http://www.metroactive.com Metroactive's Dining Listing Feed for Verve Wireless. en-us en-us Copyright 2007 120 - http://www.michisushi.com/ - Sushi standards are transformed into palate-awakening presentations; culinary boundaries are stretched. - - 2220 S. Winchester Blvd. Campbell CA 95008 Campbell 408-378-8000 Japanese Moderate - Sushi standards are transformed into palate-awakening presentations; culinary boundaries are stretched. - Sushi standards are transformed into palate-awakening presentations; culinary boundaries are stretched. - http://www.olio-cafe.com/ Olio is one of the latest entries into the city's revitalized downtown and also one of the city's best. The cafe serves simple but expertly prepared Mediterranean food that dips into the underexplored cuisines of North Africa. Flickering candle sconces warm the yellow walls on one side of the restaurant and give the place a Gypsy charm, while exposed brick on another wall adds to the rustic elegance. Check out the lamb pita sandwich for lunch or the grilled ahi and paella Valenciana for dinner. Small but smart wine list. - - 384 E. Campbell Ave. Campbell CA 95008 Campbell 408-378-0335 Mediterranean Expensive \ Lunch 11:30am-2pm Tue-Fri; dinner 5-9pm Tue-Thu and Sun; 5-10pm Fri-Sat; Sunday brunch 11am-2pm. - Olio is one of the latest entries into the city's revitalized downtown and also one of the city's best. The cafe serves simple but expertly prepared Mediterranean food that dips into the underexplored cuisines of North Africa. Flickering candle sconces warm the yellow walls on one side of the restaurant and give the place a Gypsy charm, while exposed brick on another wall adds to the rustic elegance. Check out the lamb pita sandwich for lunch or the grilled ahi and paella Valenciana for dinner. Small but smart wine list. - Olio is one of the latest entries into the city's revitalized downtown and also one of the city's best. The cafe serves simple but expertly prepared Mediterranean food that dips into the underexplored cuisines of North Africa. Flickering candle sconces warm the yellow walls on one side of the restaurant and give the place a Gypsy charm, while exposed brick on another wall adds to the rustic elegance. Check out the lamb pita sandwich for lunch or the grilled ahi and paella Valenciana for dinner. Small but smart wine list. - Fun sushi meets fun surroundings in this zone. Playfully named specialties like "Sex With a Shark," "Golden Eye," "Whoo Whoo" and "Temptation Island." - - 75 S. San Tomas Aquino Road #1 Campbell CA 95008 Campbell 408-866-1323 Japanese Moderate - Fun sushi meets fun surroundings in this zone. Playfully named specialties like "Sex With a Shark," "Golden Eye," "Whoo Whoo" and "Temptation Island." - Fun sushi meets fun surroundings in this zone. Playfully named specialties like "Sex With a Shark," "Golden Eye," "Whoo Whoo" and "Temptation Island." - A steady performer, Fontana's rarely disappoints pasta lovers. - - 20840 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino CA 95014 Cupertino 408-725-0188 California/Italian Expensive - A steady performer, Fontana's rarely disappoints pasta lovers. - A steady performer, Fontana's rarely disappoints pasta lovers. Beer and Wine - http://www.gochifusiontapas.com/ Silicon Valley chefs don't have the name recognition of their counterparts in San Francisco, but if you were to draw up a short list of South Bay culinary talent, Masahiko Takei (Masa, as he's known to friends and fans) would be near the top. And his Cupertino restaurant Gochi is tops as well. Gochi is a globally inspired izakaya (small plates) restaurant. Izakaya restaurants serve small, elegant plates of grilled and fried food perfect for downing large quantities of sake, beer and soju. Masa calls Gochi "Japanese fusion tapas." Most of the food is straight-up Japanese fare, but Masa throws in a few American, French and Korean twists. - - 19980 Homestead Road Cupertino CA 95014 Cupertino 408-725-0542 Japanese Expensive - Silicon Valley chefs don't have the name recognition of their counterparts in San Francisco, but if you were to draw up a short list of South Bay culinary talent, Masahiko Takei (Masa, as he's known to friends and fans) would be near the top. And his Cupertino restaurant Gochi is tops as well. Gochi is a globally inspired izakaya (small plates) restaurant. Izakaya restaurants serve small, elegant plates of grilled and fried food perfect for downing large quantities of sake, beer and soju. Masa calls Gochi "Japanese fusion tapas." Most of the food is straight-up Japanese fare, but Masa throws in a few American, French and Korean twists. - Silicon Valley chefs don't have the name recognition of their counterparts in San Francisco, but if you were to draw up a short list of South Bay culinary talent, Masahiko Takei (Masa, as he's known to friends and fans) would be near the top. And his Cupertino restaurant Gochi is tops as well. Gochi is a globally inspired izakaya (small plates) restaurant. Izakaya restaurants serve small, elegant plates of grilled and fried food perfect for downing large quantities of sake, beer and soju. Masa calls Gochi "Japanese fusion tapas." Most of the food is straight-up Japanese fare, but Masa throws in a few American, French and Korean twists. Liquor - The kitchen produces good wok-centric dishes, but its main draw is fresh, hand-pulled noodles. Casual. - - 1146 De Anza Blvd. San Jose CA 95129 San Jose 408-257-8877 Chinese Low - The kitchen produces good wok-centric dishes, but its main draw is fresh, hand-pulled noodles. Casual. - The kitchen produces good wok-centric dishes, but its main draw is fresh, hand-pulled noodles. Casual. Beer and Wine - Two side-by-side restaurants that share the same kitchen, Red Miso/Ramen Rama offer nearly two dozen kinds of ramen (try the clam ramen) and small plate dishes like grilled ox tongue, sauteed abalone mushrooms and bacon-wrapped chicken. All of it tastes good with a cold beer or bottle of sake. - - 19772 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino CA 95014 San Jose 408-996-8830 Japanese Low - Two side-by-side restaurants that share the same kitchen, Red Miso/Ramen Rama offer nearly two dozen kinds of ramen (try the clam ramen) and small plate dishes like grilled ox tongue, sauteed abalone mushrooms and bacon-wrapped chicken. All of it tastes good with a cold beer or bottle of sake. - Two side-by-side restaurants that share the same kitchen, Red Miso/Ramen Rama offer nearly two dozen kinds of ramen (try the clam ramen) and small plate dishes like grilled ox tongue, sauteed abalone mushrooms and bacon-wrapped chicken. All of it tastes good with a cold beer or bottle of sake. Liquor - Billed as a Japanese seafood buffet, Todai doesn't limit itself to Japanese dishes. Pan-Asian and just plain odd specialties rotate. Open daily. - - Vallco Shopping Mall (near Sears), 10123 N. Wolfe Road #2001 Cupertino CA 95014 Cupertino 408-996-3444 Japanese Moderate - Billed as a Japanese seafood buffet, Todai doesn't limit itself to Japanese dishes. Pan-Asian and just plain odd specialties rotate. Open daily. - Billed as a Japanese seafood buffet, Todai doesn't limit itself to Japanese dishes. Pan-Asian and just plain odd specialties rotate. Open daily. - http://www.californiacafe.com/losgatos/index.php An innovative approach to Pacific Rim staples makes for some lovely surprises. The ace service matches the smart setting. Full bar. - - 50 University Ave. Los Gatos CA 95030 Los Gatos 408-354-8118 New American Expensive - An innovative approach to Pacific Rim staples makes for some lovely surprises. The ace service matches the smart setting. Full bar. - An innovative approach to Pacific Rim staples makes for some lovely surprises. The ace service matches the smart setting. Full bar. - http://www.crimsonrestaurant.com/ Large portions of upscale rustic fare sate the diner at this new-style Old World bistro, but don't forget to save room for Fondue for Two. - - 15466 Los Gatos Blvd. Los Gatos CA 95032 Los Gatos 408-358-0175 Rustic bistro Expensive - Large portions of upscale rustic fare sate the diner at this new-style Old World bistro, but don't forget to save room for Fondue for Two. - Large portions of upscale rustic fare sate the diner at this new-style Old World bistro, but don't forget to save room for Fondue for Two. - http://www.diodeka.com/ Dio Deka, an instantly popular new Los Gatos restaurant, is doing its part to elevate Greek food in Silicon Valley. There's much to recommend at this handsome restaurant. Most starters are large so they're best shared. Order the mithia me loukaniko, however, and you may find yourself hoarding the bowl of excellent steamed mussels and spicy sausage. Garides zea is another winner for seafood lovers. From the list of entrees, lamb dishes are standouts. The succulent, herb-crusted paithakia were the best lamb chops I've had in recent memory, and I loved the hearty arni youvestri, slow-roasted lamb shoulder with orzo, garlic confit, olives and shaved myzitthra cheese. Moussaka is another Greek standard, but it's never been as good as what's served here. - - 210 E. Main St. Los Gatos CA 95030 Los Gatos 408-354-7700 Greek Expensive Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Fri and dinner 5-10pm daily. - Dio Deka, an instantly popular new Los Gatos restaurant, is doing its part to elevate Greek food in Silicon Valley. There's much to recommend at this handsome restaurant. Most starters are large so they're best shared. Order the mithia me loukaniko, however, and you may find yourself hoarding the bowl of excellent steamed mussels and spicy sausage. Garides zea is another winner for seafood lovers. From the list of entrees, lamb dishes are standouts. The succulent, herb-crusted paithakia were the best lamb chops I've had in recent memory, and I loved the hearty arni youvestri, slow-roasted lamb shoulder with orzo, garlic confit, olives and shaved myzitthra cheese. Moussaka is another Greek standard, but it's never been as good as what's served here. - Dio Deka, an instantly popular new Los Gatos restaurant, is doing its part to elevate Greek food in Silicon Valley. There's much to recommend at this handsome restaurant. Most starters are large so they're best shared. Order the mithia me loukaniko, however, and you may find yourself hoarding the bowl of excellent steamed mussels and spicy sausage. Garides zea is another winner for seafood lovers. From the list of entrees, lamb dishes are standouts. The succulent, herb-crusted paithakia were the best lamb chops I've had in recent memory, and I loved the hearty arni youvestri, slow-roasted lamb shoulder with orzo, garlic confit, olives and shaved myzitthra cheese. Moussaka is another Greek standard, but it's never been as good as what's served here. - California cuisine meets Southeast Asia by way of Paris, with inventive updates of clay pot and five-spice authentica. - - 137 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Los Gatos CA 95030 Los Gatos 408-395-9115 Vietnamese Moderate Closed Mon. - California cuisine meets Southeast Asia by way of Paris, with inventive updates of clay pot and five-spice authentica. - California cuisine meets Southeast Asia by way of Paris, with inventive updates of clay pot and five-spice authentica. - When Los Gatans want to kick back, relax and have an unfussy but still raveworthy dinner at a cozy neighborhood eatery, they flock to the Pastaria & Market. With no website, a menu that steers clear of trendy ingredients like truffle oil, and decor comprised of framed posters and painted trellises, Pastaria offers reasonably priced comfort food in an unpretentious but still lively atmosphere. And it's full nearly every night. - - 49 E. Main St. Los Gatos CA 95030 Los Gatos 408-399-3477 Italian Moderate 5-9:30pm Mon-Thu, 5-10pm Fri-Sat and 5-9pm Sun. - When Los Gatans want to kick back, relax and have an unfussy but still raveworthy dinner at a cozy neighborhood eatery, they flock to the Pastaria & Market. With no website, a menu that steers clear of trendy ingredients like truffle oil, and decor comprised of framed posters and painted trellises, Pastaria offers reasonably priced comfort food in an unpretentious but still lively atmosphere. And it's full nearly every night. - When Los Gatans want to kick back, relax and have an unfussy but still raveworthy dinner at a cozy neighborhood eatery, they flock to the Pastaria & Market. With no website, a menu that steers clear of trendy ingredients like truffle oil, and decor comprised of framed posters and painted trellises, Pastaria offers reasonably priced comfort food in an unpretentious but still lively atmosphere. And it's full nearly every night. - http://www.threedegreesrestaurant.com/95030 Set inside the beautifully remodeled Toll House hotel, Three Degrees delivers a mixed bag of big and small plates from an eclectic menu. Some dishes, like the New York steak but others fall flat. Service is friendly but still a little green. Full bar. - - 140 S. Santa Cruz Blvd. Los Gatos CA 95030 Los Gatos 408-884-1054 Eclectic, California Expensive - Set inside the beautifully remodeled Toll House hotel, Three Degrees delivers a mixed bag of big and small plates from an eclectic menu. Some dishes, like the New York steak but others fall flat. Service is friendly but still a little green. Full bar. - Set inside the beautifully remodeled Toll House hotel, Three Degrees delivers a mixed bag of big and small plates from an eclectic menu. Some dishes, like the New York steak but others fall flat. Service is friendly but still a little green. Full bar. - http://www.vivalosgatos.com/ This popular Los Gatos restaurant mixes it up with a menu that combines Italian-leaning Mediterranean food with fresh fish, grilled steaks and several Asian-inspired dishes as well. - - 15970 Los Gatos Blvd. Los Gatos CA 95032 Los Gatos 408-356-4902 California Expensive 6:30am-9:30pm Mon-Thu, 6:30am-10:30pm Fri-Sat, 6:30am-9pm Sun. - This popular Los Gatos restaurant mixes it up with a menu that combines Italian-leaning Mediterranean food with fresh fish, grilled steaks and several Asian-inspired dishes as well. - This popular Los Gatos restaurant mixes it up with a menu that combines Italian-leaning Mediterranean food with fresh fish, grilled steaks and several Asian-inspired dishes as well. - http://www.thesultana.net/ If you've eaten Greek, Iranian or Middle Eastern food, you'll find much that's familiar as you delve into Turkish cuisine. Sultana makes your introduction easy with its warm service, well-executed dishes and soothing ambience. The sea bass and kebabs are good as is the lahmacun, a charred flat bread topped with ground lamb, parsley, onions and tomatoes. - - 1149 El Camino Real Menlo Park CA 95030 Menlo Park 650-322-4343 Turkish Expensive 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm Mon-Fri; 11am-10pm Sat-Sun. - If you've eaten Greek, Iranian or Middle Eastern food, you'll find much that's familiar as you delve into Turkish cuisine. Sultana makes your introduction easy with its warm service, well-executed dishes and soothing ambience. The sea bass and kebabs are good as is the lahmacun, a charred flat bread topped with ground lamb, parsley, onions and tomatoes. - If you've eaten Greek, Iranian or Middle Eastern food, you'll find much that's familiar as you delve into Turkish cuisine. Sultana makes your introduction easy with its warm service, well-executed dishes and soothing ambience. The sea bass and kebabs are good as is the lahmacun, a charred flat bread topped with ground lamb, parsley, onions and tomatoes. - ABC is a Hong Kong-style restaurant, and that means dim sum and lots of fresh, fancifully prepared seafood. The seafood greets as you soon as you walk in. There are live tanks holding Dungeness crab, king crab, rockfish, prawns, lobster and other sea creatures. At lunch the place is a traffic jam of dim sum carts wheeling around the dining room proffering an assortment of little snacks. The servers who push the carts seem to be particularly invested in their wares and aren't easily discouraged when you say no. Knowing when to say yes and when to say no is the tricky part of dim sum. It all looks pretty good, but it's easy to