I came here for brunch with my family and we had the BEST time. My brother and I ordered the Korean…read moreCrispy Chicken Sando with fried eggs and avocado and WOW. Crispy chicken + gochujang honey + brioche + a fried egg? Whoever came up with this understood the assignment. My mom got the Shrimp Po' Boy, and my nephew went for the BLT. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked better than the last thing. The umami fries deserve their own paragraph because we kept ordering them. And ordering them again. And then somehow ordering them AGAIN. At some point I think the fries just became part of the family. We also tried the deviled eggs with tobiko, which were SO good! But let's talk about the drinks because this is where things got dangerous. Our server Sam was AMAZING. He was attentive without hovering, knew the menu, and gave us recommendations that were genuinely spot-on. We trusted him completely by the end of the meal, which is how we ended up trying several cocktails. My favorite was the Low rider because I'm a mezcal girly and the espresso martini was especially good definitely one of the better ones I've had. I loved the different ingredients they use, including Ola Coffee, which gave it something a little different. And then Sam recommended the whiskey butter cake. That cake was the perfect ending. Every recommendation he gave us was a hit, so at this point I would probably let Sam plan my entire brunch menu. We had such a fun family brunch and genuinely left talking about how much we enjoyed everything. Great food, great cocktails, great service, and a staff member who clearly knows how to make people have a good time. The ambiance was also such a vibe. The interior is really cute and we got seated in a booth, which made it feel extra cozy and perfect for hanging out and enjoying brunch. I could totally see this being a great spot for family brunch, drinks with friends, or even a cute date. It has that kind of atmosphere where you can dress it up a little or keep it casual and still feel right at home. 10/10 would brunch here again.

Highly recommended. Decided to try this place based on Yelp…read morereviews and glad we went. Although it can be hard to find, since its in the middle of busy stores/restaurant area it is worth it. Went here on a weekend and the area was busy so it was a bit hard to find parking. The hours posted on Yelp show that they are closed at 3pm then opens in an hour or two. We were there til past three and it didn't look it was closing. Bartender was great. Great service. Didn't have to wait for the food too long. I ordered the chicken and waffles and the chicken was not dry and very flavorful. Waffles were great too. And coffee was good.

Oh yeah..... Such a great experience. Yelp last minute find for Saturday evening last minute…read morereservation. Dined outside on small street side patio. Weather was perfect. California with Asian flair. Food is carefully prepared, creative, fresh, local, and delicious. Loved the sesame pancakes with trout meringue and avocado (my description LOL), yellowfin tuna and rice, and beef dumplings. Absolutely delicious. The desert was pistachio with fresh blueberries and ice cream. One of the best I've ever had. Wine service and list is proper and lots of offering from the great state of California as you would expect. The Poe bubbles was exceptional and paired perfectly. Tea service is a definitely worth enjoying. For the locals, this is amazing. For travelers like us, a golden find. Cheers!

