I love coming here, it never disappoints. I had a longtime friend visiting for the weekend and figured he'd like Bistro Vida. I was right, everything we had was seriously good. We started with cocktails. I had a Manhattan and he ordered an Old Fashioned. Both were really well done, smooth, balanced, and easy to drink. Our waitress, Shreya, was great, super friendly and patient while we asked way too many questions about the menu. She gave us helpful suggestions without pushing anything, which I always appreciate. We started with the Caesar salad. Fresh, crisp, and the dressing had a nice tang, simple but really well executed. For dinner, I went with the Coq au Vin and my friend ordered the pork tenderloin. Both were excellent. Everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor, definitely one of those meals where you keep saying "you've gotta try this." I don't usually order dessert, but decided to split the bread pudding, and I'm glad we did. It was honestly one of the best I've had. Nothing too fancy, just really good flavor and done right. Overall, one of the better meals I've had in quite awhile. Big shoutout to Shreya, the kitchen, and the bar. We'll definitely be back. read more

The order: -French onion soup -Escargot -Moules et frites -Macarons The quality and freshness of the mussels and fries left much to be desired. The snails were so tiny compared to the shells and the garlic was almost raw. The French onion soup was fine. The macarons were teeny tiny! And for $3 each, I'm afraid to see how much they would charge for a regular size one. My server was nice, but after reviewing my bill after leaving I saw I was charged twice for my cocktail. Although the vibes emulated the French bistro experience, there are many other spots in the greater area that have French and/or better quality. read more

Stopped in for lunch as I have wanted to dine here for some time. We were seated promptly and the waiter was friendly and efficient. We had non alcohol beverages (coffee and soda) and I ordered the Bouef Bourguignon and my husband ordered Steak Frites. My dish was excellent! The flavor of the meat, the seasoning with the carrots and the mash potatoes were divine. My husbands steak he said was OK, it was cooked to order but he said not as flavorful or tender as he expected and the French fries were fine. I have to say the coffee quality was excellent including the presentation. When we received the lunch tab, the prices were not the same as when we ordered our meals. Evidently, we were charged the dinner prices and not the lunch prices. We brought this to his attention and he clearly apologized and fixed the error. I would go back because the experience and the food quality was excellent, my husband said he wouldn't order the steak again, but it was a lovely place and we would go there again. read more

Bistro Vida - Steak Frites - French Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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I had a nice lunch here at Bistro Vida, but it was difficult to decide on 3 or 4 stars. It definitely has a great bistro ambiance, a beautiful bar and prompt and professional service, but the Steak Frites dish wasn't great. The fries were crispy and tasty; the grilled/char on the steak was great, but the New York strip itself was under the medium I ordered and very tough and chewy (which is why I ended up with 3 stars). read more

Bistro Vida - Lunch menu - French Near Me - Menlo Park, California

We had such a lovely evening at Bistro Vida! We started with a beautiful Châteauneuf-du-Pape that began light but opened up into a fuller, richer body as it breathed -- absolutely delicious and perfect with our courses. For appetizers, we enjoyed the Escargots à la Bourguignonne and Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinée. The escargots were fantastic -- tender and served in a flavorful parsley-garlic butter that we happily soaked up with bread. The French onion soup had wonderful flavor as well, though ours arrived a bit cold, and the cheese had congealed. Not a dealbreaker, just something to note. Our entrées were the Coq au Vin and Cassoulet de Toulouse, and the coq au vin was the standout of the night. The chicken was juicy, tender, and so flavorful, and the sauce with the egg noodles was perfectly comforting and beautifully balanced. The cassoulet was hearty and well-seasoned, a great classic done right. We ended with the Mousse au Chocolat, which was exactly what you want from a French mousse -- not too heavy, not too airy, and perfect for sharing. Service was warm and attentive, and we loved seeing the owner actively checking on tables and even helping at the bar and in the kitchen. The ambiance is romantic, slightly old-world, and effortlessly chic -- a wonderful spot for a date night or cozy dinner. We'll definitely be back! read more

