Hot food happenings in Silicon Valley.

Chinese foo and cocktails are a big part of the updated lunch and dinner sceneatPalo Alto's Mandarin Roots. Daikon fettuccine sounds light and appealing, but we love the juicy looking spare ribs from Chef Jarvis Yuan, too. Mango mojitos are optional (but should be mandatory) and real estate watchers will note that this spot transitioned from its former incarnation of Hunan Garden. 3345 El Camino Real.

Down the road from Mandarin Roots, the green juicing trend continues to grab marketshare with the upcoming appearance of a lickable soft serve dessert product called Freeze from Pressed Juicery in Palo Alto, debuting June 21. Think of it as a creamy new way to get those green nutrients in and allow yourself to turn into a clean and green machine (if only for a sunny afternoon). Freeze uses juices from fruits and vegetables and comes in six flavors: greens, citrus, fruit, roots, vanilla, or chocolate almond freeze. That's enough ways to freeze your brain (in the best possible way) just like you were when you were a kid. Plus, it's vegan as well as gluten- and dairy- free. 660 Stanford Shopping Center #230.

For a more traditional treat, skip to Sweet Marianne's, for ice cream at the dessert bar insideAva's Downtown Market & Deliin Mountain View on Castro Street. Root beer floats and ice cream scoops offer straightforward and old fashioned fun, before or after that grocery shopping outing. 340 Castro Street.

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