load up and just when you can't eat any more another cart rolls by with more good stuff. - - 768 Barber Lane Milpitas CA 95035 Milpitas 408-435-8888 Chinese Moderate 11am-2:30pm and 5-9:30pm daily - ABC is a Hong Kong-style restaurant, and that means dim sum and lots of fresh, fancifully prepared seafood. The seafood greets as you soon as you walk in. There are live tanks holding Dungeness crab, king crab, rockfish, prawns, lobster and other sea creatures. At lunch the place is a traffic jam of dim sum carts wheeling around the dining room proffering an assortment of little snacks. The servers who push the carts seem to be particularly invested in their wares and aren't easily discouraged when you say no. Knowing when to say yes and when to say no is the tricky part of dim sum. It all looks pretty good, but it's easy to load up and just when you can't eat any more another cart rolls by with more good stuff. - ABC is a Hong Kong-style restaurant, and that means dim sum and lots of fresh, fancifully prepared seafood. The seafood greets as you soon as you walk in. There are live tanks holding Dungeness crab, king crab, rockfish, prawns, lobster and other sea creatures. At lunch the place is a traffic jam of dim sum carts wheeling around the dining room proffering an assortment of little snacks. The servers who push the carts seem to be particularly invested in their wares and aren't easily discouraged when you say no. Knowing when to say yes and when to say no is the tricky part of dim sum. It all looks pretty good, but it's easy to load up and just when you can't eat any more another cart rolls by with more good stuff. - http://www.bananaleaf-usa.com/ A charming, exotic gem of a place with some of the best Southeast Asian food in the county. Sauces are masterfully crafted and reduced to glossy consistencies. - - 182 Ranch Drive Milpitas CA 95035 Milpitas 408-719-9811 Chinese Expensive Closed Sun. - A charming, exotic gem of a place with some of the best Southeast Asian food in the county. Sauces are masterfully crafted and reduced to glossy consistencies. - A charming, exotic gem of a place with some of the best Southeast Asian food in the county. Sauces are masterfully crafted and reduced to glossy consistencies. - http://www.dardaseafood.com/ Darda serves halal meat and draws parts of its menu from western China, a region that borders the Muslim countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Seafood and noodle dishes are particularly good. No alcohol served. - - 296 Barber Court Milpitas CA 95035 Milpitas 408-433-5199 Islamic Chinese Low - Darda serves halal meat and draws parts of its menu from western China, a region that borders the Muslim countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Seafood and noodle dishes are particularly good. No alcohol served. - Darda serves halal meat and draws parts of its menu from western China, a region that borders the Muslim countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Seafood and noodle dishes are particularly good. No alcohol served. - Meatless dim sum brings in a lunch crowd. Regular bests: artful veggies, sizzling platters, clay pots. - - 210 Barber Court Milpitas CA 95035 Milpitas 408-526-9888 Vegetarian Chinese Low - Meatless dim sum brings in a lunch crowd. Regular bests: artful veggies, sizzling platters, clay pots. - Meatless dim sum brings in a lunch crowd. Regular bests: artful veggies, sizzling platters, clay pots. Beer and Wine - http://www.amicis.com/ When it's done right, East Coast pizza can be a glorious thing. Dough is rolled ultrathin and served noticeably charred on the sides and bottom, the ideal combination for a "foldable" slice on the go. The peppery sauce is nearly nonexistent; some pies come without any tomato paste at all. The result is that the dish's true stars, the dough and the cheese, aren't overwhelmed by the other ingredients. - - 790 Castro St. Mountain View CA 94041 Mountain View 650-961-6666 Pizza/Italian Moderate - When it's done right, East Coast pizza can be a glorious thing. Dough is rolled ultrathin and served noticeably charred on the sides and bottom, the ideal combination for a "foldable" slice on the go. The peppery sauce is nearly nonexistent; some pies come without any tomato paste at all. The result is that the dish's true stars, the dough and the cheese, aren't overwhelmed by the other ingredients. - When it's done right, East Coast pizza can be a glorious thing. Dough is rolled ultrathin and served noticeably charred on the sides and bottom, the ideal combination for a "foldable" slice on the go. The peppery sauce is nearly nonexistent; some pies come without any tomato paste at all. The result is that the dish's true stars, the dough and the cheese, aren't overwhelmed by the other ingredients. Beer and Wine - http://www.cascalrestaurant.com/ The tapas menu yields big tastes in small portions at this pan-Latin charmer. Calamari, roasted quail and minted lamb meatballs are among the delicacies. Full bar. - - 400 Castro St. Mountain View CA 94041 Mountain View 650-940-9500 Spanish Tapas Expensive - The tapas menu yields big tastes in small portions at this pan-Latin charmer. Calamari, roasted quail and minted lamb meatballs are among the delicacies. Full bar. - The tapas menu yields big tastes in small portions at this pan-Latin charmer. Calamari, roasted quail and minted lamb meatballs are among the delicacies. Full bar. Liquor - The pho here is an honest noodle soup. First-timers might want to stick with the basic pho chin, topped with slices of beef brisket. - - 853 Villa St. Mountain View CA 94041 Mountain View 650-961-8069 Vietnamese noodle house Low - The pho here is an honest noodle soup. First-timers might want to stick with the basic pho chin, topped with slices of beef brisket. - The pho here is an honest noodle soup. First-timers might want to stick with the basic pho chin, topped with slices of beef brisket. - This restaurant will send your taste buds to the tropics. Talented chefs put out dishes full of spice and passion, like jumbo chile prawns, papaya salad and Malaysian spareribs. The menu is expansive. Prices are reasonable. - - 210 Hope St. Mountain View CA 94041 Mountain View 650-961-0628 Singaporean, Malaysian, Indonesian Moderate - This restaurant will send your taste buds to the tropics. Talented chefs put out dishes full of spice and passion, like jumbo chile prawns, papaya salad and Malaysian spareribs. The menu is expansive. Prices are reasonable. - This restaurant will send your taste buds to the tropics. Talented chefs put out dishes full of spice and passion, like jumbo chile prawns, papaya salad and Malaysian spareribs. The menu is expansive. Prices are reasonable. - http://www.sushitomi.com/sushitomi.html Sushitomi serves Japanese food with an elegant simplicity. Sushi and sashimi are ocean fresh. For a real treat, ask for an omakase dinner and let the chef put together a tasting menu for you. - - 635 W. Dana St. Mountain View CA 94040 Mountain View 650-968-3227 Japanese Moderate - Sushitomi serves Japanese food with an elegant simplicity. Sushi and sashimi are ocean fresh. For a real treat, ask for an omakase dinner and let the chef put together a tasting menu for you. - Sushitomi serves Japanese food with an elegant simplicity. Sushi and sashimi are ocean fresh. For a real treat, ask for an omakase dinner and let the chef put together a tasting menu for you. - This clean and fetching diner is the place for authentic fare. Generous portions. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. - - 854 W. Dana St. Mountain View CA 94041 Mountain View 650-969-1464 Mexican Low - This clean and fetching diner is the place for authentic fare. Generous portions. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. - This clean and fetching diner is the place for authentic fare. Generous portions. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. - http://www.unclefranksbbq.com/ Never mind Uncle Frank's humble, juke joint surroundings. This is the high temple of Bay Area barbecue. Louisiana native Frank Bell brings his 100-year-old family recipes to Mountain View after relocating from East Palo Alto. It's all good but the brisket and ribs are nothing short of heavenly. And the collard greens, baked beans and hush puppy side dishes shouldn't be missed. Live blues on some nights adds to the appeal of this Bay Area barbecue mecca. - - 2135 Old Middlefield Way Mountain View CA 94043 Mountain View 650-964-4476 Barbecue Low - Never mind Uncle Frank's humble, juke joint surroundings. This is the high temple of Bay Area barbecue. Louisiana native Frank Bell brings his 100-year-old family recipes to Mountain View after relocating from East Palo Alto. It's all good but the brisket and ribs are nothing short of heavenly. And the collard greens, baked beans and hush puppy side dishes shouldn't be missed. Live blues on some nights adds to the appeal of this Bay Area barbecue mecca. - Never mind Uncle Frank's humble, juke joint surroundings. This is the high temple of Bay Area barbecue. Louisiana native Frank Bell brings his 100-year-old family recipes to Mountain View after relocating from East Palo Alto. It's all good but the brisket and ribs are nothing short of heavenly. And the collard greens, baked beans and hush puppy side dishes shouldn't be missed. Live blues on some nights adds to the appeal of this Bay Area barbecue mecca. - http://www.vasoazzurro.com/ Entrees are attractively presented, and the waiters will make you feel as though you were the most important guests in the place. Dessert lives up to the rest of the meal. - - 108 Castro St. Mountain View CA 94041 Mountain View 650-940-1717 Ristorante Italian Expensive - Entrees are attractively presented, and the waiters will make you feel as though you were the most important guests in the place. Dessert lives up to the rest of the meal. - Entrees are attractively presented, and the waiters will make you feel as though you were the most important guests in the place. Dessert lives up to the rest of the meal. Beer and Wine - A pairing of swift service with an exotic range of sushi and udon makes this a favorite among sushi lovers. Casual. - - 975 W. Dana St. Mountain View CA 94041 Mountain View 650-960-0626 Japanese, sushi bar Moderate - A pairing of swift service with an exotic range of sushi and udon makes this a favorite among sushi lovers. Casual. - A pairing of swift service with an exotic range of sushi and udon makes this a favorite among sushi lovers. Casual. Beer and Wine - http://www.bellaluna.org/ Sunny Tuscan hues saturate the interior, and the dishes of this downtown Palo Alto restaurant create a delicious illusion of dining in Italy on food prepared by Italian chefs. - - 233 University Ave. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-322-1846 Italian Expensive - Sunny Tuscan hues saturate the interior, and the dishes of this downtown Palo Alto restaurant create a delicious illusion of dining in Italy on food prepared by Italian chefs. - Sunny Tuscan hues saturate the interior, and the dishes of this downtown Palo Alto restaurant create a delicious illusion of dining in Italy on food prepared by Italian chefs. Beer and Wine - The only problem with the menu is that it's all tempting. Using seasonal produce, the chef allows flavors to speak for themselves. - - 448 California Ave. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-327-0284 California French Expensive - The only problem with the menu is that it's all tempting. Using seasonal produce, the chef allows flavors to speak for themselves. - The only problem with the menu is that it's all tempting. Using seasonal produce, the chef allows flavors to speak for themselves. Beer and Wine - http://bistromaxine.com/main.html Bistro Maxine is a bright, friendly little spot, a coffee shop and creperie rolled into one. If you're lucky, you'll snag one of the five indoor or two outdoor tables while perusing the long but straightforward menu. You won't exactly think you're in France--with its supercasual vibe this still feels very much like Palo Alto--but after a glass of wine and a neatly folded crepe (or two), you won't really care where you are. Savory crepes are cooked to order with regular or buckwheat batter; go for the buckwheat. The Crepe Complete ($7.95) with ham, egg and cheese is a classic, one you can find in every creperie in France, and Bistro Maxine does it justice. The Mont St.-Michel ($8.95) has only a handful of ingredients (brie, Fuji apples and walnuts). The generous salmon crepe is also good. - - 548 Ramona St. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-323-1815 Cafe Moderate 8am-10pm daily - Bistro Maxine is a bright, friendly little spot, a coffee shop and creperie rolled into one. If you're lucky, you'll snag one of the five indoor or two outdoor tables while perusing the long but straightforward menu. You won't exactly think you're in France--with its supercasual vibe this still feels very much like Palo Alto--but after a glass of wine and a neatly folded crepe (or two), you won't really care where you are. Savory crepes are cooked to order with regular or buckwheat batter; go for the buckwheat. The Crepe Complete ($7.95) with ham, egg and cheese is a classic, one you can find in every creperie in France, and Bistro Maxine does it justice. The Mont St.-Michel ($8.95) has only a handful of ingredients (brie, Fuji apples and walnuts). The generous salmon crepe is also good. - Bistro Maxine is a bright, friendly little spot, a coffee shop and creperie rolled into one. If you're lucky, you'll snag one of the five indoor or two outdoor tables while perusing the long but straightforward menu. You won't exactly think you're in France--with its supercasual vibe this still feels very much like Palo Alto--but after a glass of wine and a neatly folded crepe (or two), you won't really care where you are. Savory crepes are cooked to order with regular or buckwheat batter; go for the buckwheat. The Crepe Complete ($7.95) with ham, egg and cheese is a classic, one you can find in every creperie in France, and Bistro Maxine does it justice. The Mont St.-Michel ($8.95) has only a handful of ingredients (brie, Fuji apples and walnuts). The generous salmon crepe is also good. - http://www.bucadibeppo.com/ Like a Sicilian Christmas carnival in the '50s, this party spot blends clutter, joy, high spirits and, oh yes, huge portions. - - 643 Emerson St. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-329-0665 Nondesigner Italian-American Moderate - Like a Sicilian Christmas carnival in the '50s, this party spot blends clutter, joy, high spirits and, oh yes, huge portions. - Like a Sicilian Christmas carnival in the '50s, this party spot blends clutter, joy, high spirits and, oh yes, huge portions. - http://www.thecounterburger.com/paloalto/ The Counter is a sit-down burger joint that's about to sweep the nation in a flurry of soon-to-open franchises. Based in Los Angeles, the Counter began in Santa Monica and opened a second location on California Avenue in Palo Alto in 2006. Future openings are reportedly in the works. The Counter takes the quintessential American burger and turns up the Americanness by letting diners choose from dozens of options to build a custom burger. We Americans love our burgers almost as much as we love our freedom of choice. Combine the two under one roof and you've got a winner. - - 369 California Ave. Palo Alto CA 94306 Palo Alto 650-321-3900 Hamburgers Low 11am-9pm Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm Fri-Sat and noon-9pm Sun. - The Counter is a sit-down burger joint that's about to sweep the nation in a flurry of soon-to-open franchises. Based in Los Angeles, the Counter began in Santa Monica and opened a second location on California Avenue in Palo Alto in 2006. Future openings are reportedly in the works. The Counter takes the quintessential American burger and turns up the Americanness by letting diners choose from dozens of options to build a custom burger. We Americans love our burgers almost as much as we love our freedom of choice. Combine the two under one roof and you've got a winner. - The Counter is a sit-down burger joint that's about to sweep the nation in a flurry of soon-to-open franchises. Based in Los Angeles, the Counter began in Santa Monica and opened a second location on California Avenue in Palo Alto in 2006. Future openings are reportedly in the works. The Counter takes the quintessential American burger and turns up the Americanness by letting diners choose from dozens of options to build a custom burger. We Americans love our burgers almost as much as we love our freedom of choice. Combine the two under one roof and you've got a winner. - http://elbe-restaurant.com/ Named for the third-longest river in Europe, Elbe adjoins Rudy's and hence hosts a boisterous next-door bar crowd. Bratwurst, Polish sausage, sauerkraut, venison. Don't miss "Bill and his magical accordion" on Fri-Sat. - - 117 University Ave. