Sekoya is fantastic. I've been here 3 times and the food has always been stellar. When you go, ask to be seated with Marley or Kim. They are excellent servers. They helped guide us through the menu and we're really knowledgeable about the dishes. I also had the pleasure of meeting the new chef on my most recent visit, he is passionate and energetic, I look forward to returning to sees what he comes up with next. Highlights: The Beef Tongue skewer, my sister said it was the best she'd ever had. The Embered Scallops, presented beautifully in the shell with a dreamy chili cognac butter A Tie between the Chocolate Tart and the Bread Pudding. Save room for dessert! Honorable: Housemade Parker Rolls ( get the whipped ricotta and mascarpone) Cons: The music can be a little loud in the back room for conversation. (Request the front room or outside for a more mellow experienced) The plastic chairs in the from dining room, they look great, they feel like I'm at a company picnic. (I like to be balanced, no one is perfect) Overall Sekoya is one of my favorite new spots in Palo Alto and I can't wait to keep bringing friends and family there. ( and bugging the chef until he brings back some variation of the Tempura Mushrooms they used to have!) read more

See all

Came here with a friend for dinner. The decor is simple but cozy, making it a nice spot for a dinner out. However, we spent over $230 on a meal that, overall, was nothing particularly memorable. What Stood Out: - Service: The service was good. The staff checked on us regularly and promptly wiped down the table whenever it got messy during the meal. - Butterscotch Pudding: A nice way to end the meal. It was creamy and not overly sweet. What Fell Short: - Beef Tongue & Scallops: Both were overly salty, which was disappointing. - Crudo: I understand this is an upscale restaurant, and I wasn't expecting budget-friendly prices. However, $25 for just four pieces of crudo was still quite a surprise. - Steak: The steak was good, but nothing particularly special or memorable. read more

See all

Heard a lot about Sequoia's happy hour on social media, so I was pretty excited to try it. One thing to know off the bat: during happy hour, you only get the happy hour menu if you sit at the bar -- the regular seating area doesn't get happy hour prices. The happy hour menu is slightly different, fewer items, and about a dollar cheaper on most things. The bar itself is pretty nice, good vibes. We got the truffle fries, their hamburger, the Wagyu skewers, and two rounds of drinks. Honestly the food was just really okay -- the hamburger was the biggest miss, the bread was very stale and not moist at all. The fries and everything else were fine but nothing memorable. The drinks were a little disappointing too -- Sequoia's usual drinks are so intricately made and delicious, these tasted like they were on the happy hour menu for a reason. All in all, probably not worth it. read more

See all

$165 before tip: 2 Amber Hour prix fixe menus, including 1 dry-aged steak up-charge, plus 1 Kickstart cocktail. 3.6 stars rounded up. The first course was a bit of a mixed bag. The Ahi was a fair portion for what I expected from the prix fixe menu. The flavor was nicely balanced, and the fish was beautifully seared while remaining tender inside. Overall, a well-executed dish. The Hamachi, unfortunately, wasn't something I'd order again. The fish flavor was unusually pronounced in a way that wasn't particularly pleasant. It came across as slightly off and overshadowed the rest of the dish. The second course was also mixed. The Bavette steak is a cut fairly close to skirt steak, and it's one where preparation, cooking, and especially slicing can make or break the experience. Unfortunately, this one arrived closer to medium-rare despite my requesting medium. More importantly, it was sliced with the grain. The steak had good beefy flavor, but being undercooked for my preference and sliced with the grain made it exceptionally chewy. I'm also not a fan of having steak pre-sliced before it reaches the table. I prefer to let a steak rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting so the juices can redistribute. In a commercial kitchen, I don't see this happening, also if the steak like this is going to be sliced before serving, I'd prefer it be sliced against the grain. The dry-aged New York strip was much better. It arrived sliced into strips and was cooked exactly to the requested medium. The aging process brought out a pronounced, beefy flavor, and the portion was a good size. There was some gristle, as you'd expect with a New York strip, but here I would have preferred some of the tougher exterior gristle to have been trimmed a bit more aggressively before cooking. Dessert was the highlight of the meal. The pastry/dessert chef is working at a level above the other courses. I rarely order chocolate desserts because chocolate has become just so vanilla as a safe, uninspired and predictable choice. That was absolutely not the case here. The dark chocolate tart was outstanding. It was intensely rich and unapologetically dark, with a depth of chocolate flavor that made it much more interesting than the typical chocolate dessert. The portion was surprisingly generous considering how powerful the dish was. The butterscotch pudding with fresh fruit was equally impressive, but in a completely different direction. My first thought was, fruit and butterscotch? Those aren't two flavors that play well together. But the pairing seemed audacious enough that there had to be a reason for it, and there was. The fruit was clearly selected with care, and the quality showed. The butterscotch pudding was beautifully made. It was firm enough to hold its shape, but exceptionally smooth, with a gentle, well-controlled sweetness. Each component tasted great on its own, but combining them was where the dish really came alive. The fruit's brightness and acidity cut through the richness of the butterscotch, creating a surprisingly balanced combination. That dessert alone is worth coming back for. Service was outstanding. We were never rushed, and the pacing felt very natural. Courses came out when we were ready rather than being pushed along. The staff was friendly, attentive, and worked together seamlessly. Environmentally, the wood themed interior (think sequoia) is attractive, the beverage menu is a wood binder the the plates have a tree slice, wood-cookie, cross-cut look. Although it can get cold. There's a ceiling register that sends air directly down the wall and onto the tops of your head, neck, and shoulders. If you're sensitive to cold air, your table location may make a difference. And while they do change silverware between courses, they also place silverware directly on the table. All-in-all a good dining experience with the edges to clean-up. read more

