BEST BITES MEDITERRANEAN Arya Global Cuisine, Cupertino, 408/996-9606; Redwood City, 650/367-4939. Enjoy Mediterranean, Italian and Persian tastes as well as belly dancing on weekends. $$ The Blue Door. 1502 Saratoga Ave., San Jose. 408/866-4176. Swinging onto the San Jose culinary scene, this sleek new eatery evokes the ambiance, traditions and flavors of the Mediterranean. $$ Cin-Cin Wine Bar and Restaurant, 368 Village Lane, Los Gatos. 408/354-8006. This tastefully-appointed bistro offers a unique, creative menu of bold flavors using organic and sustainable ingredients. $$ La Fontana (Hilton Santa Clara), 4949 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. 408/330-0001. Chef Angelo Konidis has created a delicious array of original Mediterranean Riviera culinary selections. $$$ Odeum, 17500 Depot St., Morgan Hill. 408/782- 5151. Combines Greek and Roman cuisine with Spanish influences served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. $$$ MEXICAN Andale, 6 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/ 395-4244. Mexican meets Southwestern, featuring mesquite-grilled meats and fresh salsas. $ Aqui Cal-Mex Grill, Willow Glen 408/995-0381; Campbell 408/374-2784; Cupertino 408/996- 1443; Blossom Valley 408/362-3456. Innovative Mexican cuisine, great prices and amusing art. $ Consuelo Mexican Bistro, 377 Santana Row Suite 1125, San Jose. 408/260-7082. Authentic flavors of old Mexico are thoughtfully blended in creative dishes that are served tapas style. $$ Milagros Cantina, 1099 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. 650/369-4730. Showcasing fresh seafood, authentic Mexican cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails made with organic juices. $ Olla Cocina, 17 N San Pedro St, San Jose. 408/606-7999. This highbrow bistro for Cal- Mexican entrees serves shared plates and drinks in bright, cheerful environs. $-$$ Pedro’s Restaurant, 316 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/354-7570. Veggie wraps, chicken mole and chile verde are among menu highlights. $$ Reposado, 236 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/ 833-3151. A chic backdrop is well served by such popular Mexican culinary favorites as adobo marinade steak and tortilla soup. $$ Tacolicious, 632 Emerson St., Palo Alto. 650/838-0500; 300 Santana Row, San Jose 415/649-6077. Serving upscale Mexican food featuring a wide variety of artisan tacos. $$ 96 South Bay Accent Zona Rosa, 1411 The Alameda, San Jose, 408/ 275-1411. 81 W. Main St., Los Gatos, 408/ 884- 8268. Honoring the cookery of Mexico and featuring hand-pressed tortillas and fresh, locally grown ingredients. $$ MOROCCAN Chelokababi, 1236 Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale. 408/737-1222. Come enjoy home-style Persian cooking, great kebabs and a unique rice cooked for 17 hours. $ Menara Moroccan, 41 E. Gish Road, San Jose. 408/453-1983. Delicious, authentic Moroccan cuisine, complemented by exotic cocktails and belly dancing nightly. $$ PACIFIC ISLANDS Banana Leaf, 182 Ranch Drive, Milpitas. 408/ 719-9811. Comfortable, open kitchen-style cooking and flavorful entrees like Mango Prawn. $-$$ PORTUGUESE Adega, 1614 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose, 408/926- 9075. Translated as “wine cellar,” Adega puts a chic, modern spin on authentic Portuguese cuisine. Seafood is the star, but hearty meat dishes and wine collection also impress. $$$ SEAFOOD Blue Water Seafood & Crab, 860 Willow St., San Jose. 408/289-8879. East Coast-style crab house with a wide selection of seafood specialties as well as plenty of choices for land lovers. $ Fish Market, Palo Alto, 650/493-8862; Santa Clara, 408/246-3474; San Mateo 650/349-3474; San Jose, 408/269-3474. Fresh, high-quality seafood comes from the restaurant’s fishery and partnering seafood farms. $$ McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, 170 S. Market St., San Jose. 408/283-7200. More than 30 species of fresh seafood are on a menu that changes daily. $$ Old Port Lobster Shack, 3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650/561-9500; 20 Woodside Plaza, Redwood City, 650/366-2400. Fresh lobster dishes and other seafood selections served in a New England style lobster shack. $$ Pacific Catch Fresh Fish Grill (The Pruneyard), Campbell, 408/ 879-9091; Mountain View, 650/941-1810. Fresh fish prepared with a combination of local ingredients and spices and sauces of Southeast Asia, Japan and Latin America. $$ Steamer’s Grillhouse (in Old Town), 31 University Ave., Los Gatos. 