Came here on a Friday night, and the place was pretty full. I would highly recommend making a reservation. The restaurant is located in a smaller strip mall with plenty of parking. Note, when most people think Los Gatos, they think downtown, however this restaurant is on the edge of Los Gatos/San Jose. But don't let that deter you, the interior of the restaurant felt trendy and on par. Since this was our first time here and we're not too familiar with Eastern European dishes, we opted for the chef's menu and it did not disappoint! The food was amazing and the presentation was even better. Everything felt very fresh. The egg and the macaron bites are so unique, I would definitely recommend giving them a try. Service was impeccable, I don't think our water glasses ever got even halfway empty before they were refilled. Our server explained the menu and food/wine extremely well. With 10 items on the chef's menu, the portions were perfect. I actually appreciate a menu with more items and smaller portions, allowing you to taste more without feeling too full to eat the last few dishes. One of us has a tree nut allergy and they were able to accommodate them with no problems at all. Something to note, the chef's menu was pretty seafood heavy, which I love, but it might not be for everyone. I did overhear the table next to us sing praises of the short rib, so I will definitely be back to give that a try! read more

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-Oyster (Red currant) 1/10, tasted cold and icy Butterbrots -Grenki (herring): 7/10 -Finaciers (salmon): 10 -Pommes Dauphine: 2/10; fried potato ball, nothing special -Carrot Madeleines: 10/10 -Sweet and savory macaron x2: 8/10, good but could use more roe -Shime saba crudo: 10/10 -Scallop crudo: 4/10, not sure why it's called crudo. It's pan seared scallop over a vegetable roux. Scallop was well seared but needed more salt -Wild arugula fennel salad: 7/10 -Dranik - wagyu: 7.5/10 -Brynza panna cotta: 2/10; cucumber tomato salad is refreshing but the panna cotta is heavy. Not sure they work well together Entrees -Ravioli: 9/10 -Halibut: 4/10, seems overcooked -Wagyu: 9/10 -Salmon: 8/10 Dessert -Sorbet: 4/10 -Apple cake: 7/10 -Chocolate cheesecake: 3/10, too salty -Unorthodox cheese: 4/10 Overall we really liked this and it had a lot of highlights that were amazing. Desserts were a miss for us overall. read more

Lele Kitchen was a wonderful surprise. While it's located in a somewhat unassuming shopping center, the restaurant itself is beautifully renovated, modern, and upscale, sitting next to its sister bakery. The dining room is relatively small, which creates an intimate and welcoming atmosphere. What really stood out was the service. The staff was exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu, explained dishes in detail, and made excellent recommendations throughout the evening. We started with the draniki with mushrooms, which was beautifully presented and delicious. After seeing the smoked salmon version pass by our table, we've already decided that's what we'll order on our next visit. We also tried the macaron topped with salmon roe, which was the most memorable dish of the night. It was creative, whimsical, and surprisingly delicious--a perfect example of thoughtful, modern cuisine. For entrées, the pork chop was outstanding: perfectly crusted on the outside, moist and flavorful on the inside, and served with accompaniments that were just as thoughtfully prepared. The salmon entrée was equally impressive, cooked perfectly with crisp skin and paired with unique, well-executed sides. Dessert was the coconut panna cotta. It was good, but not quite as memorable as the rest of the meal. Next time, I'd probably try something else from the dessert menu. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. The combination of excellent service, creative dishes, high-quality ingredients, and careful execution makes Lili Kitchen a destination worth returning to. We'll definitely be back. read more

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Lele Kitchen in Los Gatos has great presentation and clearly puts effort into the plating and service. The staff was excellent...friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu, which really elevated the experience. That said, the flavors didn't quite land for me, and for the price point, it felt a bit off overall. I really wanted to love it, but it ended up being more average than memorable. read more

