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Recommended Restaurants: Peninsula

Price Guide: $ = less than $15, $$ = $15 - $35, $$$ = $36-$50, $$$$ = over $50

  • Price estimates are based on an average dinner for one, excluding drinks, tax and tip.
  • Listed restaurants accept major credit cards unless otherwise noted.
  • Symbols: L = lunch, D = dinner, BR = breakfast, B = brunch, R = reservations required, V = valet parking, W = wheelchair accessible, P = private room, BQ = banquet facilities.
  • Star Guide: 4 stars = superlative, 3 stars = excellent, 2 stars = very good, 1 star = above average. (Note: No stars will be assigned to a restaurant until it has been newly reviewed.)

American
Californian
French
Greek

Blue Chalk Cafe

630 Ramona St., Palo Alto     MapIt!
(415) 326-1020
$$/L /D /W /P
American

Peninsulans have been flocking to this historic Birge Clark-designed hacienda for the Southern cooking and for the gaming diversions--four pool tables, darts, and shuffleboard. The menu features classics with a twist, such as pan-seared catfish with pecan rice and pot-licquor greens.

Chez TJ

938 Villa St., Mountain View     MapIt!
(415) 964-7466
$$$/D /R /P
French

This restored Victorian house is a popular destination for special occasions, especially romantic ones. The French food is showcased in prix-fixe dinners, including a seven-course menu gastronomique.

Ecco

322 Lorton Ave., Burlingame     MapIt!
(415) 342-7355
$$/L /D /R /W
Californian

A favorite on the Peninsula, chef/owner Tooraj Sharif's jewel-like Ecco features an elegant dining room and a menu that offers something for almost every whim. Examples include Dungeness crab cakes with tomato-mango relish, sautéed fresh duck foie gras over brioche, and polenta with ragoût of wild mushrooms.

Evvia

420 Emerson St., Palo Alto     MapIt!
(650) 326-0983
$$/R/V/W/2 Stars
Greek

Beyond gyros, Greek food has lacked presence in the Mediterranean-crazed Bay Area. Evvia helps fill this gap with its family-style California-Greek menu. There's nothing original about the interior--the open kitchen and wood-burning oven form a backdrop to a warmly lit, spacious room--a pleasant déjà vu. The fried calamari is limp, and the tomatoes in the Greek salad are bland. But thick slices of spit-roasted leg of lamb are perfectly rare, the edges crisp and brown, served with crunchy baby green beans and buttery roasted potatoes. Whole sea bass grilled over mesquite is moist and delicious. Skip the average desserts and try one of the ouzos offered, such as "Aristotle's favorite.² (Galore)

Flea Street Cafe

3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park     MapIt!
(650) 854-1226
$$/L /D /R /W /P /2 Stars
Californian

A refuge from architectural food and sleek interiors, this endearing restaurant near Stanford offers hearty portions and a serene environment. With its standing commitment to organics, the simplest dishes are best. Try a raspberry-vinaigrette-dressed salad of baby greens or the blood orange-mint sorbet. The more ambitious courses, like the portobello mushroom with hazelnut stuffing and smoked mozzarella, lack distinction of flavor. The café gets kudos for one of the all-around friendliest staffs I've ever encountered. (Penny)

L'Amie Donia

530 Bryant St., Palo Alto     MapIt!
(650) 323-7614
$$/L /D /R /W
French

The charming L'Amie Donia serves the cuisine bourgeoise of chef Donia Bijan. The menu changes seasonally, and the autumn fare includes crispy potato and leek galette and gigot boulangère: lamb stew with parsley, and papardelle tossed with sweet peas.

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