BEST BITES
Hangar Steak, 1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame.
650/552-3505. Part of the Marriott, this
standout New American steakhouse offers delightful
dining by the bay. $$
The Halford, Santa Clara, 408/243-1290. With a
flair for fine dining renditions of hearty dishes that
pair well with craft beer, this anglophile gastro pub
dishes out savory favorites like Waygu flatiron steak
and maple-glazed duck leg confit. $
94 South Bay Accent
Huntington Station, 30 E. Third St., Morgan
Hill. 408/779-3376. Generously portioned beef,
chicken, seafood and pasta entrees are served up in
a casual, sports pub atmosphere. $$
Ladera Grill, 17305 Monterey St., Morgan Hill.
408/201-9200. This eclectic epicurean eatery
consistently garners accolades including the Wine
Spectator Award of Excellence. $$$
Lalla Grill, 55 River Oaks Pl., San Jose, 408/618-
8072. The mirrored 15-foot-long wall of spirits
and colorful mod architectural theme set the tone
for vibrant dishes including ahi ceviche. $$
The Loft Bar & Bistro, 90 S. Second St., San
Jose. 408/291-0677. Contemporary and casual restaurant
in a historic downtown building, featuring
great appetizers, tapas style. $
Los Altos Grill, 233 Third St., Los Altos.
650/948-3524. This popular dinner spot features
tasty dishes, including rotisserie pork chops and a
spicy tuna burger. $$
Madera, 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. 650/
561-1540. Signature restaurant of Rosewood Sand
Hill Hotel features wood-burning grill to produce
artful seafood and meats. $$$
Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way, Moss
Beach. 650/728-5595. Historic tavern offers
breathtaking Pacific Ocean views and a menu of
all-natural meats, wild-caught seafood and organic
produce, along with select wines and cocktails. $$
Nola, 535 Ramona St., Palo Alto. 650/ 328-2722.
This funky, popular spot brings New Orleans style
to the South Bay. $$
Orchard City Kitchen (The Pruneyard) 1875 S.
Bascom Ave., Suite 190, Campbell. 408/340-5285.
Led by Michelin-recognized Executive Chef Jeffrey
Stout, OCK offers inventive, seasonal dishes. $$
Parcel 104 (Santa Clara Marriot) 2700 Mission
College Blvd., Santa Clara. 408/ 970-6104. Seasonal
menu from acclaimed chefs Bradley Ogden
and Jonathan Hall combines freshness and sophistication.
$$$
Park Station Hashery, 1701 Park Ave, San Jose.
408/320-1711. Thanks to deep roots in the San
Jose culinary scene, this homey spot elevates the
neighborhood restaurant concept. $–$$
Paul Martin’s, Mountain View,
650/917-9941; San Mateo, 650/212-
7400. Wide-ranging selection of
tasty seafood, beef and poultry
dishes served in a relaxed, contemporary
setting. $$
Prime 109 Steak &
Libation House, 43968
Pacific Commons Blvd, Fremont,
510/544-0034; 4150
Great America Pkwy, Santa
Clara, 408/519-3119. With
craft cocktails and superlative
steaks, this eatery oozes old school
elegance and charm. $$$
Roots + Rye, 3055 Olin Ave., San Jose. 408/429-
2909. Buzzing with energy, this lively “new American”
restaurant specializes in handcrafted signature
cocktails and contemporary comfort cuisine. $$
Scratch, 401 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/237-
3132. This sleek eatery combines upscale American
comfort food with an impressive drinks menu. $$$
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops (Doubletree
Hotel), 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose. 408/437-
2170. Spencer’s delivers exquisite prime beef
dishes. $$$
Sundance The Steakhouse, 1921 El Camino
Real, Palo Alto. 650/321-6798. Since opening
its doors in 1974, this upscale, family-owned and
operated steakhouse has earned critical acclaim
as one of Palo Alto’s top dining destinations. Pair
selections from the nationally recognized wine
list with exclusively aged, prime graded steaks or
indulge in house specialty, slow-roasted prime rib,
THE GRAPEVINE
Nothing makes the holidays sparkle more than when you serve
and gift great wines to your friends and family. Nearby wineries are the perfect
places to find those bottles of cheer.
The Vanni family of Solis Winery (3920 Hecker Pass Highway,
Gilroy) is welcoming wine lovers to its Holiday Library Wine
Tasting from noon to 5 p.m., every weekend in December.
The winemakers handpick super premium award-winning
and limited-edition wines from the library cellar. Wines
produced from this century-old vineyard include Cabernet
Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Syrah and Chardonnay.
Featuring loads of holiday cheer is the Winter Bubble Walk
in downtown Campbell, 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12. Twenty
local wineries will be pouring tastes in locations throughout the
historic town decked out in glittering holiday decorations. Participating
wineries include Trecini, Wild Eye, Left Bend, Cinnabar, Testarossa and
Creekview Vineyards. Tickets are $38 in advance online (downtowncampbell.
com) and $45 the week of the event.
Spend a cozy weekend afternoon sipping wine and listening to live piano music
in the historic Redwood Tasting Room at Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards
(23600 Congress Springs Road, Saratoga). Flights include tastings of the vineyard’s
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and two Ports. Tastings are daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
music is 2 to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays.
Explore the complexity and beauty of Pinot Noir at a special event tasting
at Coterie Winery (885 W. Julian St., San Jose). Guests sit among
the barrels in this unique downtown location for a guided tasting, 6:30
p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17. Advance registration is required (coteriewinery.
com/events), and tickets include a bottle of Pinot to take home.
Paper or silicon? The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association
has gone digital with its popular passports. Physical paper passports
are still available for those who prefer analog, but the organization
now has a mobile app for use on Passport Celebration Days the third Saturday
of January, April, July and November. For just $65 a year, the passport (scmwa.
com) opens the doors to more than 50 wineries of the region for special
tastings. The app is free and is packed with information about wineries, wine
trails, events and even suggestions for dining and overnight stays. It’s a must
for local wine lovers. —Pam Marino
The Sea
Alexander’s
Steakhouse