Ready or not, cooler weather is starting to creep into Silicon Valley, bringing with it new cravings for the comfort dishes made to soothe the wounds of a hard-fought year.
As the rules around dining slowly relax, some restaurants are opening anew, expanding their hours, offering up date night specials or casual fare. Others are sticking to takeout and delivery for now for those looking to veg out with some Netflix.
Newly Open
Tony’s Patio BBQ
tonys-patio-bbq.square.site
5202 N 1st St, San Jose; 408.493.6090
San Jose chef Tony Santos has shifted gears from his catering business to turning the commissary kitchen he works out of in Alviso into a permanent home for his new restaurant, Tony’s Patio BBQ. Open 11am to 7pm Wednesday to Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday.
T Bread
tbread.store
805 E El Camino Real STE D, Mountain View; 650.963.1818
T Bread opened last week, offering eight foot-long banh mi options with classic and non traditional fillings including pork, sardines and chicken teriyaki. Fresh spring rolls and homemade pastries are also served daily. Open 9am to 7pm Monday to Saturday.
House on First
facebook.com/houseonfirst
145 First St, Los Altos; 650.383.5360
Newly opened in the heart of Los Altos, House on First serves coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast and offers dinner and cocktails in the evening in a spacious outdoor setting. It’s open 10am to 10pm Tuesday to Saturday, but closed Sundays and Mondays.
Date Night
Madera
Maderasandhill.com
2825 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park; 650.561.1540
The acclaimed Michelin-star Madera Restaurant serves a seasonal menu with fresh California ingredients. Located at the luxury Rosewood Sand Hill resort with stunning views, it’s open 11:30am to 1:30pm and 5pm to 8pm Tuesday to Friday; 10:30am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday and 5 to 8pm Saturdays.
Reposado
reposadorestaurant.com
236 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto; 650.833.3151
Tequila aficionados will be pleased that this cozy date night spot offers more than 50 artisanal tequilas in house. It’s open 4 to 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 4 to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Siena Bistro
sienabistro.com/home-best-restaurant-san-jose.html
1359 Lincoln Ave, San Jose; 408.271.0837
Chef and owner David Wiesner was in the restaurant industry for more than three decades before opening Siena Bistro, a Willow Glen eatery serving Italian American favorites. Open 11:30am to 2:30pm Tuesday to Saturday; 5 to 9 pm Tuesday to Thursday; and 5 to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Nemea
nemeagreektaverna.com
96 S First St, San Jose; 408.279.4225
Nemea offers Greek staples like dolmas, hummus and spanakopita with a California twist. It’s open for dinner from 4 to 9pm Monday to Thursday and 4 to 9:30 pm Friday and Saturday.
Nomikai
nomikaisj.com
48 S First St, San Jose; 408.287.7199
Nomikai, which means “gathering to drink” in Japanese, lives up to its name, offering premium sake, craft spirits, beer and wine and California-Asian inspired dishes. Open for dinner from 5:30pm to midnight Wednesday to Thursday and 5:30pm to 1:30am Friday and Saturday.
Betto’s Bistro
bettosbistro.com
17385 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill; 408.779.9518
Betto’s Bistro is a family-friendly restaurant serving fresh, homemade pastasi. Guests and their pets can relax on the front patio and take advantage of the weekly dinner specials for two. Open 11am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 9pm Saturday and Sunday.
Ettan
ettanrestaurant.com
518 Bryant St, Palo Alto; 650.752.6281
Ettan combines Californian and Indian flavors with plates that include red chili octopus, tava fried copra beef and traditional butter chicken. Open 5 to 9pm Tuesday to Thursday and on Sunday and from 5 to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Casual Dining
Mission City Grill
holdersmissioncitygrill.com
2000 El Camino Real, Santa Clara; 408.244.6267
The Holder family has been in the restaurant business since 1957 and the Mission City Grill has continued that legacy, offering traditional American favorites including steaks, burgers and sandwiches. Open daily from 8am to 8pm.
Taplands
taplands.com
1171 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara; 409.709.2990
Taplands offers 25 rotating craft beers on tap, more than 50 bottled beers and an assortment of snacks and sandwiches. Open 11am to 9pm Friday and Saturday, 10am to 9 pm on Sunday and 3 to 9pm Tuesday to Thursday.
Jora Peruvian Food
sanpedrosquaremarket.com/eat/jora-ceviche
192 W Saint John St, San Jose; 408.320.2189
Located inside the historic San Pedro Square Market, Jora offers Peruvian staples like shrimp and chicken “causa” and chaufa. It’s open 11:30am to 6:30pm Monday and Tuesday; 11:30am to 8pm Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 11:30am to 9pm Friday and Saturday.
Devine Cheese and Wine
devinecheeseandwine.com
27 Devine St, San Jose; 408.924.0818
With 40 artisanal cheeses and a vast selection of new- and old-world wines, Devine Cheese and Wine is fit for happy hour with friends or enjoying a meal with family. Open 5 to 8pm Tuesday to Thursday and from 5 to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Parktown Pizza
parktownpizza.com
1350 S. Park Victoria Dr. #46, Milpitas; 408.263.2131
16375 Monterey Rd. Suite O, Morgan Hill; 408.776.9866
3039 Meridian Ave, San Jose; 408.440.4154
Parktown Pizza is open from 11am to 10pm. Monday through Saturday, but closes at 9 on Sundays. Diners can get late night takeout or delivery via UberEats or DoorDash from its Milpitas location Fridays and Saturdays between 10pm and 1:30am.
Court’s Lounge
facebook.com/CourtsLounge
2425 S Bascom Ave, Campbell; 408.559.9880
Court’s Lounge has long been a neighborhood favorite to watch sports, play pool, sing karaoke or eat some barbeque from San Jose-based G and Pops. During the pandemic, the restaurant and lounge has expanded to a big patio. Open daily until 2am.
Takeout & Delivery
Burger Pit
yelp.com/menu/the-burger-pit-san-jose
1349 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose; 408.269.8062
Burger Pit, a San Jose institution for steaks, burgers and sandwiches is open for takeout between noon and 8pm daily.
Fu Kee Chinese Restaurant
Fukeerestaurant.com
121 Bernal Rd STE 50, San Jose; 408.225.3218
Fu Kee offers contemporary chinese dishes including candied pecan prawns and orange chicken as well as southeast asian comfort food plates like sausage papaya salad and tamarind seafood hot pot. Open daily for takeout from 11am to 10pm.
LeYou
leyouethiopian.com
1100 N First St STE C, San Jose; 408.320.2620
South Bay residents can now enjoy their favorite Ethiopian dishes at home, available for pickup. LeYou is open 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5:30 to 9pm Monday to Saturday. Also open 11am to 2:30pm for lunch and from 5:30 to 9pm for dinner on Sundays
Sushi Confidential
Sushiconfidential.com
26 N San Pedro St, San Jose; 408.913.8080
247 E Campbell Ave, Campbell; 408.596.5554
Sushi Confidential offers an extensive menu of specialty rolls and fresh sashimi. Both locations are open for takeout daily from 4 to 9pm and until 10pm on weekends.
Charley Noodle & Grill
yelp.com/biz/charley-noodle-and-grill-los-altos-2
244 State St, Los Altos; 650.948.5700
Charley Noodle & Grill serves rich ramen bowls with different kinds of meat and vegetable broths among other Asian fare. Open daily from for lunch and dinner every day except Sundays. Delivery is available through Doordash, Postmates and UberEats.