Ambiance - 5/5 Very cool hidden spot. Road to get there is very dark if you are driving at night but well worth the drive Service - 5/5 Waiter constantly checked on us for water, etc. he was very friendly and had casual conversations with us. Food - 5/5 Peppered Ahi Tuna was Risotto with shrimp was very good as well. read more

Parkside Grille - Risotto with shrimp - American Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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Hidden Gem Alert! The food is phenomenal from start to finish. The service was great the server was cracking jokes with us, kept the energy high and made for a fun atmosphere. The food and drinks came out pretty quickly the kitchen is quite efficient. Great for a date night or celebratory event. read more

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Last minutes date night reservation. The service was great, seated right away, very tentative, boxed our leftovers. The ambiance was very cozy and not too loud. We had the avocado app and the fig pizzetta app. Both were very good - loved he creative flavors on both. We had both fishes - Halibut and Seared Tuna, both were perfectly cooked and had great complimentary sauces on them. Finally we closed with the Pineapple Upside-down Cake and Apple PumkinSpecial - yum yum. We will definitely be coming back - it was a nice surprise. read more

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We've been coming here awhile, and unfortunately some aspects seem to have declined. I used to particularly love the baked items here - the pizza and bread were just exceptional, well developed dough, well seasoned and wood fired, and tasting of excellent olive oil. The last couple times we got the pizza, the dough looked almost as flat as a flour tortilla and seemed to have been mechanically pressed in advance - more of a flavorless flatbread cracker than pizza dough. My favorite pizza, the Greek pizza, which I remember for its delicious high quality olives and creamy feta, isn't offered anymore. The formerly complimentary bread is now an add on (which okay I get it, everything is more expensive now). Prices seem higher but ingredient quality/execution seems lower, which is a bummer. I noticed that the branding, logo, and menus have changed - with many but not all the same old items - so I wonder if they have changed ownership in the last couple years. The service is still great and the ambiance is still lovely. Their revamped outdoor patio is quite nice. We will probably still stop by on occasion. But some of the things that made me enthusiastic about this spot in the past have been missing in our last few visits, which means there's less here to pull us back. read more

Parkside Grille - Goat cheese appetozer - American Near Me - Portola Valley, California

Came here on Thursday dinner and it was easy to get a reservation. Had the sole special with the pasta beet salad and the goat cheese. The sole was good, the pasta was just pasta with no veggies or anything but tasty. Same with the both the apps. Service was quick, food came quickly but also felt a bit rushed like they wanted us out of there efficiently although there was plenty of empty tables (that's why one less star from what otherwise would be a 5 star review). Will come back and give another shot . read more

Our host and server were great for my partner and I's anniversary! They gave us a cute little card to commemorate the meal. We ordered the prawns, the wood fired pasta, and the sole. Wonderful food, great portion sizes, and a beautiful ambiance for a date night. Will definitely be coming back to park side grille! read more

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Solid Restaurant Off the Radar I've lived on the Peninsula for years, eaten at hundreds of restaurants across Northern California, and somehow no one ever mentioned ParkSide Grille. I find that amazing because it's a solid restaurant. However, the service wasn't anything special. Our waiter didn't make an effort to connect, it felt routine, like he was just checking boxes. I had the New York Strip. It was good, not on TOWN's level (which still holds the title in my book for value and taste), but respectable. Smaller portion, but well-prepared. My fiancée had the halibut and felt it didn't have much flavor. That's a miss. Still, I'd recommend ParkSide. It's lowkey, off the radar, and worth a visit, especially if you want something different from the usual scene. Just know what you're walking into: good food, decent experience, no hype. Just like a clean 2-minute drill and no flash, just results. read more

Nothing beats dining under the redwoods -- weather permitting. Food and service to match!

