Overall 3.5 +Food taste, quality, portion size - table layouts Love the new seats compared to Station1. For about the same price, the food seems better prepared. My filet was really outstanding, the spare ribs were good (I tasted) and the pork looked good too. The highlight was the onion soup and the cheese plate. Mix green salad was also tasty. Wished for a fowl choice (duck breast, chicken) on the menu. Service was decent, but not as efficient as I would expect at these prices. We meet friends here, but I don't think it's quiet enough for date night. read more

I've eaten here a handful of times and have never had a bad dish. Food is amazing, and service is wonderful. Tonight I had oysters to start which were delicious and fresh, followed by their awesome carpaccio. My friend had lamb chops with an amazing green tahini sauce, and the chef was kind enough to come out and tell us how to make it. Love this place! read more

It was as our first visit. The service was excellent. He was friendly and knowledgeable. They started with a focaccia bread and dip. Both were excellent. My husband enjoyed his Manhattan. We had the artichoke soup. It was good. I had the scallops and my husband had the filet. Both were very good. It was a nice dinner and an enjoyable experience. read more

Excellent food and service in a casual but upscale quiet environment. Pork chop, chicken, steak, and even a burger are all very tasty, good portions, and service. Good wine list and will even find you a great IPA too. Truly a very nice bistro. read more

We dined on a Friday evening after discussing a trip for months. The old Station 1 was a gem and we've been looking for something similar ever since. Unfortunately, The Firehouse Bistro did not live up. We walked in and found no obvious host station or host. The space is small, but you walk right into the middle of the dining room and it's not immediately clear where one should check in. Within a few seconds, we were greeted by a woman with an iPad who found our reservation and said "your table is over there," pointing in the general direction of a vacant table. Maybe I expect too much, but generally I like to be shown to my table. It was a chilly night in the Bay Area and asking to take our coats also would have been a nice gesture. (Hint #1: Show guests to their table and hang their coats.) Water came quickly as did our server. I was planning to start with a glass of wine, but he offered "a cocktail or wine" to get started and I thought a Dark and Stormy sounded good. I was met with, "what's in that? Gin?" "Uh, no - rum, what dark rum do you have?" He didn't know and went to find out. While the server was willing to throw some Captain Morgan and ginger beer into a cup, I figured wine might be a better option. (Hint #2: Don't' offer cocktails if you're not familiar with popular drinks.) The salmon tartare as a first course was fine if not a little bland. I like to get duck as a litmus test and while not-gamey (good), it was a tad overcooked and dry (bad). The sweet potato and reduction with the duck were both super sweet, almost candy-like. My wife had the short ribs where were very good. The service, contrary to some reviews, was very quick - almost too quick. Granted it was only two courses, but we were in and out in less than an hour. There are much better options for the price point and I don't think we'll be giving it another shot. read more

I'm a foodie and when I saw the Instagram page of the new chef I couldn't hold myself and made a reservation for dinner, that was a mind blowing experience, everything that we (brought a day) ordered, from the appetizers to the desserts made us say "WOW". read more

Went for date night with friends to check out Woodside's newest dining establishment. While we liked the cozy decor, the service was seriously off. Waited over 20 minutes for water; took another 20 minutes to get cocktails, which was was odd because the restaurant was not bustling. Shared the 3 appetizers (burrata, salad, carpaccio) and 3 entrees recommended by the server (sole, salmon, chicken). All were ok but seriously nothing special -- especially for the price. We will not be returning. Sorry Firehouse! read more

I had high expectations. Village Pub w 1 Michelin star across the street. And Station1 that preceded this place was awesome. And the chef here is supposed to be from Bouchon in Yountville. But.... Decor and ambiance... B+ for effort but the fake distressed wood pieces and paintings doesn't quite pull off the bistro look. Nor do the cold marble tables. Service started out B+ then dropped to a D by end of dinner when it was half empty, staff standing around, it took 25min to serve dessert and another 15m to get the check AFTER I gave them my credit card in advance (usually and indication to move along). Appetizers: Oysters. Outstanding. Solid A. But it's oysters. All they have to do is keep it fresh. Whipped Brie. C. They oiled up the toasted baguette way too much. Onion soup. A nice modern take. Puréed. B. Mains: Gnocchi. Fried. Oily. Served with bits of potato and other crisped veg. But seriously - potato dumplings served with potatoes? C. Scallops. Fresh. Way too salty. C. Dessert: Huckleberry tart. A. Nice and tasty. Well executed and presented. Pear Napolean. A. Also very tasty and well executed. I feel a bit harsh for giving these guys 2 stars but at $140 (not including tip and we didn't order wine) for a party of 2 and this being Woodside: 2 stars. At $100 for the same thing in redwood city or mountain view maybe 3 stars. I hope they read this review and improve the dishes and the service. I really want a nice option between village pub and bucks in Woodside!!! (For now I'm canceling the company dinner I was planning there) read more

