I think it's kind of funny that there is such a discourse amongst other reviews about whether or…read morenot this place is a speakeasy. As a speakeasy enthusiast myself I definitely agree to the fact that it is "hidden" but also it does kinda give corporate vibes a little bit - maybe we can say they "gentrified" the speakeasy experience which is honestly so funny for Palo Alto. But anyways I don't think a classification should stop you from visiting it. The food is actually surprisingly really good. We came with a pescatarian and honestly while the offerings for snacks were a bit slim, every option was really good. I feel like this was the first time where I understood the price even the the quantity is no where close to be desired. One shrimp is like $6 and I was like whoah. Service is definitely more laid back and it's overall just like a more chill atmosphere. I'm fortunate to work nearby so I'll definitely visit this place a few times after work to blow off some steam... And the drinks! Yes they are good! They are also quite strong! Would come back again but also if you're conscious of budget then I'm not sure if you'll find the same value proposition.

Food: 3 / 5 Service: 3 / 5…read more Ambiance: 2 / 5 Let's start off by making sure that we're all on the same page... This is NOT a speakeasy. Using that language sets up an expectation that neither the ambiance nor the vibe is able to live up to. I can only assume that those reviews that commend this place as a speakeasy have never actually been to a real speakeasy and are more accustomed to box restaurants and bars. I sat at the bar and ordered a bourbon neat with a water back. There were three staff members behind the bar, none of them were particularly friendly or outgoing, which as someone who worked in the industry for years is surprising as a new establishment. Even though it was happy hour time, it was a Wednesday the place was less than half full and good servers /bartenders normally add to the experience and help creat a customer base of regulars to sustain business after the "come see" crowd is over. I ordered d' nuts as a snack and they weren't very special, even a bit overcooked / burnt. Maybe this place is exciting for a Palo Alto crowd that doesn't get out much, especially on the stretch of California given the lack of competition. My guess is that after a few months they will be hard-pressed to find a steady crowd.

Great place. The owner is Deadicated! Thank you for such a…read morewarm experience. Julius

I went to Bar Loretta in Menlo Park for a night out with friends. I was excited because the…read morebuilding was one of the first places the Grateful Dead played in and I assumed the establishment therein would inherit or be somewhat true to the deadhead vibe. I was the Designated Driver so I ordered an Iced Tea while others in the group ordered expensive double whiskeys and top shelf cocktails, The owner of the bar comes up to me and says, and I quote, " I paid 1.5 million dollars for this bar, you can't come in here and order iced tea, It's not a coffee shop, you need to order something more expensive" Despite a lifetime of experience of ordering food and drink, apparently I ,the customer, ordered wrong. Not having Iced Tea at a bar is like not having vanilla at Baskin Robbins. There are non-alcoholic drinks here which I was well aware of, but mocktails are usually full of sugar or zero-proof alcohols which often taste like salted donkey anus, So that's not happening with me. After taking a second to process, I put 2 & 2 together and thought this was a money issue, So I said "I don't care, charge me whatever, but I would like an iced tea" and the response from the owner was " I don't care, GO FUCK YOURSELF, GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY BAR" as he pulled all of the entire groups drinks back over the bar and started gesticulating wildly. At which point further "Pleasantries" were exchanged across the bar and at the end of it all no additions to police records were incurred and we parted ways. This gatekeeping and aggressively inappropriate behavior seemed wildly incongruent with the mantra of "What would Jerry do" ( Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead ). Regardless, I am never going there again, nor their sister restaurant Bistro Vida. This pretentious, overpriced, clown show of a venue can collapse in on itself as far as I care. The bars decor of cosplaying as a secretive 1920's speakeasy burnishes the venue's lack of differentiation which is in direct conflict with the bars new money aspirations of being elite or exclusive. The ridiculous idea that the owner spent X dollars necessitates you ,the customer, spending Y dollars breaks all social conventions that I have known throughout my entire life. There is no reason for a host/owner to behave like a foul mouthed spoiled child when asked for the basest of requests. The kicker is that this is not new behaviour from the owner and has been a long running aspect of the business https://yelp.to/rVUTLHQ53y ( review from 9 months from my encounter ) I refuse to support businesses that don't respect their customers. GFY

