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. $$ Los Gatos Brewing Co., 130-G N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408/395- 9929. Expertly prepared, high quality entrees, complemented by crafted ales, lagers, stouts and pilsners. $$$ 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. $$ Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, San Jose (Santana Row), 408/247-1706; Santa Cruz, 831/426-9930. Lively eatery with tasty bites and fine beverages. $ BURMESE Rangoon Ruby, 445 Emerson St., Palo Alto. 650/ 323-6543. Two talented chefs from Burma Superstar restaurants create a traditional Burmese menu influenced by Indian, Thai and Chinese cooking. $ Sweet Mango, 1040 Willow St., San Jose. 408/293- 2268. Innovative menu blurs the line between Burmese and Chinese cuisine, and has become a favorite in Willow Glen. $ CALIFORNIA Calafia Café, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/322-9200. Executive Chef Charlie Ayers offers diverse, earthy food from pizzas and curries to Duck Adobo and Tofu Lentil Loaf. $$ California Cafe, 50 University Ave., Los Gatos. 408/354-8118. Wonderful fish, shellfish and innovative pastas served in a casual setting $ Cascade Bar & Grill at Costanoa Resort, 2001 Rossi Road at Highway 1, Pescadero. 650/879- 1100. The California coastal menu features sustainable, local seafood and fresh organic produce. $$ Cetrella, 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/726- 4090. Enjoy hearty Mediterranean fare, featuring roasted octopus and wild nettle dumplings. $$$ Citrus (Hotel Valencia), 355 Santana Row, San Jose. 408/551-0010. Spanish influence is featured with the use of innovative spice rubs for delicious meat and seafood entrees. $$-$$$ Fahrenheit Lounge & Restaurant, 99 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, 408/998-9998. The inventive menu of flavorful modern global cuisine is as captivating as its chic atmosphere. $$-$$ Flea Street Cafe, 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park. 650/854-1226. An ever-changing menu of continental and California dishes. $$ The Lexington House, 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/354-1600. Unique Northern California dishes made with local, organic and sustainable ingredients. $$ Lure + Till (The Epiphany Hotel), 180 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/666-3320. Providing the seasonal flavors of the region using the freshest local ingredients served in a rustic, casual setting. $$-$$$ MacArthur Park, 27 University Ave., Palo Alto. 650/321-9990. Delicious mesquite-grilled and oak-smoked dishes, including their legendary ribs, served in a historic atmosphere. $$ Park Place, 10050 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino. 408/873-1000. Seasonal menu and large wine list in airy, modern setting. $$$ BEST BITES TASTE TRIPS Every year food-lovers and industry professionals across the country eagerly await Michelin Guide’s annual ranking of star-studded restaurants. In October, the Guide also unveiled its 2015 list of “Bib Gourmands” for the San Francisco Bay Area—a popular precursor that features excellent eateries where diners can enjoy a two-course dinner and a glass of wine for less than $40. Here are a few on this year’s prestigious roster: In the Cow Hollow area of San Francisco, Bistro Aix (3340 Steiner St.) stands out as warm and charming neighborhood gem with a daily changing, Mediterranean-inspired menu. Named for Aix-en-Provence in southern France, the restaurant adds a California twist to traditional French provincial food with home-grown ingredients. Try a baby lettuce salad with tarragon vinaigrette and warm breaded goat cheese to start. House entrée specialties include crispy, roasted Sonoma chicken breast and squid-ink spaghetti, laced with bottarga (salted, cured fish roe), garlic and chili. Over the bridge, Brick & Bottle (55 Tomal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera) chalks up its third consecutive year on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list. Here food-lovers pass through a lively bar scene to tranquility at the back of the restaurant, where chef Bob Simontacchi presents inspiring California cuisine. The menu, expanded since Simontacchi took over about a year ago, features a revolving prix fixe, threecourse “Chef’s Seasonal Supper” each week, as well as a full menu, complete with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Signature dishes include applewood smoked pork shoulder with potato puree and jalapeno cabbage slaw or harvest squash red curry with a crispy kale and brown rice cake, shitake mushrooms and bok choy. For an authentic dining experience at a Tuscan trattoria, you can fly to Florence or head to the East Bay’s own version, Corso (1788 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley). Using classic recipes and time-honored techniques, this little spot thrives on simple, rustic Italian food made from local produce and meats. The menu changes, but some things are constant: daily-made pastas, house-cured salumi and nightly butcher’s specials. Standout entrees may include pollo al burro alla sotanza—a savory, butter-roasted chicken breast served in a castiron skillet with a spritz of lemon juice—and gnocchi, potato and Parmesan dumplings with fiore sardo and sage. Hot Box Grill (18350 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma), a familiar name on the Bib Gourmand list, continues wowing food enthusiasts with what they call “creative comfort dishes.” Dieters may steer clear, but it’s tough to resist such temptations as long, skinny fries cooked in duck fat and served with malt vinegar aioli. A huge grilled “cowboy steak” for two includes Brussels sprouts with pancetta, twice-baked potato (with cheese, bacon, onion and sour cream), crispy shoestring onion rings, horseradish crème fraiche and red-eye gravy.— D.K. LV Mar Cascal 98 South Bay Accent
South Bay Accent - Dec 2014/Jan 2015
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