Pintxo 47 at the Google Campus

A good friend of mine, who works at Google, invited me to have lunch at their main campus recently. She choose Pintxo 47, since this week the menu is inspired by Thomas Keller. Pintxo 47 is the Google Cafe that specializes in tapas.

The entrance to Pintxo 47.


I have heard about the many perks about working at Google, and lunch at their cafes is at the top of the list. Their main campus, in Mountain View, is sprawled over several buildings. The company employs a large support staff including, cafe, lifeguard, daycare, etc. Yes, they have a lifeguard for the endless lap pool. They even have bicycles for those who need to get to one building to the next.

Anyways . . . about Pintxo 47, no idea what 47 means, is a buffet style cafe, like all google cafes. I had so many different things that only a couple of things stood out. I had to try almost everything. I remembered that I liked the Creamy Lobster Bisque, Keller's "Spanglish BLT" Sandwich, Rabbit Confit and Porcini Mushroom, and the Lamb Shoulder. The menu today was inspired/influenced by Thomas Keller. But I could be mistaken, but I think I was told that he created the menu as well. I wish I took a picture of the BLT sandwich - I thought that was my favorite.

If you ever get a chance to get invited to visit Google, make sure you try their cafes. Very excellent experience. My first and probably last company cafeteria post. But if you have a company cafeteria/cafe that you think is exceptional, please let me know.

One of the larger dining areas at Google.

One of 11 Google Cafe's.

Our lunch at Pintxo 47. The Endive and Smoked Trout Salad with Meyer Lemon Cream.

Assorted Olives with Meyer Lemon and Herbs, Fresh Calypso Beans with Garlic, Chile and Herbs, Marinated Piquillo Peppers with Roasted Garlic and Herbs, Marinated Artichokes with Olive Oil, Capers and Herbs, and White Bean and Roasted Garlic Puree with Crostini

Sauteed Organic Golden Beets. I think this is what it was.

Braised Celery Root.

Roasted Butternut Squash Lasagna with Sage, Brown Butter Bechamel and Parmigiano Reggiano Flour, Milk. This was yummy. I wasn't sure at first with a sweet and savory lasagna.

The desserts and sweets.


I apologize for the wall of text following, but I wanted to show you what they serve at Google. Amazing.


Executive Chef JC Balek | Sous Chef Jason Johnstone

Google Cheese & Wine Mixer - For everyone!
Come sample assorted appetizers,artisan
cheeses, salami, paired with fine wines.
Nov 11, 2009: 4pm to 6pm at BigTable,
American Table, and The Alley.
Brought to you by the Culinary Team.
Enjoy!

SALAD BAR

R**Organic Mixed Lettuces
R**Organic Baby Spinach
Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken
R**Shaved Red Onion
**Red Quinoa
R**Organic Mediterranean Cucumbers
R**Organic Julienned Carrot
R**Organic Red Grapes
R**Organic Julienned Golden Beets
**Organic Sugar Snap Peas
R**Organic Persimmon
**Roasted Button Mushrooms
R**Organic French Breakfast Radish
R**Organic Toybox Cherry Tomatoes
R**Daikon Radish Sprouts
**Candied Walnuts
*Diced Eggs
** Roasted Garlic Croutons
*Pt. Reyes Unpasteurized Blue Cheese
DRESSING:

**Banyuls Vinegar
**California Olive Grove Extra Virgin Olive Oil
**Pintxo Classic Sherry Vinaigrette
**Huckleberry and Vanilla Vinaigrette
*Roasted Spitzenburg Apple and Yogurt Dressing

SOUP

*Truffled Celeriac Veloute
Onion, Garlic, Fennel, Butter, Celery
Stock, Yukon Potato, Cream

Creamy Lobster Bisque
Lobster Reduction, Aromatics, Cream, Butter, Herbs

COMPOSED SALAD

Endive and Smoked Trout
Salad with Meyer Lemon Cream
Shaved Red Onion, Frisee, Fines Herbes

CRUDO

Wild Alaskan Halibut with Pernod Poached
Fennel, Blood Orange Reduction, Fennel Oil
Shallot Brunoise, Extra Virgin Olive
Oil, Maldon Sea Salt, Fennel Frond

BOCADILLO

*Chanterelle Duxelle with Goat
Cheese Mousse and Sweet Gem Lettuce
on Acme Pain Epi

Keller's "Spanglish BLT" Sandwich
Bacon, Butterleaf Lettuce, San Marzano Tomato,
Monterey Jack, Aioli, Pain de Mie

Jamon Iberico, Housemade Membrillo
and Wild Arugula
on an Acme Sour Baguette

TAPAS

**Assorted Olives with Meyer Lemon and Herbs

**Fresh Calypso Beans with Garlic, Chile and Herbs

**Marinated Piquillo Peppers with Roasted Garlic and Herbs

**Marinated Artichokes with Olive Oil, Capers and Herbs

**White Bean and Roasted Garlic Puree with Crostini

Schawarma

Lamb Shoulder

PAELLA

Paella Casera de Pintxo
Black Cod, Chorizo, Chicken, Clams, Mussels, Prawns, Scallops,
Calasparra Rice, Onion, Garlic, Fennel, Saffron, Pimenton, Pernod,
Lobster Stock, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Herbs

PINTXO

**Braised Celery Root with Garlic Croutons
Onion, Carrot, Garlic, Celery, White Wine,
Meyer Lemon,Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Herbs

**Sauteed Organic Golden Beets and
Haricots Vert with Toasted Hazelnuts
and Mandarin Vinaigrette
Shallot, Dijon Mustard, Extra Virgin
Olive Oil, Champagne Vinegar

*Roasted Butternut Squash Lasagna
with Sage, Brown Butter Bechamel
and Parmigiano Reggiano Flour, Milk

Rabbit Confit and Porcini Mushroom Stuffed Savoy
Cabbage Leaves with Beet Puree and Juniper
Onion, Garlic, Fennel, Butter, Duck Fat, Grapeseed Oil

DESSERTS

*Carrot Cupcakes
Carrots, Flour, Sugar, Oil, Salt, Baking
Powder, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Eggs,
Cream Cheese, Butter, Vanilla

*Sweet Cheese Filled Crepes
with Huckleberry Compote
Flour, Butter, Eggs, Ricotta, Mascarpone, Cream Cheese,
Sugar, huckle berries, blueberries, Corn starch

*Brownie
Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Powder,
Flour, Eggs, Chocolate Chips

Quesos

*Chef’s Choice
*Served with Nuts and Bread