Restaurants in The Peninsula
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A
Tamarine
Palo Alto's most beautiful restaurant is this contemporary Vietnamese place. The dishes have a slight seafood bias and are finely prepared in the style of California cuisine. Most mains are suitable for sharing, and this is one of the Bay Area's best destinations for exotic cocktails.
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Empire Grill & Tap Room
The local yuppies favor this lively hangout that got play in Po Bronson's novel The First 20 Million is Always the Hardest. You can get pizza, sandwiches and sturdy meat-and-potato platters on the shady patio and wash it down with something from the 25 taps.
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La Taquería
Excellent burritos and tacos are assembled in this wonderful little taquería.
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Waves Smokehouse & Saloon
Waves serves barbecue platters and burgers in an Old West-style saloon and former brothel dating from 1873. If you're not hungry, a drink in the historic bar, where stained glass and dark wood prevail, will take you back to a time when Post St bustled with all manner of sin and commerce. At night there's music, dancing and karaoke.
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Duarte's Tavern
Duarte's Tavern is like going home for dinner. It has been run by the same family for three generations. The menu is basic roadhouse fare: chops, steaks, deep-fried seafood, French dip sandwich, burgers and fries. There is a salad on the menu somewhere, but you'll have to look closely.
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E
Amber India
Just off Santana Row, Amber is an upscale Indian restaurant offering a full complement of kebabs, curries and tandooris. The cooking here is superb and the presentation highly styled, with artsy china and groovy paintings on the walls. Whet your whistle with an exotic cocktail.
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Spago
Spago, owned by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck (and presided over by Chef Aram Mardigian), attempts to dazzle at every turn, and mostly succeeds. This is California cuisine with the occasional Puckish Austrian twist (try the spicy beef goulash). Dress to the nines for this one.
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F
Bistro Elan
Among Palo Alto's best restaurants for over a decade, Bistro Elan's excellent country French cuisine attracts power lunchers during the day and romantic couples in the evening. For the best atmosphere, head to the garden patio when the weather's nice.
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Arcadia
Chef Michael Minna, San Francisco's biggest celebrity chef, opened this fine New American restaurant in the Marriott Hotel. It's not the daring, cutting-edge style Minna is known for, but it's slick, expensive and, of course, very good.
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H
Pizza Antica
Artisan pizzas baked the old-fashioned way, in stone ovens, are the specialty here. Grab a sidewalk table on Santana Row and enjoy a cold tap beer while San Jose's best pizza is crafted to order.
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Emile's
Emile's, run by Swiss-born chef Emile Mooser since 1973, is San Jose's longstanding standard-bearer. The setting is romantic, if slightly dated, and the California-European cuisine fabulous.
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Osteria
For excellent Northern Italian, a loyal fan base crowds into intimate little Osteria. Service is very friendly, but you'll often have to wait for your table (even with reservations).
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Peninsula Fountain and Grill
A lively beauty, the Peninsula Fountain was founded in 1923 but still has that opening day buzz and sparkle. It's famous for its frothy milkshakes and for hefty American breakfasts.
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Vegetarian House
Serves an international assortment of vegetarian cuisines, from Asian noodles to lasagna. The airy dining room has an excellent juice bar and homages to spiritual master Ching Hai.
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Original Joe's
This is a San Jose landmark serving standard Italian dishes in a chrome-and-glass dining room loaded with boisterous 1950s charm. Expect a wait.
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University Cafe
Step inside this relaxed space for coffee or a light meal. High ceilings and potted palms make it an airy spot for tasty sandwiches.
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O
Evvia
If you like lamb, here's your spot. Evvia is a high-end Greek restaurant with a rustic taverna interior. It's food for the gods.
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Flying Fish Grill
This place has excellent fresh cod or salmon tacos, along with other seafood plates, which you can take out or eat in.
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M Coffee
This café has espresso drinks, ice-cream cones and lunchtime sandwiches and salads.
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Blake's Steakhouse
Blake's serves seafood, chops, prime rib and classic cuts of top-shelf steak.
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