90 South Bay Accent Station 1, 2991 Woodside Road, Woodside. 650/ 851-4988. The warm, cozy wood setting is well served by sophisticated and contemporary fresh Californian cuisine. $$$ Tarragon, 140 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/737-8003. Tarragon impresses with a seasonal, locally-sourced menu that places an emphasis on fresh, organic, sustainable ingredients. $-$$ 31st Union, 5 So. Ellsworth Ave., San Mateo. 650/458-0049. A popular locavore eatery featuring artisanal California food and drink with seasonally changing plates. $-$$ Village Pub, 2967 Woodside Road, Woodside. 650/ 851-9888. Local favorite features a gorgeous interior and a menu that shows a serious devotion to meat dishes. $$$ Viva, 15970 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos. 408/356- 4902. Upscale neighborhood eatery fuses diverse California and Mediterranean cuisine with comfortable family style dining. $$ CAMBODIAN Chez Sovan, 2425 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell. 408/287-7619. This authentic, delicious food will make you a permanent convert! Among favorites is the popular Cambodian dish Amok. $$ Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar, 642 Ramona St., Palo Alto. 650/329-9533. Tropical cocktails, music and authentic Caribbean dishes quickly get dinners in the island mood. $$ Island Grill (Clarion Hotel), 1355 N. Fourth St., San Jose. 408/453-5340. Ribs, steak and seafood are highlights in Caribbean setting. $-$$ CARIBBEAN/CUBAN Cha Cha Cha Cuba, 112 S. B St., San Mateo. 650/347-2900. chachachacuba.net. Authentic, zesty Cuban flavors are served up in a vibrant, friendly space. $$ La Bodeguita del Medio, 463 California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/326-7762. Coastal cuisine enhanced with a flavorful Cuban influence, and fantastic fish! $-$$ Habana Cuba Restaurant, 238 Race St., San Jose. 408/ 998-2822. Enjoy Latin jazz and an equally dynamic menu. Try the signature Zarzuela de Mariscos, a delicious combination of seafood and tomato sauce. $-$$ CHINESE Chef Chu’s, 1067 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. 650/948-2696. Savor great food at this popular restaurant, such as the outstanding signature minced shrimp in lettuce cups. $$ Mandarin Gourmet, Palo Alto. 650/328-8898; Cupertino. 408/725-8168; San Jose. 408/281- 8898. Upscale restaurants popular for their classic Chinese specialties. $$$ Ming’s, 1700 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. 650/856-7700. This large, elegantly appointed restaurant specializes in southern Chinese cuisine, seafood and vegetarian dishes. $$$ BEST BITES TASTE TRIPS Great new restaurants pop up frequently in the Bay Area, and the latest Michelin Guide makes it easy to go exploring. The Guide’s popular Bib Gourmand category points the way to “good value” eateries, including these four creating buzz in San Francisco. In the Mission district, Izakaya Yuzuki (598 Guerrero St.) takes its commitment to authentic Japanese cuisine and sustainability to levels beyond the norm. Staff members say their restaurant is the first in the nation to specialize in “koji” prepared foods—that is a traditional process using naturally fermented ingredients. Diners wield eco-friendly cedar chopsticks as they dig into seasonal produce and house-made staples including tofu and miso. Lovely presentation and attention to detail is evident in each small-plate offering, and food quality shines in dishes such as Kobi beef tataki, crispy kara-age and chawan-muchi, steamed egg custard topped with sea urchin swaddled in yuba. Mason Powell is a sophisticated little bistro sitting just about where Nob Hill meets Chinatown (1358 Mason St.). Here, Chef Sean McTiernan, with experience in several Michelin-starred Paris kitchens, turns out California cuisine with French overtones. The simple menu offers a satisfying selection of creatively prepared dishes. Favorites include Tagliatelle—flat strands of tender pasta served with Dungeness crab, beurre fondue and chives—and the house burger, featuring smoked tomato, pickled red onion and white cheddar on a pretzel bun. Pair that item with to-die-for potato skins—delicious, crunchy ribbons seasoned with herbs and parmesan cheese. Listed as one of Zagat’s Key Newcomers, as well as a Bib Gourmand, 1601 Bar & Kitchen (1601 Howard St.), is recognized for its exciting menu of modern French cuisine inspired by Sri Lankan influences. South Bay residents may recall chef-owner Brian Fernando from Le Papillon, where he worked for 10 years. His contemporary, small-plates restaurant exudes style, both in décor and in food presentation. The menu begins with light dishes, such as a bright array of seasonal, pickled vegetables, and moves toward heartier items like corianderseared bavette steak. In between are such treats as the Sri Lanka hopper—a traditional street food in which a soft-cooked egg nestles within a bowl-shaped crepe made from rice flour and coconut milk dough. Chef Martin Yan is no stranger to the spotlight and his new restaurant M.Y. China (845 Market St., Westfield SF Centre) offers a high-energy venue for entertainment and dining. The floorshow stars lightning fast noodle-pullers stretching giant balls of dough into thousands of thin noodles. The menu is solid and well-executed, ranging from delicate, hand-folded dim sum, to wok and roasted entrees. The noodles are best, but the roast chicken with sweet salt and plum seasoning and a scoop of fennel slaw is difficult to pass up. —D.K. Los Gatos Brewing Co. Sundance The Steakhouse
South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2014
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