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231 Ellsworth
231 S Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401 · 650-347-7231
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SAN MATEO. Upon entering 231 Ellsworth, guests seem to sense that this will be an unforgettable experience. Dramatic décor makes a stunning and romantic first impression that lingers well into the evening – midnight blue barrel-vaulted ceiling, copper-colored walls, deco-style light fixtures. Beautifully presented food induces blissful silence as guests savor each taste of foie gras torchon, baby abalone with summer bean salad, and seared duck breast with roasted apricots and caramelized onions. The superlative wine list will satisfy every taste. Multi-course tasting menus $45-89; with wine $70-155.
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A Tavola
1041 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063 · 650-995-9800
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REDWOOD CITY. A warm space, simultaneously rustic and upscale, sets the scene for A Tavola's wonderful seasonal fare. Beneath beamed ceilings, patrons snack on parmesan polenta fries and pepperoni and cheese-stuffed risotto fritters as they agonize over whether to try braised short ribs, fresh rigatoni with slow-roasted pork, or teriyaki-marinated skirt steak. Free-range fried chicken and butternut squash ravioli only complicate matters in a most delicious way. Great wines are an added highlight.
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Chantilly
3001 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94061 · 650-321-4080
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Recommended |
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REDWOOD CITY. Within an elegant, high-ceilinged space complete with damask-covered walls, a fireplace, and white linens, patrons come for classic meals and romantic ambience. They include corporate folks meeting clients and residents celebrating special occasions. Whet your appetite with pan-seared foie gras with madeira and truffles before shifting to lamb medallions, Dover sole, a flame-grilled veal chop, or roast duck. Desserts range from the light (assorted cheeses or seasonal berries) to the decadent (chocolate truffle cake with a molten center). For extra cosseting, women are presented a long-stem rose.
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Creola
344 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA · 650-654-0882
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With a combination of French Quarter posters, jazzy music, super friendly service, and traditional Gulf Coast ingredients, Creola has created a little bit of New Orleans in sunny California. Jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried catfish, and blackened redfish are the stars here, but the crawfish etouffee and the Mardi Gras Pasta with shrimp and crawfish in a sherry-tomato-cream sauce are delightful as well. Down home desserts include a fluffy peanut butter pie that's so good you may never be satisfied with another.
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Flea Street Café
3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6213 · 650-854-1226
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MENLO PARK. Healthy organic food prepared by local chef Jesse Cool gives this restaurant popularity and a certain amount of cachet. A meal of beef with port wine sauce and buttermilk mashed potatoes doesn't seem like it should be good for you, but it's not only beneficial to the body, it's pleasing to the palate as well. The interior has the feeling of a country house, encouraging diners to linger a while and enjoy the evening.
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SAN CARLOS. An outpost of the San Francisco original, Izzy's pays tribute to a colorful, much-loved North Beach bar owner. The generous place serves well-prepared steaks and comfortable atmosphere, not to mention delicious starters like roasted mussels and cold asparagus with mustard sauce. They're an apt prelude to prime rib, loin lamb chops, a double-thick pork chop, and an aged NY strip steak. Cajun-fried oysters and drunken shrimp add character from the menu's seafood section. Plus, a large brass bar makes for good socializing.
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WOODSIDE. The town of Woodside's original firehouse now welcomes diners to enjoy excellent meals in quaint surroundings. Chef/owner John Bentley established himself in a location where people know and appreciate great food. Both fish and meat are cooked with verve, and it's obvious that the chef loves what he does. The restaurant is so small and so popular that reservations for weekend nights must be made in advance.
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Max's Cafe
1001 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94062 · 650-365-6297
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REDWOOD CITY. Tapping into the American penchant for excess, Max's treats diners to absolutely huge portions of food. Try giant nachos, a not-so-mini reuben, or a pound of French fries or calamari – and that's just the appetizers! From there, the extensive menu offers burgers, deli sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, pastas, steaks, seafood, and homestyle dishes like meatloaf, roast turkey, chicken pot pie, and a honey-mustard-glazed pork chop. Desserts, too, follow suit, providing enough to feed several people. Dieters, take heart! Special options cater to carb-conscious patrons, and broiled salmon and chicken are available.
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WOODSIDE. A rustic, elegant, and romantic place to get excellent, imaginative food, The Mountain House first opened in the 1930s. Situated among redwoods, the restaurant is a good place to take visitors, and for good reason. Treat them to steamed clams served in a smoky broth, and follow up with New Zealand venison with blackberry brandy sauce or wild boar stuffed with local mushrooms. Tiramisu is the most popular dessert, but apple walnut cake with pale ale sabayon is a strong contender. The wine list offers selections from local vintners.
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Viognier
222 E 4th Ave, Draeger's Marketplace, San Mateo, CA 94401 · 650-685-3727
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| Reservations: |
Recommended |
| Outdoor Dining: |
None |
SAN MATEO. This esteemed restaurant resides over a grocery store, but not just any grocery. Draeger's Marketplace is a culinary mecca in the area, and Viognier is a worthy companion. Start with charred red pepper soup and progress to rotisserie spice-rubbed leg of lamb – you'll be planning a return visit almost immediately. Original chef, Gary Danko, now has his own establishment in San Francisco, but his inventive, French-inspired cooking lives on here.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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