Really nice family restaurant in the forest of Portola Valley. Would recommend coming here for a quiet nice dinner. Seared Ahi Tuna and Pappardelle were very good. read more

There is NEVER a bad time to dine at the Parkside Grille! Good for any occasion... b-day, anniversary, or just because? Amazing food, exceptional service, pet-friendly patio where you sit among the redwood grove under the lights or on a warm sunny day shaded by the tall trees. Absolutely perfect for casual or dress up. read more

I've always loved this place in the summer. -- sit out on the patio and have a greatdinner. This winter however I spent a lot of time in the area and relied a lot on their takeout, which was reliably good read more

Nice lay out, easy parking, romantic feel and option to sit indoors or outdoors. A little on the pricey side but the food was good and I'd come back for sure. The P.G burger add bacon was so good and the Mac and cheese was also really good with none of that fake cheese taste. Service was friendly and welcoming. They accommodated our large party of 12. read more

Parkside Grille - PG signature burger with bacon added - American Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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Outstanding food, service, ambiance! Love the outdoor seating amongst the redwoods (soo lovely!) and also love the classy indoor space. All the waitstaff are so professional, kind, and attentive. Owners Hope and family are so welcoming and kind! Every meal here is a fantastic experience. PV is a really special place. Fav dishes: salads, pizza with mushrooms, cambazola, balsamic glaze, and arugula (and yay they have a great gluten free crust!!), sorbet, Mac n cheese. Yum!! read more

Parkside Grille - Forager pizza with gf crust! Cambazola, balsamic, mushrooms, arugula (soo yum!) - American Near Me - Portola Valley, California

I will always give this place five stars because it's so good. The Mac and cheese is a must have. They changed the dish they served it in but I still love it. Halibut was fire. The ahi pepper tuna was not that great. It was so peppery. Parkside if you're seeing this it's okay to have less pepper on the ahi. I know it's pepper ahi on the menu but what if it was something else instead. Chocolate lava cake was so good as well. Lava to cake ratio could have been higher but I'm really nitpicking here. Love this restaurant read more

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Food it's delicious, service it's good and the staff super friendly. The atmosphere is nice and cozy!

I hosted a rehearsal dinner here this past weekend. Every thing went very well. The food was excellent and all 40 plus guests were served at the same time (couldn't believe it myself). They set up a small bar with my pre- determined wine choices as well beer (outside), if someone ordered a drink it came out quickly. The spot is beautiful, they had umbrellas blocking the sun at the beginning, then quickly got them down and set up heaters when the wind and cooling came in. Bill (the owner) was a great planning partner from the beginning. Parkside was a great choice for this event and I couldn't recommend them more highly. Cheers. read more

Parkside Grille is a real sneaker of a spot. Been there a few times and appreciate it more and more. The service is impeccable. The hospitality from the owner and his son, Ari, Is unparalleled. Loved our burger (always the real sign of excellence). Yet the pastas last time were exceptional. Looking forward to more visits. read more

We enjoyed a lovely anniversary dinner here last night! The service was great, the ambiance was very nice and the food and drinks were top notch. We enjoyed a blackberry smash and espresso martini, as well as the calamari caesar, mac and cheese, ahi tuna and sole. For dessert, we had the apple blossom, which was also delicious. Beautiful setting among the trees with fairy lighting and pleasant music and the waiter took a very nice photo of us. Thanks for making our anniversary special! read more

Parkside Grille - Beautiful setting for a meal - American Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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They need more bathrooms. The bathroom monitor told us that we had to stand outside when we were sitting right next to the bathroom and ordered food and drinks and was just getting ready to pay our bill when we were getting ready pay and leave my husband stood up to stand up in line to go to the bathroom and he told us that he could not. When we were in side not one person were told they could not use the bathroom when they were standing in line inside. Never will go back. How rude. What are we in the 40s with no bathrooms to use? What not give them a rating they suck. read more

A beautiful little getaway spot that is worth the scenic views as the food is also amazing! The owner was animated and attentive straight from the front door (she helped us accommodate some last-minute changes for our party, and guided us with some of our questions about the menu). Service was definitely on point, our food and drinks were brought out quickly and we always had enough water (it was a warm day). Food was great, the goat cheese to share was a real standout, and the wild king salmon I ordered was grilled to perfection. Also got to try their fig and cheese flatbread and rosemary prawns which was delicious too. Great place for a family night or a date night imo! Will be back soon. read more