Wow, what a wonderful surprise for Woodside and the surrounding area. Firehouse Bistro is just opening up in the original Woodside Station 1 firehouse. It is the same historical building that John Bentley's of Woodside and later Station 1 Restaurant occupied. The Gilbert's have really done it's heritage proud by creating this lovely restaurant. When you walk in the door you are greeted with a warm, cozy, relaxed atmosphere. The facility is small and intimate, with just two rooms for guests. The tables are situated just right, not crowded close together like so many new places these days, so you can enjoy your privacy or talk to your neighbors as you choose. As you walk in, your eye is immediately drawn to the right wall, where a series of large original paintings line the wall all the way to the back of the main room. Each of these "folk art" paintings depict various elements of Woodside, from its businesses, to its scenic beauty, it's historical buildings, and it's commitment to the rural and equestrian lifestyle. Beyond the main room sits my favorite area, the enclosed former porch. In addition to seating for dinner, there is a full bar across the back, and room for a small entertainment group. I really look forward to that. The biggest surprise for us was the food. It is delectable. After getting our wine, we started out by having the oysters prepared with a special Meyer lemon and herb dipping sauce. Normally I do not care much for oysters, but our waiter Derrick strongly recommended them, and he was right. They tasted divine, and literally melted in the mouth (unlike other less exciting experiences I have had). From there came the main courses. I had the potato gnocchi while my wife tried the scallops. The gnocchi was grilled with an assortment of root vegetables, and when it arrived Derrick poured a special sauce along the side of the dish. This was probably the most original gnocchi dish I have ever had, and without a doubt the best. It easily rivaled the best Italian places we have eaten in SF. My wife's scallops were equally delectable. They were lightly grilled and then served over a bed of Swiss chard greens, with a light sauce. I tried them just to see why she was making such a fuss, and then I understood. The portions were just right, if anything more than I would have expected. Finally, we have a local Woodside restaurant that is like a little hidden gem, where we can go for a quiet, delectable meal, a great glass of wine, and at a reasonable price. Check it out, you won't be disappointed! read more

The setting was nice, and the theory of having a cute little restaurant is fantastic. The food looked great - but might have tasted good if I was 80, and did not have taste buds. I had the short rib, and was perplexed that something that was so tender, could have so little flavor. The juice was just salty, but did not have the rich flavor that one might expect with the appearance of the meat. My wife had the scallops, and almost threw up with the level of salt. The service was what one might expect from a new restaurant, but that will get better over time. The food flavor should be at its best on day one...if this is the zenith, then I fear the curse will continue. read more

WE live locally and were excited when the Firehouse Bistro opened. WE loved John Bentley but did not care for Station 1. So we tried the new Firehouse Bistro. Such a nice setting ..cozy with fireplace but cramped tables. The waitress was very nice but the problem started with the food. Very slow service and our food was cold! My husbands pork was so tough he could not eat it. I had the scallops and there were three very small ones on the plate. The appetizers were ok but not something we would not remember. There was a very small wine list and the cocktail lists was small. Very disappointing dinner! WE would not go back! Also very noisy with tables close together. read more

I as looking for something new in the Peninsula and heard this place had just opened. I was thrilled to find something close to home but out of the normal SM,SC,RC downtown options. Walking in, the place felt very charming. It is very quaint and the table for 8 was the perfect size. Normally when going out with a group you are forced to have multiple disconnected conversations due to the overgrown tables. But here the table was the perfect size to converse and still have adequate space. This was also due to the thoughtful and very comfortable chairs. The food was AMAZING! I wish I could give it more stars. We started with the wine, Whipped Brie, Mussels, and Beef Carpaccio. All very delicious. I had the Pork Loin for my main course and I cannot say enough about it! It was divine!! A beautiful presentation, pork cooked PERFECTLY, and all flavors infused together deliberately to result in the most exquisite taste. Highly recommended. I was also able to experience the Short Ribs off of my neighbors plate and literally they melted in my mouth! I will be back to enjoy these. Every plate in our group was licked clean. I ended with the Pear Napoleon, which was almost too beautiful to eat. However, I ate every bite. It was heavenly! This chef is truly gifted! I will be returning and sharing it with everyone I know as the place to go when you want a truly delectable meal. Compliments to the chef! read more

We love coming here for intimate dinners with family and friends. The food is excellent and the service very good. We love the quiet rustic atmosphere and the comfortable furniture. Highly recommended! read more

