90 South Bay Accent
Cafe Brioche, 445 California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/
326-8640. Provencal flavors with contemporary
American accents evoke the South of France. $$
Central Park Bistro, 181 E. Fourth Ave., San
Mateo. 650/558-8401. With a hearty array of
regional favorites on the menu, Central Park Bistro
showcases the diversity of American cuisine. $$$
La Boheme, 415 California Ave, Palo Alto.
650/561-3577. Preparing a range of
traditional and modern French
specialties, this convivial
establishment is a neighborhood
gem. $$
Louisiana Bistro, 19
North Market St., San
Jose. 408/295-1300.
Authentic Cajun
cuisine and a variety
of other N’awlinsstyle
tastes make for
an enjoyable and
memorable dining
experience. $$
Mayfield Bakery &
Café, 855 El Camino
Real, Palo Alto. 650/853-
9200. Rustic, comforting seasonal
food produced in a wood-burning
oven and rotisserie in a handsome setting. $$
Nick’s Next Door, 11 College Ave., Los Gatos.
408/402-5053. Dinner-only restaurant featuring a
menu that ranges from rib-eye steak and meatloaf
to lamb-chop lollipops and abalone. $$–$$$
Rok Bistro, 124 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale.
408/733-7651. “Stone-age” steakhouse sears meat,
fish, poultry and vegetarian entrees on hot volcanic
rocks. A wide range of fondues are also available. $$
Siena Bistro, 1359 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. 408/
271-0837. A friendly, intimate restaurant with
a well-rounded menu, including risottos, salads,
soups, appetizers, fish and polenta. $$
BRAZILIAN
Espetus, 1686 Market St., San
Francisco, 415/552-8792.
710 South B St., San Mateo,
650/342-8700. Fourteen signature
cuts of meat are mesquite
grilled gaucho style
at this authentic Brazilian
steakhouse. $$–$$$
Fogo de Chao, 377 Santana
Row, Suite 1090, San
Jose. 408/244-7001. This
authentic Brazilian steakhouse
features grilled meats prepared at
tableside. $$–$$$
Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse,
19780 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino.
Pho Wagon
408/366 2370. Carnivores crave the succulent
meats while sumptuous sides satisfy diners of every
disposition. $$$
BREWERIES/PUBS
Faultline Brewing Co., 1235 Oakmead Pkwy.,
Sunnyvale. 408/736-2739. A friendly brewpub
with a vast variety of homemade ales, as well as
outstanding fare. $$
Loma Brewing Company, Los Gatos. 408/560-
9626. This buzz-worthy new brewpub brings
together delicious craft beers and high-quality
casual comfort food in a lively atmosphere. $
Original Gravity Public House, 66 S. First St.,
San Jose. 408/915-2337. Award-winning sausages,
gourmet grilled cheese and duck fat fries complement
an array of craft beers. $$
Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, San
Jose (Santana Row), 408/247-1706; Santa Cruz,
831/426-9930. Lively eatery with tasty bites and
fine beverages. $
Steins Beer Garden, 895 Villa St.,
Mountain View. 650/963-9568. The
hearty home-style cooking here is
complemented by a variety of
the choicest craft beers from
around the world. $$
BURMESE
Rangoon Ruby, 445
Emerson Street, Palo
Alto. 650/323-6543.
Two talented chefs
from Burma Superstar
restaurants create a Burmese
menu influenced by
Indian, Thai and Chinese
cooking. $
Sweet Mango, 1040 Willow
Street, San Jose. 408/ 293-2268.
Innovative menu blurs the line between
Burmese and Chinese cuisine, and has become
a local favorite in Willow Glen. $
CALIFORNIA
Braise, 1185 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. 408/294-
2919. Anthony Jimenez and Josh Hanoka combine
classic California cuisine with contemporary international
flair in their seasonal small-plates menu in
Willow Glen. $-$$
Camper, 898 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park.
650/321-8980. Seasonal selection of handmade
pastas, creative vegetable dishes, and prime proteins
served in a laid-back atmosphere. $$
Cascade Bar & Grill (Costanoa Resort), 2001
Rossi Road at Highway 1, Pescadero. 650/879-
1100. The California coastal menu features sustainable,
local seafood and organic produce. $$
Cetrella, 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/726-
4090. 400 Main St., Los Altos. 650/948-0400.