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-321-3319 Hamburgers Low 11am-9pm Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm Fri-Sat and noon-9pm Sun. - Named for the third-longest river in Europe, Elbe adjoins Rudy's and hence hosts a boisterous next-door bar crowd. Bratwurst, Polish sausage, sauerkraut, venison. Don't miss "Bill and his magical accordion" on Fri-Sat. - Named for the third-longest river in Europe, Elbe adjoins Rudy's and hence hosts a boisterous next-door bar crowd. Bratwurst, Polish sausage, sauerkraut, venison. Don't miss "Bill and his magical accordion" on Fri-Sat. - http://www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants/ Food takes equal billing with ambience and fine handmade beers at the first in this group of successful brewpubs. The menu is so fine-tuned, though, it could thrive even without a brewery attached. - - 640 Emerson St. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-323-7723 New American Expensive - Food takes equal billing with ambience and fine handmade beers at the first in this group of successful brewpubs. The menu is so fine-tuned, though, it could thrive even without a brewery attached. - Food takes equal billing with ambience and fine handmade beers at the first in this group of successful brewpubs. The menu is so fine-tuned, though, it could thrive even without a brewery attached. Beer and Wine - http://www.kanzeman.com/index.htm A lively blend of Lebanese, Greek and Turkish cuisine fuels this festive social spot. A sampler plate offers garlicky hummus, earthy falafel, dolmas drenched in lemon, a minty tabouli salad and splendid marinated tomatoes. - - 274 University Ave. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-328-5245 Middle Eastern/Mediterranean Moderate Open daily for lunch and dinner. - A lively blend of Lebanese, Greek and Turkish cuisine fuels this festive social spot. A sampler plate offers garlicky hummus, earthy falafel, dolmas drenched in lemon, a minty tabouli salad and splendid marinated tomatoes. - A lively blend of Lebanese, Greek and Turkish cuisine fuels this festive social spot. A sampler plate offers garlicky hummus, earthy falafel, dolmas drenched in lemon, a minty tabouli salad and splendid marinated tomatoes. - http://www.labodeguita.com/ Themed after a vintage Havana haunt of Ernest Hemingway's, this zesty restaurant serves lively Cuban influenced cuisine along with liquid staples like rum and mojitos in a handsome, casual atmosphere. Full bar. Cigar divan. - - 463 S. California Ave. Palo Alto CA 94306 Palo Alto 650-326-7762 Cuban/California Expensive Closed Sun. - Themed after a vintage Havana haunt of Ernest Hemingway's, this zesty restaurant serves lively Cuban influenced cuisine along with liquid staples like rum and mojitos in a handsome, casual atmosphere. Full bar. Cigar divan. - Themed after a vintage Havana haunt of Ernest Hemingway's, this zesty restaurant serves lively Cuban influenced cuisine along with liquid staples like rum and mojitos in a handsome, casual atmosphere. Full bar. Cigar divan. - Authentic Italian cooking done by skilled chefs from Italy. Be sure to make a reservation, or you'll be lucky to put a single foot through the door. - - 247 Hamilton St. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-328-5700 Italian Moderate Closed Sun. - Authentic Italian cooking done by skilled chefs from Italy. Be sure to make a reservation, or you'll be lucky to put a single foot through the door. - Authentic Italian cooking done by skilled chefs from Italy. Be sure to make a reservation, or you'll be lucky to put a single foot through the door. Beer and Wine - http://www.straitscafepaloalto.com/ Blending culinary motifs from India, China and Thailand, the food of Singapore is anything but timid. The menu at Straits is lavish and diverse. Full bar. - - 3295 El Camino Real Palo Alto CA 94306 Palo Alto 650-494-7168 Singapore exotica Moderate - Blending culinary motifs from India, China and Thailand, the food of Singapore is anything but timid. The menu at Straits is lavish and diverse. Full bar. - Blending culinary motifs from India, China and Thailand, the food of Singapore is anything but timid. The menu at Straits is lavish and diverse. Full bar. Liquor - http://www.veroristorante.com/ Vero--the Italian word for true--aims to offer truly authentic Italian food. The Palo Alto restaurant has had to make a few nods to American tastes but it mainly succeeds with its simple but satisfying dishes like ustica (fresh made linguine with swordfish and eggplant), bistecca ai ferri (grilled steak) and involtini di granchio (eggplant rolls stuffed with crab). The food is a refreshing break from the same old pasta and pizza. - - 530 Bryant St. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-325-8376 Italian Moderate 11:30am-10:30pm Mon-Sat. - Vero--the Italian word for true--aims to offer truly authentic Italian food. The Palo Alto restaurant has had to make a few nods to American tastes but it mainly succeeds with its simple but satisfying dishes like ustica (fresh made linguine with swordfish and eggplant), bistecca ai ferri (grilled steak) and involtini di granchio (eggplant rolls stuffed with crab). The food is a refreshing break from the same old pasta and pizza. - Vero--the Italian word for true--aims to offer truly authentic Italian food. The Palo Alto restaurant has had to make a few nods to American tastes but it mainly succeeds with its simple but satisfying dishes like ustica (fresh made linguine with swordfish and eggplant), bistecca ai ferri (grilled steak) and involtini di granchio (eggplant rolls stuffed with crab). The food is a refreshing break from the same old pasta and pizza. - http://www.vinolocale.com/ This restaurant focuses on locally produced Santa Cruz Mountain wines and small plates of food sourced from local purveyors and growers. On Thursdays, if you can guess all the varietals in your flight of wine, it's free. - - 431 Kipling St. Palo Alto CA 94301 Palo Alto 650-328-0450 Italian bistro Moderate - This restaurant focuses on locally produced Santa Cruz Mountain wines and small plates of food sourced from local purveyors and growers. On Thursdays, if you can guess all the varietals in your flight of wine, it's free. - This restaurant focuses on locally produced Santa Cruz Mountain wines and small plates of food sourced from local purveyors and growers. On Thursdays, if you can guess all the varietals in your flight of wine, it's free. Beer and Wine - http://www.sanjose.com/agenda-restaurant-lounge/ Agenda features a hip nightclub upstairs, a fully-appointed restaurant at street level and DJ-ing in the basement. Entrees include buttery filet mignon perched atop potato puffs, and roasted chicken ballotine expertly filled with a sage and chestnut mousse. Full bar. - - 399 S. First St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-287-3991 New California Moderate Closed Sun-Mon. - Agenda features a hip nightclub upstairs, a fully-appointed restaurant at street level and DJ-ing in the basement. Entrees include buttery filet mignon perched atop potato puffs, and roasted chicken ballotine expertly filled with a sage and chestnut mousse. Full bar. - Agenda features a hip nightclub upstairs, a fully-appointed restaurant at street level and DJ-ing in the basement. Entrees include buttery filet mignon perched atop potato puffs, and roasted chicken ballotine expertly filled with a sage and chestnut mousse. Full bar. Liquor - http://www.amicis.com/ Part of a growing chain of San Mateo-based pizzerias, Amici's specializes in thin-crust, New York-style pizza. The pizza is very good and Amici's also offers a menu of pasta and other Italian dishes. Add an upscale atmosphere and friendly service and you've got one of downtown San Jose's best pizza shops. - - 225 W. Santa Clara St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-289-9000 Pizza Low 11am-10pm Mon-Thu, 11am-11pm Fri, 11:30am-11pm Sat and 11:30am-10pm Sun. - Part of a growing chain of San Mateo-based pizzerias, Amici's specializes in thin-crust, New York-style pizza. The pizza is very good and Amici's also offers a menu of pasta and other Italian dishes. Add an upscale atmosphere and friendly service and you've got one of downtown San Jose's best pizza shops. - Part of a growing chain of San Mateo-based pizzerias, Amici's specializes in thin-crust, New York-style pizza. The pizza is very good and Amici's also offers a menu of pasta and other Italian dishes. Add an upscale atmosphere and friendly service and you've got one of downtown San Jose's best pizza shops. Beer and Wine - http://www.apstumps.com/ If Jules Verne had designed a restaurant, this would be it. The setting is gorgeous and the entrees are perfection. Wine list is deep in the best California reds. Full bar. - - 163 W. Santa Clara St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-292-9928 New American Very Expensive - If Jules Verne had designed a restaurant, this would be it. The setting is gorgeous and the entrees are perfection. Wine list is deep in the best California reds. Full bar. - If Jules Verne had designed a restaurant, this would be it. The setting is gorgeous and the entrees are perfection. Wine list is deep in the best California reds. Full bar. Liquor - http://www.anisecafe.com/ This San Jose newcomer has the style and confidence of a veteran. The menu fuses Vietnamese ingredients with Western style and technique to create a cuisine that's greater than the sum of its parts. The dark, modern interior feels like a swanky lounge. - - 1663 W. San Carlos St. San Jose CA 95128 Downtown San Jose 408-298-8178 California-Vietnamese Moderate Closed Sun-Mon. - This San Jose newcomer has the style and confidence of a veteran. The menu fuses Vietnamese ingredients with Western style and technique to create a cuisine that's greater than the sum of its parts. The dark, modern interior feels like a swanky lounge. - This San Jose newcomer has the style and confidence of a veteran. The menu fuses Vietnamese ingredients with Western style and technique to create a cuisine that's greater than the sum of its parts. The dark, modern interior feels like a swanky lounge. - http://www.sanjose.com/arcadia-american-restaurant/ Celebrity chef Michael Mina reworked the menu at Arcadia in the summer of 2006 to create a modern steakhouse, a change that has made it the destination restaurant it was originally supposed to be. The selection and quality of steaks at Arcadia is quite good. Pick your steak and choose from six different sauces. The Kobe-style skirt steak is unbeatable. As good the steaks (and fish) are, some of the best dishes come from the list of appetizers. While it's not without its flaws, the new and improved Arcadia is downtown's leader for high-caliber dining. - - 301 S. Market St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-278-4555 Steakhouse Expensive Lunch 11:30am-2pm Mon-Fri and dinner 5:30-10pm Sun-Thu, 5:30-11pm Fri-Sat. - Celebrity chef Michael Mina reworked the menu at Arcadia in the summer of 2006 to create a modern steakhouse, a change that has made it the destination restaurant it was originally supposed to be. The selection and quality of steaks at Arcadia is quite good. Pick your steak and choose from six different sauces. The Kobe-style skirt steak is unbeatable. As good the steaks (and fish) are, some of the best dishes come from the list of appetizers. While it's not without its flaws, the new and improved Arcadia is downtown's leader for high-caliber dining. - Celebrity chef Michael Mina reworked the menu at Arcadia in the summer of 2006 to create a modern steakhouse, a change that has made it the destination restaurant it was originally supposed to be. The selection and quality of steaks at Arcadia is quite good. Pick your steak and choose from six different sauces. The Kobe-style skirt steak is unbeatable. As good the steaks (and fish) are, some of the best dishes come from the list of appetizers. While it's not without its flaws, the new and improved Arcadia is downtown's leader for high-caliber dining. - http://www.bellamia.com/ One of downtown San Jose's most attractive eateries, Bella Mia serves regional dishes with flair. Full bar. - - 58 S. First St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-280-1993 Italian-American Expensive - One of downtown San Jose's most attractive eateries, Bella Mia serves regional dishes with flair. Full bar. - One of downtown San Jose's most attractive eateries, Bella Mia serves regional dishes with flair. Full bar. Liquor - http://www.sanjose.com/nightlife/chachos-bar.html Flowers, murals and friendly servers provide accompaniment to some of the best chile rellenos around; lovely flan, too. - - 18 S. Almaden Ave. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-293-1387 Mexican Low - Flowers, murals and friendly servers provide accompaniment to some of the best chile rellenos around; lovely flan, too. - Flowers, murals and friendly servers provide accompaniment to some of the best chile rellenos around; lovely flan, too. - Big-shouldered food in handsome surroundings is the rule. The steaks are big and juicy, the pot pies better than Grandma used to make. Full bar. - - 300 Almaden Blvd., inside the Hilton San Jose CA 95110 Downtown San Jose 408-947-4444 Classic American Expensive - Big-shouldered food in handsome surroundings is the rule. The steaks are big and juicy, the pot pies better than Grandma used to make. Full bar. - Big-shouldered food in handsome surroundings is the rule. The steaks are big and juicy, the pot pies better than Grandma used to make. Full bar. Liquor - http://www.eotrading.com/ Entrees come on playful serving dishes and are beautifully spiced with multiculti flavors, from Bali to Ceylon and back through Malaysia. Full bar. - - 96 S. First St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-938-4100 Southeast Asian Expensive Open 11:30am to 10:30pm, until midnight on weekends. - Entrees come on playful serving dishes and are beautifully spiced with multiculti flavors, from Bali to Ceylon and back through Malaysia. Full bar. - Entrees come on playful serving dishes and are beautifully spiced with multiculti flavors, from Bali to Ceylon and back through Malaysia. Full bar. Liquor - White-tablecloth amenities without the stuffiness. An old favorite comes back strong with a new bistro. Full bar. Reservations suggested. - - 545 S. Second St. San Jose CA 95112 Downtown San Jose 408-289-1960 Contemporary French Expensive Closed Sun-Mon. - White-tablecloth amenities without the stuffiness. An old favorite comes back strong with a new bistro. Full bar. Reservations suggested. - White-tablecloth amenities without the stuffiness. An old favorite comes back strong with a new bistro. Full bar. Reservations suggested. Liquor - http://www.4thstpizzaco.com/ 4th Street Pizza Co. occupies a prime corner spot on East Santa Clara and Fourth with big windows to watch the passing traffic and comings and goings at City Hall across the street. Chances are you won't be watching the traffic, but one of the half-dozen plasma flat-screen TVs tuned to various sporting events that hang on the wall. Pizza quality varies. The thin crust margherita fell short but the thicker crust pies are better. - - 150 E. Santa Clara St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-286-7500 Pizza Low 11am-9pm Sun-Thu and 11am-10pm Fri-Sat. - 4th Street Pizza Co. occupies a