BEST BITES
110044 SSoouutthh BBaayy AAcccceenntt
sine.” With over 25 tapas—small plates and
tastes—divided into “Old World” and “New
World” choices, there’s something for everyone.
Try the classic Spanish chorizo in rioja
wine or minted lamb meatballs in a saffron and
almond sauce. For a full dinner, start with one
of several ceviches and move on to an exquisite,
traditional paella (including one for vegetarians).
The casually elegant interior, with its bright,
bold colors, was created by renowned
designer/architect Chuck Thompson. $$
Iberia, 740 El Camino Real, Belmont.
650/325-8981. Mouthwatering
Spanish dishes and
award-winning wines served in a
luxurious setting. $$$
Joya, 339 University Ave., Palo
Alto. 650/853-9800. The hip modern
décor mixes well with the contemporary
Spanish and Latin tapas and the tasty
variety of new age cocktails. $$$
Picasso’s, 62 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose.
408/298-4400. Authentic Spanish cuisine made
from the freshest ingredients and served in a
relaxed, at-home atmosphere. $$
SPANISH/CALIFORNIAN
Asa, 242 State St., Los Altos. 650/935-2372. Generations
of Italian and Spanish heritage inspire
the seasonal California cuisine at this intimate
new dining spot. The 60-seat restaurant’s open
kitchen, black steel beams, and candlelit butcherblock
tables create a casual yet elegant ambiance.
Sustainably sourced and delectably prepared fish is
served fresh daily. Guests enjoy fresh, handmade
pasta, local, organic produce, and grass-fed beef.
Artisanal cocktails, a robust wine list and housemade
ice cream complete the menu. The building’s
façade, designed by award-winning architect Tom
Kundig, features an eye-catching wall of windows
that crank open to reveal the street. $$
THAI
Amarin, Mountain View, 650/ 988-9323; San Jose,
408/253-8424. Fresh, contemporary Thai menu
with traditional accents and vegetarian dishes. $
Thaiphoon Restaurant, 543 Emerson St., Palo
Alto, 650/323-7700. Well-appointed restaurant
with a mix of traditional and contemporary Thai
dishes and a tropical themed patio. $
VIETNAMESE
Pho Wagon, 1712 Meridian Ave., San Jose,
408/440-0105. Specializing in its perennially
popular namesake soup, this family-owned Willow
Glen eatery is as bright and cheerful as it is
conveniently located. In addition to its delicious
array of pho, the menu also features other Vietnamese
staples such as vermicelli bowls, grilled
rice plates and banh mi. There’s also a kids’ menu.
House specials include Pad Thai Prawns and Rock
n Roll Filet Mignon with bell peppers and onions.
If you’re in the mood for lighter fare, try the mango
or papaya salad. For a sweet treat, dive into pankocrusted
deep-fried banana with coconut pineapple
ice cream. $
Three Seasons, 518 Bryant St., Palo Alto. 650/
838-0353. This stylish, chic restaurant and bar
offers a fresh new take on traditional Vietnamese
flavors. $$
Xanh, 110 Castro St., Mountain View 650/ 964-
1888. Upscale restaurant featuring Vietnamese
cuisine that pleases both the eye and palate with
creative combinations. $–$$ n
Ste. 1100, San Jose. 408/296-6048. Oysters, uni,
and a bounty of cooked options grace the Asian-
California menu at this new spot. $$-$$$
Fish Market, Palo Alto, 650/493-8862; Santa
Clara, 408/246-3474; San Mateo 650/349-3474;
San Jose, 408/269-3474. Fresh, high-quality seafood
comes from the restaurant’s fishery and partnering
seafood farms. $$
McCormick & Schmick’s
Seafood Restaurant, 170
S. Market St., San Jose.
408/283-7200. More than
30 species of fresh seafood
are on a menu that changes
daily. $$
Pacific Catch Fresh Fish
Grill (The Pruneyard),
Campbell, 408/ 879-9091;
Mountain View, 650/941-
1810. Fresh fish prepared with
a combination of local ingredients
and spices and sauces of Southeast Asia,
Japan and Latin America. $$
Steamer’s Grillhouse (in Old Town), 31 University
Ave., Los Gatos. 408/395-CRAB. Steamer’s
features a variety of steaks, chops, seafood and
Mediterranean-inspired dishes and more. $$
The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse, 4269 El
Camino Real, Palo Alto, 650/213-1111. Talented
Chef Yu Min Lin infuses contemporary cuisine
with Japanese sensibilities at this premier seafoodcentric
dining destination as he transforms fresh,
wild, and sustainably harvested ingredients into
works of art. Delicacies refined enough to satisfy
even the most discerning epicure include the foie
gras tortellini with lobster, broccolini, tomato and
onions, grilled lobster with leek, shiitake mushroom
and spinach, and acorn-fed Iberico ham with
tomato compote, shiitake mushroom and olives.
