102 South Bay Accent Orchard City 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 longtime local favorite gathering place. $$ Hachi Ju Hachi, 14480 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/647-2258. Traditional Japanese cuisine featuring pure, simple, flavorful dishes. $$ Kappo Nami Nami, 240 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/ 964-6990. Cutting-edge, kappo-style Japanese cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients. $$ Katsu, 160 Main St., Los Gatos. 408/ 354-0712. Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine is carefully prepared with fresh, local ingredients. $$$ Kyoto Palace, 1875 S. Bascom Ave. #2500 (The Pruneyard), Campbell. 408/377- 6456. Since 1976, Kyoto Palace has been serving authentic Japanese cuisine and entertaining diners with its Teppanyaki method of preparing dishes. Guests are seated around a six-foot steel grill, where a skillful Kyoto Palace chef rapidly slices, dices, flips and grills up fresh meats and vegetables right before their eyes – and sometimes into their mouths. Kyoto Palace has been a longtime favorite for celebratory gatherings, meetings and other private functions and still is an enjoyable way for couples and families to eat out. Dishes include a wide selection of sushi, bento box lunches and mouth-watering multicourse dinners featuring fresh beef, chicken, seafood, the very popular fried rice and Hibachi vegetables. $$-$$$ LATIN La Viga, 1772 Broadway St., Redwood City. 650/679-8141. Executive Chef Manuel Martinez named his first restaurant after the massive central seafood market in Mexico City where he hails from. La Viga features a seafood-focused menu of contemporary Latin cuisine including camarones al coco, or coconut-crusted prawns, and salmon yucateco, or grilled Atlantic salmon. It also offers its own unique take on traditional Mexican dishes such as red enchiladas with choice of meats and chile relleno. Martinez has a storied history of creating gourmet cuisine having served as executive chef for Palacio in Los Gatos and Left Bank Brasserie in Menlo Park. His diverse cooking experience coupled with his use of the finest Latin ingredients have diners raving. $$ LV Mar, 2042 Broadway St., Redwood City. 650/241-3111. A contemporary take on classic Latin cuisine, LV Mar is the latest evolution in Chef Manuel Martinez’s ever-growing passion for creating a fresh and innovative dining experience. The casual, modern restaurant combines high-quality, fresh ingredients, refined preparation techniques and an inviting atmosphere where guests are considered part of the recipe. Martinez’s no-nonsense approach produces savory meat and seafood dishes such as asado, grass-fed rib-eye, pechuga de pato, seared duck breast and arroz con mariscos, a shellfish combination with rice. The restaurant also offers an array of small bites, or tapas, and an extensive selection of wine, beer and signature cocktails. $$ 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. $$ Cin-Cin Wine Bar and Restaurant, 368 Village Lane, Los Gatos. 408/354-8006. Tastefully appointed bistro offers a creative menu of bold flavors using organic and sustainable ingredients. $$ Odeum, 17500 Depot St., Morgan Hill. 408/782- 5151. Combines Greek and Roman cuisine with Spanish influences served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. $$$ 200 DINING HOT SPOTS BARGAIN BITES A houseful of visitors, all with different dietary demands, often means quick trips to South Bay eateries that serve gourmet cuisine at budgetwise prices for demanding palates. If the vegetarians in your world are craving something other than home cooking, head for the Veggie Grill (565 San Antonio Road in Mountain View, or 1692 Saratoga Ave. or Santana Row, 3055 Olin Ave., in San Jose.) The summer menu is crafted to spotlight the best of the harvest. Order the Mediterranean Toss with house-made feta, shaved red beets, fresh fennel, sliced avocados marinated kale and arugula, all tossed in a lemon tahini dressing ($8.95). Or try the Sonoran Summer Bowl with its seasoned black beans, shaved char-grilled cob corn, avocado, tomato corn salsa, jalapenos, tortilla chips, and red pepper chile sauce on a bed of quinoa ($9.25). Many of Veggies Grill’s dishes are gluten free. The Naglee Park Garage (505 E. San Carlos St. at 11th), nestled in a historic San Jose neighborhood adjacent to San Jose State University, is a casual epicureans’ delight, with high quality, flavor-dense food in a neighborhood joint. And because the 30-seat eatery with a large outdoor patio was featured on a popular Food Network program, locals often share space with tourists. Open for breakfast and dinner, dining on the patio is always relaxed. Try the juicy pork chop stuffed with leeks, goat cheese and shitake mushrooms ($14.95). The Picnic Salad with bacon, beets, blue cheese, celery, cucumber, egg, onions tossed in creamy dill dressing ($7.95 for a full portion; $5.95 for half) says summer in every bite. If you have an off-campus lunch date with an Apple employee, head to Sushi Kuni (10211 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino), a favorite hangout for the tech crowd. Don’t let the unpretentious exterior fool you; inside the sushi is extraordinary and the prices are budget friendly (from $3.50 to $8.75, rolls included). Make sure to take a look at the daily specials written on the chalkboard. For an old-world feel a few miles from the headquarters of Facebook, head to Menlo Park’s Café Borrone (1010 El Camino Real). Since 1979, the European-style café has served organic and locally-sourced fare along with coffee, tea, beer and wine for more than fair prices. At breakfast, you’ll discover a large selection of homemade muffins and scones, as well as decadent waffles and savory egg scrambles. For lunch and dinner, there is a wide selection that will satisfy any appetite. Order at the counter, and then grab a table outside. — P.M. John Bentley’s
South Bay Accent - Aug/Sep 2015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above