prime corner spot on East Santa Clara and Fourth with big windows to watch the passing traffic and comings and goings at City Hall across the street. Chances are you won't be watching the traffic, but one of the half-dozen plasma flat-screen TVs tuned to various sporting events that hang on the wall. Pizza quality varies. The thin crust margherita fell short but the thicker crust pies are better. - 4th Street Pizza Co. occupies a prime corner spot on East Santa Clara and Fourth with big windows to watch the passing traffic and comings and goings at City Hall across the street. Chances are you won't be watching the traffic, but one of the half-dozen plasma flat-screen TVs tuned to various sporting events that hang on the wall. Pizza quality varies. The thin crust margherita fell short but the thicker crust pies are better. - http://www.hawgsseafoodbar.com/ Next door to the San Jose Rep Theatre, Hawgs offers simple seafood and convenience for theatergoers. Mostly shellfish and pasta combinations are offered; the linguini clams and sauteed scallops are full of garlic and rich flavors. - - 150 S. Second St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-287-9955 Seafood Expensive Closed Mon. - Next door to the San Jose Rep Theatre, Hawgs offers simple seafood and convenience for theatergoers. Mostly shellfish and pasta combinations are offered; the linguini clams and sauteed scallops are full of garlic and rich flavors. - Next door to the San Jose Rep Theatre, Hawgs offers simple seafood and convenience for theatergoers. Mostly shellfish and pasta combinations are offered; the linguini clams and sauteed scallops are full of garlic and rich flavors. - http://www.houseofsiam.net/ This popular establishment runs the gamut of Thai treasures. Casual. - - 151 S. Second St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-279-5668 Thai Low - This popular establishment runs the gamut of Thai treasures. Casual. - This popular establishment runs the gamut of Thai treasures. Casual. Liquor - Hunan Taste was the first in the South Bay to offer real Hunanese cooking. Spicy, complex, neighborhoody. - - 998 N. Fourth St. San Jose CA 95112 Downtown San Jose 408-295-1186 Hunanese Low - Hunan Taste was the first in the South Bay to offer real Hunanese cooking. Spicy, complex, neighborhoody. - Hunan Taste was the first in the South Bay to offer real Hunanese cooking. Spicy, complex, neighborhoody. - http://www.loscubanosrestaurant.com/ No need to travel to Miami for great Cuban food. We've got it right here at Los Cubanos. Cuban food is Caribbean soul food. Instead of the spicy, bright flavors that characterize Mexican food, Cuban food exudes an earthy, slow-cooked seduction. Meat dishes burble over a low flame to produce rich, satisfying food of great depth and flavor. Soupy, pork-accented black beans and sweet fried platanos are the signature accompaniments. Don't miss the lechon asado, ropa vieja and carne asada. Wash it all down with Cuba's famed Hatuey beer. - - 22 N. Almaden Ave. San Jose CA 95110 Downtown San Jose 408-279-0134 Cuban Moderate - No need to travel to Miami for great Cuban food. We've got it right here at Los Cubanos. Cuban food is Caribbean soul food. Instead of the spicy, bright flavors that characterize Mexican food, Cuban food exudes an earthy, slow-cooked seduction. Meat dishes burble over a low flame to produce rich, satisfying food of great depth and flavor. Soupy, pork-accented black beans and sweet fried platanos are the signature accompaniments. Don't miss the lechon asado, ropa vieja and carne asada. Wash it all down with Cuba's famed Hatuey beer. - No need to travel to Miami for great Cuban food. We've got it right here at Los Cubanos. Cuban food is Caribbean soul food. Instead of the spicy, bright flavors that characterize Mexican food, Cuban food exudes an earthy, slow-cooked seduction. Meat dishes burble over a low flame to produce rich, satisfying food of great depth and flavor. Soupy, pork-accented black beans and sweet fried platanos are the signature accompaniments. Don't miss the lechon asado, ropa vieja and carne asada. Wash it all down with Cuba's famed Hatuey beer. Beer and Wine - http://www.nagleeparkgarage.com/ The casual bistro bills itself as "neighborhood kitchen cuisine." Lots of restaurants would like to think of themselves as friendly neighborhood joints but few deliver. The Garage does. The tiny kitchen (just a rotisserie, stove and oven) is beer-spilling distance from the cozy, L-shaped bar, where brews are served in glass jars, and there's a short but good wine list. You order at the bar from the grocery bag brown-paper menu and scan the specials written on the board and take a seat at the bar or one of a handful of tables scattered around the high-ceilinged dining room. The restaurant attracts a lively, appreciative clientele of students and professors from SJSU as well as residents from the nearby Naglee Park neighborhood, a mix you don't often see in San Jose. - - 505 E. San Carlos St. San Jose CA 95112 Downtown San Jose 408-286-1100 New American Moderate - The casual bistro bills itself as "neighborhood kitchen cuisine." Lots of restaurants would like to think of themselves as friendly neighborhood joints but few deliver. The Garage does. The tiny kitchen (just a rotisserie, stove and oven) is beer-spilling distance from the cozy, L-shaped bar, where brews are served in glass jars, and there's a short but good wine list. You order at the bar from the grocery bag brown-paper menu and scan the specials written on the board and take a seat at the bar or one of a handful of tables scattered around the high-ceilinged dining room. The restaurant attracts a lively, appreciative clientele of students and professors from SJSU as well as residents from the nearby Naglee Park neighborhood, a mix you don't often see in San Jose. - The casual bistro bills itself as "neighborhood kitchen cuisine." Lots of restaurants would like to think of themselves as friendly neighborhood joints but few deliver. The Garage does. The tiny kitchen (just a rotisserie, stove and oven) is beer-spilling distance from the cozy, L-shaped bar, where brews are served in glass jars, and there's a short but good wine list. You order at the bar from the grocery bag brown-paper menu and scan the specials written on the board and take a seat at the bar or one of a handful of tables scattered around the high-ceilinged dining room. The restaurant attracts a lively, appreciative clientele of students and professors from SJSU as well as residents from the nearby Naglee Park neighborhood, a mix you don't often see in San Jose. Beer and Wine - http://www.paolosrestaurant.com/ Filled with artistic spins on California-meets-Italy, the kitchen turns out elegant entrees spearheaded by seasonal vegetables. The impeccable service compensates for the modest portions. Full bar. - - 323 W. San Carlos St. San Jose CA 95110 Downtown San Jose 408-294-2558 New Italian Very Expensive - Filled with artistic spins on California-meets-Italy, the kitchen turns out elegant entrees spearheaded by seasonal vegetables. The impeccable service compensates for the modest portions. Full bar. - Filled with artistic spins on California-meets-Italy, the kitchen turns out elegant entrees spearheaded by seasonal vegetables. The impeccable service compensates for the modest portions. Full bar. Liquor - http:/www.poorhousebistro.com/ Silicon Valley has little to offer fans of Creole and Cajun fare. Thankfully, there's San Jose's Poor House Bistro. The restaurant is set in a beautiful old house near HP Pavilion and offers a low-priced menu of Crescent City classics like po' boys, barbecued shrimp, gumbo, muffaletta, red beans and rice, burgers and Louisiana's Abita Ale on tap. The restaurant also has a great outdoor patio that features live music on Fridays and Saturdays. - - 91 S. Autumn St. San Jose CA 95110 Downtown San Jose 408-292-5837 New Orleans Moderate - Filled with artistic spins on California-meets-Italy, the kitchen turns out elegant entrees spearheaded by seasonal vegetables. The impeccable service compensates for the modest portions. Full bar. - Filled with artistic spins on California-meets-Italy, the kitchen turns out elegant entrees spearheaded by seasonal vegetables. The impeccable service compensates for the modest portions. Full bar. Liquor - San Jose's towering new City Hall has injected some much-needed life into downtown's soporific restaurant scene. There are a number of new and in-the-works restaurants on or near Santa Clara Street hoping to cash in on the new locus of city business. One of the best and brightest newcomers is Saigon 75. While Saigon 75's menu is similar to other like-minded restaurants with dishes such as spring rolls, shaken beef, green papaya salad and clay pot chicken, the restaurant stands out for its lively, fresh-flavored food and bargain prices. - - 304A E. Santa Clara St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-286-4900 Vietnamese Moderate 11am-3pm and 5-10pm Tue-Sun. - San Jose's towering new City Hall has injected some much-needed life into downtown's soporific restaurant scene. There are a number of new and in-the-works restaurants on or near Santa Clara Street hoping to cash in on the new locus of city business. One of the best and brightest newcomers is Saigon 75. While Saigon 75's menu is similar to other like-minded restaurants with dishes such as spring rolls, shaken beef, green papaya salad and clay pot chicken, the restaurant stands out for its lively, fresh-flavored food and bargain prices. - San Jose's towering new City Hall has injected some much-needed life into downtown's soporific restaurant scene. There are a number of new and in-the-works restaurants on or near Santa Clara Street hoping to cash in on the new locus of city business. One of the best and brightest newcomers is Saigon 75. While Saigon 75's menu is similar to other like-minded restaurants with dishes such as spring rolls, shaken beef, green papaya salad and clay pot chicken, the restaurant stands out for its lively, fresh-flavored food and bargain prices. - This romantic eatery provides recipes that speak with a slight French accent, from imaginative appetizers to the always-reliable roast of the evening. - - 71 N. San Pedro St. San Jose CA 95110 Downtown San Jose 408-971-8523 New American Expensive Closed Sun. - This romantic eatery provides recipes that speak with a slight French accent, from imaginative appetizers to the always-reliable roast of the evening. - This romantic eatery provides recipes that speak with a slight French accent, from imaginative appetizers to the always-reliable roast of the evening. Beer and Wine - http://www.sonomachickencoop.com/ If you don't mind carrying your own tray and fighting for a table you'll be rewarded with hearty spit-roasted chicken that requires at least six napkins. Pasta, Wine Country duck and hockey-themed desserts round out the menu. - - 31 N. Market St. at San Pedro Square San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-287-4098 Mixed Low Closed Sun. - If you don't mind carrying your own tray and fighting for a table you'll be rewarded with hearty spit-roasted chicken that requires at least six napkins. Pasta, Wine Country duck and hockey-themed desserts round out the menu. - If you don't mind carrying your own tray and fighting for a table you'll be rewarded with hearty spit-roasted chicken that requires at least six napkins. Pasta, Wine Country duck and hockey-themed desserts round out the menu. - http://www.tonysopranospizzeria.com/ This is the first West Coast location for this East Coast-based pizzeria. Owing to its East Coast heritage, it's a thin-crust-style place. The margherita pizza is particularly good, a big, irregularly shaped orb with beautifully melted mozzarella cheese, chunky but thin tomato sauce and flecks of fresh basil. In addition to pizzas, Tony Soprano's serves calzones and strombolis, which are basically calzones minus the ricotta cheese. - - 87 E. San Fernando St. San Jose CA 95113 Downtown San Jose 408-271-9707 Pizza Low 11:30am-11pm Mon-Wed and 11:30am-midnight Thu-Sat. - This is the first West Coast location for this East Coast-based pizzeria. Owing to its East Coast heritage, it's a thin-crust-style place. The margherita pizza is particularly good, a big, irregularly shaped orb with beautifully melted mozzarella cheese, chunky but thin tomato sauce and flecks of fresh basil. In addition to pizzas, Tony Soprano's serves calzones and strombolis, which are basically calzones minus the ricotta cheese. - This is the first West Coast location for this East Coast-based pizzeria. Owing to its East Coast heritage, it's a thin-crust-style place. The margherita pizza is particularly good, a big, irregularly shaped orb with beautifully melted mozzarella cheese, chunky but thin tomato sauce and flecks of fresh basil. In addition to pizzas, Tony Soprano's serves calzones and strombolis, which are basically calzones minus the ricotta cheese. - Now in its 20th year, Vung Tau remains an exemplar of traditional Vietnamese food. Traditionalists might gripe that they can get authentic Vietnamese food for less money elsewhere in San Jose, but it would be hard to top Vung Tau for its fresh, quality ingredients and sleek yet comfortable decor. The menu is vast but don't miss the green papaya salad, lotus root salad and the superb chicken caramelized with garlic, lemon grass and chiles. - - 535 E. Santa Clara St. San Jose CA 95112 Downtown San Jose 408-288-9055 Vietnamese Moderate Open daily 10am-3pm and 5-9pm. - Now in its 20th year, Vung Tau remains an exemplar of traditional Vietnamese food. Traditionalists might gripe that they can get authentic Vietnamese food for less money elsewhere in San Jose, but it would be hard to top Vung Tau for its fresh, quality ingredients and sleek yet comfortable decor. The menu is vast but don't miss the green papaya salad, lotus root salad and the superb chicken caramelized with garlic, lemon grass and chiles. - Now in its 20th year, Vung Tau remains an exemplar of traditional Vietnamese food. Traditionalists might gripe that they can get authentic Vietnamese food for less money elsewhere in San Jose, but it would be hard to top Vung Tau for its fresh, quality ingredients and sleek yet comfortable decor. The menu is vast but don't miss the green papaya salad, lotus root salad and the superb chicken caramelized with garlic, lemon grass and chiles. - This authentic Mexican market and taqueria serves wholesome renditions of basic Mexican favorites. Menudo is fresh on weekends. - - 542 S. Bascom Ave. San Jose CA 95128 San Jose 408-279-4333 Mexican Low - This authentic Mexican market and taqueria serves wholesome renditions of basic Mexican favorites. Menudo is fresh on weekends. - This authentic Mexican market and taqueria serves wholesome renditions of basic Mexican favorites. Menudo is fresh on weekends. - Humble strip mall gem with a loyal following. Beef Pi-Roj is a house favorite. Veggies love the Rama tofu. - - 1769 Blossom Hill Road San Jose CA 95124 San Jose 408-358-2525 Mexican Moderate - Humble strip mall gem with a loyal following. Beef Pi-Roj is a house favorite. Veggies love the Rama tofu. - Humble strip mall gem with a loyal following. Beef Pi-Roj is a house favorite. Veggies love the Rama tofu. - Gargantuan menu features nearly 200 Vietnamese menu options, including smoked duck, sauteed frogs and clay pot catfish. Casual. - - 2549 S. King Road #A-16 San Jose CA 95122 San Jose 408-270-9610 Vietnamese, Chinese-Vietnamese Low - Gargantuan menu features nearly 200 Vietnamese menu options, including smoked duck, sauteed frogs and clay pot catfish. Casual. - Gargantuan menu features nearly 200 Vietnamese menu options, including smoked duck, sauteed frogs and clay pot catfish. Casual. - Classic late-night post-party hang out, this Vegas-style coffee shop serves up the faves: burgers, spaghetti and meatloaf on Tuesdays. Full bar. - - 3197 Meridian Ave. San Jose CA 95124 San Jose 408-269-7891 American Moderate - Classic late-night post-party hang out, this Vegas-style coffee shop serves up the faves: burgers, spaghetti and meatloaf on Tuesdays. Full bar. - Classic late-night