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    Elements Restaurant

    4.2 (417 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    ELEMENTS RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Elements Restaurant

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    Anh N.

    i made a reservation for a birthday dinner here. it was a nice restaurant. this restaurant is a vietnamese-french cuisine. it's nice that it has the infusion of both cuisines. the chef took food that was french and incorporated vietnamese ingredients into it. every item on the menu looked delicious so it was hard to choose from, so we had to ask for the waitresses recommendation. we ended up with all of her recommendations actually. by the way she was super nice and super friendly. made our time at the restaurant lovely! sorry we didn't get your name! as for the food. we ended up ordering, element pho, scallop seafood dish, pad thai, meat loaf and salmon wellington. the portion size is pretty big in my opinion, but if you are hungry, you can surely eat it all. this restaurant is located in a plaza and has a few good seating areas. even though we had a reservation, we were seated pretty quickly.

    52. Salmon Wellington
    Amy H.

    Food is plated nicely and the interior was surprisingly upscale considering the location. The ambiance feels like this restaurant is a place to go for special occasions or to treat yourself. Service is friendly and attentive and they filled up our waters often. The standout of the night was the scallops and prawns! The scallops are cooked perfectly and tender

    Sea Lemongrass crusted seabass
    Meghna S P.

    We came here during the 4th July week and it was really nice to try a Vietnamese French place after a long time. The service was great. It was not busy given that this was a long weekend and most people were probably out of town. The ambience was nice - contemporary and neat. I ordered their soup special which was Butternut Squash (for $15 it was very expensive according to me). We also got the sea bass and salmon that came with a lot of vegetables which was great. The sea bass was very well cooked with the right flavors and presentation was great. The herb crusted salmon was overcooked a bit and it lost its tenderness. It was presented well, came with mashed potatoes and veggies. We didn't order any drinks this time but happy to come back again and enjoy some French wines.

    Gwen R.

    Our first time here and we loved it! We tried the seafood selection tonight. We ordered the salmon wellington, chef's special sea bass, and the scallops and prawns. For dessert we tried the triple chocolate mousse, lemoncello, mango pano cotta, and of course, the lava cake! All were so delicious!!! We're definitely going to go back to try their meat dishes next time . The service was great and the chef was very nice! He came out from the kitchen and thanked us for coming in.

    Tea smoked duck
    Melody L.

    Quiet, not too busy on Saturday night, well lit so even though it's a nice place I'm not struggling to walk and tripping all over myself. Decorated nicely for a date night or special occasion. Soft shell crab was very tasty, not too dry and not too much batter. Papaya salad was not too acidic but the prawn is just 2 at the top instead of mixed in the salad just FYI. I had cravings for scallop and was not disappointed, the sauce was just right amount of creamy and savory. Great flavor and cooked just right. My husband has the smoked duck and was cooked right but the flavor is a little too sweet to our liking but not their fault just not what we would get again for our taste. All and all great service and good value for a special occasion, you get good amount of food!

    Excellent soup with chicken wontons. NOT chicken AND wontons.
    Brian K.

    Nice and pleasantly surprised to find such a nice (and expensive) restaurant located in a somewhat sleepy Safeway plaza in Almaden area. French style with Asian flavors. Service was excellent and friendly. Tried calamari, chicken "and" wonton soup (not), seabass, shrimp / scallops risotto and their salmon Wellington. All dishes were excellent, the soup which was described as chicken and wonton soup was spectacular only there was no chicken other than what was inside the wonton. It should be chicken wonton and not chicken "and" wonton. Broth had a nice mouthfeel and flavor to it. Wontons soft and pillowy. Lots of fresh veggies. The seabass was also a star. Fish was good portion, perfectly cooked with a nice coating and flavorful curry sauce. Risotto with shrimp and scallops dish, while not a traditional Italian style risotto, was still excellent and the seafood perfectly executed and flavorful. Salmon Wellington was interesting, with a nice pastry puff shell covering a nicely and large piece of freshly cooked salmon. All dishes were served with nice portions of fresh vegetables. I will definitely return!!

    Wine cellar at Elements
    Danny K.

