it is, on it's own, it's still a solid 4 stars. Amuse - strawberry (smoothie???) with creme fraiche. It was meh. I could have just done without it really. We had 4 appetizers: 1. Hamachi - crowd pleasing, refreshing, kind of reminded me of ceviche 2. Sweetbreads - crispy - the only way to have them. It was okay. Not super special. 3. Raviolo - daily special - REALLY tasty. Man, I could have eaten it as my entree... if there were two. Shortrib filling with (roasted?) green veg that was perfectly salty to complement the raviolo. 4. Ode to my wife part II - This was a great cheese starter - I'm not even a blue cheese type person, but it was sitting on a graham crust with beets and I believe grapefruit. Sounds overwhelming but it was amazing, esp with the ricotta sauce and mixed greens side salad. There were 4 people, but we ended up each ordering one of the two specials - 1. Brown butter halibut with a broccoli croquette and roasted broccolini - The halibut was a touch overcooked - just a bit dry. Unfortunate. The croquette was amazing though - just a hint of curry spices reminded me of a samosa, but oh so elegant. By this point I was already getting pretty full, so I saved my last bites for the croquette... and passed on the fist. It was okay, it's just if I could have one last bite, it would be the croquette. This was the low point in the meal for me, and it wasn't that bad... just disappointing. 2. Wagyu sirloin with leek ash crust - perfectly medium rare. I had a bite of my friend's and it was a tasty morsel. I love it when it's a perfect medium rare. I don't have much else to say about it though. Solid, but not super memorable. Desesrt - we had all four! - 1. Ice cream trio - Balsamic strawberry - pretty good, I forgot the middle one, and the third - cigar smoke vanilla. yes, you read right - CIGAR SMOKE. It was super interesting. He infused the vanilla base with cigar smoke from one of those smoking machines. It was really strange and delicious. It's not a flavor I'd go back for over and over again, but it was really memorable. 2. Chocolate k... - I forget what it's called, but it's basically a mound of chocolate ice cream that is so decadent and delicious. Forget flour-less choco molten cake, this is now my chocolate overdose of choice. Really delicious. Real chocolate flavor. 3. Creme brulee - pass on this. It' fine, just not special. 4. Olive oil choco sundae - Interesting! They have a disk of chocolate over a sundae and they pour hot olive oil over it to turn it into a fudge sauce. Interesting presentation and concept. The flavor was good. I don't think it would be a repeat, but it was a solid effort. Now what makes or breaks a restaurant - service. Our server was super nice and helpful. He wasn't quite as refined as I would have expected, but he was awesome nonetheless. Great suggestions and he was on-the-money about our fave dessert - the chocolate k... . Definitely repeat-worthy.
(4)
Sheetal P.

Def one of the best rest i have been to. Would have taken it down a noche for the "interesting" service, but the food was too good to do that. We would come back in a heartbeat. Everything we had was amazing!
(5)
Andrew S.

Interesting tasting food, small portions. Very French (cheese everywhere). What else can you say, that's what to expect from a Michelin star restaurant. Surprised they list Indian rather than French as the main category of food. Service was kind of slow yet spoke brusquely. Primary waiter's temperament wavered between short/impatient and extra-courteous. Waitstaff were a bit disorganized over who was bringing us the check and such. Atmosphere was hampered a lot by the loud party of 6-8 sitting right next to us. Nice that they gave complimentary dessert due to an extra wait for seating at the beginning. Was recommended this restaurant by a coworker who had been here several times. Definitely the type of place you'd come on rare occasions, maybe better in groups where everyone's drinking. Probably won't be forwarding the recommendation to others. Overall didn't click with us. (Feel bad writing this negativity, as the chef obviously spent a lot of time designing the dishes themselves.)
(3)
Matt H.

Tried the famous All Spice last night for the first time with a couple friends. Small, converted Victorian house which definitely contributes to the intimate atmosphere. Servers and staff were all very friendly and helpful. No compaints on ambience or service. The food was not as good as I expected it to be given the press this place receives. It was not bad in the least and I think anyone that can appreciate fine cuisine would be quite happy with this place. I just it was slightly lacking on a few fronts with the dishes we tried. I won't go into boring details on each but we sampled 3 or 4 small plates (appetizers), the Boar, lamb and bastilla entrees. I had the lamb and thought it was pleasant but not great. It just seemed like good lamb, not mind blowing. The bastilla was excellent, and I correctly identified truffle oil (I asked the server for verification) which gave it a very nice touch. I normally don't indulge in dessert but we tried the snow globe ice cream sundae. That was dazzling, truly a sensational dessert. I would definitely go back but I'll wait until the menu changes. Overall, a hearty 'thumbs up' but don't expect the best food of your life (if you're fortunate enough to have had food from some of the famous spots in the world).
(4)
K. D.

Finally...found a Michelin star rated restaurant in San Mateo. Three cheers to chef Sachin Chopra for his creative menu and par excellence preparation of dishes that we had ordered- from the appetizer "ode to my wife" to main entrees -Eucalyptus scented Lamb loin" and "slow roasted duck - to delicious Chocolate Kulfi for dessert. The ambience, host, and serving staff -all contributed to a very memorable and satisfying eating experience; location - a house with sufficient parking - was an added convenience to this delightful evening for my out of town guest and myself on this Valentine weekend. Will visit again, for sure.
(5)
Richard D.

My friend and I ate dinner here. All Spice is located in a house sitting just off El Camino. It has wood parquet floors and is beautifully decorated. The owner's wife seated us quickly in one of several cozy dinning areas. Noise level was low. This is a place that would justify dressing up. Entrees were in the $25-35 range. Food was fabulous and elegantly presented. We finished our meal and sat drinking wine and enjoying each other's company for hours without feeling rushed. This is a wonderful place to take someone special. It is well worth the money.
(5)
Geoff L.

Unfortunately only three stars in my book. This was too bad because my wife and I had been wanting to come to this restaurant for the past year. But since our son was born a year ago, we had been staying away while my wife was still breastfeeding due to his food allergies. ( we wanted to be able to eat here uninhibited and unrestricted) Anyhow, we decided that we would come here for our 9th wedding anniversary tonight. With great anticipation, I read reviews on yelp and other foodie sites, watched and rewatched Check Please, and basically salivated over pictures. We arrived tonight to a 8:15 reservation. Our hostess, whom I recognized as Shoshana Wolff stated "let me see if your table is ready, then sat us in an empty room. She gave us the menus and wine list and than scooted. Our waiter came by a few minutes later and asked if we wanted tap or bottled water. We said tap water but I wasn't sure if i should order the wine at that point since the question was not posed. So I waited. About 7-10 minutes passed before the waiter came back and asked if we were ready to order. We ordered the Wolff and father wine, passion fruit lassi, and an IPA for drinks. For food, we ordered the Ode to my wife 3, sunchoke soup, braised short rib,and wild boar. The ode to my wife was good especially the borscht was nicely flavored. The sunchoke soup however was very salty for our palate. I had asked for bread or naan when we ordered but our waiter said that my boar dish had bread with it and would come out then. So unfortunately we had nothing to cut the saltiness of the sunchoke soup. Again. This is according to our palate and we are not big fans of salty foods. Next our main course came and we jumped right in. The boar was great. Nicely cooked and the right tenderness. The bread was just oily flat bread. Unlike traditional naan. My gluten light wife asked me if the flatbread was worth trying and breaking her gluten light night but I said "no". In contrast to the nicely prepared boar, the braised short rib was fairly dry. I am not sure how you create dry short ribs cooked in a braising sauce, but this was what we got. Now, in my life i can't think of another time I have ever sent anything back, but I had been anticipating this restaurant for too long to accept a mediocre dish. I mentioned to our waiter that the dish was dry and he immediately apologized and offered to take it back. We agreed and instead ordered the sea bass. This came out 10 mins later and fortunately the boar held up and tasted fine cold when the sea bass came out. The fish was really good. It had a nice crust on the outside and was tender and juicy internally. We finished up our meal and we were presented with the dessert menu. Again, my research had me thinking that I really had to try the snow globe sundae. However at this point after dinner, I thought it was too risky based on the 50% success rate of our appetizer and dinner. We asked to pay and were presented quickly with the check. We left without any fanfare and got our own coats from the coatstand. In summary, we felt this restaurant had glimpses of really good food, but the inconsistencies of the seasoning and saltiness of some of the dishes led to a negative experience. When it comes to Asian and Asian fusion foods, there really needs to be very close attention to detail to avoid overflavoring IF you are not going to offer bread or rice with the dish. We recognize that everyone's palate is different (which I'm sure is why All spice gets such raving reviews) but some of our perceived overseasonings could have been offset with some naan, bread, or rice. Sorry for the lengthy review, but we had to share our experience with this highly regarded restaurant.
(3)
Karina M.

So good. Please take me there again. OMG.
(5)
Jason W.

Mrs. Weesner took me out for a late (not her fault) birthday dinner tonight at this neat little Indian restaurant hidden off to the side of El Camino Blvd. From El Camino, there's a driveway that leads to what looks like somebody's house behind a bunch of other stores. The place is beautifully lit and well-decorated with great wooden flooring with a Frank Lloyd Wright style inlaid pattern. SO, the food is not traditional Indian food. It's more like a global fusion of flavors from India, Thailand, maybe a bit of Peru, French, etc. My wife had the tamarind eggplant dosa which was large enough to feed two people. I'm not a huge fan of eggplant or goat cheese, so I just ate some of the dosa which was savory and very tasty. I got the roasted sea bass which was beautifully presented, but I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce which didn't seem to compliment the fish that well. I ended up not eating much of it because it was impossible to not get sauce with every bite. If I went back in future, I'd probably try the pork belly or lamb. For desert, we had a sample of three different ice creams. One was a watermelon type sorbet (yum) and the other two were more fragrant mixtures that sort of reminded me of incense for some reason! All three were actually delicious. The service was terrific and it really felt like a special place to eat where we weren't rushed at all. Our waiter even had a great sense of humor which was much appreciated when the giant dosa showed up! Even though I didn't care for my dish that much, I can appreciate the care and craft that went into making it and I'm sure there will be something I will really love on a return visit!
(4)
Areena M.

Consider it 4.5 stars. Maybe if I wasn't Indian and married to big eater, I would give it 5? Hubby was still hungry when we got home (after 3 courses). Then again, he has an appetite that puts mere mortals to shame ;-) I think my problem was that I ordered the veal cheeks vindaloo. When I think vindaloo, I have a very specific flavor in mind; this dish wasn't spicy enough and was missing something. It was tender and beautiful and a decent portion, though. I will go back, and next time I will order something that isn't traditionally Indian. This isn't an Indian restaurant. It's Indian inspired. Remember that. I will say that beet appetizer was absolutely delicious and everyone else's food looked great. We were a party of 5 and all left happy; our companions raved. Dessert was phenomenal--best kulfi on the planet! I'm thrilled they're in our neighorhood...good food, good service, good ambience, and a refreshing change for Peninsula dining. Reasonably priced for fine dining, too. Like I said, we'll be back.
(4)
Spring L.

It was okay. I must say the meat was a little dry under that sauce in my short ribs. And the sauce was a little salty. The service was A+ though! And the restaurant itself was a cozy little pointed house that made me feel like Gretel in Hansel and Gretel... too bad the house wasn't edible. I also can't get over the Ode to My Wife II appetizer... not so much that it was memorably scrumptious but more because I'm nosy and I wonder if this was meant for his second wife or simply that his first ode didn't do too well?
(3)
Sarah K.

