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    Chez TJ

    3.8 (841 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndFrench

    Chez TJ Photos

    CHEZ TJ ATMOSPHERE

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    Quiet
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Chez TJ

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    Patio
    Wendy A.

    Nestled in a Victorian house in downtown Mountain View is a delicious Michelin-starred restaurant, Chez TJ, that we chose for our 15th anniversary. The food was great, and the 4-course menu was the perfect amount for us. I loved the blind tasting menu experience where we didn't know what was coming next. It was very delicious - and unexpectedly the appetizer of a potato drumstick (potato chip ice cream cone with potato ice cream). It was weird to have it as an appetizer- felt like it should have been the dessert. Again, the food was great. I have no complaints! I felt the Old Fashioned was a standout. Soft bourbon and well-matched with the garnish of fresh flowers from their garden. We really enjoyed our service with tasting notes from Ken in the early half of the dinner.

    Sylvia S.

    Super delicious food with more creativity than I anticipated. Think classic French but with a modern twist. Unlike many other places, everything tasted great. Highlights were the truffle, ravioli and squab. I was surprised that the squab had a kick! The desserts were well crafted. Service was good without pretentiousness. Highly recommend for anyone thinking about a nice evening out.

    Mukta D.

    My partner and I were here for a dinner. He made a reservation few weeks ago and included a vegetarian meal for me. Service 4/5 - service was excellent. From the moment, we stepped in, to the way we were seated, explanation of the menu etc it was all great. Two of our courses were late but let us know ahead of time. We didn't mind it much because it gave us more time to just chat. Food 2/5 - now, I am writing this as a vegetarian. While the food was delicious, the portion was absurdly small. It barely had any protein at all. I walked out of the restaurant at 10 pm feeling hungry. I was so hungry that I had to stop by at another place to get some food. I have tried other Michelin star tasting menus and I felt stuffed after those. The vegetarian meal was as expensive as the regular menu, so walking out hungry at 10 pm is really bizarre. And if it was literally just supposed to be tasting menu, then it should not be at dinner time. Diners should never have to leave hungry past dinner time after paying a good chunk of money and gratuity. Food looked pretty. My vegetarian meal plate and my partner's meat platter looked identical, I'll give that to them. But they forgot, looks are useless if people are still hungry. Ambiance 5/5 - nice and cozy. It felt like eating at a nicely decorated homey living room.

    Palate Cleanser: "Summer Breeze"
    Cherylynn N.

    2.5 STARS Taking slow food to the next level. Food especially fine dining should be savored and enjoyed but I didn't anticipate food service being mad slow at Chez TJ. It was so slow, I momentarily dozed off twice with drool dribbling down the corner of my mouth. Sexy! The welcome note indicates it takes 2-2.5 hours for the tasting menu but in reality takes 3-4+ hours. We spent 80%+ of our time just waiting for the courses (no reason given for the delay). Thirty minutes to plate each dessert is wild! Now that I got that out of the way, I choose Chez TJ for a special occasion splurge because they have outdoor seating. And, they've been consecutively awarded a Michelin star since 2007. Rezzies were easily made on OpenTable two weeks prior. M E N U Contemporary French: 6-Course Blind Dégustation (Tasting) Menu for $225 pp. One supplement available that evening: Truffle Risotto (+$65). Wine pairing: nightly - $175, grand - $295, vintage - $595. Abbreviated 4-Course Garden Menu for $140 pp available Wednesday and Thursday only. 20% service charge (additional tip is optional). D R I N K S Only darks are available. Odd that no vodka or gin was available for a martini. * Old Potrero 18th Century Style Rye, SF ($20 x2): https://tinyurl.com/228w8shk 6 - C O U R S E / T A S T I N G / M E N U ($225 PP) * Amuse Bouche: N25 Caviar Fantasy w/ caviar crepe, caviar avocado mousse, rice crackers // 3 Stars: https://tinyurl.com/2v4mne2z * Amuse Bouche: Full Belly Farm Heirloom Tomatoes, Piel de Sapo Melon w/ lemon epi // 4 Stars: https://tinyurl.com/mtn25m5f (1) New Zealand Kinmedai, Iacopi Shelling Beans, Haricot Verts // 3 Stars: https://tinyurl.com/t42mt8ku (2) Maine Lobster, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Quince // 3 Stars: https://tinyurl.com/yz6dz7yc (3) Aladora Farms Duck, Fairytale Eggplant, Lonely Mountain Gooseberries // 3 Stars: https://tinyurl.com/9wj9drud (4) Westholme Wagyu, G&S Corn, Lobster Mushroom // 4 Stars: https://tinyurl.com/m9db8s46 **Palate Cleanser***: "Summer Breeze": https://tinyurl.com/5brnzm2n (5) Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich, Black Cocoa // 2 Stars: https://tinyurl.com/387cpnu3 (6) Chocolate Mousse, Roasted Figs, Candied Walnut // 4 Stars: https://tinyurl.com/vrcd4wse * Mignardises - Cherry pomegranate pâte de fruit, palmier, chocolate haysticks: https://tinyurl.com/y7k4aptd Highlights of the night? The heirloom tomato + melon amuse showcased great seasonal produce and the smoked ribeye cap, compliments of the chef was deliciously rich and smoky (accompanied the leaner than anticipated westholme wagyu course). Aside from that, I found *most* courses mid to underwhelming with no wow factor to keep my palate engaged and looking forward to the next course. While pretty, the caviar amuse was one note with bland accompaniments. Most protein courses: kinmedai, lobster, and duck were overcooked for my personal preferences. Subpar bread accompanied three of the courses, either underbaked (lemon epi) or dry + hard (duck bao). Not having a sweet tooth, IMHO, two chocolate desserts was a bit much. Texturally, the chocolate mousse was better of the two as the mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwich was rock hard. Pet peeve: to introduce a course as "crispy..." only to pour jus on top of the crispy skin rendering it soggy. This happened with the kinmedai and duck courses. Lastly, two sets of mignardises were just thrown in a bag together. None of them wrapped or placed in a box to take home. S E R V I C E Staff is kind and well-intentioned. They did their best but were green, lacking finesse and attention to detail. For example, water glass sat empty several times in 80+ degree weather (as various staff walked by), had to ask for second round of drinks, trying to take plates away with unfinished food, placing fresh utensils on top of crumbs, etc. Another table was brought a stool for their purse. I wasn't offered one so I had to place mine on the table. A M B I A N C E Quaint, charming Victorian home with a lovely garden patio (mostly shaded). P A R K I N G Easy street parking. Overall, I'm glad I knocked Chez TJ off my list for a special occasion but our experience was very disappointing at $300+ pp. TBH, it felt like dining at a resto during soft opening week, not an established fine dining one. Maybe it was a very off day training new staff but at this price point, it's not near the caliber of Michelin star restos I've been to.

