San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Looking for Menlo Park diamonds

3 posts · Feb 6, 1994 to Feb 10, 1994

Alan H.Computer Science Department, Stanford University.Feb 6, 1994

David S. wrote:
>OK, we've found Late For the Train, Gambardella's and Dal Baffo in
>Menlo Park.  Borrone's is an old friend, and the Applewood Inn
>provides an excellent break from "haughty cuisine".  But surely this
>isn't all there is to Menlo Park?  Is there anywhere else in par-
>ticular that folks think sparkle in the Menlo Park food diaspora?
      [Signature deleted.]
Flea Street Cafe is (or was -- I haven't been there in a long time) excellent, innovative/organic/California-ish stuff.  They used to be a affiliated with Late for the Train, but the owners split up or something (and people claim Late for the Train is the evil twin now).  It's on Alameda de las Pulgas (hence the name), near the Dutch Goose.  Siam Garden, that several people mentioned, is good.  Su Hong (and Su Hong To Go) are the definitive passable but extraordinarily efficient and well-run Chinese restaurants. Iberia in Portola Valley is a good upscale Spanish restaurant.  I've heard good things about the Acorn (heading into Atherton), but haven't been there. Anyone have any comments on the Palm Cafe (in the Stanford Park Hotel)? Oh yeah, a lot of people say Cook's Seafood is good for fish and chips, although I wasn't impressed the one time I was there.  (I apparently ordered the one thing that people say to avoid; I forgot what it was...)

                                    --Alan Hu
P.S.  "Menlo Park food *diaspora*"???  I have this image of little baguettes and foil-wrapped Arby-Q sandwiches and Applewood pizzas and so forth, shackled together and being marched down El Camino towards the vast wastelands of Santa Clara Country. :-)

Edward S.Trusted Information Systems, Inc.Feb 8, 1994

> isn't all there is to Menlo Park?  Is there anywhere else in par-
> ticular that folks think sparkle in the Menlo Park food diaspora?

1) Siam Garden (on Crane, just N of Santa Cruz) is dependably good; a great stand-by
2) Carpaccio's (on Crane also) is a nice moderately fancy Cal-Ital place, but a bit
   loud; I like Gambardello's and Il Fornaio better

===>

3) Garden Grill (on Alma between Oak Grove and Ravenswood) top-notch,
   really good food, imaginative menu (mostly "continental" but a couple
   elegant curries as well), good wine list, always good service, great
   management, quiet atmosphere. Go on down!

Williamcisco Systems, Inc.Feb 10, 1994

Barbarosa, almost in atherton, has quite fine food. Especially good are the dishes containg the smoked duck, and the rack of lamb (available for one!)

BillW