200 DINING HOT SPOTS
View. 650/964-3300. This casual setting for creative
cuisine and fusion fare is a must-do destination
for frugal foodies. $
ITALIAN
A Bellagio, 33 S. Central Avenue, Campbell.
408/370-7705. Classic Italian dishes are served
in warm, attractive old-world setting. $$$
Bella Saratoga, 14503 Big Basin Way, Saratoga.
102 South Bay Accent
408/741-5115. Wonderful
Italian dishes such as salmon
ravioli and eggplant parmigiana.
Charming outdoor seating available. $$
Café Pro Bono, 2437 Birch St., Palo Alto. 650/ 326-
1626. A local favorite for years, Café Pro Bono offers
an elaborate dining experience in a warm, friendly
atmosphere. Dinner choices are seemingly endless,
from classic Italian pasta dishes such as spaghetti with
Bolognese sauce and organic lemon linguine and
clams to creatively prepared Mediterranean entrees
such as Greek chicken smothered in fresh oregano
sauce or Niman Ranch filet mignon with a green
peppercorn brandy sauce. These savory meals are
complemented by select fine wines from Napa Valley,
Sonoma County and, of course, Italy. To top it all off,
dessert offerings include Tiramisu, gelato or a decadent
chocolate cake. The restaurant also has a full bar
and two banquet rooms available for private events
seating anywhere from 10 to 50 people. $$
Carpaccio, 1120 Crane St., Menlo Park. 650/ 322-
1211. This popular neighborhood trattoria has
become an Italian institution. $$
Centonove, 109 W. Main St., Los Gatos. 408/384-
4007. Italian-style café specializing in wood-fired
pizzas and a wide range of housemade pastas. $$
Enzo’s Italian, 21275 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino,
408/255-2686. With an all-Italian crew at the
helm, this eatery dishes up authenticity—including
fresh gnocchi and seafood ravioli—in a fast-paced,
modern setting. $$
I Gatti, 25 E. Main St., Los Gatos. 408/399-5180.
Fine Italian dining in a comfortable setting; the
cuisine pays tribute to various Italian regions and
ranges from pizza to rack of lamb. $-$$
Il Postale, 100 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale.
408/733-9600. This popular Italian-American bistro
has made a name for itself over the past 20 years
at the old post office building in Sunnyvale. $$
Pasta Moon, 315 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/
726-5125. Charming eatery serves only local, sustainable
ingredients, fresh from the first bite of focaccia
to the last spoonful of an artisan dessert. $$
Spalti Ristorante, 417 California Ave., Palo Alto.
650/327-9390. Authentic Northern Italian cuisine,
featuring well-prepared fresh pasta, seafood, chicken
and veal in a casual setting. $$
Tigelleria Organic Restaurant, 76 E. Campbell
Ave., Campbell. 408/884-3808. Serving traditional
Northern Italian dishes prepared organically. Also
an extensive choice of a la carte antipasto. $$$
Vesta, Redwood City, 650/362-5052. The art
of the slice is elevated with the infusion of oldworld
mastery of wood-fired pizza preparation.
Other delicacies include burrata and gelato. $
Vin Santo, 1346 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408/920-
2508. Authentic Italian pastas, meats and seafood
dishes uniquely crafted and prepared to
mouth-watering perfection. $$$
Vivace Ristorante, 1910 Ralston
Ave., Belmont. 650/637-0611.
“Vivace” means lively, and Executive
Chef Scott Cinfio’s Northern
Italian creations live up to the
restaurant’s name. $$
Willow Street Wood-Fired
Pizza, San Jose (Willow Glen),
408/971-7080; San Jose (Westgate),
408/871-0400; Los Gatos,
408/354-5566. Outstanding pizzas,
a full bar and a large menu with
fun appetizers. $
JAPANESE
Akane, 250 Third St., Los Altos. 650/941-8150.
Authentic Japanese cuisine featuring an extensive
selection of sushi, sashimi and tasty beef, chicken
and seafood dinner entrees. $$
Azuma Japanese Cuisine, 19645 Stevens Creek
BARGAIN BITES
The food truck craze is showing no signs of slowing down. Some of the
most creative eats are found on those trucks, and not always at spendy
prices. Check websites or Twitter for the latest info on where to
find these mobile gems.
Paddy Wagon Sliders (paddywagonsliders.com, @
pwsliders) has developed a loyal following of fans
who love the huge selection of sliders. There’s beef,
of course, but diners can also order chicken, fish,
vegetarian, and even a sausage and egg slider.
People rave about the crispy tater tots. Get the
Plain Jane Tots, or try the Gilroy Garlic, Cheesy
Bacon, or Chili Bang Bang Tots. The truck takes the
whole paddy wagon theme to the max with a police
badge logo, and a spot on the outside of the truck that
looks like the back wall of a police line up, where diners can
take selfies with their food.
On the opposite side of the law are the Grilled Cheese Bandits (grilledcheesebandits.
com, @CheeseBandits), serving up sinfully good grilled cheese sandwiches.
Get caught with The Jesse James, a grilled black forest ham and sharp cheddar
cheese sandwich, or The Dillinger, garlic jack cheese with homemade garlic seasoning
on Texas toast. Get the Mashed ‘Tater Balls, lightly fried mashed potatoes
with cheese, on the side, or the hearty Tomato Bisque for dipping your sandwich.
San Jose State students have been lining up late nights for the Spartan Taco
Truck (corner of 10th and Willams, San Jose, @Spartantacotruck) for inexpensive
and delicious tacos. The super crispy tacos are a favorite—some call them addictive.
The carne asada fries are also coveted. There’s a good selection of salsas to
add to any choice. The truck opens after 9 p.m. and closes early in the morning.
Lines are long, but diners say it’s worth the wait.
People get excited when they see the bright green Tastee Bytes truck (tasteebytessj.
com, @tasteebytessj) at an event. The truck serves delicious slowroasted
pulled pork sandwiches topped with homemade coleslaw. Or
try the same pulled pork on top of crispy fries. There’s a delicious
barbecue chicken sandwich, and a comforting garlic grilled cheese
sandwich. The truck specializes in hot dogs, too, with at least five
different choices, from plain to smothered in special toppings.
Vegetarians can also find tasty dishes, including a quinoa bowl
and veggie burger. —P. M.
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