Why are most of the good new restaurants so NOISY? It seems to be a fad that makes me wonder whether they are trying to appeal to the generation that blasted their hearing at rock concerts. No, that's me, and I don't like this latest fad in restaurants. Quiet restaurants recently (May) discovered, in alphabetical order: Amber India is the first really nice Indian restaurant I've been in since the old Gaylord when it was in Stanford Center years ago. (I've eaten in the new Gaylord's location in Menlo Park recently, and while they are still attempting a class act, it seems pretty tired and I couldn't personally recommend it.) Amber was so fine in decor, service and food that I went back a second time to see whether it was a fluke. It's real. On El Camino Real in Mountain View. Hugo's on May 30 and 31 had a 35 year anniversary promotion where they offered dinner for two for $35 including a full flute of Domaine Chandon California sparkling wine, soup or salad, and dessert at the cheesecake buffet. The rack of lamb was the best I've ever had, and I eat a lot of lamb, a fair amount of which I cook myself. I don't know how to cook it that good. Their regular prices looked reasonable. Hugo's is not really a discovery -- like they said, it's been there 35 years, and I've never been disappointed there, but it's nice to find that it is meeting high standards in food while having some of the nicest ambience around. On El Camino Real in Palo Alto. La Salsa is a fast Mexican, take out or eat in, healthy ingredients and recipes (no animal fat, no skin on the chicken, and much more), limited menu (mostly burritos and tacos). Counter service only, but it was very pleasant. Self serve salsa bar with over a half dozen choices, some good, some ho-hum. On El Camino Real at San Antonio in Palo Alto. Orlo's is the most opulent, elegant ambience I've seen, including live guitar music, not one but two guitar players, yes a duette. On a Monday night. Yes, they are open on Mondays. Dark wood, very subdued light, very quiet. And food and service to match. While not cheap, the prices are on the moderate side considering the surroundings and food quality. Does this sound romantic? You got it! The wines seemed to group with a few just over $20 and all the rest $35 to $50 and up, up, up. None of the $35 to $45 bottles impressed me as being worth that much (I'm cheap and there are a lot more wines that I know nothing about than ones I do) so my group opted for a couple of $23ish bottles that turned out to be pretty ho-hum. The house wine was probably better, but I don't recall whether they offered house wines. In the Hayes Convention Center in San Jose. Piccolo Mondo. I am embarrassed to have to admit that it is a "recent discovery" for me. It's been there 11 years. It's outstanding. My pet theory is that the French learned to cook from the Italians. The French chefs should study regularly at Piccolo Mondo. Also the French waiters could learn a lot there, too. On El Camino Real in Mountain View. Red Lobster reminds me of a Denny's or Coco's but with seafood. Really good seafood, with healthy options on how it's cooked (grilled, not fried). And the prices are very moderate considering the quality of the food and that the surroundings are very pleasant. Service was good, too. On El Camino Real in Palo Alto. -- I have no connection to any of these establishments other than as a more or less satisfied customer.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA