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    Bistro Vida

    3.7 (719 reviews)
    ModerateFrench
    Closed • 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Bistro Vida Photos

    Business Info

    BISTRO VIDA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Lunch menu
    Monica W.

    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).

    Menu
    Kathryn S.

    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!

    Steak Frites
    LauraFoodmaven V.

    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.

    Left: Assiette de Fromages Right: Fondue aux Fromages

    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!

    Elan R.

    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.

    Trina D.

    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.

    Good atmosphere seating outside during lunch time with early summer California weather. We ordered poulet roti, beef bourguignon and French onion soup. Poulet roti tastes a bit more saltier than I expected. The taste of beef bourguignon was alright. Both chicken and beef are drier than I expected. Maybe they are premade in advance and reheated after ordering and therefore losing its moisture. Service is okay. The waiter came take our order and delivered the bill afterwards (maybe standard French restaurant operation I guess).

    Beef Bourguignon- so indulgent!
    Elisa H.

    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!

    Couq au Vin
    Alex B.

    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.

    Irena W.

    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.

    Moules et Pommes Frites (mussels + fries)

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    8 months ago

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

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    11 months ago

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

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    Zola + BarZola - Meatballs

    Zola + BarZola

    4.2(635 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    •$$$

    Wanted around downtown Palo Alto on a warm night recently after an Yelp event and decided to grab…read moresome drinks at Zola. The space inside is dark and great for date night. However, we opted to sit outdoors with our dog and they kindly seated us at a 4 top in the corner. I requested a custom mocktail ($11) and they were happy to accommodate. They also brought out a luxe-looking, yet cute, doggy water bowl that our fur baby appreciated. We weren't initially planning on food, but after seeing a charcuterie board ($32) on the menu, decided to try it out. It came with several pieces of bread, pickled veggies, butter and jam spreads, and meat and cheese. Everything was enjoyable and the service was great! Already looking forward to coming back soon.

    Originally my friend and I had plan to dine elsewhere. We couldn't help but stop as we passed by…read morethis restaurant. We thought it was cute so we decided to give it a try. The environment had a nice dim moody atmosphere. It was quite an intimate space and the interior was cozy. We decided to sit at the bar. The service was good. It's a first come first serve seating. Our server worked quickly to get us seated and we were handed menus. As soon as I saw the menu, I think it was right for this to be called a French Californian restaurant because I noticed not all the items on the menu were French. Some restaurants call it French when it's really French fushion. We decided to share poulet roti knowning that the portions were going to be American. It was perfect for 2 people. I don't know how 1 person could have devoured the entire plate themselves. What I really appreciated about this dish is that the chef didn't over dress the salad. I'm not sure why Americans like to drench their salad leaves in sauce to the point where the dressing is all you tasting leaving out the fresh ingredients. It was perfectly dress. Not too much not too little, just enough to lightly coat the salad leaves. The poulet was very well cooked and it was accompanied by a side of gravy. On top of that, the salad come with decent sized crutons and pork belly. I like how the chef made the crutons properly. Some restaurants thinly slice some bacon and sprinkle it over the salad; whereas, this restaurant had pork belly shaped the same size and shape as the crutons which added more texture and flavor to the salad. Both ingredients blended very well into the salad to the point where I didn't know if the bite I had taken had a cruton or a pork belly. Throughout our meal, our server made sure we were well accommodated asking for feedback and inviting us to have drinks/dessert. This is definitely worth it and I would return here again!

    Photos
    Zola + BarZola - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Zola + BarZola - Poulet Sous Brique

    Poulet Sous Brique

    Zola + BarZola - Manhattan de luxe (left); Colette (right)

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    Manhattan de luxe (left); Colette (right)

    La Boheme - Free baguette, but fresher will be better.

    La Boheme

    3.9(626 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    •$$

    C'est un délice! Quite literally the place is great. The…read morephotos don't do justice for the ambiance. We sat and decided on calamari and steak frites for the table. The calamari was quite possibly the best I've had. Not overly fried and not your typical cheap rings. Great sauces on the side The steak was cooked perfectly to order and the sauce was great as well. Top it off with a great wine selection and fresh baguette to snack on. The owner is a kind Frenchwoman who pays attention to every detail. A huge bonus! I drove out of my way to eat here and would do so again!

