Santa Clara County Restaurants

TusCA

Address: 5101 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054
TusCA
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TusCA offers a blend of costal Italian cuisine with seasonal local California ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this Santa Clara restaurant is suitable for any special occasion. Begin a meal with a selection from the Antipasti menu, featuring fresh vegetables, local and Tuscan cheeses, and cured meats. Signature dishes include Brick Oven Pizzas, Olive Oil Poached Castroville Artichokes, Grilled Veal Loin, and homemade Gelato. The extensive wine list offers over 40 international and local varietals. For a satisfying breakfast, choose from options such as the Tuscan Benedict, with shaved Prosciutto ham, heirloom tomato, and basil hollandaise sauce, or …

Sawa Sushi

Address: 1042 East El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Sawa Sushi
$$$$
Unlike other sushi places that offer generic imitation rolls, Sawa Sushi goes above and beyond all expectations. Nestled in a strip mall, the exterior features a sparten décor. However, once diners walk inside, they find themselves lost in an in-depth exploration of seafood and sake. Named one of Forbes Top 100 U.S. restaurants, Sawa Sushi prides itself on practicing “Omakase” or “trust the chef” service. Head chef Steve creates a selection of sushi focusing solely on high-end ingredients and presentation exclusively for each table. Highlights include Steamed Monkfish Liver, Uni, and Salmon Sashimi, in addition to non-seafood options such as …

Rok Stone-Age Fondue & Steakhouse

Address: 124 South Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Rok Stone-Age Fondue & Steakhouse
$$$
Rok Stone-Age Fondue and Steakhouse in downtown Sunnyvale offers a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. Premium entreés and sandwiches are served on slabs of hot volcanic rock for a meal that is sizzling and steaming as it arrives. Each dish is cooked fat-free with pure Himalayan crystalline salts. Entreés include Pork Tenderloin, Buffalo and Ahi Tuna, along with much more. Rok is also known for its delectable fondue selections that feature various cheese and chocolate options. California Dreamin’ is a popular cheese option that offers a combination of Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and grated Parmigiano-reggiano cheeses, with blended herbs. All of …

Pho 69

Address: 321 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Pho 69
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Pho 69 delivers a hybrid of traditional Vietnamese cuisine with a modern American twist. Located in San Jose, this counter-order restaurant feels fresh and open with its high vaulted ceilings, sleek wooden tables, and abstract artwork. The menu is comprised of salads, starters, rice plates, vermicelli bowls, noodle soups, and sandwiches. Locals recommend the Truffle Sweet Potato Fries, served with a unique sugary sauce. Additional menu options include the Crispy Chicken with Cherry Blossom Rice and the Filet Mignon Pho. Vegetarian alternatives are available ranging from the Mesquite Grilled Eggplant to the Malaysian Style Veggie Curry. Feeling bold? Attempt the …

House of Siam

Address: 151 South 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95113
House of Siam
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For a taste of Thailand, San Jose inhabitants can indulge themselves at the House of Siam. Offering an expansive selection of appetizers, soups, salads, and classic Thai entrees amidst authentic Asian décor, guests can escape city life without leaving San Jose. One Thai favorite highlighted on the menu is the Pad Thai; diners can choose between seafood, chicken, or tofu atop a mixture of thin noodles, garlic, onions, broccoli, and egg. Other specialties include Ped Yang, roasted duck served with spinach and a house sauce, or Siam Pork, sautéed pork in a chili paste and vegetables. Vegetarians have their own …

Menara Moroccan Restaurant

Address: 41 East Gish Road, San Jose, CA 95112
Menara Moroccan Restaurant
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Menara Moroccan Restaurant is not simply a restaurant; it’s an adventure. Located in San Jose, this restaurant provides an exotic ambiance complete with cascading fountains, stunning archways, and tented ceilings ornamented with silks in deep crimson and violet hues. For an authentic experience patrons are encouraged to eat with their hands while seated comfortably on plush cushions on the floor or the low lounge sofas. The menu is comprised of five fixed-price options to share, that offer several courses. Signature dishes include the Tajine Rabbit with Paprika, the Lamb with Honey and the savory Prawn Chermoula. A vegetarian option is …