See all

For anyone coming for happy hour, be aware that it is only available at the bar and on the patio. They have a decent happy hour menu and they also offer a 3 course prix-fixe meal for $59. The drinks and wine list are great! If I came back it would only be to get a drink from the bar. My main issue with the restaurant was the terrible food. We ordered a variety of appetizers and I ordered an eggplant katsu as my main. The only thing mildly palatable were the truffle fries. The eggplant katsu was a thick, unseasoned slab of fried dough. I am not a picky eater but I couldn't eat it. To top it all off, they mixed up our to-go boxes so I ended up with my friend's chicken and she ended up with the "katsu". They have a "smart casual" dress code. Overall I felt that the restaurant is trying to be high-end without the culinary chops to back it up. read more

This is a great place for appetizers and drinks. The decor is very chic - the servers were so attentive- they wanted to make sure we were taken care of. The bread is YUM! Octopus was very tasty, along with bread pudding. The cocktail and wines were amazing! Cool hang out place - decor was very unique. read more

See all

Well time for Gretchen's annual birthday dinner. I usually go Japanese, because many of my regular dining partners are averse to raw fix, but I liked the eclectic menu here so off we went. Parking is a bit tricky, but park in the lot behind. It usually has spots. Modern interesting decor, but tiny and things felt cramped. Also, with all hard surfaces, it was extremely loud! Our server was sweet, and mostly there when we needed her. Here's what we ate: We shared DOUBLE-FRIED TEMPURA MUSHROOMS shimeji & oyster mushrooms, whipped tofu, yuzu, sweet soy, togarashi, chives | $16: 3.5 *. The mushrooms were delicious and so crispy, but not overdone. The "whipped Tofu, etc. was kind of plopped on the side and had NO flavor. I saw no evidence of the chives or togorashi CAESAR SALAD romaine hearts, garlic croutons, parmigiano reggiano tuile, house caesar dressing | $20: 3.5*. Pretty much standard issue. the lettuce was very tender and fresh For my entreé I chose ROASTED SCALLOPS day boat scallops, snap peas,parsnips puree, orange-soy glaze | $46 4*. Portion was small, only 3 scallops (hmmm ~$15 per scallops) The scallops were a tad under for me, but nicely caramelized and the accompanying peas and glaze were a delicious pairing. I usually find parsnip pureé to sweet, but this one had just the right balance. G got ROASTED MARY'S CHICKEN garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken jus | $34. 3.5* This was a huge portion, like half a chicken. She absolutely loved the potatoes. I think the chicken was just okay, nothing special and the skin wasn't crispy. For dessert we split a butterscotch pudding topped with fresh fruit. It was a wonderful rich creamy flavor, but very tiny - 4-5 oz. I don't remember the price, but I think it was like $20 3.5* On balance, creative, some highlights. Would be better just for a drink and snacks. Too loud and price benefit ratio was very uneven. Food: 29/40 Ambience: 16/20 service: 16/20 value: 16/20 Overall: 77/100 read more