This has been one of my favorite restaurants to celebrate birthdays or meet up with friends, but was a bit disappointed on date night tonight. Service was fine enough. They're busy. My cosmopolitan was a little small. The artichoke puree soup, my salmon entree, and the brussels sprouts all needed more flavor. My partner added pepper to his food, and that never happens. Prefer my brussels sprouts roasted, not sauteed and soft in butter. We were seated at a booth in the bar - would've liked to be in a dining room for more people-watching. We used a gift card from my birthday. I had already noticed higher prices since pandemic. Not sure I will rush back here, unfortunately. I love the woodsy setting. read more

Friday evening dinner under the redwoods, could not have been a nicer setting. The pear martini is a bit tart which was a surprise, but the Manhattan is spot on if brown liqueur is your thing. Grilled tuna is served with a brown gravy, but believe me, it works. Also, the burger is simply divine! The only thing that was a bit weak was the Boston Cream Pie. The pastry was simply dry. Covering the pie with some sort of fruit syrup should have indicated something as a BCP should be able to stand on its own. Great service only surpassed by the ambiance! read more

Food was very yummy. Special: baby back ribs 4.8/5 The ribs were tender and delicious. I subbed the coleslaw out for asparagus which was also wonderful. The fries were a little dry but the dish was delightful otherwise. Mac and cheese: 5/5 Best Mac and cheese ever. I would come just for this. A must order for this restaurant. The ambiance was warm and personal. I really enjoyed this restaurant and I left just the right amount of full! read more

Parkside Grille - Mac and cheese ! Yummy :) - American Near Me - Portola Valley, California

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Great local eatery. Friendly service. Neighborhood feel. Try the burger on a foccacia!!

We chose Parkside Grille for a 70th birthday celebration for our party of 26 and would highly recommend it. The staff was accommodating of all of our requests, and the private room was comfortable, complete with a gas fireplace warming guests as they arrived on the chilly evening. We appreciated the 4 choices of entrees on the catering menu, along with 2 salad and dessert options. Particular standouts were the beet salad and the salmon, although the guests complimented the food in general, some mentioning that they would return to this well-run family restaurant in scenic Portola Valley. read more

We love Parkside Grille and look forward to returning soon. All of the staff are wonderful and the food is always delicious!

fried calamari might have to be on all of my caesar salad going forward... parkside grille What we ordered: -caesar salad with calamari frittes -tempura avocado -grilled artichoke -ny steak with baked potato and tabasco onions -asian skirt steak -baked mac n cheese with bacon -apple blossom read more

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Spent the weekend in Los Altos Hills and had the pleasure of dinner at the Parkside Grille. We sat outside under the redwood trees and enjoyed the cool weather. The servers were very attentive and it helped that they know the people we were with. I opted for the burger and side salad... I had a taste of the sirloin steak and dessert was tasty as well. Quint the rotor was a bonus guest! read more

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This is truly a "Diamond" in the Redwoods. Excellent menu, incredible staff, makes a night out even more special. Thank you!

Great service, perfect ambiance and great food! Beautiful outdoor patio & dog friendly (yes, all dogs behaved). Definitely bringing the family for our next meal. Don't miss out on this gem. ‍ read more

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Overview: solid culinary offerings in a beautiful locale. Food: is fresh and the menu is diverse. The pizza is surprisingly good, but so are the meat entrees and seafood. Coffee and dessert were also strong. Service: was professional, prompt, and courteous. Refills and check-ins are frequent. Ambiance: is classy with both indoor and outdoor seating. The setting is beautiful in the daytime when you can see the trees and greenery. They are off the beaten path in a good way which lets you escape for a nice meal. Value: this is not an inexpensive experience, so come as a treat when you can: read more