I stopped by San Agus Cocina Urbana with my wife, my son, and my mom, and honestly... this place…read morehas potential, but they're not quite there yet. I got 2 quesobirria tacos and 2 tacos al pastor, and visually everything looked on point -- the plating was clean, tacos looked well-stuffed, and the birria tortillas had that nice golden crisp. But once we started eating, we all felt the same thing: the salsas were lacking flavor. And with tacos like these, good salsa takes everything to the next level. Here, it kind of held them back. They only gave me two tiny lime pieces, and I couldn't even get enough juice out of them to brighten up the tacos. Something so simple, but it makes a huge difference. We also asked for chips and salsa (they're not free), and they never came. Honest mistake -- they were cool about it and took it off the bill -- but still, it added to the overall experience. Another thing: the nopales weren't well cooked or prepped. They had that slightly tough, raw texture instead of the tender, seasoned bite they should have. Flavor-wise, the pastor and birria were decent, but with weak salsa and barely any lime, it felt incomplete. All four of us agreed on the same thing: This place could be great if they tighten up their salsas and the little details. I'd give them another shot someday because the base is there -- they just need that extra punch of flavor to really elevate their tacos.

We came here on a Friday night and the place was packed! We grabbed seats at the bar. I definitely…read morerecommend reservations if you're visiting during peak times. The restaurant is beautiful and vibrant. We went in the fall, but I can only imagine how fun and full of energy it must feel in the summer. Food-wise: we tried the carne asada, shrimp, and birria tacos. The shrimp tacos were the standout for both of us. Absolutely amazing! The carne asada was our least favorite; the portion of meat was small, the tortillas were tiny for the fillings, and the burnt/melted cheese inside threw off the flavor. We also shared the guacamole + salsa combo, which I enjoyed, but just a heads-up: it leans on the spicier side.

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

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

This place is a hidden gem in downtown Palo Alto. (don't be confused that the door says Curry…read morePizza) I went here with friends for the first time last week and enjoyed it so much! The drinks/cocktails are great with an extensive selection in addition to their willingness to make things not on the menu as long as they have the ingredients. We only had "bar food" (french fries, onion rings, and my friends had wings) but the menu looked really interesting. Next time I will go back for some pizza or other things on the menu. The most unexpected part of the evening happened when they brought out a "cake" made of brownies and candle in it! My friend sneakily told them it was my birthday. The brownie cake was delicious and enough for many more than the 3 of us. Such a great place and I will be back soon!

We were really early for a brunch meet up. So, we decided to find a place for a snack and some…read moredrinks. This place seemed like the one to go to and glad we made that call. It's a bit small but we got some seats at the bar. The wall art was beautiful. They had TVs to watch sports. Then had a good amount of brews to choose from but of course we were there for the hard stuff. We decided to order just a salad. We had a spicy chicken salad and it was really good. Really good portion too. We also had a couple martinis and cognac neat. The bartender/server was very personable and very knowledgeable about liquor. Especially tequila. A nice spot to hang. Would stop by again if in the area.

Food: They don't server food, however you can bring your own…read more Service: Good service Ambiance: Great ambience Price per Person:  ($$ 10-20)

I had a cosmopolitan and it was delish! I have also had an espresso martini here before and they…read moreare very good as well. Perfect place for an after dinner drink!

Cute bar with no signage. Went with a group of 6 gals. We waited at the bar before getting a seat,…read morebut surprisingly was escorted to a back room with speakeasy like vibes for some live music. They have some nice assortments of small bites as well. Drinks overall amongst the gals was maybe about average. No big wow factors but we had fun. Would recommend for any girls night or even after a date night in the area Service - 5 / Ambiance - 5 / Drinks - 3 / Price - 4

WOW... a cross between a speak-easy & the kinda bar one would see during the mining days in NV…read more It's perfect with a vibe that's unique, but not copied. More of an homage to bars of yesterday. I participated in a fundraiser at Amandine recently, handpicked by a board member because of the ambiance & overall relationship to the local community. I don't have the details of the cost for an event, but it was money well spent to share our work with a new audience. The bar provided hosted champagne, Old Fashions, & filtered water for our guests. Decor is already amazing & bartender is gifted. He's like a scientist with an aperitif laboratory!! It was fun to watch him create & design & coax & mix & pour. Small bar with nice seating at bar or booths with chairs. Everything is well-maintained and clean. Lighting is perfect with fun accents on walls & tables. Lots of nearby street & lot parking. In fact, many of the customers are locals. Bathroom - just one. Darn. Otherwise, it's clean & spacious.

