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    Chez TJ

    3.8 (841 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndFrench

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    CHEZ TJ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Chez TJ

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    Alaskan Halibut
    Wincy Y.

    Who would've known that a Michelin star restaurant would be in an unassuming Victorian style house? That was my first thought as I entered the restaurant, but the service and food proved their worth. It was interesting how they presented the dishes in a blind tasting style, but it also made me realize I preferred to have the menu in front of me as I could appreciate the dishes more. I liked that the garden salad was presented so beautifully, and the cucumber mint cooler was so refreshing. The squab was good, but I think my favorite might have to be the lamb, which was cooked perfectly. I normally don't eat lamb but this was so good. Also loved all of the desserts, and overall a great Michelin experience!

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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 :)

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    7 months ago

    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… Read more

    How much is their tasting menu?

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

    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… Read more

    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… Read more

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    La Fontaine Restaurant - Our sign at night!

    La Fontaine Restaurant

    3.9(709 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Casual Italian- French restaurant, voted best of Mountain View, right on Castro with ample outdoor…read moreand indoor seating. Only 2 other parties there when we arrived around Sat 12pm. We sat next to window so nice for people watching but got bit hot with sun, even with shade down. Later a few families (seemed like regulars) came in. Lunch menu feels more Italian than French to me - various pastas, pizza, sandwiches, plus entrees. For party of 4, we ordered clam chowder the soup of day, seafood pasta dish, Chicken penne dish, pasta with bacon, and chicken breast entree. Bread with olive oil on the house. My dish Chicken breast was tender and juicy, downed with a lot of buttery sauce, so it was filling.

    Brought my toddler and husband here to eat. They had high chairs for my toddler and even a coloring…read morebook and crayons. They even asked if we wanted to have the TV turned off when they noticed he was watching the tv. Very attentive. The food was great. It also came with complimentary bread that was warmed up and served with olive oil. My toddler enjoyed the free bread as well. We got the arancini, crab cakes , cordon blue , margarita pizza, mushroom truffle ravioli and steak frites. Our favorite dishes were the crab cakes , steak frites and the mushroom ravioli. The crab cakes were tasty and came with a lemon wedge and aoli, the steak frites came in a large portion. The meat was tender and came with a tasty sauce a mushrooms. My son enjoyed the fries that it came with , tasted like there was truffle oil in it. The ravioli was also good, nice and creamy. They also provided a free panna cotta for my husbands birthday. Overall, toddler friendly and expansive menu given that there are both Italian and French options.

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

    La Boheme

    4.0(617 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    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

    We went for an early Valentine's day dinner (the 13th instead of the 14th). We had a reservation…read moreand were seated immediately. The staff were warm and nice and I liked the ambiance of the restaurant. I ordered a coke to drink and my partner had a French beer. We proceeded to order the charcuterie and french onion soup for appetizers and the duck breast and french burger for entrees. The soup came and it was fine- it tasted like french onion soup. The charcuterie never came; I guess they forgot to put the order in or forgot to make it. It was awkward just sitting there starving while my husband ate his soup though. We figured maybe they were bringing it after he finished the soup so there'd be room on the table but nope. The burger looked nice and was cooked to the ordered temp of medium rare. Otherwise it was like any other burger anywhere else, not overly special. The fries were crisp and well salted. The duck was underwhelming. It's $38 for this plate of food and it came with totally flavorless and dry mashed potatoes, whose texture was akin to boxed potatoes. No butter or cream flavor to speak of. The vegetables were so disappointing. They had no seasoning whatsoever and were as soft as baby food- I am not exaggerating on that. I was surprised by how mushy the carrots were. For almost $40 I expect more exciting veg than broccoli, cauliflower and carrots all steamed to death. The duck was okay. There was a large tendon running through the middle of every piece and I could only eat half of it due to gristly fat. The port wine reduction that covered it totally masked the flavor of the duck. All I tasted was soy sauce. We let them know about the missing charcuterie to make sure it was not included on the bill. Other small things that detracted from the experience included them never clearing any dishes from the table (like the basket from the complimentary bread, appetizer plates or the huge wine glasses that neither of us needed) and not checking in on us to see how everything was going. The table was so cluttered it was hard to eat. It took a really long time to get the check and was so uncomfortable just sitting there obviously done with our food. For the prices charged I expected a higher level of service that was blatantly absent. Overall will not return. Over priced, slow, bland food.