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Big Dill Offshoot restaurant to the adjoining, similarly named Lelé Café next door, it features a fusion menu of Eastern European classics with modern California twists. The Good: * Reservations via OpenTable * Private shared parking lot with tons of space. * Service was great as the waitstaff worked together as a team to take care of you. * Constantly changing seasonal menu * Romantic and classy ambiance, and a great spot for a date night or celebratory meal. * Beers on tap, as well as mead and a full oeuvre of fermented grapes, as well as a certified sommelier on staff. * "Trust the Chef" seven-course tasting menu ($159/ea) with available wine pairings ($60-99/ea). We would've normally gone for this, but they had a lot of stuff on the menu that we weren't necessarily interested in trying, so we opted to go à la carte instead. * The Sweet & Savory Macaron might be one of the strangest and most delicious things I've ever tried. It made me giggle after eating it because it was such a unique experience. Definitely give it a go! * Mushroom Draniki was utterly fantastic and again a great combo of the light and airy potato pancake (draniki) mixed with the savory umami of a myriad of mushrooms combined with fresh dill that just danced on our palates. Definitely the dish of the night. * Pommes Dauphine was another winner and basically a potato hush puppy that was crispy on the outside and full of a delicious creamy mashed potato filling. * Calamansi cake was delicious and not overly sweet with a great citrus punch. The Meh: * No outdoor dining * Not the cheapest spot, but it's worth it for a special occasion or a romantic date night. * Overall, both of our entrées, Liberty Farms Duck and Kurobuta Pork Chop, were delicious, but unfortunately, both of our proteins were overcooked. I would've liked my duck a little more on the rare side, and the pork more towards medium than medium-well. Unfortunately, we didn't specify this when we ordered, but we assumed a place of this caliber would know that. The Ugly: * My one complaint about the service is they really, really try to push the wine on you. If you're a wine connoisseur then this probably won't bother you, but when you're not, it can be a little annoying. * If you're not a fan of dill, then this might not be the place for you. We noticed they use it quite a bit in a lot of their dishes, which was fine with us, but I just figured I'd throw that out there. Conclusion: Lelé Kitchen might be the most unique restaurant we've visited in recent memory, as the terrific service and unique dishes have us wanting to return again to see what other treasures we can uncover. If it weren't for the overcooked proteins, this would've been a solid five-star review, but it still comes highly recommended. read more

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Dinner for 2. - Ambiance (5*) Beautiful, dark interior perfect for date night. We were only able to book bar seats, but I actually quite liked this experience vs. the tables because it was easy interacting with the staff, and you could see the chefs plating. The music is really loud in the restrooms- I told my wife it's like entering into the secret club with the Russian mafia waiting in back. Ironically, my imagination added to the Eastern European vibe. - Service (4*) All very friendly. Somm was super nice and spent time chatting with us at the beginning. One of the primary chefs explained dishes to us in a thick accent. Waters constantly refilled. Napkins folded when off to restroom. Unintrusive 5* service. 1* docked because the pacing was a bit slow. - Trust the Chef, $157 - Marin Miyagi Oyster, 5* Briny, meaty, nice pops from the trout roe. - Grenka, 5* A tad hard to eat. Would have been easier as a slightly smaller bite. But when put all together, the herring and accompaniments were so good. - Kvass Pie Tea, 5* The superstar of the night. Yes the pine cone was cute and tasty, but mashed in there with the creamy liver... mmm don't remember the last time I had something so good. - Sweet & Savory Macaron, 3* Could have done without this. Innovative concept, beautiful dish. Perhaps ruined by the slightly stale macaron shell. - Egg à la Russe, 4* Cute presentation. Harmonious flavors. - Dranik, 5* Perfectly thin potato pancake below. Amazing toppings. Beautiful presentation but also just really tasty. I could've eaten an entree portion of this. - Striped Bass, 5* Hard to get striped bass that tender. Amazing crispy skin. Nice pops from the caviar. Appreciated the cookery on the sunchoke. Veloute good as well, though couldn't really detect any Earl Grey flavor- maybe too subtle. - Aukashi Wagyu Ribeye, 4* Beautiful cut of meat. That onion was so, so flavorful. The bordelaise was a bit salty for me. - Cheese & Cake, 5* Still not sure what the cheese was. "Sheep and goat, not young" was all I could decipher. Mixed with that bashkirian honey was wow. Then add in the flavor of the pear- I was scraping my plate. - "Porcini" Cake, 5* So playful. So cute my wife was afraid to cut into it. Once you broke the "mushroom", the surprises inside were so so good. The pops of berry flavor with the creaminess of the Brie, with the chocolate. Mmm, top 5 ever dessert for me. - Value (4*) Considering the number of courses, feeling plenty full at the end, and the execution, I think this is a pretty good deal. - Final Word Excellent spot. Inventive, tasty food. I trust the chef indeed. I hope they change the menu as frequently as they imply. read more

