BEST BITES
TASTE TRIPS
100 South Bay Accent
CAMBODIAN
Chez Sovan, 2425 South Bascom Ave., Campbell.
408/371-7711. This authentic, delicious food will
make you a permanent convert! Among favorites is
the popular Cambodian dish Amok. $$
CHINESE
Chef Chu’s, 1067 North San Antonio Road, Los
Altos. 650/948-2696. Savor great food at this popular
restaurant, such as the outstanding signature
minced shrimp in lettuce cups. $$
Din Tai Fung, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. (Westfield
Valley Fair), Santa Clara. With its ultrachic
interior and shareable plates,
South Bay’s hottest dumpling
house is a first-date destination.
$$
Fey, 1368 El Camino
Real, Menlo Park.
650/324-8888. An
expansive selection of
traditional Chinese
favorites as well as specialties
featuring beef,
lamb, chicken, duck
and seafood. $–$$
Sino, 377 Santana Row
#1000, San Jose. 408/247-
8880. Small plates that pack
a flavorful punch along with
large platters laden with house specialties
keep Sino’s well-oiled kitchen buzzing with
appetizing activity. The menu showcases innovative
twists on modern Chinese cuisine alongside
timeless Cantonese classics. Bite-sized delights
entice the palate with the traditions of dim sum,
which means “a little something from the heart.”
Shareable classics such as mushu pork with stirfried
vegetables, imperial vegetable egg rolls with
glass noodles and lobster and crab pot stickers
pack in crowds of loyal locals and newcomers
alike. The modern décor draws design inspiration
from ancient imperial motifs, creating a supremely
elegant atmosphere in which to indulge in expertly
prepared Asian fare. $$
Tai-Pan, 560 Waverley St., Palo Alto. 650/329-
9168. Hong Kong–style Cantonese cuisine served
up in an airy, upscale setting. $$
Wenzhou Fish, Noodles & More. 625 N. Sixth
St., San Jose. 408/326-2910. Boasting a prime
Japantown location, this family-friendly eatery
dishes out steaming bowls of noodles. $
CONTINENTAL
Alexander’s Steakhouse, 19379 Stevens Creek
Blvd., Cupertino. 408/446-2222. A luxury destination
for globally sourced beef and innovative
dishes, Alexander’s has redefined the traditional
steakhouse by melding classic American fare with
Japanese techniques and influences. The result is
an exceptional dining experience where steak takes
center stage, including certified, dry-aged Angus
and authentic imported Japanese Kobe beef. An
extensive wine list features over 2,500 bottles from
around the world, handpicked to complement
everything on the menu. Boutique sake, craft cocktails
and beer are also offered. Vaulted ceilings and
elegant table settings provide a sumptuous dining
atmosphere. The restaurant also boasts a large bar,
private dining rooms and an outdoor patio. $$$
LB Steak, 334 Santana Row, San Jose. 408/244-
1180. Sister restaurant of Left Bank Brasserie puts
a modern French twist on American steakhouse
cuisine. Save room for luscious pastry desserts. $$$
The movement toward using fresh, local ingredients and fusing
different cuisines has been going strong since 1971, when Chef Alice Waters
opened Chez Panisse in Berkeley. A new generation of restaurants next door in
Oakland carry on her traditions and are well worth a visit.
Hopscotch Restaurant and Bar (1915 San Pablo Ave.) is on many Bay Area
“best of” lists for good reason. Chef Kyle Itani creates seasonal menus using
sustainable ingredients that feature what he calls “American regional classics
influenced by Japanese flavors and techniques.” A good example
from a recent menu includes the pasta dish, Soba Bucatini, featuring
stewed eggplant, tomatoes and mascarpone and pecorino cheeses.
One of the biggest draws is the First Base Burger, a juicy ground
chuck patty topped with beef tongue—
a specialty in Japan, where it
normally tops soups and stews. The tender topping is cured by Itani
salt for 24 hours, then braised low and slow, and finally sliced and
griddled for each burger.
Chef Russell Moore spent more than 20 years working for Waters at Chez
Panisse before opening Camino (3917 Grand Ave.) with co-owner Allison Hopelain
in 2008. The big feature of the California-Mediterranean restaurant is its
wood-fired oven—but don’t expect pizza. Instead, Moore and his team weave
together inventive dishes, like the grilled pork leg, belly and slow-cooked shoulder,
served with faro and green beans. The craft cocktails are equally inventive
and ingredient-driven. And the desserts are also one-of-a-kind; a recent menu
featured a Tunisian orange cake with dates and yogurt.
The chefs have changed a few times since Wood Tavern (6317
College Ave.) opened 10 years ago, but the need for reservations
has not. It continues to be a popular dining
spot, offering a contemporary yet rustic American
brasserie experience. Start the meal with the whiskey
laced chicken liver pâté or some crispy pork
belly. Expect main dishes like seared Alaskan halibut
served with a wild mushroom-corn ragout, or
pan-roasted duck breast served on top of caramelized
sunchoke puree. Wood Tavern is known
for its thoughtful craft cocktail menu and its delightful
and pretty desserts, like the lemon coconut
chiffon cake topped with blueberry ginger sauce.
Nestled in Oakland’s Laurel neighborhood, Communite-
Table
(4171 MacArthur Blvd.) is a comfortable and affordable bistro focused
on seasonal American comfort food. The restaurant always has a house-made
soup du jour, served at lunch and dinner. For lunch there are sandwiches like
the roast turkey breast or a classic chicken salad, but vegetarians (and even
vegans) are served here with choices like a grilled vegetable sandwich, mac and
cheese or the hearty vegan chili. For dinner there is the always-popular fried
chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, among other favorites. Communite-
Table keeps it local serving local craft beer and Napa Valley wines. —P.M.
Viognier
ASA