I never noticed this quaint house on El Camino although I pass by this restaurant quite often until I went on Yelp and decided to take my clients for dinner on a Thursday night. First the ambiance: It's a beautiful, romantic home setting with a fireplace that creates an intimate feel to the restaurant. Quality of Service: The servers are extremely attentive and polite which is always a plus to a dining experience but one of the things that bothered me the most was how the busser came by our table multiples of times checking to see if we're done so he can clear the dishes. I personally like to take my time, enjoy the conversation and the dishes without being pressured to finish too fast. Another quick plus.. my client brought me wine as a gift and they offered to chill the wine and offer it to us which I really appreciated. Deliciousness: The food was not out of the ordinary but had some unique dishes that I appreciated. I had the scallops which were perfectly cooked, the hamachi was not the best I've had, but was pleasing. For the entree we had seabass, pork belly and the shortribs which made a positive conversation at the table with its unique spices and flavors. However the dessert was not something I would rave about although it had a very nice presentation. Bang for Your Buck: It was worth the tab I picked up with everything I've described.
(4)
Samantha C.

Nice cozy place with good food and excellent service. The Ode to my Wife 2 was delicious, but I'm curious about the part 1 version (w/ ice cream). The Indian Bread Fritter was good as well with a stronger flavor. The Roasted Venison was a bit too salty for me, but I really liked the risotto/grape/mushroom combo. Frilly Turbot (white fish) was good with the Kataifi-crust. For dessert: The Snowglobe with Rose flavored ice cream was delicious!
(4)
Olivia W.

I hesitate to use such cheap twitter/texting lingo as this but I absolutely have to give an OMG to All Spice!! This was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. While you can find tasty morsels at many places, this one gave them to me in tasty punches! From scrumptious sardines (which I had never enjoyed) to oxtail and wild boar stew. The Indian-esque spicing and flavors were amazing, I will go to this place every chance I can! (oh and aside from the amazing food, the staff were amazing and friendly, super helpful with wine and food recommendations)
(5)
Mansi A.

A hidden gem. Literally. Located in an old converted Victorian home, the restaurant sits back on El Camino and can be easily missed. I had been dying to try All Spice, and was lucky enough to be surprised with Valentine's Day dinner there. The menu was four-course prix fixe, so definitely a departure from the usual, more approachable menu that you'll find on the website. While the food was beautifully presented, a wide array of flavors individually represented and well put together in every dish, it was apparent that much attention had been paid to every single detail -- the food, the impeccable service, the elegantly ornate decor -- all fun to marvel at while your taste buds jumped for joy! Bonus: Chef Sachin Chopra came out to greet us after the meal, which was wonderful! I'm a huge fan of his menus at other renowned Indian restaurants in the Bay Area (Amber India, Sakoon, Mantra), and this just topped off the evening! I'm already looking forward to coming back and trying the regular menu!
(4)
Aggie Z.

My Honey took me here for our anniversary dinner on Friday. Living in San Francisco, I always hear the rage reviews for the usual restaurants--NOPA, Gary Danko's, Flour & Water... so was very excited to be taken here on a surprise date! We started off with the house special salad, which came served in a cup. It was absolutely crisp and delicious. I can't quite remember all the details in the salad but it was served in a cup. Inside the cup, there was fresh greens, pears, and other goodness topped with a house-made vinaigrette that had ginger in it. Next came the day boat seared scallops which were cooked to perfection--a bit of a firm crunch on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. The presentation was gorgeous as the plate was decorated in a beet and orange paste. For the main course, I had the wagyu beef strip steak, while my Boyfriend had the wildboar. Both were spiced to perfection. My beef strip steak was medium rare and full of flavor. Lastly, for dessert we finished off with the salted rosemary creme caramel. The rosemary and caramel flavors melted in our mouths and was the perfect finish to our wonderful meal. This adorable little restaurant in the Victorian house gave us an amazing first anniversary dinner. Service was so kind and prompt without being overbearing. My Honey and I will definitely come back!
(5)
Vi Y.

We went here for dinner last night with another couple. The dishes were very unique. They're not "Indian". It's more like Modern Californian. Rating for a 1 Michelin starred restaurant, the meal was pretty good. All the items tasted unique and well balanced. Minus one star for the dessert and ambience. For appetizers we shared the Ode to My Wife, which was good, but the veggies was so large, it was hard to get it into the mouth without messing up the lipstick. Maybe if they had chopsticks with it, I could maneuver it easier. Scallops, which actually was a bit fishy. The sweetbreads, which was good and unique and the gnocchi, which was great as soon as it came out, but went downhill after 45 seconds. For entree, we got the braised short ribs, which was tender, but not juicy. The squab, which was the special for the day, was excellent, and the Popeye, which I didn't get to try. I don't think I'd come back, but I'd recommend everyone go try it at least once.
(4)
Anna W.

Hidden away in the middle between 17th and 16th is a cute little house inside a parking lot. Pay close attention to the sign that says "All Spice". This house is converted into a restaurant and can fit more bodies than I thought. Appetizers : Ode to my wife 2 - Indian bread fritter "ma mere" Lavender and cumin scallops Pastrami cured hamachi Entrees: Slow roasted venison - tender and flavorful with an acquired taste. I never had venison before but I really enjoyed this. Roasted pork loin Short rib vindaloo Bacon wrapped lamb Everything was so good. The only problem was the portion of the lamb came out smaller than expected. The bacon was soggyish, although I already knew that. Dessert: Dark chocolate kulfi was my favorite. Rich dark chocolate melts in your mouth Ice cream trio was interesting and refreshing. even though I didn't enjoy the marinated fruits/nuts that came with it. Lemon pistachio cake- I just hope this dishes not on the menu anymore. The texture was like carpet, and tasted similar to Chinese orange peel.
(5)
Easter E.

Had been wanting to go here for a while. It's in a odd location. A house type structure that's not really visible from the main street. It's a unique building for a restaurant. You walk in, and there's this entrance area w/ a couch. We were early, but they seated us pretty quickly. It's pretty intimate. All the tables and seats are pretty close together. It definitely has a small town upscale restaurant feel. It was a late dinner and the place was packed! We had a 9 pm reservation on a Wednesday (it was the only available time!) The food we got: - a complimentary spiced cherry soup amuse bouche - ode to my wife part 2 - ricotta-almond cheesecake, beets, goat cheese mousse, crushed walnuts and lightly dressed greens - indian bread fritter - stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes and cheese, served over cumin tarbais beans - short ribs - black cod special - date sticky toffee budding w/ bourbon caramel Food was pretty good. Tasty and interesting. It's definitely Indian fusion. You see and taste hints of Indian flavor profile influence, but it's more of an undertone than an emphasis. Portions were perfect. I thought the pricing was fair. Service was good, but our main server didn't smile once. He just had this singular expression. The food runner was much more smiley. The owner came out and chatted a bit. She was very nice. Overall a good meal. It's nice to have an interesting, somewhat upscale restaurant serving unique fusion dishes in the burbs.
(4)
Cindy C.

Tiny little house tucked away on the back side of El Camino houses one of the best Indian fusion restaurant I've been to. The house, I mean restaurant, is divided into 3 separate rooms of seating, and each room is decorated nicely yet differently. I had the pleasure of sitting near a fireplace on a cold day so it was really just perfect. The food... The food is delicious. Everything is done just right. They pay attention to all the senses -- making sure the food looks amazing on the plate and tastes and smells equally amazing. I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Esha P.

We got the appetizers "an ode to my wife" and " sprouts roots" entree was perl barley pilaf and dessert was st louis butter cake. Food was good different mix of tastes. Good experience!! The decor is superb ! Very warm n cozy and romantic :)
(3)
Andres D.

Tonight, my emotions turned to spices. Specifically, All Spice in San Mateo. Perhaps the most profoundly delicious, detailed, and maniacally explosive combination of subtle and boisterous flavors one can encounter west of New York. You think I'm kidding? Chef Sachin Chopra - your "Slow roasted venison" paired with Director of Wine, Shoshana's Pinot (and later a deep Syrah) brought me to tears, laughter and joy. I whispered to my wife, "This is the most delicious dish I've...ever...had." The thought of finishing my plate deepened within me a sense of sadness and euphoria. I was (most thankfully) warmly consoled by the perfectly paired Pinot, and later, the trilogy of homemade ice cream huddled with a most pleasing coffee (french press style with a long-spout ceramic glass). As we left, the maÃ®tre d' couldn't help but say, "You are both glowing." He was right. We were absentmindedly in shock. Genuinely bursting with a delight that turned, methinks, to glow. Not bad. :)
(5)
Adrienne M.

My husband and I were so excited to come check this place out. We arrived a couple minutes after 5:30 for what we thought was our 5:30 reservation. When we walked in and told the hostess our name, she snootily said "Actually the reservation was at 5:15. We had to give your table away." Even with the confusion about the reservation time, we were only slightly more than 15 minutes late. We asked if there was any way we could wait for another table because we had driven all the way to San Mateo from the South Bay. Without even checking the computer, the hostess said "There are no tables available. I'm sorry" in a tone of voice that strongly suggested she really wasn't sorry at all. Look, I get it that if you show up late for a reservation a restaurant may have to release your table. However, her rude, condescending attitude was completely uncalled for. In addition, the restaurant was completely empty. It is a small place, but there was literally one couple dining and plenty of tables, including tables for 2, sitting open. I highly doubt our specific table was given away, because of course if we had been seated at 5:15 we would still have been dining at 5:30. When I've been in this situation before the restaurant has always tried to offer some kind of accommodation, such as asking whether you can dine quickly or be out in less than XX minutes. We are quick eaters and would have been very happy if they had said "We can seat you if you can be done in 45 minutes." Moreover, I am unclear why exactly they had to give the table away. I understand this is standard practice where there are lots of walk-ins waiting for tables and waiting for a person with a reservation who might not show up could cost them the business. However, nobody is seated here without a reservation (as the hostess made extremely clear), so as long as we can get out before the next reservation comes in they're not losing any business and they must surely build at least 15 minutes of buffer into that (although I noticed several other reviewers saying they were rushed out or asked to leave, so maybe they don't). I got the distinct impression that we were turned away not because they could truly not accommodate us, but because they have some reputation to maintain as being difficult to get into. It was our fault we were late, but it was frustrating that they made no effort to accommodate us, nor did they even pretend to be apologetic. Given how incredibly difficult their restaurant is to find, I can't imagine that people showing up a few minutes late is uncommon. In fact, if we hadn't gotten lost trying to find the place, we would have essentially been on time for the 5:15 reservation. I also find it frustrating that they could call me earlier that day to confirm the reservation but they couldn't be bothered to call us when we were a few minutes late before giving away our table. If they had called, we would have told them that we had been driving back and forth on the same stretch of El Camino looking for their restaurant. It is really disappointing, because we were looking forward to trying their supposedly amazing food. However, there are many restaurants in the bay area with outstanding food and I have no interest in patronizing a business that treats its customers this way.
(1)
Ana B.

One of those places that makes you wish Yelp had a separate rating for food and service . I also wish I didn't know it has a Michelin star, and went there without my expectations so high ....see the service didn't match the quality of the food . When I'm spending this kind of money I want an "experience" not just great food . The chef is definitely daring successfully to take "indian" flavors to another level . The food was beautifully presented , full of amazing flavors . I kept thinking, there's a lot of labor and creativity behind these dishes . Service was sloppy . Our server didn't present the food properly, and the three of us couldn't understand a word he said when he attempted to tell us about the menu additions for the night . To summarize : Incredible flavors! Service needs a lot of polishing.
(3)
Kim H.

