201 growing passion for creating a fresh and innovative dining experience. The casual, upscale restaurant combines high-quality, fresh ingredients, refined preparation techniques and an inviting atmosphere where guests are considered part of the recipe. Martinez’s no-nonsense approach produces savory meat and seafood dishes such as filete de res con hueso, a bone-in filet mignon, pechuga de pato, seared duck breast and arroz con mariscos, a shellfish combination with rice. The restaurant also offers an array of small bites, or tapas, and an extensive selection of wine, beer and signature cocktails. $$ MEDITERRANEAN Arya Global Cuisine, Cupertino, 408/996-9606; Redwood City, 650/367-4939. Enjoy Mediterranean, Italian and Persian tastes as well as belly dancing on weekends. $$ Cin-Cin Wine Bar and Restaurant, 368 Village Lane, Los Gatos. 408/354-8006. Tastefully appointed bistro offers a creative menu of bold flavors using organic and sustainable ingredients. $$ La Fontana (Hilton Santa Clara), 4949 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. 408/330-0001. Chef Angelo Konidis has created an array of original Mediterranean Riviera culinary selections. $$$ Mizu, 1035 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose. 408/ 260-7200. Sushi bar and grill features fusion menu including Korean barbecue. $$ Odeum, 17500 Depot St., Morgan Hill. 408/782-5151. Combines Greek and Roman cuisine with Spanish influences served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. $$$ Olio, 384 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell. 408/378- 0335. With flavors from all across the Mediterranean, this stylish spot features an open kitchen and bar with hard-to-find wines. $$ Thea Mediterranean, 3090 Olsen Drive, San Jose. 408/260-1444. Sophisticated and stylish, the Greek and Turkish cuisine is heavenly. $$ MEXICAN Agave, 194 Castro St., Mountain View, 650/969- 6767. Traditional Mexican flavors from old family recipes blend with health-conscious, Californiastyle of cooking. $$ Andale, 6 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. 408/395- 4244. Mexican meets Southwestern, featuring mesquite-grilled meats and fresh salsas. $ Aqui Cal-Mex Grill, 1145 Lincoln Ave. (in Willow Glen), San Jose; downtown Campbell. 408/995-0381. Innovative Mexican cuisine, great prices and amusing art. $ Casa de Cobre, 14560 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/867-1639. Opened in April 2009 just two doors down from sister restaurant The Basin, Casa de Cobre puts a fresh spin on authentic Mexican cuisine. No cheesy, gloppy enchiladas here; instead dishes are created from sustainable fish, chemical- and hormone-free meats and organic ingredients. Set in an old Saratoga home refitted with beautiful Mexican tiles and splashes of color everywhere, house specialties include chile rellenos, chivo (goat) taquitos and suckling pig carnitas. Even the guacamole and chips are made fresh to order. Guests may want to sit at the restaurant’s bar or at the outdoor patio and enjoy a Purist. This signature drink consists of fresh-squeezed Mexican limes, agave nectar and reposado tequila. $ Ciano’s, 280 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell. 408/871- 1939. Unique, flavorful Latin cuisine with wideranging Central and South American influences. $$ Consuelo Mexican Bistro, 377 Santana Row, San Jose. 408/260-7082. Authentic flavors of old Mexico are thoughtfully blended in creative dishes that are served tapas style. $$ Milagros Cantina, 1099 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. 650/369-4730. Showcasing fresh seafood, authentic Mexican cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails made with organic juices. $ BEST BITES DEALS ON MEALS Cooler weather brings out the heartier appetite, and a reasonably priced plate of warm, nourishing food always hits the spot. The homemade, hand-held savory pies from Top Nosh Café (1167 Lincoln Ave., San Jose) are a perfect match for autumn’s brisk temperatures. A cheerful eatery in Willow Glen, this is the storefront for an owner whose little pies first debuted to raves at local farmers markets. Visitors choose from some 10 fillings pocketed within flaky, delicious crust. The fillings reflect flavors from several cuisines and are priced below $6. Try one with free-range chicken, yams and coconut curry (“to Thai for”) or with wild mushrooms and Gruyère cheese (“wild and woodsy”). If all you really crave is a good old-fashioned American hamburger, head to Classic Burger of Los Gatos (15737 Los Gatos Blvd.), a no-frills joint that satisfies a hunger for both red meat and nostalgia. Along with a tempting selection of burgers, this spot offers old-fashioned, soft-serve ice cream (you can get it dipped in a chocolate shell), an impressive array of milkshakes—peanut butter is especially good—and terrific fries that stay crispy throughout the meal. The bacon cheeseburger is scrumptious, but if it results in too much guilt, there are turkey and veggie burgers, too. A more modern, upscale-but-still-affordable version of the good ol’ hamburger can be found in Palo Alto at Sliderbar (324 University Ave.). Here, the all-natural, palm-sized beef patties are from Nimen Ranch and a basic version has gem lettuce, tomatoes, house-made pickles and secret sauce on an artisan bun. You can buy two for $7; three for $10.50. The place also serves veggie, chicken and pork sliders, along with salads and desserts. In keeping with its contemporary take on comfort food, Sliderbar’s selection of side dishes includes Belgian garlic fries and truffle fries. And here’s something for fish-lovers: Orale Mex Grill (1750 Winchester Blvd., Campbell), an unassuming spot that’s been rocking the fish taco for the past five years. Take your pick of six fresh choices—from salmon and red snapper to breaded halibut and Chilean sea bass—add grilled bell peppers, onion, avocado, cabbage and orange sauce and you’ve got a piece of paradise for $3.50. There’s more on the menu, including great burritos and other classic Mexican dishes, but Orale’s yummy fish tacos are not to be missed. — D.K. Rasam’s LV Mar 102 South Bay Accent
South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2014
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