BEST BITES Huntington Station, 30 E. Third St., Morgan Hill. 408/779-3376. Generously portioned beef, chicken, seafood and pasta entrees are served up in a casual, sports pub atmosphere. $$ John Bentley’s, 2915 El Camino Real, Redwood City. 650/365-7777. A fun and lively spot, John Bentley’s combines warmth and elegance with outstanding service and an appetizing menu. $$ Lark Creek Blue, 378 Santana Row, Suite 1100, San Jose. 408/244-1244. A menu of seasonal 94 South Bay Accent American cuisine features globally inspired dishes, wines from top vineyards and exceptional cocktails. $$$ The Loft Bar & Bistro, 90 S. Second St., San Jose. 408/291-0677. Contemporary and casual restaurant in a historic downtown building, featuring great appetizers, tapas style. $ Los Altos Grill, 233 Third St., Los Altos. 650/948- 3524. Dinner spot features tasty dishes, including rotisserie pork chops and a spicy tuna burger. $$ Madera, 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. 650/561-1540. Signature restaurant of Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel features wood-burning grill to produce artful seafood and meats. $$$ Menlo Grill Bistro & Bar (Stanford Park Hotel), 100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 650/330-2790. An innovative take on classic American dishes made with fresh, sustainable ingredients. $$-$$$ Morton’s The Steakhouse, 177 Park Ave., Suite 100, San Jose. 408/947-7000. Renowned for serving quality, USDA prime-aged steak, fresh seafood, choice produce and decadent desserts. $$$ Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way, Moss Beach.650/728-5595. Historic tavern offers breathtaking Pacific Ocean views and a menu of all-natural meats, wild-caught seafood and organic produce. $$ Parcel 104, 2700 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. 408/970-6104. Seasonal menu from acclaimed chefs Bradley Ogden and Jonathan Hall combines freshness and sophistication. $$$ Paul Martin’s, Mountain View, 650/917-9941; San Mateo, 650/212-7400. Wide-ranging selection of tasty seafood, beef and poultry dishes served in a relaxed, contemporary setting. $$ Scratch, 401 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/237- 3132. This sleek eatery combines upscale American comfort food with an impressive drinks menu. $$$ Sundance The Steakhouse, 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/321-6798. This upscale steakhouse, family-owned and operated for over 40 years, features hand-cut, USDA prime-graded beef. Enjoy slow-roasted prime rib, specially aged New York strip loin and tender filet mignon in the candlelit mahogany dining room. In addition to the awardwining beef, Sundance prides itself on serving the freshest seafood and shellfish available. Favorites include ahi tuna sashimi, grilled Pacific swordfish and jumbo cold-water lobster tail. To complete your dining experience, the menu is supported by a nationally recognized wine list with over 450 global selections. Check out the cozy fireplace lounge. It’s an ideal spot for sipping martinis and aged singlemalt scotch before or after dinner. $$ The Table, 1110 Willow St., San Jose. 408/638- 7911. Hot spot from culinary guru Jim Stump, serving contemporary American cuisine complemented by hand-crafted cocktails and progressive wines. $$ Umami Burger, 452 University Ave., Palo Alto. 650/321-8626. Specialty and classic burgers with carefully crafted combinations of toppings. $$ Vault 164, 164 S. B St., San Mateo. 650/348-8164. An eclectic selection of American style cuisine, with a wide range of aged steaks, chicken, pasta, sustainable seafood and organic produce. $-$$ 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. $$ The Wine Cellar, 50 University Ave., Los Gatos. 408/354-4808. Old Town’s only original tenant, this charming, old-world European restaurant has been a Los Gatos tradition since 1966. $$ THE GRAPEVINE Exceptional cabernet sauvignon has been a staple of the Santa Cruz Mountains since the mid-1800s, and fall is the ideal time to pay homage to the wine that earned the region worldwide notice. Premier Cruz, one of the most anticipated events of the season, is set for Saturday, Nov. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Toll House Hotel (140 S. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos). Guests will join some 20 local cabernet sauvignon producers to sip, sample and enjoy an array of new releases and hard to find library wines. Dinner and a silent auction are also featured. Tickets are $110 each. For information, call 831/865- 8463. Among participating wineries are Ridge Vineyards, Kathryn Kennedy, Fernwood Cellars, Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, Mount Eden Vineyards, Silver Mountain Vineyards, The Mountain Winery, Thomas Fogarty Winery and Burrell School Vineyards. Mountain wineries make another appearance Nov. 9 at the annual Try It, Buy It event in Half Moon Bay (Oceano Hotel, 270 Capistrano Road). From 2 to 5 p.m. visitors may sample the wares of 15 Santa Cruz-area wineries, some not usually open to the public. Any tasted wine can be purchased. The event also includes live music and food for sale. Phone 831/685-8463; tickets are $40 for two glasses and 20 tasting tickets. Still more familiar names crop up at the sixth annual Big Sur Food and Wine Festival Nov. 6 through 9. The festival spotlights notable chefs and some 30 California wineries. Among those pouring: Big Basin Vineyards, Leal Vineyards, Testarossa Winery and Mt. Eden Vineyards. For details, visit bigsurfoodandwine.org. The Culinary Arts department at Cabrillo College (6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos) offers another opportunity to meet area vintners and wine professionals at a fundraising Wine Harvest Dinner on Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Award-winning wines, silent auction and a three-course dinner prepared by students are on the menu. Cost is $55 per person. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines presents “Rhone Valley Rendezvous” Oct. 11 from noon to 2 p.m. Class members will taste and compare Rhone red varietals and blends from France and California, learning about the grapes and regions. The $40 fee includes a light lunch. (J. Lohr Wine Center, 1000 Lenzen Ave., San Jose.) Call 408/288-5057 to register. — D.K. Los Gatos Brewing Company Kyoto Palace
South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2014
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