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    La Boheme - Inside

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    Élyse Restaurant - Belgian fries

    Élyse Restaurant

    4.3(547 reviews)
    11.3 miDowntown
    $$

    Had a great experience here this evening. I wanted to treat my coworkers to dinner so made a…read morereservation for a large group a few weeks prior. Making the reservation was a tad difficult since the my did not respond to my email or inquiry from their website and had to call. We arrived for our early dinner and was seated promptly. The place slowly filled up as the night went on. We ordered an assortment of appetizers and entrees. Raved about dishes were their Belgium fries, mussels, and the chicken dish. Most of my coworkers ordered the shaken filet and rice. I had the short rib. Everyone throughly enjoyed their food. They also have a nice cocktail menu. I don't drink but all of my coworkers had a drink and they all seemed to enjoy their drinks. Service was prompt and courteous. We all had a great time. I would definitely return here again.

    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 - View of inside of the restaurant.

    View of inside of the restaurant.

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    Élyse Restaurant - The restaurant is very modern and spacious which I loved

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    The restaurant is very modern and spacious which I loved

    Le Papillon - Peach Clafoutis with Vanilla Cremeaux and Creme Anglaise

    Le Papillon

    4.2(1.3k reviews)
    7.9 miWest San Jose
    $$$$

    Tasting Menu 5 presentation, flavors, texture were all very good…read moreService 5 Ambiance 5

    I haven't been to Le Papillon in 20 years, but I could hardly remember my experience then. My…read morehusband had never been, so our recent dinner was basically new to us. We were both highly impressed by the food and service. My husband didn't expect the restaurant to look as fancy as it did. That said, there were a mix of guests wearing anything from casual to formal attire. It was New Year's Eve though, so I felt like most guests erred to the side of being well dressed. There was a 4-course prix fixe menu for the evening, which was superb. Each course had 4-6 options, and I was extremely pleased with everything my husband and I chose. My salad with had baby lettuce, toasted pecans, and shaved feta was the best salad I've had all year. The sea bass I got for the main course was particularly outstanding. I was informed that the sea bass was a staple of the daily dinner menu, so I can't wait to get this dish again. The dinner was also accompanied by complimentary bread service, amuse bouches, and mignardises. Last but not least, overall service was excellent. Kendra was our lead server, and she was friendly, attentive, and very helpful when it came to making selections. All the wait staff members were on top of clearing plates and refilling beverages. The pace by which the food was brought out was perfect.

    Photos
    Le Papillon - Rear dining room

    Rear dining room

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

    Grilled Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate Jus and Yam Timbale

    Le Papillon - Amuse Bouche

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    Amuse Bouche

    Gochi - Mountain View - Hamachi Carpaccio

    Gochi - Mountain View

    4.1(671 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    So delicious I'm still thinking about this meal. The service was amazing. There's a huge menu with…read morelots of great options. This has been one of my favorite bites in South Bay. We ordered the sake oyako mesh with dashi to have the option for ochazuke, kurobuta katsu, tori karaage, and hojicha creme brulee. The rice clay pot dish had so much flavor and dimension. The katsu and karaage were both very crispy and fried to perfection. And the hojicha creme brûlée was the perfect sweetness. I would love to come back to try more of their dishes.

    I came here with my brother and we ordered a variety of different items ranging from pizza to clay…read morepot rice, to carpaccio. The things we ordered included: Yuzu ceviche- This was delicious. The house made chips resembled ruffles and the ceviche was actually very refreshing. I couldn't stop taking bites out of it. Hints of citrus plus tomato, cucumbers, this was the perfect appetizer for clearing the palate before a meal. Ankimo - Monkfish liver, this dish was decent. The ponzu really shined and it wasn't fishy at all. Also oddly refreshing. The liver tasted like a paste almost. Sake carpaccio- Smooth, sweet, and light. The salon was nicely seared and tasted wonderful. Yakiniku Kochijan- The pizza crust was light and flaky and the cheese had an amazing cheese pull. The kimchi was subtle but it was definitely present in flavor. Jako Mentaiko Meshi- Dried fish and cod roe clay pot rice. The rice was super crispy and the dried fish had a ton of flavor. When mixed in thoroughly with the rice it just brings out the essence of the fish and the flavor. Overall, a solid spot!

    Photos
    Gochi - Mountain View - Unagi Meshi Dinner

    Unagi Meshi Dinner

    Gochi - Mountain View - Yakiniku Kimchee Meshi Clay Pot Rice

    Yakiniku Kimchee Meshi Clay Pot Rice

    Gochi - Mountain View - Ins: silvia.journey

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    Ins: silvia.journey

    Protégé - Fancy Butter

    Protégé

    4.3(552 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$$$

    I celebrated my birthday here and had a truly wonderful dinner experience in the cocktail lounge…read more The à la carte menu offers a thoughtful blend of Asian fusion bites--each dish more impressive than the last. We were attended to by four staff members, and while that may sound like a lot, their service was seamless. Every movement felt intentional and unobtrusive, enhancing rather than interrupting the ambiance. The craftsmanship of the food--wow. This Michelin rating is absolutely well deserved. Each dish had such depth of flavor that we couldn't help but murmur "mmm" with every bite. The presentation was, of course, stunning, with flavors that matched the beauty on the plate. I can't wait to return and experience the dining room next. I highly recommend adding Protégé to your "Best of the Bay" list.

