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. $$ MOROCCAN Chelokababi, 1236 Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale. 408/737-1222. Homestyle Persian cooking, great kebabs and a unique rice cooked for 17 hours. $ Dishdash, 190 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/ 774-1889. Astute service, a warm atmosphere, and exceptional Middle Eastern cuisine. $$ Menara Moroccan Restaurant, 41 E. Gish Road, San Jose. 408/453-1983. Established more than 30 years ago by Arvind Shah, Menara was the first Moroccan eatery in San Jose, and its unique cuisine, atmosphere and sense of culture resonate to this day, thanks to Shah’s son, Anand, carrying on the family tradition. Guests are quickly absorbed by the restaurant’s majestic North African architecture and décor, and invited to relax on lush lounge sofas or comfortable leather throw pillows while awaiting their meal. The restaurant offers a selection of six-course dinner menus featuring Moroccan salad, authentic appetizers, choice meats, garden-fresh vegetables and delectable desserts. Refreshing sangria or a signature Moroccan mojito nicely complement the cuisine, and an exotic belly dancing show every evening adds a final, traditional touch to a truly memorable dining experience. $$-$$$ 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. $$ 104 South Bay Accent Lou’s Village, 1100 Lincoln Ave. #101, San Jose, 408/293-4570. The historic seafood and pasta palace has been reborn in Willow Glen, serving all the traditional dishes. $$$ 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. $$ Old Port Lobster Shack, 3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650/561-9500 and 851 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City, 650/366-2400. Fresh lobster dishes and other seafood selections served in a New England-style lobster shack. $$ 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. $$ Sam’s Chowder House, Half Moon Bay, 650/ 712-0245; Palo Alto, 650/614-1177. Authentic New England style dishes are spotlighted here, with a daily selection of fresh fish. $$ 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. A favorite since 1979, 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 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. $$ Tapa Ole, 18818 Cox Ave., Saratoga. 408/379- 1677. A unique take on traditional Spanish cuisine – served tapas style in a family-friendly setting. $ Zambra Tapas Bar, 250 Lorton Ave., Burlingame. 650/344-5655. Variety of Spanish-influenced dishes anchored with seafood, steak, chicken or pork. $$ 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. $ 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. $$ Thaiphoon Restaurant, 543 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650/323-7700. Well-appointed restaurant with a mix of traditional and contemporary Thai dishes and a tropical themed outdoor patio. $ VIETNAMESE Fuel Restaurant, 385 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose. 408/248-0018. Stylish dining room sets the stage for tasty, contemporary Vietnamese fare. $-$$ 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.$$ Xanh, 110 Castro St., Mountain View 650/964- 1888. Trendy, upscale restaurant featuring Vietnamese cuisine that pleases both the eye and palate with creative combinations. $-$$ n 200 DINING HOT SPOTS Café Pro Bono John Bentley’s The Basin
South Bay Accent - Aug/Sep 2014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above