Pastry chef Dan Huynh’s transcendent artisanal
desserts are a fitting finale to an extraordinary dining
experience. Suitable for special occasions, business
dining and private events. $$$
SINGAPOREAN
Merlion Restaurant and Wine Bar, 19628
Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, 408/777-8228.
Sophisticated spot that serves a blend of Singaporean,
Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine. $$$
Shiok! Singapore Kitchen, 1137 Chestnut St.,
Menlo Park. 650/838-9448. An exciting fusion of
Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine. $
Straits, 333 Santana Row Suite 1100, San Jose.
408/246-6320. 1100 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame.
650/373-7883. Drawing inspiration from
the diverse cultures that converge in Singapore,
Straits captures the culinary crossroads of Malaysian,
Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and Nonya cuisine.
With Chef Chris Yeo at the helm, the menu
combines Southeast Asia’s fragrant multilayered
flavor profiles and unique regional ingredients with
distinctive fine dining flair. An appetizing array of
options that are perfect for sharing, including wokfired
rice and crispy chicken, make Straits a popular
destination for families, parties and gatherings. A
favorite with foodies who crave a taste of adventure,
Straits’ elegant dining environment pairs perfectly
with the exotic cuisine it serves. $$
SPANISH
Cascal, 400 Castro St., Mountain View.
650/940-9500. Spanning the globe with spectacular
dishes from Spain and South America,
Cascal serves up a menu of “spirited Latin cui-
650/241-3111. A casual modern restaurant with a
contemporary take on classic Latin cuisine. $$
MEDITERRANEAN
The Blue Door. 1502 Saratoga Ave., San Jose.
408/866-4176. Swinging onto the San Jose culinary
scene, this sleek new eatery evokes the ambiance,
traditions and flavors of the Mediterranean. $$
Cin-Cin Wine Bar and Restaurant, 368 Village
Lane, Los Gatos. 408/354-8006. This tastefully
appointed bistro offers bold flavors using organic
and sustainable ingredients. $$
Odeum, 17500 Depot St., Morgan Hill. 408/782-
5151. Combines Greek and Roman cuisine with
Spanish influences served in a warm and welcoming
atmosphere. $$$
MEXICAN
Consuelo Mexican Bistro, 377 Santana Row,
Suite 1125, San Jose. 408/260-7082. Authentic
flavors of old Mexico are thoughtfully blended in
creative dishes that are served tapas style. $$
Milagros Cantina, 1099 Middlefield Road, Redwood
City. 650/369-4730. Showcasing fresh seafood,
authentic Mexican cuisine and hand-crafted
cocktails made with organic juices. $
Reposado, 236 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/
833-3151. A chic backdrop is well served by such
popular Mexican culinary favorites as adobo marinade
steak and tortilla soup. $$
Sancho’s Taqueria, 491 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto
650/322-8226; Midtown Palo Alto 650/324-8226;
Redwood City 650/364-8226. Adam Torres, formerly
with Village Pub, serves up an assortment
of veggie, meat, and seafood burritos, plus other
Mexican favorites. $
Vive Sol, 2020 W. El Camino Real, Mountain
View. 650/938-2020. Mountain View boasts this
popular spot that showcases the heady moles indigenous
to the Puebla region. $$
Zona Rosa, 1411 The Alameda, San Jose, 408/
275-1411. 81 W. Main St., Los Gatos, 408/ 884-
8268. Honoring the cookery of Mexico and featuring
hand-pressed tortillas and fresh, locally grown
ingredients. $$
PORTUGUESE
Adega, 1614 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose, 408/926-
9075. Translated as “wine cellar,” Adega puts a chic,
modern spin on Portuguese cuisine, including seafood
and meat dishes. $$$
SEAFOOD
Blue Water Seafood & Crab, 860 Willow St.,
San Jose. 408/289-8879. East Coast–style crab
house with a wide selection of seafood specialties as
well as plenty of choices for land lovers. $
EMC Seafood & Raw Bar, 378 Santana Row,
Alexander’s
Steakhouse
Cascal