BEST BITES
100 South Bay Accent
CONTINENTAL
Alexander’s Steakhouse, 19379 Stevens Creek
Blvd., Cupertino. 408/446-2222. A luxury destination
for globally sourced beef and innovative
dishes, Alexander’s has redefined the traditional
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, award-winning 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. Features a world-class wine selection
and seasonal dishes, this Cal-French restaurant
combines Californian and Southern cuisine. $$$
FRENCH
Baumé, 201 S. California Ave., Palo Alto. 650/328-
8899. New venture from the Michelin-starred chef
Bruno Chemel. $$$
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. $$$
Melting Pot, 1 Transit Center Way, San Mateo.
650/342-6358. Fondue spot features four flavorful
cooking styles. Save space for the chocolate
fondue. $$
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. $$
Wursthall, 310 Baldwin Ave., San Mateo.
650/931-4282. Led by James Beard Award-winning
Chef Kenji López-Alt, this gourmet bierhaus
serves handcrafted pretzels, schnitzel, sauerkraut
and other German delicacies. $$
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
Hukilau, 230 Jackson St., San Jose,
408/279-4888. Hawaii’s greatest
culinary hits, including pupu
platters and macadamiainfused
dishes, round out
the menu of this tropical
hotspot. $$
Ray’s Hawaiian
BBQ, Laurelwood
Shopping Center,
1330 W. Hillsdale
Blvd., San Mateo.
650/212-0002. Classic
Hawaiian dishes keep
this casual eatery packed
with locals. $
INDIAN
Amber India Restaurant, Santana
Row 408/248-5400; Los Altos
650/968-7511; Palo Alto 650/329-9644;
Mountain View 650/968-1751. Exquisite presentations
and the food is perfectly spiced. $$
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 out-
Since 1947, Shadowbrook has delighted diners
who come for special occasions or just to enjoy a
fine meal in an atmosphere of Old World charm
and grace. $$–$$$
Sun of Wolf, 406 California Ave, Palo Alto.
650/325-8888. Serving a variety of dishes with
Californian-Mexican influences, this eclectic eatery’s
vibrant atmosphere is as lively as the flavors
on the menu. $$
31st Union, 5 S. Ellsworth Avenue,
San Mateo. 650/458-0049. A
popular locavore eatery featuring
artisanal California food
and drink with seasonally
changing plates. $–$$
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. $$$
Verge (Toll House Hotel), 140 South
Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/884-
1054. California-at-heart cuisine featuring a fresh
and unique combination of cultural regions and
styles of preparation. $$–$$$
Viva, 15970 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos. 408/356-
4902. Upscale neighborhood eatery fuses diverse
California and Mediterranean cuisine with comfortable
family-style dining. $$
CAMBODIAN
Chez Sovan, 2425 South Bascom Ave., Campbell.
408/371-7711. This authentic, delicious food will
make you a permanent convert! Among favorites is
the popular Cambodian dish Amok. $$
CARIBBEAN/CUBAN
Cha Cha Cha Cuba, 112 S. B St., San Mateo.
650/347-2900. Authentic, zesty Cuban flavors are
served up in a vibrant, friendly space. $$
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar, 642
Ramona St., Palo Alto. 650/329-9533. Tropical
cocktails, music and authentic Caribbean dishes
quickly get diners in the island mood. $$
La Bodeguita del Medio, 463 California Ave.,
Palo Alto. 650/326-7762. Enjoy coastal cuisine
enhanced with flavorful Cuban influences and fantastic
fish! $–$$
CHINESE
Chef Chu’s, 1067 North San Antonio Road, Los
Altos. 650/948-2696. Savor great food at this popular
restaurant, such as the outstanding signature
minced shrimp in lettuce cups. $$
Din Tai Fung, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. (Westfield
Valley Fair), Santa Clara. With its ultra-chic
interior and shareable plates, South Bay’s hottest
dumpling house is a first-date destination. $$
Fey, 1368 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 650/324-
8888. An expansive selection of traditional Chinese
favorites as well as specialties featuring beef,
lamb, chicken, duck and seafood. $–$$
Royal Feast, 148 El Camino Real, Millbrae.
650/692-3388. Led by award-winning Chef Zongyi
Liu, this hidden gem serves Sichuan recipes and
“Aristocratic Cuisine,” featuring such delicacies as
abalone, eel and sea cucumber. $$
Sino, 377 Santana Row, San Jose. 408/247-8880.
Lunch specialties include dim sum and a la carte
dishes. The dinner menu offers contemporary Chinese
regional cuisines. $$$
The Counter
Shadowbrook