106 South Bay Accent
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. $$
Rosie McCann’s, 355 Santana Row,
#1060, San Jose, 408/247-1706.
Exemplifying the warmth of
Irish hospitality, this Santana
Row gem is known for its
camaraderie and welcoming
atmosphere. Guests
can enjoy a drink at
the full bar (including
Guinness on tap) before
dining on traditional
pub fare or sampling
decadent menu items
such as the stuffed baconwrapped
prawns, Jameson
Portobello mushroom with
blue cheese, candied walnuts
and green onion, or a juicy Kobe
burger. The varied menu consists of
local farm-fresh organic ingredients and grassfed
beef as well as vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and
Paleo options. Share plates are also popular as is the
hearty weekend brunch accompanied by bottomless
mimosas and frosé. $–$$
Steins Beer Garden, 895 Villa St., Mountain
View. 650/963-9568. The hearty home-style cooking
here is complemented by a variety of the choicest
craft beers from around the world. $$
BURMESE
Rangoon Ruby, 445 Emerson Street, Palo Alto.
650/323-6543. Two talented chefs from Burma
Superstar restaurants create a Burmese menu influenced
by Indian, Thai and Chinese cooking. $
Sweet Mango, 1040 Willow Street,
San Jose. 408/ 293-2268. Innovative
menu blurs the line between Burmese
and Chinese cuisine, and
has become a local favorite in
Willow Glen. $
CALIFORNIA
Braise, 1185 Lincoln Ave.,
San Jose. 408/294-2919.
Anthony Jimenez and Josh
Hanoka combine classic
California cuisine with contemporary
international flair in
their seasonal small-plates menu
in Willow Glen. $-$$
Calafia Café, 855 El Camino Real,
Palo Alto. 650/322-9200. Executive Chef
Charlie Ayers offers diverse, organic dishes from
pizzas and curries to Duck Adobo and Tofu Lentil
Loaf. $$
Cascade Bar & Grill (Costanoa Resort), 2001
Rossi Road at Highway 1, Pescadero. 650/879-
1100. The California coastal menu features sustainable,
local seafood and organic produce. $$
Cetrella, 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/726-
4090. 400 Main St., Los Altos. 650/948-0400.
Upscale Mediterranean dining and California
coastal cuisine with a variety of venue options. $$$
The Crow’s Nest Restaurant, 2218 E. Cliff
Dr. Santa Cruz. 831/476-4560. Since 1969, this
popular spot has featured award-winning cuisine,
spirits and live entertainment from one of the most
spectacular views of Santa Cruz Harbor, lighthouse
and wharf. Surfer-themed décor adds ambiance to
the downstairs dining room, where guests enjoy
seafood as fresh as the catch brought in that morning.
The beef dishes are just as delectable, earning
the restaurant accolades for serving the best steak
in town. Upstairs, the Breakwater Grill
offers a variety of appetizers and
casual lunches, along with live
comedy, music and dancing.
Outdoor decks provide a
friendly alfresco atmosphere
and excellent vantage
point for sipping
signature cocktails while
watching the steady
parade of sailboats coming
in and out of the
harbor. $$
The Farmer’s Union,
151 W. Santa Clara St.,
San Jose. 408/277-0545.
This updated incarnation of a
rustic American tavern boasts a
refreshing array of local brews, craft
cocktails and hearty yet sophisticated farmto
table fare. $
Flea Street Cafe, 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas,
Menlo Park. 650/854-1226. An ever-changing
menu of continental and California dishes. $$
The Lexington House, 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave.,
Los Gatos. 408/354-1600. Unique Northern California
dishes made with local, organic and sustainable
ingredients. $$
The Mountain House, 13808 Skyline Blvd.,
Woodside. 650/851-8541. Highlights are excellent
cuisine featuring chicken, lamb, beef, seafood &
pastas in a cozy cabin setting. $–$$
Piacere Restaurant, 727 Laurel St., San Carlos.
650/592-3536. Piacere serves fresh, locally sourced
fare along with a wide selection of Italian and California
wines. $$$
Quattro (Four Seasons Hotel), 2050 University
Ave., East Palo Alto, 650/470-2889. Well-prepared
California cuisine with an Italian twist. $$$
The Shadowbrook, 1750 Wharf Rd., Capitolaby
the-sea. 831/475-1511. Visitors to one of the
nation’s 100 most romantic restaurants (as voted by
OpenTable diners) take the iconic “cable car” tram
or walk alongside waterfalls and lush gardens to
reach this ivy-covered dining destination. Equally
enticing are the seven different dining rooms within
the Swiss chalet-style building, the impeccable
service and award-winning cuisine. Menu favorites
include mouthwatering, slow-roasted prime
rib, local salmon and creative nightly specials.
Shadowbrook’s beautiful Rock Room Bar (with
live music on weekends) continues to be an overwhelming
favorite with locals and visitors alike and
offers more casual fare and portions. Since 1947,
Shadowbrook has delighted diners who come to
propose, celebrate an anniversary, wow a first date
or just enjoy a fine meal in an atmosphere of Old
World charm and grace. $$-$$$
31st Union, 5 S. Ellsworth Avenue, San Mateo.
650/458-0049. A popular locavore eatery featuring
artisanal California food and drink with seasonally
changing plates. $–$$
Verge (Toll House Hotel), 140 South Santa Cruz
Ave., Los Gatos. 408/884-1054. California-at-heart
BEST BITES
booth in the comfy, elegant dining room; snack in
the bar; or do weekend brunch on the patio with
bubbly and beignets. The restaurant won a Michelin
Bib Gourmand rating and a Wine Spectator award
of excellence in 2017. $$
Central Park Bistro, 181 E. Fourth Ave., San
Mateo. 650/558-8401. With a hearty array of
regional favorites on the menu, Central Park Bistro
showcases the diversity of American cuisine. $$$
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. $$
Mayfield Bakery & Café, 855 El Camino Real,
Palo Alto. 650/853-9200. Rustic, comforting seasonal
food produced in a wood-burning oven and
rotisserie in a handsome setting. $$
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. $$
BRAZILIAN
Espetus Churrascaria. 710 S. B St. San Mateo,
650/342-8700. 1686 Market St, San Francisco. At
this vibrant incarnation of the increasingly popular
Brazilian-style steakhouse, a signature selection of
14 cuts of beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and shrimp is
served tableside, accompanied by a bounteous buffet
of crisp seasonal salads and savory side dishes.
The sophisticated venue is perfect for every occasion,
from small gatherings to large special events in
the beautifully appointed dining room. This decadent
dining destination is also consistently named
one of the best steakhouses in the Bay Area, Brazilian
or otherwise. For diners seeking a uniquely
cultural culinary experience, Espetus
satisfies appetites as it exceeds
expectations. $$–$$$
Fogo de Chao, 377 Santana
Row, Suite 1090, San
Jose. 408/244-7001. This
authentic Brazilian steakhouse
features grilled
meats prepared at tableside.
$$–$$$
Galpao Gaucho Brazilian
Steakhouse, 19780
Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino.
408/366 2370. Carnivores
crave the succulent meats
while sumptuous sides satisfy diners
of every disposition. $$$
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. $$
BREWERIES/PUBS
The Brit (Britannia Arms), 173 W. Santa Clara
St. 408/ 278-1400. Authentic British pub food with
a wide selection of craft beers and signature cocktails
plus nightly special events. $
Half Moon Bay Brewing Co., 390 Capistrano
Road, Half Moon Bay, 650/728-2739. This casually
charming restaurant and brewpub offers breathtaking
views and an equally enticing menu. $$
The Sea
Pho Wagon