Sekoya - scallops - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

FLAVOR (4/5): All the small dishes we tried had their own flavor profile to it which kept our pallets always guessing. Ingredients tasted fresh and all the elements from the sauces to the toppings made sense. Least favorite was the beef tongue it was a little tough. INSTAGRAM WORTHY (4/5): Beautiful restaurant and the dishes are plated for the eyes to eat first. SERVICE (4/5): Service was quick and attentive. Our waters were refilled consistently and never had to flag anyone down. TAKEAWAYS: Great spot for some light bites. Dog friendly outdoor seating in the front. read more

See all

First time trying this place & it was pretty good!! The plating is so beautiful. The ambiance is nicer for dinner time. The outdoor patio is so nice for dinner with fresh air. The food is pretty good, better to open multiple options to get full & try different flavors! read more

See all

Great date night restaurant in Palo Alto! My partner and I had a late dinner reservation at Sekoya on a Saturday night and were very impressed with the quality of the food. The hand made fettuccini and dry aged NY steak were both cooked perfectly. The healthy portion sizes were appreciated also, we had leftovers. Also get the bread pudding, you will not regret it! Fun dinner at Sekoya, we will be back. read more

See all

Granted, I was only here for a drink before my main dinner but I was so pleased by the quality service from our bartender and the delicious drink. My friend said the bartender (Jeana?) made it feel like she had all the time for us even though it was clear she had many cocktails to make. She made our drinks immediately upon ordering and the check came immediately upon asking. And this was on a busy Saturday night too. For drinks, I ordered the bear divine which was the smooth combination of bourbon honey and orange flavors. For the boozy old fashioned lover, I highly recommend! read more

Sekoya - Bear divide - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

I came here for a work dinner on a Thursday (8 people) and was super impressed with Sekoya's menu and vibe! They are located right on California Ave. so it's very walkable. (NOTE: part of California Ave. is pedestrian only, and Sekoya is right in the middle of it. You will need to park a block or so away, however there is both street and garage parking nearby.) I arrived after a few people in our party, and we were seated a few minutes after our reservation time. We had a nice large table in the main dining room, close to the doorway to the bathrooms and private dining area. There are only a few tables in the dining room: hybrid booth and chair seating for around 30 people that can be mixed for groups, and a few low tables for 2 or 4. There is a large bar area as well, with low backed bar seats. I could see it being very busy on a Friday or Saturday, but I enjoyed the cozy and warm ambiance that came with fewer patrons during the week. Our group shared a few appetizers, and ordered individual entrees: *TUNA TARTARE (passion fruit vinaigrette, cucumber, mango, wonton chips): Really yummy and refreshing, but definitely too small to share between 8 people. I would like to try this again when I can really enjoy the flavors and multiple bites! *BURRATA (golden and red beets, saba, olive oil, toasted sliced almonds): simple and classic. I enjoyed it, but it was also hard to split with our larger group and didn't really stand out. *DOUBLE-FRIED TEMPURA MUSHROOMS (shimeji & oyster mushrooms, whipped tofu, yuzu, sweet soy, togarashi, chives): I'm normally not a mushroom person, but these were super tasty! They weren't overly battered/fried, and the flavor of the sauces and toppings was mind-blowing. I would definitely order these again! *BREAD SERVICE (hot out of the oven parker house rolls, served with cultured butter): I LOVE parker house rolls, and these were very good. Light and fluffy, and the butter combined with the fleck salt on top was delicious. You can also get whipped ricotta and mascarpone for a small charge ($3). *ROASTED SCALLOPS (day boat scallops, snap peas, parsnips puree, bacon jam, beurre blanc, chili crisp): These are incredible! The scallops were cooked to perfection, and I loved all of the elements of the dish from the sauce, to the jam, to the chili crisp. My only gripe is you get 3 scallops; I don't know if I could justify paying $15 per scallop if it was my own money. Personally I think it's worth trying, but I just don't know if I would order again knowing the portion size. *VIOGNIER Triennes "Saint Fleur," Provence, FR, 2023: A great wine, and paired nicely with the appetizers and scallops. Very floral (honeysuckle) and slightly fruity (peach), and overall bright and fresh. I'm glad I had a second round with my dinner! Since I was there with coworkers, I didn't snap as many photos as I normally would...so I definitely need a trip back with the #YEShusband soon! Overall, the amazing food and vibes were exactly what I was hoping to experience here-looking forward to returning! read more

Sekoya - Scallops - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Have come here several times now and always love it. Quick service, reasonable pricing, lots of yummy things on the menu, good cocktails, patio seating available. I am bummed, though, because on my most recent visit, they had removed the tempura mushrooms appetizer and the scallop entree from the menu, which were my two favorite things. The new embered scallop appetizer was good, but I still prefer the old entree. Please bring back those two dishes! Otherwise, I'd definitely recommend the pork chop dish and any of their desserts. read more

