Restaurant Recos in Palo Alto

WINE TALK
21

I’ll rephrase to say they like some of us, not naming names [wow.gif]

Glad they took good care of you. Next time you’re up this way, let us know!

22

Very kind of you to offer, Alan, I’ll keep it in mind. My MIL lives in Palo Alto, and my older brother lives in Portola Valley, so I’m up there several times a year.

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Chris,
Next time tell them you know Larry Stein and are part of the group… Shhhh…

24

Great stuff eveyone - Excited for this trip and I’ll circle back afterwards with feedback.

Thanks again Berserkers- huge help for sure.

25

Evvia, Tamarine, and Zola are all solid recommendations. I’d add Amber Dhara. Lots of other great places if you’re willing to venture outside of Palo Alto/like places that are a bit more casual.

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Flea Street is of course in Menlo Park on Alameda de las Pulgas (avenue of the fleas). I have been a few times and it is pretty good, but never seems
to live up to its reputation. I have largely given up on dining in PA, it tends to be expensive with mediocre food. Evvia and Tamarine have been two of the best spots for many many years. I will have to give some of Alan’s suggestions a try. Zola looks pretty good, and they discount the corkage if the bottle is over 10 years old.

27

Evvia’s probably the best restaurant in downtown PA. It’s always good. Usually crowded and noisy.

I second St. Michael’s Alley. We’ve always enjoyed the food. Quieter. Less busy.

I’m going to have to try Zola’s – I’ve never heard of it despite living right across the creek in Menlo

Tamarine has a great back room – I’ve been to a couple dinners there. Always good food.

What about Pizzaria Delfina? Especially the outside area if its nice. They have some solid by the glass wines. And terrific drinks :slight_smile:

We like Vesta in redwood city for “artisan” pizzas – but I guess Terun is similar and closer to downtown.

Village pub is great, but that’s in woodside.

We ate at bird dog and while some of the dishes were excellent, some were really not good. We also caught some impressively entitled/arrogant somm service. Again, great drinks :slight_smile:

Scott

28

This mirrors my experience too. Oprah tells me I’m wrong though.

Scott

29

Haven’t been to Flea Street in years. Used to be a regular with visiting customers back in the 90s. In those days they had a great wine list, I drank a lot of mid-90s Dehlinger there, at a time when it was a semi-cult and difficult to find. At that time (and I assume still is) it used to be a favorite for groups with one or more vegetarians.

30

Be vewy vewy quiet…

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This is really turning into a very helpful post for us. Thanks everyone for chiming in. I am always on the lookout for new to me places, but I don’t always put in the effort to inquire. And, yes, of course, Flea Street in Menlo Park, not Mountain View. I am looking forward to Zola and Bird Dog. As far as reservations at Open Table, yes, they can be difficult but I think they are on Open Table (order the whole fish for the main meal, octopus appetizer, plenty of sour dough). As for Village Pub in Woodside, thats a bit of distance from Palo Alto and I view it as more formal than the others, although plenty of local techs attend dressed in usual garb. But Village Pub is outstanding for me witha $$$ price tag to match and an incredibly deep and equally $$$ wine list.

33

some other close by places

Also on California Street in Palo Alto

  • Cafe Brioche
  • Pastis (same ownership as La Boheme)
  • el bodeguita del medio (Cuban food)

in Los Altos

  • Los Altos Grill (no corkage), you can make an on-line reservation but it is mostly walk-in business and can get very busy
  • Cetrella (newish, Italian inspired menu)

in Portola Valley

  • Portola Valley Lobster Shack - excellent lobster rolls (also no corkage when we’ve brought wine)

Redwood City

  • John Bentley’s (close to K&L)
  • Donato Enoteca (in downtown Redwood City)
34

Owned by buddy of mine. Class act. Knows his juice. Great selection.

35

Tamarine in down town Palo Alto has great upscale Vietnamese inspired cuisine. Salt Box in Redwood City is out of this world good. Wine list needs help, but service and food are stellar.