Paolo's

Address: 333 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Paolo's
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Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and to be exact, the epicenter of San Jose, is Paolo’s, an Italian restaurant with roots planted firmly in “The Boot”. Open now for over 50 years in the River Park area, Paolo’s serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday in a unique park-like environment. If you’re looking for pastas or pizzas, either contemporary or traditional, you can find them on the menu. Some of the items are originals from the first few years of opening, like the Ossobuco di Vitello (Braised veal shank, saffron faro, and gremolata) and Empress Salad which consists …

Birk's Restaurant

Address: 3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Birk's Restaurant
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Hardwood grilled steaks, chops, and seafood have been the name of the game at Birk’s Restaurant since 1989. Lunch runs Monday through Friday from 11:15am to 2:30pm with a full menu. Starters include Buttermilk Onion Rings, Grilled Artichoke, and New England Clam Chowder. Salads like the Little Gem and Organic Baby Spinach complement main courses well, and Entrée Salads are available for a light lunch. The Barramundi Nicoise sandwich, Pulled Roast Chicken sandwich, and the Black and Blue Filet sandwich are available for patrons looking for something heartier. The Lunch Reserve List can satiate a craving for mid-day steak, chops, …

Parcel 104

Address: 2700 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054
Parcel 104
$$$
Located at the Marriot in Santa Clara, Parcel 104 has served guests American cuisine utilizing farm fresh ingredients for more than a decade. A full bar offers those looking the whet their whistles a wine list featuring 500 wines, an extensive selection of spirits, as well as seasonal house specialty cocktails. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and offers drink specials and a bar menu. Parcel 104 serves breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30a.m. to 11:00a.m. and on the weekends from 7:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. Lunch is available Monday through Friday from 11:30a.m. to 2:00p.m. …

Loft Bar and Bistro

Address: 90 South 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Loft Bar and Bistro
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Loft Bar and Bistro in downtown San Jose is the hip spot to indulge in great drinks and fresh fare. Dining is three tiers with an upstairs and downstairs dining area and then a rooftop patio that is always bustling seven nights a week until 10:00p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 11:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The Loft has Italian hints on the carte du jour but falls more in line with contemporary American cuisine. Chicken Parmesan, Teriyaki Beef Short Ribs, and the Pork Picatta are meatier entrees. Fresh seafood peppers the appetizer section with fried Calamari, Smoked Salmon, Tuna …

Arcadia

Address: 100 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Arcadia
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Located at the San Jose Marriott, Arcadia serves up a contemporary twist to classic staples of the modern American steakhouse. Breakfast specials consist of the Broken Yolk Fried Egg Sandwich, Arcadia French Toast and the Crispy Malted Waffle. Lunch features the Power Lunch, which offers diners a choice of salad or soup as well as an entrée for a low price. A la carte selections include Steak Frites, Truffle Risotto, Cobb Salad, as well as a number of burgers and sandwiches. Dinner finger foods such as the Lobster Corn Dogs, Truffled Popcorn, and Oysters Rockefeller will prime your appetite for …

The Basin

Address: 14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
The Basin
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With influences stemming from Italy and Spain, The Basin serves up both types of food with American flair. In downtown Saratoga, just southwest of San Jose, The Basin has a wide selection of small plates such as the Paella Pequena, Lamb Sliders, house made Burrata and Truffle Fries. Seafood and Salads are available with fresh Shucked Oysters, House Cured Wild Salmon and the Fancy Green Salad on the lighter side. If you are hankering for a large entrée, the Pork N’ Clams with a Snake River Farms tenderloin and littleneck clams should hit the spot, as will the Thick Cut …

Fahrenheit Restaurant and Lounge

Address: 99 East San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Fahrenheit Restaurant and Lounge
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Downtown San Jose’s foremost setting for hip and haute feasting, activities of leisure, and special affairs, Fahrenheit offers patrons a place to eat, drink, see, and be seen. The menu specializes in items made with organic and sustainable ingredients. A farm to table ethos utilizes the best produce, poultry, fish, and meat available. Inspiration is drawn for the ever-evolving menu from the local farmers, ranchers, and anglers who provide the ingredients for Fahrenheit’s signature fare. A full bar has a wide array of signature cocktails, from the Key Lime Martini to the Limon Fresca and Ace’s Gimlet, there is something …