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The food, service, and interior of this place are amazing. When you consider that it is in a strip mall across the parking lot from a gas station, it's kind of mind blowing. You really feel like you could be in SF or somewhere fancy when you're inside. I went here as part of a small group and we all got the chef's tasting menu. This is definitely the right thing to do since it's seasonal and interesting, and it's always fun to try more things than fewer. You can check the photos for the various items, but I'll say that all the flavors were great, everything was cooked properly, and the chef has some really great approaches to textures, colors, and plating. It's obviously done in the Michelin style with some whimsical platings and a highly curated drinks menu. Specializing in vermouth drinks, of all things! I tried two mixed drinks and they were both delicious and interesting, my favorite combination. The meal itself took a little over 2 hours to complete with the dishes arriving regularly. Service was properly paced and the overall quantity left me feeling full at the end. This is of course not a guarantee with these types of menus, so I was happy that a post-meal taco wasn't needed. The interior is very beautifully done, again surprising me given the location. And the service was amazing, our waiter, the servers, and the chef were all able to answer questions and make recommendations. Cost-wise, with tip and tax, it was ~$250/person. This is quite pricey, obviously, especially for the area, but I would consider it worth it. If this restaurant was in San Francisco nobody would bat an eye at the cost given the interior, service, and food quality. While I can't say I'll be back soon as this is a splurge/special occasion restaurant, I do strongly recommend it. Also parking is easy and they take reservations. read more

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It's overall good but nothing to write home about. The vibes are great and intimate. Great place for a date or to catch up with your friends. All the food was fine but for the price, it fell short. Everything was plated very nicely though. Our fave was the sweet and salty macarons. Fun little bites. Everything else was ok. The carrot cake was a bit disappointing. read more

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Outstanding memorable meal from start to finish! Fine dining experience with the chef's tasting menu, with outstanding starters (oyster was one of the best I had, creative salmon macaron, and more!). Delicious small and main plates with unique presentation of an egg, salmon and duck to name a few. Beverage pairings were diverse and creative. Service was warm and welcoming and even the head chef served us. We will definitely be back and can highly recommend! read more

My husband and I had been here a couple of times for special dinners with wine pairings. We loved their causal upscale atmosphere, we respected how passionate Chef Ulad and Fedar were so passionate about their crafts, and most of all, we truly enjoyed their food. We're so happy that we brought our daughter here for Father's Day brunch (they're not usually open for lunch), and she fell in love with the place as well. It's so unforgettable that I could still remember the dishes after so many months. Their staff were friendly and professional as usual. We started with some complimentary scones with jam and cream. They're nice and warm, and very additive. I ordered the smoked trout dranik. My husband and daughter shared the wagyu dranik and the egg Benedict with sausage and potatoes. My husband also had a beautiful and tasty ube latte. I liked that they always brought out smoked dishes covered. A great presentation, and we could smell the intense smoky flavor when they lifted the cloche. The food was fresh, well seasoned, and put together with great care. We'll be back again! read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner and it was amazing. The service was impeccable and they did an amazing job explaining the thoughts of the dishes. Every dish was top notch and held such unique flavor. Ambiance is great as it's both casual but also nicer vibes. Would come back again for special occasions! read more

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We were blown away by our lovely meal at Lele Kitchen. We had planned to celebrate my wife's birthday as a family but our teenagers got cranky so my wife and I decided to simplify and split off. There was a reservation later but we called and learned there were seats at the bar open sooner so we headed over. My wife had been to Lele Cake next door a few times including the day before for breakfast and our close friends had recommended Lele Kitchen for a nice dinner so we'd been wanting to try it anyway. Wow. The decor is relaxed and beautiful so our first impression was very positive. It was hard to miss the happy vibe - the customers were enjoying themselves and the restaurant staff were all smiles too. The whole atmosphere was invigorating and refreshing. The menu describes the cuisine as "California-farm-to-table meets Eastern European soul" but the options were still really approachable and highly appealing. There were so many interesting dishes including elements of the familiar and the novel - in terms of flavors, combinations and preparations. We only touched the surface- there were so many dishes we'll have to go back to try. We started with the "chips and dip", described as "sturgeon pate, potato chips, smoked salmon roe". It was served chilled with house-made chips. So great. Next was the butterbrot "financiers" mini sandwich with smoked salmon, garlic cream and little tangy pickles. The bread was like a mini donut with the sweetness cut but not completely disappeared. Lovely. For my entree I had the "Corn Kasha Cake" which was another central almost-donut surrounded by a wonderful assortment of mushrooms corn and other earthy things. Really nice. My wife liked her smoked trout dish also. We ended up indulging in 2 desserts, but that was something of an accident. We tried to order the "cheese plate" but when the server delivered the "cheese cake" it looked so good (and was!) that we kept our mouths shut and didn't correct. The chocolate almost mousse-like cake was rich and decadent, and the sliced fruits that came with it were unfamiliar and exotic for us but were unexpectedly amazing. We also had the carrot cake, which was excellent as well. In this dish the dehydrated olive "dirt" added a little "extra". Quite frankly everything we had was a little bit different from the typical but also a little more awesome. See you again very soon, Lele Kitchen read more

