100 South Bay Accent
The Plumed Horse, 14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga.
408/867-4711. This 2011 Michelin-starred
restaurant delivers contemporary, seasonal California
cuisine based on solid French techniques. $$$
White Shallot, 3143 Stevens Creek Blvd., San
Jose. 408/246-5251. Serving traditional French
and Vietnamese menu items including ratatouille
and lemongrass tofu. $$
Zola, 565 Bryant St., Palo Alto. 650/521-0651. Seasonal
French cuisine features regionally sourced
meats and produce, complemented by a
wide selection of French and California
wines. $$–$$$
GERMAN
Ludwig’s German Table,
261 N. Second St., San Jose.
408/771-9871. This spirited
German establishment serves
grub and brews in a contemporary
interior and outdoor
beer garden. $$
Teske’s Germania, 255
N. First St., San Jose. 408/292-
0291. Starting with appetizers like
potato pancakes and jalapeno cheese–
stuffed pretzels, Teske’s serves tasty German
comfort food. $$
Wursthall, 310 Baldwin Ave., San Mateo.
650/931-4282. Led by James Beard Award-winning
Chef Kenji López-Alt, this gourmet bierhaus
serves handcrafted pretzels, schnitzel, sauerkraut
and other German delicacies. $$
GREEK
Dio Deka (in Hotel Los Gatos), 210 E. Main St.,
Los Gatos. 408/354-7700. Enjoy authentic Hellenic
cuisine served in a warm, relaxing setting. $$
Myth Taverna & Lounge, 152 Post St., San
Jose. 408/286-7678. Modern Greek cuisine served
in an ultra-urban atmosphere with elegant indoor
or patio dining and frequent live entertainment.
$$
Nemea Greek Taverna, 96 S.
First St., San Jose. 408/279-
4225. Serves up modern
Greek cuisine made with
the freshest ingredients
and featuring an Old
World charm–style setting.
$$
Opa!, Multiple South
Bay locations, www.
opa authenticgreek.com.
Fresh, homemade meals
steeped in Greek family
spirit and tradition. $$
HAWAIIAN
Coast Poke Counter, 87 N. San Pedro
St., San Jose, 408/320-4372. Located in San Pedro
Square Market, this poke place serves fresh cuts of
premium fish in an elegant setting. $–$$
Da Kine Island Grill, 23 N. Market St., San Jose,
408/568-9700. Popular for its live Hawaiian music
performances, this feel-good-vibe venue specializes
in exotic island-style cuisine $$
Hukilau, 230 Jackson St., San Jose, 408/279-4888.
Hawaii’s greatest culinary hits, including pupu
platters and macadamia-infused dishes, round out
the menu of this tropical hotspot. $$
Island Grill, Clarion Hotel, 1355 N. Fourth
St., San Jose. 408/392-2468. This sleek, modern
restaurant serves fresh fusion fare with Pacific
Island flair without a tiki torch in sight. $$
Ono Hawaiian BBQ, 1706 Oakland Road, Suite
10, San Jose. 408/573-8988. 1041 Cochrane Rd.,
Ste. 160, Morgan Hill. 408/779-2688. With locations
all over the West Coast, this casual eatery is a
go-to spot for abundant Hawaiian plate lunches. $
Ray’s Hawaiian BBQ, Laurelwood Shopping
Center, 1330 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo.
650/212-0002. Classic Hawaiian dishes keep this
casual eatery packed with locals. $
INDIAN
Amber India Restaurant, Santana Row 408/248-
5400; Los Altos 650/968-7511; Palo Alto 650/329-
9644; Mountain View 650/968-1751. Exquisite
presentations and the food is perfectly spiced. $$
Arka, 725 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/
733-2752. Indian cuisine that’s authentic and
innovative, and served in a comfortable, modern,
sophisticated setting. $
Darbar Indian Cuisine, 129 Lytton Ave., Palo
Alto. 650/321-6688. The tandoori grill here is outstanding,
as are the chicken and lamb specialties. $
Shan, 3739 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 408/248-
8433. Fine Indian and Pakistani cuisine featuring
savory dishes rich in Eastern culinary traditions. $
Vedas Indian Restaurant, 560 N. Abel St.,
Milpitas. 408/945-1500. Authentic Indian dishes
fragrantly spiced and served in a warm, inviting
atmosphere. $$
INTERNATIONAL
Arya Steakhouse, 885 Middlefield Road, Redwood
City, 650/367-4939. Fine steaks and Persian
cuisine are the focus of this upscale dining establishment,
and a variety of well-seasoned dishes
round out the extensive menu. $$$
Kumino, 580 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View.