Cascal Restaurant

Address: 400 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA 94041
Cascal Restaurant
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Blending the culinary traditions of Spanish cuisine with the exotic flare of Latin America, Cascal in Mountain View offers a unique dining experience. Restaurateur Don Durante, the man behind the Silicon Valley icon, Birk’s Restaurant, created Cascal as a restaurant where he would go to enjoy an evening with friends. The menu features 25 Tapa style dishes, and a variety of paellas and regional dishes from all over the Latin World. Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. features specialty cocktails, selected red and white wines by the glass, house champagne by the glass, and draft …

La Fontana

Address: 4949 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054
La Fontana
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When visiting Santa Clara, the Hilton on the corner of Great American Parkway and Tasman offers a comfortable place to stay and a great restaurant to dine at. California and Mediterranean inspired food adorns the menu at the Hilton’s La Fontana. For early risers, the menu has an array of egg dishes with unique choices like the Angel Hair Frittata. Fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps are served at lunch for those in the mood for a light meal. Dinner favorites at La Fontana include Cheese Sacchetti, four cheese stuffed pasta pouches, and Pasta di Mare Pomodoro, seafood tossed in linguini. …

Sundance The Steakhouse

Address: 1921 El Camino Real, San Francisco, CA 94306
Sundance The Steakhouse
$$$
At Sundance The Steakhouse, meat lovers can allow themselves to drool over premium slabs of meat. Serving classics such as Prime-Rib, Bone-in Rib Eye and Filet Mignon, Sundance accommodates any taste. Well known for their Prime-Rib, this steakhouse offers cuts ranging from 8-14 ounces along with a side option and vegetables. For those who prefer a seafood entrée, the Grilled Fresh Salmon tops the favorites list. In true steakhouse fashion, the appetizers, Seared Ahi Tuna Sashimi and Teriyaki Filet Mignon Skewers to name a few, tease diners’ appetites before their meal. Of course, no hearty meal is complete without a …

McCormick & Schmick's

Address: 170 South Market Street, San Francisco, CA 95113
McCormick & Schmick's
$$$
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant in San Jose is dedicated to providing guests with superior seafood and grill concepts. With a vast variety of fresh selections including Blacktip Shark, Soft Shell Blue Crab, Keta Salmon, and Spot Prawns, the menu is constantly evolving every day to reflect what is available at the peak of its season. Guests wildly recommend the Shrimp Kisses appetizer: succulent shrimp wrapped in crispy bacon with Pepper Jack cheese. For non-seafood lovers, steaks and other specialty meats are featured such as the House Center Cut Filet Mignon and Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Stop in for the famous …

Il Postale

Address: 127 West Washington Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Il Postale
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For a hearty meal and a laid-back atmosphere in Sunnyvale, Il Postale offers diners the chance to unwind and enjoy their time. The petite restaurant plays host to intimate dining alongside an expansive menu featuring Italian-American dishes. Favorites like Fettuccine Alfredo and Baked Rigatoni make an appearance but it is the more elaborate dishes that separate Il Postale from the rest. The varied pasta menu accommodates any taste. For carnivores, the Baked Penne with Wild Boar and Italian sausages in home-style marinara sauce excites the appetite. Those craving a more veggie-centric dish can lavish in the artichoke, mushroom, red pepper, …

Le Papillon

Address: 410 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129
Le Papillon
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In great works of art, every element placed on the canvas is intentional. At Le Papillon, located at Saratoga Avenue and Kiely Boulevard in San Jose, food and art go hand in hand. Le Papillon’s take on modern French cuisine includes fresh and colorful plates with a focus on local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Each item is precisely arranged on the plate to create eye-catching, edible art. The chefs at Le Papillon preserve the integrity of their ingredients by creating food that stays true to every component. The Truffled Hamachi Tartar appetizer is a cylinder of fresh fish accented with …

Paesano Ristorante Italiano

Address: 350 West Julian Street, San Francisco, CA 95110
Paesano Ristorante Italiano
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Nestled in the Little Italy district of San Jose, Paesano Ristorante Italiano is a local gem that offers authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant is owned and managed by Giuseppe “Pino” Spatola, a native of Sicily, who strives to incorporate the traditional dishes into the menu that he fondly knows from home. The lunch menu offers a large selection of appetizers, soups, salads, pastas, Paninis, pastas, and main dishes. Locals admire the Gamberi and Calamari Fri Diavola, comprised of sautéed prawns and calamari with garlic, olive oil, and vodka in a spicy marinara sauce. For dinner, various veal and lamb dishes …