post-party hang out, this Vegas-style coffee shop serves up the faves: burgers, spaghetti and meatloaf on Tuesdays. Full bar. Liquor - The setting is fit for royalty, and there's a menu to match: lobster with special sauces, Peking duck, emerald-colored mustard greens, even suckling pig. Or try the more delicate fare: dim sum every lunch. - - 1001 Story Road, second floor San Jose CA 95122 San Jose 408-286-6668 Chinese Moderate - The setting is fit for royalty, and there's a menu to match: lobster with special sauces, Peking duck, emerald-colored mustard greens, even suckling pig. Or try the more delicate fare: dim sum every lunch. - The setting is fit for royalty, and there's a menu to match: lobster with special sauces, Peking duck, emerald-colored mustard greens, even suckling pig. Or try the more delicate fare: dim sum every lunch. - Food Topia serves a great, low priced menu of Taiwanese and Chinese food in atmosphere welcoming to non-Chinese. Go for the beef noodle soup, pickle and fish fillet soup and the fried chicken roll. No alcohol served. - - 1600 S. De Anza Blvd. San Jose CA 95129 San Jose 408-873-7628 Chinese and Taiwanese Low - Food Topia serves a great, low priced menu of Taiwanese and Chinese food in atmosphere welcoming to non-Chinese. Go for the beef noodle soup, pickle and fish fillet soup and the fried chicken roll. No alcohol served. - Food Topia serves a great, low priced menu of Taiwanese and Chinese food in atmosphere welcoming to non-Chinese. Go for the beef noodle soup, pickle and fish fillet soup and the fried chicken roll. No alcohol served. - Simple Italian cooking--the rugged kind with Southern Italian leanings, full of robust flavors and tangy tomato sauces. - - 1445 Foxworthy Ave. San Jose CA 95118 San Jose 408-264-5781 Family-style Italian Low Open daily - Simple Italian cooking--the rugged kind with Southern Italian leanings, full of robust flavors and tangy tomato sauces. - Simple Italian cooking--the rugged kind with Southern Italian leanings, full of robust flavors and tangy tomato sauces. - Simplicity reigns here; just Ethiopian food--chicken, beef, lamb, vegetarian--and Ethiopian coffee. The flavors taste even better with honey wine. - - 1261 W. San Carlos St. San Jose CA 95126 San Jose 408-295-9546 Ethiopian Low Closed Sun-Mon. - Simplicity reigns here; just Ethiopian food--chicken, beef, lamb, vegetarian--and Ethiopian coffee. The flavors taste even better with honey wine. - Simplicity reigns here; just Ethiopian food--chicken, beef, lamb, vegetarian--and Ethiopian coffee. The flavors taste even better with honey wine. Beer and Wine - A community hub that serves up wonderfully fresh, old-fashioned Mexican food with no trendy gimmicks. Both the restaurant and the food are wholesome and filling. - - 1996 Tully Road San Jose CA 95122 San Jose 408-270-0973 Mexican Low Open daily - A community hub that serves up wonderfully fresh, old-fashioned Mexican food with no trendy gimmicks. Both the restaurant and the food are wholesome and filling. - A community hub that serves up wonderfully fresh, old-fashioned Mexican food with no trendy gimmicks. Both the restaurant and the food are wholesome and filling. - http://www.dahukilau.com/restaurants/sj.html Simple, slightly salty, stomach-filling foods with an Asian Pacific attitude. All daily specials come with a scoop of macaroni salad and steamed rice. Skip the quesadilla and nachos and head straight for the ahi poke. With tropical drinks to match. - - 230 Jackson St. San Jose CA 95112 San Jose 408-279-4888 Hawaiian Moderate - Simple, slightly salty, stomach-filling foods with an Asian Pacific attitude. All daily specials come with a scoop of macaroni salad and steamed rice. Skip the quesadilla and nachos and head straight for the ahi poke. With tropical drinks to match. - Simple, slightly salty, stomach-filling foods with an Asian Pacific attitude. All daily specials come with a scoop of macaroni salad and steamed rice. Skip the quesadilla and nachos and head straight for the ahi poke. With tropical drinks to match. Liquor - http://www.originalkrungthai.com/ Located across from the movie theaters, this handsome restaurant specializes in full-bodied Thai cuisine. Bargain lunches draw a devout crowd. Casual. - - 640 S. Winchester Blvd. San Jose CA 95128 San Jose 408-260-8224 Thai Low - Located across from the movie theaters, this handsome restaurant specializes in full-bodied Thai cuisine. Bargain lunches draw a devout crowd. Casual. - Located across from the movie theaters, this handsome restaurant specializes in full-bodied Thai cuisine. Bargain lunches draw a devout crowd. Casual. Beer and Wine - http://www.kubotarestaurant.com/ A beautiful dining room that serves exquisite rice, luscious ribs and decent sushi. Full bar. - - 593 N. Fifth St. San Jose CA 95112 San Jose 408-279-8440 Japanese Moderate - A beautiful dining room that serves exquisite rice, luscious ribs and decent sushi. Full bar. - A beautiful dining room that serves exquisite rice, luscious ribs and decent sushi. Full bar. Liquor - Japantown is loaded with good restaurants, but any self-respecting Japantown has to have a ramen house that sells slurpable bowls of soupy noodles. With the opening of Kumako, J-town now has its missing ingredient. Kumako's menu is simple. They serve nine kinds of ramen, curry rice and a few appetizers. - - 211 E. Jackson St. San Jose CA 95112 San Jose 408-286-2111 Ramen Low 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-9:30pm Mon-Sat. - Japantown is loaded with good restaurants, but any self-respecting Japantown has to have a ramen house that sells slurpable bowls of soupy noodles. With the opening of Kumako, J-town now has its missing ingredient. Kumako's menu is simple. They serve nine kinds of ramen, curry rice and a few appetizers. - Japantown is loaded with good restaurants, but any self-respecting Japantown has to have a ramen house that sells slurpable bowls of soupy noodles. With the opening of Kumako, J-town now has its missing ingredient. Kumako's menu is simple. They serve nine kinds of ramen, curry rice and a few appetizers. - http://www.layanglayang.us/ Layang Layang shines with clean, fresh flavors and ingredients and offers a great entry into Malaysian food. The huge menu offers well over 100 items, which can make ordering overwhelming. Service is fast and friendly, a feat given how harried the waitstaff can be. - - 1480 S. De Anza Blvd. San Jose CA 95129 San Jose 408-777-8897 Malaysian Moderate Closed Mon. - Layang Layang shines with clean, fresh flavors and ingredients and offers a great entry into Malaysian food. The huge menu offers well over 100 items, which can make ordering overwhelming. Service is fast and friendly, a feat given how harried the waitstaff can be. - Layang Layang shines with clean, fresh flavors and ingredients and offers a great entry into Malaysian food. The huge menu offers well over 100 items, which can make ordering overwhelming. Service is fast and friendly, a feat given how harried the waitstaff can be. Beer and Wine - http://www.maggianos.com/ Like a warm Italian embrace, this Santana Row superstar proves a welcome haven for company lunches and congenial dinner parties. The food is a cut above standard, with roast chicken and veal marsala standing out. - - 3055 Olin Ave. #1000 San Jose CA 95128 San Jose 408-423-8973 Italian Moderate Closed Mon. - Like a warm Italian embrace, this Santana Row superstar proves a welcome haven for company lunches and congenial dinner parties. The food is a cut above standard, with roast chicken and veal marsala standing out. - Like a warm Italian embrace, this Santana Row superstar proves a welcome haven for company lunches and congenial dinner parties. The food is a cut above standard, with roast chicken and veal marsala standing out. - http://www.menara41.com/ Since 1977, Menara's been throwing back the pillows and bellying up to mint tea rituals, b'stilla (pigeon pie) and rabbit tangine. Spacious, elaborate surrounds become even more exotic after a sip of Moroccan Magic (brandy and rum). Full dinners menus include vegetarian option, solid wine list. - - 41 E. Gish Road San Jose CA 95112 San Jose 408-453-1983 Moroccan Expensive - Since 1977, Menara's been throwing back the pillows and bellying up to mint tea rituals, b'stilla (pigeon pie) and rabbit tangine. Spacious, elaborate surrounds become even more exotic after a sip of Moroccan Magic (brandy and rum). Full dinners menus include vegetarian option, solid wine list. - Since 1977, Menara's been throwing back the pillows and bellying up to mint tea rituals, b'stilla (pigeon pie) and rabbit tangine. Spacious, elaborate surrounds become even more exotic after a sip of Moroccan Magic (brandy and rum). Full dinners menus include vegetarian option, solid wine list. Beer and Wine - The Grandview is an old school roadhouse with a warm atmosphere. Add dishes like surf and turf, rack of lamb chasseur and chicken Cordon Bleu, and servers who are characters themselves, and you've got yourself a destination. - - 94 Mt. Hamilton Road San Jose CA 95140 San Jose 408-251-8909 Cowboy Continental Expensive Closed Mon and Tue. - The Grandview is an old school roadhouse with a warm atmosphere. Add dishes like surf and turf, rack of lamb chasseur and chicken Cordon Bleu, and servers who are characters themselves, and you've got yourself a destination. - The Grandview is an old school roadhouse with a warm atmosphere. Add dishes like surf and turf, rack of lamb chasseur and chicken Cordon Bleu, and servers who are characters themselves, and you've got yourself a destination. - http://themynt.com/ The lunch buffet is the bread and butter of Silicon Valley Indian restaurants. Trouble is, while it's often an all-you-can eat bargain, it doesn't make for very interesting eating. But San Jose's Mynt restaurant offers a different experience. Ten dollars buys you plate after plate of food you're unlikely to come across elsewhere. It's diverse and delicious. The sit-down dinner menu has plenty offer as well. - - 5210 Prospect Road San Jose CA 95129 San Jose 408-973-9673 Indian Low Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Sun, dinner 5:30-9:30pm Mon-Thu and 5:30-10pm Fri-Sun. - The lunch buffet is the bread and butter of Silicon Valley Indian restaurants. Trouble is, while it's often an all-you-can eat bargain, it doesn't make for very interesting eating. But San Jose's Mynt restaurant offers a different experience. Ten dollars buys you plate after plate of food you're unlikely to come across elsewhere. It's diverse and delicious. The sit-down dinner menu has plenty offer as well. - The lunch buffet is the bread and butter of Silicon Valley Indian restaurants. Trouble is, while it's often an all-you-can eat bargain, it doesn't make for very interesting eating. But San Jose's Mynt restaurant offers a different experience. Ten dollars buys you plate after plate of food you're unlikely to come across elsewhere. It's diverse and delicious. The sit-down dinner menu has plenty offer as well. - http://www.pastapomodoro.com/ Exuberant, inexpensive and fast cuisine made to order and served with sparkle. High concept and low costs make Pasta Pomodoro a dream trattoria for lovers of robust Italian flavors. - - 1205 The Alameda San Jose CA 95135 San Jose 408-292-9929 Italian Low - Exuberant, inexpensive and fast cuisine made to order and served with sparkle. High concept and low costs make Pasta Pomodoro a dream trattoria for lovers of robust Italian flavors. - Exuberant, inexpensive and fast cuisine made to order and served with sparkle. High concept and low costs make Pasta Pomodoro a dream trattoria for lovers of robust Italian flavors. - http://www.pizzaantica.com/ The stony ovens of Pizza Antica turn out thin-crusted designer pies with gourmet toppings in casual environs. Fine pasta and meat dishes also available. - - 334 Santana Row #1065 San Jose CA 95128 San Jose 408-557-8373 Pizza Moderate Open daily for lunch and dinner - The stony ovens of Pizza Antica turn out thin-crusted designer pies with gourmet toppings in casual environs. Fine pasta and meat dishes also available. - The stony ovens of Pizza Antica turn out thin-crusted designer pies with gourmet toppings in casual environs. Fine pasta and meat dishes also available. - This mom-and-pop eatery gears itself toward the common man with the uncommonly large appetite. Thrown into the bargain is a Chinese steam-table buffet. - - 1190 Hillsdale Ave. San Jose CA 95118 San Jose 408-978-7188 Mongolian barbecue Low - This mom-and-pop eatery gears itself toward the common man with the uncommonly large appetite. Thrown into the bargain is a Chinese steam-table buffet. - This mom-and-pop eatery gears itself toward the common man with the uncommonly large appetite. Thrown into the bargain is a Chinese steam-table buffet. - Korean food hasn't gone mainstream yet, but San Jose's Red Charcoal may be the beginning. The restaurant combines several elements of Korean food under one roof. Unlike the staid look of many Korean restaurants, Red Charcoal combines eclectic art in the form Styrofoam sculpture, brightly colored walls, sappy pop music and an open kitchen. Grilled items are best. - - 1701 Lundy Road #110 San Jose CA 95131 San Jose 408-392-8246 Korean Low Open daily 11am-3:30pm and 5:30-10pm. - Korean food hasn't gone mainstream yet, but San Jose's Red Charcoal may be the beginning. The restaurant combines several elements of Korean food under one roof. Unlike the staid look of many Korean restaurants, Red Charcoal combines eclectic art in the form Styrofoam sculpture, brightly colored walls, sappy pop music and an open kitchen. Grilled items are best. - Korean food hasn't gone mainstream yet, but San Jose's Red Charcoal may be the beginning. The restaurant combines several elements of Korean food under one roof. Unlike the staid look of many Korean restaurants, Red Charcoal combines eclectic art in the form Styrofoam sculpture, brightly colored walls, sappy pop music and an open kitchen. Grilled items are best. Beer and Wine - With a decor that is upbeat and sophisticated and sushi that is as dazzling as handmade jewelry, Sushi Boat walks on water! - - 1600 Saratoga Ave. #119, Westgate Mall San Jose CA 95129 San Jose 408-378-4000 Sushi bar/Japanese specialties Low Open daily - With a decor that is upbeat and sophisticated and sushi that is as dazzling as handmade jewelry, Sushi Boat walks on water! - With a decor that is upbeat and sophisticated and sushi that is as dazzling as handmade jewelry, Sushi Boat walks on water! - http://www.sushifactorysj.com/ It's all here: sushi, bento box meals and teriyaki and at great prices. - - 4632 Meridian Ave. San Jose CA 95124 San Jose 408-723-2598 Sushi bar/Japanese specialties Moderate - It's all here: sushi, bento box meals and teriyaki and at great prices. - It's all here: sushi, bento box meals and teriyaki and at great prices. - Owners Eduardo and Sylvia Rallo (who own Consuelo across the street) tapped former Boulevard executive sous-chef Alex Padilla to run the kitchen at Santana Row's Thea. Padilla has traveled in Greece and Turkey, and some of the restaurant's recipes come from his travels. While some dishes have a tenuous connection to Turkey and Greece, the pretty restaurant serves a number of standouts like the garides (roasted prawns), octopodaki (octopus salad) and the excellent moussaka. Thea also serves a number of good Greek wines like the refreshing Skouras Moschofilero Roditis. Full bar. - - 3090 Olsen Dr. San Jose CA 95128 San Jose 408-260-1444 Greek and Turkish Moderate Open daily for lunch and dinner - Owners Eduardo and Sylvia Rallo (who own Consuelo across the street) tapped former Boulevard executive sous-chef Alex Padilla to run the kitchen at Santana Row's Thea. Padilla has traveled in Greece and Turkey, and some of the restaurant's recipes come from his travels. While some dishes have a tenuous connection to Turkey and Greece, the pretty restaurant serves a number of standouts like the garides (roasted prawns), octopodaki (octopus salad) and the excellent moussaka. Thea also serves a number of good Greek wines like the refreshing Skouras Moschofilero Roditis. Full bar. - Owners Eduardo and