THE GRAPEVINE
Summer is in full force at weekend wine events and festivals all over
the South Bay. Enjoy the season while you can with a glass of wine in hand!
The Jason-Stephens Winery (6500 Brem Lane, Gilroy) calls itself “Silicon Valley’s
winery,” with a line of tech-inspired labels, like ONESandZEROS, a proprietary
blend of Zinfandel and Syrah. The winery hosts Patio Parties, 1 p.m. to 5
The Mountain View Art & Wine Festival, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday Sept. 9, and 10
a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 10, up and down Castro Street, is one of the premier
wine events, thanks to a selective wine tasting panel that uses a rigorous taste test
to choose featured wines. This year’s select group includes Columbia Crest
Grand Estates Chardonnay, 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon, and Villa Maria
Sauvignon Blanc, among others.
A week later the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival kicks off, 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17,
in Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd. Besides fine wines poured by local
vintners, the festival highlights local and regional artists, food, music,
and kids’ activities. That same weekend wine lovers can also enjoy the
Almaden Art & Wine Festival in Almaden Lake Park, 6099 Winfield Blvd.,
San Jose, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. Wineries taking part include David
Bruce, Clo LaChance, and J. Lohr, among others. —Pam Marino
94 South Bay Accent
John Bentley’s, 2915 El Camino Real, Redwood
City. 650/365-7777. Sophisticated but comfortable,
John Bentley’s is a favorite among diners who
come from miles around to enjoy the highly touted
contemporary seasonal American cuisine. Guests
enjoy entrees such as peppercorn crusted Ahi
with soba noodle salad and exquisite meat courses
including grilled marinated rib-eye with gorgonzola
cabernet demi-glace. Desserts, like the sticky toffee
pudding cake with caramel gelato and almond
nougatine, are a must. A fun and lively spot, with
a full bar and ample room for private dining, John
Bentley’s combines warmth and elegance with outstanding
service and food. $$
Lalla Grill, 55 River Oaks Pl, San Jose, 408/618-
8072. The mirrored 15-foot-long wall of spirits
and colorful mod architectural theme set the tone
for vibrant dishes including ahi ceviche. $$
The Loft Bar & Bistro, 90 S. Second St., San
Jose. 408/291-0677. Contemporary and casual restaurant
in a historic downtown building, featuring
great appetizers, tapas style. $
Los Altos Grill, 233 Third St., Los Altos. 650/948-
3524. 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 Grill Bistro & Bar (Stanford Park Hotel),
100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 650/330-2790.
Innovative take on classic American dishes that are
made with fresh, sustainable ingredients. $$-$$$
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. $$
Orchard City Kitchen (The Pruneyard)
1875 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 190
Campbell. 408/340-5285. Led by
Michelin-recognized Executive
Chef Jeffrey Stout, OCK offers
inventive, seasonal dishes. $$
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. $$$
Paul Martin’s, Mountain View,
650/917-9941; San Mateo, 650/212-
7400. Wide-ranging selection of tasty seafood, beef
and poultry dishes served in a relaxed, contemporary
setting. $$
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. The open concept layout adds to the airy,
refreshing vibe of the space, inviting guests to
socialize and mingle. Crave-worthy dishes include
hamachi with avocado mousseline, roasted cauliflower
with almonds and dried figs, foie gras with
unagi glaze, house made spam, and sunny egg,
aged duck breast with swiss chard and cherry.
With a bustling atmosphere and one of the largest
selections of rare whiskey and scotch in the Bay
Area, this is a popular destination with the Silicon
p.m., Saturdays, Aug. 5 and 19, and Sundays, Aug. 13 and 27, for $10
tastings, live music and a featured food truck.
Santana Row is throwing another fun Wine Stroll on
Aug. 19, this time to benefit the Bill Wilson Center. Tastings
include wines from all over the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The event features a silent auction in Santana
Row Park and exclusive wine discounts. Tickets are
$40, available online from santanrow.com.
Naumann Vineyards (16505 Montebello Rd., Cupertino)
is known for it’s small batch estate wines created
with grapes grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Join
wine makers for the 2014 Estate Merlot Release Party, 1
p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 26. Tickets are $30 and include
tasting, food and stunning views of the valley below.
with craft beer, this anglophile gastro pub dishes
out savory favorites like Waygu flatiron steak and
maple-glazed duck leg confit. $
Hangar Steak, 1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame.
650/552-3505. Part of the Marriott, this
standout New American steakhouse offers delightful
dining by the bay. $$
Hult’s Restaurant,165 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd.,
Los Gatos, 408/354-3434. Former professional
hockey player Alexander Hult scores big with this
farm-to-table favorite, which was awarded Small
Business of the Year 2016 in Silicon Valley by the
State of California. Sustainable California cuisine,
with hints of Scandinavia, includes such dishes as
lime-stuffed, pan-roasted salmon with trout caviar
sauce, and elk filet. The casual, upscale restaurant
also features “The Hult Experience,” a six-course
tasting menu that eloquently presents the flavors
of the present season. California boutique wines,
authentic French champagnes, locally brewed beers
and craft cocktails add spirit to the friendly atmosphere—
replete with a welcoming wraparound bar,
and patio dining around glass fire tables. Popular
with the locals are Hult’s Sunday brunch and a
lively happy hour. $$
200 DINING HOT SPOTS
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