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South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2017

BEST BITES DEALS ON MEALS The wet winter is behind us; time for some warm, sunny weather. It’s a great time of year to enjoy lunch at a local café, or pick it up and take off for a pretty picnic spot. Try one of these affordable local favorites. Freshly Baked Eatery (152 N. 3rd St., #101, San Jose) is true to its name: the bread used for its sandwiches is freshly baked in house daily. Fans of the downtown sandwich spot declare Freshly Baked as serving the best sandwiches in the South Bay. Besides raving about the bread, patrons say they enjoy the quality meats, generous portion sizes, and pickle spears served with every order. For “The Special,” the cooks make their own sausage, something they describe as a combination of German, Polish and Yugoslav sausages, cooked in imported beer. The shop does not accept credit cards, so bring cash. The owners of Sprout Café (168 University Ave., Palo Alto) want to break the stereotype that fast and affordable food is neither healthy nor tasty. They do that by offering some delicious takeout salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees. Flavors from all over the world inspire Sprout Café’s menu. Signature salads range from a Japanese-inspired somen noodle salad, to a Southwestern salad, to Greek, and everything in between. Soups include chicken noodle, organic butternut squash, tomato bisque and curry red lentils. A long-time local Los Altos favorite for sandwiches and catering, Alotta’s Delicatessen (2249 Grant Rd., Los Altos) serves some of the best hot and cold sandwiches and salads in the South Bay. There’s pastrami, roast beef, Corned beef, Italian sausage, and meatballs on the menu every day. Deli salads, like potato, macaroni or coleslaw, are served by the pound. Or get a hot entrée like lasagna or raviolis. 94 South Bay Accent Allota’s motto is it’s “Just Allota Fine Food.” For some chicken and waffles at not a big price, head to Butter and Zeus Waffle Sandwiches (2213 Tasman Dr., Santa Clara). Or try one of the many other tempting waffle sandwiches, like the waffle topped with barbacoa, slow-cooked sweet and spicy pulled pork, or the Monte Cristo waffle, a deep fried waffle served with ham and melted Swiss, and topped with strawberry preserves and powdered sugar. Save room for dessert: the restaurant is famous for its banana pudding waffle. Or try the S’mores waffle, a trio of chocolate ganache, housemade marshmallow and graham cracker crumble. —Pam Marino family friendly fare including platters of pupus (appetizers) and island favorites like saimin bowls, loco moco and the signature hurricane fries tossed with sriracha and wasabi. $$ INDIAN Amber India Restaurant, Santana Row 408/248- 5400; Los Altos 650/968-7511; Palo Alto 650/329- 9644; Mountain View 650/968-1751. Exquisite presentations and the food is perfectly spiced. $$ Darbar Indian Cuisine, 129 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/321-6688. The tandoori grill here is outstanding, as are the chicken and lamb specialties. $ Shan, 3739 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 408/248- 8433. Fine Indian and Pakistani cuisine featuring savory dishes rich in Eastern culinary traditions. $ Shiva’s Indian Restaurant & Bar, Castro and California streets, Mountain View. 650/960- 3802. Enjoy authentic North Indian cuisine served in an exotic yet casual atmosphere. $$ Vedas Indian Restaurant, 560 N. Abel St., Milpitas. 408/945-1500. Authentic Indian dishes fragrantly spiced and served in a warm, inviting atmosphere. $$ INTERNATIONAL Kumino, 580 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View. 650/964- 3300. This casual setting for creative cuisine and fusion fare is a must-do destination for frugal foodies. $ ITALIAN A Bellagio, 33 S. Central Avenue, Campbell. 408/370- 7705. Classic Italian dishes are served in warm, attractive old-world setting. $$$ Café Pro Bono, 2437 Birch St., Palo Alto. 650/ 326- 1626. A local favorite for years, Café Pro Bono offers an elaborate dining experience in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Dinner choices are seemingly endless, from classic Italian pasta dishes such as spaghetti with Bolognese sauce and organic lemon linguine and clams to creatively prepared Mediterranean entrees such as Greek chicken smothered in fresh oregano sauce or Niman range filet mignon with a green peppercorn brandy sauce. These savory meals are complemented by select fine wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and, of course, Italy. To top it all off, dessert offerings include Tiramisu, gelato or a decadent chocolate cake. The restaurant also has a full bar and two banquet rooms available for private events seating anywhere from 10 to 50 people. $$ Carpaccio, 1120 Crane St., Menlo Park. 650/ 322- 1211. This popular neighborhood trattoria has become an Italian institution. $$ Centonove, 109 W. Main St., Los Gatos. 408/384- 4007. Italian-style café specializing in wood-fired pizzas and a wide range of housemade pastas. $$ Doppio Zero, 10088 N Wolfe Rd #120, Cupertino. 408/863-0308. Boasting modern décor and lightening fast wood-burning ovens, this familyfriendly dining destination prepares pastas, pies and handcrafted cocktails with stylish ease. $$ Enoteca La Storia, 416 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/ 625-7272. Italian wine bar featuring traditional small plates along with an extensive selection of fine wines. $$ ll Fornaio, Santa Clara, 408/217-8844; San Jose. 408/271-3366; Palo Alto. 650/853-3888. With the first female chef in the restaurant group’s 30-year history taking the helm at the new Santa Clara location, Il Fornaio stays true to authentic Italian recipes and time-honored cooking methods. $$$ Il Postale, 100 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/733-9600. This popular Italian-American bistro has made a name for itself over the past 20 years at the old post office building in Sunnyvale. $$ 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. $$ Pasta Moon, 315 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/ 726-5125. Charming eatery serves only local, sustainable ingredients, fresh from the first bite of focaccia to the last spoonful of an artisan dessert. $$ Spalti Ristorante, 417 California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/327-9390. Authentic Northern Italian cuisine, Sino Café Pro Bono


South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2017
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