As you approach Vino Locale, you are transported into a delightful world that blends the charm of a fairy tale land and the Victorian age. Nestled in an old Victorian building, surrounded by bushes, shrubberies and flowering plants, this wine bar is a charming place to enjoy a candlelight dinner. Its garden dining even surpasses the dining room, replete with archways of crawling creepers, round tables covered with white cloths and pink flowers blossoming all around. This bar boasts of a selection of highly-local wines sourced from the wineries of Santa Cruz Mountains and the counties of Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Alameda. The wine list includes Feels Like Summer, Spring Fling, Love in the Secret Garden and Smooth and Sexy Reds. On some nights, musicians treat guests to the melodies of flamenco, jazz, bluegrass, folk and classical guitar music. Once a month, this restaurant also hosts a reception to showcase a selected local artists' work. If you dream of hosting your party under the stars, surrounded by nature, do hire this bar for your next function.
Downtown Palo Alto is the setting for Nola's. The menu consists of Creole Cajun cuisine in an enchanting building with romantic balconies. The New Orleans touch is evident in the Southern-style of cooking. Seafood gumbo or alligator and crawfish dumplings are classics that customers crave. They also offer etouffe - something every New Orleans person living in California will order. Their cocktail, The Hurricane comes highly recommended but beware because it is not for the faint hearted! Also, the room is filled with couched and HD TVs making Nola a great sport to enjoy games while sipping on strong cocktails.
Coupa Cafe is the first outlet in the United States by the Arabic Coffee company. Famous for its hand-picked, 100 percent Arabic beans, this Venezuelan company has managed to generate a loyal following in the city.They also serve French pastries, crepes, salads, panini, beer and wine to enhance the flavor of its branded coffee. Their service is excellent they can create beautiful latte art.
This excellent and cozy British-style pub called Rose and Crown Pub offers award-winning fish and chips, along with an impressive selection of draft beers from Britain and elsewhere. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is totally casual. You can cram into the bar at night with the mixed crowd of British expatriates and Anglophiles and play darts or relax on the patio outside. Rotating kitchen specials have included hard cider pork chops, perfect with a pint of Guinness. Please check their website for updates on their regular events.
Dominating the culinary scene in Bay Area, this dining establishment is a favorite destination when its comes to seafood. Its culinary team led by Chef Yu Min Lin presents an elegant and modern fusion of Japanese flavors and contemporary cooking styles. The upscale and modern decor with its understated tones is pleasing and relaxing, making it ideal for a romantic meal or business luncheon. No efforts are spared by the chefs or serving team to make this dining experience a special and unique one. Its menu is as elaborate and lavish as its ambiance and boasts of appetizers like Hamachi Shots, Mini Crab Cakes; while entrees feature Crispy Mero, Lobster Risotto and other delicacies. You can wind up your meal with exotic desserts or a glass of wine that perfectly complements the menu. If you are impressed with The Sea, it can also be hired for private dining as well as events.
La Bodeguita del Medio brings authentic Cuban flavor and flair to Palo Alto - its other location - the original, is in Havana, Cuba. The restaurant features Cuban favorites for lunch and dinner such as arroz con pollo (chicken and rice with plantains) and seafood paella. Salads, vegetarian dishes, Cuban pulled pork sandwiches, plantain chips and several types of seafood are also available. The bar features a full cocktail menu, one of the largest selections of rum available, an extensive wine list, and Cuban beers that are not available anywhere else in the area. A traditional Cuban meal finishes with a cigar, glass of rum and dessert: after dinner guests are welcome to choose a cigar from the walk-in humidor and take their cigars and drinks into the indoor cigar divan (lounge) or outdoor patio.
If you are fond of flavorful meats, than Sarah's Latin Taste commands your attention. They serve appetizing meat options in a food truck. The meats are freshly prepared with unique blend of spices and seasonings. When visiting here you can expect a decent service and a great selection of meals. When rushing late for your work, you can also opt for takeaway service or get your favorite meals delivered to your doorstep.
A Slice of New York is a pizza specialty restaurant with branches in San Jose and Sunnyvale. Here, you can create your own pizza by selecting a base, cheese and toppings. However, if you choose to go for their pre-created delights, their menu offers a good selection that includes Sutton Place with fresh mushrooms, Coney Island topped with pineapple and Canadian bacon, and Times Square, a blend of onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, garlic and olives. The pizzas are complemented by Italian desserts such as Tiramisu as well as cake platters. This restaurant offers plenty of options for vegetarians too.
Don't let the long lines snaking around Freshly Baked Eatery on the 3rd Street, deter you from eating here. The lines move quickly and the offerings here are fresh, healthy and not to mention, delicious! The menu here features classic subway sandwiches with cold cuts, fresh veggies and a range of dressings, sandwiched between their signature, freshly baked sourdough bread; the result is quite scrumptious. Between a friendly service and drool-worthy, healthy food offered for a fair price, Freshly Baked Sandwiches leaves no room for complaints.
Since its inception in 2012, Vesta is well known for its variety of wood fired pizzas and tapas. The menu is quite diverse and has plentiful options to choose from- the pizzas are topped with a slew of delicacies like Italian sausage, mascarpone, pecorino, mozzarella, German butterballs and so on. The tapas is packed with delectable flavors, right seasoning and fresh produce. Save some space for the desserts and try their sinful Affogato. The drinks menu is pretty impressive as well- patrons are spoilt for choice with a plethora of beers, premium wines and non-alcoholic beverages on the menu. The restaurant is pretty affordable and everything is priced in a way that you won't settle for just one order. The decor is beautiful and they also have an attractive patio area for airy summer dining.
Philz Coffee offers several blends of coffee, with a blend to match anyone's taste. Many blends are dark and bold and are sure to wake you up in the morning. For those looking for something more exciting than plain drip coffee, the mint mojito iced coffee is a unique drink that is particularly popular during the summer months. Tip- place your order with the barista, then pay at the register.
Fambrini's is an informal lunch spot popular with local office workers that is truly a hidden gem. Located above Bank of America, order your sandwiches, soup and salads at the counter and enjoy them on their outdoor rooftop terrace. On weekends, this is a perfect spot for a wholesome breakfast or lunch with family and friends. Especially on a sunny day the place is like summer on your plate. Their portions are quite generous and the prices are very reasonable. Be sure to try their tri-tip sandwich. When in Palo Alto a visit to Fambrini's Terrace Cafe is a must!