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April 20, 2025

Small business showdown

El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section reviews three local small business restaurants

Sagnik Nag Chowdhury and Samika Bhatkar • March 3, 2025

Amarin Thai Cuisine

Overview

Brimming with families ordering takeout and small groups sitting down for a relaxed meal, Amarin Thai Cuisine offers polished and satisfying Thai dishes. Uniquely, the restaurant gives patrons two menus: one red and one green, each with their respective meat and vegetarian options. Dim lighting and cozy wooden decor allow customers to comfortably dine while taking their taste buds on an enjoyable trip to experience authentic Thai flavors.

RATING: 3.5/5

PRICING: $$/$$$

Photo | Samika Bhatkar

Roti Paratha: $11.99

Two lightly toasted pieces of paratha cut into eighths come with a sweet-syrupy cucumber salad and pleasant peanut sauce. The flaky parathas delicately balance crispy and pillowy textures, and the mouthfeel of the warm, flavorful peanut sauce and crunchy cucumber make for a delectable bite. The only pitfall to this appetizer is the saturated sweetness of the dish: the cloying, thick syrup in the salad and the sweetened peanut sauce cried for some much-needed spice or tang. Still, the sharable dish serves as a pleasant starter that introduces basic Thai flavor.

RATING: 3.5/5

Photo | Samika Bhatkar

Super Green Curry: $19.99

Unlike most Thai restaurants, Amarin Thai offers two green curries: a “Green Curry” with tofu, eggplant, bamboo shoot and bell pepper and a “Super Green Curry” with the addition of broccoli, spinach and carrot. For the meager addition of three veggies, the one-dollar upcharge from the basic green curry feels unnecessary. Texturally, the slightly fried eggplant and soft tofu pair well with the tender carrot and bell pepper, but the spinach is barely cooked and leaves a bitter aftertaste. The aromas of the coconut milk, basil and green chili are nourishing. However, the dish is too salty and desperately needs some sweetness or acidity to combat the flavor imbalance.

RATING: 3/5

Photo | Samika Bhatkar

Pad Kee Mow: $17.99

The Pad Kee Mow arrives in a navy blue and gold marble patterned plate, allowing customers to eat with their eyes first. The pops of color from the carrot and bell peppers add charming contrast and substance to the dish. However, for the price, the quantity of the dish is lacking, and no amount of snuck-in baby corn or bell pepper can offset the scarce noodles. Despite this, flavorwise, the flat rice noodles have an addicting charred taste from the balanced spice mix and are well cooked — they aren’t too soggy or drenched in sauce. Furthermore, the crisp exterior of the fried tofu and tender broccoli and carrot make for an indulgent bite paired with the starchy noodles.

RATING: 4.5/5

La Cueva Mex Grill

Overview

Tucked away in a small complex on Prospect Road, La Cueva is a quaint and family-owned Mexican-Latin restaurant that offers plentiful seafood options and generous portions for an affordable price. The aroma of dishes sizzling on an open grill, bustling chatter from patrons and warm service from the staff make for a comforting spot that serves nourishing food. It’s no surprise that customers may spot a local firefighter, cop or a small herd of Prospect High School students munching on house chips and salsa while watching a soccer match on the flatscreen TV.

RATING: 4/5

PRICING: $$/$$$

Photo | Samika Bhatkar

2 Fish Tacos Plate: $14.75

This plate comes with two tacos of the customer’s preferred choice of tilapia, sea bass or cod; a scoop of rice; refried pinto beans; and a tangy mango slaw. This dish delivers freshness and comfort, making for a hearty meal that could easily satiate one person. The delicate tilapia is grilled befittingly and is adorned with charred onion and bell peppers, served with cabbage and topped with their creamy chipotle crema and house verde salsa. By themselves, the tacos are a flavor bomb and add textural whimsy to one’s palette, with the crunchy cabbage and soft fish playing off each other’s contrasting feel and unified by the charred veggies. The refried beans are creamy and cheesy, making for a comforting bite with the seasoned, tomato-packed rice. The star of the dish is the unique mango salsa and coleslaw, which add a dynamic sweetness and crunch to the dish.