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I love this place. Friendly service, generally quiet but not dead, and most importantly great food. I highly recommend the Asian Skirt Steak... but everything I've had here is delicious. Also, plenty of good stuff for the kids (really good pizza, root beer floats, etc). A Portola Valley gem. read more

Food is good, ambience ok service is atrocious! We were celebrating a birthday but couldn't get the waiter to take our order or bring water for the table. The restaurant seemed overwhelmed. read more

What a nice surprise to find this very nice "roadhouse"? On our way back to the coast from a great visit to the holiday displays at the Filoli gardens. Warm and inviting on a drizzly, dark night we had a perfect table, welcoming and attentive staff and super warming menu. We had the roasted chicken with a perfect mushroom sauce, a side of wonderful bacon mac and cheese and fresh green beans. Warm facaccia started us off along with a good mushroom soup. Worth a visit. read more

Restaurant's outdoor patio is very cozy and surrounded by redwoods (scenic forest environment). Food is good (not bad but also not fantastic). Subtracting a point for hostess attitude. The staff is not super friendly, my guess this is due to locals coming here, as this is the only close place in the woods, so they know them well and don't care how they present themselves towards other outsiders. read more

If you're vegan, don't waste your time. The vegan options are an afterthought. If you're not in beyond meat you're left with a mushroom on a bed of veggies. read more

Toooo expensive,I got 2 tiny & very thin chicken strip & some warm & some burnt/hard fries on the side.

Excellent food and very friendly staff. This family run restaurant has been delivering delicious food in a beautiful location for years and years. Ill keep coming back as long as I can. read more

Reading these reviews I can't help but think some people have never worked in service before. If you have comments about food quality, drink quality, etc. fine. But to just get on here to rag about people working in service is a dick move. With that said, here we go. Also, complaining about the price? Then don't go. What we ordered: Appetizers - Baked Organic Goat Cheese (Family Style) - Crispy Tempura Avocado Pasta: - Pappardelle with Meat Ragu Mains: - Pepper Crusted Rare Ahi Tuna Desserts: - Apple Blossom - GF Chocolate Cake Drinks: - Espresso Martini - Blackberry Bourbon Pros: - The baked organic goat cheese appetizer was absolutely incredible. I will drive up there literally just to eat this. - Pappardelle with meat ragu was also incredible. So rich and creamy. - Our service was incredibly thoughtful. Of course when asked their opinion they go for the more expensive option but any food person is going to be able to ask the right questions to get the right information. - The espresso martini was possibly the best I've ever had. Cons: - The tuna had more pepper on it than I would have preferred but when eaten with the mashed potatoes it was flavorful and delicious We will return. Absolutely incredible. read more

This last Valentine's Day, February 14, 2023, my husband and I made reservations for the fixed price dinner at Parkside Grille, in Portola Valley. We have eaten there many times over the years since the restaurant opened, and the food has alway been very good. Valenine's Day dinner was exceptional! I had made our reservation on Open Table for 7 P.M., but through some misunderstanding or screw-up, my reservation was lost, even after constant, frantic calls. At the last minute we found ourselves with nowhere to go for Valentine's dinner! Fortunately, with a personal call into Hope, one of the restaurant owners, she understood our disappointment and figured out how to squeeze us in. We were graced with a reservation at 7 P.M.! Bottom line, the owners Bill and Hope, had planned a five star, stellar dinner, that left us in shock and awe! Each course was more devine than the last. It was fantastic. What made the dinner even more beautiful, was that they had our seating so well orchestrated and timed, that even though couples tables were adjacent, we were far enough apart, that we could carry on private conversations at each table! Furthermore, there were so many wait people, that all of them were synchronized to wait on us with perfect timing. Both my husband and I have traveled widely, and this dinner could compete with any of the best restaurants in San Francisco, or Northern Italy for that matter. If Hope and Bill, and their children Ari and Nicki, who also helped out, would do this again, we will be the first to sign up for one of these glorious dinners. read more