Santa Clara County Restaurants

When searching for a twist on Vietnamese cuisine in Palo Alto, head straight to Tamarine. The menu features food and beverages that infuse a fruity flavor into traditional Vietnamese dishes. Beginning with the appetizers, diners can enjoy a green papaya salad with dried beef or mushroom cupcakes, made with mushrooms and scallions, before tackling an entree. For something a little different, the Tea Leaf Beef starter plate offers a meaty snack. As for entrees, local favorites include Miso Chicken with a sweet sauce and yam chips, or the Clay Pot Cod. The sides served also impress the palate. The Empress …

Wine Cellar in Los Gatos is a trendy restaurant specializing in California cuisine. Journey downstairs to the underground seating that captures the feel of an aged Italian wine cellar. The lively outdoor patio features views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and nearby shops. Wine Cellar is known for its extensive wine list, live music, and delicious cheese fondues. A local favorite is the Traditional Swiss & Gruyere Fondue, served with bread, fruit, and an assortment of veggies. Other signature dishes include the Fresh Sautéed Abalone, Grilled Painted Hills All-Natural Filet Mignon, and Duck Confit with Pan Roasted Breast. The Today’s …

The Tarragon Restaurant in Sunnyvale offers new American cuisine in a classy and relaxing environment. By offering dishes like Stuffed Chicken, filled with mozzarella and prosciutto, Tarragon flavored French Fries, or Pot Roast and vegetables, hungry diners can succumb to their comfort food desires. The menu also features seafood favorites such as Paella, a rice and seafood combination, or Fish Tacos served with a red pineapple sauce. Dessert, as always, cannot be ignored. Delights include a Butterscotch Banana Rum Cake to sweeten the dining experience. In addition to their varied menu, Tarragon offers accommodations for any occasion. The outdoor seating …

Tucked into the Fairmont Hotel, The Grill on the Alley serves the San Jose locals martini and steak fixes all day long. Upholding steakhouse traditions, The Grill offers a selection of steaks with the option of sides and a vegetable, but also includes indulgences such as Loaded Mac and Cheese and Roasted Brick Chicken. Of the red meat selection, the New York steak, served with bacon on top, excites any carnivore’s taste buds. For a hearty beginning to a meal, diners can choose between American Kobe Sidekicks, Spinach and Artichoke dip, as well as other appetizer staples. As a bonus, …

With its open display kitchen and stone hearth pizza oven, Piatti Ristorante proudly crafts authentic Italian cuisine in a warm and inviting setting. Located in San Jose, Piatti Ristorante features seasonal lunch and dinner menus and an extensive wine list. Menu selections include the Baratta, featuring 18 month aged prosciutto di parma, melon, sea salt, and quince saba, or the Grilled Creative King Salmon with summer succotash, gnochetti, and basil butter. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and kid-friendly menus are also available. The grand stone fireplace, rich wood accents, and large windows provide an ambiance that is both airy and refined. The outside …

When the appetite cries out for flavorful Indian food, Royal Taj India Cuisine answers the call. This casual restaurant offers traditional dishes, like Chicken Masala, Lamb Korma, and Spicy Curry selections, in a full service atmosphere. Vegetarians also have a place at Royal Taj; the menu offers Aloo Baingan, or spiced eggplant and potato, among other vegetarian options. In order to devour these saucy dishes completely, multiple flavors of Naan, a traditional Indian bread, are available to wipe the plate clean. Those with a heartier appetite can dive into the lunch buffet, where diners can fill their plates over and …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

The Forbes Mill Steakhouse provides Los Gatos locals the opportunity to live life lavishly. Guests can relax at white linen topped tables next to a roaring fire while pouring over the decadent menu. In true steakhouse fashion, Forbes Mill offers an assortment of cuts ranging from the petite 8 ounce Filet Mignon to the larger 24 oounce Porterhouse. On top of the steaks, diners can choose to add a Béarnaise, Cabernet Demi-Glace, or Cognac Peppercorn sauce for extra flavor. For marine options, the menu boasts entrees such as Seafood Risotto, filled jumbo prawns, scallops, and sea bass or Ahi Tuna …

At the Kyoto Palace, the wall between the table and kitchen disappears, immersing diners in a theatrical show of culinary delights. Located in Campbell, guests sit around a large grill, watching in amazement as the chef juggles, spins, and slices the ingredients in an agile but elaborate way. Offering a selection of beef, chicken, seafood, or vegetables, guests choose an entrée to be grilled before their eyes, ending with the chef flipping the final product straight from the grill to the plates. Dinner specials include Soup, Salad, Shrimp Appetizer, Hibachi Vegetables, Steamed Rice and hot Green Tea. A more lavish …