BEST BITES
TASTE TRIPS
Menlo Tavern
98 South Bay Accent
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. $$$
BREWERIES/PUBS
The Brit (Britannia Arms), 173 W. Santa Clara
St. 408/ 278-1400. Authentic British pub food
with a wide selection of craft beers and signature
cocktails plus nightly special events. $
Half Moon Bay Brewing Co., 390 Capistrano
Road, Half Moon Bay, 650/728-2739. This casually
charming restaurant and brewpub offers breathtaking
views and an equally enticing menu. $$
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. $$
Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, San
Jose (Santana Row), 408/247-1706; Santa Cruz,
831/426-9930. Lively eatery with tasty bites and
fine beverages. $
Steins Beer Garden, 895 Villa St., Mountain
View. 650/963-9568. The hearty home-style cooking
here is complemented by a variety of the choicest
craft beers from around the world. $$
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. $–$$
Camper, 898 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park.
650/321-8980. Seasonal selection of handmade
pastas, creative vegetable dishes, and prime proteins
served in a laid-back atmosphere. $$
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. Surf-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
For those that don’t want to leave their four-legged best friends
at home while off exploring for a day, there are some great dog-friendly restaurants
on the road. These East Bay eateries have great patios for dogs—and
anyone who wants a good meal.
With a view of the water and 20 beers on tap, Brotzeit Lokal (1000 Embarcadero,
Oakland) is the perfect patio spot to hang out. The food is decidedly
German, think Sausages, spätzle (egg noodles) and other Bavarian delights.
The Brotzeit Sausage Platter comes with two choices from a selection of eight
house-made sausages, including one vegan option,), sauerkraut cooked with
bacon, spätzle and a fresh-baked pretzel. A bountiful brunch menu features
German potato pancakes, as well as pork belly fritters. Or order a beer and one
of the Biergarten favorite pub snacks, like the house-made seasonal pickled
vegetables that come with a pickled egg.
For a very French experience, try La Note (2377 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley).
The enclosed patio features canary yellow walls and cornflower blue umbrellas
hinting at a day in Provence. La Note serves up French dishes at breakfast,
lunch and dinner; brunch on weekends. Enjoy a continental breakfast of croissant
and coffee, or try the Lemon Gingerbread Pancakes and Poached Pears
on the brunch menu. Dinner entrees include classic stews, roasted meats and
even pastas.
For the ultimate laid-back friends and family experience, check out Sideshow
Kitchen and Beer Garden (942 Stanford Ave., Oakland). The place has been
buzzing with excitement since 2017 when the owners transformed a nearly
100-year-old building into a hot spot for sampling local craft beers and eating
burgers, wings and sandwiches. Burgers are the star here with eight to choose
from that will delight meat lovers; plus a veggie burger, too.
For any seagoing travelers (or landlubbers) the
dockside restaurant Mosley’s Café (2099 Grand
St., Alameda) is worth checking out for breakfast
or lunch. Mosley’s offers a number of tempting
crepes both sweet and savory, baked treats,
French toast, and made-to-order sandwiches.
Or try one of the classic sandwiches, like the
grilled tuna melt or PB&J. The café also features
gluten-free options.
Forge Pizza (66 Franklin St., Oakland) in Jack
London Square has a beautiful view of the harbor
with plenty of comfy seating options on the patio. Forge
is well known for its wood-fired pizzas and small plates, including
the crispy cheese curds in pizzaoilo sauce. The pizzas are inventive: The
Meatza is loaded with pork sausage, bacon, pepperoni and salami, but the eatery
also offers non-meat pizzas with toppings like fig jam, gorgonzola, arugula
and balsamic vinegar. Not feeling like pizza? They serve a half-pound burger,
as well as fried cod and other selections. —P.M.