BEST BITES BARGAIN BITES With diners demanding more light and healthy meals, there’s a huge spike in the type of restaurant Chipotle popularized: buildyour own salads and bowls. Not only does this mean more choices for customers, it can also mean great value for the price. Vn Grill (1085 E. Brokaw Road., Suite 20, San Jose) takes its cue from traditional Asian street food served in a modern and healthy way. The owners use naturally raised meats with no added hormones, and local organic produce. Choose white or brown rice, rice Sundance The Steakhouse noodles or greens, then top with the protein of your choice, veggies and herbs, and up to two sauces. Vn Grill also serves a Banh Mi Taco, a pork slider and signature drinks like Vietnamese-style iced coffee. Riding the popularity wave of healthy power foods is Bowl of Heaven (1040 Grant Road, Suite 300, Mountain View). The bowls offered are inspired by the Acai sorbet bowls found in Hawaii, using all sorts of good-for-you exotic fruits. The best part: It’s like having ice cream for your meal, but it’s a 102 South Bay Accent healthier frozen version. The Acai sorbet is artfully topped with different fruits, and others like granola or coconut. The Almond Butter Bowl comes with chocolate almond milk, 11 grams of chocolate protein, strawberries, bananas and pitaya, a type of cactus also known as Dragon Fruit. Srasa Kitchen (225 E. Middlefield Road, Suite 2, Mountain View) features combination bowls inspired by the flavors of South East Asia. Build your own bowl, or choose from “Inspired Bowls,” like the Seoul: Jasimine white rice, grilled beef short-ribs, veggies and a soft-boiled egg, topped with a soy-ginger vinaigrette. The Bangkok includes brown rice, lemongrass chicken, veggies, red curry, papaya salad, thai chiles and crushed peanuts. One of the best values for salad in the South Bay is longtime favorite Pluto’s (482 University Ave., Palo Alto, and 3055 Olin Ave., Santana Row, San Jose). For less than $10 diners get to create their own heaping salads, choosing from a wide array of tasty veggies, fruits and nuts. Choose up to seven toppings; premium toppings like hardboiled eggs are a little more. You can also top the salads with grilled chicken or beef, roasted turkey, or grilled Portobello mushrooms for an additional price. Pluto’s serves sandwiches made to order, and side dishes like mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, mac and cheese, fries and more. —Pam Marino 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. $ Noelani Bar and Grill. 1037 Laurel St., San Carlos. 650/394-8169. This entertaining islandstyle eatery is a warm, welcoming spot in which to enjoy live music, tropical cocktails and handcrafted home cooking infused with vibrant flavors. Drawing from the melting-pot cultures of the Hawaiian isles with hints of California cuisine, the menu features updated mash-ups of luau classics such as kalua pig (slow-roasted pork) quesadillas, shoyu chicken and poke nachos. The beautifully appointed lanai is a popular gathering spot for groups to share family friendly fare including platters of pupus (appetizers) and island favorites like saimin bowls, loco moco and the signature hurricane fries tossed with sriracha and wasabi. $$ INDIAN Amber India Restaurant, Santana Row 408/248-5400; Los Altos 650/968-7511; Palo Alto 650/329-9644; Mountain View 650/968- 1751. Exquisite presentations and the food is perfectly spiced. $$ Darbar Indian Cuisine, 129 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto. 650/321- 6688. The tandoori grill here is outstanding, as are the chicken and lamb specialties. $ Shiva’s Indian Restaurant & Bar, Castro and California streets, Mountain View. 650/960- 3802. Enjoy authentic North Indian cuisine served in an exotic yet casual atmosphere. $$ INTERNATIONAL Arya Steakhouse, 885 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, 650/367-4939. Under the direction of Executive Chef Mike Hashemi, this eclectic establishment blends Italian flavors with Persian and other Asian influences to create a uniquely global epicurean experience. A modern incarnation of a steakhouse, Arya serves a crowd-pleasing variety of options ranging from signature steaks to fresh pastas to masterfully sliced sashimi. Popular picks include Fesenjoon, a pomegranate walnut stew with chicken, Seafood Paella with Argentinian prawns and Kebabs crafted of chicken, lamb, fish or beef accompanied by saffron infused basmati rice. Modern, white-tablecloth décor lets the vibrant dishes take center stage and on weekends this entertaining eatery is brought to life by live musicians and belly dancers. $$$ Kumino, 580 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View. 650/964-3300. This casual setting for creative cuisine and fusion fare is a must-do destination for frugal foodies. $ ITALIAN Bella Saratoga, 14503 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/741-5115. Wonderful Italian dishes such as salmon ravioli and eggplant parmigiana. Charming outdoor seating available. $$ Café Pro Bono, 2437 Birch St., Palo Alto. 650/ 326- 1626. A local favorite for years, Café Pro Bono offers an elaborate dining experience in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Dinner choices are seemingly endless, from classic Italian pasta dishes such as spaghetti with Bolognese sauce and organic lemon linguine and clams to creatively prepared Mediterranean entrees such as Greek chicken smothered in fresh oregano sauce or Niman range filet mignon with a green peppercorn brandy sauce. These savory meals are complemented by select fine wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and, of course, Italy. To top it all off, dessert offerings include Tiramisu, gelato or a decadent chocolate cake. The restaurant also has a full bar and two banquet rooms available for private events seating anywhere from 10 to 50 people. $$ Carpaccio, 1120 Crane St., Menlo Park. 650/ 322- 1211. This popular neighborhood trattoria has become an Italian institution. $$ Centonove, 109 W. Main St., Los Gatos. 408/384- 4007. Italian-style café specializing in wood-fired pizzas and a wide range of housemade pastas. $$ Enoteca La Storia, 416 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/ 625-7272. Italian wine bar featuring traditional small plates along with an extensive selection of fine wines. $$ Roots & Rye
South Bay Accent - June/July 2017
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