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If you're looking for authentic French cuisine in the Bay Area that you can still enjoy casually, this is hands down the best spot. I've been searching for a place like this for a long time. Left Bank feels more like Americanized French and was honestly disappointing, and Cuisinette in San Carlos has permanently closed. Then I found Bistro Vida. It's about a 30-minute drive for me, but whenever I'm truly craving French food, this is where I go. The restaurant is always lively and usually full. I highly recommend making a reservation--but to be honest, even with one, you may still have to wait, so I'm not entirely sure how much advantage it gives. If you're in the mood for something light and refreshing, the Sole Meunière is excellent. As for wine, definitely ask your server for a recommendation to pair with your meal--they've consistently suggested great options, and I've discovered some wines I now love because of them. I almost always order the moules frites, but the boeuf bourguignon is also delicious. Another great approach is to order a few appetizers and enjoy them with wine. Honestly, everything here is worth trying. For dessert, they offer classics like tarte tatin and profiteroles. If you're looking to experience that nostalgic, Parisian atmosphere, this is the place. This time of year, the outdoor terrace is especially pleasant in the evening! read more

Bistro Vida - Left: Assiette de Fromages Right: Fondue aux Fromages - French Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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The food was absolutely delicious and our server Tracy was amazing as well as the rest of the servers, so friendly and fun.. the space was cozy and well lighted. read more

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I have been dining at Bistro Vida for years - it's that good! The restaurant has a lovely Parisian vibe and the servers are always attentive and friendly. Everything on the menu is delicious and there's something for everyone. Don't miss the apple tart tatin with vanilla ice cream! So glad Menlo Park has Bistro Vida! read more

Red snapper mushroom risotto daily special - 5/5 lemon butter sauce was creamy, tangy, absolutely incredible, I wish this was a permanent menu item Seared ahi tuna salad - 3/5 overcooked, too sour Grilled salmon - 3/5 a bit dry Beef stew - 5/5 Steak frites - 5/5 Tuna tartare - 5/5 our entire party enjoyed this dish, definitely recommend Beef tartare - 5/5 Oysters - 5/5 Outdoor seating was very pleasant, we liked the woven chairs and the day was perfect to be seated outside. Overall, good service, fair pricing. read more

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I just recently visted this Menlo Park staple and I was quite impressed with the French cuisine. Started the evening with Pate for an appetizer. My main course was the Couq au Vin which melted right off the bone. I would highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner in Menlo Park. The staff was very kind even when we lingered a bit at the end of the night. The ambience contained classic posters wood finishing; overall it felt like a real Parisian experience. read more

Bistro Vida - Couq au Vin - French Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Had an exceptional night with my sister here last night before a fundraiser at Guild. Many of the tables were filled with local friends who were headed to the Wildcats Show for Americares. Without a reservation, we somehow snagged the sweet bar table for two, which os placed against a charming bar cart with liquors and cognacs( too cute). Knowing we were going to dance the night away and with her husband out of town, we indulged in the French meal of our dreams by sharing everything. . To start with, a crock of umami, cheesy soup a l'onion, I. crocks just luke my mom used to make hers in. We knew that we wanted Moules Frites, but debated between Filet au Poivre and the Beef Bourguignon, ultimately landing on the latter. The mussels were beautiful and all of them were open. Some were large and bright orange , while others were delicate and almost white. We used the bread and crispy shoestring fries as conduits to get as garlicky, briny broth into our mouths as possible. The richness of the beef and mashed potato simmered with mushroom's and tony pearl onions in burgundy wine was ridiculous. I remembered all the steps and love and time that my mom and I took, following Julia Childs recipe to a tee..The portion is large but it is hard to take more than a couple of bites at a time because it is a heavy dish. I love to make pot roast and stews, but this is a dish I will only order in a good French restaurant. It was a great indulgence. We ended our meal with a mouth puckering slice of tarte citron, which had a lovely crackly top, not unlike a brûlée dessert and chamomile tea. What a great meal! Thank you Bistro Vida for delivering a quintessential french bistro experience! read more

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My husband and I went to Bistro Vida for my birthday dinner and we were pleasantly surprised. We ordered the goat cheese salad and the cheese plate. The salad was delicious, but the cheese plate lacked ingenuity. I was disappointed. We also got a side of fries and they were very good, crispy and warm. For the main course I ordered the sole and it was very good. My husband had the coq au vin and it was classic and full of flavor. We couldn't miss dessert and devoured the bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yummy. Would go back again. read more

Not only does the establishment offer exceptional service, but the food is also of high quality and the ambiance is pleasant. I believe a little taste in the food dish will be beneficial. read more

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Vida is hands-down my favorite place for dinner in Menlo Park! I thought I had already left a review, because during covid this restaurant was one of the only one that stayed open, and for my elderly parents, who no longer cooked, Vida was truly a lifesaver. When they expanded the outdoor seating, I loved it even more. And now, with the addition of Loretta's, the connected bar, I'm even more impressed, their Old Fashions are the best around! What really makes Vida special is not just the consistently excellent food, but the people. The owner and staff are genuinely caring and create an atmosphere that feels like home. Vida is the best! read more