A nice vibrant, modern asian fusion eatery, with a great selection if small bites and shareable…read morefood for the table, everything from delectable milk bread to fresh and fried seafood. Definitely a family style dinner, order multiple things to try! Made a reservation couple weeks in advance for a week night dinner for 2. Celebrated our anniversary and couldn't be more happy we came to Ethel's Fancy. Service was great, everyone was friendly and explained the menu and process. Helped making some personal recommendations and the food came out quickly. The only dish that came out very slowly was the dessert, we did wait about 25 - 30 minutes just for the softserve, but all other dishes came out in a moderate time. Rouge de Bordeaux Milk Bread, comes with cultured amazake butter and some salt. Comes out super warm, puffy, and soft. Very nice pull and the butter is super decadent. Very great take on a japanese shokupan, we were hesitant at first, but it makes for a good appetizer 5:5 Warm Sesame Pancakes were like those mini sesame mochi pancakes at chinese dim sum, but the texture was slightly airy. The sauce to accompany it was unlike anything i've had, smoked trout, avocado and yuzu. The avocado was not over powering and the cream on top was whipped. Amazing pairing. 5/5 Sashimi of Kanpachi, japanese cucumber salad as the base and dressing with the kanpachi sashimi. I will say this was the weakest dish of the night. While still good, it was a bit too tart, it overpowered the other natural flavors. Fish was still very good, tender and not fishy, but again, over powered but all the tartness in the dish. 3/5 Yellowfin Tuna on sushi rice - this was a great shareable plate of upscale poke. The tuna was great, no fishy taste, perfectly seasoned and the smoked kira had an amazing pop of flavor. Very rich and decadent dish, absolutely loved the harmony of a slight smokey flavor to the nice rich, umami savoriness. 5/5 Crispy Caledonian Prawns - Absolute star of the night. We could not stop talking about these prawns. Big plump prawns, fried perfectly, where the prawn itself was not dry but the shell had a shatteringly crispy exterior definitely slightly coated with a starch to give it a nice crunch. The chili ramp sunomono was a great touch, not spicy at all but added a great touch of flavor that complimented the crispy prawns. Could devour plates of these! 6/5! Sword-Fish Katsu Style - A great take with sword fish, flakey but not overcooked, great thin crispy katsu. Accompanied by kumquat and cauliflower, helps cut down the greasiness. The sauce with it was a buttery tart sauce. This was a lot better where the tartness helped the fried fish. It was like eating a fried fish burger without the buns. I really enjoyed this one. 5/5 Lastly we ordered a softserve with peaches, shokupan croutons and a caramel dressing. We had to wait about 25 minutes just for the small softserve so we were a bit surprised as other dishes came out relatively quickly or in an orderly fashion. It still tasted great as a little small dessert but definitely was surprised by how long it took. 3/5 Overall, we were very happy with our experience at Ethel's and it definitely lives up to the standard it sets. I can't wait for other new dishes to try and come back in the future.

I'm not a huge going-out-to-breakfast person. Breakfast out usually tastes overly greasy and a bit…read moreflavorless and has fruit that texture of styrofoam. But after an early-morning appointment at Stanford, I was looking for a place to sit down and eat for a while--and I'm so glad I chose Sweet Maple. I had two scrambled eggs, which were cooked perfectly, and the brussels sprouts and potato mix was so good that I'm still thinking about it. It was savory and lightly salted and caramelized in all the right ways. I also had the Millionaire's bacon, which wasn't overly sweet and perfect with my breakfast. The ambiance is friendly and professional, and the decor shows that it's a bit more of an upscale place--which was reflected in the service I received.

overall: 4/5…read more blueberry mochi waffle: 3/5, not as chewy as i want it to be.. i always order when i get it here but today wasn't so good ahi salad: 5/5, would order this one next time i come! very fresh, basically a poke bowl without rice burrata citrus salad: 4/5, very taste would recommend getting the grilled shrimp to it

Loved the Atmosphere, the food we got was delicious and fulling!! The service was great they got us…read morein before they closed which we appreciated.

Tried Fambrini's Cafe today and really enjoyed our time here! The parking here is a little hard to…read morefind/gets full easily but it's worth it. The ambiance here is really nice as well, especially the outdoor patio. We went with a group of 7 smart was awesome! The service was also fast and prompt which was quite enjoyable. For food we tried: * Crab Cake Benedicts - these were delicious and the crab cakes were really well made and fresh. The side of potatoes this came with was also awesome. They were well spiced and the potatoes were perfectly soft. * Biscoff lotus pancakes - these were absolutely divine. The pancakes were perfectly fluffy and came in a stack of 4. They were huge with fresh whipped cream and a biscoff sauce. There was also maple syrup. The combo was out of the world and would definitely recommend one to get this when visiting! We were able to split this so everyone in our table was able to enjoy. Overall, really good experience here with fresh food and nice vibes. Would definitely go back again!

hyper seasonal restaurant and super great chef and people super welcoming. Just beware, if you like…read morea dish, it might not be there anymore in three weeks haha because it's super hyper seasonal but love to frequent this spot and I'd recommend with a party and even solo. Happy hour deal is solid and doesn't get enough attention. If I was into wine, this would be the spot for that, too. Really aesthetic especially at night!