    La Bohème is exactly the kind of place you hope to find when you're craving a true French dining…read moreexperience. I was not disappointed. The ingredients were fresh, beautifully balanced, and honestly so good I considered ordering another round. The bread was solid too -- perfectly crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. We tried a range of dishes and everything delivered. The omelette stuffed with shrimp was generous and great value, the French onion soup, mussels, and entrecôte were all absolutely spot on, and the chocolate mousse to finish was delicious. Next time, I'm definitely coming back for the soufflé. Even the fruit bowl stood out -- you could tell it was freshly cut, with each fruit tasting crisp and distinct rather than blended together. It's those little details that really show care. The space itself is charming and cozy, with a lovely French ambiance. It's a medium-sized restaurant , with additional outdoor seating, and a decor that makes you want to linger. What really stood out, though, was the service. Absolutely top notch. You can tell the staff and chefs genuinely care about what they're doing -- and that makes all the difference. Honestly, I'm surprised it wasn't more packed -- it deserves to be. We'll absolutely be back to explore more

    Photos
    La Boheme - Inside

    Inside

    La Boheme - Calamars

    Calamars

    La Boheme - Soufflé au Grand Marnier

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    Soufflé au Grand Marnier

    Protégé - Fancy Butter

    Protégé

    4.4(565 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    •$$$$

    Love Love Love this place!…read more We sat at the bar ... a la carte menu ... and it was PERFECT! Best anniversary dinner ever. Andrew Y and the rest of the staff could not have done any better - hats off to the entire staff! Food - Had the Oysters [AMAZING}, Milk Bread [so soft & fluffy], Spanish Octopus [tender & tasty], and the star of the evening.... The Brick Chicken [so amazingly delicious] no easy way to explain it except completely exceptional. A must try for sure!! Ended with the Yuzu Matcha Cake. The restaurant itself is a decent size with a very cool vibe - they three different reservation choices [and reservations are a MUST, btw] I have been able to partake in all three and they are worth it. For this visit we did the Bar Top... but they also have A La Carte Indoors and 7-Course Tasting Menu. Parking could be a little tricky, but drive around.... I am lucky enough to always get front row - I think there is a parking garage behind. Also, this is VERY close to the Cal Train station, so if you don't want to drive - this is also a great option. Would I go back? YES YES YES

    Had such a great experience at Protégé! The service was excellent from start to finish, and we…read moredecided to go with the a la carte menu and sit at the bar. The brick chicken was absolutely amazing, it was definitely a standout dish. I would skip the Nashville hot chicken bites though, the texture was a little off in my opinion. We also ordered a couple of mocktails, and they were probably the best mocktails I've ever had at a restaurant. So creative, flavorful, and well balanced! Overall definitely a special occasion restaurant but worth trying. Everything from the service to the food and drinks made it feel like a memorable dining experience.

    Photos
    Protégé - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Protégé - Mango Cheesecake Chocolates

    Mango Cheesecake Chocolates

    Protégé - Crab and Caviar

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    Crab and Caviar

    Thyme - Fresh fruit for those with picky dessert restrictions

    Thyme

    4.1(164 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    •$$$

    I came here for a special celebration work dinner and didn't even realize this was a dedicated…read moreprivate dining experience venue. I had seen it on the corner before during the day but never saw anyone inside. We had about 16 people for our dinner, which they were able to accommodate with a u-shaped setup. They had various wines for us, including a sparkling wine, a gewürztraminer, a Pinot, and a St. Emilion. We started with passed appetizers: caprese skewers, smoked salmon and cucumber, and spicy shrimp. We each had 3 courses with 3 choices on each course. - Roasted beet and asparagus salad with feta: great flavor on the beets - Ribeye with caramelized onions: a fatty cut and a bit tougher to an expected, but it was good with the Bordeaux. Those who got the salmon and risotto options really liked their mains - Orange olive oil cake with berries: great olive oil flavor, not too sweet Staff were attentive and tried hard. Parking wasn't hard in this part of downtown. Thyme is a nice space in downtown Palo Alto for an intimate private event.

    What can be said for the best dining experience I've ever had for hosting a work event?! From day…read moreone, chef Winston was timely, responsive, kind and the most helpful professional I've ever encountered in the service industry. He crafted the appropriate menus that could appeal to our several various dietary restrictions and even provided us a digital survey to make my life easier for collecting all 28 colleagues' appetizer, entree, and dessert selections. Everything was done with such intention to help take any headache off my plate (no pun intended). Cut to the evening dining "experience" because that's truly what it was. We were able to reserve the entire restaurant for just our group. They surprised us with bountiful family style appetizers, the food felt endless, one new beautiful and delicious dish after the next. My entree was the salmon with potato pairings and some accouterments, but I looked at the steak as well as the vegetarian dish and I knew there was no wrong. Each dish was so fresh you could tell they don't freeze or reheat anything. In fact, they consciously purchased and prepped for our group alone that evening. I have nothing but positive things to say about this hidden secret gem. It's very rare these days to find somewhere intimate with such high quality food where the chef is the owner and personally ensures you're enjoying your meal. Well, the secret is officially out, and I hope they don't get an ego about it, because we'll all be sending friends and colleagues Winston's way for a good Thyme!! (Yup, couldn't resist).

