E & O Trading Co.
96 South First Street
San Jose
408.938.4100
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One of the most exciting things about Asian-Fusion start-up restaurants is the contribution to really decadent restaurant decor. E & O Trading Company, on the corner of First and San Fernando, is certainly going in this direction. A long, red lacquered bar with matching red bar stools greets at entrance. After stopping for a cocktail or a pint of their home-brew, move into the main dining room. In ex-warehouse style, the high ceilings and rough brick peak out beneath cascading far-east inspired scrolls; painted bamboo poles dangle from the ceiling and gauzy hangings of all sorts create a dining environment that suggests delicate and artistic dumplings served on small plates.
E & O’s menu is divided into small plates and big plates. The small plates run the gamut: satay, nan, Balinese cumin and sesame seed crusted ahi ($10.95), imperial rolls ($7.95), Thai crab cakes ($8.95). The idea, our server tells us, is to always have food on the table. Tables, here, order many small and large plates and share, creating the upscale family-dining environment.
The small plates are very tasty, though some flavors dominated: peanut sauces, red curry dipping sauces, lemongrass, and basil; after several bites of each dish everything started to taste, well, very similar. A similar situation occurred with the big plate of Malaysian shrimp noodle ($14.95)—overkill on the peanut sauce; the flavors of the shrimp, vegetables and crispy noodle cake were lost under the peanut glaze. The selection of big plates, however, was ample: sesame crusted walu ($15.95) and Balinese oven roasted whole fish ($26.95). For non-seafood fans, try the Thai New York steak ($19.95) or Filipino adobo pork chops ($14.95). E & O promises that both the Malaysian noodle and fried rice can be made without meat; otherwise, however, it is slim pickings for vegetarians. And don’t forget dessert—ginger crème brulee ($6.95) and banana heath gelato make an excellent finish.
E&O has an impressive selection of libations: a full bar, a comprehensive wine list, and five varieties of their own brew. The wheat beer is very good and refreshing, especially after a few too many spoonfuls of red curry dipping sauce. If you cannot decide which beer you want, you can try them all in mini beer glasses if you order The Sampler.
All in all, the dining experience at E&O Trading Co. was very good. There is a danger that the décor’s draw surpasses the menu’s right now. The possible small and big plate combinations, though, are endless, so it may take a few times to get the perfect meal. Visit E & O, even if for only a cocktail at the front bar. The reputation of the original E & O Trading Company in San Francisco bodes well for the new location. The true test lies in whether or not the San Jose renaissance is ready for the heady décor and ginger-spice of Asian-Fusion. E & O Trading Company, 96 South First Street, San Jose, 408.938.4100
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