    Had our holiday company dinner this year at Elements after trying it one night just before they closed. It's in a strip mall off of Almaden in South San Jose. But once you walk inside, it feels classy with a big glass wine cellar to the right, and an open kitchen towards the back. The restaurant is family-owned and operated. The chef and his father both work there, with possibly more family working other positions. It was packed with patrons on a Friday night. Their fusion cuisine is quite unique in that it is more French and Western than Vietnamese. So there are dishes such as Salmon Wellington that you would never see at a Vietnamese restaurant. For appetizers we ordered fried softshell crab, spring rolls and green salad. All solid in terms of taste and freshness. For entrees, each person at our table ordered a different dish. I ordered the Salmon Wellington, which was nicely breaded, in a plate of cream. There was a thick cheese inside the breading surrounding the perfectly cooked salmon. I tried the Australian rack of lamb, also well cooked and seasoned. The desserts were not quite on the level of the entrees. My colleagues had to chip away at the peach sorbet because it was frozen solid. The chocolate cake was spongy and tasty, but the ice cream on top was ordinary. The drink menu was somewhat of a surprise in that they didn't have any cocktails. Unsurprisingly, they had a wide variety of wine and some beer, but I had expected some creative cocktails given the food menu but I guess I didn't see a bar there. If you happen to be on the south side and want to have a unique French-Vietnamese meal, I recommend Elements.

    Cornish hen
    Julie T.

    If you are looking for some Viet fusions food look no further. This is something that can go right or totally wrong. We tried quite a bit of the menu and our experience was that most of our dishes came out great and delicious! Here's what we ordered: Appetizers: Complementary Bread Fresh Spring Rolls: $15 (4/5) Plumped sized shrimp rolls (3 large rolls but cut in half) with a creamy peanut sauce Grill Beef on Asparagus: $16 (4/5) Asparagus with beef wrapped around it with banh hoi on top and a refreshing nuoc mam sauce (4 of them) Crispy Soft-Shell Crabs: $19 (5/5) Get this you wont be disappointed. Super crispy pieces of crab and a yummy aioli sauce Entrees: Lemongrass Crusted Seabass: $40 (3/5) This was meh, not that great so pass Tea -Smoked Duck with Lotus Root: $29 (4/5) this was really tasty. The duck wasn't gamey tasting and it was tender and a melted in your mouth Fresh Scallops and Prawns: $27 (4/5) It was a little skimpy on the shrimp (3) and scallops (3) with 3 zucchini Roasted Half Cornish Hen: $26 (5/5) This was really good, flavorful probably the best dish out of all the entrees Filet Mignon with Mushroom Sauce: $43 (3/5) Nothing that stood out on this dish. I think it was a tad over cooked though. But still tender beef smothered in a good sauce Desserts: Peach Sorbet $15 Triple Chocolate Moose Cake $15 Mango Panna Cotta $15 My favorite was the mango panna cotta. Super refreshing way to end our night! The service was great and I would go back to try other dishes!

    52. Salmon Wellington
    Michelle K.

    such a hidden gem in San Jose. one of the best Asian fusion restaurants I've ever had salmon wellington and duck dish were melt-in-my mouth tasty, higher price point but very worth it

    53. Herbal Crusted Salmon
    Carissa K.

    When John's mom suggested we go here to celebrate John's dad's birthday a month ago, I was excited. We had never been and the menu intrigued me. But unfortunately the experience didn't live up to my expectations. The ladies who took care of us were wonderful. However, timing was an issue for the night including having to flag someone down to get our bill. Not to mention it was a hot day and the a/c didn't seem to be on or set low. The food was just okay. I ordered the salmon and it was good. But the spring rolls were just okay. I don't see us returning.

    Sea Lemongrass crusted seabass
    J. G.

    We enjoyed a beautifully presented and served dinner at Elements last night (Wednesday) that would have been easily comparable to fine dining. Tristan, as always gracious and welcoming, is keeping Elements a jewel in our Valley. Please come down and support Small Business and a very hardworking member of our community for decades. Our tasty experience! APPS: Shrimp dumplings Green Papaya Salad with Fried Prawns Ahi Tuna Carpaccio MAINS: Beet salad -Shared Lemongrass-crusted Chilean Sea Bass Vegetarian Stuffed Tofu w/ Mixed Vegetables Seared Scallops & Prawns with soft shelled crab

    Kelley S.

