Casual but sophisticated eatery excels with a seassonal
menu and an impressive wine list. $$
Wählbürgers, 185 University Ave., Palo Alto.
650/382-1389. The family focused franchise from
Donnie and Mark Wahlberg features hamburgers
and a host of hearty and lighter offerings. $
Water Tower Kitchen, 201 Orchard City Dr.,
Campbell. 408/502-9550. With an emphasis on
shareable dishes like queso, mac and cheese and
chicken strips, this sports bar is a fan favorite. $-$$
Whispers Café & Creperie, San Jose. 408/297-
2850 and Belmont 650/594-0000. A wide range of
comfort food featuring savory crepes. $$
Willard Hicks, 280 E Campbell Ave., Campbell.
408/374-5000. Steaks and other wood-fired
entrees plus beer and cocktails are served in this
clubby, masculine restaurant and lounge. $$$
The Wine Cellar, 50 University Ave., Los Gatos.
408/354-4808. Old Town’s only original tenant,
this charming, Old-World European restaurant has
been a Los Gatos tradition since 1966. $$
Yard House, 300 Santana Row, San Jose. 408/
241-9273. Featuring a full range of choice eats
from snacks to steaks, specialty cocktails and an
endless beer list. $$
AUSTRIAN
Nasch Austrian Bistro, 217 A N. Santa Cruz
Ave., Los Gatos. 408/402-5092. Leaving hungry is
not an option at this tribute to Austrian favorites,
including Viennese sausage and pretzels. $$
Naschmarkt, 384 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell.
408/378-0335. This highly rated eatery delivers
with central European traditions along with lighter
California twists. $$$
BARBECUE
Armadillo Willy’s, 1031 N. San Antonio Road,
Los Altos. 650/ 941-2922. Fun, casual family dining
offering prime Texas barbecue dishes. $
Dan Gordon’s, 640 Emerson St., Palo
Alto. 650/324-1960. “Beer, BBQ,
whiskey” is the tasty trifecta
that ensures Dan Gordon’s
status as the ultimate
destination for comfort
food fans. $$
Little Lou’s BBQ,
2455 S. Winchester
Blvd., Campbell.
408/ 796-7852.
Traditional barbecue
choices such as ribs,
burgers, pulled pork
and combo dinners
stand out. $
Sam’s Bar-B-Que, 1110
S. Bascom Ave., San Jose.
408/297-9151. The famed signature
barbecue sauce perfectly complements
the menu of mouth-watering meats at
this family-owned restaurant. $
Smoking Pig BBQ, 1144 N. Fourth St., San
Jose; 408/380-4784; 530 Newhall Drive, San Jose.
408/289-1510. Enjoy a variety of flavorful, slowcooked
barbecue specialties, including delectable
fall-off-the- bone ribs. $$
South Winchester BBQ, 1362 South Winchester
Blvd., San Jose. 408/376-0485. Mouthwatering,
down-home, finger-licking BBQ is the
raison d’être of this meaty mecca for carnivores. $
88 South Bay Accent
BISTROS
Bistro Vida, 641 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
650/462-1686. Extensive bistro menu offers classics
such as steamed mussels, coq au vin and steak
frites, served in a warm, inviting setting. $$
The Bywater, 532 North Santa Cruz Ave., Los
Gatos. 408/560-9639. Along with savory
Cajun cuisine, you’ll find a raw bar and
craft cocktails at this New Orleans
inspired eatery. $$
Cafe Brioche, 445 California
Ave., Palo Alto. 650/
326-8640. Provencal flavors
with contemporary
American accents evoke
the South of France. $$
Central Park Bistro, 181
E. Fourth Ave., San Mateo.
650/558-8401. With a hearty
array of regional favorites on
the menu, Central Park Bistro
showcases the diversity of American
cuisine. $$$
La Boheme, 415 California Ave, Palo Alto.
650/561-3577. Preparing a range of traditional
and modern French specialties, this convivial
establishment is a neighborhood gem. $$
Louisiana Bistro, 19 North Market St., San Jose.
