popular Mexican culinary favorites as adobo marinade steak and tortilla soup. $$ Sancho’s Taqueria, 491 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/322-8226. Adam Torres, formerly with Village Pub, serves up an assortment of veggie, meat, and seafood burritos, plus other Mexican favorites. $ Tacolicious, 632 Emerson St., Palo Alto. 650/838- 0500. Serving upscale Mexican food featuring a wide variety of artisan tacos. $$ Vive Sol, 2020 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View. 650/938-2020. Mountain View boasts this popular spot that showcases the heady moles indigenous to the Puebla region. Zona Rosa, 1411 The Alameda, San Jose, 408/ 275-1411. Honoring the cookery of Mexico and featuring hand-pressed tortillas and fresh, locally grown ingredients. $$ MOROCCAN Chelokababi, 1236 Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale. 408/737-1222. Home-style Persian cooking, great kebabs and a unique rice cooked for 17 hours. $ Dishdash, 190 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/ 774-1889. Astute service, a warm atmosphere, and exceptional Middle Eastern cuisine. $$ Menara Moroccan, 41 E. Gish Road, San Jose. 408/453-1983. Delicious, authentic Moroccan cuisine, complemented by exotic cocktails and belly dancing nightly. $$ PACIFIC ISLANDS Banana Leaf, 182 Ranch Drive, Milpitas. 408/719- 9811. Comfortable, open kitchen-style cooking and flavorful entrees like Mango Prawn. $-$$ SEAFOOD Blue Water Seafood & Crab, 860 Willow St., San Jose. 408/289-8879. East Coast-style crab house with a wide selection of seafood specialties as well as plenty of choices for land lovers. $ Driggsy’s Seafood, Sports Bar & Grill, 1150 Murphy Ave., Suite D, San Jose. 408/437-1986. Traditional American-style food and drinks served up in a spirited atmosphere. $$ Fish Market, Palo Alto, 650/493-8862; Santa Clara, 408/246-3474; San Jose, 408/269-3474. Fresh, high-quality seafood comes from the restaurant’s own fishery and partnering seafood farms. $$ 96 South Bay Accent McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, 170 S. Market St., San Jose. 408/283-7200. More than 30 species of fresh seafood are on a menu that changes daily. $$ Old Port Lobster Shack, 3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650/561-9500; 851 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City, 650/366-2400. Fresh lobster dishes and other seafood selections served in a New England style lobster shack. $$ Pacific Catch Fresh Fish Grill (The Pruneyard), Campbell, 408/879-9091; Mountain View, 650/941-1810. Fresh fish prepared with a combination of local ingredients and spices and sauces of Southeast Asia, Japan and Latin America. $$ Sawa, 1042 E. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale. 408/241- 7292. Fresh fish and seafood, including delightful prix fixe sushi-focused entrees. $$$ Scott’s Seafood, San Jose, 408/971-1700; Palo Alto, 650/323-1555. Fine American cuisine featuring fresh seafood, prime dry-aged steaks as well as enticing chicken and pasta dishes. $$ Steamer’s Grillhouse (in Old Town), 31 University Ave., Los Gatos. 408/395-CRAB. Steamer’s features a variety of steaks, chops, seafood and Mediterranean-inspired dishes and more. $$ The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse, 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/213-1111. Blend of contemporary cuisine and Japanese sensibility. $$$ SINGAPOREAN Merlion Restaurant and Wine Bar, 19628 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, 408/777-8228. Sophisticated spot that serves a blend of Singaporean, Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine. $$$ Shiok! Singapore Kitchen, 1137 Chestnut St., Menlo Park. 650/838-9448. An exciting fusion of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine. $ Straits, 333 Santana Row, Suite 1110, San Jose. 408/246-6320. Serving up fine Singaporean cuisine, this sleek and sophisticated spot is well-suited to its posh Santana Row locale. $$$ SOUTHEAST ASIAN Ginger Café, Sunnyvale, 408/736-2828. Gilroy, 408/847-2625. Comfortable, family-run restaurants feature a fusion of Chinese favorites with Southeast Asian influences. $ Mint Leaf Cuisine, 14420 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/872-3763. Eatery features fusion cuisine including soft-shell crabs with peanut