Mark H. wrote: }The ideal place: } } En route from SJ Airport to SF, not too far from highway. } I don't want to drive south or east from the SJ airport } then have to backtrack it all later... Hmmmmm. The Curt-man, trying to keep the Markinator out of traffic. Birks. Armenian Gourmet. If sushi or tempura is a priority, Seto (either location; the original on Maude near Mathilda is easier to get to that time of day). I'd recommend places in downtown SJ, but traffic could be a problem. Oh, what the hell. Eulipia (pushing the pricey end a wee bit). } Fairly close to SJ, rather than near SF All three are OK by that measure. } Almost any ethnicity or style, but we already have some good Italian } places on the itinerary, so not Italian please Birks is the place where power people go in their power cars to make power deals. Fortunately, it also has a very nice winelist, an almost better beer list, reasonable atmosphere, absolutely killer appetizers (try the crab cakes or the smoked eggplant quesadilla), and even better entrees for the carnivore (their oak-smoked meats are famous for good reason). Call early for reservations. Don't tell them I sent you. ;-) Birks is visible from 101 north on the right just as you exit for Great America Parkway; it abutts the ?8? story DEC building. Take your first right (don't wait for the first light!) after exiting, go to the end, hang a right, and you're there shortly. Park in back. Caveat: Don't go here for intimate conversation; it is a bit loud for that. No need to wear tie or jacket, but torn jeans are probably inappropriate (not that we haven't done it and survived). The Armenian Gourmet is a simple place in terms of decor and ambience, but the food is quite good. The menu is a limited Middle Eastern one, but the dishes are good enough you won't notice any lack of selection; quite the contrary. Probably a much quieter experience than Birks, but the food isn't as wonderful, either. To get there, take the Lawrence Expressway southbound exit, cross back over 101, and immediately go right at the light onto Duane. Follow Duane as it curves first right, then back left, and you are there -- oddly-shaped sharp-angled building on the right on the fringes of a mallette parking lot. Casual place. Both of these keep you out of downtown SJ, VERY close to 101, away from heavily trafficked streets like San Thomas or Lawrence Expressway (except for the actual exit off 101), and away from the Mountain View 101 northbound disaster that is every Friday.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Restaurant recommendation needed...
Mark H. wrote: >The ideal place: > En route from SJ Airport to SF, not too far from highway. > [...] > Something around $20-$30 per person - not looking for a "cheap" > place but not through-the-roof, either > Not a chain Stoddard's, Stoddard's, Stoddard's. This would be my first choice (make a reservation). We have had many an excellent meal here. Menu includes steak, BBQ ribs, chicken, fish, rabbit, pasta (I love the ravioli served w/bacon & potato puree), pizza, sandwiches. Prices from $7 to $15. Beer brewed on the premises. Generous, rich, complex desserts. Stoddard's is on Murphy Street in "historical" downtown Sunnyvale. From 101, take Mathilda south to Evelyn. Turn left. Murphy will be your second right turn. There is little parking on Murphy, so turn right into the parking lot that is between Frances and Murphy. You can enter Stoddard's from the rear, as there is a door onto the parking lot. I am nothing more than a satisfied customer who likes to walk there on Friday evenings. Joanne