An American Restaurant
with Influences Derived from
Generations of Spanish and
Italian Heritage
408.867.1906 thebasin.com
14572 Big Basin Way at 5th Street, Saratoga
Introducing
oyster bar • craft cocktails
spanish & local wines
96 South Bay Accent
Valley single set, while the friendly, casual ambiance
appeals to families and couples in the market
for a lively date night. $$
Scratch, 401 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/237-
3132. This sleek eatery combines upscale American
comfort food with an impressive drinks menu. $$$
Sundance The Steakhouse, 1921 El
Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/321-
6798. This upscale steakhouse,
family-owned and operated
for over 40 years, features
hand-cut, USDA
prime-graded beef.
Enjoy slow-roasted
prime rib, specially
aged New York strip
loin and tender filet
mignon in the candlelit
mahogany dining
room. In addition
to the award-wining
beef, Sundance prides
itself on serving the freshest
seafood and shellfish
available. Favorites include
grilled Pacific swordfish, ahi tuna
sashimi and jumbo cold-water lobster
tail. To complete your dining experience, the
menu is supported by a nationally recognized
wine list with over 450 global selections. Check
out the cozy fireplace lounge. It’s an ideal spot
for sipping martinis and aged single-malt scotch
before or after dinner. $$
The Table, 1110 Willow St., San Jose. 408/638-
7911. Hot spot from culinary guru Jim Stump,
serving contemporary American cuisine complemented
by hand-crafted cocktails and progressive
wines. $$
Tender Greens, (Stanford Shopping Center),
180 El Camino Real #1050. 650/285-6702. With
locations throughout the Bay Area, this fast-casual
farm-to-table eatery serves up healthy cuisine in a
bustling buffet setting. $
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. $-$$
Village California Bistro & Wine Bar,
378 Santana Row, Suite 1035, San Jose.
408/248-9091. Casual but sophisticated
eatery excels with a seasonal
menu and an impressive wine
list. $$
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 house-made
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. “Be e r, BBQ,
whiskey” is the tasty trifecta
that ensures Dan
Gordon’s status as the
ultimate destination for
comfort food fans. $$
Little Lou’s BBQ,
2455 S. Winchester
Blvd., Campbell, 408/
796-7852. Traditional
barbecue choices such as
ribs, burgers, pulled pork and
combo dinners stand out. $
Sam’s Bar-B-Que, 1110 S. Bascom
Ave., San Jose, 408/297-9151. The
famed signature barbecue sauce perfectly complements
the menu of mouth-watering meats at this
family-owned restaurant. $
Smoking Pig BBQ, 1144 N. Fourth St., San
Jose. 408/380-4784; 530 Newhall Drive, San Jose
408/289-1510. Enjoy a variety of flavorful, slowcooked
barbecue specialties, including delectable
fall-off-the- bone ribs. $$
South Winchester BBQ, 1362 South Winchester
Blvd, San Jose, 408/376-0485. Mouthwatering,
down-home, finger-licking BBQ is the
raison d’etre of this meaty mecca for carnivores. $
BISTROS
Bell Tower Bistro & Patisserie, 20490 Saratoga
Los Gatos Road, Saratoga. 408/741-1104.
Attractive casual spot features French bakery, wine
bar and European-style cuisine along with patio. $
Bistro Vida, 641 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
650/462-1686. Extensive bistro menu offers classics
such as steamed mussels, coq au vin and steak
frites, served in a warm, inviting setting. $$
Bywater, 532 North Santa Cruz
Avenue, Los Gatos. 408/560-
9639. New Orleans-inspired
neighborhood bar and eatery
is the brainchild of Michelin
superstar-rated chef David
Kinch. $$
Cafe Brioche, 445 California
Ave., Palo Alto. 650/ 326-
8640. Provencal flavors with
contemporary American accents
evoke the South of France. $$
Central Park Bistro, 181 E. Fourth
Ave., San Mateo. 650/558-8401. With
a hearty array of regional favorites on the menu,
Central Park Bistro showcases the diversity of
American cuisine. $$$
Louisiana Bistro, 19 North Market St., San Jose.
408/295-1300. Authentic Cajun cuisine and a
variety of other N’awlins-style tastes make for an
enjoyable and memorable dining experience. $$
Mayfield Bakery & Café, 855 El Camino Real,
200 DINING HOT SPOTS
Sustainable,
Well-Sourced Spanish
Californian Cuisine
650.935.2372 asalosaltos.com
242 State Street, Los Altos
Dio Deka
The Sea