My wife and I didn't have a dinner reservation, so my wife called ahead and spoke with the host,…read moreSarah. She told us that the only available seating was outside. When we arrived, Sarah had thoughtfully arranged a table for us with a heater. Even with the heater, it was still a little chilly, so we asked whether we might be able to move inside. Since it was a busy evening, there were no indoor tables available, but Sarah assured us that she would move us inside as soon as one opened up. After we finished our appetizer, Sarah came over with a wonderful surprise--she had prepared an indoor table for us. This was the first time I had seen a restaurant host care so genuinely about her guests' comfort. Sarah was warm, attentive, and true to her word, even though the restaurant was very busy. Her exceptional hospitality made us feel truly welcomed and turned an ordinary dinner into a memorable experience. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was lovely, and we will definitely return to Café Vivant.

Driving back from Morgan Hill on a Sunday morning, we wanted to find somewhere for brunch before…read moreheading into San Francisco. This place popped up, and once we parked, we realized it was right by the farmers market... so clearly we had made the right choice. We got there right when they opened, so no wait, and grabbed a table inside near their very pretty bar. I had already stalked the menu a bit and had my order figured out for both of us: pistachio pancakes and the chicken mole breakfast tacos. And honestly, both were excellent and exactly what we needed after a wedding the night before involving a few (too many?) cocktails. The pistachio pancakes were delicious, but DO NOT skip the syrupp. I'm pretty sure there's cardamom in it, and whatever they're doing, it takes the pancakes to another level. And the chicken mole breakfast tacos? I've never actually seen mole incorporated into a breakfast taco before, but it totally works. A little unusual, very flavorful, and definitely not your standard breakfast taco. Hubby also wants to add that the coffee was very good!

We came in a Sunday and if you come too early there is always an amazing farmers market you can…read morewalk around at. Because of timing for other errands we came at 10:30 am and they were open on time and ready. Sitting outside or inside is amazing, outside you get the crowd and the sun. Inside you get amazing interior design. My overall feedback is this is one of the rare "fancy" Mexican places that justify the price and justification. Everything is above average in taste and execution. Brunch Tacos mole: chicken mole poblano, scrambled eggs, huitlacoche, tortillas, epazote crema, fried shallots & avocado. Perfect portioning and the salad that came with it had a fantastic dressing. I pulled some chicken out and gave it to my wife and then it was perfect, a bit too overstuff before. The mole and overall taste were quite good though. Chilaquiles: tortilla chips sautéed in chile de árbol-guajillo salsa, topped with queso fresco, cilantro crema, and an egg. My wife loved this so much it made her question every time she didn't order it before. Fried egg sandwich: two over easy eggs on house baked brioche bun, chipotle aioli, avocado, bacon, cheddar cheese, fried shallot. Kids loved this and happily ate the leftover after. Iced Mexican Cafe: delicious iced coffee with a distinct Mexican taste. Distrito Verde: mezcal, basil, lemon, and falernum. Simple but refreshing brunch cocktail, really paired well with the mole tacos. Chips and salsa: These are not free but worth the price. Both the chips and the 2 salsa are of extremely good quality and preparation. Abnormally tasty and the kids went crazy eating it.

We had a great experience at Nola in Palo Alto! The rustic, historic building gives the restaurant…read morea really unique New Orleans vibe, with charming decor and a lively atmosphere. The ambience was one of our favorite part. The service was friendly and surprisingly quick, which was especially nice when dining with kids. We really enjoyed our visit and would definitely come back!

parking was a lil hard on a weekend but we managed to do it…read more fishbowl drink wasn't mixed w well so some of us got a whole slurp of syrup & others got a whole slurp of liquor but maybe that was on us didn't get a picture of my friend's sliders but they were tiiiiiiiiny my burger was kinda tiny too :(

The God answered my prayers!…read more This place is a Caribbean food gem! I've been looking for some good jerk oxtail, and apparently the Lord heard my prayers because this hit the spot. Everything is freshly made, the portions are generous, and the meat is packed with flavor. The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone tender, and the jerk pork was ridiculously juicy and flavorful. I also tried the jerk chicken and NY strip. The chicken actually stole the show--the steak was good, but the jerk chicken had that extra something that made me keep going back for another bite. And of course, the coconut rice and plantains were the perfect companions to all that rich, savory goodness. My only wish? Give me something fresh and refreshing on the side! A little salad, slaw, or something with some acidity would balance out all that richness beautifully. Overall, though, everything was delicious, portions were big, and my Caribbean food cravings have officially been satisfied. Definitely coming back!