Sylvia Rallo (who own Consuelo across the street) tapped former Boulevard executive sous-chef Alex Padilla to run the kitchen at Santana Row's Thea. Padilla has traveled in Greece and Turkey, and some of the restaurant's recipes come from his travels. While some dishes have a tenuous connection to Turkey and Greece, the pretty restaurant serves a number of standouts like the garides (roasted prawns), octopodaki (octopus salad) and the excellent moussaka. Thea also serves a number of good Greek wines like the refreshing Skouras Moschofilero Roditis. Full bar. Liquor - http://www.tlaq3.com/ Willow Glen's Tlaquepaque No. 3 is a chain restaurant. But don't hold that it against it. Its soul is still intact. The mini empire of Mexican restaurants opened a third restaurant on Curtner Avenue in December. The other two restaurants are on Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street. Tlaquepaque occupies that sweet spot between a taqueria and a more formal sit-down restaurant. And then there are those highly gulpable chavelas. - - 699 Curtner Ave. San Jose CA 95125 San Jose 408-448-1230 Mexican Low 7am-9pm Mon-Sat. - Willow Glen's Tlaquepaque No. 3 is a chain restaurant. But don't hold that it against it. Its soul is still intact. The mini empire of Mexican restaurants opened a third restaurant on Curtner Avenue in December. The other two restaurants are on Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street. Tlaquepaque occupies that sweet spot between a taqueria and a more formal sit-down restaurant. And then there are those highly gulpable chavelas. - Willow Glen's Tlaquepaque No. 3 is a chain restaurant. But don't hold that it against it. Its soul is still intact. The mini empire of Mexican restaurants opened a third restaurant on Curtner Avenue in December. The other two restaurants are on Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street. Tlaquepaque occupies that sweet spot between a taqueria and a more formal sit-down restaurant. And then there are those highly gulpable chavelas. - http://www.vin-santo.com/ A beautifully simple and low-lit dining room sets the stage for offerings of earthy aromas, bold sauces and well-seasoned market-fresh meats and produce. Extensive wine list plays host nearly as well as the informative servers. - - 1346 Lincoln Ave. San Jose CA 95125 San Jose 408-920-2508 Italian Moderate - A beautifully simple and low-lit dining room sets the stage for offerings of earthy aromas, bold sauces and well-seasoned market-fresh meats and produce. Extensive wine list plays host nearly as well as the informative servers. - A beautifully simple and low-lit dining room sets the stage for offerings of earthy aromas, bold sauces and well-seasoned market-fresh meats and produce. Extensive wine list plays host nearly as well as the informative servers. - Beachside shack decor gives Wahoo's a Disney quality--fish tacos meets the Pirates of the Caribbean. Fish is the dish at this L.A.-based fast-food staple, served flame-broiled or blackened in a spicy Cajun rub in tacos, burritos, bowls and salads. A good fit for Santana Row and a godsend for those demanding tasty, cheap fish tacos in the South Bay. - - 3050 Olin Ave. (Santana Row) San Jose CA 95128 San Jose 408-244-3991 Fish tacos/Cal-Mex Low - Beachside shack decor gives Wahoo's a Disney quality--fish tacos meets the Pirates of the Caribbean. Fish is the dish at this L.A.-based fast-food staple, served flame-broiled or blackened in a spicy Cajun rub in tacos, burritos, bowls and salads. A good fit for Santana Row and a godsend for those demanding tasty, cheap fish tacos in the South Bay. - Beachside shack decor gives Wahoo's a Disney quality--fish tacos meets the Pirates of the Caribbean. Fish is the dish at this L.A.-based fast-food staple, served flame-broiled or blackened in a spicy Cajun rub in tacos, burritos, bowls and salads. A good fit for Santana Row and a godsend for those demanding tasty, cheap fish tacos in the South Bay. Beer and Wine - http://www.yankeepier.com/santana_row/index.html Veteran restaurateur Bradley Ogden brings a bit of Cape Cod to Santana Row, with a menu ranging from old-fashioned fish and chips to gourmet oysters and a mouth-watering Maine lobster roll. Sunday brunch is also available. - - 378 Santana Row #1100 San Jose CA 95128 San Jose 408-244-1244 American seafood Moderate - Veteran restaurateur Bradley Ogden brings a bit of Cape Cod to Santana Row, with a menu ranging from old-fashioned fish and chips to gourmet oysters and a mouth-watering Maine lobster roll. Sunday brunch is also available. - Veteran restaurateur Bradley Ogden brings a bit of Cape Cod to Santana Row, with a menu ranging from old-fashioned fish and chips to gourmet oysters and a mouth-watering Maine lobster roll. Sunday brunch is also available. - In keeping with this ancient cuisine's traditions, entrees are dressed up with the clean, fresh tastes of lemon and saffron, and desserts wear a distinctive hint of rose water. - - 1138 Saratoga Ave. San Jose CA 95129 San Jose 408-241-5115 Persian Moderate - In keeping with this ancient cuisine's traditions, entrees are dressed up with the clean, fresh tastes of lemon and saffron, and desserts wear a distinctive hint of rose water. - In keeping with this ancient cuisine's traditions, entrees are dressed up with the clean, fresh tastes of lemon and saffron, and desserts wear a distinctive hint of rose water. Beer and Wine - http://www.zenirestaurant.com/ Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant rises above other Bay Area Ethiopian restaurants with fresh, vibrant food, much of it deliciously enrobed in berbere, Ethiopia's signature--and spicy--seasoning. Traditional seating and coffee ceremony add to the experience. Full bar. - - 1320 Saratoga Ave. San Jose CA 95129 San Jose 408-615-8282 Ethiopian Moderate - Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant rises above other Bay Area Ethiopian restaurants with fresh, vibrant food, much of it deliciously enrobed in berbere, Ethiopia's signature--and spicy--seasoning. Traditional seating and coffee ceremony add to the experience. Full bar. - Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant rises above other Bay Area Ethiopian restaurants with fresh, vibrant food, much of it deliciously enrobed in berbere, Ethiopia's signature--and spicy--seasoning. Traditional seating and coffee ceremony add to the experience. Full bar. Liquor - http://www.andysbbq.com/ Andy's Bar-B-Que in Santa Clara is the reincarnation of one of the South Bay's best barbecue joints. Originally located in Campbell for nearly 40 years, Andy's is still serving great oak-smoked meats to a dedicated following. Spare ribs, tri-tip, chicken and sausage are all good but the brisket needs work. And don't bother with the mediocre peach cobbler. Service is fast and friendly and the place is spotless. - - 2367 El Camino Real Santa Clara CA 95050 Santa Clara 408-249-8158 Barbecue Moderate 11am-3pm Mon-Fri and 3-9pm Mon-Thu, Fri-Sat 3pm-10pm and 3-9pm Sun. - Andy's Bar-B-Que in Santa Clara is the reincarnation of one of the South Bay's best barbecue joints. Originally located in Campbell for nearly 40 years, Andy's is still serving great oak-smoked meats to a dedicated following. Spare ribs, tri-tip, chicken and sausage are all good but the brisket needs work. And don't bother with the mediocre peach cobbler. Service is fast and friendly and the place is spotless. - Andy's Bar-B-Que in Santa Clara is the reincarnation of one of the South Bay's best barbecue joints. Originally located in Campbell for nearly 40 years, Andy's is still serving great oak-smoked meats to a dedicated following. Spare ribs, tri-tip, chicken and sausage are all good but the brisket needs work. And don't bother with the mediocre peach cobbler. Service is fast and friendly and the place is spotless. - http://www.athenagrill.com/ The Santa Clara restaurant serves the standards you'd expect, but the menu goes deeper and offers authentic Greek dishes you're not likely to find elsewhere. Athena Grill not only serves some of the best Greek food in Silicon Valley, but the bargain prices and friendly atmosphere make it a real find. Chef and owner Vasiliki (Vaso) Kidder was born in southern Greece and moved to the States when she was 16. The recipes she cooks with come from her mother and both her grandmothers, so you know you're getting the real thing. - - 1505 Space Park Drive Santa Clara CA 95054 Santa Clara 408-567-9144 Greek Moderate 10:30am-9pm Mon-Fri. - The Santa Clara restaurant serves the standards you'd expect, but the menu goes deeper and offers authentic Greek dishes you're not likely to find elsewhere. Athena Grill not only serves some of the best Greek food in Silicon Valley, but the bargain prices and friendly atmosphere make it a real find. Chef and owner Vasiliki (Vaso) Kidder was born in southern Greece and moved to the States when she was 16. The recipes she cooks with come from her mother and both her grandmothers, so you know you're getting the real thing. - The Santa Clara restaurant serves the standards you'd expect, but the menu goes deeper and offers authentic Greek dishes you're not likely to find elsewhere. Athena Grill not only serves some of the best Greek food in Silicon Valley, but the bargain prices and friendly atmosphere make it a real find. Chef and owner Vasiliki (Vaso) Kidder was born in southern Greece and moved to the States when she was 16. The recipes she cooks with come from her mother and both her grandmothers, so you know you're getting the real thing. - http://www.birksrestaurant.com/ What makes Birk's stand out from the rest is a commitment to quality, freshness and hygiene. Concentrate on the specials, or enjoy creative selections from the appetizer menu. Full bar. - - 3955 Freedom Circle Santa Clara CA 95054 Santa Clara 408-980-6400 American grill Expensive - What makes Birk's stand out from the rest is a commitment to quality, freshness and hygiene. Concentrate on the specials, or enjoy creative selections from the appetizer menu. Full bar. - What makes Birk's stand out from the rest is a commitment to quality, freshness and hygiene. Concentrate on the specials, or enjoy creative selections from the appetizer menu. Full bar. - Located on Santa Clara's Korean restaurant row, Blue Stones offers a large menu of traditional Korean fare including bibim bop, soontofu and kalbi short ribs. Soups are particularly good. - - 3530 El Camino Real Santa Clara CA 95129 Santa Clara 408-243-0019 Korean Moderate - Located on Santa Clara's Korean restaurant row, Blue Stones offers a large menu of traditional Korean fare including bibim bop, soontofu and kalbi short ribs. Soups are particularly good. - Located on Santa Clara's Korean restaurant row, Blue Stones offers a large menu of traditional Korean fare including bibim bop, soontofu and kalbi short ribs. Soups are particularly good. - Located on Santa Clara's Korean restaurant row, Blue Stones offers a large menu of traditional Korean fare including bibim bop, soontofu and kalbi short ribs. Soups are particularly good. - - 3530 El Camino Real Santa Clara CA 95129 Santa Clara 408-243-0019 Korean Moderate - Located on Santa Clara's Korean restaurant row, Blue Stones offers a large menu of traditional Korean fare including bibim bop, soontofu and kalbi short ribs. Soups are particularly good. - Located on Santa Clara's Korean restaurant row, Blue Stones offers a large menu of traditional Korean fare including bibim bop, soontofu and kalbi short ribs. Soups are particularly good. - All walks of humanity rub shoulders here, enjoying just about everything that can be baked, fried, broiled or steamed. Full bar. - - 4565 Stevens Creek Blvd. Santa Clara CA 95051 Santa Clara 408-248-6244 American Moderate - All walks of humanity rub shoulders here, enjoying just about everything that can be baked, fried, broiled or steamed. Full bar. - All walks of humanity rub shoulders here, enjoying just about everything that can be baked, fried, broiled or steamed. Full bar. Liquor - This is the real deal, priced to keep patrons coming back for bowls of spicy beef, seafood, pickled vegetables, chili soup and, yes, bean curd in its many permutations. - - 1484 Halford Ave. Santa Clara CA 95051 Santa Clara 408-246-1484 Korean Low - This is the real deal, priced to keep patrons coming back for bowls of spicy beef, seafood, pickled vegetables, chili soup and, yes, bean curd in its many permutations. - This is the real deal, priced to keep patrons coming back for bowls of spicy beef, seafood, pickled vegetables, chili soup and, yes, bean curd in its many permutations. - Because it's tucked into a quiet, semiresidential side street away from the hubbub of nearby El Camino Real, Santa Clara's Kabab and Curry's feels like a neighborhood secret. The Indian and Pakistani restaurant serves a good lunch buffet for $8 and at dinner try the butter chicken, choley (garbanzo beans in a rich curry), tandoori chicken and aalo baigun (stewed eggplant). - - 1498 Isabella St. Santa Clara CA 95050 Santa Clara 408-247-0745 Indian-Pakistani Low 11am-2:30pm and 5:30-10pm Tue-Sun. - Because it's tucked into a quiet, semiresidential side street away from the hubbub of nearby El Camino Real, Santa Clara's Kabab and Curry's feels like a neighborhood secret. The Indian and Pakistani restaurant serves a good lunch buffet for $8 and at dinner try the butter chicken, choley (garbanzo beans in a rich curry), tandoori chicken and aalo baigun (stewed eggplant). - Because it's tucked into a quiet, semiresidential side street away from the hubbub of nearby El Camino Real, Santa Clara's Kabab and Curry's feels like a neighborhood secret. The Indian and Pakistani restaurant serves a good lunch buffet for $8 and at dinner try the butter chicken, choley (garbanzo beans in a rich curry), tandoori chicken and aalo baigun (stewed eggplant). - Santa Clara's Kabab House Halal, a spare, eight-table restaurant, serves a pan-Middle Eastern menu that leans toward Iran. As the name implies, Kabab House is basically a kebab house and serves good koobideh ($7.50, seasoned ground beef), chicken ($8.50) and barg (chunks of beef) kebabs. The kebabs are cooked on a long, rectangular grill directly over the burning coals. The koobideh is best, but I liked the chicken, too. The tender, orange-tinted meat reminds me of tandoori chicken. The restaurant serves a lunch buffet that's a great value at $8.50. - - 2521 Newhall St. Santa Clara CA 95050 Santa Clara 408-984-2204 Middle Eastern Low 11am-10pm Tue-Sun. - Santa Clara's Kabab House Halal, a spare, eight-table restaurant, serves a pan-Middle Eastern menu that leans toward Iran. As the name implies, Kabab House is basically a kebab house and serves good koobideh ($7.50, seasoned ground beef), chicken ($8.50) and barg (chunks of beef) kebabs. The kebabs are cooked on a long, rectangular grill directly over the burning coals. The koobideh is best, but I liked the chicken, too. The tender, orange-tinted meat reminds me of tandoori chicken. The restaurant serves a lunch buffet that's a great value at $8.50. - Santa Clara's Kabab House Halal, a spare, eight-table restaurant, serves a pan-Middle Eastern menu that leans toward Iran. As the name implies, Kabab House is basically a kebab house and serves good koobideh ($7.50, seasoned ground beef), chicken ($8.50) and barg (chunks of beef) kebabs. The kebabs are cooked on a long, rectangular grill directly over the burning coals. The koobideh is best, but I liked the chicken, too. The tender, orange-tinted meat reminds me of tandoori chicken. The restaurant serves a lunch buffet that's a great value at $8.50. - Neto's Sausage Co. is the real thing. Founded in 1948, this Santa Clara landmark makes 25 kinds of sausage on-site and also has a specialty grocery store. Weather permitting, the crowds line up for the lunchtime barbecue on Tuesday and Friday. If you have to pick one, go for the linguica. - - 3499 The Alameda Santa Clara CA 95050 Santa Clara 408-296-0818 Sausage maker and Portuguese grocery Low - Neto's Sausage Co. is the real thing. Founded in 1948, this Santa Clara landmark makes 25 kinds of sausage on-site and also has a specialty grocery store. Weather