    Came here for my aunts bday dinner and was pleasantly surprised! Always a little skeptical about Asian fusion foods, but elements balanced true Asian flavors with hints of European influence here and there! I really liked the chicken, instead of having the typical savory flavor roasted chicken has, it has almost like a tangy brine flavor to it and the roasted veggies balanced it out really nicely. Everyone was really sweet and accommodating, would definitely come back to try more of the fusion foods on the menu cause I stuck to the more traditional foods this time round!

    Scrimshaw Pilsner ($9)
    John D.

    The Element in the Room Long-running (±19 years) family-owned restaurant that's located in a nondescript strip mall in San José's Almaden Valley. Elements focus on upscale Vietnamese cooking with heavy French influences. The Good: *Reservations the old-fashioned way by calling *Crispy Soft Shell Crab app was delicious and crispy, and I loved the aioli accompaniment. *Complimentary Baguettes is a nice touch *Tea-smoked Duck was absolutely fabulous! The duck was tender and had a great smokey flavor. The taro "au gratin"--which was not really an "au gratin," but I digress--mixed with the spinach, cranberry reduction, and smokey duck was a fabulous bite. It's really quite epic. *Carissa's Herbal (sic) Crusted Salmon was cooked perfectly, and the lemon beurre blanc sauce was terrific. *Staff was really nice and tried hard, but they got overworked and overwhelmed at one point (see below). The Meh: *Spring Rolls were just decent, and for $15, I want better than decent. Their texture was too springy, and the concomitant peanut sauce was just lacking in flavor. *Took over twenty minutes to get our check. The two poor old ladies were running around like chickens with their heads cut off once the restaurant started to fill up. It really was a clown show at one point, and I could've watched it all night--if I wasn't dying of heat exhaustion! 0_o (see below) *Need a better beer selection as all they had were macrobrews. The Ugly: *We dined in during a recent heatwave, and they must've had the AC set on 80°F or not even on because I was schvitzing like Britney Spears on Jeopardy®. I mean not just a trickle of sweat, but a full-on schvitz. I really wanted to try their dessert menu, but at that point in the evening, I just wanted to GTFOH. By saving money, they're costing themselves money. But, what do I know? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Conclusion: Jekyll and Hyde experience at Elements, as on the one hand, the food overall was quite good to excellent, but the rest of the experience was passable at best. I'd be willing to give them another chance, but maybe on a cool Autumn evening, eh?

    Butternut squash soup - special of the day

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    Amazing gourmet food! Don't overlook this gem in this unexpected strip center location.

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    Wonderful dinner...Lamb was superb as was the service!... also is has a large and interesting menu...highly recommended!

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    I had read great reviews about this place, and they did not disappoint. My friends and I found the food very creative and well prepared.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Elements Restaurant

    Can we order dinner items such as the vegetarian wellington at lunch?

    If you preorder , yes. The wellington takes 45 minutes to bake in the oven , and the process cannot be rushed .

    Currently offering any grass-fed meat options as before?

    We use Halal 100% grass-fed beef and Lamb

    Where was the original location for Elements?

    Corner of Almaden and Via Valiente near old PW market.

    ELEMENTS new address 6471-10 ALMADEN EXPY, in Almaden Plaza, next to Chase Bank, corner of Camden Ave & Almaden Expy. Expected to be open in April 2019.?

    They are now open.

    Has Elements closed for good?

    Elements has been relocated to 6471-10 Almaden Expressway ( corner of Camden Ave & Almaden Expy) in Almaden Plaza, next to Chase Bank. The new location is under construction & expected to be open again in April 2019. Elements will open for lunch,… Read more

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    Élyse Restaurant

    Élyse Restaurant

    4.3
    (546 reviews)
    8.0 mi
    $$

    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.