I don't even know where to begin. When people refer to a "dining experience" they must be talking about All Spice. We started going here when they first opened. And we go back every date night, birthday, friend is in town chance we get! It truly is amazing. Enough drooling...here is the short list of my love for All Spice. Beautiful decor - Victorian house renovated 5 star service- from beginning to end Mouthwatering food Crazy amazing desserts & french press (try the ice cream trio!) Great wine list Did I mention the amazing food? Every time we go...we splurge. If your going to have a night out to remember...go to All Spice.
(5)
Jess L.

We started with a delicious scallops appetizer. My friend's beef and green papaya salad was good. My phyllo pastry filled with ricotta, mushrooms, caramelized pears, and pecans was mostly good - but it had a strong goaty taste to me, which ruined the dish since I dislike goat/lamb things. We ended the meal with two desserts. The banana pecan cakes with lychee panna cotta and pistachio brittles was rather disappointing. The pecan cake was too dense for me and I didn't like the texture of the panna cotta. The blondies with ice cream plus decaf espresso poured on top was visually very appealing, but I thought it was too busy with chocolate, coffee, blondies, and various berries. Service was great throughout the meal.
(3)
Greg M.

What sets All Spice above most other restaurants on the Peninsula is the infusion of such succulent flavors. Everything I've tried so far is delicious. Shoshana and her husband (Chief Chef) have delivered unique flavors in their delicious foods. We brought our own wine and were not charged a corkage fee. We are 3 timers at All Spice and it is always a visual pleasure to have the beautiful Shoshana visit us at our table. Under its a small world, Shoshana also is a customer at L'Salon where Gorgeous 2 works (my son). Your in for an intimate dinner and dining experience.
(5)
The Y.

Wow! Incredible, artistic food. Perfect service. Cozy, romantic setting. The highlight of our evening was an appetizer called, "Ode to my Wife", which was beats over greens with a scoop of Goat Cheese Ice Cream. Amazing. IMO, once they get the Liquor license and a Sommelier, this restaurant will be in line for a Michelin star. Easily the best dining experience my wife and I have had in years. Great place for date night.
(5)
Frances G.

A hidden gem tucked away along El Camino in San Mateo. If you missed the sign and had to take a second look, welcome to the club! However, it is worth the find. It's a quaint house that's been turned into a romantic intimate getaway. The staff were warm, friendly, and helpful. The chef's wife herself greets you as you enter the door. We had the lobster tail and Ode to my Wife part II for starters. They were a slammin' way to start a meal! The lobster tail was flavorful and succulent. Ode to my wife II was a riot of flavors: beets with ricotta cheesecake, surprisingly went well together - a party in my mouth! I also tried the passionfruit lime lassi - a wonderful non alcoholic beverage! For the main course, I had the Hamachi and Pork Belly Duet in lobster caviar broth. The hamachi was perfect in flavor and texture and i could not get enough of it specially soaked in the broth. The Pork belly was a bit disappointing in the flavor department, like it needed some salt. My partner had the Venison special and it was cooked just right - medium rare and delectable! For dessert we had the Kulfi - chocolate goodness on a whole new level!, and the Yuzu creme brulee - delightful as creme brulee can only be, although i found myself wondering if it would be better had the lime flavor been stronger. Overall, i was impressed with the atmosphere and service, as well as the brilliance of the combination of flavors :) I would definitely strongly encourage you to try this place with a close friend or intimate partner!
(5)
Alex B.

I must say I enjoy the audacity of All Spice. They do try to challenge the palate as well as the norms of fine dining. Unfortunately, All Spice is neither here nor there, and end up leaving a bad taste in one's mouth, mostly due to their missing the high bar they set. I tried the salsify and goat cheese soup with bacon panna cotta and pancetta, slow roasted venison, wild boar cooked in fennel/ginger/almonds sauce, w/ saffron flatbread and "noble elements", and the pumpkin and fresh fennel dosa. Other than the fact that the venison was uncharacteristically tender, nothing stood out - nothing really "so special" as to merit the rave reviews I receive word of mouth. Landing a reservation at All Spice is an experience nothing short of excruciating. To get a reservation at a time most people would like to dine in this area requires ingenuity which is simply not merited by the fare. This is largely the result of the artifice of limiting seating at the restaurant. All Spice thus tries to come off as a local French Laundry, but with the sad adrenaline crash of disappointment. It ranks three stars as the fare is not bad, but left to my own devices, I would prefer not to return.
(3)
Paul O.

Well worth the drive from San Fran . Pork belly , duck breast the best I have had . Service outstanding Johnny was very knowledge and professional
(5)
Split I.

Amazing, wonderful and inspired. The location is cozy and is almost like being welcomed into the home of the pair of owners. the atmosphere was relaxed and charmed. The starters were the perfect size and flavorful without being overpowering. the entrees were built upon towers of flavor with subtle nuances lingering in the bites. good portion and bursting with yum. Don't forget to save room for sweet afterwards!
(5)
Steven D.

This is one of my first reviews I've written having just returned from dining there. Let me tell you, this place is amazing. First, when you enter you are greeted by a really sweet girl (lady) who then escorts you into the 'home'. Literally, it feels like you're walking into someone's home. There's a fireplace blazing and the atmosphere is very cozy and intimate. I came here with work colleagues to celebrate the holidays (yes, another work celebration!) I will say that the service is bar-none, some of the best I've experienced; attentive and professional. While I would like to highlight all that I sampled (we did family style) I would say that the pork belly stood out the most. The coffee at the end of the meal was also strong and good. Overall, its not your typical Indian food. Its a giant step above and well worth it. I'm definitely coming back with the wife!
(5)
Eric S.

I've been a big fan of All Spice since they opened. Brought my friends and family here on several occasions. We also had our anniversary dinner here. However, our last dinner here was a big miss and I'm afraid we cannot recommend this place any more. 1. Prices have gone up: This is OK because I understand food inflation costs but quality has gone down quite materially. 2. Servings have gone much smaller - They used to serve soup in a square glass container that was poured into a beautiful soup dish by the waiter. Now the same square glass jar is poured out for 2 servings of soup in a strange jar that sits on your white plate. So in other words you get half the soup for the same price! What gives?! The salad also came out on a big plate, but only about 1/4 of the plate was the salad. I don't really understand this.... Like I said I am really disappointed as I am (was) a big fan of All Spice. I hope they read this review and go back to their old ways.
(2)
Mark D.

Zagat Food 25, just got 2013 michelin star last week. Note this place is french/california cuisine with indian influence, not the other way around! ===Appetizers=== Salsify and goat cheese soup with bacon panna cotta and pancetta (9) - about 1 cup of soup. Flavor wasn't really special imo. Exactly how you'd expect it to taste like. Note vegetarian version of this is available, they just don't put in the pancetta and bacon. Wouldn't order this again. Indian bread fitter "Ma Mere" stuffed w/ mushrooms, potato and cheese, over spicy stewed chickpeas (8) - About the size of an egg roll but slightly thinner and longer. It's pretty much like a samosa. Nothing special about it. I didn't enjoy the sauce that accompanied the chickpeas because it had a sour taste. I found that kind of strange on potato/cheese/mushroom...Wouldn't order this again. Lavender and cumin scallops w/ bacon and black cardamom potato sauce (15) - 3 sea scallops (the big ones, ~4-5in. diameter), cooked well but not perfect. Good sear and inside was succulent, but could have been more moist. The sauce was a bit wtf for me. Lavender and cumin made it feel too heavy to go with scallops, and took attention away from them. I'd recommend this, but don't have high expectations if you really like scallops. ===Entrees=== Slow roasted venison cooked medium-rare w/ Farro risotto, braised ciopollini onions, wild mushrooms and grapes (29) - 8 to 10 slices around the size of a credit card. I never had venison (deer) before, but it tastes like steak except slightly rougher texture, and slightly stronger flavor. I'm not a huge fan of steaks, so didn't really enjoy the meat. Tried a bit of the farro, which wasn't anything special. Didn't get to try the other ingredients. Wild boar cooked in fennel/ginger/almonds sauce, w/ saffron flatbread and "noble elements" (23) - the noble elements is a piece of silver on top. Didn't get to try the silver unfortunately. Flatbreads are pretty boring, though I don't like flatbread in general. I think something softer like a naan would have been better if the intention is to dip it in the curry. The sauce is like a curry btw, except with much less flavor. I would have liked to see more flavor! As for the boar, I don't know if it's because they used the less tender parts of a pig, or if it's because wild boars are supposed to be like that, but don't expect the meat to be tender, which I would have preferred. I couldn't quite discern the taste difference between boar and pork. Wouldn't get this. 5oz. butter-poached lobster tail w/ truffled shrimp mousse, celeriac puree, glazed celery, and saffron-vanilla reduction (23) - There was 3 truffled shrimp mousse, which are in the shape of circles about 3in. diameter. I don't know too much about mousse, but I was under the impression they were supposed to be somewhat creamy. This one is more like a slightly fried fish cake, except with shrimp. It was good though, reminded me of a firmer version of scallop but softer than a usual shrimp. Won't comment too much on lobster tail since it was my first time trying, but I liked it. The sauce/celery didn't add anything imo, so there's room for improvement. I'd recommend this dish over the other entrees, but wouldn't get it again because it didn't make me go wow. Pumpkin and fresh fennel dosa, crisp rice and lentil crepe w/ goat cheese and roasted garlic tomato chutney (13) - The cheapest entree that came in the biggest portion. It's the size of a full-sized tortilla, wrapped with this mush that I wouldn't have been able to figure out what was in it w/o the menu. Most discernible flavor here is sweetness from the pumpkins. The melted goat cheese also adds a nice touch. Garlic tomato chutney came on the side for you to dip it in. Also had a sweet flavor to it. Pancake has that nice slightly crisp texture to it. I wouldn't mind getting this dish again, but I'm not thrilled about it because I like to have meat in my dosa. It was the entree that stood out the most for me. Sirloin marinated in coffee, with some kind of salsa that had pomegranate under it and a chowder-like soup (30) - this was a special not on the menu so I'm not entirely sure of the ingredients. Meat was all right. Again, I'm not a huge fan of steak. The chowder that comes with the meat, and the salsa (it's not really salsa, but salsa is the closest thing I can think of) under the meat was very nice. I liked the use of pomegranate, though the seeds felt annoying to have to spit out, especially while I'm trying to chew on the steak. Would have preferred if they incorporated it in w/o the seeds. Chowder-like soup was like chowder without as much cream. If this came with another from of protein, maybe like a sea bass or something, I'd be glad to order it again. Overall, had high expectations for this place but felt letdown. Nothing in particular made me go "wow this is soooooo good." Some were outright strange, and the rest were just mediocre.
(3)
Dylan H.

I gave this restaurant a 5 for the food, but the service was great. The venue was very pleasant (good for fancy dates). The scallops were the highlight of the meal for me. The sauce alone was great, and it didn't over power fresh ocean flavor of the scallops. I ordered the wild boar. It was in a good curry (i usually don't care for curry) with lots of flavor, but it was not spicy. The boar itself was very tender. I didn't notice a unique flavor in the meat but it was good. I had the chocolate k..something. Excellent chocolate flavor, and it blendes well with fruit that comes on the plate.
(5)
Chi Y.

