BEST BITES
Menlo Tavern
lades including the Wine Spectator Award of
Excellence. $$$
Lalla Grill, 55 River Oaks Pl., San Jose. 408/618-
8072. The mirrored 15-foot-long wall of spirits
and colorful mod architectural theme set the tone
for vibrant dishes including ahi ceviche. $$
The Loft Bar & Bistro, 90 S. Second St., San
Jose. 408/291-0677. Contemporary and casual
restaurant in a historic downtown building. $
88 South Bay Accent
Los Altos Grill, 233 Third St., Los Altos.
650/948-3524. This popular dinner spot features
tasty dishes, including rotisserie pork chops and a
spicy tuna burger. $$
Madera, 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. 650/
561-1540. Signature restaurant of Rosewood Sand
Hill Hotel features wood-burning grill to produce
artful seafood and meats. $$$
Menlo Tavern, 100 El Camino Real Menlo Park.
650/330-2790. This warm and inviting neighborhood
tavern features classic American comfort
food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus highlight
regional and seasonal ingredients, and patio dining
makes the laid-back yet sophisticated space a hit
with aficionados on the weekend. The extensive
wine-by-the-glass, cocktail and craft brew selection
draws a lively tech-savvy after work and late-night
crowd. Locals network over cocktails, such as the
Mint Julep, harkening back to classics, along with
on-trend newcomers like the whimsically named
“Respect Your Professors.” This versatile new venue
is already a buzz-worthy local destination. $$
Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way, Moss
Beach. 650/728-5595. Historic tavern offers
breathtaking Pacific Ocean views and a menu of
all-natural meats, wild-caught seafood and organic
produce, along with select wines and cocktails. $$
Nola, 535 Ramona St., Palo Alto. 650/ 328-2722.
This funky, popular spot brings New Orleans style
to the South Bay. $$
Orchard City Kitchen (The Pruneyard) 1875 S.
Bascom Ave., Suite 190, Campbell. 408/340-5285.
Led by Michelin-recognized Executive Chef Jeffrey
Stout, OCK offers inventive, seasonal dishes. $$
Parcel 104 (Santa Clara Marriot) 2700 Mission
College Blvd., Santa Clara. 408/ 970-6104. Seasonal
menu from acclaimed chefs Bradley Ogden
and Jonathan Hall combines freshness and sophistication.
$$$
Park Station Hashery, 1701 Park Ave, San Jose.
408/320-1711. Thanks to deep roots in the San
Jose culinary scene, this homey spot elevates the
neighborhood restaurant concept. $–$$
Paul Martin’s, Mountain View, 650/917-9941;
San Mateo, 650/212-7400. Wide-ranging selection
of tasty seafood, beef and poultry dishes served in a
relaxed, contemporary setting. $$
Prime 109 Steak & Libation House, 43968
Pacific Commons Blvd, Fremont, 510/544-0034;
4150 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, 408/519-
3119. With craft cocktails and superlative steaks,
this eatery oozes old school elegance and charm. $$$
Roots + Rye, 3055 Olin Ave., San Jose. 408/429-
2909. Buzzing with energy, this lively “new American”
restaurant specializes in handcrafted signature
cocktails and contemporary comfort cuisine. $$
Sundance The Steakhouse, 1921 El Camino
Real, Palo Alto. 650/321-6798. Since opening
its doors in 1974, this upscale, family-owned and
operated steakhouse has earned critical acclaim
as one of Palo Alto’s top dining destinations. Pair
selections from the nationally recognized wine
list with exclusively aged, prime graded steaks or
indulge in house specialty, slow-roasted prime rib,
in the candlelit mahogany dining room. In addition
to the award-winning beef, Sundance prides
itself on fresh, succulent seafood, jumbo cold-water
lobster tail, savory side dishes and decadent desserts.
You’ll also enjoy the vintage sports lounge,
featuring an inviting fireplace and offering a full
dinner menu, handcrafted cocktails, local micro
beers and premium wines by the glass. $$
The Table, 1110 Willow St., San Jose. 408/638-
7911. Hot spot from Jim Stump, serving contemporary
American cuisine complemented by
hand-crafted cocktails and progressive wines. $$
Tender Greens (Stanford Shopping Center), 180
El Camino Real #1050, Palo Alto. 650/285-6702.
This casual farm-to-table eatery serves healthy fare
in a bustling buffet setting. $
THE GRAPEVINE
Just as buds are bursting out all over this spring, wine walk events
are popping up in South Bay towns and other nearby locales. Fill up your calendar
and your wine collection with these festive happenings.
Downtown Willow Glen kicks things off with its Spring Wine Walk, from 2 to 5
p.m., Saturday, April 13, sponsored by the Willow Glen Business Association
(willowglen.org). A ticket includes a wine glass, wristband and map to all the
tasting sites. More than two dozen wineries from the region will be pouring
their best wines. Last year participating wineries included Gianelli Vineyards,
Fortino Winery, Roudon-Smith Winery, and Chaine d’Or Vineyards.
Charming Soquel Village is the setting for its Sip & Stroll, from 1 p.m. to 5
p.m., Saturday, April 27 (soquelsipandstroll.com). Wineries from the Santa Cruz
Mountains will host tasting stations, offering wines, complimentary small bites
and special discounts. Do some antiquing while you enjoy a leisurely afternoon
of tasting. Some of the wineries slated to pour that afternoon include Bargetto
Winery, Burrell School Vineyards, and Poetic. Feeling ambitious? Less than
an hour away the Morgan Hill Downtown Association (morganhilldowntown.
org.) is hosting its 2019 Wine Stroll the same afternoon, featuring award-winning
Santa Clara Valley wineries.
Find a special bottle for mom at the Los Altos Mother’s Day Wine Stroll from
6 to 9 p.m., Friday, May 10 (downtownlosaltos.org). The village’s boutiques and
specialty shops will be open for more gift shopping. Last year a few of the
many wineries on hand included Page Mill Winery, Creekview
Vineyards and Fernwood Cellars.
Another great wine event for mom is the Saratoga Wine
Stroll Experience, from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 11.
The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce (saratogachamber.
org) promises a vibrant gathering of wineries,
local retailers and restaurants, artists and musicians
for a special afternoon of tasting and shopping.
The Silicon Valley Wine Auction is back for its fifth
year on May 18 and 19. The first night is a formal affair
of wine tasting and charity held at the private home of
John Couch, Apple’s first vice president of education. The
next day is the Grand Tasting at the Montalvo Arts Center. Tickets
include a picnic lunch and silent auction (scmwa.com). Nearly 40 Santa
Cruz Mountain wineries are participating.—Pam Marino
