Introducing
oyster bar • craft cocktails
spanish & local wines
98 South Bay Accent
Gatos. 408/560-9639. After 15 years at Michelin
three-starred Manresa, chef David Kinch opened
this Southern-style eatery with partner and wine
director Andrew Burnham as a salute to New
Orleans, where Kinch first learned to cook. Along
with po’ boys, fried green tomatoes, and
“Oysters Rock-a-Fella,” you’ll find a raw
bar and a slew of Big Easy cocktails,
from juleps to Sazeracs. Dinner
includes creative Crescent City
variations like soft-shell chili
crab with okra and eggplant,
snapper court-bouillon, and
“rich man’s” red beans and
rice. Snag a leather booth
in the comfy, elegant dining
room; snack in the bar; or do
weekend brunch on the patio
with bubbly and beignets. The
restaurant won a Michelin Bib Gourmand
rating and a Wine Spectator award
of excellence in 2017. $$
Central Park Bistro, 181 E. Fourth Ave., San
Mateo. 650/558-8401. With a hearty array of
regional favorites on the menu, Central Park Bistro
showcases the diversity of American cuisine. $$$
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. $$
Mayfield Bakery & Café, 855 El Camino Real,
Palo Alto. 650/853-9200. Rustic, comforting seasonal
food produced in a wood-burning oven and
rotisserie in a handsome setting. $$
Rok Bistro, 124 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale.
408/733-7651. “Stone-age” steakhouse sears meat,
fish, poultry and vegetarian entrees on hot volcanic
rocks. A wide range of fondues are also available. $$
BRAZILIAN
Espetus, 1686 Market St., San Francisco, 415/552-
8792. 710 South B St., San Mateo, 650/342-8700.
Fourteen signature cuts of meat are mesquitegrilled
gaucho style at this authentic Brazilian
steakhouse. $$-$$$
Fogo de Chao, 377 Santana Row, Suite 1090,
San Jose. 408/244-7001. This authentic Brazilian
steakhouse features grilled meats prepared at
tableside. $$–$$$
Taurinas Brazilian Steakhouse,
167 W. San Fernando
St., San Jose. 408/294-0110.
Brazilian-style barbecue buffet
featuring select cuts of
meats cooked slowly on
special grills. $$
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. $$
Gordon Biersch, San Jose. 408/294-
6785. These jazzy brewery restaurants focus
on light, international cuisine, and of course, tasty
brews. $$
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. $$
Rosie McCann’s, 355 Santana Row, #1060, San
Jose, 408/247-1706. Exemplifying the warmth
of Irish hospitality, this Santana Row
gem is known for its camaraderie
and welcoming atmosphere.
Guests can enjoy a drink at the
full bar (including Guinness
on tap) before dining on traditional
pub fare or sampling
decadent menu items such as
the stuffed bacon-wrapped
prawns, Jameson Portobello
mushroom with blue cheese,
candied walnuts and green
onion, or a juicy Kobe burger.
The varied menu consists of local
farm-fresh organic ingredients and
Fontana’s
grass-fed beef as well as vegan, gluten-free,
vegetarian and Paleo options. Share plates are also
popular as is the hearty weekend brunch accompanied
by bottomless mimosas and frosé. $–$$
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. $-$$
Calafia Café, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.
650/322-9200. Executive Chef Charlie Ayers offers
diverse, organic dishes from pizzas and curries to
Duck Adobo and Tofu Lentil Loaf. $$
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 food,
spirits and live entertainment from one of the most
spectacular views of Santa Cruz Harbor, lighthouse
and wharf. Surfer-themed décor
adds ambiance to the downstairs
dining room, where guests enjoy
seafood as fresh as the catch
brought in that morning. The
beef dishes are just as delectable,
earning the restaurant
accolades for serving the
best steak in town. Upstairs,
the Breakwater Grill offers
a variety of appetizers and
casual lunches, along with
live comedy, music and dancing.
Outdoor decks provide a
friendly alfresco atmosphere and
excellent vantage point for sipping
signature cocktails while watching the
steady parade of sailboats coming in and out
of the harbor. $$
The Farmer’s Union, 151 W. Santa Clara St., San
Jose. 408/277-0545. This updated incarnation of a
rustic American tavern boasts a refreshing array of
local brews, craft cocktails and hearty yet sophisticated
farm-to-table fare. $
Flea Street Cafe, 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas,
BEST BITES
An American Restaurant
with Influences Derived from
Generations of Spanish and
Italian Heritage
408.867.1906 thebasin.com
14572 Big Basin Way at 5th Street, Saratoga
Sustainable,
Well-Sourced Spanish
Californian Cuisine
650.935.2372 asalosaltos.com
242 State Street, Los Altos
Roots & Rye