    Mulled Cider Sorbet
    Erika C.

    Glad I finally tried Chez TJ. The scallop, bonito, wagyu and sticky toffee dishes were my favorites. I think with the caviar, truffle, and wagyu dishes (no supplements), Chez TJ was a better bang for buck than Plumed Horse, which I tried several months back. But Plumed Horse's service and setting felt more like a fine dining experience, and there were more surprises by way of creativity at Plumed Horse. I think if I had to recommend one South Bay Michelin restaurant of the two, it'd be Plumed Horse. For service - I liked the host, who doubled as bartender, I think, for a short menu of craft cocktails. The drinks were classic - not a lot of "mixology" here - he made subtle, notable changes via the liquor used, which made each drink more smooth without changing abv. We chatted with him a bit about it, chill guy, passionate about his craft. The staff service was okay, less polished than I usually experience for Michelin. For the vibe, the place looked super casual. It was a Victorian house, sure, but in the way that a ton of houses are Victorian in San Francisco - very commonplace. Partly because they don't play up the Victorian details with the decor. Prime example - One odd design choice was this giant RGB backlit glass with a picture of a peacock. It was like something you'd see at a dim sum place. Kind of gaudy. It was out of place here but honestly funny and charming in a way. On to food - there were so many dishes: N25 Caviar Buckwheat Crepe, Salsify - idk about this one. This tasted more like a cold, soggy thick soba noodle than a crepe. Love caviar so I feel like I could've just had this as a caviar bump. Longer Table Farm Savoy Cabbage - tbh this is on our menu and I either forgot to take a photo or I have no idea what food fell under this description. Oops. Green Garlic Cornet, Hiramasa, Fermented Daikon - so good. Really surprising - just looked like a tiny decorative garnish but packed a punch with flavor. Full Belly Farm Potato Veloute - pretty good, not sure the narrow glass was my favorite vessel for it. No complaints, I like veloute and could've eaten a bowl of it. Silver Sky Ranch Egg, Perigord Truffle - they described this as "scrambled egg" to us but it was more like...watery, whipped, uncooked scramble egg - right before you cook it. I love eggs and truffle, so I still mopped this up, but I didn't love the texture or combination of the two. The bread going with it also overpowered the truffle more than I'd like... just personal preference. Hokkaido Scallop, Longer Table Farm Honeynut Squash, Pomegranate - scallop was perfectly cooked, I liked the combo of squash and pomegranate. I think the proportion of pomegranate could have been dialed down a smidge. Easy fix though, I just left more of it on my plate. Bonito, Black Trumpet Mushroom, Front Porch Farm Brassicas - bonito is not my favorite fish but this dish was so good. That sauce is life. Mulled Cider Sorbet - I just had a couple bites of this. Not into those kind of fall spices, especially for palate cleanser sorbet. To each their own, only I didn't finish mine so could just be me. Broken Arrow Ranch Quail, Toscano Farm Beets, Smoked Crema - I liked the kick of heat here, I feel like you don't get much of that in fine dining for French food. It tasted like an elevated spicy chicken wing. Not my favorite dish but it was interesting. Masami Ranch Wagyu, Longer Table Farm Puntarelle, Sunchoke Poppy Sunflower Seed - favorite dish. The sauce was on point. Meat was perfectly cooked. The crispy sunchokes and sunchoke puree were amazing. One of the best dishes of the night. Pain Levain, Naval Orange Ricotta - love a good bread and butter but did not love this bread and it was paired with ricotta, came off really sweet. I took a couple of bites. Blood Orange Semifreddo, Earl Grey, Pink Peppercorn - pretty good but this dessert made me think of the strawberry shortcake at plumed horse and I liked the latter way better. I didn't eat much of this. I prefer ice cream or gelato over semifreddo and thought this dessert was too sweet. Pear Miso Sticky Toffee Pudding, Brillat Savarin - love toffee pudding! Pleasant surprise. Petit fours Pecan Praline - way too sweet for me. I liked the texture though. Cherry Hibiscus Pâte de Fruit - this tastes the same to me every fine dining restaurant I go to. Espresso Financiers - liked this one best of the bunch.

