DEALS ON MEALS 102 South Bay Accent I Gatti, 25 E. Main St., Los Gatos. 408/399-5180. Fine Italian dining in a comfortable setting; the cuisine pays tribute to various Italian regions and ranges from pizza to rack of lamb. $-$$ Il Postale, 100 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. 408/733-9600. This popular Italian-American bistro made a name for itself over the past 20 years at the old post office building in Sunnyvale. Now at its new location in the more spacious, remodeled Del Monte building on Murphy Avenue’s restaurant row, Il Postale has increased its capacity, added a bar-lounge that opens to an outdoor dining area and continues to offer the same generously portioned, authentic Italian cuisine and warm and friendly service it has been lauded for. And with the expansive new locale comes an upgraded menu, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as a full bar, a select wine list and, as always, a relaxing and memorable dining experience. $$ La Pastaia Restaurant (Hotel De Anza), 233 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose. 408/286-8686. Seasonal, contemporary Italian cuisine and award-winning wines served in an iconic setting. $$ Pasta Moon, 315 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650/726-5125. Charming eatery serves only local, sustainable ingredients, fresh from the first bite of focaccia to the last spoonful of an artisan dessert. $$ Ristorante Don Giovanni, 235 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/961-9749. Relaxed, atmosphere and large Italian menu ranges from charcoal broiled steaks to assorted pastas. $$ Tigelleria Organic Restaurant, 76 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell. 408/884-3808. Serving traditional Northern Italian dishes prepared organically. Also an extensive choice of a la carte antipasto. $$$ Vin Santo, 1346 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408/920- 2508. Authentic Italian pastas, meats and seafood dishes uniquely crafted and prepared to mouthwatering perfection. $$$ Vesta, 2022 Broadway, Redwood City. 650/362- 5052. Specializes in hand-crafted wood-fired pizzas, with traditional and contemporary toppings, as well as Italian-themed small plates. $ JAPANESE Akane, 250 Third St., Los Altos. 650/941-8150. Authentic Japanese cuisine featuring an extensive selection of sushi, sashimi and tasty beef, chicken and seafood dinner entrees. $$ Azuma Japanese Cuisine, 19645 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 408/257-4057. A Cupertino institution, the menu at this popular family-friendly restaurant offers something delicious that everyone will be able to enjoy. $$ Bluefin, 754 The Alameda, Suite 10, San Jose. 408/931-6875. Sushi, sashimi and more modern fare, with unique fish imported from Japan at the peak of its flavor. $$ Bushido, 156 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/ 386-6821. Offering Japanese izakaya dining, where people gather in a casual atmosphere to drink and enjoy small, unique plates. $$ Hachi Ju Hachi, 14480 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408/647-2258. Traditional Japanese cuisine featuring pure, simple, flavorful dishes. $$ Kappo Nami Nami, 240 Castro St., Mountain View. 650/ 964-6990. Cutting-edge, kappo-style Japanese cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients. $$ Katsu, 160 Main St., Los Gatos. 408/ 354-0712. Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine is carefully prepared with fresh, local ingredients. $$$ BEST BITES One of the perks of living in the South Bay’s metaphorical melting pot is the enticing collection of international spots available at your fingertips. Dine in for breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of these casual stops. In Santa Clara, understated Viva Taqueria (444 N. Winchester Blvd.) is a hidden South Bay gem. Lunch plates are served at bargain prices, under $10 for most meals, complete with fresh, all-you-can-eat chips on the side. The salsa bar offers a sampling of dips from mild to spicy, and while the California Burrito may be a statewide cliché, the French fry-filled dish is sure to delight. Inside is cozy but an outdoor seating area offers additional space on fair weather days. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m., it’s a great place to grab takeout for dinner, but if you ate there for lunch, you’ll likely already have leftovers. Shio Ramen, a salt-flavored Japanese noodle dish is a signature at Santouka (675 Saratoga Ave.) In fact, when Chef Hitoshi Hatanaka opened his first ramen shop in Japan, it was the only item on the menu. Available in San Jose’s Mitsuwa Marketplace, it offers an authentic take on ramen reminiscent of its roots as a Japanese street food. Other flavors are miso (soybean paste flavor), shoyu (soy sauce flavor) and tokusen toroniku (choice pork). The casual spot gets busy, so order your meal to go if you’re in a rush. Silly names like Speckled Hen and Midnight Caul are indicative of the fun, relaxed atmosphere offered at Oak & Rye (303 N. Santa Cruz Ave.) in Los Gatos, but the sophisticated edge and full bar take this Italian bistro to a new level. Wood-fired pies, small plates and signature cocktails make it the perfect location for brunch, lunch and dinner (and yes, they have breakfast pizzas); and while the ambiance feels laid-back, the fare is anything but your average takeout. If the menu doesn’t offer just the right combination for you, create your own from the available toppings. Whether you’re craving a classic dosa ($7.25), tandoori chicken ($10.99) or pahadi noodles ($8.50), Amber’s Café (600 W. El Camino Real) in Mountain View boasts quality Northern Indian cooking praised by the Zagat. Their lunch buffet is out of this world, filled with offerings from several regions. Don’t forget to add an order of garlic naan ($2.25) to your meal and finish it off with dessert—gajjar ka halwa ($4.75), malai kulfi ($5), gulab jamun ($4.75) or rasmalai ($4.75). — N.T. Sundance The Steakhouse Orchard City Kitchen
South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2015
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