December 2017/January 2018 99
Menlo Park. 650/854-1226. An ever-changing
menu of continental and California dishes. $$
The Lexington House, 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave.,
Los Gatos. 408/354-1600. Unique Northern California
dishes made with local, organic and sustainable
ingredients. $$
The Mountain House, 13808 Skyline Blvd.,
Woodside. 650/851-8541. Highlights are excellent
cuisine featuring chicken, lamb, beef, seafood &
pastas. $–$$
Parkside Grille, 884 Portola Road, Portola Valley.
650/529-9007. Tucked among the redwoods, rustic
but elegant setting serves up California comfort
food with fresh local ingredients. $$
Quattro (Four Seasons Hotel), 2050 University
Ave., East Palo Alto, 650/470-2889. Well-prepared
California cuisine with an Italian twist. $$$
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops (Doubletree
Hotel), 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose. 408/437-
2170. Spencer’s delivers simple but exquisite prime
beef dishes. $$$
Tarragon, 140 S. Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale.
408/737-8003. Tarragon impresses with a
seasonal, locally sourced menu that
places an emphasis on fresh, organic,
sustainable ingredients. $–$$
The Shadowbrook, 1750
Wharf Rd., Capitola- by-thesea.
831/475-1511. Visitors
to one of the most romantic
restaurants anywhere take
the iconic “cable car” tram
or walk alongside waterfalls
and lush gardens to reach this
ivy-covered dining destination.
Equally enticing are the seven different
dining rooms within the Swiss
chalet-style building, the impeccable service
and award-winning cuisine. A broad menu features
fresh seafood, pasta, beef, lamb and chicken. Menu
favorites include mouthwatering slow-roasted
prime rib, local salmon and creative nightly specials.
Shadowbrook’s beautiful Rock Room Bar
(with live music on weekends) continues to be an
overwhelming favorite with locals and visitors alike
and offers more casual fare and portions. Since
1947, Shadowbrook has delighted diners who
come to propose, celebrate an anniversary, wow a
first date or just enjoy a fine meal in an atmosphere
of Old World charm and grace. $$–$$$
TusCA (Hyatt Regency Santa Clara), 5101 Great
America Parkway, Santa Clara. 408/510-6480.
Pleasing menu is inspired by hearty Tuscan cuisine
and seasonal, locally sourced produce. $
31st Union, 5 S. Ellsworth Avenue, San Mateo.
650/458-0049. A popular locavore eatery featuring
artisanal California food and drink with seasonally
changing plates. $–$$
Verge (Toll House Hotel), 140 South Santa Cruz
Ave., Los Gatos. 408/884-1054. California-atheart
cuisine featuring a fresh and unique combination
of cultural regions and styles of preparation.
$$–$$$
Village Pub, 2967 Woodside Road, Woodside.
650/851-9888. Local favorite features a gorgeous
interior and a menu that shows a serious devotion
to meat dishes. $$$
Viva, 15970 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos. 408/ 356-
4902. Upscale neighborhood eatery fuses diverse
California and Mediterranean cuisine with comfortable
family-style dining. $$
2 015 Celebrating 13 years
in Downtown Mt. View
Shadowbrook