    Photos
    Thyme
    Thyme - Amazing apple dessert! Can't miss

    Amazing apple dessert! Can't miss

    Thyme - Salmon so juicy!

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    Salmon so juicy!

    Naschmarkt - Palo Alto

    Naschmarkt - Palo Alto

    4.5(221 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    Full bar
    Private events

    I don't eat Austrian food, so it was good to try it out here!…read more I came with a group of friends for a weekend lunch and there was no wait. I got the pork blade chop for my entree and it was so good! The portion was huge as well, and I wasn't expecting that. My friend got the steak and fries, apparently the fries are very well done -- crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Service was friendly and quick. Ambiance feels cozy but also fancy as well.

    First visit to NASCHMARKT in Palo Alto was with Mom on the evening of Saturday, June 27, 2026, to…read morecelebrate her great news and clean bill of health from her urgent care appointment. I had already bookmarked this Austrian spot on my watchlist, and Mom readily agreed to go here after seeing their menu and Yelp photos of their SALZBURGER NOCKERL. NASCHMARKT Palo Alto is one of the trio of Austrian restaurants "coined after the largest open-air market in Vienna." Located off of bustling California Avenue, the eatery is on the quiet side of Birch Street, conveniently located across the street from a public parking lot. The venue includes distinct dining areas, offering both indoor and outdoor patio dining, along with a full bar and counter seating. The interior features a warm, cozy, yet refined European bistro feel. According to their website, NASCHMARKT "offers a unique culinary experience infusing California's flavors with Austrian kitchen delectability." They feature classic items like HOMEMADE PRETZEL ($16), SMOKED PORK BRATWURST ($17), CLASSIC WIENER SCHNITZEL (Pork Cutlet $36, Chicken Cutlet$36, Veal Cutlet $46), HUNGARIAN BEEF GOULASH ($44), alongside desserts like APPLE STRUDEL ($16) and SACHER TORTE ($16). Below are what we ordered for dinner: WATERMELON VELVET ($20) - Mom enjoyed this sophisticated, refreshing cocktail that blends muddled watermelon with a smooth, complex finish and egg white foam topping. GOAT CHEESE PURSE SALAD ($16) - A warm, creamy goat cheese-stuffed pastry "purse" set atop fresh mixed baby greens made for great presentation. The touch of rosemary, drizzle of honey, and savoury balsamic vinegar reduction combined well as flavour accents and with the added textures from the poached apples and crunch from the walnuts. BEET SALAD ($18) - This was a refreshing starter featuring a blend of fresh greens, fruit, pistachios, and goat cheese. It was the preferred salad of the two that we ordered. CLASSIC WIENER SCHNITZEL Pork Cutlet ($36) - This was Mom's order. She substituted the Austrian potato salad with Seasonal Vegetables. Pounded remarkably thin, coated in fine breadcrumbs and pan-fried to a brilliantly golden, exceptionally crispy crust, the tender pork cutlet was light and delicate rather than heavy or greasy. The accompanying lingonberry sauce offered a tart and sweet fruit contrast to the savoury pork. DELISH!! JAGER SCHNITZEL ($40) - Because I'm a saucy girl, I went with this schnitzel with the mushroom cream sauce and it did not disappoint. BEST jager schnitzel and YUMMIEST spätzle that I ever had...and that says A LOT because before this day, I was not a fan of the egg pasta dish. The lingonberry sauce with this schnitzel was also very good! Next time (yes, I will return!), I will ask if I can have the schnitzel crusted and fried like the classic version to enjoy with the delectable mushroom and lingonberry sauces - ooh, yeahhhhhh!! SALZBURGER NOCKERL ($16) - Mom got her soufflé craving satisfied from this fluffy, cloud-like vanilla egg-white baked dessert. The light, airy, and ethereal soufflé, sitting atop a sweet-tart blueberry compote, rose high to a delicate, golden exterior and a meltingly soft interior. We replaced the vanilla bean ice cream with the light and refreshing strawberry sorbet. This was an A++ dish!! Nehir, affectionately also known as Mia, was our superb waitress. She was extremely friendly, informative, and super accommodating - all of our special requests were happily granted with a warm smile. After learning that we were celebrating Mom's wonderful health report, Nehir/Mia served one of our two orders of SALZBURGER NOCKERL on the house. Such a sweetheart she was. We appreciated her so much that we gave her tight hugs before we left. What an amazing first impression we had from our most enjoyable and unforgettable dining experience at NASCHMARKT Palo Alto. I highly recommend this place and can't wait for my next visit!!