Surprised by the one star reviews. I thought the food was a solid 4 stars. We sat outside, the floor of the parklet has a pretty significant lean to it, its probably just a matter of time before someone falls and sues. Which is a shame, because we have few french restaurants here in the bay area. I would have sat inside, however, the strong smell of fish emanating from the front door was a turn off to my party. I had the mussels for a light dinner, they were very good. Two of fam had the Beef Bourguignon, also very tasty. There was some inconsistency in the use of the lardons, as one dish had many fatty pieces of lardon, and the other had a lot of lean tasty pieces. Mom had a burger, it was solid even though she ordered it well done. I may suggest the chef (cooks?) to skim the lardons out of the gravy before plating. At least the big fatty ones. Or chop them smaller. They have done their magic by the time the dish is cooked, and the amount of jiggly fat may be a turn off to some diners. Service was slower than slow. Be careful about the floor in the outside seating. Management may consider better ventilation inside the kitchen or dining room. Management's legal team may want to look at the angle on the floor outside before some litigious cockroach comes through your restaurant. I look forward to returning despite the small hiccups. read more

The portion was bigger than expected; however, since the mussels were with shells, it made sense. With the fries, my tummies were pretty full. However, my co-worker suggested me to dip the complementary bread in the sauce (under the mussel), and o m g, I could not stop eating. Maybe that's how this entree was meant to be enjoyed - with the comp bread. I like that they have a nice outdoor patio place set up. It was very well organized, and the waitress did a great job attending to our big group. read more

Bistro Vida - Moules et Pommes Frites (mussels + fries) - French Near Me - Menlo Park, California

Very good food and service for lunch. A bit expensive but on a par with other MP restaurants

For the Hors D'oeures I had the Coquilles (sautéed sea scallops,white wine w/herbs de provence) and for my main I had their "Special Dish of the Night," Halibut. Both dishes were mouth watering delicious. Others in my party had the Steak Tartar & Oysters on the 1/2 shell. For their main dish, Lamb Chops (Grilled new zealand lamb chops, demi glace sauce, roasted potatoes, asparagus) Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef stewed in red wine, pearl onions, baby carrots, mashed potatoes) Linguine De Palourdes (Linguine pasta, manila clams, cherry tomatoes, garlic, white wine) Steak Frites (New york strip, sauce béarnaise, french fries) I asked everyone how their meal was, and they said that it was cooked to perfection, and noticing that there was not a morsel left on the plate is good indication they enjoyed it. We couldn't ask for better service. We were seated right away & very friendly and efficient staff on a busy Saturday night. Our first time at this restaurant was fabulous. The atmosphere reminds me of a little French bistro with a very intimate setting;we will definitely be going back again. read more

This is my second time to Bistro Vida and again it exceeded my expectations. I love the French bistro-like ambience with the beautiful open doors and the breeze coming in. The food is always great - especially the fish. But honestly, it's the service that I really appreciate Ali, the owner, is always so warm and inviting and wonderful. Tracy who we luckily had as our bartender and server last time was our server once again. She is so lovely and always is so positive. Also, Juan, the busser is so attentive and wonderful. Thank you we will be back ! read more

If you're craving unpretentious, heart-warming French cooking, this is your place. From escargot to boeuf bourguignon and fondu in between, our party of 7 loved everything. Staff is very accommodating of and knowledgeable about any dietary restrictions as well. Parisian style outdoor seating makes one forget that it's in Menlo Park. Definitely going back! read more

The swordfish was excellent, but the cous cous was a joke--the worst I"ve ever tasted...overcooked, soggy, tasteless, came with sausages instead of lamb...embarrassing to even call it that. Horrible. read more

Absolutely amazing service. Reserved for a birthday and they surprised my girlfriend with champagne and the best crème brûlée ive ever had! Great service. Great people. Food came out back to back to back. Great timing. Wine is really good. Coming back as much as I can! read more