    Ma L.

    The environment is so cozy as it is in a house which just like being invited from some close friends. To tell the truth, the dishes taste just so-so. They are just good looking rather than good eating. The wines we're actually good.

    Menu
    Brent B.

    4 stars for a solid Mountain View restaurant. I was visiting my sister in Mountain View and we decided to grab a reservation at Chez TJ to celebrate my birthday. Located on Villa Street near downtown Mountain View, we arrived at the venue to find a spot that almost struck me as being Southern proper in style (which appeals to me as somebody who has lived in the South for long periods of time). The host sat us at our table close to the small bar and the waitress came over to present options (e.g., which prix fixe options for food and wine). My sister is a vegetarian and my brother-in-law is a vegan, so the restaurant took extra care to make sure they received appropriate and tasty options. We started out with a couple fun appetizers, including a caviar dish, a fun scallop dish, and a really tasty truffle dish. After receiving a pallet cleanser, we moved on to several mains, which included lobster and wagyu, and some really great bread. The wagyu was fine, but the lobster was probably my favorite dish of the night. We then ended with a really solid semifreddo and a little dessert tray. I will say that our one complaint was that the food collectively wasn't very filling (we went to go grab some extra food from a nearby bar afterwards), but that is often par for the course at French prix fixe spots. Overall, Chez TJ provided us with a solid Michelin restaurant experience. While nothing blew me away enough to give 5 stars, I would be happy to check this spot out again next time I'm looking for an upscale Mountain View dinner.

    Lori S.

    Wow what an experience. This restaurant truly exceeded all expectations. If you are looking for fine dining in a very cozy and private setting this is your place. The food was beyond exceptional and the service was the cherry on top. The portions may look small but very well curated to satisfy your hunger. A very well deserved Michelin star. Special thanks to the chef, Ted, Minnie and Daniel!

    so delicious and not too gamey
    Ashley K.

    Oh gosh this was a fun experience. Really enjoyed it and their new chef, Stan, and there was a bit of room for improvement, judging it at the highest standard. This is a delayed review -- we were there in January on Stan's very first night of service, which was also a unique adventure for all. He came out to the table and greeted us, and he was just the nicest. Enjoyed geeking out about food with him and excited to see where he takes things. I've shared the menus, so I'll just touch on the highlights of the meal. The game bird entree portion was amazing and paired so well with the wine. The paso vino cheese was incredible. East component was really unique and interesting. There was one wine that tasted so heavily of magnolia, I felt like I was back in my hometown in the South. The desserts were so off the wall, too. Risks about, and it pays off. A very fun experience. There was an uni component that also was just expertly paired with the wine. As for improvement, their somm seemed a little... off that night, maybe? Maybe nervous? Not sure. His pairings were stellar, but something in his service there was a little lacking. Again, judging this place to the highest degree. Excited to hear that they'll be experimenting with other price points. Might end up back at some point, but for now, that night will definitely live in my memory :)

    Suzzie B.

    Amazing service, delicious food. 2.5 hours for tasting menu. Supplements: truffle risotto and wagyu steak

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    Wonderful experience at Chez TJ! Favorites are the Wagyu beef zucchini fritter and the shrimp tartlet. Lovely ambiance and staff!

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    Page 1 of 22

    Chez TJ Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chez TJ

    Hello! What's the dress code for this place? Thanks!

