96 South Bay Accent
Naschmarkt, 384 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell.
408/378-0335. This highly rated eatery delivers
with central European traditions along with lighter
California twists. $$$
BARBECUE
Armadillo Willy’s, 1031 N. San Antonio Road,
Los Altos. 650/ 941-2922. Fun, casual family dining
offering prime Texas barbecue dishes. $
Dan Gordon’s, 640 Emerson St.,
Palo Alto. 650/324-1960. “Beer,
BBQ, whiskey” is the tasty trifecta
that ensures Dan Gordon’s
status as the ultimate
destination for comfort
food fans. $$
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 familyowned
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. $$
South Winchester BBQ, 1362 South Winchester
Blvd, San Jose, 408/376-0485. Mouthwatering,
down-home, finger-licking BBQ is the
raison d’être of this meaty mecca for carnivores. $
BISTROS
Bell Tower Bistro & Patisserie, 20490 Saratoga
Los Gatos Road, Saratoga. 408/741-1104.
Attractive casual spot features French
bakery, wine bar and Europeanstyle
cuisine along with patio. $
Bistro Vida, 641 Santa
Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
650/462-1686. Extensive
bistro menu offers
classics such as steamed
mussels, coq au vin
and steak frites, served
in a warm, inviting setting.
$$
The Bywater, 532
North Santa Cruz Ave.,
Los Gatos. 408/560-9639.
Along with savory Cajun cuisine,
you’ll find a raw bar and
craft cocktails at this New Orleans
inspired eatery. $$
Cafe Brioche, 445 California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/
326-8640. Provencal flavors with contemporary
American accents evoke the South of France. $$
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. $$$
La Boheme, 415 California Ave, Palo Alto.
650/561-3577. Preparing a range of traditional and
modern French specialties, this convivial establishment
is a neighborhood gem. $$
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. $$
Mayfield Bakery & Café, 855 El Camino Real,
Palo Alto. 650/853-9200. Rustic, comforting seasonal
food produced in a wood-burning oven and
rotisserie in a handsome setting. $$
Nick’s Next Door, 11 College Ave., Los
Gatos. 408/402-5053. Dinner-only
restaurant featuring a menu that
ranges from rib-eye steak and
meatloaf to lamb-chop lollipops
and abalone. $$–$$$
Rok Bistro, 124 S. Murphy
Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/733-
7651. “Stone-age” steakhouse
sears meat, fish, poultry and
vegetarian entrees on hot volcanic
rocks. A wide range of fondues
are also available. $$
Siena Bistro, 1359 Lincoln Ave.,
San Jose. 408/ 271-0837. A friendly,
intimate restaurant with a well-rounded menu,
including risottos, salads, soups, appetizers, fish and
polenta. $$
BRAZILIAN
Espetus, 1686 Market St., San Francisco, 415/552-
8792. 710 South B St., San Mateo, 650/342-8700.
Fourteen signature cuts of meat are mesquitegrilled
gaucho style at this authentic Brazilian
steakhouse. $$-$$$
Fogo de Chao, 377 Santana Row, Suite 1090,
San Jose. 408/244-7001. This authentic Brazilian
steakhouse features grilled meats prepared at tableside.
$$–$$$
Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, 19780
Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. 408/366 2370.
Carnivores crave the succulent meats while sumptuous
sides satisfy diners of every disposition. $$$
Taurinas Brazilian Steakhouse, 167 W. San
Fernando St., San Jose. 408/294-0110. Brazilianstyle
barbecue buffet featuring select cuts of meats
cooked slowly on special grills. $$
BREWERIES/PUBS
The Brit (Britannia Arms), 173 W. Santa Clara
St. 408/ 278-1400. Authentic British pub food with
a wide selection of craft beers and signature cocktails
plus nightly special events. $
Faultline Brewing Co., 1235 Oakmead Pkwy.,
Sunnyvale. 408/736-2739. A friendly brewpub
with a vast variety of homemade ales, as well as
outstanding fare. $$
Half Moon Bay Brewing Co., 390 Capistrano
Road, Half Moon Bay, 650/728-2739. This casually
charming restaurant and brewpub offers breathtaking
views and an equally enticing menu. $$
Loma Brewing Company, Los Gatos, 408/560-
9626. This buzz-worthy new brewpub brings
together delicious craft beers and high-quality
casual comfort food in a lively atmosphere. $
Original Gravity Public House, 66 S. First St.,
San Jose. 408/915-2337. Award-winning sausages,
gourmet grilled cheese and duck fat fries complement
an array of craft beers. $$
Rosie McCann’s, 355 Santana Row, #1060, San
Jose, 408/247-1706. Exemplifying the warmth of
Irish hospitality, this Santana Row gem is known
for its camaraderie and welcoming atmosphere.
BEST BITES
in the candlelit mahogany dining room. In addition
to the award-winning beef, Sundance prides
itself on fresh, succulent seafood, jumbo coldwater
lobster tail, savory side dishes and decadent
desserts. You’ll also enjoy the vintage sports lounge,
featuring an inviting fireplace and offering a full
dinner menu, handcrafted cocktails, local micro
beers and premium wines by the glass. $$
The Table, 1110 Willow St., San Jose. 408/638-
7911. Hot spot from Jim Stump, serving contemporary
American cuisine complemented by
hand-crafted cocktails and progressive wines. $$
Tender Greens (Stanford Shopping Center), 180
El Camino Real #1050. 650/285-6702. With locations
throughout the Bay Area, this fast-casual
farm-to-table eatery serves up healthy cuisine in a
bustling buffet setting. $
Tessora’s Barra Di Vino, 234 E Campbell Ave.,
Campbell. 408/626-7711. With a wide selection
of over 20 wines by the glass, taste, flight and Tessora’s
Barra Di Vino is an enophile’s dream. Craft
brews and light bites round out the menu. $
Umami Burger, 452 University Ave., Palo Alto.
650/321-8626. Specialty and classic burgers with
carefully crafted combinations of toppings. $$
The Van’s Restaurant, 815 Belmont Ave., Belmont.
650/591-6525. Hungry diners looking for a
late-night steak or prime rib can also choose from
lamb chops, fresh fish and pasta. $–$$
Vault 164, 164 S. B St., San Mateo. 650/348-8164.
An eclectic selection of American-style cuisine, with
a wide variety of aged steaks, chicken, pasta, sustainable
seafood and organic produce. $–$$
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. $$
Wählbürgers, 185 University Ave, Palo Alto.
650/382-1389. The family focused franchise
from Donnie and Mark Wahlberg features
hamburgers and a host of hearty and
lighter offerings. $
Whispers Café & Creperie,
San Jose 408/297-2850 and
Belmont 650/594-0000.
A wide range of comfort
food featuring savory
crepes. $$
Willard Hicks, 280 E
Campbell Ave., Campbell.
408/374-5000.
Steaks and other woodfired
entrees plus beer and
cocktails are served in this
clubby, masculine restaurant
and lounge. $$$
The Wine Cellar, 50 University
Ave., Los Gatos. 408/354-4808. Old
Town’s only original tenant, this charming, Old-
World European restaurant has been a Los Gatos
tradition since 1966. $$
Yard House, 300 Santana Row, San Jose, 408/
241-9273. Featuring a full range of choice eats
from snacks to steaks, specialty cocktails and an
endless beer list. $$
AUSTRIAN
Nasch Austrian Bistro, 217 A N. Santa Cruz
Ave., Los Gatos. 408/402-5092. Leaving hungry is
not an option at this tribute to Austrian favorites,
including Viennese sausage and pretzels. $$
Crow’s Nest
The Sea