Actually, it is between 3.5 and 4 star.. service - 4.5 star from the hostess to waiter are all great food - 3.5 star decor - 4.5 star - classic trendy We were not that impressed as we hoped for, the food was not that great but good, We ordered whatever we heard from "Check Pleases" and highlights on Yelp..I only like the appetizer scallop and sea bass..The venison is good and quite gamy - I liked it though. The boar is kind of chewy..I like the short rib, yet my husband doesn't like it sine it is too chewy. Banana pecan raisin cake was good, yet, the dark chocolate dessert was the winner for the night.
(4)
Cherry M.

I planned on writing yelp reviews in chronological order, which puts me a week behind. But after having the perfect dinner at All Spice 5 hours ago, I cannot wait to suggest it to everyone. It's flawless, it's beyond good, it's one of a kind. My boyfriend and I agreed that we had not seen such a strong menu in a long time. So beautifully composed. Every dish had its "perk", which made our decisions extremely difficult. After I carefully went over every single word on that piece of paper, our friendly waiter listed the specials. Okay...now you really have to give us some time :P Here's our final picture: Appetizer special - Popeye's Dream: spinach souffle with paneer and roasted red peppers (The idea is just adorable: my favorite Indian ingredient paneer and traditional Indian spices being served with my childhood memories. I felt as strong as Popeye after licking the last bit of spinach off the spoon :D) Lavender and cumin scallops with bacon and black cardamom potato sauce (Recommended by our waiter as the most popular appetizer. It was the best deal I've ever gotten on a restaurant scallop dish (3 jumbo size scallops cooked to perfection), and the unique flavor definitely made it into top 3 of my dining experience on scallops.) Ode to My Wife, Part II: Savory ricotta cheesecake layered with red and golden beets in a sundried tomato almond crust (It was so beautiful and I instantly wanted to recreate it at home when it showed up on our table. I love beets, I love ricotta, yet the crust definitely made the dish.) My entree: Butter-poached lobster tail with truffled shrimp mousse, celeriac puree, glazed celery and a saffron-vanilla reduction (Just like the scallops, its serving size made me happy. Flavor wise, there's no need to elaborate too much. Truffle + saffron, just the right amount to be elegant: it does not get much better than that.) His entree: Slow roasted venison: Farro risotto, braised ciopollini onion, wild mushrooms and grapes (Here comes the "home run". We could tell that so much heart was put into every component on the plate, those simple seasonal ingredient that framed the beautiful venison.) Dessert: ice cream trio with fruit and nut compote (I never order ice cream at dinner, but the flavors sold me. Yuzu basil, corn and passion fruit. And yes, they tasted as amazing as they sound.) It's 1:30 in the morning and I'm still not over the yummy dinner, but that's not the only reason I love All Spice. From the moment we walked in, the staff made me feel very welcomed and at ease. Maybe it's because of the cozy house-style (like the amazing French Laundry), I just have never been to a restaurant where everyone from the host to the kitchen staff seems so candidly happy. It won't be long before we go back :D
(5)
Rohit C.

Amazing Amazing Amazing. The food, the ambiance, the service, all were top notch. I took my wife here on her birthday, and they definitely made it special. We both loved everything we ordered and will definitely be going back. Whether you are a food snob and are looking for good, sophisticated gourmet fusion food or just looking to have a great time with family and friends, this is the place to checkout. It is a Michelin star restaurant with reasonable prices.
(5)
Andrew K.

A lot of things to like about All Spice. The decor was charming (cute little house, a la Chez TJ) and the service was great. I also loved our starter, the hamachi. So many awesome flavors that complimented each other beautifully. The entrees were where All Spice missed the mark, in my opinion. The Pigs Under a Blanket dish had good flavor, but the pork was way too dry. Gf and I basically had to scrape off every last bit of sauce to make the meat less dry. The Aab-e-gosht curry was good, but nothing extraordinary. "Traditional" is a good way to phrase it (and the menu indeed describes it as "Wild boar cooked in the traditional fashion"); Presentation was good (yay edible silver flakes?) but for a Michelin starred restaurant and a $24 curry, I was hoping for something a little more "wow." Overall, somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, and I'd be tempted to come back to try more starters and the highly touted venison.
(3)
Sf F.

Totally agree with the other 2 and 3 star reviews. I don't know how this restaurant got a Michelin star or the 4-5 star yelp reviews. The spice and taste of all the dishes were not great. Even the amuse bouche gelee was not good at all. Wild boar curry was dry (Curry up now is even better); veal cheeks had a strange taste and kale was too salty ; octopus starter was cold and did not taste fresh. To the waitress' credit she did offer to bring us something else or comp the dessert but we just wanted to leave. Maybe we did not order the right dishes,but we won't be back again. Totally disappointed.
(2)
Anirvan C.

I went to All Spice with my wife for our anniversary, and I left very confused: the items we paid for were unimpressive, while the complementary items were excellent. (As was the service.) Befuddled? So was I. We started with the complementary amuse bouche, lemon verbena jelly with white nectarine. I loved the vanilla tang, but my wife thought the jelly had a soapy essence. (I didn't get that.) As an appetizer, we ordered an Ode to My Wife Part Two, a beet salad on what looked like a sundried tomato cracker, with greens on the side. Both my wife and I thought it was bland. (For what it's worth, i liked the beets and my wife liked the salad dressing.) Then on to entrees. I'm a vegetarian, and ordered one of my 3 choices, the purple potato gnocchi, which was reasonable, but not very special. My wife, the omnivore and foodie in the family, ordered the short rib vindaloo. The meat was very well cooked, and the goat cheese was nice, but it wasn't terribly flavorful; vindaloo is typically spicy, but this lacked any heat. The molten goat cheese might have worked much better as a complement to a spicier dish. Neither of us were unhappy, but the food was just about average. What I neglected to mention was that the service was excellent, and I felt very well taken care of. We were given a complementary dessert to help us celebrate our anniversary, corn ice cream with a fruit compote. It was delicious. I'm not a huge fan of corn, but it worked so well with the compote. We loved the people, presentation, and concept, and we really wanted to like the food, but none of the items we paid for (the appetizer or entrees) struck us as very special. Expectations too high? All I know is that we may not go back.
(3)
Ryan K.

Fantastic meal. Outstanding presentation. Lovely formal and quiet setting in an obscure location. Works for romantic or business. A little pricey but well worth it in terms of value.
(4)
Douggles L.

finally made it to a michelin starred restaurant. the flavors, presentation, and experience were all i imagined. can't believe how affordable it is ... come here for sure -- you won't be sorry.
(4)
Alyssa Z.

Expensive for a small portion. I recommend the Bacon-wrapped Rack of Lamb. The "Coq au Vin" was okay, but their chicken was definitely not as good as their lamb. Yummy bread. Setting.. hidden in a little Victorian house! how cute. Small and fancy dining. Good for dates. Oh, when you walk in they ask you if you've made a reservation. Friendly staff. I am pleased.
(4)
Julie H.

I've been to many different kinds of restaurants and have tried many types of cuisines, but I have to say All Spice has been the BEST overall dining experience I've had thus far! The restaurant was recommended to my boyfriend by one of his colleagues and we had been meaning to try it out much earlier but we wanted to wait for a special occasion to have dinner there. While the restaurant does say it serves Indian cuisine, it is definitely not the traditional Indian dishes you would expect. In fact, I'm no even quite sure how much Indian influence is in the dishes, but to be honest, I didn't care because the food was so delicious! We finally made dinner reservations two weeks ago and as we reached the restaurant, I was taken aback by how warm and cozy it looked and felt already from the outside (the restaurant looks like a small Victorian home). The inside was just as inviting. Because the restaurant was in a house, we were quite close to other diners but the noise actually wasn't much of an issue. Our server was great and was very knowledgeable about the menu and specials. We decided to start out with the lavender and cumin scallop appetizer followed by the slow cooked venison and the ahi tuna special of the day and finished with the dark chocolate kulfi. The food was absolutely delicious! We were actually given a small glass of cauliflower soup to start with, compliments of the chef. It was creamy and perhaps just a tad bit salty for my taste but it was still delicious. The scallops came soon afterwards and they were perfectly cooked. I could taste the lavender in the scallops but it was not overpowering. My boyfriend had the venison which was served over a wild-mushroom risotto while I had the ahi tuna special of the day. The venison was so tender and the risotto and wild-mushrooms went perfectly with it. I'm usually nervous about ordering fish at restaurants because fish could be overcooked so easily, but my tuna steaks were seared just right with a bit of rawness still in the middle. It came with two shrimp-stuffed squids and the tuna was also placed on top of a bed of risotto. There was a lemon zest flavoring to it, but it was very subtle and did the trick in giving the fish a very fresh taste. Each entree was plated beautifully and the portions were PERFECT! We finished everything on the plate and still had room for dessert. We were curious to know what the kulfi dessert was and asked the hostesss. She explained it was like chocolate fudge and was her favorite of the desserts so we decided to go with that. The dessert was also plated beautifully and it came out as a mound of this thick, chilled (but not frozen) dark chocolate fudge with raspberries on the side. The dark chocolate was not too bitter nor too sweet. It was one of the best desserts I've had so far. In the end, our bill was only a bit under $100 but for the entire experience, we both felt it was definitely worth it. I'm usually happy with restaurants as long as the food tasted good, but All Spice hit so many extra points. Not only was the food delicious, but the portions were spot on, the restaurant interior was beautiful and romantic, and the servers were extremely attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kristine T.

Oh my goodness, what an wonderful dining experience. We were running very late (almost 30 mins.) for our 7:45 reservation on a Sunday but when we arrived they graciously welcomed us in. Everything was truly immaculate. The service was polished, our server was warm, welcoming and very attentive. The dishes all had the most amazing flavors, textures and such a beautiful presentation. I could go through dish by dish but let's just suffice to say, all the reviews are spot on. Everything is amazing. Though I have to say, I am still savoring the flavors of my fritter starter (stewed chickpeas like you've never had them before) and my shortrib dish (bokchoy - what an amazing compliment to the textures and flavors of the meat!).....I'm actually looking through my calendar as I write this to plan the next date I can dine there. My only comments, which are EXTREMELY minimal, is when the waiter recommended I order a side or rice or indian bread to accompany my shortribs (due to the richness of the dish) I will opt for the rice next time so I can savor the sauce even more. Also, the bread pudding dessert had wonderful flavors but I was hoping for more of wetness to the dish, maybe a nice warmed sauce atop to really bring out the flavors. We brought our own wine which worked out very well, but after reading Shoshana's biography I am very excited to return once they have their liquor license to see what she puts on their wine list. I completely echo all other Yelpers - get here while you can! They are guaranteed to fill up on reservations very, very soon.
(5)
James D.

This place is fantastic. My wife is Indian, I am san fransiscan. The food and decor/atmosphere fit us perfectly. The food is fantastic and owner charming. Yummy.
(5)
Eva C.

Wow! Went there recently for a friend's birthday and had a great time. Loved the huge crepe, ambience and service. Would love to go again.
(5)
Dale B.

We have been to All Spice several times,. Sat. night was the latest. Like it a lots...really good food and Super service.
(4)
Manisha S.

Went with a group of 8 on a Friday night for dinner. Service was excellent from the moment we sat. Loved the ambiance as well. Under the apps, I tried the chaat and the soup, both were excellent - especially the corn soup wow! For my entree, I had the paneer - also just amazingly delicious. Presentation was wonderful. Would love to go again soon!
(5)
Crystal B.