    I would say smart casual, and you can get away without a tie and jacket. A collared shirt is probably a must, because the decor is traditional and old fashioned, in a more formal sort of way. You will definitely feel underdressed in a collarless… 

    How much is their tasting menu?

    $195 plus tax and gratuity per person. Standard wine pairing is $120 additional per person. Grand… 

    Are they good with diet restrictions and replacements?

    It probably depends on how restrictive. It's a small place and they don't have a wide menu from which to make replacements. But i'm sure if you called them about your particular situation I'm sure they could let you know if it would be an issue or… 

    Is it ok to wearing T-shirts?

    The dress code is business casual, but my husband wore a collared-T, hoodie and jeans because our clothes were still in storage (we had just moved). It was fine. Didn't get any judgement from the staff. Of course, it really is a special occasion… 

    View All 6 Questions

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

    La Boheme

    3.9(626 reviews)
    4.1 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

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    Élyse Restaurant - Tiramisu

    Élyse Restaurant

    4.3(551 reviews)
    11.3 mi•Downtown
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    Oh my! Just say that they're temporarily closed until the end of May 2026, so we lucked out having…read morethe chance to eat here last Friday 05-01-2026 for the first time. First off, great service! Upon arriving the hostess greeted us and asked if we had a reservation. When we told her yes and gave our first name, she immediately said our last name without looking down and seated us. Within moments our server, wish I remembered his name because he was awesome!, also greeted us and introduced himself. He didn't rush us or anything but politely asked if we wanted something to drink other than water. Then he took our order and everything came out in good time. The food was yum with great flavor and the space had a lively scene without it being crowded. So fun to see the double bar that has an opening to the dining room. Everyone was super friendly and wait staff totally professional and helpful. We look forward to come back and to maybe even host a private event since the have a room that can fit about 24 people.

    CHECK YOUR BILL!!. I recently dined at Elyse in San Jose and wanted to share a mixed experience…read more First, the positives -- the food was genuinely very good. The dishes were well-prepared, flavorful, and thoughtfully presented. The overall ambiance was also enjoyable, making it a nice spot for a dinner out. Unfortunately, the experience took a concerning turn at the end of the meal. Our bill came out to $86.42, and I handed my credit card to the waiter. Within seconds (thanks to my card alerts), I received a notification that $103.92 had been charged. When the waiter returned with the receipt, there was no mention of any discrepancy. After waiting a few minutes to see if it would be addressed, I brought it up myself. The waiter appeared flustered and then claimed he had accidentally charged me for someone else's food. That explanation didn't align with the itemized bill I was given, which made the situation feel questionable. He assured me that it would be corrected and that I should see the adjustment in a few days, which I'll be watching closely. Mistakes can happen, but the lack of transparency and the fact that it wasn't proactively disclosed is what left a bad impression. Being overcharged without explanation -- and having to catch it myself -- is not something I expect when dining out. I'd consider coming back for the food, but I'd definitely be more cautious when it comes to the bill.

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    Élyse Restaurant - Seared Salmon on a bed of risotto

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    Le Papillon - Peach Clafoutis with Vanilla Cremeaux and Creme Anglaise

    Le Papillon

    4.2(1.3k reviews)
    7.9 mi•West San Jose
    •$$$$

    One of the best sea bass, seafood taretare, eggplant, veal you'll ever have. Great service…read more Reasonable pricing for the quality. Loved the palate cleansers and amuse bouche. Just wish they had more wine by the glass. Dessert is not their forte. I'd just do the 3 course next time. So worth it!

    Le Papillon has been around for a long time and that is a testament to their great service and…read moreexecution of their French cuisine despite the ever changing restaurant scene. The last time I had a chance to dine here was almost 10 years ago and I had to come back to visit with my girlfriend to celebrate our anniversary. From start to finish the wait staff were tremendous and warm. Our server was on point with his explanations on dishes and was receptive to our needs. The food is pretty typical of French standards (buttery rich) with sauces that go hand-in-hand with the meats with simple preparations but executed well. Our standout dish was definitely the poached lobster with braised leeks! Dessert was great and decadent with their famous soufflé and chocolate ganache dish. Ambience has always been a favorite here as it really sets the mood for dinner with darker tinted hues and lighting and a very quiet atmosphere. To protect that environment they do have a policy with flash and pictures which is actually very appreciated.

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    Le Papillon - Rear dining room

    Rear dining room

    Le Papillon - Grilled Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate Jus and Yam Timbale

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    Protégé - Fancy Butter

    Protégé

    4.4(565 reviews)
    4.2 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

    Zola + BarZola - Meatballs

    Zola + BarZola

    4.2(635 reviews)
    5.6 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)

    Naschmarkt - Palo Alto

    Naschmarkt - Palo Alto

    4.5(221 reviews)
    4.2 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!!

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

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    Chez TJ - french - Updated October 2026

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