86 South Bay Accent Casual French Dining ZOLA IN A TOWN that’s chock-a-block with eateries, year-old Zola has managed to attract an eagerly appreciative crowd that swoons over owner/chef Guillaume Bienaimé’s fresh, creative bistro menu that’s still grounded in the classics. Noisy and friendly, just like a real Parisian bistro, this small restaurant manages to deliver moderate prices via Bienaimé’s avoidance of pricey foodstuffs—you’ll find flounder, not lobster, and hanger steak, not filet mignon. But no corners are cut in the execution, which displays modern approaches to lip-smacking French cuisine. ➺ LE BUZZ Zola’s popularity can make unscheduled drop-ins problematic, but insiders know that the two little outdoor tables in front are for those without reservations. ➺ PLAT DU JOUR Everything is delicious here, but particularly killer are the gnocchi, vegetable sides, seafood entrees and reinvented chocolate mousse. 565 Bryant St., Palo Alto; 650/521-0651; zolapaloalto.com Peaches and tomatoes pair with burrata cheese, tarragon and vanilla citronette.
South Bay Accent - Aug/Sep 2015
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