We were just turned away, at 8 pm on a Saturday when you could clearly see 4 open tables. Nobody waiting and apparently it's not casual attire (as they note in Yelp listing) with the looks we just received from waiter and hostess. We weren't dressed badly either. Bad business ethics! Will never go back! Would give no stars if possible.
(1)
Lil A.

Delicious! We had the scallops and octopus special. Both were really good. Venison was tender and juicy. Veal cheeks melts in your mouth. Will definitely come back! Very cute atmosphere.
(4)
Steven C.

Amazingly good Indian fusion cuisine in an intimate, exquisitely decorated environment, and exceptional service. Forget that stuffy place on Ellesworth; this is possibly the premier dining destination in San Mateo.
(5)
C M.

Food was excellent! Beautifully prepared, flavorful, unique. Major highlights: chick pea "pasta", fritter, chaat, and the chocolate "kulfi" dessert. Pumpkin dosa was good, but not as good as the aforementioned GREAT dishes. The restaurant is in a cute old house, set back from El Camino. The service is not up to par with the food. There was one server and one hostess for a full restaurant. Three busboys too, but they needed a bit more training. Dishes came before we had the next set of utensils, or plates were slow to be cleared. Not a big deal though because the food was really good. I'll be back when the spring menu comes out. Open 14 weeks now but no liquor license yet. Decor doesn't live up to the food either by the way, but who cares when the food is this good.
(4)
Favi R.

Very charming restaurant in a Victorian home hidden off of El Camino. I visited the restuarant on a Friday evening. Service was great. Very attentive and didn't bother us all too much. Food was well, just good.....not bad not awesome either. The homemade ice cream was the best thing on their menu! Please do order!
(4)
Lisa C.

Lovely setting in a house .... each dish was unique and beautifully presented. Taste wasn't as special as the description (my lavender scallop was way too salty). That said ingredients were top notch. Service was attentive.
(4)
Tuhin V.

Absolutely Amazing, I would recommend it to everyone. The menu changes based on season so please check before you go but believe me whatever you get is going to be off the charts. It's a bit expensive so please be aware of that, but you get what you pay for. Probably one of the best restaurants I've eaten at ... period.
(5)
Mike G.

My wife and I dined here for our 25th anniversary, and it was worthy of the special occasion. The service was excellent, starting with our greeting at the door through the meal and finally to our waiter walking us out personally. The food suggests that the Michelin star will be forthcoming, we had the Star Anise and Fennel Confit Chicken Wings, subtle and delicious. The Ode to My Wife Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, which is the only way to put the words Wife and Beet adjacent to each other and make it a good thing, was perfect with the lettuce hand-picked from the garden outside. Entrees were Bacon Wrapped Rack of Lamb and the Coconut Pork Belly, each rich and flavorful and unique. The setting in the private home atmosphere was a nice departure from more crowded venues. The menu was fairly specific, so this isn't a place you could come back to every month, but they change it seasonally so make it a seasonal affair. All in all, a true experience and one worth repeating.
(5)
John K.

Amazing, innovative food from their winter menu as cited in the reviews below. Great service, fairly quiet atmosphere. Go while it's still affordable and unknown. Thanks for a great dinner--you'll be seeing us many more times.
(5)
Erika R.

for all the 5 star reviews, i think this place was WAAAY too hyped. it's true, this place was a little tricky to find, tucked in an alley behind businesses. this was my first time trying any type of indian food. from my experience: -i felt that the room we were seated in was crowded enough to hear other peoples conversations -i was confused to why our waiter told us about the unlisted special entree AFTER we placed our orders -i felt like i couldn't really enjoy my meal because i was checked on frequently (if that makes sense), i.e.: server asked me how i liked the wine before i even sipped it food: -complimentary: the chef provided an amuse bouche, really creamy and had (what i thought) hints of cinnamon-- i thought it was ok -for an appetizer, we had the ode to my wife, part II, which i enjoyed. it was like creamy (goat cheese) and fresh at the same time. it looked like a mini layered cake. -entree: i ordered the coconut pork belly. the meat itself was really tender, but as for flavor i thought it was more bland and tasted a lot like peanut instead of coconut. i didn't get to finish it, the meat portion seemed generous which came with rice. drinks: -i had the opportunity to sample the passion fruit-mint lassi. to me it tasted like a mango smoothie, it was a mixture of passion fruit and mint leaves with yogurt. -i ended up opting for the 09 riesling overall: -i didn't think it was worth the drive from san jose.
(3)
Kathy L.

Good food is more than just taste. There are other dimensions like aroma, texture, and temperature. They interact to give you the food experience, which is hopefully balanced and pleasant. By these counts, All Spice delivers. I do not usually enjoy fusion cuisine because it is frequently executed inadequately. This new restaurant, on the other hand, serves unmistakenably Indian flavors in the form of Californian fusion blended with the sophistication of these two cultures. Many restaurants takes weeks if not longer to iron out wrinkles and kinks. Not this one. We visited on the first day but everything from food and service down to atmosphere and bathroom was hard to criticize.
(5)
Emily R.

Best dining experience I've had in ages. The food was cleverly arranged, and tasted better than can be imagined. The service was spectacular. This is a top-notch place, but the people there do an excellent job of making the guests feel at home, and comfortable. There's plenty of parking, which is a huge bonus in downtown San Mateo. If I had to eat at only one restaurant in San Mateo for the rest of my life, I would gladly choose All Spice.
(5)
Manjiv V.

My wife and I went to All Spice for "date night." We had heard that they didn't have a liquor license, so we stopped in at a bar for a pre-dinner cocktail, but were pleasantly surprised to see that the liquor license had come through and they now serve beer and wine! The overall experience was great. We had the scallops (very good!) and the Faro chaat (absolutely outstanding!) for starters and shared the beef short ribs vindaloo for the entree. The entree could have been more spicy (we kind of assumed that with "vindaloo"), but was excellently prepared and presented. We had the walnut and date pudding for dessert, which was just the right amount and well-complimented with ice cream. They've only been open since November 2010, and I'm very impressed with what they've accomplished. I hope they develop a good cocktail menu (all sorts of great beverages go well with the wide variety of flavors they serve)! We highly recommend the place!
(4)
Helen C.

The food was delicious. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because I wished the food was more Indian. True, this is considered a fusion restaurant. However, I had hoped that I'd have Indian dishes with a Western twist, as opposed to Western dishes with an Indian twist. But that's just me. I came here with my husband and another couple. We shared the lavender cumin scallops and kanpachi crudo for appetizers. The scallops were delicious and very well prepared (read: tender and not rubbery from over-cooking!). My biggest complaint was I barely tasted the cumin and didn't get any sense of the lavender in the aromas. The kanpachi was very, very fresh! For the main course, we had: 1) Shortrib vindaloo: the vindaloo sauce was spicy, but not too spicy where you can't eat anymore without crying. The sauce was also very flavorful, full of Indian spices and very rich. I'd recommend getting this, since you'd never be able to get beef with Indian flavors at other Indian restaurants (cows=holy). The beef was very tender, not chewy or stringy at all. 2) Seabass: the saffron sauce was delicious! It was so light and flavorful at the same time! Many times you'd get food with saffron but barely taste that floral saffron flavor. Well, this dish does the saffron justice! The fish was cooked just right: soft, tender, and juicy. 3) Lobster: very interesting vanilla flavor in that vanilla butter sauce! I only got to taste a bite (the other couple ordered this), but from that one bite I really appreciated the interesting flavors. 4) Pork tenderloin with foie gras sauce: the sauce was delicious but I only got a SMALL hint of the foie flavor. The tenderloin was well-prepared (common theme for this restaurant: well-prepared meats and seafood that's juicy, tender, and moist). This was the least appealing dish. Saving grace was just that at least the meat was tender and juicy. All in all, we had a good experience and I'd come back again (well, I'm for sure coming back since my mother-in-law requested this place for her next birthday dinner!) Only recommendation for the chef is to make sure the outside fusion influences don't drown out the Indian flavors!
(4)
Scott D.

Had dinner at All Spice on Saturday with my wife and came away very impressed. You can tell a restaurant is going to be good if everything on the menu looks great and you can't decide what to order. For appetizers we went with the Ma Mere and the Roasted Sunchoke Soup. For our entrees we had the Aab-E-Gosht (a wild boar dish) and the lamb remoulade special. Both were delicious and the portion sizes were just right. My wife and I left feeling very satisfied. We will definitely be going back. This place lives up to its Yelp reviews.
(4)
Hera M.

Love this place in a homey environment. Food and services are excellent! The Roasted Venison was just right. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Chris B.

All I can say is that this place is mouth watering amazing! I came here with 3 vegetarians, 2 of which are raw foodies and we all left satisfied, full and content! The best lamb (other than my father's ) has been served here, quite succulent, falls right off the bone! Gosh dang, I'm getting myself all worked up thinkning about Indian food here!~
(5)
Brenton S.

I only write about 5-stars. I give All Spice five in hopes that it will become as great as seems possible. It's predecessors in this location -- The Old House, and Chef John Sears' dining club -- are tough acts to follow. While never properly appreciated and all too easy to overlook, there is something about this place that brings out the best in creative chefs. All Spice offers a more marketable and compelling menu. The "old house" has never looked better, with the bright iridescent colors making each room come alive. But more interesting is the menu, which blends new takes on Indian favorites with imaginative interpretations of other mostly Asian dishes, all with the eye for detail of a top-notch Continental restaurant. Add to that the warmth of the service and you have the makings of a very special place. Our only complaint was about the noisy behavior of some of the patrons. We will return again and again, I'm sure.
(5)
Danica S.

Delicious! My husband and I just returned from dinner at this little gem. I have to say that since we moved here last year we have noticed that there is a huge lack of good restaurants in San Mateo. We were excited to discover this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try. It's a beautiful little restaurant with very unique decor and vibrant colors. The food was excellent. We started with a soup with fresh veggies and lentil dumplings...so tasty, we were practically licking the bowl. My husband got short rib vindaloo and I got lamb for our mains. Both delish- perfect amounts of food and the meat was extremely tender. All the flavors were very unique and interesting. We got the creme brulee and trio of ice creams for dessert. Again, excellent. Also, the service was great. Everyone was very attentive and nice. We will definitely be back here. We were excited that something so tasty finally came to San Mateo!
(5)
sushilover P.

Really cute setting ( old victorian houses have me expecting french or american cuisine). The Soup was super surprising in the way that the squash was crunchy and added great texture. The food is indeed rich but im not sure how one could complain about that. Bottom line really fantastic place - very romantic and tasty food. I hope they do very well
(5)
Shankar K.

We have been going here since it opened. There is no such restaurant in the Bay Area. Indian fusion with classic touch of spices. Simply amazing. We go there all the time celebrating special occassions - Anniversaries, Birthdays (Friends & Families). We have been here with so many different people, but I have yet to hear a single complaint. Sachin in the kitachen and Shoshana as a hostess made sure we had a pleasant dining expereience. It is not a big place, so make sure you have reservation. There wine list is decent, but we always carried our own bottles. Cotkage is not exensive at all. Overall, you will not get disappointed.
(5)
Jamie L.

Delicious food, delightfully intelligent and pleasant service, cozy-yet-classy atmosphere. I loved it here and will absolutely come back. We loved the bubble rose wine. It took me a couple minutes to find the place as it's set back in from the street in an adorable converted home.
(5)
Anca S.