This is the first Back A Yard Jamaican Food location I visited when they first opened years ago…read more Now they have multiple locations throughout the South Bay, including San Jose. I came back after many years and also tried the San Jose location. Back A Yard is a good introduction for people who are new to Jamaican food or want something familiar. It's not quite like authentic Jamaican food cooked at home, where you get more of those bold spices and seasonings, but I understand they're cooking for the masses. Overall, the food is decent, the service is always good, and the portions are okay. Definitely not a bad choice when you're craving Jamaican food.

The location was beautiful, and I think that's 90% of the appeal. The presentation of the food was…read morefantastic, but the quality was good, not great - and I don't think it warranted such high prices. The staff were fantastic, and the ambiance was beautiful! You can also come onto the balcony without paying for a sit-down meal and enjoy the views. You could get a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, or nothing at all and just sit on the outdoor patio. There are a lot of options, but I don't think the sit-down meal is worth it unless it's a special occasion.

A bit over hyped !…read more The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. The ambiance, decor, and overall atmosphere were definitely the highlight of our experience--it's a very lovely place with a sophisticated and inviting feel. We visited to celebrate my birthday, and while our server was friendly, I felt the service lacked attentiveness throughout our visit. When we were seated, we were asked again what the occasion was, so we were expecting perhaps a small birthday gesture or acknowledgment. Unfortunately, nothing was done for my birthday, while we noticed the table next to us received a nice birthday gesture. It was a little disappointing, especially since the occasion had been specifically mentioned. As for the food, there were definitely some hits and misses. My mom ordered the chicken sandwich, but the bread was extremely over-toasted. When I took a bite, it was so hard and sharp that it actually cut my gums, which was definitely not something we expected. On the positive side, the salmon and truffle fries were delicious and probably the best part of our meal. However, while they were good, I wouldn't say the food overall was quite at a 5-star level. Overall, I think this restaurant has a lot of potential. The setting is gorgeous and the ambiance is beautiful, and our server was kind, but the lack of attentiveness and some issues with the food made the experience feel more like a 3-star visit for us. I would consider coming back, but I would hope for a more attentive experience and better attention to the small details next time.

I often frequent the Stanford Shopping Center and always see this restaurant hustling and bustling…read more I finally decided to give it a chance. We went at the perfect time before the dinner rush and were greeted by our waiter Dylan. He was quick to answer our questions and offered great recommendations. I got the buffalo chicken sandwich with air fried fries and a pepperoni pizza. I also got a iced matcha horchata. Buffalo chicken sandwich tasted great with not an overpowering vinegar taste but also had that wonderful classic Buffalo wings flavor. The bread was very soft and the coleslaw was actually pretty good. I enjoyed the freshness of it. The fries were very dry and hard to be honest, I'll probably get a salad instead of those next time. The pepperoni pizza was a thin crust and not overly oily and cooked to perfection. No burnt crust or lava temperature cheese. Every bite was a joy. The iced matcha horchata was pretty much just a matcha latte lol. I did not taste any horchata flavoring at all. Not bad if it was just labeled a matcha latte but I probably won't get it again. Overall my visit was enjoyed and I look forward to exploring what the other items on the menu are like. Despite the shortcomings of the fries and the lack of horchata flavoring in my horchata drink I would still say my meal was rather enjoyable. On top of that our server Dylan was outstanding. Checked in at all the right times and was not overbearing but also not lacking in interaction. We did not have to ask for much as he was quick to provide everything we needed. The ambiance and the look of the restaurant was very nice and clean. Music wasn't too loud and the lights weren't too bright or too dim. The seats were very comfortable the tables were clean and I couldn't ask for much else.

Dropped in for a late dinner and my waiter was Dylan!…read moreOutstanding service and extremely personable! Great food, but Dylan made it work! Ask for his table! 5 stars!!