408/295-1300. Authentic Cajun cuisine and a
variety of other N’awlins-style tastes make for an
enjoyable and memorable dining experience. $$
Mayfield Bakery & Café, 855 El Camino Real,
Palo Alto. 650/853-9200. Rustic, comforting seasonal
food produced in a wood-burning oven and
rotisserie in a handsome setting. $$
Nick’s Next Door, 11 College Ave., Los Gatos.
408/402-5053. Dinner-only restaurant featuring a
menu that ranges from rib-eye steak and meatloaf
to lamb-chop lollipops and abalone. $$–$$$
Rok Bistro, 124 S. Murphy Ave.,
Sunnyvale. 408/733-7651. “Stoneage”
steakhouse sears meat, fish,
poultry and vegetarian entrees
on hot volcanic rocks. A
wide range of fondues are
also available. $$
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. $$
BRAZILIAN
Espetus, 1686 Market St.,
San Francisco, 415/552-8792.
710 South B St., San Mateo, 650/342-
8700. Fourteen signature cuts of meat are
mesquite-grilled gaucho style at this authentic
Brazilian steakhouse. $$–$$$
Fogo de Chao, 377 Santana Row, Suite 1090,
San Jose. 408/244-7001. This authentic Brazilian
steakhouse features grilled meats prepared at tableside.
$$–$$$
Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, 19780
Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. 408/366-2370.
Carnivores crave the succulent meats while sumptuous
sides satisfy diners of every disposition. $$$
Taurinas Brazilian Steakhouse, 167 W. San
Fernando St., San Jose. 408/294-0110. Brazilianstyle
barbecue buffet featuring select cuts of meats
cooked slowly on special grills. $$
BREWERIES/PUBS
The Brit (Britannia Arms), 173 W. Santa Clara
St. 408/ 278-1400. Authentic British pub food
with a wide selection of craft beers and
signature cocktails plus nightly special
events. $
Half Moon Bay Brewing
Co., 390 Capistrano Road,
Half Moon Bay, 650/728-
2739. This casually charming
restaurant and brewpub offers
breathtaking views and an
equally enticing menu. $$
Loma Brewing Company,
Los Gatos. 408/560-9626. This
buzz-worthy new brewpub brings
together delicious craft beers and
high-quality casual comfort food in a
lively atmosphere. $
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. $$
The Oxford, 195 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale,
408/245-8503. Locally sourced, seasonal, freerange
ingredients put a gourmet spin on Londoninspired
street food at this vibrant new addition to
Sunnyvale’s restaurant row. $
Steins Beer Garden, 895 Villa St., Mountain
View. 650/963-9568. The hearty home-style cooking
here is complemented by a variety of the choicest
craft beers from around the world. $$
BURMESE
Rangoon Ruby, 445 Emerson Street, Palo Alto.
650/323-6543. Two talented chefs from Burma
Superstar restaurants create a 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. $
CALIFORNIA
Braise, 1185 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. 408/294-
2919. Anthony Jimenez and Josh Hanoka combine
classic California cuisine with contemporary
international flair in their seasonal small-plates
menu in Willow Glen. $–$$
Camper, 898 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
650/321-8980. Featuring handcrafted Californian
fare, this upscale spot is the brainchild of fine dining
heavy-hitters including Logan Levant. $$
Cascade Bar & Grill (Costanoa Resort), 2001
Rossi Road at Highway 1, Pescadero. 650/879-
1100. The California coastal menu features sustainable,
local seafood and organic produce. $$
Cetrella, 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/726-
4090. 400 Main St., Los Altos. 650/948-0400.
Upscale Mediterranean dining and California
coastal cuisine with a variety of venue options. $$$
The Crow’s Nest Restaurant, 2218 E. Cliff
Dr. Santa Cruz. 831/476-4560. Since 1969, this
popular spot has featured award-winning cuisine,
spirits and live entertainment from one of the most
spectacular views of Santa Cruz Harbor, lighthouse
and wharf. Surf-themed décor adds ambiance to
200 DINING HOT SPOTS
The Sea
The Shadowbrook