Looking for a place to eat outside, classic French wouldn't be my first choice for food, but where I was had two French restaurants side-by-side with basically the same type of menu. I chose Vida over the left bank because I've never been there before and wanted to give it a try. Since I didn't eat anything that morning, breakfast style was my option and I decided to go with scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and crème fraîche. A lot of people working there told us repeatedly that they were very busy today to I guess give us an explanation if things were gonna be slow. The place was not even half full when I looked around, so I thought that was kind of strange I got a pretty small plate of eggs. I'm not even sure if it was three eggs with a little bit of shredded smoked salmon and probably about a tablespoon of crème fraîche on top with a few diced fried potatoes on the side. The eggs were overcooked where there was actually crispy parts I was expecting creamy scrambled eggs with big pieces of smoked salmon and enough crème fraîche to be able to taste. pretty disappointed, judging by other plates I saw go out with people having the same thing there's was not any better. Anyway, we gave it a try most likely not going back because there are always other choices. It takes away from the fun and experience of going out to eat when you know that for less than half the price you could've made the same thing at home. read more

We've been wanting to dine here for some time since the outdoor patio is so chic, but everytime we've walked by there was a long wait. Luckily it was a quiet weekend day recently and we were able to be seated right away. My husband was just over the moon about the French Onion soup. He gets it all the time, but felt this was the best one he's had in a while. Well flavored, nice cheese topping and sauteed onions. Chevre Chaud- I really liked this salad. The dressing was light and refreshing. Loved the addition of red and yellow beets. I was worried the goat cheese would be overpowering, but it actually came spread on top of a small cracker and didn't overlay the whole salad which I personally liked. Couscous entree. It's only described as having couscous and sausage, so I was happy that it also came with a lot of roasted vegetables. They use the really nice grainy type of African cous cous. I had a cappuccino which was really bitter. Overall we enjoyed our meal and the service was great. read more

Bistro Vida - French Near Me - Menlo Park, California

We stopped into Bistro Vida last weekend for a quick lunch after a trip to the nearby farmers market and are already looking forward to going back soon for dinner because the food is really delicious. The fried calamari is one of the best we've ever had; super fresh, light, crisp and very tasty. The Caesar salad consists of romaine leaves dressed and stacked on top of each other with shards of parmesan in between. Very good. Tip: Ask for dressing on the side if you like less dressing. Drumroll, please, for the croque monsieur, delicious through and through. Its rich ham and cheesy goodness is all you can ask for in a sandwich. Very good, attentive service, and light and breezy ambiance. So glad to finally try this cool bistro, and I recommend it! read more

Last Thursday we had a wonderful lunch here to celebrate, not one but, four birthdays. There are not enough words to describe the level of excellent cuisine at Bistro Vida. If you're lucky enough to have the owner Ali (a family friend) to serve you is a bonus. We started with the mouth watering Gnocchi A La Parisienne paired with Moules Frites such good pairing, followed by Caesar Salad that was so tasty, then Tartare de Thon. For the main entree was Salmon Grill, Boeuf Borguignon. I'm trying to remember everything and hope I captured everything. You just have to come here especially with a big group and ask the owner to help you with fixed price menu. You will not regret it. Thank you Ali and our friends Carrie and mom Carmen Colet for taking us to this awesome French restaurant. read more

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Randomly found this local place because I was craving fish with beurre blanc. The dish comes with grilled salmon, seasonal roasted veggies and beurre blanc although they skimped out on the sauce and the flavors weren't shining through as much as I'd hope. The dish was still pretty good overall and makes for a great light dinner. I asked for roasted potatoes on the side which were quite delicious. I also tried some clam frites which I've never had before but it was so refreshing and flavorful. For dessert we ordered the creme brûlée and lemon tart to share. The brûlée was quite sweet but creamy and had the perfect sugar top! The lemon tart was good but very potent so you must love lemon to order this. read more

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Food was good although a bit pricey. I was disappointed we missed the restaurant week deal (apparently it ends at 6 PM, but that was not listed on the website--oh well, something to remember for next time). I like their French onion soup. I didn't enjoy the escargots as much as I thought I would (they had a bitter after taste and were less buttery than I usually like them). But the rest of their food is excellent so I don't really care if that one dish was just ok for me. Their Creme brûlée was delicious. My partner enjoyed the short rib and I liked the Cassoulet De Toulouse well enough (especially the beans were nice!). Service was fine. It was a little slow, but they seemed busy that day we went (Friday). The ambiance is nice. I like the French European style of the restaurant. We were able to find some parking on the street close to the restaurant but there's also some public parking lots so it's nice to not feel like you have to hunt for parking here read more

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First, way-above-average bread and butter. Second, the best mussels with french fries I have ever eaten. The mussels were all tender, sweet, and perfectly cooked. The broth was so, so yummy. And the french fries were perfect too! We sat outside. Not too noisy which is a real blessing. Not rushed at all. read more