See all

Came here to celebrate Mother's Day and thought most of the food was pretty good. We ordered tempura mushrooms ($16), octopus ($26), fries ($12), and the mustard greens salad ($19) to share. Tempura mushrooms were quite good and came with an addictive dipping sauce. The octopus was cooked well and I also really enjoyed the sauce it came with. Fries were as expected, and the salad sounded better on paper than it really was. I did enjoy the bits of grapefruit, but those pieces were far and few. For my main, I opted for the scallops ($46). The dish came with 3 scallops and they ranged in various sizes, so it didn't look very uniform. Although the scallops were cooked well, I thought the overall dish was a bit sweet, which is odd for a savory course. Desserts were hit or miss. I thought the teeny tiny cookies ($14) would be a fun thing to order, but they're nothing special. It's literally just a bowl of tiny cookies and not worth the $14 or the calories in my opinion. The butterscotch pudding ($16) was much better, although it too was a tiny portion. I combined the two together, and honestly enjoyed the cookies more that way. Our server was super friendly, but the timing between shareables and mains took way too long. They also never brought out my coffee until I reminded them, and even then I probably should have just cancelled it. However, our server brought out the bill before that happened, so I just decided to ask about it. In general, a bit pricey, but I guess you pay for the ambience. I also thought it was going to be more of an adult atmosphere, but there were some young kiddos running about (to be fair, it was Mother's Day). I'm all for taking kids out to eat, but these kids were flopping around and rolling on the ground, while another kid kept shining his bright light in our direction. It was a bit hectic. I do really like the lights hanging above the bar! They look cool and it was confirmed that they are flexible. read more

I was looking for a nice, but relaxed place to meet some friends for dinner on Yelp and found Sekoya. We got a table on their nicely set up outdoor patio with outdoor style table and chairs (wooden slats). The service was very good, attentive, but not intrusive. Our meal was well prepared, presented and delicious. We ordered the following items, - Double-Fried Tempura Mushrooms, a generous portion of well seasoned shimeji and oyster mushrooms with a crispy tempura batter, but they were VERY oily - Crispy Prawns, had the same positives as the mushrooms, but they were also very oily - Truffle Fries were crispy and delicious - Sekoya Burger and Wild Salmon were the favorites of the evening - Chocolate Cake was a moist slice of cake with ice cream and raspberry sauce and a great way to end the meal. I'd include Sekoya on the list for a nice, casual and relaxed meal on California Street. read more

See all

This is a review for their happy hour, which they call Amber Hour, which happens Monday through Thursday from 5pm to 6pm and also Fridays & Saturdays from 4pm to 6pm at their bar and lounge areas only. I always love restaurants and bars that have happy hours on the weekends! This is a very cool, chic, and modern bar and restaurant in the heart of Palo Alto's California Avenue. Lots of dark tones and love the cool rope light fixture above the bar. Their cocktails are perfectly crafted and very creative. They go well with a variety of happy hour bites, including these briny soft oysters that feel like you can eat two dozen of them. The bartenders are very efficient and friendly, and even let me order another amber hour drink a little after the end time. read more

See all

"Amber hour" aka happy hour, will knock $1 to $4 off select items from the regular menu, which is on the pricey side. So, deal wise, it's not blow your socks off. However, the food and service totally delivered here. We got the raw oysters, Sekoya burger, truffle fries, fried mushrooms, shishito, chicken and beef tongue skewers. Everything was delicious! The burger was super juicy and meaty. I also got the Sekoya clover club that looked really pretty, but I thought it tasted like medicine. Definitely recommended for some good eats, great service and ambiance. Just don't expect to walk away with a deal for happy hour: our tab still ended up being just shy of $50/pp pre tax and tip for one drink each and shared food. read more

See all

Had our birthday celebration here. Service was wonderful! Loved that they have a back patio and a private room. Loved the ambiance. The bread was yummy. The pork dish was delicious. I also loved the bread pudding. Chicken liver was unique. It comes with banana bread donuts, which were not too sweet. And it was surprisingly delicious. read more

See all

Food was solid but def pricey. Loved the cocktails and would come back again for drinks Tuna tartare ($27)- good and liked the passion fruit for a different taste from everywhere else but it's it really something I gotta get again maybe not Octopus - solid dish. no complaints Pork belly- solid but I've had better. Did like the sweet potato with it Scallops ($50)- 3 scallops so you're not gonna be very filled but this was our fav dish of the night. The bacon jam and chili crisp sauce on top gave it a unique flavor. Overall, the food was solid but pricey but prob in line for the area. Loved the drinks and wouldn't mind coming back to try their other cocktails read more

