200 DINING HOT SPOTS
Pausa
Bar & Cookery
ences—with healthy seasonal fare such as fresh fish,
the highest quality meats and sun-loving fruits and
vegetables. Chef William Roberts transports diners
to Athens as they sup on authentic appetizers such
as Kaftethakia, skewered tiny lamb meatballs with
zesty kefalotiri cheese and entrees such as Lavraki,
mesquite-grilled, whole Mediterranean Branzino, a
firm textured fish with sage infused olive oil. Dio
Deka impresses with more than 1,200 wine labels, as
108 South Bay Accent
well as a variety of Greek beers and a selection of premium
Ouzo from top producers in Greece. $$–$$$
Evvia Estiatorio, 420 Emerson St., Palo Alto.
650/326-0983. Evvia offers a lighter approach to
traditional dishes. Family-style dining; open spit
for roasting lamb. $$
Myth Taverna & Lounge, 152 Post St., San
Jose. 408/286-7678. Modern Greek cuisine served
in an ultra-urban atmosphere with elegant indoor
or patio dining and frequent live entertainment. $$
Nemea Greek Taverna, 96 S. First St., San Jose.
408/279-4225. Serves up modern Greek cuisine
made with the freshest ingredients and featuring an
Old World charm–style setting. $$
Opa!, Multiple South Bay locations, www.opa
authenticgreek.com. Fresh, homemade meals
steeped in Greek family spirit and tradition. $$
HAWAIIAN
Coast Poke Counter, 87 N. San Pedro St., San
Jose, 408/320-4372. Located in San Pedro Square
Market, this poke place serves fresh cuts of premium
fish in an elegant setting. $–$$
Da Kine Island Grill, 23 N. Market St., San Jose,
408/568-9700. Popular for its live Hawaiian music
performances, this feel-good-vibe venue specializes
in exotic island-style cuisine $$
Hukilau, 230 Jackson St., San Jose, 408/279-4888.
Hawaii’s greatest culinary hits, including pupu
platters and macadamia-infused dishes, round out
the menu of this tropical hotspot. $$
Island Grill, Clarion Hotel, 1355 N. Fourth
St., San Jose. 408/392-2468. This sleek, modern
restaurant serves fresh fusion fare with Pacific
Island flair without a tiki torch in sight. $$
Ono Hawaiian BBQ, 1706 Oakland Road, Suite
10, San Jose. 408/573-8988. 1041 Cochrane Rd.,
Ste. 160, Morgan Hill. 408/779-2688. With locations
all over the West Coast, this casual eatery is a
go-to spot for abundant Hawaiian plate lunches. $
Ray’s Hawaiian BBQ, Laurelwood Shopping
Center, 1330 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo.
650/212-0002. Classic Hawaiian dishes keep this
casual eatery packed with locals. $
INDIAN
Amber India Restaurant, Santana Row 408/248-
5400; Los Altos 650/968-7511; Palo Alto 650/329-
9644; Mountain View 650/968-1751. Exquisite
presentations and the food is perfectly spiced. $$
Arka, 725 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/
733-2752. Indian cuisine that’s authentic
and innovative, and served in a comfortable,
modern, sophisticated setting. $
Darbar Indian Cuisine, 129 Lytton
Ave., Palo Alto. 650/321-6688. The tandoori
grill here is outstanding, as are the
chicken and lamb specialties. $
Shan, 3739 El Camino Real, Santa Clara,
408/248-8433. Fine Indian and Pakistani
cuisine featuring savory dishes rich in Eastern
culinary traditions. $
INTERNATIONAL
Arya Steakhouse, 885 Middlefield Road, Redwood
City, 650/367-4939. Fine steaks and Persian
cuisine are the focus of this upscale dining establishment,
and a variety of well-seasoned dishes
round out the extensive menu. $$$
Kumino, 580 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain 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 Ave., Campbell.
408/370-7705. Classic Italian dishes are served in
warm, attractive Old World setting. $$$
Bella Saratoga, 14503 Big Basin Way, Saratoga.
BARGAIN BITES
Some really great dining deals come during happy hours at local
bars. Here are some places to check out that will fill you up with both food and
drink, but won’t drain your wallet.
Flames Eatery and Bar (88 S. Fourth St., San Jose) features
a lively mix of both San Jose State University students and
working professionals from downtown who come for the
3-6 p.m. happy hour deals. A variety of filling appetizers
are half off, and there are $4 beers and house
wine, $4 well drinks and $5 and $5.50 specialty
cocktails. Come by on Wednesday nights starting at
5 p.m. for $2 tacos.
The 4th Street Pizza Co. (150 E. Santa Clara St.,
San Jose) has happy hour specials weekdays from
3 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring classic bar food like wings,
mozzarella sticks and potato skins. You can create a
meal on Tuesdays, when some items are just $2.99, including
pizza slices, salad and, of course beer, well drinks and wine.
On Wednesdays wings are just 69 cents each, and a large pepperoni or
cheese pizza to share with friends is $15.99.
One of the best deals around is at Tacolicious (632 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 300
Santana Row, San Jose) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and after 9:30 p.m. Besides the $6
margarita or sangria(!) and $3 Tecate, the restaurant serves up three crispy-shell
chicken tacos for $6, or two beef and refried bean tacos for $5. The Holy Trinity
Dip Sampler comes with guacamole, chile con queso and refried beans
for just $4.
Head to Nola’s (535 Ramona St., Palo Alto) for a taste of
New Orleans at bargain prices. The “Hot Chicken and Brew”
includes two crispy chicken sliders with kale and cabbage
slaw, a pickle and a pint of draft beer for just under $10.
You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy the food and drink deals
at St. Stephen’s Green (223 Castro St., Mountain View).
The happy hour menu includes the usual pub fare but also
two salads, and a basic burger and fries for under $10. Fish and
chips, shepherd pie and chicken curry are each under $12. Wash it
down with a beer, glass of wine or specialty cocktail for under $5, and let some
Irish luck sink in. —P.M.
The
Bywater