    Final Thoughts: 2.50/5…read more My girlies and I went here for a simple dinner and to try it out. Very Asian fusion, specifically French-Vietnamese. Seems fine-ish dining vibes with the dim lights and modern interior that they have. While the whole experience itself was quite nice, the food is not the best and perhaps should still be in the works. It leans so much on trying to be Asian fusion, but the execution isn't there yet for me. Will push the 3 star today given the overall experience we had. Food: Prime Rib Phở (NO MSG): 3.0/5 This was the entrée that we shared. They give around 3 to 5 pieces of meat, which isn't the most ideal thing to see. The meat is tender though, so that's a plus. Given the cut of it, I really wouldn't expect anything less of this though. Speaking of see though, the presentation lacks a lot for me. There wasn't too much color in the bowl. Really just broth, the noodles, and the meat placed on top. Essentially that's all it is, but there's no pop of anything to it. The flavor of the broth is quite good though. It's a lighter, but deep flavor. Will attribute this to some kind of bone meat that they used versus loading it with MSG. The noodles were overcooked and more on the soft side for me. Not much of a bite overall. Grilled Pork Spring Rolls: 1.5/5 This was really underwhelming for me. The grilled pork was nothing extravagant. Crispy eggroll wrapper roll inside was stale. Lacking in body and shape. Each of the rolls were really small and thin and lacking a lot of the filling. Usually I find that other places will overstuff it with vermicelli and vegetables because those are the more inexpensive ingredients in the roll. Here, the proportions were balanced in a sense, but lacking in size. Their sauce is what gets me. I can understand the experimentation, but I do prefer the typical sauce that is used. Perhaps doing a variation of this sauce may be better versus changing it to a completely different sauce. This sauce was a spicy kaffir lime leaf sauce and the tartness and sour flavor just overwhelmed the whole dish, so it became less appetizing for me. Belgian Fries: 3.5/5 These were honestly my favorite item here. Umm...I can't say they're anything extravagant. They were super crispy and the right size for me. Some potato without being too starchy on the inside. The sauce is a truffle aioli and that was truly the star of the show. Most of the rating will be regarding the dipping sauce. It was very rich and the flavors were very balanced. The combination of the truffle with the garlic flavor contributes really well to the dish. Honestly comparable to Cajun fries. Shrimp Mango Ceviche: 2.0/5 Fourth item was also not my favorite at all. The curing sauce was just so tart and sour that it took so much away from the dish itself. Aesthetic wise, was very underwhelming. In my opinion, this would have looked better served inside of a rounder bowl?? versus a shallow plate. The plate just makes it look half eaten given the serving size. The chips were just chips, so nothing extravagant. Balance of shrimp to vegetables appears appropriate though. --------- Quality: Fresh The food items did come out hot. The fries were crispy. They claim their pho broth takes hours to make and I can only take their word from that. Waiters and waitresses seem genuine, so I shall trust them on that. Food appears to be fresh, so no concerns here. Price: Quite steep; $$$ The prices here are quite steep. With what I was served, the prices seem to lean more on the expensive side. I can understand that some ingredients are more pretentious, but I really can't say I would pay this much for what was served. Range is around $8 to $16 for smaller dishes and $20 to $40 for the entrees. Service: Amazing; A+ The service that we were provided today was amazing. The waitress and waiters are very nice and super attentive. They checked on us a few times after all the foods came out and refilled our waters as needed. When we were deciding what foods to order, they were also really patient in going through some of the food choices with us. Ambiance: Fine dining vibes The space really isn't that big and there are really only a few tables inside. The space is big and the ceilings are high, which again, leads me to feel that this place has the fine dining vibes. Interior is quite dim lit and has this calming and warm vibe to it. Location/Parking: Downtown Area/Parking Downtown San Jose is probably all I need to say for people to understand what I mean. IFKYK kind of a deal. I can't say the location is in a bad place per se because it is around this line of other restaurants and stores. The parking is terrible though and perhaps you will find yourself paring at the parking structures for a more affordable cost or a closer one for a more expensive price. The parking lot I chose is free for the first 90 minutes and then they start charging. For one of the closest parking lots, my friend paid $20+ for her ticket.