See all

The duck breast I got was so undercooked that I left half of it uneaten. I've had plenty of beautifully cooked medium rare duck breast over the years, so at first I thought I could stomach it, but nope. Relatedly; the duck skin was not rendered enough and as a result has a rubbery texture and the flavor was not intensified enough. I didn't complain to anyone because the space was so loud that I just felt like finishing quickly and leaving. Also we sat at the bar and the bartender was clearly overwhelmed most of the night; we had trouble waving him down even when we wanted more drinks. I don't think the team at Sekoya was generally incompetent or careless though. All other dishes were pretty good. And the bartender apologized a few times for the slow service and only ended up charging us one cocktail out of three we ordered - that was a nice gesture. Perhaps someone in the kitchen made a mistake. Also if I end up coming back and want a peaceful dinner where I can talk, I'll definitely sit outdoors. read more

See all

I was a little suspicious of how pretty the decor of this place was. Happily, these suspicions were misplaced: the food here is lovely. The tuna tartare with plantain chips is a surprisingly delicious combination, the tempura shimeji/oyster mushroom combination with whipped tofu and yuzu is possibly even better, and the whipped ricotta/mascarpone mix served with the bread is delightful. For the main course, the chicken dish is prepared in a classically French style, served with delicious mashed potatoes and chicken jus. I did not particularly care for the salmon and quinoa dish - quinoa feels like it belongs with the healthy food trend of the 2010s. The braised short rib (?) pasta was nice, but the mains contain a few too many pasta dishes now for my taste. The restaurant is fitted out with a lovely dark green colour palette and tasteful furniture, but I must admit I'm perturbed by the porcelain dinner plates that have been made to look like wood. Yes, I get that the name Sekoya is probably an homage to the great sequoia trees, but even the convicts that the British shipped to Australia switched from wooden dishware to porcelain at the first opportunity. read more

Sekoya - Roasted chicken, braised short rib pasta, salmon and quinoa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

If you're looking for exceptional service in Palo Alto, Sekoya is it. Marly was our hostess, and she truly elevated the entire experience. She was attentive without hovering, warm without being overbearing, just the perfect balance. When our 3-year-old decided he would only eat plain white rice, she didn't hesitate. She went out of her way to make it happen, which as a parent, meant everything. She also caught that the happy hour drink we received wasn't what we ordered and proactively followed up with the bartender to make it right, all without us even needing to press the issue. It's rare to experience service that feels both polished and genuinely caring. Marly made our early evening seamless. The ambiance at Sekoya is effortlessly laid back: refined but not pretentious. It's the kind of place where you can unwind after work with colleagues, enjoy a relaxed dinner with family, or simply linger over drinks with friends. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between lively and comfortable, making it easy to settle in and stay awhile. We'll absolutely be back. read more

Sekoya - Banana Daiquiri (humboldt spice rum, pairidaeza crème de banana, bitter lime cordial, lime) & Improved Naked & Famous (mezcal drink,) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Brioche starter bread was fantastic - could have just eaten a couple loafs of that and skipped dinner. All of the dishes we tasted great - except using plantains for the tuna tare tare was a bit unwieldy and had a weird mix of flavor. Drinks were pretty good as well. It'll be busy during dinner time but you can take a stroll in the area and come back when the spot opens up, they'll hold it for ya. read more

See all

I came here with a friend's recommendation and reservation of 3 adults and 2 toddlers. I don't recommend coming without a reservation. When we arrived they were going to seat us on the patio and said inside was full. They were able to accommodate us and seat us on the back patio which was nice. The food was good but pricy and overall a bit too salty for us as we kept having to drink a lot of water. The service was excellent as the waiters frequently checked on us and refilled our water, wiped the table and cleared the plates. They were not very familiar with children so I don't think it's recommended for going with kids, as they took away my 2 year old's plate and cutlery and I needed to ask for it back so she could eat on something. They don't have baby plates/utensils available. They did have high chairs available. They box up food for you if you take home leftovers. Bathroom was nice. They should check that the fire extinguisher isn't blocked by any plants. read more

