Town is a great neighborhood restaurant that offers up the freshest in produce, seafood and meat and strives to be as seasonal in their dishes as possible. Their menu is filled with interesting and delicious choices that includes many steak cut options Savor their Drunken Bourbon Filet Tips, Filet Mignon Sliders, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp and the much talked about Warm Napa Cabbage Salad for those veggie lovers. The ambiance is chic but cozy with a large open bar in the center. Their staff is knowledgeable and will gladly share their opinions on the extensive wine list that features mostly local wines along with Washington and Oregon vineyards.
You'll feel welcome from the moment you enter Back A Yard, which brings island-style hospitality and home cooking to Menlo Park. It's quickly become a local favorite, and for good reason: the prices are affordable and the delicious portions are generous. Offerings include their famous 'corn festivals' (deep fried cornbread), fried plantains and jerk chicken. You'll also find some unexpected choices here, like the oxtails, jerk tofu, curry goat and even cheeseburgers for less adventurous eaters.
If you're a beer lover, you'll be easily 'gravitated' towards Original Gravity in Downtown San Jose. This one's a speakeasy-type with several draft and cask-crafted beers on offer. The drink list here features an eclectic range of brews from all over the States - Oregon, California, Florida, Utah, and some international offerings from Belgium like the Pannepot 2014. Apart from these regular a la cart brews, guest beers keep making appearances, every few months. To complement your flavorsome pint, there's a menu full of pub classics with gourmet twists, with dishes such as bierwurst, lemon chicken and andouille, to name a few. The vibe at Original Gravity is relaxed and friendly, a theme that's reflected in the service too. Drop in for a refreshing pint along with some tasty bites.
Bored of your daily staple food? Head to the Oren’s Hummus Shop for a lavish Israeli platter. This establishment is the brainchild of Oren Dobronsky, who already has four successful ventures in the valley. Oren and his wife, felt the need to serve authentic Israeli cuisine, right here in Palo Alto, and hence they started this venture. In a bid, to provide authentic dishes to its patrons, the owners source their supplies from Israel. Oren’s Hummus Shop offers delectable varieties that are elaborately prepared and aesthetically presented. It prides itself in cooking food sans any artificial ingredients and adopting eco-friendly practices at their restaurant. That's not it, the hummus shop also offers catering packages for small and large groups. Call for details.
The Wine Room is literally as its name suggests: a dining space resembling the drawing room of a house rather than an establishment with a traditional bar counter. It is situated in a one-story house with a flat red roof and a bright outdoor lamp at its entrance, exuding a rustic charm. Inside there are sofas in red and cream hues with quirky patterns, mantelpieces with vases, black couches, and whimsical decor that adds a rather Asian glamor to the place. The idea is to taste globe-spanning wines in the way one wishes to, without worrying about critical reviews, the preferences of wine connoisseurs and the price of the bottle. Guests can sip wine such as Pinot Grigio, Rhône Blend, Riesling Spätlese, Tempranillo, Merlot and J Vineyards. The bar also serves a selection of tapas platters like Marinated Olives and wine-infused desserts. For the best experience, join the Wine Club and check their website for regular events. This lounge also host engagements, birthdays, theme parties, business functions and wedding receptions.
Paper Plane boasts of a selection of barrel-aged, craft cocktails, punches and wine. Sparkling and colorful bottles of wine and spirits are laid on counters resting against a bare, red-bricked wall. Start off with light bar snacks such as Chicken Wings, Artichoke Mac and Cheese, Popcorn with basil and brown butter, Pickle Plate and Chicken and Waffle Slider. Go on to sip novel and classic cocktails like the gin-infused Vernal Equinox with Yellow Chartreuse, the fruity Royal Hawaiian and the vodka-based Breakfast Bloody Mary. Guests can also order a selection of beer sourced from local breweries and sparkling, red and white wine. Do not miss their specialty bread pudding named The Paper Plane for dessert.