408/395-CRAB. Steamer’s features a variety of steaks, chops, seafood and Mediterranean-inspired dishes and more. $$ The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse, 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/213-1111. Blend of contemporary cuisine and Japanese sensibility. $$$ SINGAPOREAN Shiok! Singapore Kitchen, 1137 Chestnut St., Menlo Park. 650/838-9448. An exciting fusion of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine. $ Straits, 333 Santana Row Suite 1100, San Jose. 408/246-6320. 1100 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame. 650/373-7883. Drawing inspiration from the diverse cultures that converge in Singapore, Straits captures the culinary crossroads of Malaysian, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and Nonya cuisine. With Chef Chris Yeo at the helm, the menu combines South East Asia’s fragrant multilayered flavor profiles and unique regional ingredients with distinctive fine dining flair. An appetizing array of options that are perfect for sharing, including wok-fired rice and crispy chicken, make Straits a popular destination for families, parties and gatherings. A favorite with foodies who crave a taste of adventure, Straits’ elegant dining environment pairs perfectly with the exotic cuisine it serves. $$ Merlion Restaurant and Wine Bar, 19628 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, 408/777-8228. Sophisticated spot that serves a blend of Singaporean, Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine. $$$ SOUTHEAST ASIAN Ginger Café, Sunnyvale, 408/ 736-2828. Gilroy, 408/847-2625. Comfortable, family-run restaurants that feature a flavorful fusion of Chinese favorites with a Southeast Asian influences. $ Mint Leaf Cuisine, 14420 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/872-3763. Eatery features fusion cuisine including soft-shell crabs with peanut sauce and curry scallops. $$ SPANISH Cascal, 400 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/940-9500. Spanning the globe with spectacular dishes from Spain and South America, Cascal serves up a menu of “spirited Latin cuisine.” With over 25 tapas—small plates and tastes—divided into “old world” and “new world” choices, there’s something for everyone. Try the classic Spanish chorizo in rioja wine or minted lamb meatballs in a saffron and almond sauce. For a full dinner, start with one of several ceviches and move on to an exquisite, traditional paella (including one for vegetarians). The casually elegant interior, with its bright, bold colors was created by renowned designer/ architect Chuck Thompson. $$ Iberia, 740 El Camino Real, Belmont. 650/325- 8981. Mouth-watering Spanish dishes and awardwinning wines served in a luxurious setting. $$$ Joya, 339 University Ave., Palo Alto. 650/853- 9800. The hip modern décor mixes well with the contemporary Spanish and Latin tapas and the tasty variety of new age cocktails. $$$ Picasso’s, 62 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose. 408/298- 4400. Authentic Spanish cuisine made from the freshest ingredients and served in a relaxed, athome atmosphere. $$ THAI Amarin, Mountain View, 650/ 988-9323; San Jose, 408/253-8424. Fresh, contemporary Thai menu with traditional accents and vegetarian dishes. $ Thaiphoon Restaurant, 543 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650/323-7700. Well-appointed restaurant with a mix of traditional and contemporary Thai dishes and a tropical themed patio. $ VIETNAMESE Three Seasons, 518 Bryant St., Palo Alto. 650/ 838- 0353. This stylish, chic restaurant and bar offers a fresh new take on traditional Vietnamese flavors. $$ Tamarine, 546 University Ave., Palo Alto. 650/ 325-8500. Elegantly presented dishes, such as crab wontons in a consommé of lime, coriander, lemongrass and coconut milk served in a warm, inviting atmosphere. $$ Xanh, 110 Castro St., Mountain View 650/ 964- 1888. Upscale restaurant featuring Vietnamese cuisine that pleases both the eye and palate with creative combinations. $-$$ n Cascal
South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2017
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