Stumbled upon Sekoya while walking through downtown the area and was pleasantly surprised. Though I didn't try the food, the experience was memorable just from the drinks and the staff alone. The restaurant has a moody, mid-century modern feel--perfect for a date night! I loved the Almond Blossom, a vodka-based drink with amaretto that was on the sweeter side, refreshing, and beautifully balanced. The Yuzual, a gin-based cocktail with yuzu citrusy-bitter note. I'm already looking forward to coming back for more drinks and to try the food. read more

Sekoya - May 2025: Almond Blossom (left) & The Yuzual (right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

From the time we stepped through those doors to the time that we left, the staff was absolutely amazing and attentive. Both the steak and halibut were cooked to perfection. And who could resist the bread service? Hats off to the chefs and whoever prepared the bread pudding! read more

Came here with my boyfriend for our anniversary and it was our first time checking this place out. I totally loved the vibes, very modern, cool interior with a great atmosphere. Parking was pretty easy. There's a lot nearby, plus a parking garage. Service was great! The staff was super friendly and attentive the whole time. The food was amazing! Every dish we ordered was on point and beautifully presented. We got the Oysters, Prime NY Strip, Steelhead Trout, Fried Tempura Mushrooms, and Kanpachi Crudo. For drinks, I got the Tropical Nights which has rice washed tequila, mango, Thai basil, bitter lime cordial and creamed sake foam (10/10) then my bf got the Bear Divide which has honeycomb cereal infused bourbon, barenjager, dry curaçao and orange bitters. Everything was honestly worth ordering. I'm a big snacker, so I really enjoyed the double fried tempura mushrooms as an appetizer. Definitely planning to come back again for another special occasion! read more

See all

The space here is really nice; stylish but still feels cozy and comfortable. Service was friendly and laid-back, which I appreciated. We started with the tempura mushrooms and the tomato and watermelon salad. Both were solid. The mushrooms were crispy and satisfying, and the salad was fresh and light. My friend had the vegan gnocchi and really liked it, soft pasta, good texture. I went with the duck breast over noodles. The flavor was great, but the duck was a little underdone for my taste. Still enjoyable overall. read more

Rented out the back room and patio area for an event and it was great. Service was good, drinks were delicious. I wish they would have asked if we wanted to pack up the food at the end of the meal instead of discarding it, but everything was good otherwise. Looking forward to hosting more events here! read more

Came here for a belated birthday dinner with my family and the restaurant definitely had that upscale feel! I was a little concerned about the seating arrangements, since it wasn't clear in the Yelp photos, but they DO have regular seats. The bar is SUPER nice, very sexy vibes, and can totally see this as a great hang out spot with friends both for dates or casually with a group given the variety of different seating options. The staff were incredibly nice, and the food was a hit with the whole family. It was super reasonable and their version of parker rolls were yum! Definitely will come back soon! read more

