French and Californian tastes. Full bar offers creative
craft beers and a changing wine selection. $$–$$$
Chez TJ, 938 Villa Street, Mountain View.
650/964-7466. This Michelin-starred restaurant is
known for its high-end, contemporary French cuisine
and use of fresh ingredients. $$$
La Mère Michelle, 14467 Big Basin Way,
Saratoga. 408/867-5272. Elegance
and fine traditional French cuisine
combined with family pride
provide a memorable dining
experience. $$–$$$
Le Papillon, 410 Saratoga
Ave., San Jose. 408/296-
3730. Acclaimed for its
award-winning French
cuisine, this Bay Area
institution blends fresh
ingredients with impeccable
preparation. $$$
Left Bank, Menlo Park.
650/473-6543; San Jose.
408/984-3500. Popular eatery
features contemporary French cuisine
and a variety of seafood prepared
with fresh, seasonal ingredients. $$$
Melting Pot, 1 Transit Center Way, San Mateo.
650/342-6358. Fondue spot features four flavorful
cooking styles. Save space for the chocolate
fondue. $$
Navio (Ritz-Carlton Hotel), 1 Miramontes Point
Road, Half Moon Bay. 650/712-7000. This luxurious
seaside restaurant overlooks the panoramic golf
course. $$$
The Plumed Horse, 14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga.
408/867-4711. This 2011 Michelin-starred
restaurant delivers contemporary, seasonal California
cuisine based on solid French techniques. $$$
Zola, 565 Bryant St., Palo Alto. 650/521-0651.
Seasonal French cuisine features regionally sourced
meats and produce, complemented by a wide selection
of French and California wines. $$–$$$
GERMAN
Ludwig’s German Table, 261 N. Second St.,
San Jose. 408/771-9871. This spirited German
establishment serves grub and brews in a contemporary
interior and outdoor beer garden. $$
Wursthall, 310 Baldwin Ave., San Mateo.
650/931-4282. Led by James Beard Award-winning
Chef Kenji López-Alt, this gourmet bierhaus
serves handcrafted pretzels, schnitzel, sauerkraut
and other German delicacies. $$
GREEK
Dio Deka (in Hotel Los Gatos), 210 E. Main St.,
Los Gatos. 408/354-7700. Enjoy authentic Hellenic
cuisine served in a warm, relaxing setting. $$
Evvia Estiatorio, 420 Emerson St., Palo Alto.
650/326-0983. Evvia offers a lighter approach to
traditional dishes. Family-style dining; open spit
for roasting lamb. $$
Myth Taverna & Lounge, 152 Post St., San
Jose. 408/286-7678. Modern Greek cuisine served
in an ultra-urban atmosphere with elegant indoor
or patio dining and frequent live entertainment. $$
Nemea Greek Taverna, 96 S. First St., San Jose.
408/279-4225. Serves up modern Greek cuisine
made with the freshest ingredients and featuring an
Old World charm–style setting. $$
92 South Bay Accent
Opa!, Multiple South Bay locations. www.opa
authenticgreek.com. Fresh, homemade meals
steeped in Greek family spirit and tradition. $$
HAWAIIAN
Coast Poke Counter, 87 N. San Pedro St., San
Jose. 408/320-4372. Located in San Pedro
Square Market, this poke place serves
fresh cuts of premium fish in an
elegant setting. $–$$
Hukilau, 230 Jackson
St., San Jose, 408/279-
4888. Hawaii’s greatest
culinary hits, including
pupu platters and
macadamia-infused
dishes, round out
the menu of this
tropical hotspot. $$
Ono Hawaiian
BBQ, 1706 Oakland
Road, Suite 10,
San Jose. 408/573-
8988. 1041 Cochrane
Rd., Ste. 160, Morgan Hill.
408/779-2688. With locations
all over the West Coast, this casual
eatery is a go-to spot for abundant Hawaiian
plate lunches. $
Ray’s Hawaiian BBQ, Laurelwood Shopping
Center, 1330 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo.
650/212-0002. Classic Hawaiian dishes keep this
casual eatery packed with locals. $
INDIAN
Amber India Restaurant, Santana Row 408/248-
5400; Los Altos 650/968-7511; Palo Alto 650/329-
9644; Mountain View 650/968-1751. Exquisite
presentations and the food is perfectly spiced. $$
Darbar Indian Cuisine, 129 Lytton Ave., Palo
Alto. 650/321-6688. The tandoori grill here is outstanding,
as are the chicken and lamb specialties. $
Sakoon, 3701 E El Camino Real, Santa Clara,
408/241-5150. Mountain View, 650/965-2000.