    Photos
    View of inside of the restaurant.
    View of inside of the restaurant.
    Mushroom Tartelette
    Mushroom Tartelette
    The restaurant is very modern and spacious which I loved

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    The restaurant is very modern and spacious which I loved
    La Foret

    La Foret

    4.1
    (918 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$$$
    Fine dining
    Romantic vibe

    We wanted a special place to celebrate our wedding anniversary and La Foret delivered!…read more The restaurant is located in deep Almaden Valley. The historic property is built along a creek with views of lush greenery. The tables are beautifully spaced out so it feels intimate. The vibe is romantic and quiet. When we arrived, we were greeted with a Happy Anniversary by both the host and the manager/owner(?). I had requested a quiet table along the window and that is exactly where we were seated. Our server, Michael, was friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. He had the perfect blend of attentiveness without being obtrusive. Perfect for a romantic dinner. We both ordered the Le Domaine six course tasting menu. Every bite was absolutely exquisite and in perfect portions. The presentation was artful. The starter was Prawns Meunière. The prawns were in a lemon butter sauce - amazing. Next was Salade Francaise (butter lettuce perfectly dressed with a mustard tarragon vinaigrette) followed by a bay scallop in a light saffron sauce with a puff pastry. Our first meat was elk in a portabella cognac demi-glaze reduction. It was incredibly tender. Our entree was the rack of lamb. We ordered it medium and it was perfectly prepared. The lamb was plated with a wild rice pilaf and grilled vegetables. We finished with the Gateau Au Chocolat Fondant topped with vanilla bean cream with a side of fresh whip cream. A lovely surprise followed with a Happy Anniversary creme brûlée. The price was splurge pricing but worth every penny for a special occasion.

    Ugh! My husband wanted me to take him out to La Foret for his birthday dinner last night. We hadn't…read morebeen there in years and the menu looked really iffy for this Pollopescetarian but I complied. Here's what all went wrong: --We waited 30 minutes with only water glasses, a stack of menus, and a placed (but not fulfilled) drink order before getting up to leave. The host convinced us to return to our tables and said he'd personally wait on us. --When my drink finally arrived, the name didn't sound familiar so I asked if it was the one with blueberries in it. Turns out it wasn't! The bartender had called in sick and the substitute (a server, I think) didn't know the recipe so they just brought me some other drink. WTH?!? What if I'd been allergic to something in this other drink?!? I sent it back . --Why did the restaurant not have a set of drink recipes for each cocktail in their menu?!? The bartender calling in sick shouldn't have prevented them from being able to mix a cocktail ordered off the menu! --My salad looked and tasted great, but was drowning in dressing! Better to have served it on the side! --The menu doesn't include any hot vegetable sides. The porcini tortellini dish I ordered tasted great but was pretty overpowering without something on the side. --We never ordered the appetizer we wanted to share because the place was so chilly and the service so pathetic. So, I actually left feeling a bit hungry after just the salad and half an order of the tortellini. In an attempt to be balanced in my review here, my husband loved his wild boar with mashed potatoes and green beans! And the host/waiter brought him a little birthday creme brûlée to share, plus tried hard to get us to accept a totally comp'ed dinner (which we refused). But if my husband wants to go to this place for a future birthday, it'll have to be with a different wife!

    Photos
    Rack of Lamp was delicious!!
    Rack of Lamp was delicious!!
    Veal chop was out of this world!! Best I've ever had!
    Veal chop was out of this world!! Best I've ever had!
    Grand Marnier Souffle

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    Grand Marnier Souffle
    Goodtime Bar

    Goodtime Bar

    4.7
    (237 reviews)
    8.2 mi
    $$

    I am completely obsessed with Goodtime Bar. I can appreciate their unique selection of wine, as…read morethey focus on natural wine. Not my personal cup of tea, but they do also offer sake and a few beers also. The first time we went, we ordered the arancini, bucatini, and the heritage pork katsu. I am a big advocate for trying new things every time I go to a restaurant, but it was so good I ordered the same thing the second time I went. Arancini is flavored with Japanese curry with creamy fontina in the center topped off with kimchi mayo. Holy f. These quite literally put the traditional Italian ones to shame (sorry not sorry). Next was the bucatini. It had tom yum butter, lime, basil- all the fix ins of what you want from tom yum flavors with the luxuriousness added from the butter. It was sinful. Last and certainly not least, is the pork katsu. I cannot even remember the last time I ordered a pork katsu, but something told me to order it. Thank God I did, as it quite literally changed my life. If they ever take it off the menu I am not sure I would be OK. It is crispy and is swimming in this koji butter, but the key is that it is NOT greasy. I quite literally think about it all the time. To the point where I had it twice in a week. Service was great, bartenders are so friendly. The place is cute and vibrant. Keep in mind it is small- limited seating inside and a small patio outside. But so worth the wait. It aint called Goodtime for no reason!