Generally a pleasant visit for a birthday dinner. Service was good but could improve in some areas. Dishes are generally creative in appetizers and ok on entrees. First, service: 1. We ran late, so I called to push out the reservation from 6:30 to 7pm and the host made the accommodation right away. - Great! 2. Our server was friendly and gave good recommendations. He gave us a tip that they were also hosting a 40 people private dining, so if we didn't put our first round of order in, we would have to wait 40 minutes. His recommendation of the cocktail was also good. - Great! 3. Bus service needs some training. We were finishing up the appetizers and our plates were being taken away while I was working on the last dish. This happened again when we were working on the main dishes. - Embarrassing! 4. The lady who brought us dishes was great in taking pictures for the family. She took multiple from different angles and they all looked great. - Great! Secondly, food: I'm particularly interested in their Starters as they look quite interesting. - Double fried tempura mushrooms (shimeji & oyster mushrooms, whipped tofu, yuzu, sweet soy, togarashi, chives): super good! Mostly you can't go wrong with fried food, but the volume of the dish is another pleasant surprise. We all rated this number one, our most favorite. - Grilled Quail (caramelized figs, pickled mushrooms, chicken jus): this is a disappointment. I was expecting more quail than 4 tiny drums. The caramelized figs were too sweet and the pickled mushrooms were too sour. It's probably ok if you eat the fig and mushroom in the same bite but it's not how we ate the dish, so the pickled mushroom was a big shock to the palette. The quail legs were also too cooked. - Chicken Liver Mousse (banana bread doughnuts, mixed fruit compote, cherry): this is an interesting dish and we all liked it. The fried doughnuts were kids favorite but my delight rests on the sauce, which was made from the chicken liver mousse and elevated by the sweetness from fruits. I was debating if I should order some bread and wipe up the sauce from the plate. - Grilled Spanish Octopus (romesco sauce, Jimmy nardello peppers, roasted potatoes): this dish is spicy from the sauce though the grilled peppers were not. The amount of octopus was frugal compared to the $24 price tag. The octopus was tender but slightly overcooked. - Spring Mix (peaches, grapes, candied pecans, balsamic vinaigrette, goat cheese): a good balanced fresh salad. I did not find any peach, but the greens were very fresh. I was happy with this dish. - roasted duck breast (noodles, carrots, bok choy, paprika): this dish is ok but it's more like a Chinese chow mein than a upscale roasted duck dish. The duck portion was good and cooked to just right. The noodle is el dente texture and the dish tasted fine, probably costs less than $38 in an Asian restaurant though. :) - Housemade fettuccine (prawns, alfredo sauce, parmesan cheese): this dish was good! The prawns were fresh, cooked to a bouncy texture, the fettuccine was not soggy, the sauce was heavy in parmesan cheese flavor. - Beef Tongue Skewer: one skewer with 4 pieces of beef tongue cubes. The teriyaki flavor was great and the texture was soft and juicy. $14 is a bit pricey but the flavor won. - California Oasis (gin, elderflower, chareau, bitter lime cordial, lemon, orange, egg white): a hefty $19 for cocktail! I asked our waiter against Almond Blossom which one is less sweet and he recommended California Oasis. The egg white foam on the top was good, consistent and thick. Thirdly, ambiance: This place is bigger than I thought! Other than outdoor seating in the front, you would pass the main room with dining tables on one side and a bar on the other. They have a very neat looking long wood table with a sliding edge for party of 6. They can also setup a long table for a big party. We were led to walk pass the main hall, pass the kitchen and then almost like a U shape, we were led to the other side of a smaller room with smaller size parties. At the back there's another long room for private group setting. The overall tone of decoration is casual and a bit dark. Overall we were happy with the meal, good quality of meal and attentative service. The only big dent on the score was the dish busing service was a bit too aggressive. It's ok to wait a bit, you know....:) read more

See all

I came here for a birthday dinner and was disappointed by both the service and the food, especially given the high price. The service was mediocre, and the food was underwhelming and overpriced. They charged over $123 without tax/ tip/ service fee per person, yet the portions were so small that the cost felt completely unjustified. Some of us did not even get to try any of the appetizers even though they should have gave enough or at least enough for 1 per person if they're charging per head. We even had 1 less person but paid for an extra person and still did not have enough food. It seemed like they reduced the amount of food while increasing the price due to the preset menu and an additional event fee. If we had been able to order à la carte, we would have gotten more food for a lower price. As for the food itself, it was not great. We had quail, bread, mushrooms, salad, steak, halibut, and a chocolate banana pudding-like dessert. The entire party of over 25 people agreed that the halibut was extremely dry. Everything else was just okay, but the steak was served cold. The drinks were good, but at $19 per cocktail, the pricing was excessive. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place for a party. read more

Sekoya - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Sekoya is worth your time. The food is great. Service is solid, especially with Marley.

Went out to celebrate with a friend, and we were seeking exceptional cocktails -- this place did not disappoint. The appetizers were surprisingly great too, and made the evening so pleasant. I drank the Bear Divide and then the Black Butte while nibbling on the crudo, grilled octopus, Caesar salad, and truffle fries with my friend who raved about the Grapevine Cobbler. Our server was really thoughtful in giving us recommendations too! Can't wait to come back for a proper meal read more

Sekoya - Black Butte and truffle fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

Come here after dinner for the cocktails, not the food. Grabbed dinner with a friend over the weekend, and the food was very disappointing. I've been here several times and recommended the spot as a solid option (my views have changed). The first disappointing dish was the app tuna tartare. Completely flavorless with little to no seasoning with run of the mill potato chips for dipping. In fairness, we also got oysters which were a bit small but good flavor. The real disappointment though came with one of the entrees. We ordered the NY strip 8 oz which, first of all, I guess we're the suckers for ordering that cut of meat and size FOR 58 DOLLARS. But hey, steak sounded good. It wasn't. The seasoning was fine but at one point we started laughing because the steak was so chewy we had to break mid convo to get down the bite. Along with a sad mushy mess of Swiss chard to complement, this was a rough dish. The service: strange. Our waiter was generally good, but not 60 seconds after ordering apps and drinks, he came back asking if we were ready to order entrees. Umm no, we've barely just sat down, let's pump the breaks. Later on, he came over and told us that the steak was ready, should he let it sit or bring it out. What? I've never gotten that question before. Yeah dude, bring out the food. Cocktails: the reason I gave this 3 stars and not less. Very solid option along Cal Ave to sit at the bar and have good drinks. read more