sauce and curry scallops. $$ SPANISH Cascal, 400 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/940- 9500. Spanning the globe with spectacular dishes from Spain and South America, Cascal serves up a menu of “spirited Latin cuisine.” With over 25 tapas—small plates and tastes—divided into “old world” and “new world” choices, there’s something for everyone. Try the classic Spanish chorizo in rioja wine or minted lamb meatballs in a saffron and almond sauce. For a full dinner, start with one of several ceviches and move on to an exquisite, traditional paella (including one for vegetarians). The casually elegant interior, with its bright, bold colors was created by renowned designer/architect Chuck Thompson. $$ Donostia, 424 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/797-8688. Traditional Spanish- Basque experience featuring fresh local ingredients transformed into unique and vivid flavors. $$ Iberia, 1026 Alma St., Menlo Park. 650/325- 8981. Mouth-watering Spanish dishes and awardwinning wines served in a luxurious setting. $$$ Joya, 339 University Ave., Palo Alto. 650/853-9800. The hip modern décor mixes well with the contemporary Spanish and Latin tapas and the tasty variety of new age cocktails. $$$ La Catalana, 3720 N. First St., San Jose. 408/ 324- 1321. Unique Spanish dishes are prepared from family recipes in an ideal setting for business, social or romance. $$ Picasso’s, 62 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose. 408/298- 4400. Authentic Spanish cuisine made from the freshest ingredients and served in a relaxed, at-home atmosphere. $$ TapaOlé, 18818 Cox Ave., Saratoga. 408/379- 1677. TapaOlé brings a little taste of Spain to the South Bay with its unique take on traditional Spanish cuisine. The restaurant offers a wide selection of tapas, or small plates, as well as larger offerings for two. Compliment each dish with a classic wine, sangria or another beverage to rinse the palate. Centered with beef, pork, poultry, seafood or fresh vegetables, the tapas are enhanced with mouth-watering seasonings and sauces that accentuate their flavors. Adding to its traditional Spanish flair, TapaOle occasionally features live music and flamenco dancing. Catering services also are available. $-$$ Zambra Tapas Bar, 250 Lorton Ave., Burlingame. 650/344-5655. Variety of Spanish-influenced dishes anchored with seafood, steak, chicken or pork. $$ THAI Amarin, Mountain View, 650/ 988-9323; San Jose, 408/253-8424; Santa Clara, 408/988-2982. Fresh, contemporary Thai menu with traditional accents and vegetarian dishes. $ Bangkok Cuisine, 407 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/322-6533. Very charming ambience with lovely patio dining. And the curries are especially tasty. $ Siam Orchid, 496 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/ 325-1994. A menu that mixes traditional Thai dishes with more modern cuisine, all infused with the finest quality organic ingredients. $$ Thaiphoon Restaurant, 543 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650/323-7700. Well-appointed restaurant with a mix of traditional and contemporary Thai dishes and a tropical themed outdoor patio. $ VIETNAMESE Bleu Ginger, 90 S. Abel St., Milpitas. 408/ 719- 9998. Eatery specializes in Asian fusion, with enticing Vietnamese overtones. $-$$ Fuel Restaurant, 385 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose. 408/248-0018. Stylish dining room sets the stage for tasty, contemporary Vietnamese fare. $-$$ Tamarine, 546 University Ave., Palo Alto. 650/325- 8500. Elegantly presented dishes, such as crab wontons in a consommé of lime, coriander, lemongrass and coconut milk served in a warm atmosphere.$$ Three Seasons, 518 Bryant St., Palo Alto. 650/ 838-0353. Chic restaurant and bar offers fresh take on traditional Vietnamese flavors. $$ Vung Tau, San Jose. 408/288-9055; Milpitas. 408/934-9327. This authentic Vietnamese cuisine has a distinct focus on fish preparations. Be sure to try the shrimp cupcakes! $ Xanh, 110 Castro St., Mountain View 650/964- 1888. Trendy, upscale restaurant featuring Vietnamese cuisine that pleases both the eye and palate with creative combinations. $-$$ n BEST BITES TapaOlé
South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2015
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