650/964-3300. This casual setting for creative
cuisine and fusion fare is a mustdo
destination for frugal foodies. $
ITALIAN
Bella Saratoga, 14503
Big Basin Way, Saratoga.
408/741-5115. Wonderful
Italian dishes such
as salmon ravioli and
eggplant parmigiana.
Charming outdoor seating
available. $$
Café Pro Bono, 2437
Birch St., Palo Alto. 650/
326-1626. A local favorite
for years, Café Pro Bono offers
an elaborate dining experience in
a warm, friendly atmosphere. Dinner
choices are seemingly endless, from classic
Italian pasta dishes such as spaghetti with Bolognese
sauce and organic lemon linguine and clams
to creatively prepared Mediterranean entrees such
as Greek chicken smothered in fresh oregano
sauce or Niman Ranch filet mignon with a green
peppercorn brandy sauce. These savory meals are
complemented by select fine wines from Napa Valley,
Sonoma County and, of course, Italy. To top
it all off, dessert offerings include Tiramisu, gelato
or a decadent chocolate cake. The restaurant also
has a full bar and two banquet rooms available
for private events seating anywhere from 10 to
50 people. $$
BEST BITES
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. $$$
LB Steak, 334 Santana Row,
San Jose. 408/244-1180. Sister
restaurant of Left Bank
Brasserie puts a modern
French twist on American
steakhouse cuisine. Save
room for luscious pastry
desserts. $$$
Manresa, 320 Village Lane,
Los Gatos. 408/354-4330.
Chef David Kinch amazes
diners with his creative, awardwinning
cuisine. $$$
Mosaic Restaurant and Lounge (Four
Points Hotel), 211 S. First St., San Jose. 408/282-
8888. This stylish bar and restaurant offers an
American/Asian twist on Continental cuisine. $$$
Viognier, 222 E. 4th Avenue, San Mateo. 650/
685-3727. This Cal-French restaurant blends California’s
bounty of fresh food with Southern sensibilities.
Features a world-class wine selection and
seasonal dishes. $$$
ETHIOPIAN
Zeni Ethiopian, 1320 Saratoga Ave., San Jose.
408/615-8282. Inviting spot serves up a tantalizing
variety of flavorful dishes, many vegetarian,
with your choice of spice level. $
FRENCH
Baumé, 201 S. California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/328-
8899. New venture from the Michelin-starred chef
Bruno Chemel. $$$
Black Sheep Brasserie, 1202 Lincoln Ave., San
Jose. 408/816-7251. Stylish Willow Glen Parisianstyle
brasserie melds contemporary and classic
French and Californian tastes. Full bar offers creative
craft beers and a changing wine selection. $$–$$$
Chez TJ, 938 Villa Street, Mountain View.
650/964-7466. This Michelin-starred restaurant is
known for its high-end, contemporary French cuisine
and use of fresh ingredients. $$$
Le Papillon, 410 Saratoga Ave., San Jose.
408/296-3730. Acclaimed for its award-winning
French cuisine, this Bay Area institution blends
fresh ingredients with impeccable preparation. $$$
Left Bank, Menlo Park. 650/473-6543; San Jose.
408/984-3500. Popular eatery features contemporary
French cuisine and a variety of seafood prepared
with fresh, seasonal ingredients. $$$
Melting Pot, 1 Transit Center Way, San Mateo.
650/342-6358. Fondue spot features four flavorful
cooking styles and a variety of entrees with dipping
sauces. Be sure to save space for the chocolate
fondue. $$
Navio (Ritz-Carlton Hotel), 1 Miramontes Point
Road, Half Moon Bay. 650/712-7000. This luxurious
seaside restaurant overlooks the panoramic golf
course. $$$
Viognier
Rosie
McCann’s