It has been a while since I've been wow'ed by a restaurant that had compelled me to write a review. Especially in the South Bay there aren't as many restaurants that live up to the quality, service and taste to the level that Lele kitchen delivered. We happened to stumble upon this gem on a Sunday evening when we actually wanted a quick bite. I knew I wanted something delicious, some fresh food, seafood that's fresh. We've been to Lele Cakes in the past and really like it so figured this place would be similar. We walked in and the ambience felt upscale. The decor was amazing! Refreshing, welcoming and just pleasing to the eyes. We were seated promptly, it was a family of 4 with 7 y/o and 2 y/o . We contemplated bouncing out since kids aren't really suited for fine dining. But they did great :) Angelo our server was fabulous! He walked through the entire menu, gave us recommendations and also was very thoughtful about the children. He was so attentive and made the overall experience very pleasant. Now for the real review that's the food. Wow! The chef gets it! The flavors, textures, presentation and the course all were on point! We ordered: Miyagi oysters - 2 of each topping. Our favorite was Concord grape but honestly everything was absolutely spot on! Savory macrons - absolutely loved this sweet and salty combo with the roe and smoked salmon. For appetizer we got the beet salad and Pommes Dauphine. The freshness of beet salad and cheese was so great! The basil mayo that comes with Pommes Dauphine was out of this world. The Pommes could have used bit more salt but nvm it was fab! For dinner was got: Homemade crab ravioli - 10/10 so much delicious crab. It's obvs on the heavier side but definitely worth it for sharing! Scallops - it was cooked to perfection and the veggies it came with were cooked to perfection. It's the attention to detail of every ingredient that makes this place so good! No compromise. The scallop was a tad salty but the miso hollandaise sauce balanced it out. Lastly, for dessert we got peach cake and were wowed by the presentation and taste. It was light and perfectly balanced. And if you're wondering what the kids ate, they got buttered papperdale pasta which according to my kid was the best! Highly recommend this place and I can't wait to come back for their fall menu! read more

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What an incredible experience! We already can't wait to come back again. Every interaction with everyone here felt so warm and friendly and truly made us feel welcome. The food and wine were superior. The sommelier was so kind and knowledgeable and kept coming back to make sure our glasses were full all while telling us wonderful backstories on the wine we were drinking. We love supporting California vineyards and thoroughly enjoy trying new wineries! We had a tasting of appetizers, entrees and desserts that managed to feel both elevated and deeply comforting at the same time. The oysters, bread, macarons, scallops, pasta, cheesecake, ice cream, apple dessert, etc. EVERYTHING was extraordinary. This was beautifully executed and there was so much flavor in every bite. What makes the experience that much better is the service. We could go on about how warm and friendly each individual was with us, and you could see just how enthusiastic they were about each dish and bottle of wine. Thank you very much for welcoming us into your restaurant and making the experience feel so personal. You know it was a wonderful evening when we're still talking about it days later! read more

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Lele Kitchen delivered an exceptional experience from beginning to end. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance feels intentional, warm, and beautifully composed. The food was outstanding. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, with incredible depth of flavor and clear attention to quality. Nothing felt excessive or overworked. Instead, each element felt purposeful, allowing the ingredients and execution to speak for themselves. You can tell there is a genuine level of care behind what is coming out of the kitchen. Alejandro was absolutely amazing. He was attentive, gracious, and effortlessly professional, anticipating needs without ever being intrusive. His presence elevated the entire experience and made us feel genuinely welcomed and taken care of. read more

Lele Kitchen - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Gatos, California

