Happy Friday, South Bay! Prepare to celebrate the ever-growing Redwood City food scene with the city's first-ever restaurant week; check out a new hot spot in Los Gatos; and, for dessert, get yourself to the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck ASAP. 

About that Hello Kitty Cafe Truck. On the heels of its wildly popular appearance at SF's Cherry Blossom Festival, the world's cutest food truck—a celebration the Kitty's 40th anniversary and a prelude to the forthcoming Hello Kitty Cafe opening in SoCal this year—is heading south to Santana Row on Sunday, April 19. Stop by from 10 am to 7 pm for a wide array of Sanrio-inspired sweetness, including petit fours, macarons, doughnuts, and pastries. Those with aversions to rainbows, sparkles, and the color pink need not apply. 

When you've recovered from the sugar rush, stop by Verge, the newly revamped restaurant in the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos. Expect a menu of comfort-inspired New American fare, ranging from eggplant and mushroom lasagna to a pork and duck burger served on a bun made of deep-fried mac 'n' cheese(!). Verge also serves an extensive menu of craft cocktails, as well as a decadent brunch (hello, breakfast ravioli!). 

(Photo: Erin Ashford)

Finally, start planning now for Redwood City Restaurant Week, which kicks off next Thursday, April 23 and celebrates the area's growing restaurant scene. Look out for specially priced three-course prix-fixe menus at 14 participating eateries, including Angelica's, Bangkok Bay, Sakura, and Donato Enoteca. Check out the full list of restaurants, menus, and make reservations here.