BEST BITES DEALS ON MEALS 94 South Bay Accent 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 dishes prepared organically. Also an extensive choice of a la carte antipasto. $$$ Vesta, 2022 Broadway, Redwood City. 650/362- 5052. Specializes in hand-crafted woodfired pizzas, with traditional and contemporary toppings, as well as Italian-themed small plates. $ Vin Santo, 1346 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408/920-2508. Authentic Italian pastas, meats and seafood dishes uniquely crafted and prepared to mouthwatering perfection. $$$ 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 popular family-friendly restaurant offers something delicious 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. $$ Bushido, 156 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/386-6821. Offering Japanese izakaya dining, where people gather in a casual atmosphere to drink and enjoy small, unique plates. $$ 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. $$ Hachi Ju Hachi, 14480 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/647-2258. Traditional Japanese cuisine featuring pure, simple, flavorful dishes. $$ House of Genji, 1335 N. First St., San Jose. 650/ 209-6958. Well-executed tableside cooking shows are the main draw at this family-friendly Japanese teppanyaki steakhouse. $$$ Kappo Nami Nami, 240 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/964-6990. Cutting-edge, kappo-style Japanese cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients. $$ Katsu, 160 Main St., Los Gatos. 408/354-0712. Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine is carefully prepared with fresh, local ingredients. $$$ Kubota, 593 N. Fifth St., San Jose. 408/279-8440. An excellent upscale pan-Pacific menu featuring seasonal specials and year-round favorites. $-$$ Everything old is new again: In the South Bay, the flavorful cuisines of Greece and the Mediterranean are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, dishing up tempting dishes—and prices. Joining old standbys, like Souvlaki Greek Skewers (577 W. Alma, San Jose), are some noteworthy newcomers, including Greek Spot (604 S. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale), specializing in combining the authentic street flavors of Greece with locally grown vegetables and high quality meats and spices. Here you’ll find classics like gyros and souvlaki using a variety of savory, marinated meats, plus a vegetarian souvlaki that features grilled crimini mushrooms. There’s also a traditional falafel pita sandwich made with chickpeas, and two kinds of dolmades—stuffed grape leaves—filled with either ground beef or vegetables. Nick the Greek Souvlaki and Gyro House, is also new in Sunnyvale (1687 Hollenbeck Ave.), joining its two San Jose restaurants (5019 Almaden Expressway and 143 W. Santa Clara St.). At Nick’s you’ll find an array of pita sandwiches, including the beef/lamb pita, and the chicken souvlaki pita. The veggie pita is filled with seasoned grilled zucchini and mushrooms. Nick’s also serves the famous Greek lemon avgolemono soup and classic Greek salad. If you obsess about your pita bread, then Gotta Eatta Pita (86 N. Market St., San Jose) is a must-visit eating destination. Founder Yaniv Benaroya has dedicated his life to creating the perfect pita—he bought a pita bakery right out of high school with his parents’ help. Stuff a pita with chicken shawarma that has been marinated for hours before grilling, or bite into a vegetarian falafel, or both, or skip the pita and have a bowl with meat or falafel on top of vegetables. Pair your meal with a craft beer, like Calicraft Oak Town Brown Ale, or Cali Coast. Yiassoo Greek Restaurant (2180 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, and 10660 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino) has been serving up tasty Greek food for more than two decades in the South Bay, a testament to its staying power and loyal customer following. You’ll see everyone from high tech workers to delivery drivers at lunch and dinner lining up for Yiassoo’s very reasonably priced gyros and souvlaki, which is made with beef, lamb, pork or chicken. This treat is served in warm, encased in pillow-soft, handmade pita bread. — Pam Marino Cascal Café Pro Bono
South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2016
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