Umberto M. wrote: >If money were no object, where would you go for the best meal in the >peninsula/mid-east-bay. The criteria for 'best' are, in the following order: > >1. good food >2. atmosphere/service > >The best in my mind is Chez Panisse, but making reservations for a sat. >nite is like winning at the lottery. Any other recommendations. My partner thinks the lamb at Chez Panisse is to die for, but aside from that, with many years of dining behind us, we vote for Le Papillon in San Jose (Saratoga and 280). It's a French restaurant with heavy California influences (like Chez TJ, from what I remember). You can expect about $60 per person with appetizer, dessert, and glass of wine (tax and tip included). It isn't that Le Papillon's always mind-blowing, though it has its moments, but that the *worst* thing we can say about it is the last time we were there we had an empty water glass for about five minutes. Also, unlike many other fancy places (Le Mouton Noir, Plumed Horse, and Campbell House specifically (one try each)) the meats have been very good there. Service is excellent but not snobby. It's usually pretty quiet. We *never* have trouble getting reservations at the last minute (we called at 7:30pm last Friday). I really like the way the pace the food, so you have plenty of time to talk between courses, and you don't feel bloated even with the massive amounts of food.
San Jose, CA