98 South Bay Accent volcanic rocks. A wide range of fondues are also available. $$ Siena Bistro, 1359 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. 408/ 271-0837. A friendly, intimate restaurant with a well-rounded menu, including risottos, salads, soups, appetizers, fish and polenta. $$ BRAZILIAN Fogo de Chao, 377 Santana Row, Suite 1090, San Jose. 408/244-7001. This authentic Brazilian steakhouse features grilled meats prepared at tableside. $$-$$$ Taurinas Brazilian Steakhouse, 167 W. San Fernando St., San Jose. 415/906-6958. Brazilian-style barbecue buffet featuring select cuts of meats cooked slowly on special grills. $$ BREWERIES/PUBS Faultline Brewing Co., 1235 Oakmead Pkwy., Sunnyvale. 408/736-2739. A friendly brewpub with a vast variety of homemade ales, as well as outstanding fare. $$ Gordon Biersch, San Jose. 408/294-6785; Palo Alto. 650/323-7723. These jazzy brewery restaurants focus on light, international cuisine, and of course, tasty brews. $$ Half Moon Bay Brewing Co., 390 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay, 650/728-2739. This casually charming restaurant and brewpub offers breathtaking views as well as an equally enticing menu. $$ Original Gravity Public House, 66 S. First St., San Jose. 408/915-2337. Award-winning sausages, gourmet grilled cheese and duck fat fries complement an array of craft beers. $$ The Oxford, 195 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale, 408/245-8503. Locally sourced, seasonal, freerange ingredients put a gourmet spin on Londoninspired street food at this vibrant new addition to Sunnyvale’s restaurant row. $ Relish Gastro Lounge, 14583 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/867-3110. Former Sent Sovi restauranteurs Josiah Slone and Khin Khin deliver a gastropub vibe with craft beers and a mix of edible accompaniments. $$ Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, San Jose (Santana Row), 408/247-1706; Santa Cruz, 831/426-9930. Lively eatery with tasty bites and fine beverages. $ Steins Beer Garden, 895 Villa St., Mountain View. 650/963-9568. The hearty home-style cooking here is complemented by a variety of the choicest craft beers from around the world. $$ BURMESE Rangoon Ruby, 445 Emerson Street, Palo Alto. 650/323-6543. Two talented chefs from Burma Superstar restaurants create an outrageously traditional Burmese menu influenced by Indian, Thai and Chinese cooking. $ Sweet Mango, 1040 Willow Street, San Jose. 408/ 293-2268. Innovative menu blurs the line between Burmese and Chinese cuisine, and has become a local favorite in Willow Glen. $ TASTE TRIPS Weekend brunches are riding a wave of popularity that shows no sign of slowing down. So in vogue is the late-morning to early-afternoon meal Zagat posted its list of the “Best Brunches in San Francisco” this year. Take a ride north one weekend morning and try one out—with a cocktail, of course. The City’s favorite late-night hangout morphs into its go-to spot for Bloody Marys and eggs on Saturdays and Sundays at Nopa (560 Divisadero St.), sitting at the top of Zagat’s Best Brunches list. Reviewers tapped the custard French toast and baked eggs as the most delicious of Nopa’s offerings. Yet besides amazing egg dishes, salads and meats, more than 15 cocktails and wines are on the menu. The names of the inventive cocktails are intriguing: “Toast and Eggs” (sherry and apricot liqueur); “The Blur” (green chartreuse, maraschino. lime juice, cava), “Sunshine Fix” (Aperol, gin, lemon, bitters). And the Bloody Mary? Bartenders mix a house spiced tomato juice with your choice of vodka, scotch or mezcal. Near the top of Zagat’s list is Boulettes Larder (1 Ferry Building), and the 411 on this Sunday brunch place is everyone gets the house-made beignets sprinkled with maple sugar. Reviewers called the fried dough delicacies “the absolute best.” Also popular are the house-made cannolis, the perfect ending to an already decadent meal. Scrambled, poached or French boiled eggs are the stars of the menu, joined by salads, soup and roasted meats. The bar menu, entitled “C’mon, it’s Sunday,” includes an impressive list of champagne cocktails, martinis and drinks on the rocks. Described as perhaps the most spectacular and romantic spot for a brunch (or any meal) is Foreign Cinema (2534 Mission St.). The focal point is a large screen that plays classic films as diners enjoy spectacular food. The brunch menu changes each week, but some of the favorites diners love to order again and again include the balsamic fried eggs, the blueberry or apricot organic ‘Pop Tarts,’ and the croque madame sandwich. Another favorite is the baguette French toast with white peaches and brown-sugar butter. The staff will gladly recommend cocktails or wine pairings from the bar. Our collective love of Southern food is celebrated at 1300 on Fillmore (1300 Fillmore St.), where brunch includes what Zagat calls “the city’s best version of shrimp and grits,” some of the best fried chicken in San Francisco served on a rosemary waffle during brunch, and—wait for it— chocolate banana pie served with peanut butter ice cream. The restaurant became famous for its Gospel Sunday Brunch, with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., with live Gospel music as entertainment, but you can now also enjoy brunch on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. —Pam Marino 200 DINING HOT SPOTS La Viga Sundance the Steakhouse
South Bay Accent - AugSep 2016
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