My husband and I had dinner here this past Saturday. I definitely recommend making a reservation. I am not a big fan of Indian spices but my husband loves them. I must say there is a big French, American influence with maybe few Indian spices but nothing else.. Don't be nervous. Our waiter seemed a little rushed and I think that's the only observation that I believe the management need to work on. We had the hamachi and scallops appetizers- both were great. My husband had the venison and I was considering the bass or short ribs. I decided to be adventures and went for with the short ribs, because the bass was a safe choice.. It was phenomenal! Oh and the decor and atmosphere is very cute.
(4)
Jon F.

Tucked away, behind the hustle and bustle of El Camino lies a small Victorian home that has seen just about as many makeovers as America's Next Top Model. From French to Soul food. . . to now, Indian fusion, I have yet to have a bad experience in this little chateau. It's latest flavor, All Spice, is a fresh, seamless integration of contemporary and classic. For starters, I selected the "Ode to My Wife" - a salad comprised of an assortment of beats, assorted greens, and get this... topped with goat cheese ice cream. The idea took me back a little at first, but as a whole, it worked. Goat cheese always seems to go really well with beats n' greens. The one turn-off was the melted ice cream on the lettuce, but I suppose that sort of comes with the territory. In sum - NOT your everyday salad: refreshing sweetness, and a savory soy reduction drizzled over the plate, which paired surprisingly well. Next came a complimentary spinach puff for everyone at the table. Like a warm and soft spinach falafel with a hint of heat. Amazing. This was my first dosa experience, but, having said this, it was excellent (eggplant dosa served with a tomato mint purÃ©e). Will be back for the seasonal pumpkin dosa (if not sooner). Lamb "Sona Chandi". Wow. Excellent, tender and earthy game. Perfectly spiced, and garnished with "noble elements" Chocolate Kulfi. Everyone at the table was in agreement that this frozen mouse was incredible - with all of the richness and creaminess of traditional chocolate mouse. Notable: the lamb entree and chocolate dessert had edible silver topping (listed on the menu as "noble elements"). Uniquely aesthetic and apparently gives the consumer an energy boost. =) All Spice is about as eclectic as it gets.
(5)
Guy A.

Went to All Spice with close friends, very seasoned foodies. Busy place, could only get a 5:40 reservation, totally ok. Just indicating that All Spice is in demand, do book early or go during a week day. So we get there, greeted and almost immediately seated...in a freezing room. I would say 60-62F, not good. The place is what looks like a small home converted, sort of South Asian colors on the walls, interesting but cool. Service was pro-quality but the accent was a bit much and I have been around Latin American accents for 50 years, but his one was hard work. Quickly the room warmed up, and we were able to stop talking about how we should have dressed in warmer clothes and started actually enjoying the food. The food was wonderful, very nicely presented, timing and pace of course presentation was perfect. Then, suddenly, the temperature of the room dropped again but we were about to leave. Off to our warm car. I recommend All Spice, and I am sure you will be warm.
(3)
Nicholas B.

All Spice is a fresh and wonderful dinning experience. They only have room for 31 people, so call them now and place a reservation. The drinks were awesome. They didn't have alcohol probably because California likes to take its time issuing liquor licences. Honestly All Spice didn't need alcohol. In my opinion All Spice doesn't need alcohol or a pretentious wine list. Unlike most "upscale establishments", All Spice has great tasting food, elegant dishes, quality service, and a cozy location. Their simple and easy menu doesn't need to be cluttered with booze. Great establishments like All Spice don't need a wine list, they stand tall on their own two legs because they already have the fundamentals of a wonderful dinning experience. You don't need booze to enjoy All Spice, but you probably need a reservation, you called them already right? My sweetheart and I had the Chicken Wings for an appetizer. It was plenty spicy and the meat fell right off the bone. I had a passion fruit mint lassi, and she had the cider. She liked my mint lassi so much, she ordered one for herself. She had the shortribs, and she became so infatuated with the dish that she forgot her mint lassi. I had the pork belly, it was so good I cleaned my plate hunting for any morsel I may have missed. We were full but we were so impressed by our entrÃ©es that we soldiered on to dessert. Our dessert was the special, a chocolate raspberry tarte. We fell in love with the dish and consumed it before the waiter had a chance to check up on us. Despite my full stomach, I regret not ordering a second tarte. We had a press on coffee, which was just right. I'm sure some customers would want stronger coffee, but if they want weaker brew: deal with it. The service was almost too attentive. I coughed and two waiters and the owner checked up on us, each within one minute of the last. Our water glasses were rarely empty. Our plates cleared right when we wanted them gone. They were always good and helpful hosts. Bill was ~95 bucks after tip and taxes. You get what you pay for. My only gripe is that All Spice is small, but its not a problem as long as you call ahead and make a reservation, something you should do right now if you haven't already.
(5)
Laina W.

Exquisite food, beautiful decor, gracious service. For appetizers I had a tasty butternut squash soup, and my husband had the creative and delicious ahi tuna. For entrees, my husband had the bacon-wrapped lamb chops with chili sauce, which had a perfect spiciness. I had the sturgeon with sourdough crumb crust and spicy hummus. The fish was fantastic - cooked just right and the spices were a perfect compliment. Dessert was intriguing - I had to order the trio of ice cream because I couldn't resist trying a black pepper ice cream - a little spicy, a little sweet, plenty of depth and subtlety. The chili mango challah bread pudding that my husband had was an absolute winner! Everything came out beautifully plated, little edible works of art to complement the tasteful, vibrant interior of the restaurant. Opening night, but we'll be back and bring our friends.
(5)
Katie W.

Visiting CA and friend who lives here wanted to try this place. Everything we had--sampled several apps and 2 entrees--was fantastic. Paneer entree out of this world, and chocolate kulfi for dessert highly recommend. Owner Shoshana (sp?)could not have been more gracious host. If I lived in The area I'd be a regular.
(5)
JJ B.

I really, really love this place. It's our special occasion spot -- and what makes it even better is that I don't have to trek to the city to enjoy it! Reservations are needed. The ambiance is cozy and romantic. I love the feeling you get walking in and settling in your seat. It's beautifully decorated. The wine by the glass list is also really good -- so it allows us to try a bunch of really good wines, rather than getting a bottle or settling wines by the glass that are second rate. Pours are generous. As for the food. Wonderful, inventive, unique. I think the portions are healthy for a fine dining establishment. Flavors are simply wonderful. My favorite starter is their scallops - this is a must. I usually have one of their boar dishes and it's amazing. I really recommend this place. The food is on the rich side - but it's very flavorful. I definitely enjoy this spot as one of my go to special occasion places.
(5)
Adam B.

Based on the reviews I was expecting better. My scallop appetizer was excellent but the seabass was good but got boring quick. The ice cream flavors were a bit too crazy for me and I would have preferred basic vanilla to bacon flavored although I appreciate the uniqueness.
(4)
Lee K.

Went for the first time with family for a birthday dinner and was quite impressed with the beet salad with goat cheese ice cream, seabass, and various desserts that we shared (creme brulee and ice cream trio). The food is very good as is the service (very friendly and accommodating). I did find the food to be a bit on the heavy side which made it difficult for us get through our desserts... but all in all a really nice experience.
(4)
Jeff L.

WOW! Five other work associates and I met here for dinner on a Thursday night. (Reservations of course). My navigation got me close, but I missed it the first pass. Very nice decor. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Beer and Wine only. Three appetizers were ordered for the table: Star Anise and Fennel Confit Chicken Wings (Awesome!) Lavender and Cumin Scallops (Awesome!) Coriander Hamachi Crudo (Awesome!) I ordered the Mustard-Dill Seabass (Awesome!) An order of Lavender Rice was ordered for the table (Awesome!). For desert I had the Balsamic blackberry brulÃ¨e (Awesome!). Different texture than most brulee's I have had, but in a very good way. Awesome to me means that each flavor described on the menu for EVERY item came through. Each flavor had purpose and intent. In addition, it was cooked correctly. My only negative was that the room we were seated in has two large tables.The other table was very loud and I had a hard time hearing the others at the far end of our table. I think everyone at the other end of the table thought I was glaring at them because I had to try to listen so hard ;-) It would be a great place to bring your significant other as the other room I saw had several two seaters where conversation is a little more private. I would drive all the way from Pleasanton, and across the San Mateo bridge during rush hour again to eat here...and we ALL hate driving in rush hour anywhere. Thank you Sachin and your staff for an excellent experience!! p.s. They do not accept AMEX
(5)
Daniel K.

Excellent food. Wonderful take on modern Indian. Not too expensive either. Loved the scallops, short rib, eggplant, and chocolate dessert.
(5)
Conny L.

Wow - All Spice is an incredible place. It has a wonderful atmosphere, there are three living-room sized rooms that feel like fancy, yet comfy, dining rooms. We were greeted by a very friendly staff that treated us great, even though we were clearly underdressed (There were plenty of people in formal evening attire, we arrived in t-shirts... next time we know better.). We were seated in the first room just next to the romantic fireplace. All items on the menu sounded fantastic, and the waiters assisted us in making a decision. We ordered the Indian Bread Fritter "Ma Mere" and Creamy Rutabaga Soup for starters, as well as Hara Kebab (Spinach dumplings) and Shortrib Vindaloo as entrees. We were positively surprised by the complimentary Amuse Bouche, a carrot-pumpkin soup. This first treat was already incredibly good. When the main courses arrived, the perfect presentation and wonderful smell whet our appetite. And when we tried it we fully understood the high scores in Yelp. All ingredients were fresh and of great quality. The chef is not afraid to use many different spices that nicely complemented each other. He is successfully creating amazing food with different textures and tastes. For dessert, we ordered the warm date and walnut cake and the dessert special of this week: rosemary cake with ice-cream, dark chocolate and poured hot olive oil. The special shows the creativity of the chef. I did not know what to expect from this combination, and whether it would work as a dessert. It absolutely did! I think All Spice should incorporate this dessert in their menu, it was so good - I would order it again anytime! The place is perfect to come here with a date for a romantic dinner, the setting is even perfect for a marriage proposal. Very classy, romantic and intimate. Make sure to have reservations (we reserved our table an hour before on Yelp), and dress up when you come here. I'm sure you'll fall in love with the beautiful ambiance and the fantastic food.
(5)
Maggie B.

I've eaten here twice now and have been impressed both times by the quality of the food and the excellent service. The menu is not extensive, but the food is flavorful and really unique. I love the living room atmosphere and lovely decor. Great place for a romantic dinner!
(4)
Norbert D.

I tried this place out and was unimpressed. In short, the decor/style of the restaurant is way too formal for the area, and the food was average at best. The service was good at the time.
(2)
Derek S.

Very nice atmosphere and food presentation was excellent. Food is innovative, but not to my taste. The menu is very unique but there were no traditional Indian dishes on the menu. Also, there was only two vegetarian choices.
(2)
JP F.

Really just excellent, cute, quaint, surprising.
(5)
C S.

We moved out of San Mateo and what do I miss most - my friends and ALL SPICE! Although the location doesn't scream fine dinning the restaurant and the food sure do. If you can get a reservation here take it!
(5)
S R.