Fremont, 510/744-9500. Authentic Indian cuisine
in chic surroundings; the Santa Clara
location specializes in banquets
for up to 150 guests. $-$$
Shan, 3739 El Camino
Re a l , Sa n t a C l a r a ,
408/248-8433. Fine
Indian and Pakistani
cuisine featuring savory
dishes rich in Eastern
culinary traditions. $
Vedas Indian Restaurant,
560 N. Abel
St., Milpitas. 408/945-
1500. Authentic Indian
dishes fragrantly spiced and
served in a warm, inviting
atmosphere. $$
INTERNATIONAL
Arya Steakhouse, 885 Middlefield Road, Redwood
City, 650/367-4939. Fine steaks and Persian
cuisine are the focus of this upscale dining establishment,
and a variety of well-seasoned dishes
round out the extensive menu. $$$
Kumino, 580 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View.
650/964-3300. This casual setting for creative cuisine
and pan-Asian fusion fare is a must-do destination
for frugal foodies. $
ITALIAN
Bella Saratoga, 14503 Big Basin Way, Saratoga.
408/741-5115. Wonderful Italian dishes such as
salmon ravioli and eggplant parmigiana. Charming
outdoor seating available. $$
Café Pro Bono, 2437 Birch St., Palo Alto. 650/
326-1626. A local favorite for years, Café Pro Bono
offers an elaborate dining experience in a warm,
friendly atmosphere. Dinner choices are seemingly
endless, from classic Italian pasta dishes such as
spaghetti with Bolognese sauce and organic lemon
linguine and clams to creatively prepared Mediterranean
entrees such as Greek chicken smothered in
fresh oregano sauce or Niman Ranch filet mignon
with a green peppercorn brandy sauce. These savory
meals are complemented by select fine wines from
Napa Valley, Sonoma County and, of course, Italy.
To top it all off, dessert offerings include Tiramisu,
gelato or a decadent chocolate cake. The restaurant
also has a full bar and two banquet rooms available
for private events seating anywhere from 10 to
50 people. $$
Carpaccio, 1120 Crane St., Menlo Park. 650/ 322-
1211. This popular neighborhood trattoria has
become an Italian institution. $$
Centonove, 109 W. Main St., Los Gatos. 408/384-
4007. Italian-style café specializing in wood-fired
pizzas and a wide range of housemade pastas. $$
Donato Enoteca, 1041 Middlefield Road, Red-
wood City. 650/701-1000. Chef Scotti’s menu
honors his northern Italian roots in a chic, contemporary
environment. $$
Doppio Zero, 10088 N Wolfe Rd #120, Cupertino.
408/863-0308. This family-friendly dining
spot prepares pastas, pies and handcrafted cocktails
with stylish ease. $$
Doppio Zero, 160 Castro St., Mountain View,
650/938-4147. 10088 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino,
408/863-0308. This Italian eatery serves Neapolitan
pies, pastas and craft cocktails in a stylish space. $-$$
Enoteca La Storia, 416 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los
Gatos. 408/ 625-7272. Italian wine bar featuring
traditional small plates along with an extensive
selection of fine wines. $$
Enzo’s Italian, 21275 Stevens
Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 408/255-
2686. With an all-Italian crew at
the helm, this eatery dishes up
authenticity in a fast-paced,
modern setting. $$
I Gatti, 25 E. Main St., Los
Gatos. 408/399-5180. Fine
Italian dining in a comfortable
setting; the cuisine pays
tribute to various Italian
regions and ranges from pizza
to rack of lamb. $–$$
ll Fornaio, Santa Clara, 408/217-
8844; San Jose. 408/271-3366; Palo
Alto. 650/853-3888. Il Fornaio stays true
to authentic Italian recipes and time-honored
cooking methods. $$$
Il Postale, 100 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale.
408/733-9600. This popular Italian-American bistro
has made a name for itself over the past 20 years
at the old post office building in Sunnyvale. $$
Italico, 341 California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/473-
9616. This pasta-centric bistro is popular for
meatballs and other classic dishes along with its
extensive variety of Italian wines. $$
200 DINING HOT SPOTS
Pho Wagon
Alexander’s
Steakhouse
