A la Carte: The Melt oozes into Palo Alto; Carmen's Bar-BQ expands
20.05.12
Hot off the grill: The Melt, a San Francisco-based endeavor to bring cheesy goodness to the masses, has oozed south to Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. The concept is simple -- grilled-cheese sandwiches and soups -- but the mix-and-match options add lots of variety. The Classic (sharp cheddar on potato bread) is paired with tomato-basil soup, but you can combine it with spicy black bean, wild mushroom, Italian sausage and pepper, or sweet corn tortilla soup. Other grilled-cheese sandwiches include the Parisian (Brie with apple butter); the Italian (fontina/provolone on garlic bread); the Outlaw (Colby jack on eight grain); and the Mission (jalapeño jack on sourdough). Carnivores can add bacon to any sandwich for no additional charge. Some sweet melts -- the s'more, the raspberry shortcake and a no-nuts PB&J -- round out the menu. Details and online ordering: https://themelt.com .
The family that 'cues together: Jamaica-born Carmen Kelly may not have realized she was creating a real barbecue dynasty when she put the name "Carmen and Family" on her Hayward eatery way back in 1979. Thirty-two years later, the Kellys' third location, overseen by son Mark, has opened in Tracy about one mile south of Interstate 205 -- giving Central Valley travelers and commuters a terrific alternative to the fast-food joints nearby. The second location, a Fremont one run by son
Source: San Jose Mercury News