Azuma Japanese Cuisine, 19645 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 408/257-4057. A Cupertino institution, the menu at this popular familyfriendly restaurant offers something delicious that everyone will enjoy. $$ Blowfish Sushi To Die For, 355 Santana Row, Suite 1010, San Jose. 408/345-3848. A hip dining spot serving both traditional and modern sushi, sashimi and teppan dishes. $$ Bluefin, 754 The Alameda, Suite 10, San Jose. 408/931-6875. Sushi, sashimi and more modern fare, with unique fish imported from Japan at the peak of its flavor. $$ Bushido, 156 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/ 386-6821. Offering Japanese izakaya dining, where people gather in a casual atmosphere to drink and enjoy small, unique plates. $$ Fuki-Sushi, 4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/494-9383. Fresh seafood, vegetable and rice delectables, teriyaki and light, crispy tempura are the mainstays at this longtime local favorite gathering place. $$ Katsu, 160 Main St., Los Gatos. 408/ 354-0712. Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine is carefully prepared with fresh, local ingredients. $$$ Kubota, 593 N. Fifth St., San Jose. 408/279-8440. An excellent upscale pan-Pacific menu featuring seasonal specials and year-round favorites. $-$$ Kyoto Palace, 1875 S. Bascom Ave. #2500 (The Pruneyard), Campbell. 408/377- 6456. Since 1976, Kyoto Palace has been serving authentic Japanese cuisine and entertaining diners with its Teppanyaki method of preparing dishes. Guests are seated around a six-foot steel grill, where a skillful Kyoto Palace chef rapidly slices, dices, flips and grills up fresh meats and vegetables right before their eyes – and sometimes into their mouths. Kyoto Palace has been a longtime favorite for celebratory gatherings, meetings and other private functions and still is an enjoyable way for couples and families to eat out. Dishes include a wide selection of sushi, bento box lunches and mouthwatering multicourse dinners featuring fresh beef, chicken, seafood, the very popular fried rice and Hibachi vegetables. $$-$$$ Masa’s Sushi, 400 San Antonio Road, Mountain View. 650/941-2117. In addition to sushi, you’ll find tempura and chicken and beef teriyaki. $-$$ Rokko, 190 S. Frances St., Sunnyvale. 408/773- 8225 (also located in San Jose). Full range of tasty fare, from fresh sushi to hot udon. $ LATIN Ciano’s, 280 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell. 408/871- 1939. Unique, flavorful Latin cuisine with wideranging Central and South American influences. $$ La Viga, 1772 Broadway St., Redwood City. 650/679-8141. Executive Chef Manuel Martinez named his first restaurant after the massive central seafood market in Mexico City where he hails from. La Viga features a seafood-focused menu of contemporary Latin cuisine including camarones al coco, or coconut-crusted prawns, and salmon yucateco, or grilled Atlantic salmon. It also offers its own unique take on traditional Mexican dishes such as red enchiladas with choice of meats and chile relleno. Martinez has a storied history of creating gourmet cuisine having served as executive chef for Palacio in Los Gatos and Left Bank Brasserie in Menlo Park. His diverse cooking experience coupled with his use of the finest Latin ingredients have diners raving. $$ LV Mar, 2042 Broadway St., Redwood City. 650/241-3111. A contemporary take on classic Latin cuisine, LV Mar is the latest evolution in Chef Manuel Martinez’s ever-growing passion for creating a fresh and innovative dining experience. The casual, upscale restaurant combines highquality, fresh ingredients, refined preparation techniques and an inviting atmosphere where guests are considered part of the recipe. Martinez’s no-nonsense approach produces savory meat and seafood dishes such as asasdo, grass-fed rib-eye, pechuga de BEST BITES DEALS ON MEALS It’s cold outside and you’re running around with frazzled nerves and a deflating bank account; this time of year calls for a dish of comfort food—good, warm and cheap. Slurp up a tasty bowl of fresh, authentic Japanese ramen at Ramen Halu (375 Saratoga Ave., San Jose). Select regular or whole wheat noodles (thick or thin) to swim in a choice of flavorful, slow-cooked broths. Bowls come in three sizes starting at about $6. Signature dish at the tiny eatery is Halu ramen, featuring perfectly prepared noodles, pieces of tender cha-su (seasoned pork), mushrooms, bamboo and green onion in pork-based broth. Diners may add more toppings—such as an egg or extra veggies—and request low-salt versions of menu items. Sometimes the simplest ideas are best, and who can argue with a hot, oozing grilled cheese sandwich? The Melt (1410 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose) serves up several tasty iterations of this beloved staple. With eateries spread over the state, including Palo Alto and Redwood City, this chain punches up classic, aged cheddar cheese sandwiches ($4.95) with free optional fresh tomatoes, jalapenos and grilled onions. For a dollar or two more, add other sandwich ingredients, from baby spinach to braised short ribs. Specialty items include The Mac Daddy—cheddar, smoked bacon and macaroni on grilled artisan bread—and The ʾShroom with aged Swiss cheese, portabella mushroom and grilled onions on sourdough bread. The name, Extraordinary Soup & More (20371 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino), may be deceiving because most of the food here comes under the “& more” category. The little restaurant serves Mediterranean fare—gyros, falafels, kebabs and wraps—but the soothing soup lives up to its top billing. About six different rotating flavors are available, all set up on a self-serve cart with small tasting cups. Selections may include Mexican lentil with avocado and lime, carrot ginger, Polish dill pickle, artichoke-fennel and the popular chicken mango. Pie in all its forms has a reassuring effect on the psyche. St. Stephen’s Green (223 Castro St., Mountain View) is an Irish sports pub where American burgers sit comfortably beside bangers and mash. Try a great version of Shepherd’s Pie—spiced ground beef in rich gravy with vegetables, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. Equally satisfying are the Guinness steak pie and the chicken and mushroom pie, steaming in melt-in-the-mouth pastry. — DK Sundance The Steakhouse Cascal 102 South Bay Accent
South Bay Accent - Dec 2014/Jan 2015
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