410 Sa ratoga Avenue, San Jos e 408.296.3730 www.lepapillon.com PM Page 2 papillon 90 South Bay Accent Le Papillon, 410 Saratoga Ave., San Jose. 408/296-3730. Now in its 38th year of delighting Bay Area diners, Le Papillon is renowned for serving fine cuisine in an elegant setting. Within a charming, newly remodeled interior, Executive Chef Scott Cooper offers flawlessly prepared, three- and four-course prix fixe menus, as well as a sevencourse tasting menu. Cooper’s artistically presented dishes are inspired by modern French cuisine and paired with fine wines from a list of more than 500 entries. Top-quality ingredients are fresh, seasonal and sourced from local purveyors. The restaurant now offers intimate patio dining for guests, who may choose from several menu options, including an extensive array of a la carte items. From its private dining areas to its superb catering, each facet of this award-winning restaurant is designed to achieve the highest level of excellence. $$$ Left Bank, Menlo Park. 650/473-6543; San Jose. 408/984- 3500. Popular eatery features contemporary French cuisine and a variety of seafood prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. $$$ Melting Pot, 2 N. B St., 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. $$ The Plumed Horse, 14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/867-4711. This 2011 Michelinstarred restaurant delivers contemporary, seasonal California cuisine based on solid French techniques. $$$ Restaurant Sent Sovi, 14583 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/867-3110. Stylish French-California bistro relies on natural ingredients to create seasonal cuisine in a charming setting. $$$ White Shallot, 3143 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose. 408/246-5251. Serving traditional French and Vietnamese menu items including ratatouille and lemongrass tofu. $$ Zola, 565 Bryant St., Palo Alto. 650/521-0651. Seasonal French cuisine featuring regionally sourced meats and produce complemented by a wide selection of French and California wines. $$-$$$ GREEK Dio Deka (in Hotel Los Gatos), 210 E. Main St., Los Gatos. 408/354-7700. Authentic Hellenic cuisine served in a relaxing setting. $$ Evvia Estiatorio, 420 Emerson St., Palo Alto. 650/326-0983. Evvia offers a lighter approach to traditional dishes. Family-style dining; open spit for roasting lamb. $$ 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!, Campbell, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Willow Glen. 408/399-7417. Authentic Greek dishes BEST BITES TASTE TRIPS As if there weren’t enough reasons to hop up to the famous Napa Valley to savor a luscious cabernet or two, the latest Michelin Guide has called out no less than 13 restaurants in this 5-mile-wide valley that are worthy of a visit by discriminating diners. Half the three-star eateries in the entire Bay Area reside in Napa Valley, which says something about how serious chefs have gravitated to wine country in recent years. There’s the renowned French Laundry (6640 Washington St., Yountville), of course, which has made chef Thomas Keller synonymous with unforgettable dining. But the Restaurant at Meadowood (900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena) has been getting equal Michelin marks since former South Bay chef Christopher Kostow took the helm. The dining experience at these two fine restaurants is worth the considerable effort to acquire reservations. Napa Valley boasts four Michelin one-star restaurants, which is impressive for such a petite county. Gorgeous Auberge du Soleil (180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford) gives guests an eagle-eye view of the valley while they munch on exquisite new American cuisine like cabernet-braised short ribs. La Toque (1314 McKinstry St., Napa) has raised its game via a modern, beautifully plated menu with dishes such as luscious North Coast seafood stew while SolBar (755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga)—located in a chichi resort spa—has lightened-up food choices along with fresh, contemporary items like wonderfully spiced mushroom and vegetable Moroccan pie. Meanwhile, Terra (1345 Railroad Ave., St. Helena), with its lovely stone-walled dining room, is famous for inventive, Asian-fusion creations such as sake-marinated black cod. The “Bib Gourmand” rankings from Michelin —“favorites for good value”—include seven Napa-area eateries. There’s eco-friendly taqueria C Casa (610 First St., Napa) for tasty quick bites in innovative preparations. Visitors can savor classic French cuisine at cozy Bistro Jeanty (6510 Washington St., Yountville) from respected chef Philippe Jeanty, who has a long Napa Valley track record. The globally inspired menu at Grace’s Table (1400 Second St., Napa) delivers charm and friendliness while a trio of other spots demonstrate the enduring popularity of Italian cuisine. Cook St. Helena (1310 Main St., St. Helena) prepares locally sourced Northern Italian dishes, and the valley boasts two artisanal pizza joints that get high marks. Industrial-chic Oenotri (1425 First St., Napa) offers salumi and Southern Italian fare along with fine pizza while stylish Redd Wood (6755 Washington St., Yountville) also prepares handmade pasta as well as seasonal small plates and other items served throughout the day and night. Finally, The Farmer & the Fox (3111 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena), a European-inspired gastropub, offers British fare with a California spin in a lovely space. —S.H. C A T E R I N G Le Papillon Sundance the Steakhouse
South Bay Accent - Jun/Jul 2015
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