Great date night restaurant in Palo Alto! My partner and I…read morehad 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.

I came here with a friend's recommendation and reservation of 3 adults and 2 toddlers. I don't…read morerecommend 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.

Always have a good time at Horsefeather…read more - Would recommend making reservations, this place gets packed in the evenings - Good spot for a date, with the family, or to catch up with a friend - Small groups are better (4 or less) as the tables are not large - They have a happy hour 3-5 pm with some options for cocktails and bites - Wide range of cocktails on the menu, beers, mocktails, and non alcoholic beer as well - The Korean fried chicken sliders were delicious and very filling! 2 can share if you're looking for a snack - The jalapeño poppers were fire, would def get again I'll be back to try more of the menu.

4.5 stars rounded up…read more Horsefeather's decor & low ceiling is giving 1970s in your favorite Aunt's basement vibes. It's cozy & weirdly familiar (even though I wasn't born in that decade.) For a menu that's a little all over the place (I mean that in the best way possible; Loco Moco *and* Chilaquiles on one menu is diabolical), every single dish we ordered was prepared just right. If you care about your waistline, do not get the Umami Fries with curried ketchup; that pile of deliciousness will have you addicted like a fiend with its tangy, savory flavoring. Deviled Eggs were standard, if not for the hint of kimchi. I didn't try the Chicken & Waffles or BLT my table ordered. I ate my fair share of Lemon Butter Prawns; a side comes with six pieces & trust me, you won't want to share. The Loco Moco was incredible -- earthy mushroom gravy over sticky sushi rice and a chuck & brisket patty. Topped with an egg (made over medium like I requested) & finished with a side of arugula salad (my favorite greens) & I was full for days (just kidding, hours.) We ordered a lightly-dressed Caesar Salad with avocado just to cleanse our palates from all the rich textures & flavors. I'll be back for dinner STAT, so please save me a seat.

I've been a regular at Haberdasher in downtown SJ because I appreciate a classy ambiance with a…read morehistoric 1920s speakeasy twist, so when I say that The Wine Room is a sophisticated elevation of that, take note. I would say it feels like a tavern for wealthy noblemen in 1800s England. Allow me to say where it fell short for me, and then I'll sing my praises. The wine... tasted like wine. I don't have a particularly refined palate when it comes to that. The charcuterie board was a collection of expensive items that I am personally not into: miniature pickles (too sour), meat pâté (bland), and what I think were pickled red peppers. There was no cheese, which was highly disappointing; however, if that style of charcuterie suits you, go for it. The music did not match the ambiance at all. They really should play piano or smooth jazz, because the 2010s pop was honestly annoying. DESPITE ALL OF THIS, the crowd was the real pull. Everyone was either on a first date or was an interesting adult. This makes for fun people-watching and stimulating conversations. People were very willing to walk up and talk to strangers. I saw many people doing so, I felt welcome to do so, and people approached me to converse. So even though the food wasn't great, and the music was horrible, I will return funnily enough because the decor and the people were worth it.

The Wine Room was a nice stop in the evening for a nightcap, with some bites from their menu and a…read morenice wine list. We stopped by before turning in, ordering the Fromage du Jour (a selection of domestic and imported cheeses), a Charcuterie plate (with thinly-sliced cured meats, pate de chevreuil, stoneground mustard, cornichon, and purple cabbage kraut), and the Marinated Olives. There is eating both in- and outside, but I recommend in dining al fresco to people watch. The place is small, but it gets busier, as it does open later in the day (4 PM to midnight)! Staff and the bar staff were friendly. +wine and cheeses +friendly staff +dine al fresco