permitting, the crowds line up for the lunchtime barbecue on Tuesday and Friday. If you have to pick one, go for the linguica. - Neto's Sausage Co. is the real thing. Founded in 1948, this Santa Clara landmark makes 25 kinds of sausage on-site and also has a specialty grocery store. Weather permitting, the crowds line up for the lunchtime barbecue on Tuesday and Friday. If you have to pick one, go for the linguica. - http://www.parcel104.com/ When Metro reviewed Parcel 104 back in 2002, former restaurant critic Christina Waters pronounced her meal a bewitching experience. Four years later, the restaurant still casts a spell with its stridently seasonal, ingredient-driven menu of new American food. Few restaurants in Silicon Valley come close to the caliber of the food at Parcel 104; chef Robert Sapirman has made the restaurant one of the South Bay's must-eats. Add a clubby, comfortable dining room, polished service and a wine list presided over by a master sommelier (one of only 120 in the world) and you're in pretty good hands. - - 2700 Mission College Blvd. Santa Clara CA 95054 Santa Clara 408-970-6104 New American Very Expensive Breakfast 6-10am Mon-Fri and 7-11am Sat-Sun, lunch 11:30am-2pm Mon-Fri and dinner 5:30-9pm Mon-Sat. - When Metro reviewed Parcel 104 back in 2002, former restaurant critic Christina Waters pronounced her meal a bewitching experience. Four years later, the restaurant still casts a spell with its stridently seasonal, ingredient-driven menu of new American food. Few restaurants in Silicon Valley come close to the caliber of the food at Parcel 104; chef Robert Sapirman has made the restaurant one of the South Bay's must-eats. Add a clubby, comfortable dining room, polished service and a wine list presided over by a master sommelier (one of only 120 in the world) and you're in pretty good hands. - When Metro reviewed Parcel 104 back in 2002, former restaurant critic Christina Waters pronounced her meal a bewitching experience. Four years later, the restaurant still casts a spell with its stridently seasonal, ingredient-driven menu of new American food. Few restaurants in Silicon Valley come close to the caliber of the food at Parcel 104; chef Robert Sapirman has made the restaurant one of the South Bay's must-eats. Add a clubby, comfortable dining room, polished service and a wine list presided over by a master sommelier (one of only 120 in the world) and you're in pretty good hands. Beer and Wine - A good and friendly destination when one's stomach screams for a three-course meal but one's wallet has but $10, Pho boasts an ambitious menu of nearly 100 Vietnamese and Chinese items. - - 5025 Stevens Creek Blvd. Santa Clara CA 95051 Santa Clara 408-249-1111 Asian noodle house Low - A good and friendly destination when one's stomach screams for a three-course meal but one's wallet has but $10, Pho boasts an ambitious menu of nearly 100 Vietnamese and Chinese items. - A good and friendly destination when one's stomach screams for a three-course meal but one's wallet has but $10, Pho boasts an ambitious menu of nearly 100 Vietnamese and Chinese items. - This diner's pho (beef noodle soup) rates among the Top 3 in the South Bay. Dry rice noodle specials are topped with fresh vegetable, pickled daikon and grilled meats. Casual. - - 2450 El Camino Real Santa Clara CA 95051 Santa Clara 408-983-0888 Vietnamese noodle house Low - This diner's pho (beef noodle soup) rates among the Top 3 in the South Bay. Dry rice noodle specials are topped with fresh vegetable, pickled daikon and grilled meats. Casual. - This diner's pho (beef noodle soup) rates among the Top 3 in the South Bay. Dry rice noodle specials are topped with fresh vegetable, pickled daikon and grilled meats. Casual. - One of the few outposts for Salvadoran food in the South Bay, Sabor Salvadoreno serves excellent pupusas, soups, tamales and other standards from the tiny Central American nation. Be sure to wash it all down with a glass of the intriguing Salvadoran horchata or a sweet and tart arraya. - - 2045 White Oak Lane Santa Clara CA 95051 Santa Clara 408-985-6464 Salvadoran Low - One of the few outposts for Salvadoran food in the South Bay, Sabor Salvadoreno serves excellent pupusas, soups, tamales and other standards from the tiny Central American nation. Be sure to wash it all down with a glass of the intriguing Salvadoran horchata or a sweet and tart arraya. - One of the few outposts for Salvadoran food in the South Bay, Sabor Salvadoreno serves excellent pupusas, soups, tamales and other standards from the tiny Central American nation. Be sure to wash it all down with a glass of the intriguing Salvadoran horchata or a sweet and tart arraya. - Soup stars at this casual, popular stop. To tofu soups, add mushrooms, beef, pork or seafood--plus scores of condiments like daikon, cucumber, radish. Hot stuff! - - 3450 E. El Camino Real #105 Santa Clara CA 95051 Santa Clara 408-261-3030 Korean Low Closed Sun. - Soup stars at this casual, popular stop. To tofu soups, add mushrooms, beef, pork or seafood--plus scores of condiments like daikon, cucumber, radish. Hot stuff! - Soup stars at this casual, popular stop. To tofu soups, add mushrooms, beef, pork or seafood--plus scores of condiments like daikon, cucumber, radish. Hot stuff! - http://www.yo-yosushi.com/ Local high-tech workers keep coming back to this attractive, futuristic restaurant. The fusion-friendly menu features such expertly realized creations as the deep-fried California Roll and the Fisherman Roll, crab and avocado wrapped in rice, topped with salmon and rich masago sauce and then baked. Weekday happy hour. - - 3958 Rivermark Plaza Santa Clara CA 95054 Santa Clara 408-213-9696 Japanese fusion Moderate - Local high-tech workers keep coming back to this attractive, futuristic restaurant. The fusion-friendly menu features such expertly realized creations as the deep-fried California Roll and the Fisherman Roll, crab and avocado wrapped in rice, topped with salmon and rich masago sauce and then baked. Weekday happy hour. - Local high-tech workers keep coming back to this attractive, futuristic restaurant. The fusion-friendly menu features such expertly realized creations as the deep-fried California Roll and the Fisherman Roll, crab and avocado wrapped in rice, topped with salmon and rich masago sauce and then baked. Weekday happy hour. - http://www.yukisushi.com/ A family-friendly ambience prevails here, full of community hubbub, good food, generous portions and super chefs. Yuki keeps it simple, but always interesting with dishes that are well thought out and presented. - - 1827 Pruneridge Ave. Santa Clara CA 95050 Santa Clara 408-248-9144 Japanese Moderate Closed Mon. - A family-friendly ambience prevails here, full of community hubbub, good food, generous portions and super chefs. Yuki keeps it simple, but always interesting with dishes that are well thought out and presented. - A family-friendly ambience prevails here, full of community hubbub, good food, generous portions and super chefs. Yuki keeps it simple, but always interesting with dishes that are well thought out and presented. - http://www.thebasin.com/ The Basin has some refreshingly high standards. Produce is organic, seafoods are fresh and the menu accentuates American ideas, enhanced by Asian spin and Mediterranean comfort. - - 14572 Big Basin Way Saratoga CA 95070 Saratoga 408-867-1906 New American Expensive Closed Mon. - The Basin has some refreshingly high standards. Produce is organic, seafoods are fresh and the menu accentuates American ideas, enhanced by Asian spin and Mediterranean comfort. - The Basin has some refreshingly high standards. Produce is organic, seafoods are fresh and the menu accentuates American ideas, enhanced by Asian spin and Mediterranean comfort. - http://www.lameremichelle.com/ After three decades, La Mere is a tradition. Old World standards such as pâte, escargots, Wiener schnitzel and veal scaloppini find a distinguished setting in the crystal-dotted dining room. - - 14467 Big Basin Way Saratoga CA 95070 Saratoga 408-867-5272 French-European Expensive Closed Mon. - After three decades, La Mere is a tradition. Old World standards such as pâte, escargots, Wiener schnitzel and veal scaloppini find a distinguished setting in the crystal-dotted dining room. - After three decades, La Mere is a tradition. Old World standards such as pâte, escargots, Wiener schnitzel and veal scaloppini find a distinguished setting in the crystal-dotted dining room. - Lupretta's started in San Jose on Stevens Creek Boulevard in 1994. Daryle Lupretta bought the deli from the Pianto family. They had been making ravioli and other Italian-American classics since 1954. In addition to the deli space and an antique but highly functional ravioli maker, Lupretta got all the Piantos' recipes. The mainstay of Lupretta's business is sandwiches. The meatball sandwich ($5.35) is highly recommended. But what makes the deli special is the ravioli. There are only a few places left in the Bay Area that hand-make their ravioli and Lupretta's is one. - - 14480 Big Basin Way Saratoga CA 95070 Saratoga 408-484-0004 Deli Low 9:30am-7pm Mon-Fri and 9:30am-6pm Sat. - Lupretta's started in San Jose on Stevens Creek Boulevard in 1994. Daryle Lupretta bought the deli from the Pianto family. They had been making ravioli and other Italian-American classics since 1954. In addition to the deli space and an antique but highly functional ravioli maker, Lupretta got all the Piantos' recipes. The mainstay of Lupretta's business is sandwiches. The meatball sandwich ($5.35) is highly recommended. But what makes the deli special is the ravioli. There are only a few places left in the Bay Area that hand-make their ravioli and Lupretta's is one. - Lupretta's started in San Jose on Stevens Creek Boulevard in 1994. Daryle Lupretta bought the deli from the Pianto family. They had been making ravioli and other Italian-American classics since 1954. In addition to the deli space and an antique but highly functional ravioli maker, Lupretta got all the Piantos' recipes. The mainstay of Lupretta's business is sandwiches. The meatball sandwich ($5.35) is highly recommended. But what makes the deli special is the ravioli. There are only a few places left in the Bay Area that hand-make their ravioli and Lupretta's is one. - The Plumed Horse has earned the right to call itself a landmark; a stately aura hangs over the luxurious digs where waiters always work in tuxedos. Menu standards include duck ravioli, North Atlantic salmon fillet and the double-cut Berkshire pork chop. - - 14555 Big Basin Way Saratoga CA 95070 Saratoga 408-867-4711 Continental Expensive - The Plumed Horse has earned the right to call itself a landmark; a stately aura hangs over the luxurious digs where waiters always work in tuxedos. Menu standards include duck ravioli, North Atlantic salmon fillet and the double-cut Berkshire pork chop. - The Plumed Horse has earned the right to call itself a landmark; a stately aura hangs over the luxurious digs where waiters always work in tuxedos. Menu standards include duck ravioli, North Atlantic salmon fillet and the double-cut Berkshire pork chop. - A pretty dining room hosts an inspired, always fresh and seasonally driven menu of contemporary American and French food, complete with seductive desserts. - - 14583 Big Basin Way Saratoga CA 95070 Saratoga 408-867-3110 New American Very Expensive - A pretty dining room hosts an inspired, always fresh and seasonally driven menu of contemporary American and French food, complete with seductive desserts. - A pretty dining room hosts an inspired, always fresh and seasonally driven menu of contemporary American and French food, complete with seductive desserts. - http://www.bayleaf-restaurant.com/ The menu at Sunnyvale's Bay Leaf is divided into Thai and Indonesian food and it's the latter that stands out. While Thai food is characterized by bright, high notes powered by chile peppers, fish sauce and lemon grass, Indonesian food strikes a lower bass note. While it can be blisteringly spicy, in comparison to Thai food it's earthier, subtler and more rustic. For a great introduction to Indonesian food, go for the Jakarta combo plate, a kind of workingman's lunch with spicy sweet chunks of beef, moist curry chicken, scrambled eggs, spicy peanuts, fried salty-sweet anchovies and pickled vegetables. Bay Leaf has several chalk board specials, and one of the best is pepes udang, fat shrimp steamed in a banana leaf bundle with a blazingly hot paste made from coconut milk, lemon grass, tomatoes and other spices. - - 122 S. Sunnyvale Ave. Sunnyvale CA 94086 Sunnyvale 408-481-9983 Indonesian and Thai Moderate 11am-3pm and 5-9:30pm Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm Fri-Sat and 11am-9pm Sun. - The menu at Sunnyvale's Bay Leaf is divided into Thai and Indonesian food and it's the latter that stands out. While Thai food is characterized by bright, high notes powered by chile peppers, fish sauce and lemon grass, Indonesian food strikes a lower bass note. While it can be blisteringly spicy, in comparison to Thai food it's earthier, subtler and more rustic. For a great introduction to Indonesian food, go for the Jakarta combo plate, a kind of workingman's lunch with spicy sweet chunks of beef, moist curry chicken, scrambled eggs, spicy peanuts, fried salty-sweet anchovies and pickled vegetables. Bay Leaf has several chalk board specials, and one of the best is pepes udang, fat shrimp steamed in a banana leaf bundle with a blazingly hot paste made from coconut milk, lemon grass, tomatoes and other spices. - The menu at Sunnyvale's Bay Leaf is divided into Thai and Indonesian food and it's the latter that stands out. While Thai food is characterized by bright, high notes powered by chile peppers, fish sauce and lemon grass, Indonesian food strikes a lower bass note. While it can be blisteringly spicy, in comparison to Thai food it's earthier, subtler and more rustic. For a great introduction to Indonesian food, go for the Jakarta combo plate, a kind of workingman's lunch with spicy sweet chunks of beef, moist curry chicken, scrambled eggs, spicy peanuts, fried salty-sweet anchovies and pickled vegetables. Bay Leaf has several chalk board specials, and one of the best is pepes udang, fat shrimp steamed in a banana leaf bundle with a blazingly hot paste made from coconut milk, lemon grass, tomatoes and other spices. - http://www.dishdash.net/ Dishdash celebrates the culinary glories of the Middle East, going well beyond falafels and hummus. The menu is made from traditional recipes and ingredients but presented with a contemporary flourish. There's also a small but well-chosen wine list to match. - - 190 S. Murphy Ave. Sunnyvale CA 94086 Sunnyvale 408-774-1889 Middle Eastern Moderate - Dishdash celebrates the culinary glories of the Middle East, going well beyond falafels and hummus. The menu is made from traditional recipes and ingredients but presented with a contemporary flourish. There's also a small but well-chosen wine list to match. - Dishdash celebrates the culinary glories of the Middle East, going well beyond falafels and hummus. The menu is made from traditional recipes and ingredients but presented with a contemporary flourish. There's also a small but well-chosen wine list to match. Beer and Wine - http://ilpostale.com/ Its previous incarnation as a post office lends this space eccentric charm, and the food delivers full-bodied taste in generous portions. Veal marsala, thin-crust pizza and New York steak are featured. - - 127 W. Washington St. Sunnyvale CA 94086 Sunnyvale 408-733-9600 Italian American Expensive - Its previous incarnation as a post office lends this space eccentric charm, and the food delivers full-bodied taste in generous portions. Veal marsala, thin-crust pizza and New York steak are featured. - Its previous incarnation as a post office lends this space eccentric charm, and the food delivers full-bodied taste in generous portions. Veal marsala, thin-crust pizza and New York steak are featured. - http://luckydhaba.com/ A dhaba is a roadside fast food joint in northern India. We've got our own version here at Sunnyvale's Lucky Dhaba. Located off