So glad we bumped into this place. Needed a quick drink & they had a cute bar. Looks like a spot to take a date or have a girls night. It was dim but that's how we want it at night right? Glass of your choice and have a conversation type of place. Our bartender was friendly and recommended this smooth tequila that didn't need any backs. Definitely would come back to try their food out. read more

See all

My hubby and I had a date night and I had heard great things about Sekoya. The menu enticed us. Walking into the restaurant, you're welcomed with a cool and hip yet comfortable atmosphere. Nicely designed. Steve, the owner and previous owner/founder of famed Pausa in San Mateo greeted us at our table and said my hubby looked familiar. We mentioned we have a small business in San Mateo and we figured we most likely have seen each other in and around the area. Very cool guy. Professional yet friendly. He has a handle on the restaurant and the staff responds well to him. Our waiter, who also was our bartender, was Iván and he was also a delight. He recommended an amazing tequila-Fortaleza for hubby's margarita. We also sampled a few shots of the same brand to go along with our cocktails. Fantastico! Really one of the best tequilas we've had and I'm not big on tequila. Ok, for food: we started w/ the Yellowtail Crudo-pretty good. The bread service is a must and def recommend the whipped ricotta & mascarpone. We also tried the chicken thigh skewer which was tasty. Hubby loved his beef tongue skewer. Said it was phenomenal. And we shared the pork chop which was out of this world. Amazing flavors. Loved that it was sliced up. Made it easy to dip each piece in the jus. Dessert: butterscotch pudding which is atypical on a menu so that was a huge yes for me. Divine! After dinner liqueur was Amaro Averna and again, wow. We are usually a one drink each type of couple but not this evening! Steve heard us discussing our upcoming big anniversary and brought us out 2 more samples of an in house tequila liqueur. Delicious. Highly recommend Sekoya for food, service and vibe. The bus staff were also friendly and sweet. We look forward to coming back and trying more off of the unique menu! Thank you for the fun experience! read more

Sekoya - California Oasis cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Sekoya is one of the best restaurants I've stumbled upon. It's a Japanese fusion restaurant and though I'm generally a bit skeptical of fusion, we were blown away by most of the dishes we ordered, and by the quality of the service. We called ahead to snag a last minute bar reservation on Saturday night and feeling adventurous, ordered some of their most popular dishes. Chicken thigh skewers - some of the best I've had; juicy and had a great charred and umami flavor. Wish we ordered another! Grilled octopus - my favorite of the night and surpassed all expectations by far. I've never had grilled octopus and this is now my favorite way to consume octopus. Tender and satisfying texture, extremely flavorful and great with the crispy potatoes. Tempura mushrooms - I don't like mushrooms but these are good, everyone on yelp raves about them. Chicken liver mousse - ingredient list: "banana bread doughnuts" "figs" "chicken liver mousse". A lot of creative liberties were taken here, but in this household we support that and so we ordered it. I really wanted this to work and it did, but barely. The flavors of banana and chicken almost cancel each other out. Texturally, the doughnuts were also quite dense and doughy. Parker house rolls - perfect marriage of a croissant and a butter roll. Crispy on the outside and fluffy, and soft on the inside. Absolutely delicious. Salad - 10/10 no notes. Cabbage + Grapefruit + edamame + citrusy sesame dressing. I really appreciate when restaurants put effort into salad and it's not a soggy spring mix I could buy from Costco. This was super yummy. Beef tongue skewer - i don't really like beef tongue but i think this was great, very soft Chocolate cake - fantastic vanilla gelato, but just get the butterscotch pudding or the sundae. The quality and taste of the cake was rather mid compared to everything else. Service is amazing!! Everyone was so attentive and kind. This place puts a lot of care into everything they do. Honestly the food might be 4.5 stars but service is definitely 5. read more

See all

A vibrant, classy place for cocktails with mocktails that were delicious and well-crafted.

I had one of the best burgers of my life right here (get the bacon jam). Juicy smash burger with the perfect crisp, and the bacon jam elevates it to the stars. Half of my burger was stolen by my companion and I'm still a little mad about it more than a week later, but I guess what's done is done. We also tried poached shrimp and cocktails, and they were really good. I just don't remember a whole lot because the burger dominated my thoughts for the rest of the night. read more

See all