200 DINING HOT SPOTS
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
102 South Bay Accent
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. $$
Fuki-Sushi, 4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.
650/494-9383. Fresh seafood, vegetable and rice
delectables, teriyaki and light, crispy tempura are
the mainstays at this long-time local favorite gathering
place. $$
Hachi Ju Hachi, 14480 Big Basin Way, Saratoga.
408/647-2258. Traditional Japanese cuisine featuring
pure, simple, flavorful dishes. $$
House of Genji, 1335 N. First St., San Jose. 408/
453-8120. Well-executed tableside cooking shows
are the main draw at this family-friendly Japanese
teppanyaki steakhouse. $$$
Kaizen Japanese Bar & Grill, 330 E Hamilton
Ave. #7, Campbell. 408/370-1600. This modern
spot features a wrap-around 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. $–$$
Kumino, Mountain View. 650/964-3300. Highend
gourmet meets casual cuisine at this innovative
pan-Asian eatery. With dim-sum-inspired specialties
like crawfish buns and yucca fries, the categorydefying
eatery has earned a reputation as a favored
foodie destination. $
Kyoto Palace, 1875 S. Bascom Ave. #2500 (The
Pruneyard), Campbell. 408/389-0991. Authentic
Japanese cuisine with teppanyaki method of preparing
dishes tableside. $$–$$$
Leichi, 246 Saratoga Ave., Santa Clara. 408/824-
9052. Specializing in izakaya, Japanese small
plates, this casual eatery is a popular lunch
destination. $–$$
Masa’s Sushi, 400 San Antonio Road, Mountain
View. 650/941-2117. In addition to sushi, you’ll
find tempura and chicken and beef teriyaki. $–$$
BARGAIN BITES
The South Bay is teeming with food from around the
world. There are lots of great ethnic restaurants to choose from
that are both satisfying and easy on the wallet.
Fans of Pupuseria Los Dubon (1546 Camden Ave., Campbell)
say the pupusas served at this Salvadoran restaurant are the
best around. The pupusas revueltas, a combination of cheese,
pork and beans, are especially recommended. Their offerings feature
a wide variety of meat and vegetarian pupusas, plus a good selection
of Salvadoran dishes, like the stewed chicken with potatoes. Those with
a sweet tooth won’t be disappointed with the fried plantains, and other authentic
Salvadoran desserts.
La Cueva Mex Grill (18486 Prospect Rd., Saratoga) is a popular taco and burrito
spot. The carnitas and the al pastor varieties are favorites of frequent diners. Feast
on fish tacos served up with grilled bell peppers, onions, cabbage, avocado sauce
and chipotle sauce with choice of fish. The gorditas are made with a house-made
thick, fried tortillas.
Heart-shaped falafels are just the start of what endears Achilles (2521 Newhall
St., Santa Clara) to its many loyal customers. They love the fresh and tasty dishes,
quick and friendly service and good prices. The Achilles Special is a very filling
fresh pita stuffed with falafels, tomatoes, lettuce, onions and garlic spread. The
nice and juicy Achilles chicken breast is marinated with 16 different spices
and cooked on the grill.
Asian Box (Palo Alto, Mountain View, Campbell, San Jose)
serves Vietnamese street food made in the style of Chipotle:
Choose a base of rice, salad or noodles, then add protein
followed by the “toppers,” choices like pickled vegetables,
fresh jalapeño, herbs, crispy shallots or chopped peanuts,
among others. Finally, choose a sauce — or combination of
sauces — to drizzle on top of the generous servings.
A place for a quick, well-priced lunch can be found at Thai
Spoons (909 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale). The lunch combo
comes with either two or three items on white or brown rice. A
selection of different curries is available on the menu, including the
Panang Beef, with bell peppers and onions; Green Curry Delight, made with lots of
fresh veggies and fried tofu with a green curry paste; the Yellow Curry with Thai
Pumpkin, and green or red curries where you select the protein. —P.M.
Alexander’s
Steakhouse
PY Kitchen