Izzo Restaurant - Mountain View, San Jose

Izzo Restaurant's name is derived from the Chinese word for "signature dish"—not because it only serves one meal, but because each meal is prepared as if it were a specialty. This philosophy applies to familiar dishes such as Mongolian beef and kung pao chicken, as well as to more unique plates of passion-fruit fried rice and cold, spicy, shredded bean curd.

The eclectic menu also combines Asian food with other cuisines, such as the pork belly quesadillas. Other entrees, like the pork intestine noodle soup, appeal to diners in search of the authentic Taiwanese experience. Despite the vast lunch and dinner options, when it comes to dessert there's only one option: snowflakes. This Taiwanese take on shave ice lets diners order the cool, velvety dish with toppings like sweet mochi and chewy jelly.