    Photos
    Naschmarkt - Palo Alto
    Naschmarkt - Palo Alto
    Naschmarkt - Palo Alto

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    Bevri - Savory Georgian Dumplings

    Bevri

    4.0(874 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    •$$$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Locally owned & operated

    The food was rustic and simple, albeit much less filling than we anticipated. It was nicely plated…read morein simple earthenware dishes, the environment was clean while charming, and the service was attentive (even asking if we wanted to-go boxes before finishing our meal). We ordered the lamb khinkali dumplings, chanakhi (lamb, eggplant stew), and Georgian salad for two. The Georgian salad had a pleasant nuttiness to it that brought out the flavor of the tomatoes and cucumbers. The chanakhi was well balanced with a simple spice profile, but the lamb was a bit tough. The khinkali dumplings were juicy and flavorful. Our qualm was that the portions were lighter than expected for the price (note that there is apparently no expectation of tipping at this restaurant). At roughly $80 for three dishes for two people, we assumed we'd ordered enough to leave full, but left still fairly hungry. The food and service were genuinely good, but we would need to order a couple of extra dishes next time to account for the smaller portions and budget accordingly. The presentation and prices suggested a fine-dining ambition; ended up as more of a modest, well-plated home-style meal.

    We really liked the lamb stew! The lamb was tender, tasty, and not gamey at all. The bread and…read morecheese bowls were also very good. We also got the Georgian soup dumplings, but we thought the flavor was a bit too similar to Chinese soup dumplings

    Photos
    Bevri
    Bevri
    Bevri

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    Chez TJ

    Chez TJ

    3.8(841 reviews)
    6.9 mi
    •$$$$

    Chez TJ is a bit hidden, as it is a cute little house on a busy street in downtown Mountain View,…read moreso it may blend in a bit. There is a parking lot across the street, as well as street parking surrounding the area, but parking may be hit or miss, depending on when you come by. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating - we were greeted warmly and treated with the best service during the whole evening. We were able to try their Pear Panna Cotta, Royal Kaluga Caviar, Fermented Gooseberry, Dill; Onagadai Tartlette, Creme Fraiche, Fingerlime, Horseradish; Brassica Veloute, Fenugreek Oil, Guanciale Powder Okinawa Sweet Potato, Perigord Black Truffle, Burrata Foam; Petite Baguette; Mushroom & Barley Tea; Squab, Cascabel Mole, Chanterelles, Winter Citrus Gel; Pain Levain, Navel Orange Ricotta; Australian Wagyu, Confit Beetroot, Smoked Parsnip, Sticky Cabbage; Strawberry Basil Mousse, Honeycomb, Strawberry Caviar, Basil Oil Palmier; Hazelnut Chouquette; and The Lime & The Coconut Ganache. My favorites were definitely the Onagadai Tartlette; Petite Baguette; and Squab, Cascabel Mole, Chanterelles, Winter Citrus Gel. Overall, everything was delicious and I was blown away for the experience.

    Good laughs, good service, and a lot of different drinks & dishes to try…read more Came here for a company dinner recently, the host and wait staff were very nice and fast to act. We enjoyed the garden tour and trying the many drinks prior to dinner service. For the meal, we started light and wrapped up with a waygu dish. The desserts were good, but the staff miscounted and missed a portion, I ended up getting a replacement dish that didn't have 2 out of 3 of the original components. Overall, it was a fun experience and the patio seating made the ambience very enjoyable.

    Photos
    Chez TJ - L-R Fried oysters, quail eggs and radishes from CTJ's garden

    L-R Fried oysters, quail eggs and radishes from CTJ's garden

    Chez TJ - Sea Urchin with Carrot Foam

    Sea Urchin with Carrot Foam

    Chez TJ - Lobster salad

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    Lobster salad

    Bistro Vida - french - Updated October 2026

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