Read the review on Yelp and went there. Was as good as the reviews indicated. Truly a gem and a fantastic find. Ambience & appearance: Very quaint from the outside. It is actually a house and I spent quite a bit of time driving around the block as there is no flashy sign indicating that this is the restaurant. I finally parked my car on the road and walked around to find that the house I'd been circling was indeed the restaurant. On the inside, again it is very much like a home and the ambience is truly special and one of a kind. Though they serve Indian food (sort of) the ambience and atmosphere was more like a fine dining french restaurant. People inside seemed more like artsy people than the typical crowd you'd find looking for spicy Indian food Service : Fantastic!! I did not have reservations and the front desk lady was polite enough to indicate that while she was booked out she could accomodate me if I could finish up in 45 mins. I agreed and I was pampered from the very beginning. Their servers were very attentive, polite and on top of everything. I am very impressed . Food & taste: Fantastic. I ordered the lamb and it was cooked to perfection. The flavors were perfect and the presentation was great. The portion size was good enough for me though some might complain that it is too small. I liked this place a lot and will be back again - just remember to make reservations in the future...
(5)
Jay S.

This is a gem. Came here on a thurs nite and it was jammed packed. This is not your typical Indian restaurant. They use the same spices as Indian dishes but it more like an Asian Fusion with an American flare to it. The dishes are not large, but perfectly done. The short ribs vindaloo were delicious. I was not hungry, but it was so good that I just keep eating and eating. The seabass was perfectly made. It just melts in your mouth. Yum. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Vidya R.

We had been wanting to try this place for a while and went this weekend for dinner with my parents. Most of the folks at the table were Indian, so going to Indian fusion is tricky. Things can just taste like watered down versions of the original, but we had high hopes due to the reviews. First the good- The place is charming, parking is easy, and getting a reservation is easy. Appetizers were pretty good as well. We had the hamachi, fritter and dosa to start. And, the wine list is quite reasonable. Also, dessert was pretty good. Now the bad- The service was very very intrusive. Several interruptions to conversation for meaningless questions. And, they tried to clear food while people were still chewing and plates still had food on them. At one point, the waiter came and literally asked each person at the table "Did you enjoy your meal." Most of us politely nodded, but one person, finally said "No, I did not." The waiter then just walked away. No follow through on it. Not sure if he even heard it. If you are going to insist on interrupting my meal and asking how it was, you might want to take some time and listen to the feedback when offered. Food- the mains were pretty disappointing. Way too much cloves in something which wreaks havoc on digestive systems. Lamb curry dish was barely eaten. Sea Bass was decent. Chicken/Duck kebab was just ok. All in all, no reason to go back. Sad as we had really been looking forward to it.
(2)
Caroline D.

All Spice is a South Bay gem. I can't recommend this place to friends and family without finding a way to invite myself. The food is incredible and reasonably priced. The tucked away Victorian home is adorable, and the family is personal. Fantastic place for a date. I highly recommend Ode to My Wife, Coconut Pork Belly, Tamarind Eggplant Dosa, Lamb "Sona Chandi", Balsamic blackberry brulÃ¨e.
(5)
Regina C.

i was all ready to fall in love with this place. i mean, the restaurant is situated in an old house, and i'm all over restaurants situated in houses. it's got a charm to it. i had every intention of loving the food, too. they're trying to obtain a michelin star, so the food should be pretty damned good, yes? unfortunately a lot of it fell flat. the appetizers were good and interesting (ode to my wife, part II was the best, lavender and cumin scallops was tasty and cooked very well, pastrami cured hamachi was....interesting. i think there were too many elements on the plate) but the entrees fell short for me. my friend got the boar, which turned out to be just a boar curry with a saffron roti. the roti was something i wouldn't ever order again and the curry was good but nothing great. my dish, the lamb oso bucco with portobello risotto cake was also okay. the portobello and rice was overly deep fried and heavily battered for what it was. the oso bucco was decent. overall i was pretty underwhelmed and have no desire to come back really.
(3)
Mike B.

What a great place! They make good use of chef Jon Sears' layout, but with a much more wallet-friendly menu. The spicing was unique but not over the top or too hot. The beet salad was good, but the goat cheese ice cream was a bit too sweet. The scallops and the chicken wing appetizers were both great. The pork belly and its accompaniment worked fantastic together. I tried the edible silver that came with the lamb stew and it was ok but didn't add much to the dish besides some unnecessary ostentatiousness. My colleague said the fish was fantastic.
(5)
Mark E.

We've visited All Spice several times and have found it to be a refreshing change for the area. San Mateo has a plethora of ethnic resturaunts, but All Spice is different. They serve well prepared and presented food in a slightly more formal setting with excellent service. The dishes are unique and not at all what you would find in a 'traditional' indian restaurant. There are plenty of places to get Tiki Masala or Curries, but All Spice is more refined and influenced by seasonal flavors. We've never gone wrong with any of the items we ordered. The Lamb Vindaloo, Ode to my Wife and the seafood specials are all outstanding. I had an incredible rib-eye special one night (not something you typically find in an Indian restaurant). I also want to highlight the service. The entire staff is gracious, friendly and sincere. We've spoken with the owner's wife several times and met the chef/owner as well. From the bussers to the waitstaff, everyone has been great. The restuaunt is in an old Victorian house set off El Camino a little bit. Just map the restaurant online and if you are coming from 92, turn left at the light at Barneson/El Camino and come in the back driveway off Jasmine. Easy. It is becoming a regular dinner spot for us. I highly recommend All Spice.
(5)
Paul C.

We tried All Spice after seeing all the excellent reviews. It is a "contemporary" Indian cuisine. It's hard to find but we had been to the restaurant when it was a BBQ place. Service and ambiance were wonderful, 5 stars! The food was good, not great. We had the dosa, the lamb curry, and sea bass. The dosa was nicely done, esp the goat cheese. Could have used a bit more filling. The lamb curry was good, had a lot of ginger, and is quite rich. The sea bass came with a nice ancho sauce and was very tasty. We had their ice cream for dessert, which was nice but would probably try something different the next time. Would go back!
(4)
S C.

Very nice ambiance and good food. Service was great. The first time I went there the person who answered the phone wasn't the nicest person but when I arrived, I was greeted very warmly and experienced great service. I went back a few more times and always received great service! I guess a bad moment for whoever answered the phone the first time because everyone is really nice and the food is awesome! Only thing to consider if you have never been there before, you may not see the restaurant right off of the road, you have to turn in and then you will see it, it looks like a small house behind the shops that are right on the street!
(4)
Nina C.

My husband made reservations for us to have dinner here for our anniversary. From the outside you may think its a whole in the wall, but once you step inside you are transported to a very romantic restaurant. We order a couple of appetizers, of which we loved the bread fritter, the salad was good, but the soup was just OK. For my main course I had the dosa which was very good and a huge portion. My husband loved his dish too. For dessert we got the snow globe which was amazing and the waiter recommended the chocolate kulfi which was very decadent. Overall the food was wonderful and the ambiance was very nice. I would save this place for special occasions because it was a bit pricey.
(4)
Maggie B.

Ok... if there was a way i could give 6 stars here I would. What a wonderful dining experience my husband and I had here last month. It was his birthday and I wanted to try something new and my mom had heard about All Spice. So I called and made a reservation and let them know that it was my husbands b-day. We were blown away from the get go. The service was outstanding. I think our waiter's name was Johnny? Anyway.... Outstanding. Perfect. The ambience was very nice too. We enjoyed the feel of it and it really lent itself to our date... which are few and far between now that we are parents. Now.. the food. Again... Outstanding. We loved everything we ordered. We started with the appetizer called "Ode to my wife" and couldn't stop smiling and saying wow. My husband also had the scallops and he loved them (I'm not a big scallops fan,sorry). For dinner he ordered the Short Ribs and was pretty happy with it..until he tasted the excellence that was my Pumpkin Dosa. What a superb dish. The presentation was fun too. The only thing I might say is that I felt disappointed that they completely forgot that I had asked for a birthday treat for my husband as a surprise and we left without anyone ahving ever picked up on my hints. But honestly, who cares.... the food was out of this world and we are dying to go back.
(5)
Jessica R.

went to All Spice last night and had a wonderful dinner and dining experience. the service is so intimate; the ambience is lovely; the food is delicious. i had the pork belly and my friend had the lamb-- both delicious! The chocolate desert is decadent, and perfect with some port. will have to come again and try other items on the menu!
(5)
Alannah C.

A true culinary experience for the palette!! The decor is amazing..the food is decadent..so tasty and exotic i love the food the wine selection is amazing..definitely mine and my hubbys place to dine..dessert is phenomenal..the chefs are creative and put out amazing plates!!
(5)
Hema K.

I have been meaning to check out All Spice but thanks to my dear friend for hosting his wife's surprise birthday dinner where we all had a great time. We were party of 20 and they seated us in two tables in one of the rooms. Ambiance was cozy and decor was beautiful. It was a 4 course menu starting with Chaat ( yelp.com/biz_photos/all-â€¦ )and ending with dessert. We were impressed with the portion size and by second course we were filled. Food was rich, creamy and absolutely delicious. Parking can get tight here and we were able to find a spot in the back street.
(5)
Shubash K.

No doubt, All spice is one of the best restaurents in Peninsula. The ambience, service and food quality has no fault to notice. I went with one of my beat friend. We had pork belly, roasted lamb, panseared seabass, chocolate terrarium, banana- bourbon cake with rubarb sorbet. Pork besaly was well seared, soft and crunchy outside. The blueberry-onion relish was amazing. Lamb was tender accompanied with amazing pink lady apple. seabass came with manila clams and zuccini. The seabass was little overseared( the way i like) and the veggies on the side were awesome. Desserts here are the things you cant miss. chocolate terrarium was bulid with passionfruit curd, dark chocolate mousse, chocolate soil and etc- tasted great. we also sampled rum flavored marsmellow, with brunt cinnamon in a closed glass vessel- smelled like heave. All in all, great restaurent, great staffs and beautifully presented delicious food. Try this palce and will always stay on your memory.
(5)
Barnali D.

I had been wanting to try All Spice for a very long time, and decided it would be the perfect spot for Diwali dinner for us! Unfortunately, I was not impressed. First of all, I don't think this place should be billed as Indian at all. Only one of our 4 dishes would qualify as "Indian fusion" even. So, I think the classification itself led to incorrect expectations. In any case, we are foodies who love all kinds of cuisine, so the lack of Indian food should not have been a problem. Our appetizers were disappointing. The octopus dish had too many different flavors in it, and didn't really do it for me. I liked the pork belly, but my fiancÃ© found it overdone. Our mains, on the other hand, were quite good! We loved the lemongrass sea bass - it melted in our mouths! The wild boar gosht was also delicious - this was a flavorful, close-to-traditional Indian curry served with paratha (Indian bread). Nothing on the dessert menu really caught our eye. The service was friendly and efficient. Overall, good...but not the exceptional experience I expect from Michelin starred restaurants.
(3)
Ali W.

This is one of the best meals I have had on the Peninsula. The restaurant is located in a little house in El Camino, and you would not think that a restaurant is housed there. Here is what we ordered and loved: * Octopus a la Plancha: aji amarillo sauce, gypsy peppers, black croutons, salted turnips and "patatas bravas" * Wagyu Beef Strip Steak: farro risotto, parsnip chip, wild mushrooms, nasturtium, chestnut-walnut cream * Coconut Lemongrass Seabass: Manila clams, ciopollini onions, vegetable ribbons, horseradish cream and spicy tom yum broth * Chocolate Terrarium: pink peppercorn chocolate mousse layered with almond-chocolate soil, passion fruit curd, dark chocolate chips, and white chocolate-hazelnut bark The menu is modern Indian, but never heavy with curries or too many spices. Traditional Indian food always gives me the runs, but not here!!
(5)
Neesha P.