    Ambiance 5 Wine 5…read more Service 5 Food 5 So why the 4 rating... TBH there's a good chance that I'll adjust it soon, but if I could give a 4.5 I would. First the knock, and to be fair, it's probably just an opinion / idea. Given the birth of natural wine and the South Bay, it would be wonderful to see a curated selection of tasting flights, no more than two or three options with anywhere from 3 to 6 wine wines each, priced accordingly. Maintaining a proper wine menu when all you do is natural wine can certainly be a challenge. If you wine flights depending on what you have would certainly elevate the customer experience by educating more people natural wine and helping them make better choices when it comes to a bottle purchase. I paid $61 for a bottle that was recommended, and at that price point I wonder how many people who are new to natural wine might be turned off. Chris was a wonderful host and certainly the right person to engage with customers around their various wines. Given how small the space is and how busy it can get, a weekly tasting flight menu might be a good way to engage those customers who are waiting to order at the bar and perhaps even spark a more productive conversation with Chris. We ordered the peach and ricotta dish with Thai basil... wow, a wonderful surprise. Peaches are always battling in and out of the top spot on my summer fruit list and this combination was downright dirty and delicious! We also ordered the raw oysters with watermelon mignonette. Another wow! I didn't expect the little spice kick and it was a perfect pairing to the sweetness of the watermelon. If anyone knows the recipe let me know, I'd bottle that mignonette and take it with me wherever I have oysters!! Overall, a great experience and I most definitely look forward to going back!

    Photos
    Indoor seating area
    Indoor seating area
    Pork Belly w/ caramelized oyster sauce, peach salsa, ngo gai, jimmy nardellos ($24)
    Pork Belly w/ caramelized oyster sauce, peach salsa, ngo gai, jimmy nardellos ($24)
    A rich sparkling white that's not too dry

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    A rich sparkling white that's not too dry
    Left Bank Brasserie - Santana Row

    Left Bank Brasserie - Santana Row

    3.3
    (3k reviews)
    8.4 mi
    $$$

    My first visit in a very long time to Santana Row and may I add one of the best experiences I had…read more I stumbled upon the left bank not really sure what I was walking into and was greeted by the General Manager Jessica. She appointed me to the bar as I was a single guest and gave me a run down about the menu and what she'd recommend. I had the warm goat cheese salad and omg it was amazing. I love the idea you can see the kitchen and I absolutely love the staff as they were warm and inviting. Jessica continued to check on me through out my visit and as I went to leave she even walked me to the door and welcomed me back at any time. I felt so welcomed and being a single guest I felt not at any time of my visit was I alone.

    IMHO My friends and…read moreI came to Left Bank for a celebratory birthday lunch. We chose a comfy booth inside the restaurant after realizing it was just a tad too warm to sit outside. (However, people watching is so much fun when sitting outside!) Cosme was our fabulous server who shared the daily specials with us. I asked him which I should choose, the Ahi Tuna BLT, $26, or the Nicoise Salad, $31. He recommended the BLT! Two friends decided to share the Wester Ross Scottish Salmon, $36, and our other friend ordered her favorite Nicoise salad, $31. My Ahi Tuna BLT was a sight to behold! This sourdough sandwich was crunchy on the outside and multi-layered with sliced ahi tuna, bacon, avocado, tomato, butter lettuce and a horseradish aioli, on the inside, and served with a side of thin and crispy French fries! The portion size was so big that I could only eat half the sandwich! I really like bang-for-my-buck, and I definitely got it with this entree! The fries were perfection, salty and crispy! My friend who always ordered the Nicoise salad when she dines here, totally cleaned her plate. This salad was another showstopper. It was almost too pretty to eat! The two friends who shared the salmon entree were not as impressed. They both thought the salmon was a tad dry when Cosme explained it should be served medium. One friend thought the cauliflower puree base helped to compensate a little for the dryness of the salmon, but the other friend chose to share her displeasure with Cosme, who apologized, then relayed the message to the chef. Shortly after, Cosme offered to have another salmon cooked, which my friends agreed to. Then Left Bank's general manager, Jessica, came over to ask how we were enjoying our meal. Jessica kindly heard their comments regarding the salmon (and the price for a small serving...no bang-for-your-buck with the salmon...) and offered to have another salmon served up for them. (We told her that Cosme had already arranged for that.) She assured she would inspect the next serving before it was presented. It came out looking even more beautiful and enticing then the first plating, and happily the cook and texture was perfect the second time around! I was surprised with a birthday plate of ice cream decorated with raspberries, a chocolate leaf, and yummy crushed wafers, compliments of Jessica. Thank you, Jessica, Cosme, and your staff for your epic customer service. We will definitely return again soon! I also used my InKind app to pay for my meal. I was able to redeem my InKind reward to pay a portion of my lunch!