busy El Camino Real, Lucky Dhaba offers a wide variety of good Indian food: vegetable and meat curries (don't miss the goat curry, $4.99), great vegetarian dishes like the chana masala ($3.99) and aloo sabzi ($2.99), freshly baked parantha and various chaat items, India's answer to tapas. - - 1036 El Camino Real Sunnyvale CA 94087 Sunnyvale 408-617-0660 Indian Low 11am-10pm Sun-Thu and 11am-10:30pm Fri-Sat. - A dhaba is a roadside fast food joint in northern India. We've got our own version here at Sunnyvale's Lucky Dhaba. Located off busy El Camino Real, Lucky Dhaba offers a wide variety of good Indian food: vegetable and meat curries (don't miss the goat curry, $4.99), great vegetarian dishes like the chana masala ($3.99) and aloo sabzi ($2.99), freshly baked parantha and various chaat items, India's answer to tapas. - A dhaba is a roadside fast food joint in northern India. We've got our own version here at Sunnyvale's Lucky Dhaba. Located off busy El Camino Real, Lucky Dhaba offers a wide variety of good Indian food: vegetable and meat curries (don't miss the goat curry, $4.99), great vegetarian dishes like the chana masala ($3.99) and aloo sabzi ($2.99), freshly baked parantha and various chaat items, India's answer to tapas. - http://www.pezzellas.com/ Serves popular Italian dinners with rich sauces and generous portions. East Coast seafood dishes like linguini and clams and calamari sauteed in tomato, garlic, and basil stand out. Pizza and pasta abound. Full Bar. - - 1025 W. El Camino Real Sunnyvale CA 94087 Sunnyvale 408-738-2400 Family Italian Moderate Closed Sun-Mon. - Serves popular Italian dinners with rich sauces and generous portions. East Coast seafood dishes like linguini and clams and calamari sauteed in tomato, garlic, and basil stand out. Pizza and pasta abound. Full Bar. - Serves popular Italian dinners with rich sauces and generous portions. East Coast seafood dishes like linguini and clams and calamari sauteed in tomato, garlic, and basil stand out. Pizza and pasta abound. Full Bar. Liquor - http://www.pfchangs.com/ With atmosphere to spare, Chang's doesn't neglect taste. Vibrant Szechuan flavors mix surprisingly well with rich Western-style desserts. Full bar. - - 390 W. El Camino Real Sunnyvale CA 94087 Sunnyvale 408-991-9078 Chinese Moderate Daily 11-11; until midnight Fri and Sat. - With atmosphere to spare, Chang's doesn't neglect taste. Vibrant Szechuan flavors mix surprisingly well with rich Western-style desserts. Full bar. - With atmosphere to spare, Chang's doesn't neglect taste. Vibrant Szechuan flavors mix surprisingly well with rich Western-style desserts. Full bar. Liquor - Spain has its tapas bars and Japan has izakaya-style restaurants. Part bar, part eatery, izakaya restaurants serve small plates of grilled and fried dishes made to go with sake and beer. The izakaya menu is divided into grilled and fried items. Prices range from $1.25 to $9.75, so you can order a wide variety of food for little money. It's all good. - - 592 E. El Camino Real Sunnyvale CA 94087 Sunnyvale 408-733-7423 Japanese Moderate Open daily for lunch and dinner Mon-Sat. - Spain has its tapas bars and Japan has izakaya-style restaurants. Part bar, part eatery, izakaya restaurants serve small plates of grilled and fried dishes made to go with sake and beer. The izakaya menu is divided into grilled and fried items. Prices range from $1.25 to $9.75, so you can order a wide variety of food for little money. It's all good. - Spain has its tapas bars and Japan has izakaya-style restaurants. Part bar, part eatery, izakaya restaurants serve small plates of grilled and fried dishes made to go with sake and beer. The izakaya menu is divided into grilled and fried items. Prices range from $1.25 to $9.75, so you can order a wide variety of food for little money. It's all good. - Senzala restaurant is like a Brazilian cultural center that also serves food. Brazilian art and photographs cover the walls. There's a small stage where bands play Brazilian music on a regular basis. Television monitors throughout the sprawling restaurant play DVDs featuring Brazilian musicians. While Brazil conjures up images of Amazonian jungles, scarlet macaws and booty-shaking women at Carnival, much of the food is far less exotic. The classic Brazilian dish is feijoada, a hearty, smoky black bean stew made with chunks of beef and pork. The dish is one of the best at Senzala. Other winners are the carne de canela and bife aceboldo. Save room for the manjar, a creamy coconut pudding. - - 250 E. Java Dr. Sunnyvale CA 94089 Sunnyvale 408-734-1656 Brazilian Moderate 11am-2pm Mon-Fri. - Senzala restaurant is like a Brazilian cultural center that also serves food. Brazilian art and photographs cover the walls. There's a small stage where bands play Brazilian music on a regular basis. Television monitors throughout the sprawling restaurant play DVDs featuring Brazilian musicians. While Brazil conjures up images of Amazonian jungles, scarlet macaws and booty-shaking women at Carnival, much of the food is far less exotic. The classic Brazilian dish is feijoada, a hearty, smoky black bean stew made with chunks of beef and pork. The dish is one of the best at Senzala. Other winners are the carne de canela and bife aceboldo. Save room for the manjar, a creamy coconut pudding. - Senzala restaurant is like a Brazilian cultural center that also serves food. Brazilian art and photographs cover the walls. There's a small stage where bands play Brazilian music on a regular basis. Television monitors throughout the sprawling restaurant play DVDs featuring Brazilian musicians. While Brazil conjures up images of Amazonian jungles, scarlet macaws and booty-shaking women at Carnival, much of the food is far less exotic. The classic Brazilian dish is feijoada, a hearty, smoky black bean stew made with chunks of beef and pork. The dish is one of the best at Senzala. Other winners are the carne de canela and bife aceboldo. Save room for the manjar, a creamy coconut pudding. - http://www.setodeli.com/ Folksy country deli that offers hot and cold, takeout, eat-in and made to order food in a vibrant array of familiar and not-so-familiar Japanese dishes at prices that beat just about any restaurant's. - - 155 E. Maude Ave. Sunnyvale CA 94085 Sunnyvale 408-735-7777 Japanese Low Closed Sun. - Folksy country deli that offers hot and cold, takeout, eat-in and made to order food in a vibrant array of familiar and not-so-familiar Japanese dishes at prices that beat just about any restaurant's. - Folksy country deli that offers hot and cold, takeout, eat-in and made to order food in a vibrant array of familiar and not-so-familiar Japanese dishes at prices that beat just about any restaurant's. - First-time visits to this temple of Indian-Pakistani food can be a little disorienting, especially given the crowds that bunch up in front of the counter. Walk up to the counter, grab a menu and wait your turn to place your order. Service is brusque but efficient. The cashier will give you a number and then you find an empty table in the often noisy dining room. You pay the cashier (cash only) when you're done. One of the best dishes is the plain-looking haleem ($6), a lentil and barley stew available with chicken or beef. Nihari ($6), a rich beef shank stew, is also great. - - 1146 W. El Camino Real Sunnyvale CA 94087 Sunnyvale 408-530-0300 Indian-Pakistani Low 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-10:30pm Mon-Fri and 12:30-3:30pm and 5:30-11pm Sat-Sun. - First-time visits to this temple of Indian-Pakistani food can be a little disorienting, especially given the crowds that bunch up in front of the counter. Walk up to the counter, grab a menu and wait your turn to place your order. Service is brusque but efficient. The cashier will give you a number and then you find an empty table in the often noisy dining room. You pay the cashier (cash only) when you're done. One of the best dishes is the plain-looking haleem ($6), a lentil and barley stew available with chicken or beef. Nihari ($6), a rich beef shank stew, is also great. - First-time visits to this temple of Indian-Pakistani food can be a little disorienting, especially given the crowds that bunch up in front of the counter. Walk up to the counter, grab a menu and wait your turn to place your order. Service is brusque but efficient. The cashier will give you a number and then you find an empty table in the often noisy dining room. You pay the cashier (cash only) when you're done. One of the best dishes is the plain-looking haleem ($6), a lentil and barley stew available with chicken or beef. Nihari ($6), a rich beef shank stew, is also great. - http://www.sugarbutterflour.com/ Sugar Butter Flour's desserts and pastries go well beyond the humdrum sweets found at most restaurants and bakeries. The bakery's chocolate skills are particularly strong. Look at the artistry behind the chocolate marquise and or the delicately chocolate-wrapped tiramisu. They're almost too pretty to eat. Almost. The almond croissant is another standout. Check out the savory items like croque monsieur and the open-faced chicken sandwich, too. - - 669 S. Bernardo Ave. Sunnyvale CA 94087 Sunnyvale 408-732-8597 Bakery Low 6:30am-6:30pm Mon-Fri and 8am-4pm Sat-Sun. - Sugar Butter Flour's desserts and pastries go well beyond the humdrum sweets found at most restaurants and bakeries. The bakery's chocolate skills are particularly strong. Look at the artistry behind the chocolate marquise and or the delicately chocolate-wrapped tiramisu. They're almost too pretty to eat. Almost. The almond croissant is another standout. Check out the savory items like croque monsieur and the open-faced chicken sandwich, too. - Sugar Butter Flour's desserts and pastries go well beyond the humdrum sweets found at most restaurants and bakeries. The bakery's chocolate skills are particularly strong. Look at the artistry behind the chocolate marquise and or the delicately chocolate-wrapped tiramisu. They're almost too pretty to eat. Almost. The almond croissant is another standout. Check out the savory items like croque monsieur and the open-faced chicken sandwich, too. - http://www.tavernabistro.com/ Mustard and ruddy pomegranate hues warm the restaurant's interior; zesty Arabic infusions warm the food. Choose from mezes such as hummus or tabouli. Entrees include lamb, beef or chicken gyros or lamb kebab. - - 133 S. Murphy Ave. Sunnyvale CA 94086 Sunnyvale 408-735-9971 Old Mediterranean/Turkish Moderate - Mustard and ruddy pomegranate hues warm the restaurant's interior; zesty Arabic infusions warm the food. Choose from mezes such as hummus or tabouli. Entrees include lamb, beef or chicken gyros or lamb kebab. - Mustard and ruddy pomegranate hues warm the restaurant's interior; zesty Arabic infusions warm the food. Choose from mezes such as hummus or tabouli. Entrees include lamb, beef or chicken gyros or lamb kebab. - http://www.udupipalaceca.com/ Udupi Palace, a South Indian vegetarian restaurant, specializes in dishes--dosas and uthappams. Dosas are long, thin crepes made with rice flour. Uthappams are pancakes made with rice and lentil flour griddled up with various vegetables mixed into the batter or served on top like a pizza. Both are classic south Indian dishes served with south Indian standards sambar and coconut chutney. - - 976 E. El Camino Real Sunnyvale CA 94087 Sunnyvale 408-830-9600 Indian Moderate 11:30am-10pm Mon-Thu, 11:30am-11pm Fri-Sat, 11:30am-10:30pm Sun. - Udupi Palace, a South Indian vegetarian restaurant, specializes in dishes--dosas and uthappams. Dosas are long, thin crepes made with rice flour. Uthappams are pancakes made with rice and lentil flour griddled up with various vegetables mixed into the batter or served on top like a pizza. Both are classic south Indian dishes served with south Indian standards sambar and coconut chutney. - Udupi Palace, a South Indian vegetarian restaurant, specializes in dishes--dosas and uthappams. Dosas are long, thin crepes made with rice flour. Uthappams are pancakes made with rice and lentil flour griddled up with various vegetables mixed into the batter or served on top like a pizza. Both are classic south Indian dishes served with south Indian standards sambar and coconut chutney. - Yume-Ya shares a minimall with a Radio Shack and a Big 5 on the corner of El Camino Real and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. It's a rather bland setting, but the food is anything but. Don't come here looking for sake bombs and macadamia nut-encrusted gimmicky sushi rolls, although you will find premium-quality sake and excellent rolls. This is a quiet but warm restaurant where Japanese is the language of choice among customers and staff alike. There are several Japanese food standards like chicken teriyaki and tempura, but what sets this restaurant apart is its selection of izakaya-style dishes, little plates of often intensely flavored food designed to go with beer and sake. - - 150 El Camino Real Sunnyvale CA 94087 Sunnyvale 408-530-8156 Japanese Moderate Open 5:30-11pm Mon-Sat. - Yume-Ya shares a minimall with a Radio Shack and a Big 5 on the corner of El Camino Real and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. It's a rather bland setting, but the food is anything but. Don't come here looking for sake bombs and macadamia nut-encrusted gimmicky sushi rolls, although you will find premium-quality sake and excellent rolls. This is a quiet but warm restaurant where Japanese is the language of choice among customers and staff alike. There are several Japanese food standards like chicken teriyaki and tempura, but what sets this restaurant apart is its selection of izakaya-style dishes, little plates of often intensely flavored food designed to go with beer and sake. - Yume-Ya shares a minimall with a Radio Shack and a Big 5 on the corner of El Camino Real and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. It's a rather bland setting, but the food is anything but. Don't come here looking for sake bombs and macadamia nut-encrusted gimmicky sushi rolls, although you will find premium-quality sake and excellent rolls. This is a quiet but warm restaurant where Japanese is the language of choice among customers and staff alike. There are several Japanese food standards like chicken teriyaki and tempura, but what sets this restaurant apart is its selection of izakaya-style dishes, little plates of often intensely flavored food designed to go with beer and sake. Beer and Wine - http://thevillagepub.net/ Chef Mark Sullivan's unpretentious but refined French-influenced American food continues to make this Woodside restaurant a destination. The restaurant is no more a pub than Woodside resident Larry Ellison's 23-acre compound is a single-family residence. While there is a beautiful mahogany bar warmed by a stone fireplace, the place has the look of a private men's club. The restaurant gets much of its produce from a nearby 17-acre farm, and it shows. The ingredients pop with a just-harvested freshness. - - 2967 Woodside Road Woodside CA 94062 Woodside 650-851-9888 New American Expensive Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Fri and dinner nightly 5-10pm. - Chef Mark Sullivan's unpretentious but refined French-influenced American food continues to make this Woodside restaurant a destination. The restaurant is no more a pub than Woodside resident Larry Ellison's 23-acre compound is a single-family residence. While there is a beautiful mahogany bar warmed by a stone fireplace, the place has the look of a private men's club. The restaurant gets much of its produce from a nearby 17-acre farm, and it shows. The ingredients pop with a just-harvested freshness. - Chef Mark Sullivan's unpretentious but refined French-influenced American food continues to make this Woodside restaurant a destination. The restaurant is no more a pub than Woodside resident Larry Ellison's 23-acre compound is a single-family residence. While there is a beautiful mahogany bar warmed by a stone fireplace, the place has the look of a private men's club. The restaurant gets much of its produce from a nearby 17-acre farm, and it shows. The ingredients pop with a just-harvested freshness.