Foster City gets its first veg restaurant

Menu, Basil Cha Cha Vegetarian Bistro, Foster City

I really shouldn’t complain that we have so many vegetarian Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area.  So, let me say instead that we were really happy to learn from the SFBAVEG (San Francisco Bay Area Vegetarians) Yahoogroups list that an all vegetarian Thai restaurant had opened in Foster City, a 35 minute drive from our coastside abode.

Knowing that there was a new vegetarian restaurant in close proximity to us created a state of angst that could only be soothed with a visit.  So, within days we found ourselves hungrily eyeing the menu at the Basil Cha Cha Vegetarian Bistro.

Mango Sticky Rice, Basil Cha Cha Vegetarian Bistro, Foster City

We learned that the owner owns another Thai restaurant called Sweet Basil.  In the veg vernacular, we call this place a “mixed” restaurant since it serves up animals as well as vegetables to its diners.  The owner chose to take the veg food selections from its popular Sweet Basil and create a new all vegetarian bistro, Basil Cha Cha.  The confusing part is that both restaurants are located in the same outdoor strip mall, just a few doors away from each other.

Crispy Spring Rolls, Basil Cha Cha Vegetarian Bistro, Foster City

Food: There are nearly 50 items on the menu — appetizers, salads, soups, fried rice dishes, noodle dishes, curries, and entrees.  The menu clearly marks which dishes are already vegan, and which are vegan optional (meaning, they are vegetarian and can be ordered as vegan).

Now that I’m starting my third decade as a vegan, I often make conscious choices to avoid faux meats.  So I appreciate that Basil Cha Cha offers all its entrees with a choice of veggie chicken, beef, tofu or vegetables.  In essence, this gives diners many more options, as that one entree can be ordered multiple ways.

The dishes can be ordered to your spice preference (slightly hot, medium hot, and hot).  Dishes with nuts are also notated.

Ambience: This restaurant is a step above the typical veg restaurant.  It’s very stylish dishware fits right in with the artful presentation of the dishes themselves (many come with an edible flower) and the lovely decor.  It’s not a large restaurant, so it’s a cozy little place for a quiet dinner for two or perfect setting to share food and conversation with a group.

Seaweed Salad, Basil Cha Cha Vegetarian Bistro, Foster City

Price: The dishes are reasonably priced, with most dishes in the $7.95 category, with a few of the appetizers, salad, and rice dishes coming in at $5.95 or $6.95.

Our Order: The money we saved by not having to pay for the typical parking in SF was spent on food, so we  splurged by ordering food from just about every category on the menu

- appetizer:  Crispy Spring Rolls, shown above
- salad: Seaweed Salad, at right
- soup: Tom Yum Veggie
- entrees:  Yellow Curry, Pad Kee Mow
- dessert:  Mango Sticky Rice, show above

On our first visit, we found alot of the dishes to be spicy, even when we ordered them mild.  When the waiter found out it was our first visit, he gave us a complimentary corn fritter, which we thought was a nice gesture from a new restaurant to new customers (see photo album for photos of all the dishes).  Despite the overly spicy food, we liked it well-enough to return to try some different foods, and this time we brought a group with us.

On our second visit, we ordered the Fresh Salad Rolls (substituting tofu for the veggie shrimp), Massamam Curry (potatoes, onions, and peanuts with tofu and vegetables), Sweet & Sour (tofu/vegetables with pineapple, onion, cucumber and tomatoes), and Mango Sticky Rice.   Again we ordered the entrees as mild, and this time they really were.  The curry was excellent; its base was a delicious blend of coconut milk and peanut butter.

In summary, the new Basil Cha Cha Vegetarian Bistro has both style and substance.  I hope they thrive in Foster City.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to enjoy delicious vegan food at affordable prices in a pleasant atmosphere.

More information:
Photos of menu and dishes ordered on first visit
Ultimate Guide:  Basil Cha Cha Vegetarian Bistro