Introducing
oyster bar • craft cocktails
spanish & local wines
110 South Bay Accent
200 DINING HOT SPOTS
to “pause” from the daily grind. Dishes are artfully
prepared, using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Standouts include stinging nettle mezzi
rigatoni, with braised pork sausage ragu and parmigiana
Reggiano, duck breast with Tokyo turnips
and spring onions, and lamb shank with controne
and fava beans, pickled ramps, mint and pistachio
pesto. The weekday Spritz Hour draws a
sophisticated after-work set to indulge
in generously portioned appetizers,
beer, spritzes and selections from
the all-Italian wine list. $$
Pasta Moon, 315 Main St.,
Half Moon Bay. 650/ 726-
5125. Charming eatery serves
only local, sustainable ingredients,
fresh from the first bite of
focaccia to the last spoonful of
an artisan dessert. $$
Pizza Antica, 334 Santana Row,
San Jose. 408/557-8373. Rustic woodfired
Rosie McCann’s
pizzas, hearty mains and savory pastas
draw a bustling scene to this newly renovated
restaurant. Patio dining makes it a popular brunch
destination. $$
Quattro (Four Seasons Hotel), 2050 University
Ave., East Palo Alto. 650/470-2889.Seasonally
inspired Northern Italian cuisine incorporating
quintessential California freshness is served in a
modern, refined setting with a garden terrace. $$$
Ristorante Don Giovanni, 235 Castro St.,
Mountain View. 650/961-9749. Relaxed atmosphere
and large Italian menu ranges from charcoal
broiled steaks to assorted pastas. $$
Tigelleria Organic Restaurant, 76 E. Campbell
Ave., Campbell. 408/884-3808. Serving traditional
Northern Italian dishes prepared organically. Also
an extensive choice of a la carte antipasto. $$$
Vesta, 2022 Broadway, Redwood City. 650/362-
5052. This trendy indoor-outdoor venue draws
crowds with locally sourced ingredients, wood-fired
pizza, small plates, beer and wine. $$
Vin Santo, 1346 Lincoln Ave., San Jose,
408/920-2508. Authentic Italian
pastas, meats and seafood dishes
uniquely crafted and prepared to
mouthwatering perfection. $$$
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
Blvd., Cupertino. 408/257-4057. A Cupertino
institution, this family-friendly restaurant has a
menu with dishes that offers that everyone will be
able to enjoy. $$
Bushido, 156 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/
386-6821. Offering Japanese izakaya dining, where
people gather in a casual atmosphere to drink and
enjoy small, unique plates. $$
Fuki-Sushi, 4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.
650/494-9383. Fresh seafood, vegetable and rice
delectables, teriyaki and light, crispy tempura
are the mainstays at this long-time local
favorite gathering place. $$
Kaizen Japanese Bar &
Grill, 330 E Hamilton Ave #7,
Campbell. 408/370-1600. This
modern spot features a wraparound
sushi bar and Japanese
mains such as teriyaki and
bento. $–$$
Kappo Nami Nami, 240
Castro St., Mountain View.
650/964-6990. Cutting-edge,
kappo-style Japanese cuisine with
fresh, seasonal ingredients. $$
Kubota, 593 N. Fifth St., San Jose. 408/279-
8440. An excellent upscale pan-Pacific menu featuring
seasonal specials and year-round favorites. $–$$
Kumino, Mountain View, 650/964-3300. Highend
gourmet meets casual cuisine at this innovative
pan-Asian eatery. With dim-sum-inspired specialties
like crawfish buns and yucca fries, the categorydefying
eatery has earned a reputation as a favored
foodie destination. $
Kyoto Palace, 1875 S. Bascom Ave. #2500 (The
Pruneyard), Campbell. 408/389-0991. Authentic
Japanese cuisine with teppanyaki method of preparing
dishes tableside. $$–$$$
Leichi, 246 Saratoga Ave., Santa Clara. 408/824-
9052. Specializing in izakaya, Japanese small
plates, this casual eatery is a popular lunch
destination. $–$$
Mizu, 1035 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose. 408/
260-7200. Sushi bar and grill features fusion menu
including Korean barbecue. $$
Ozumo, 355 Santana Row #1010, San
Jose. 408/886-3090. This South Bay
incarnation of Jeremy Umland’s hit
San Francisco restaurant attracts
a hip crowd with sushi, small
plates, a Japanese beer garden
and a late-night lounge. $$
Rokko, 190 S. Frances St.,
Sunnyvale. 408/773-8225
(also located in San Jose).
Full range of tasty fare, from
fresh sushi to hot udon and
more. $
Sawa, 1042 E. El Camino Real,
Sunnyvale. 408/ 241-7292. Fresh fish
and seafood, including delightful prix fixe
sushi-focused entrees. $$$
LATIN
La Viga, 1772 Broadway St., Redwood City.
650/679-8141. This sister restaurant of LV Mar
showcases Chef Manuel Martinez’s uniquely flavorful
preparations of fresh seafood, ceviche and tapas.
Vibrant dishes such as mini Dungeness crab cakes,
coconut-crusted prawns with mango habanero
sauce and grilled mahi-mahi filet with plantain rice
keep this Michelin eatery bustling. $$
LV Mar, 2042 Broadway St., Redwood City.
650/241-3111. Creative tapas and artisanal cock-
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
Sustainable,
Well-Sourced Spanish
Californian Cuisine
650.935.2372 asalosaltos.com
242 State Street, Los Altos
Shadowbrook