RATING: 4.5/5

Photo | Samika Bhatkar

California Burrito: $11.25

The California Burrito is a typical burrito filled with a choice of protein (we went with chicken), rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, tomatillo sauce, chipotle crema, salsa fresca and the unique addition of fries. While it sounds like a lot, the burrito felt understuffed and the dish’s addition of chipotle crema on top was needed to add some smoothness. The dish lacks an adequate amount of guacamole and sour cream and felt even drier when paired with the fries and chicken. Still, the chicken was tender and juicy, and the crisp tortilla kept the burrito compact, preventing any fillings from spilling and allowing customers to take a composed bite.

RATING: 3.5/5

Photo | Samika Bhatkar

Chicken Quesadilla: $9.50

The Chicken Quesadilla came in five slices, along with sides of guacamole, sour cream and salsa. This dish delivered on both taste and texture, with each bite consisting of just the right amount of crunch from the tortilla along with tender pieces of marinated chicken, gooey melted cheese and chipotle sauce on the inside. The sides especially enhanced the taste of the quesadilla. The guacamole was creamy and fresh, with a hint of lime to top it off. The salsa added a tangy taste and just the right amount of spice, while the sour cream completes the flavor with a cool finish. The chicken quesadilla works both as a shareable item or a full meal for one person, but regardless, it is a rich bundle of cheesy delight.

RATING: 4.5/5

Cicero’s Pizza

Overview

With a loud crowd and staff decked-out in red tees calling out orders over the restaurant’s microphone, Cicero’s is an ideal pizza joint serving up mouthwatering pies. There’s always a diverse crowd of patrons snug in their green booths, enjoying their signature meat lovers or spicy vegetarian pizza while catching whatever big game is on that night. The homely atmosphere of this family-owned business is amplified by decor that includes vintage pictures and 49ers merch.

Each small pizza has six slices and is the perfect portion for one person. The pizza was served with a thin-crust that nails a crunchy consistency along with a rich marinara sauce and cheese melted to perfection.

RATING: 4.5/5

PRICING: $$/$$$

Photo | Sagnik Nag Chowdhury

Spicy Vegetarian: $11.75

The thin-crust pizza comes with onion, tomato, bell peppers and jalapenos, with each bite delivering a fresh crunch and a kick of heat. This flavor is a perfect choice for those who enjoy bold tastes, as it is a spice-packed delight. The soft, juicy texture of the tomatoes complemented the crunch of the bell peppers and jalapenos well, with the creamy cheese adding contrast to make a satisfying bite.

RATING: 5/5

Photo | Sagnik Nag Chowdhury

Hawaiian Delight: $11.75

The Hawaiian Delight perfectly combines sweet and savory through chunks of pineapple and slices of smoked ham sprinkled across the pizza. Each bite gives a satisfying contrast, whether it be the saltiness of the ham and sweetness of pineapple, or the soft cheese and toppings along with the crunchy thin crust. This flavor strikes a perfect balance of salt, acid and fat and is one of the best iterations of Hawaiian pizza on the market.

RATING: 5/5

Photo | Sagnik Nag Chowdhury

All Meat Combo: $13.00

The All Meat Combo is a wonderland for meat-lovers, packed with a rich variety of meats including pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami and ham. The crunchy, thin crust allows the toppings to shine without overpowering the taste. Each slice is satisfying with a spicy kick from the pepperoni, along with the crispy Italian sausage bits and tender ham slices. Whether you are looking for something protein-packed or just love bold, savory flavors, the All Meat Combo is the option to go for.

RATING: 5/5

About the Contributors

Sagnik Nag Chowdhury, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Sagnik Nag Chowdhury is currently a senior and an Arts and Entertainment editor for El Estoque. In his free time, he likes updating his Letterboxd, driving his friends around and trying new food places in the Bay.

Samika Bhatkar, Editor-in-Chief

Samika is currently a senior and Editor in Chief for El Estoque. She loves listening to hip-hop and rap music and playing with her dog. In her free time, Samika watches NBA games or cooks with her family.