TASTE TRIPS 106 South Bay Accent CALIFORNIA Calafia Café, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 650/322-9200. Executive Chef Charlie Ayers offers diverse, organic dishes from pizzas and curries to Duck Adobo and Tofu Lentil Loaf. $$ California Cafe, 50 University Ave., Los Gatos. 408/354-8118. Wonderful fish, shellfish and innovative pastas served in a casual setting. $ Cascade Bar & Grill at Costanoa Resort, 2001 Rossi Road at Highway 1, Pescadero. 650/879-1100. The California coastal menu features sustainable, local seafood and fresh organic produce, served in a beautiful resort setting. $$ Cetrella, 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/726- 4090. 400 Main St., Los Altos. 650/948-0400. Upscale Mediterranean-Rim dining and California coastal cuisine with a variety of venue options— indoor, outdoor and private. $$$ Citrus (Hotel Valencia), 355 Santana Row, San Jose. 408/551-0010. Spanish influence is featured with the use of innovative spice rubs for delicious meat and seafood entrees. $$-$$$ Flea Street Cafe, 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park. 650/854-1226. An ever-changing menu of continental and California dishes. $$ The Lexington House, 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/354-1600. Unique Northern California dishes made with local, organic and sustainable ingredients. $$ Lure + Till (The Epiphany Hotel), 180 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/666-3320. Providing the seasonal flavors of the region using the freshest local ingredients served in a rustic, casual setting. $$-$$$ Parkside Grille, 884 Portola Road, Portola Valley. 650/529-9007. Tucked among the redwoods, this rustic but elegant restaurant serves up California comfort food with fresh local ingredients. $$ Quattro (Four Seasons Hotel), 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto, 650/470-2889. Well-prepared California cuisine with an Italian twist. $$$ Tarragon, 140 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/ 737-8003. In the capable hands of Executive Chef Gerado Moreno, Tarragon impresses diners with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced dishes that emphasize farm-fresh, organic and sustainable ingredients, from a delectable rosemary-rubbed pork tenderloin to sumptuous organic chicken penne pasta. Guests enjoy watching culinary creations prepared in an exhibition kitchen featuring a wood-burning oven and a mesquite grill, both of which enhance the restaurant’s warm and inviting atmosphere. Located in the heart of downtown Sunnyvale, the familyowned restaurant, in its 17th year, offers a banquet room for private dining for up to 300 people, featuring a full bar, dance floor and patio. $-$$ 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. $-$$ Verge (Toll House Hotel), 140 South Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/884-1054. California-at-heart cuisine featuring a fresh and unique combination of cultural regions and styles of preparation. $$-$$$ Village Pub, 2967 Woodside Road, Woodside. 650/851-9888. Local favorite features a gorgeous interior and a menu that shows a serious devotion to meat dishes. $$$ 200 DINING HOT SPOTS One of the most beautiful day trips outside of the South Bay is just over the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, and the food at 2016 Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated restaurants there rises to the level of the fantastic view. Sausalito’s beloved sushi spot—and one of the best in Northern California—is Sushi Ran (107 Caledonia St.). Now in its 40th year, this top-ranked restaurant features fresh fish from the region, as well as hand-picked selections direct from the Tsukiji market in Tokyo. Highly respected restaurateur Yoshi Tome’s vision of blending Japanese and Pacific cuisine in new and inventive ways while using quality seasonal ingredients continues to delight patrons. Besides innovative sushi, the menu also includes delectable lamb, beef and vegetarian entrees. Sushi Ran also offers one of the most tempting wine and sake menus in Northern California. Le Garage (85 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 109) is a French bistro ensconced in what looks like exactly what the name says, a garage. But there the comparison ends. This is a bright and shiny eatery that serves simple, fresh and delicious French bistro-style food. For lunch, enjoy a grilled-to-perfection bavette (or flank) steak with crispy Kennebec French fries, or P.E.I Mussels Au Bleu, prepared with crème fraiche and Roquefort. Dinner features more mussel dishes, scallops, duck confit with French lentils, and a classic roasted chicken with polenta. The wine list includes a bevy of both French and American selections. And, oh yes, leave room for one of Le Garage’s exquisite French desserts. Transport yourself to northern Italy at Poggio Trattoria (777 Bridgeway), a classic Italian eatery that features local seasonal ingredients, including herbs and vegetables grown on site. The décor is reflective of a rustic, yet sophisticated restaurant, with an open kitchen, terracotta floors, marble accents and mahogany arches. What sets Poggio above the rest are the house-made pasta, prosciutto and burrata. The wood oven, rotisserie and grill produce succulent fish, chicken and other meats, along with authentic Italian pizza. Other restaurants in Marin County singled out for Michelin’s Bib Gourmand honors this year include Brick and Bottle in Corte Madera, Sir and Star in Olema and two notables in San Anselmo, Insalata’s and Marinitas. A lively neighborhood spot, Brick and Bottle dishes up California cuisine to go along with its reputation for the best happy hour in the county. In the historic Olema Inn, Sir and Star entices diners with an imaginative menu created from regional ingredients. Insalata’s serves tasty Mediterranean-inspired food—fattoush salads, grilled eggplant and chicken meatballs—that succeeds in being both healthful and flavorful. And Marinitas is focused on Mexican and Latin American cuisine, right down to the silver and gold liquors of Central and South America. — Pam Marino John Bentley’s The Basin
South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above