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South Bay Accent - Aug/Sep 2015

200 DINING HOT SPOTS THE GRAPEVINE Break out the walking shoes and sunhats; it’s art and wine festival season. The Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival is set inside picturesque Central Park, located on Kiely Boulevard, between Homestead Road and Benton Street. The park sprawls over 50 acres and will easily accommodate more than 50,000 people attending the Sept. 19 and 20 event. Wente Vineyards, J. Lohr Wines and Bargetto Winery are among the participating wineries offering tastes during the event. Also on the Sept. 20, the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival at Almaden Lake Park will celebrate its 39th year. This event, Tickets are $60 per person at 408/779-2145. A small, family-run operation, Bottle Jack Wines in Santa Cruz is the epitome of a Mom and Pop operation. On Aug. 15 “Mom and Pop”—husband and wife winemaking team, John and Katherine Ritchey, will share the story of the winery and share tastings of their current releases. Tastings are from noon to 4 p.m. The winery is located three miles north of downtown Santa Cruz at 1088 La Madrona Drive, Santa Cruz. Call 831/227-2288 for reservations. Get ready to channel your inner Lucy Ricardo. On Aug. 22, Peju Province Winery in Rutherford will hold its annual grape stomp. Roll up the legs of your pants and get involved. The fun starts at 10 a.m. with tastings of locally-sourced artisanal cheeses and bites from the Peju Kitchen. Peju Grape Stomp 2015 and lunch follow. General admission tickets are $145. Call 707/963-3600 for reservations. — Pamela Moreland 94 South Bay Accent Lark Creek Kitchen, 378 Santana Row, Suite 1100, San Jose. 408/244-1244. Seasonal American fare served in a warm, inviting, tavern-style atmosphere. $$-$$$ The Loft Bar & Bistro, 90 S. Second St., San Jose. 408/291-0677. Contemporary and casual restaurant in a historic downtown building, featuring great appetizers, tapas style. $ Los Altos Grill, 233 Third St., Los Altos. 650/948- 3524. Dinner spot features tasty dishes, including rotisserie pork chops and a spicy tuna burger. $$ Madera, 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. 650/561-1540. Signature restaurant of Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel features wood-burning grill to produce artful seafood and meats. $$$ Menlo Grill Bistro & Bar (Stanford Park Hotel), 100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 650/330-2790. An innovative take on classic American dishes made with fresh, sustainable ingredients. $$-$$$ Mixx, 420 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/966- 8124. Contemporary American cuisine featuring small plates as well as shareable entrees and an elaborate list of beers and artisan cocktails. $$ Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way, Moss Beach.650/728-5595. Historic tavern offers breathtaking Pacific Ocean views and a menu of all-natural meats, wild-caught seafood and organic produce, along with select wines and cocktails. $$ Orchard City Kitchen, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 190 (The Pruneyard), Campbell. 408/340- 5285. Led by Michelin-recognized Executive Chef Jeffrey Stout, Orchard City Kitchen (OCK) offers a rotation of inventive, seasonal dishes inspired by fresh ingredients along with an elaborate selection of beer, wine and spirits, all served in a kick-back environment that exudes positive energy. Stout puts his signature touch on small-plate offerings and shareable entrees such as smoked pork loin, duck confit, blackened bone-in ribeye steak, lobster dumplings and Skuna Bay salmon. Enticing vegetable dishes include kale and green apple salad, charred avocado, Yukon gold potatoes and cedar plank zucchini. With Stout at the helm, OCK provides an exciting, new style and atmosphere for modern, casual dining. $$ Parcel 104, 2700 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. 408/970-6104. Seasonal menu from acclaimed chefs Bradley Ogden and Jonathan Hall combines freshness and sophistication. $$$ Sundance The Steakhouse, 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/321-6798. This upscale steakhouse, family-owned and operated for over 40 years, features hand-cut, USDA primegraded beef. Enjoy slow-roasted prime rib, specially aged New York strip loin and tender filet mignon in the candlelit mahogany dining room. In addition to the awardwining beef, Sundance prides itself on serving the freshest seafood and shellfish available. Favorites include ahi tuna sashimi, grilled Pacific swordfish and jumbo cold-water lobster tail. To complete your dining experience, the menu is supported by a nationally recognized wine list with over 450 global selections. Check out the cozy fireplace lounge. It’s an ideal spot for sipping martinis and aged single-malt scotch before or after dinner. $$ which draws some 20,000 visitors, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over the hill, the Capitola Art and Wine Festival is planned for Sept. 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Held along the Esplanade, the festival features some of the best offerings from Santa Cruz Mountains wineries. Expect to see reps from Burrell School Vineyards, Hallcrest Vineyards, Pelican Ranch and Roudon- Smith Winery, among others. The 24th Annual Gugielmo Family Harvest Festival in Morgan Hill on Aug. 15 starts with fun games of skill, cheeses and grilled sausages ... and wine. Arrive for the annual Blessing of the Grapes, then enjoy a wonderful tritip dinner.  Dance to live music, and cheer on participants in the Annual Grape Stomp. The festival runs from 2 to 9:30 p.m. Grandview, 15005 Mt. Hamilton Road, San Jose. 408/251-8909. Steaks, seafood and pastas featuring fresh, quality ingredients, impeccable service and spectacular views of Santa Clara Valley. $$$ John Bentley’s, 2915 El Camino Real, Redwood City. 650/365-7777. Sophisticated but comfortable, John Bentley’s is a favorite among diners who come from miles around to enjoy the highly touted contemporary seasonal American cuisine. Guests enjoy entrees such as peppercorn crusted Ahi with soba noodle salad and exquisite meat courses including grilled marinated rib-eye with gorgonzola Cabernet demi-glace. Desserts, like the sticky toffee pudding cake with caramel gelato and almond nougatine, are a must. A fun and lively spot, with a full bar and ample room for private dining, John Bentley’s combines warmth and elegance with outstanding service and food. $$ Chez TJ Kyoto Palace C M Y CM MY CY CMY K


South Bay Accent - Aug/Sep 2015
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