    Protégé is a New American casual restaurant that offers both an a la carte and a tasting menu…read more We made reservations in advance, and we were excited to check this place out for dinner. Our party went for the a la carte option to order a variety of dishes to share, rather than to be restricted to options. We tried: +the Milk Bread - served with Stepladder Creamery cultured butter and Balinese sea salt +the 'Fish & Chips' - prepared with hamachi, Asian pear, red curry, and pickled jalapenos +Crab and Caviar - with dungeness crab, Protégé reserve caviar, and yuzu sabayon +and, the A5 Wagyu Tataki - with black sesame crackers, enoki mushrooms, and karashi For my entree, I tried the Flannery Beef Short Rib, which was served with sunchoke 'hash', charcoal-grilled king trumpet mushrooms, horseradish, and pimenton; I also tried one's Blackened Monkfish and the 'Peas and Carrots.' Everything was well-presented and aesthetically-pleasing, service was on point, and they checked upon our large party often. The restaurant itself is well-decorated, with nice photographs on the wall; request for the tufted seating, as it's more comfortable. +attentive staff +a la carte and tasting menu offered +reservations accepted

    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(623 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$$

    I visited Zola for a private birthday dinner. While I've dined in the restaurant previously, this…read morewas my first private event at Zola. This review is for the private event experience not regular dining. Service - Incredible! The servers were very attentive and food came out seamlessly. Ambiance - The private room is divine. Classically decorated. Very quiet. We had 22 people and it did not feel crowded. Zola did the flowers for the tables and they were beautiful. Food - Absolutely delicious. I wish I'd taken photos of all the dishes, but I got distracted A few key dishes (all but the salad and desserts were served family style): Chickpea Panise - absolutely divine. So flavorful. (Picture included) Bib lettuce salad - delicious. Bright. (Picture included) Bread and butter - omg. I couldn't stop eating it. Olives - was told they were awesome, I'm not an olive fan (Picture included) Chicken and salmon - both were to die for. So good. Crème brûlée and chocolate mousse - perfect small size with big bold flavors. Both were amazing. (Picture included) They also baked her a beautiful strawberry cake. It was fresh and very tasty. There were more dishes that were also all delicious. I included a copy of the menu too. The birthday girl selected the menu options. Highly recommend for a private event.

    Very easy to make reservations online and they are dog friendly!…read more The cocktails were good, love that they have unique specialty cocktails. They were refreshing and not too strong. Food was better than I expected. Oysters and the salad were ok, but the escargot was great! The steak frites were delicious too. Our server was very attentive and checked on us multiple times throughout our meal. Overall, I definitely recommend trying this place if you want to eat escargot.

    Photos
    Zola + BarZola - Restaurant interior

    Restaurant interior

    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(212 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    Full bar
    Private events

    Enjoyed a wonderful Valentines dinner here!…read more We sat at the bar. Mustafa was the bartender and he made the night! He asked what type of cocktails we preferred and then made us drinks that fit our profile. They were AMAZING. The food was delicious. We had schnitzel, spatzle, potato salad, amazing desserts. Every bite was amazing. The owners of the restaurant were there and heavily involved. Everyone was friendly and working really hard to create a fabulous experience for their guests. Highly recommend! Go for the food and stay for the cocktails!

    Food was average overall, but the cocktails were good. I called ahead to make a reservation and…read morementioned that we were celebrating a friend's birthday. Usually when I note a birthday occasion, restaurants will at least acknowledge it with a small dessert or candle, so I honestly thought there might be something small for us too -- though maybe that's only during dinner service. In the end, there wasn't anything. What upset me more was how rushed the experience felt near the end. Staff were very quick to clear empty plates, and when we got the dessert menu, we asked if the restaurant was closing. The staff member told us the kitchen would close in 5 minutes and rushed us to order dessert quickly. It honestly made the atmosphere feel stressful instead of enjoyable, especially for a birthday celebration. In the end, we didn't even order dessert and just left. I've experienced rushed dining before, but mostly at busy casual places, so I was surprised to experience this kind of atmosphere here. Overall, the experience felt more rushed than welcoming

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

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    Chez TJ - french - Updated May 2026

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