BEST BITES
Alexander’s
Steakhouse
pork chops and a spicy tuna burger. $$
Madera, 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. 650/
561-1540. Signature restaurant of Rosewood Sand
Hill Hotel features wood-burning grill to produce
artful seafood and meats. $$$
Menlo Tavern, 100 El Camino Real Menlo Park.
650/330-2790. This warm and inviting neighborhood
tavern features classic American comfort
food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus highlight
96 South Bay Accent
regional and seasonal ingredients, and patio dining
makes the laid-back yet sophisticated space a
hit with aficionados on the weekend. The extensive
wine-by-the-glass, cocktail and craft brew selection
draws a lively tech-savvy after work and late-night
crowd. Locals network over cocktails, such as the
Mint Julep, harkening back to classics, along with
on-trend newcomers like the whimsically named
“Respect Your Professors.” This versatile new venue
is already a buzz-worthy local destination. $$
Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way, Moss
Beach. 650/728-5595. Historic tavern offers
breathtaking Pacific Ocean views and a menu of
all-natural meats, wild-caught seafood and organic
produce, along with select wines and cocktails. $$
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.
$$$
Paul Martin’s, Mountain View, 650/917-9941;
San Mateo, 650/212-7400. Wide-ranging selection
of tasty seafood, beef and poultry dishes served in a
relaxed, contemporary setting. $$
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, slowroasted
prime rib, in the candlelit
mahogany dining room. In
addition to the award-winning
beef, Sundance prides itself on
fresh, succulent seafood, jumbo
cold-water lobster tail, savory side
dishes and decadent desserts. You’ll
also enjoy the vintage sports lounge,
featuring an inviting fireplace and offering
a full dinner menu, handcrafted cocktails, local
micro beers and premium wines by the glass. $$
The Table, 1110 Willow St., San Jose. 408/638-
7911. Hot spot from Jim Stump, serving contemporary
American cuisine complemented by
hand-crafted cocktails and progressive wines. $$
Tessora’s Barra Di Vino, 234 E Campbell Ave.,
Campbell. 408/626-7711. An array of wines by the
glass, taste, flight along with craft brew and bites
make Tessora’s Barra Di Vino a local favorite. $
Umami Burger, 452 University Ave., Palo Alto.
650/321-8626. Specialty and classic burgers with
carefully crafted combinations of toppings. $$
The Van’s Restaurant, 815 Belmont Ave., Belmont.
650/591-6525. Hungry diners looking for a
THE GRAPEVINE
As summer slows down, winery special events and wine tastings get
busy. There’s lots of great entertainment paired with wine all over
the South Bay and close by. Sip and enjoy!
A great way to kick off summer weekends is at Fireside
Fridays at Big Basin Winery’s Boulder Creek Winery
and Estate Vineyard (830 Memory Lane, Boulder
Creek). Enjoy wine tasting at sunset by a cozy fire
from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., every Friday through the end
of October. Small artisan snacks are available, or bring
a picnic dinner. The third Friday of every month features
food from a local vendor and live music.
A perfect ending to weekends is with some cool music at the
Summer Jazz Series at Portola Vineyards (850 Los Trancos
Rd., Portola Valley). Concerts on June 9, 23 and July 14 feature
award-winning jazz groups and includes wine tasting. The winery opens at 5
p.m., music is from 6 to 8:30. Tickets available at portolavineyards.com.
Family-owned Nicholson Vineyards (2800 Pleasant Valley Rd., Aptos) is ringing
in the summer on Friday, June 28, with its Summer Series through Aug. 31. Every
Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., wine tasting is accompanied by live musical acts. Every
Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., different food trucks serve up delicious dishes.
And now for something completely different: Fortino Winery (4525 Hecker
Pass Highway, Gilroy) is hosting the Winery Comedy Tour, 7 to 9 p.m., Friday,
July 12. For less than the cost of a night at a comedy club guests will hear
nationally recognized comics and taste great Fortino wines. Tickets available
through fortinowinery.com.
The biggest, most popular event of the summer—the Los Altos Art
and Wine Festival—is back for it’s 40th year, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
July 12 and 13. Some of the festival’s favorite local wineries that
participate every year include Domenico Winery, Fernwood Cellars,
Naumann Vineyards and Page Mill Winery.
Spend a pleasant Saturday traveling through the redwoods for the
Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association Passport Day from
noon to 5 p.m., on July 20, at more than 30 wineries. Purchase a passport
through the website, scmwa.com, or better yet, download the association’s
handy app from iTunes or Google Play. —Pam Marino
Crow’s Nest