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I can't believe I've lived in the Bay my whole life and only recently discovered Lele Kitchen! Everything we had here was not only beautifully plated but also so delicious. There were so many nuanced flavors that elevated and balanced each other -- there wasn't a single dish I didn't love! These were also some of the plumpest, juiciest oysters I've ever had. Some of the other standouts for me were the smoked trout chips and dip, and the potato pancake piled high with fish and gorgeous fresh veggies. Can't wait to come again! read more

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We had such a lovely dinner here. Both the service and the food were top-notch. The restaurant uses super fresh ingredients, and every dish was beautifully plated -- a true celebration of Eastern European cuisine with a modern twist. The most memorable item for me was the Sweet and Savoury Macarons. I wouldn't say they were mind-blowingly delicious, but the concept was super creative -- the balance of sweet and savory flavors really cut through the usual sweetness of macarons, giving them a unique flavor profile. We also tried the Draniks with Akaushi Wagyu short rib on top -- the beef was super tender, and the potato pancake underneath had a nice crispy edge. I especially loved the pickles inside -- slightly sweet and crunchy, which added freshness and balanced out the richness of the dish. For entrees, we ordered the Gloucester scallops and the Petrale sole 'schnitzel' -- both were delicious and beautifully cooked. Dessert-wise, we had the dark chocolate cheesecake (a bit too sweet for my taste) and a seasonal fig ice cream that wasn't on the menu -- that one was a hit! Overall, I was very impressed by the creativity, presentation, and quality. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes! read more

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We came here spontaneously to celebrate our anniversary, planning just to enjoy small plates and some nice wine. It is a long, narrow restaurant, but tastefully decorated within its space--the dim and elegant decor is perfect for date nights. The owner greeted us when we arrived and was very accommodating with our table request. A card was placed on our table, wishing us a happy anniversary, which we thought was thoughtful. We decided to sample the à la carte menu on our first visit. The food presentation was Michelin-star level. The wine pairing and selection were excellent--carefully curated. Our waiter's appearance was a bit of a surprise. We joked that he must have just left his bar job at a club last night and rolled in to work here. Haha! Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience. It was a bit loud for us with the crowd and the music, but if this is your vibe, you will not be disappointed. We plan to return to try the prix fixe chef's menu when we have a bigger appetite. read more

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We had our anniversary dinner here and loved the meal/experience. We both opted to do the "Trust the chef" tasting menu and we had no regrets. Every dish from the amuse bouche to the dessert was a hit and there were no misses. Fresh ingredients, perfect blend of flavors, and left feeling full and satisfied. Service was excellent, as exemplified by a sweet handwritten Happy Anniversary that had ready for us. We both felt it had the quality of at least a Michelin Bib gourmand, if not better than some one-stars we've been too. read more

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Michelin Star Experience! Superb dishes! Original wine pairing was a little underwhelming but reserve wine pairing was excellent.

The restaurant has nice ambience, modern & clean. Staff are ok - there were moments of unwillingness to accommodate our needs but then something changed and it was a nice pleasant experience. Food overall was good, some dishes were fantastic, some were ok. Some of the factories were the sweet & savory macarons, rabbit porcini pasta, pork chops & short ribs. The duck was just ok. The cheese plate was great for dessert, the carrot cake didn't feel like a really one. The bread was not worth the price! read more

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Had the trust the chef tasting menu and every dish that came out was *chefs kiss* service was superb. I'm usually not fan of tasting menus , but the pacing of the dishes was perfect. Truly one of the best meals/experience. read more

Service is ABOVE AND BEYOND. We came early for a Halloween dinner and were the only people in the restaurant for awhile. They were so attentive and entertained our baby while eating, which is THE BEST (you parents know). They even brought out toys to help keep her distracted. We told them we were on the "baby timer" and needed to eat as quickly as possible to avoid a meltdown. Although they coursed out the dishes, each one came out quickly and we were able to finish dinner without any crying. Amazing. Favorite and most unique item for me were the aperitifs. I loved trying different ones. Got the Earl Grey, which had a strong tea flavor to it -- so good. And the pine one, I liked the herbal kick to it. Food was good, portions were a bit small, but we enjoyed the flavors and presentation. The duck breast and rabbit were delicious. This is definitely a treat-yourself type of place, but worth coming for special occasions! Maybe even just coming for a few aperitifs. read more

Lele Kitchen - aperitifs - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Gatos, California

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I wanted to try this place and the food was pretty good. The service was decent. And the interior was nice. read more