Absolutely my favorite local upscale eatery. Fabulous French fare at a surprisingly reasonable price. The most expensive entrée is $30! Great classics like Coq au Vin & Bœuf Bourgignon. The owner is originally from Algeria, so you'll probably encounter some dishes with Merguez sausage and Harissa. Desserts are to die for, including the best Crême Brulée I've had. On top of all that, all portions are very generous & you might take some home. Finally, all staff are very friendly & helpful. Outdoor seating is available weather permitting. Dress is casual. Bon appétit! read more

Food was great. Friendly service and the owner was super friendly. Service was fast and everything was high quality

The food was amazing and of high quality, but the waitress kept coming over to pick up the dishes so quickly that we barely had a chance to breathe after our last bite. It felt a bit rushed. read more

Excellent service on Friday for lunch. The quiche was delicious and was served with a nice bed of greens dressed in vinaigrette. The beef Bourguignon was flavorful and tender. Beware, you will be charged for seconds on the dinner bread! Nice atmosphere,quaint but can get noisy. read more

Excellent Beef Bourguignon! The owner and staff are amazing and attentive. Will definitely revisit. Cocktails are creative and delicious. The atmosphere is inviting and welcoming. True French cuisine at its finest. read more

The restaurant smelled like old fry oil, until you got to the back, when it started to smell more like sewage. The lighting was super bright for some reason. My boyfriend ordered mussels and there were several empty shells in his bowl. Fries weren't good--mealy and didn't seem fresh. Service was nice but can't make up for a nausea-inducing experience--and an expensive one, too. read more

Horrible service, the bouillabaisse was salty and bland. Bread was stale, it was busy with locals but it didn't look like anyone had good service. I think this is one of those restaurants that's just convenient so people go. Wish we could take back the money spent! Really poor on every aspect. read more

IMHO Came here with two other couples to bring in the New Year! I've been waiting a long time to return to try their Boeuf Bourguignon! It was a very cold night and I was hoping for an inside table, but we were lead into their huge outdoor tent, which was fully equipped with heaters, and large personal blankets! That was a very nice touch and made our visit much more comfortable! Jacques was our amiable and efficient server! We went along with his suggestions for calamari frits ($13), cheese charcuterie platter ($19), warm marinated olives ($7), half dozen oysters ($18) for appetizers, and specialty drinks. My Irish coffee was very potent and I had to ask for additional whipped cream to tone it down. The only thing that really toned it down was some water added to it! LOL Our party ordered Boeuf Bourguignon ($33), Cassoulet de Toulouse (duck confit, toulouse sausage, white beans, $35), Risotto aux St. Jacques (seared sea scallops, asparagus risotto ($30), Bouillabaisse (fish stew, $36) and one pre-fixe entree of lobster tail, filet mignon, scalloped potatoes, asparagus (price unknown...) I think everyone liked their entrees. My boeuf bourguignon was delivered warm, not hot. I expected the beef to be tender enough to fall apart in my mouth, but it was a tad dry. Flavor-wise it was good, and maybe next time, I'll give it another try. I really had high hopes, but I realize that the cold, outdoor atmosphere didn't help with the plated food temperature... We shared the profiteroles ($10), Tarte au Citron (lemon tart, $10), Gateau au Chocolate (flourless chocolate cake, $10), and Chocolate Mousse (part of the pre-fixe dinner). Service was very good! I will definitely return again but in a much warmer month! read more

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AMAZING EXPERIENCE. we went for a birthday, and we got a glass of champagne and a complimentary dessert. Wonderful service. Amazing timing of meals. Would come here again in a heartbeat. Love the staff. Will be back soon. read more

Amazing food, great flavors! So excited to have a place with authentic French cuisine by a master chef that keeps the recipes traditional and flavorful. Love the simplicity and down home cooking. If you're looking for something more real and tired of the commercialized franchise places (like next door) stop in here! read more

Service is what have the extra star for me.... The staff was great and very attentive. 3 starts for the appetizer. I had the Escargot, Oyster, and clams. Escargot- the flavor was great! Especially if you enjoy the heavier garlic wine flavor like I do. Downside it was not as fresh as I'd like it to be. The meat was a bit tough. Oyster- very sweet and fresh however the execution of shelling was a bit rough. I had broken shells left on the half shell so I had to shuffle them out of my mouth after consuming. Not ideal Clams- Same as the escargot very for the flavorful buttery garlic white wine lovers, freshness is where I would have like it to excel in. I found a few darker sandy clams (such a bummer for a $$25+ dish) read more

Bistro Vida - Escargot - French Near Me - Menlo Park, California