    Photos
    Left Bank Brasserie - Santana Row
    Left Bank Brasserie - Santana Row
    Left Bank Brasserie - Santana Row

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    Chez Philippe

    Chez Philippe

    4.2
    (259 reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$$

    While the food is excellent, the service leaves much to be desired. Last evening we had a special…read moreoccasion reserved at Chez Philipe for 3. I was unavoidably detained in my car "out front" while the 2 other diners had arrived and were present (both 74+ years) and they refused to seat them. There were no chairs and they stood outside for nearly 10 minutes. UNACCEPTABLE!

    There's something special about finding a restaurant that just gets it, and Chez Phillip is exactly…read morethat for me. In a town full of great options, this place has become one of my absolute favorites--and honestly, I keep coming back because everything about it just works. The Complete Package What sets Chez Phillip apart is that they understand fine dining doesn't have to be stuffy or pretentious. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance--elegant and refined, but genuinely welcoming. You feel like you're being treated like a valued guest, not just a reservation number. The attention to detail is evident everywhere, from the thoughtful table settings to the way the staff anticipates your needs without being intrusive. The menu showcases real culinary skill. Every dish I've tried has been thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, but more importantly, it actually tastes exceptional. There's a level of care in ingredient selection and technique that you can taste in every bite. It's clear the kitchen takes pride in what they're putting out. Why I Keep Coming Back For me, a great restaurant isn't just about the food--it's about the whole experience. Chez Phillip delivers on all fronts. The service is knowledgeable and warm, the wine pairings are spot-on, and the overall atmosphere makes every visit feel a little bit special, whether it's a celebration or just a night out. My Recommendation If you love fine dining and you're looking for a restaurant in Los Gatos that genuinely deserves the hype, do yourself a favor and try Chez Phillip. It's become one of my favorite places, and I think you'll see why. This is where I take people when I want to impress them--and they always leave as impressed as I am.

    Photos
    Interior as of May 2024
    Interior as of May 2024
    French Onion Soup
    French Onion Soup
    French Onion Soup

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    French Onion Soup
    Épernay Bistro

    Épernay Bistro

    4.3
    (199 reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$$

    I had bookmarked Épernay Bistro for a while, and finally came here for dinner with my husband on…read moreWednesday. We came here a couple of times when it was still Billy's Boston Chowder House. The brick walls and blackboards looked familiar. There's still a long table in the middle. With the new chairs and tablecloths, the place looked more classy than before. The floating shelves at the top of the walls were all lined with wine bottles. There're some gigantic bottles towards the back as well. It's quite a nice place to have a quiet, intimate dinner with the causal, yet upscale vibe. There're about eight tables (1-2 persons@) while we're there, and service was attentive, despite having only one server. For the $80 dinner for 2 special, we got to pick one item from each of the first two selections to share, two entrees, and one beignet each. We also added a beet salad to share, and my husband had the wine pairing. For our first course, the two baked oysters were cheesy and rich. It would be better if they were bigger, though. Our second course, the caramelized onion soup was perfectly prepared, one of the best I had ever had. The beet salad was refreshing, and the dressing was so tasty that it made arugula tasted good. I had the sole as my entree; it was cooked well, light and delicious. I took a bite of my husband's slow braised short ribs; it was tender and flavorful. The beignets were delightful, and paired really well with the dark chocolate and salted caramel sauce. I really appreciated that all their hot dishes came out really hot. Overall, it was a really enjoyable dinner. Would be back to have the onion soup again and try other items on the menu.