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Michelin-level surprise in Los Gatos Lele Kitchen is a standout. Booked a Sunday res earlier in the week--definitely recommend planning ahead. We did the prix fixe chef's menu (Eastern European influence), and every dish hit: * Pork chop * Duck -- perfectly executed * Oysters -- fresh * "Dranik" -- unique and memorable potato pancake dish Wine list is excellent and thoughtfully paired. Service was next level--prompt, knowledgeable, and personable. Best touch: the chef came out for our anniversary and brought a gluten-free chocolate torte that was incredible. Ambiance is dialed in--great energy, upscale but comfortable. About $250 for two--a splurge for us, but honestly felt Michelin quality. We'll be back. Highly recommend. read more

I went here with my coworkers and had such a wonderful time. Parking is plentiful and service is beyond excellent. I want to give a shout out to Julian our server. He has great knowledge of the menu and can make great suggestions and customizations. I ordered the Salmon and it was a very tasty dish! Next time I'll bring my wife and daughter to enjoy a wonderful experience here again! read more

Lele Kitchen - The tasty Salmon! - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Gatos, California

Wow. Everything about this restaurant was perfect. The service was great and the staff were extremely knowledgeable about the menu and wine. We had someone come by and explain the entire menu to us in detail which made it really easy for us to decide on dishes. We ordered about 8 dishes split between 4 people and it was the perfect amount of food. Every dish we tried was incredible. I already can't wait to go back and try the other dishes! The restaurant is super cute but it is on the smaller side so I would definitely recommend making a reservation. read more

Lele Kitchen - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Gatos, California

We had dinner here on a weekday with our friends. It's a small yet cozy place, with tasteful decor and an inviting atmosphere. The service was outstanding. Our table was attended by Ed, who was friendly, witty, and attentive to every detail while explaining the menu and making recommendations. Despite the menu being relatively short, Ed's enthusiasm and knowledge made a big difference, turning our evening into a truly special experience. We started with some appetizers, which we shared along with a nice bottle of wine. Since my wife doesn't drink, Ed thoughtfully offered her a complimentary non-alcoholic white wine that, according to him, had tannins added to mimic the taste of real wine. That was a nice touch. The wine selection is excellent and reasonably priced. For appetizers, we ordered a variety of dishes along with half a dozen oysters--everything was delicious. For the main course, we had pasta and two orders of king salmon among the four of us. The ravioli was so good that we ended up ordering a second round. The dessert selection was limited, but that wasn't a dealbreaker for us. There aren't many Eastern European/Russian eateries in the Bay Area, so this place is a welcome addition--especially in South San Jose, where it's hard to find a slightly upscale restaurant with both great food and service. I hope they continue to maintain their quality and refresh the menu regularly so we have even more reasons to return. read more

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Don't let the unassuming location fool you, Lele Kitchen is an excellent upscale dining experience that lives up to the high bar set by its sister bakery and café next door, Lele Cake. They offer up a fascinating combination of California-meets-Eastern Europe, showing itself through a number of unique menu items featuring smoked seafood and beetroots along with the more traditional mainstays of fine dining such as steak and pasta dishes. We began our meal with a serving of the Steamboat Oysters with mignonette which ended up being so delicious that we capped our meal with a second round of shellfish in lieu of dessert. Following that, we tried the Pommes Dauphine which were beautifully crafted, light and fluffy with a wonderfully thin and crisp crust. The flavor was rather mild but the textures were impeccable. We rounded out the appetizers with a Smoked Salmon Dranik which was decent, but ended up tasting exactly like a bagel with cream cheese & lox which, while tasty, is hard to justify ordering again at that price point. For entrees we opted for the Housemade Porcini & Truffle Ravioli along with the Wild AK Halibut. The halibut was fine but a little underwhelming as the fish was a tad dense and dry for my taste and the accompaniments were a little too mild to bring any wow factor to the dish. The ravioli on the underhand was an absolute treat, and may just be my favorite pasta dish I can remember ordering. It was incredibly rich and bursting with umami flavor thanks to the combination of the mushrooms and miso butter, a must-try if you find yourself at Lele Kitchen. On top of the excellent food, the serve was top-notch and the setting is elegant and warm, perfect for a date night or special occasion. Lele Kitchen is a stellar addition to the neighborhood and I hope I'm able to find my way back here soon! read more