Upscale Mediterranean dining and California
coastal cuisine with a variety of venue options. $$$
The Crow’s Nest Restaurant, 2218 E. Cliff
Dr. Santa Cruz. 831/476-4560. This popular spot
features award-winning cuisine, live entertainment
and spectacular views of Santa Cruz Harbor. $$
The Farmer’s Union, 151 W. Santa Clara St., San
Jose. 408/277-0545. This updated incarnation of a
rustic American tavern boasts a refreshing array of
local brews, craft cocktails and hearty yet sophisticated
farm-to-table fare. $
Flea Street Cafe, 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas,
Menlo Park. 650/854-1226. An ever-changing
menu of continental and California dishes. $$
Hero Ranch Kitchen, 14583 Big Basin Way,
Saratoga. 669/267-3183. Restaurateur Angelo
Heropoulos expands his epicurean empire with this
farm to table focused eatery featuring craft cocktails
and local wine. $$
The Lexington House, 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave.,
Los Gatos. 408/354-1600. Unique Northern California
dishes made with local, organic and sustainable
ingredients. $$
Oak + Violet (Park James Hotel), 1400 El Camino
BEST BITES
Tessora’s Barra Di Vino, 234 E Campbell Ave.,
Campbell. 408/626-7711. An array of wines by the
glass, taste, flight along with craft brew and bites
make Tessora’s Barra Di Vino a local favorite. $
Umami Burger, 452 University Ave., Palo Alto.
650/321-8626. Specialty and classic burgers with
carefully crafted combinations of toppings. $$
Vault 164, 164 S. B St., San Mateo. 650/348-8164.
An eclectic selection of American-style cuisine, with
a wide variety of aged steaks, chicken, pasta, sustainable
seafood and organic produce. $–$$
Village California Bistro & Wine Bar, 378
Santana Row, Suite 1035, San Jose. 408/248-
9091. Casual but sophisticated eatery excels with
a seasonal menu and an impressive wine list. $$
Wählbürgers, 185 University Ave., Palo Alto.
650/382-1389. The family focused franchise from
Donnie and Mark Wahlberg features hamburgers
and a host of hearty and lighter offerings. $
Whispers Café & Creperie, San Jose. 408/297-
2850 and Belmont 650/594-0000. A wide range of
comfort food featuring savory crepes. $$
Willard Hicks, 280 E Campbell Ave., Campbell.
408/374-5000. Steaks and other wood-fired
entrees plus beer and cocktails are served in this
clubby, masculine restaurant and lounge. $$$
The Wine Cellar, 50 University Ave., Los Gatos.
408/354-4808. Old Town’s only original tenant,
this charming, Old-World European restaurant has
been a Los Gatos tradition since 1966. $$
AUSTRIAN
Nasch Austrian Bistro, 217 A N. Santa Cruz
Ave., Los Gatos. 408/402-5092. Leaving hungry is
not an option at this tribute to Austrian favorites,
including Viennese sausage and pretzels. $$
Naschmarkt, 384 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell.
408/378-0335. This highly rated eatery delivers
with central European traditions along with lighter
California twists. $$$
BARBECUE
Armadillo Willy’s, 1031
N. San Antonio Road, Los
Altos. 650/ 941-2922.
Fun, casual family dining
offering prime Texas
barbecue dishes. $
Dan Gordon’s, 640
Emerson St., Palo Alto.
650/324-1960. “Beer,
BBQ, whiskey” is the
tasty trifecta that ensures
Dan Gordon’s status as the
ultimate destination for comfort
food fans. $$
Little Lou’s BBQ, 2455 S. Winchester
Blvd., Campbell. 408/ 796-7852. Traditional barbecue
choices such as ribs, burgers, pulled pork
and combo dinners stand out. $
Sam’s Bar-B-Que, 1110 S. Bascom Ave., San
Jose. 408/297-9151. The famed signature barbecue
sauce perfectly complements the menu of mouthwatering
meats at this family-owned restaurant. $
BISTROS
The Bywater, 532 North Santa Cruz Ave., Los
Gatos. 408/560-9639. Along with savory Cajun
cuisine, you’ll find a raw bar and craft cocktails at
this New Orleans inspired eatery. $$
The Sea