    This used to be one of my wife's and my favorite places--a charming French bistro with great food…read moreand an atmosphere that always made us feel welcome. Unfortunately, our most recent visit completely changed that. We had reservations for a Saturday evening and were seated promptly. That's where the positive experience ended. After being seated, we waited 20 minutes without a single acknowledgment from staff--no greeting, no water, nothing. Meanwhile, other parties who arrived after us were attended to right away, which made the situation even more frustrating. After more than 30 minutes of being completely ignored, we decided to leave. It was honestly one of the most uncomfortable and disappointing dining experiences we've had. As strong supporters of local restaurants, this was especially disheartening given how much we used to enjoy coming here. Sadly, this experience has permanently changed how we feel about this place, and we won't be returning. I hope the staff takes this as a reminder that every customer deserves the same level of attention and respect.

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    Épernay Bistro
    Cassoulet Avec Confit de Canard maple leaf duck leg, white navy beans, bacon, arugula salad, pickled onions, breadcrumbs
    Cassoulet Avec Confit de Canard maple leaf duck leg, white navy beans, bacon, arugula salad, pickled onions, breadcrumbs
    Duck confit

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    Duck confit
    Naschmarkt - Campbell

    Naschmarkt - Campbell

    4.5
    (1.6k reviews)
    6.4 mi
    $$$

    When I arrived for my friend's birthday, there wasn't a reservation but thankfully since we showed…read moreup right when they opened, they accommodated and made us feel comfortable! Everyone was very friendly and the atmosphere was inviting with soft lighting. We all ordered the Jager Schnitzel, it was creamy and delicioussss! That came with Spatzel which is basically like a buttery pasta. Both parts of the dish could have used a touch of salt but still highly recommend. The soufflé was fluffy and had a nice addition of a blueberry compote underneath like a little surprise when you go to scoop. The ice cream tied it all together nicely. Will definitely be going back again! *All written while thinking about the delicious mocktail I sipped on

    As yelp puts it, 2 stars, definitely could've been better…read more 2 of us ordered: 16 oz hazy ipa $13, pricing doesn't match menu scallops $28 paprikawurst $17 goat cheese purse salad $16 tagliatelle pasta $34 NY steak $52 Staff attentiveness was good to start...but as it got busy, almost non existent. Scallops and paprikawurst were good. Everything else needed work. Steak was overcooked which was unfortunate. Also, 3% surcharge for credit card in this day and age is a bit foul. Street parking only.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Spicy Paprikawurst (part of the three-course Valentine's Day Prefix $95/per)
    Spicy Paprikawurst (part of the three-course Valentine's Day Prefix $95/per)
    Pan-Seared Scallops (part of the three-course Valentine's Day Prefix $95/per)

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    Pan-Seared Scallops (part of the three-course Valentine's Day Prefix $95/per)
    Plumed Horse

    Plumed Horse

    3.9
    (1.5k reviews)
    9.8 mi
    $$$$

    i went to plumed horse for a nice dinner and was blown away by the service and level of detail. we…read moredid the four course meal and i loved the canapes and appetizers most. the uni & crab souffle was so inventive and savory. also, the mushroom morel oriecchette was highlight for me as well! in addition, the bread was so fluffy and delicious and the desserts were incredibly inventive. while all the courses are small, there was plenty of food to feel very full. the main restaurant is a large room, but there is a wine room dividing the front bar/lounge area and the main room. note to sit in the main room, you must order the tasting menu (8 courses) or four course menu. i was also blown away by the drinks - the clarified milk punch (per my last email) and blood oath were both so delicious and beautifully presented!

    It's old-world French fine dining using local Californian ingredients. I ordered the full tasting…read moremenu, and my favorite course was the soufflé with the best Dungeness crab fondue. I honestly could have eaten an entire bowl of what felt like a crab bisque. The proteins were plentiful, ranging from red snapper, squab and lamb. The panna cotta and s'mores desserts were to die for. The service was incredible. Chef Charlotte and the team Lenny, Chris, Bong, Tyler, and Carla were all awesome. Grateful I got to walk in and dine at this spectacular establishment.

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    Restaurant
    Restaurant
    Wild Albacore with charred chicories, tonnato, gremolata
    Wild Albacore with charred chicories, tonnato, gremolata
    Black Pepper & Parmesan Souffl, uni & Dungeness crab fondue

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    Black Pepper & Parmesan Souffl, uni & Dungeness crab fondue

    Elements Restaurant - vietnamese - Updated July 2026

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