104 South Bay Accent
El Camino Real #1050. 650/285-6702. With
locations throughout the Bay Area, this fast-casual
farm-to-table eatery serves up healthy cuisine in a
bustling buffet setting. $
Umami Burger, 452 University Ave., Palo Alto.
650/321-8626. Specialty and classic burgers with
carefully crafted combinations of toppings. $$
Vault 164, 164 S. B St., San Mateo.
650/348-8164. An eclectic selection
of American-style cuisine, with
a wide variety of aged steaks,
chicken, pasta, sustainable
seafood and organic produce.
$–$$
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. $$
Wählbürgers, 185 University
Ave, Palo Alto. 650/382-1389.
The family focused franchise from
Donnie and Mark Wahlberg features hamburgers
and a host of hearty and lighter offerings. $
Willard Hicks, 280 E Campbell Ave., Campbell.
408/374-5000. Steaks and other wood-fired entrees
plus beer and cocktails are served in this clubby,
masculine restaurant and lounge. $$$
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. $$
Yard House, 300 Santana Row, San Jose, 408/
241-9273. Featuring a full range of choice eats
from snacks to steaks, specialty cocktails and an
endless beer list. $$
AUSTRIAN
Nasch Austrian Bistro, 217 A N. Santa Cruz
Ave., Los Gatos. 408/402-5092. Leaving hungry is
not an option at this tribute to Austrian favorites,
including Viennese sausage and pretzels. $$
Naschmarkt, 384 E. Campbell Ave.,
Campbell. 408/378-0335. This
highly rated eatery delivers with
central European traditions
along with lighter California
twists. $$$
BARBECUE
Armadillo Willy’s, 1031
N. San Antonio Road, Los
Altos. 650/ 941-2922. Fun,
casual family dining offering
prime Texas barbecue dishes. $
Dan Gordon’s, 640 Emerson
St., Palo Alto. 650/324-1960. “Beer,
BBQ, whiskey” is the tasty trifecta that
ensures Dan Gordon’s status as the ultimate destination
for comfort food fans. $$
Sam’s Bar-B-Que, 1110 S. Bascom Ave., San
Jose, 408/297-9151. The famed signature barbecue
sauce perfectly complements the menu of mouthwatering
meats at this family-owned restaurant. $
BISTROS
Bistro Vida, 641 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
650/462-1686. Extensive bistro menu offers classics
such as steamed mussels, coq au vin and steak
frites, served in a warm, inviting setting. $$
The Bywater, 532 North Santa Cruz Ave., Los
Gatos. 408/560-9639. Along with savory Cajun
cuisine, you’ll find a raw bar and craft cocktails at
this New Orleans inspired eatery. $$
Cafe Brioche, 445 California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/
326-8640. Provencal flavors with contemporary
American accents evoke the
South of France. $$
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. $$$
La Boheme, 415 California
Ave, Palo Alto.
650/561-3577. Preparing
a range of traditional and
modern French specialties, this
convivial establishment is a neighborhood
gem. $$
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. $$
BRAZILIAN
Espetus, 1686 Market St., San Francisco,
415/552-8792. 710 South B St., San
Mateo, 650/342-8700. Fourteen
signature cuts of meat are mesquite
grilled gaucho style at
this authentic Brazilian steakhouse.
$$-$$$
Fogo de Chao, 377 Santana
Row, Suite 1090, San
Jose. 408/244-7001. This
authentic Brazilian steakhouse
features grilled meats
prepared at tableside. $$–$$$
Galpao Gaucho Brazilian
Steakhouse, 19780 Stevens
Creek Blvd, Cupertino. 408/366
2370. Carnivores crave the succulent
meats while sumptuous sides satisfy diners of every
disposition. $$$
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
BEST BITES
Cafe Pro
Bono
Flights
