Rare beef pho from SC Noodle House, a new restaurant from the owner of Drakes San Carlos. Courtesy SC Noodle House.
San Carlos entrepreneur Christian Conte has expanded his restaurant footprint with the recent opening of SC Noodle House, just down the street from his first restaurant, Drakes San Carlos. Conte took over the former San Carlos Bar & Grill and transformed it into a trendy dark room vibe with neon, muraled walls and a ceiling full of glowing paper lanterns at the bar.
A self-described noodle fanatic, Conte said there was a noodle void in San Carlos. “I love noodles and Asian food is my favorite cuisine, so when the space opened up, I knew I had to grab it because the city needed a place like this,” he said. “The dishes on the menu aren’t necessarily authentic, but they are creative and delicious.”
Countries like China, Thailand and Vietnam are represented on the menu in various iterations — fusion Hong Kong garlic truffle noodles with Parmesan, traditional spicy Thai drunken noodles, cold Vietnamese vermicelli noodles with shrimp and barbecue pork, and steaming bowls of pho with toppings like New York steak and prime brisket — as playful takes on Asian classics. If noodles aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options like Korean chicken tacos, Burmese salads, a chicken or steak banh mi and a few Americanized Asian dishes like kung pao chicken and sweet Thai basil beef.
The interior of SC Noodle House, a new restaurant from the owner of Drakes San Carlos. Courtesy SC Noodle House.
Conte and his parents transformed the space in about a month since it only needed cosmetic updates. The same muralist who hand-painted a goose at his brother’s San Carlos coffee spot, Groovy Goose, also created art on the inside and outside. Inside, hand-painted clouds float on the dark walls while ornate red and gold wooden accents adorn the low wall that divides the entrance from the bar and dining area.
“We found a massive antique Asian cabinet and dismantled it so that we could use the wood inlaid painted tiles in the space,” he said. “My dad and I also built the Pagoda-style roof that juts out from the back wall and hangs above our neon sign.” It’s the perfect spot for the restaurant’s weekly karaoke night.
He describes his new spot as more of a hybrid bar and noodle joint, and Conte spent time creating fun, tropical drinks (with or without alcohol) that incorporate Asian flavors like lychee, lemongrass and passionfruit. His mai tai, served in a paper takeout box, is one of several drinks that are a play on the Asian vibe.
Coming soon is a 10 pound noodle challenge where diners sign up to eat a bowl of pho in the allotted time. Prizes will be awarded if they can finish the dish. Right now, though, Conte’s on the hunt for a large enough bowl. “I’ve had a really hard time finding one; if you know where I can get one, let me know!”
SC Noodle House, 648 El Camino Real, San Carlos; 650-597-5677, Instagram: @sc_noodle_house. Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