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We dined here last evening for Valentine's Day and we were really, really impressed with the quality of the food. Everything is very meticulously prepared and subtly seasoned with care. The polenta cake with mushroom ragout was superb! Everything was great really and the wine pairing (which I rarely get) was excellent as well - generous pours! We sat at the bar, which was a nice experience as we were always close to one or more of the staff, who were all friendly and professional. We had the most interaction with Fedar, the service/events/beverage director, who explained all the details of the wine selections and details about the food courses. Great guy! The ambiance was elevated, classy, and somewhat modern. Because of the location, which is in kind of a corner strip mall, you don't necessarily expect "fancy" or elevated. But they've done a great job of elevating the aesthetics of both the exterior and interior of the building they occupy (with their bakery/cafe) - so approaching it from the outside, it looks classy, and inside is decorated to a level that matches their excellent cuisine. We look forward to coming back with our daughter to let her try the food here, and sample more appetizers and entrees from their main menu. It's fun to "discover" independent restaurants that service great food and clearly care about the quality of everything they present to their customers. I hope they do really well going forward and we'll be back soon. read more

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I rarely give 5 stars, but this place deserves and is truly a diamond in the rough. In a sleepy, largely residential section of Los Gatos, in a random strip mall, lies Lele Kitchen. The fact that this place exists, means when I want an outstanding, Michelin-like experience in a elegant, stylish location, I don't need to fly to NYC. Every inch of the interior (restroom included) was sophisticated, yet understated. I might have taken a star off for our table not being ready at the reservation time, but I'm happy to overlook that because the staff was so apologetic and accommodating, and the fact they only offer about 10 tables. Not their fault. The staff was not only well-versed on all the dishes, but clearly trained in fine dining. Big plus. And the food. Website describes as "where California farm-to-table meets bold Slavic flavors" - we had no idea what to expect. We had 'century-old' rye & sourdough, carrot madeleines w/chicken liver mousse, umeboshi glazed red beets, rabbit and tart cherry porcini pansotti, and srf kurobuta pork chop. EVERY dish was chef's kiss. Side note: best pork chop I'd ever had - sooo juicy and delicious. Oh, and you simply must order a "draniki" - I won't say more & spoil it. For dessert, we had the apple cake - fabulous. Lastly, on the back of the menu, they were smart enough to anticipate questions about many of the innovative dishes and included a glossary! Amazing. read more

Incredible experience from start to finish. Every dish is well crafted with care and delicious. 10/10 will be going again. read more

Lele Kitchen - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Gatos, California

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Lelé Kitchen is a hidden gem that blends Eastern European flavors with refined French cooking techniques--something I've never quite seen (or tasted) before. The sweet and savory macarons are a MUST-TRY! The ravioli was delicate, rich, and perfectly balanced. The corn kasha cake is like polenta, but with a more rustic, earthy twist. It's simple in appearance but full of flavor. Our server was new, but he was a great guy--genuinely kind, attentive, and clearly cared about giving us the best experience possible. They charge a $4 per person cake-cutting fee which is super reasonable considering they plate everything and package any leftovers for you. Everything felt thoughtful and unique, and the overall vibe of the restaurant is warm, modern, and a little unexpected--just like the food. I would never think a restaurant like this would be in a plaza, sandwiched between two gas stations. Highly recommend if you're looking for something out of the ordinary that feels comforting yet elevated. read more

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Lele Kitchen honestly, everything was delicious. It's Eastern European cuisine but elevated and beautifully presented , you can really feel the upscale touch without it feeling pretentious. Every dish was full of flavor and thoughtfully plated. You can tell there's a lot of care behind the food. It felt comforting but refined at the same time.Such a lovely experience overall. Definitely a spot we'd come back to when we're in Los Gatos again read more

Lele Kitchen - draniki - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Gatos, California

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Local fantastic restaurant!! Each dish was beautifully presented and all the flavors exploded in your mouth. Very attentive staff in a nicely decorated restaurant. We started with the oysters, then on to the beat salad. Next we had the chef special, potato pancake and the Wagyu short ribs. For dessert the carrot cake. Will definitely return to try some of their other dishes. Highly recommend. read more

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Very interesting cuisine, all quite tasty and unique. Located in a strip mall which takes away from the experience but once you are inside its quite a lovely spot. The service was excellent, they were playing 90's music very loud the night we were in, and that detracted from the ambience. Hard to hear each other and sort of didn't go with the vibe of the menu, and the restaurant. Maybe something jazzy anything besides def leppard and Vanilla Ice! It was close to $600 for our group of 4 with 6 drinks... so not cheap but high quality food. read more

