BEST BITES
DEALS ON MEALS
Sometimes there’s no time to pack a lunch or cook dinner,
making takeout the best option. Here are some favorite South Bay
takeout spots that are both tasty and affordable.
The Taiwanese eatery Bento Express (1677 Hollenbeck Ave.,
Sunnyvale) has gained a loyal following of fans who love the delicious
and plentiful home-cooked style dishes like stewed pork
belly, stewed chicken, fried pork chops, fried fish, and more. Bento
boxes come with a choice of entrée, rice and four vegetable sides.
Bentos are as low as $7.99, with most around $8.99. Veggie sides are
reminiscent of Taiwanese homemade meals, like the tomato with egg, vermicelli
noodles with black bean sauce, or string beans with tofu, among others.
Bring cash; they only accept credit cards for orders over $20.
Wraps and kebabs are a good bet from Halal Gyro Express (3730 N. First Street,
San Jose), which serves Afghan and Persian food. Some say it’s the
102 South Bay Accent
closest thing to the gyros and Afghan dishes found in New York
City. Frequent visitors love the chicken dishes here, especially
the chicken gyro, which is a good deal at $6.49.
Lamb tikka is another favorite; kebabs only are $3.99
for five pieces of lamb. There are also rice plates, like
chicken or lamb over rice, for less than $10 each.
A local blog called The Six Fifty recently listed the
Jumbo Carnitas Burrito at Taqueria La Espuela (854
W. Dana St., Mountain View) as one of the top three
largest in the Silicon Valley. It weighed in at 1.61 pounds
and cost $7.95. The blog’s reviewers called the taco
spot—formerly known as Taqueria Los Charros—“solid all
around.” Taqueria La Espuela has all the favorite tacos at low
prices, plus burritos and many other favorites, and serves breakfast
menu items all day.
People are raving about the Korean fried chicken at BonChon Chicken (various
locations in San Jose and Sunnyvale). The international fast food chain with
stores in Asia, the Middle East and the U.S., is growing quickly thanks to its
crispy, sticky, flavorful wings and drumsticks. Here locals flock to BonChon for
the Lunch Special Signature Fried Chicken. Choose from wings, drumsticks, or
a combination, in soy garlic or spicy flavors, or a mixture of both. Then choose
a side: pickled radish, coleslaw, kimchi coleslaw or steamed rice. The special is
just $8.55. —P.M.
Il Postale, 100 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale.
408/733-9600. This popular Italian-American bistro
has made a name for itself over the past 20 years
at the old post office building in Sunnyvale. $$
Italico, 341 California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/473-
9616. This pasta-centric bistro is popular for
meatballs and other classic dishes along with its
extensive variety of Italian wines. $$
La Pastaia, (Hotel De Anza) 233 W. Santa Clara
St., San Jose, 408/286-8686. A seasonal menu of
contemporary Italian dishes is served in a newly
renovated dining space. Wine Spectator awardwinner.
$$
Pasta Moon, 315 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/
726-5125. Charming eatery serves only local, sustainable
ingredients, fresh from the first bite of
focaccia to the last spoonful of an artisan dessert. $$
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. $$
Spalti Ristorante, 417 California Ave., Palo
Alto. 650/327-9390. Authentic Northern
Italian cuisine, featuring well-prepared
fresh pasta, seafood, chicken and veal
in a casual setting. $$
Tigelleria Organic Restaurant,
76 E. Campbell Ave.,
Campbell. 408/884-3808. Serving
traditional Northern Italian
The Crow’s
dishes prepared organically. Also
an extensive choice of a la carte
antipasto. $$$
Vesta, Redwood City, 650/362-
5052. The art of the slice is elevated
with the infusion of old-world mastery
Nest
of wood-fired pizza preparation. Other delicacies
include burrata and gelato. $
Vin Santo, 1346 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408/920-
2508. Authentic Italian pastas, meats and seafood
dishes uniquely crafted and prepared to mouthwatering
perfection. $$$
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, the menu at this family-friendly restaurant
offers dishes that everyone will be able to
enjoy. $$
Blowfish Sushi To Die For, 355 Santana Row,
Suite 1010, San Jose. 408/345-3848. A hip dining
spot serving both traditional and modern sushi,
sashimi and teppan dishes. $$
Bluefin, 754 The Alameda, Suite 10, San Jose.
408/931-6875. Sushi, sashimi and more modern
fare, with unique fish imported from Japan at the
peak of its flavor. $$
Bushido, 156 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/
386-6821. Offering Japanese izakaya dining, where
people gather in a casual atmosphere to drink and
enjoy small, unique plates. $$
Hachi Ju Hachi, 14480 Big Basin Way, Saratoga.
408/647-2258. Traditional Japanese cuisine featuring
pure, simple, flavorful dishes. $$
House of Genji, 1335 N. First St., San Jose. 408/
453-8120. Well-executed tableside cooking shows
are the main draw at this family-friendly Japanese
teppanyaki steakhouse. $$$
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. $$
Kappo Nami Nami, 240 Castro St., Mountain
View. 650/964-6990. Cutting-edge, kappo-style
Alexander’s
Steakhouse