Everything from the opening Archbishop cocktail, to the crispy soft-shell crab to "Ma Mere" and finally, honey cake with vanilla eucalyptus honey ice cream and Sightglass coffee, was SUPERB!! The service, too, was outstanding! I'll definitely be back to try the tasting menu.
(5)
Lauren C.

My wife and I have been to All Spice three times in the last year, and each experience has been better than the last. You can tell that this is a Michelin star restaurant from the moment you walk in the door - staff are attentive and delightful, the menu is creative and intriguing, the pacing of your meal is perfect, and the check is pretty hefty. You don't need to like Indian food to enjoy the menu - the chefs use creative flavors and ingredients, but the meals are accessible to a wide variety of palates and we have not had one bad dish in our three visits. Definitely a great spot for special occasions, and be aware that you'll need to make your reservation a month or two in advance. We feel lucky to have such an excellent restaurant five minutes away!
(5)
Joe P.

We had a great romantic dinner here last night. The staff are very attentive and want to make sure you enjoy every moment. We really appreciated their attention to every detail of our evening. It was a great way to end a long week. As for the food, every bite of their food is full of glorious flavor. Although we do not usually eat appetizers and dessert, we did here as every bite is wonderful. Loved the trout appetizer especially.
(5)
Lorrie M.

I was so lucky to be tricked by my gf to come here for dinner last year. I actually didn't know that this was somewhat of a fancy modern Indian restaurant and was expecting more of the traditional Indian fare. Regardless, I was not disappointed to find that this cute white table cloths dining room was more on the casual side and served some spectacular flavors both familiar and foreign to my palette. I also recently found out it was a Michelin star restaurant as well which elevates my review for this place because it was such a "cheap" Michelin star restaurant. (DISCLAIMER: please realize when I say cheap, I don't mean its actually cheap, it's quite pricey and we were very spendy here, but on par with other Michelin star restaurants this place has way more value for money, hence cheap). I really enjoyed their selection of distinctively different beers from Japanese to Pacific Islander / South Asian. They also had a great wine selection and I think we shared a bottle. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience and thanks to my bff tricked into a nice dinner!
(4)
Mochi C.

I would give a 3.5 if I could. My friend and I came here since to try out All Spice. The restaurant is small and nicely decorated. Getting a reservation was simple. We ordered and shared the appetizers Scallop w/marrow and the pork belly. It was nice that they brought out small plates so that we could easily share. The scallops was a little salty and was good. The pork belly was average as well. I wasn't amazed by the appetizers. The meal itself I ordered the Seabass while my friend ordered the medium rare Wagyu steak. The sea bass was delicious and nicely decorated. I had a slice of the steak and that was melt in the mouth delicious, I felt. Very nice entrees. For dessert, I ordered the dark chocolate kulfi while my friend got something(forgot). I really like chocolate so I liked my kulfi. Overall, the service was decent. The entrees were nice but at those prices it wasn't amazing enough for me to want to go back again.
(3)
Debby D.

Highly recommended and slightly disappointed. The presentation and service were AWESOME, but both my short ribs and my husband's steak were not as tender as hoped. The highlights of the meal were the radish soup and the snowglobe dessert. I don't even like radishes, but this was a rock star... served with quail eggs, leeks 3 ways and black garlic and then the soup poured over and it had a cranberry puree with the radish. The snowglobe had lots of fun tropical flavors but the best was the presentation and service with disc of white chocolate over the bowl and then hot cream poured over it to create a hole to eat it through. Our friends had the wild boar and that will be my next try. My shared bite was very tender and really nicely spicy.
(4)
Julie B.

Finally got to try this place out and it was a wonderful experience. The ambiance is charming, with a touch of modern and ethnic appeal. Service 5+ Our waiter was very attentive. At one point of the night, I saw a small spider by the window, being the scaredy-cat that I am, I moved my chair closer to the other end of the table. Our waiter noticed that I moved and he asked if there was anything wrong. I said there was no problem, just a spider and he offered us to move our seats and finish our meal at another table if we felt uncomfortable. The other servers also were very nice and attentive, having our glasses always filled and asking if we needed anything. Food 5+ Everything was so flavorful and delicious. Appetizer Indian bread fritter "Ma Mere" w/ stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes and cheese, served over cumin tarbais beans $11 Reminded us of latin/spanish influence, like an elevated enchilada lol. Main Cashew-coconut curried beef shortrib w/ root vegetables, charred carrot, smoked garlic cream, cashew coconut yogurt reduction $30 Yum, this was my dish and it had just the right amount of spices, very subtle and tasty. Smoked chili and cumin venison steak w/ fondant potatoes, root vegetables and glazed beets $32 Lots of flavor. Dessert Dark chocolate "kulfi" w/ tandoori-spiced macadamia nut brittle $8 The texture of this is incredible, velvety and smooth and it doesn't hurt that they added edible gold leaf! i'm eating gold my poop going to shimmer! Great experience, would definitely come here again.
(5)
Dhriti Manoj H.

I was very excited as it was a surprise date night for me. The experience as we entered the restaurant was great. We ordered indian fritters -ma mere- for the appetizer along with passion fruit mint and pomegranate apple cider. So far everything was uber romantic and delicious. I immediately fell in love with the silverware. Then we saw two fruit flies around our drinks. After a while of trying to not let the flies sit on our drinks, we told one of the servers about the flies. He just took it lightly and said that they are around you because u guys are too sweet. This was totally unexpected from a Michelin star 2 rated restaurant. And we decided to let it go and continue playing with the flies and not let them come near our food. In the main course we ordered aab-e-ghost and coconut braised eggplant. I liked the eggplant but felt the lamb was not that delicious. For the desert we ordered chocolate terrarium. It was my birthday celebration and was so beautiful in the beginning but the flies and the aab-e-ghost screwed it up :( i wouldn't really come back for the experience i got for the price we paid.
(2)
Jack L.

A little difficult to find from El Camino Real with the restaurant tucked in the back. The restaurant may appear unassuming from the outside, but inside is quite beautiful between the decor and the delicate presentation of each dish. The portion sizes are small and some appetizers downright minuet, but the fresh interpretation on Asian fusion is quite tasty. I was here with a large party and everyone loved the food, as well as the ginger beer. The tab we didn't like as much. The prices are not exorbitant considering the highly refined dishes, but this is no value play either. Best to come with an expense account.
(4)
MyMy T.

I had been wanting to come here to check out what everyone is bragging about. Well, I didn't have a good impression when I first walked in....and here's my take. Decor: for me (just me), I don't like low ceiling and tight places - I feel claustrophobic. A sample of my taste on the decor would be something like Nemea in downtown San Jose, or Ruth's Chris in downtown Seattle, etc. if I want to eat in a home-like atmosphere, I would gather stay home and eat since my home is decently clean and tidy. But, if a house is converted into a restaurant establishment, I hope the owner would take a look at Palacio Restaurant in Los Gatos for ideas; they did a great job on that one. Service: very nice and friendly. Our waiter Carlos is very accommodating. Just FYI, it's not like Alexander's scale of service. Food: Well, I like their Passionfruit Lassi and the Lamb Mouse complimentary from the Chef - that's it!! Maybe all the hypes from these Yelpers build up my expectations and sometime that can be back fired. Now, if you can't take fishy dishes, stay away from the octopus appetizer there. I can take fishy dishes just fine, but even that dish is way too much for me. Also, it got some sandy taste (here and there) to it - YUCK!! ... don't like biting into sandy stuff! Garnishes: have to give credit where credit is due. The dishes came out well presented in a very creative way. To make it up for the octopus appetizer disappointment, Carlos was nice enough to get us some flan dessert on the house. He also did insist to get something else for us but we just refused. All and all, a nice waiter alone is not enough to keep this customer from coming back. The big turn off is the atmosphere, then the food; somehow, all these added up and kind of take everything away for me and I can't wait to get out of there. Sorry!
(2)
Dorothygale T.

So very good. We have been searching for a restaurant with wonderfully crafted food, good service, nice ambiance, and no hipsters...this hits the mark. It's a small converted house, the acoustics were great...not loud at all considering the space. We had an amuse-bouch consisting of a savory cannoli that was fantastic. Started with the scallop and pork belly, both were very good...although i got some sand in the scallops. We had the beef and duck entrees. I would have liked my duck skin a bit more crisp, but otherwise the dish was very tasty. There was some kind of broccoli/pineapple thing on the side that was amazing. The beef was also very good, but a bit more typical fare. Dessert was salted caramel flan, fantastic and there were so many desserts on the list that sounded amazing. The plating for all the dishes was very nicely done. This is a high end, Michelin rated restaurant...you will be paying $18 for 2 scallops, but frankly at these prices and the accolades of the restaurant I was surprised by the large sizes of all the portions. My one tip, besides the sandy scallop...it seems the meal calls for one more amuse-bouch, maybe just a palette cleanser before the entrees. And I'm curious how often the menu changes, I forgot to ask.
(4)
Lily L.

We were seated in front dining room. The house is very small so the 3 rooms downstairs are very small and quaint. It was a comfortable setting. Our party opted for the 4 course tasting menu. Each dish was beautifully presented. I wish I had full descriptions of the dishes but they don't have a listing of the tasting menu so I had to rely on remembering the description given when the dishes were served. 1st course: don't remember what it was but it tasted just like a tiny dosa. It was delicious. 2nd course: lobster tempura colored with squid ink. This was my favorite dish because of the presentation. It looked like burnt food but taste really good. Fun!!! 3rd course: Wagyu Beef. You can really taste the marbling of fat. Yum. 4th course: the dessert dish contained a cigar infused ice cream, panna cotta, meringue, berries, nuts and jack fruit puree. We all thought this dish was too complicated. It looked like someone grabbed all the left over from the pantry and put it on the plate. The ingredients just didn't go well together. The cigar infused ice cream was really nice and unique. You could actually taste the cigar; it was pleasant and I don't smoke. The portions were very small so the 4 courses wasn't enough food. Oddly, they don't serve bread so you can't fill the void with bread and butter. I think they need to serve bread or make a 6 course tasting menu. I liked All Spice. Their little sauces (e.g. jack fruit puree) are really good. The staff was really nice. We got the pleasure to be served by the Executive Chef and owner Sachin Chopra who had to substitute for his wife that night. He was very nice and answered our questions about the food. I don't know why but everyone thinks this is an Indian restaurant. It is NOT! It is Californian cuisine and if you keep that in mind, you won't be disappointed. The portions are small so don't go there starving. If you want to be entertained by nicely presented dishes that tastes good and you aren't on a budget, All Spice might just delight you.
(4)
Lindsey C.

Simply amazing! Family run business. Amazing service and ambiance but most importantly the food was outstanding! Must try the ode to my wife beet salad!
(5)

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Address : 1602 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA, 94402
Phone (650) 627-4303
Website https://www.allspicerestaurant.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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All Spice

1602 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA, 94402

All Spice Menu

Appetizers

Entrees

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for All Spice

Appetizers

Entrees

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Yumiko N.

Janani S.

Gavin S.

Ryan W.

Michael M.

O.D. S.

Andy W.

Alex N.

TM P.

Joe G.

Peggy S.

Denise P.

Dhinal C.

Elizabeth T.

Nisha A.

Lily P.

Cay A.

Stephanie Y.

Warren B.

Kate B.

Terri W.

Ashley C.

Amy W.

P R.

Cindy W.

Lauren W.

Ken L.

Nikki B.

katerina v.

Maile N.

Sherry B.

Nancy S.

Evie D.

Tasha H.

Yvonne L.

Tracy C.

Christine L.