I'm a fan! Here for the soft opening on 10.19.24 The menu is varied and presented thoughtfully. The star of the show was the halibut, it was flavorful and not overcooked. The ingredients were all very fresh and you can taste all the herbs. The amuse and appetizers, are on the smaller portions so you could sample a few different dishes and not feel too full for the main. The service is friendly and the timing of the dishes were just right. We will have to try the caviar next time! The kids chicken cutlet was a hit with my son. The desserts were not too sweet and just right after all the savory dishes. The ambiance is modern and clean, huge selection of wine! Come and support local! If you are a fan of their cafe, you'll appreciate this side as well. read more

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Lele Kitchen came up recently on my Yelp feed as a hot & new restaurant in the area. I've been to Lele Cafe a couple of times and had positive experiences, so I figured that Lele Kitchen would not disappoint. I made dinner reservations on Resy for 5pm on a Saturday. The restaurant was beautiful, and we had the pleasure of being seated at a cozy corner with a partial booth. We had an amazing server, who was friendly and helpful. I especially appreciated his suggestion on trying their orange wine, which was an excellent pair for my dinner. Highly recommend! I can't bring myself to give the restaurant a 5 out of 5 because of the wait in between dishes. I felt that the wait for our entrees was unacceptable. Our reservation was at 5pm, and we were the 3rd group who checked into the restaurant. Yet we didn't get our entrees until 6:20pm. Sure, we had a few amuses bouches and an appetizer, but the spacing between each item felt like forever. Our server made us aware that there was only one chef at the time and even advised us to put all of our orders in at one time. Despite the delays, the food was that good and honestly worth the wait, hence the solid 4 stars. Oysters - We got the raw oysters prepared in 3 ways (raspberry granita, lemon and champagne mignonette, and a horseradish cream with salmon roe). While I was a fan of all 3, I thought that the one with the raspberry granite was surprisingly unique. Sweet and savory macarons - Great balance of sweet from the meringue cookie and savory from the goat cheese and smoked salmon filling. The salmon roe across the top provided nice bursts of saltiness. My only complaint was the texture of the meringue shell, which was hard. As if the shell was in the fridge for some time and got stale. Dranik with avocado and cilantro smoked trout - I have to give it to Lele Kitchen for their presentation of the dishes. This dish, for example, was a whole production. It was smoked in a glass cake dome and naturally drew a lot of attention when the plate was being revealed, which was fun. I've never had a dranik before, so I enjoyed trying something new. The appetizer was tasty, but I did find comparatively basic in flavors when stacked against the oysters and macarons. Halibut - Fantastic entree. I was incredibly satisfied with all the elements on my dish: the brocollini, turnip puree, roasted onions, and the flaky halibut. The hollandaise on the halibut was the best part. It had so much rich flavor but felt light. Wagyu - This was my husband's entree, and it was equally amazing. The wagyu was cooked perfectly. Loved its brown butter onion sauce and side of shepherd's pie. Apple cake - I couldn't agree more to the other reviewers who said that this was a must-have. It had an apple compote in the center, which was covered in a soft mousse and encased in a delicate white chocolate. Bear in mind it's a $20 dessert, but this was absolutely worth the splurge. I'd eat 10 of these. read more

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Overall nice restaurant but I wouldn't exactly call it fine dining. It really is nowhere near Michelin ratings in terms of food or service. Food was good but not excellent, and besides the draniki which happened to be my favorite there, we didn't get much Northern European cuisine experienece. Service on the other hand started off great but when my husband found a little green crawler in the flowers in his dish, we were very disappointed. The host/server never apologized and just gave an "oops" and brought it back out, just re-plated, not remade. Yuck! For a truly fine dining experience, 1) food should be thoroughly inspected so this never happens 2) apology is basic? 3) food should be prepared again, not re-plated and 4) it should be comp-ed. Really wanted to support a local business but I don't think I'll be going back read more

This restaurant staff from the front of house to the kitchen delivered on a very pleasant experience. There are so many interesting dishes in the menu, the 2 of us decided to share a main entree so we can order more small bites. The flavors and presentation really were above expectations. We are definitely coming back and try other dishes and would recommend this place. read more