We had an excellent meal at Firehouse Bistro last night for my husband's birthday. He had the albacore crudo and the duck breast; I had the mixed greens salad and the risotto. All of our food was fantastic - we devoured it! We finished with the cheese plate (rather than dessert) and it was excellent. The wine selection is a little limited, but we brought our own wine and paid the $25 corkage. The server was outstanding and even slipped us a little extra of our favorite cheese on the cheese plate. The ambiance is very nice and quaint. It was a quiet night when we went. Make a reservation to avoid a long wait. We will definitely be returning! read more

Amazing food and delicious beer and milkshakes this place is very good. Has an old fashioned diner look with booths and old 50s music like a blast from the past. Love it. read more

We came here to celebrate our friend's bday. Very cute, small and cozy place. You walk in and it's just a cute rustic welcoming place. I had the ribs which the meat is slow cooked and taken off the bone with Brussel sprouts served over mashed potatoes I think. So yummy if I could have I would have closed my eyes as I chewed the meat. Mind you I am not a big meat eater. So trust me when I saw yummy!! We ordered some apps - can't remember but everyone loved it. And of course had to have the dessert. Which was a little sweet but by them having the nuts sprinkled on top evened it out. I will definitely be recommending this place to people. And will have to go back with my husband. Thanks Fabio for having us go here. read more

We stopped by the first week or so they were open; we really like the new setup here, serving a nice menu, nothing too over the top and prices that are surprisingly reasonable for the setting. Our food was quite good. The gnocchi was great on flavor although a little heavy for my particular liking - having said that I'd order them again. This new operation does not have the fancy feel that John Bentley's did. Nor does it have the somewhat cookey feel that it had as Station 1. Firehouse Bistro is more approachable and, I think, rewarding as a result. read more

Great new restaurant! Cute & cozy setting with delicious food. Happy to have it in town!

Food is nice but portions are skimpy. Olive appetizers are lovely but they need to offer bread too. Service is attentive, but a little rushed, like they want to get you out. Overall ambience nice but not a place you can relax into the evening. read more

We have been here twice in the last few weeks. The food is great. Nice selection. Portions not overwhelming. Green Pea Risotto and Salmon are excellent. Deserts are ok not great. It's a small place and can get noisy. The back room is quieter but this is where the bar is so servers come in and out. Tables near the front door get breezes when people come and go. Service was great the first time. Second time with a big group not so great. Server was trying too hard and forgot about our food order so it was late. He also overcharged for corkage. Seemed like he was new and or lacked experience. read more

If I could give zero stars, I would. Service was ABSOLUTELY appalling. This place ruined our Valentines Day. We made reservations and when we got there, we were literally standing there awkwardly at the door for a good few minutes because there was no hostess or apparent hostess station. Finally someone walked up to us and told us we had to wait at the bar because there were no tables available. A little annoyed that they were unable to honor their reservation time, I tried to be understanding and was still hopeful we would have a good evening. WRONG! We waited at the bar for a drink menu or even to be ASKED if we wanted a drink. After a while someone finally came behind the bar and asked what we wanted. In the middle of me ordering, he literally cut me off and said, "Ok ok, give me one minute." and left for another ten minutes. Finally we were seated (no one ever did take our drink order while we waited at the bar but we just got gin and tonics after being seated. Still have not seen a wine list or drink menu) Apparently they have a fixed menu on Valentines Day for 115 per person. Would have been nice to know when we made reservations that 1) there was a fixed menu and 2) what's even ON said menu. Unfortunately nearly ALL the dishes had mushrooms in it....both my husband and I hate mushrooms. Of course this is something the waiter would have known, had he even ASKED us how our food was. Not only that, but each dish that came out was just thrown on the table at us without explanation or description of what it even was. For all I know, I ate salmon with green baby food on the side. My husband ordered ravioli that was WAYYY too sweet and tart. The whole time we were there, no one checked on us or asked if we wanted another drink. Waiting the entire dinner to see a wine menu, I finally had to ask a bus person to see a wine list. When our horrible server came to give us dessert, he ignored the fact that I was looking to buy a bottle of wine and returned with our check five minutes later. I'm certain there was some sort of reverse ageism going on because we were the youngest couple there. I'm sure they thought we would be unable to spend much money, but my husband is a doctor.... we were more than happy to splurge on our Valentines Day. Angry and defeated, we ended up just leaving because we felt so unwelcome. I called them from the parking lot and told them how horrible our experience was. (Of course it had to be our horrible server who I spoke to, even though I asked for a manager) He asked if I would come in the next day and they would give me a gift card but honestly, I don't ever want to return. BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! Remember that SUPER sweet ravioli my husband ordered? On our way home he got a horrible stomach ache and ended up having to go straight to bed when we got home, instead of sharing a bottle of wine that we never got to indulge in at the restaurant. All in all, this place should be avoided at ALL COSTS! Save your money for a more worthy place where they treat you well. read more

I love this place. The building is beautiful and the ambiance is great. One of the cutest restaurants in town. The service is great and the food is even better. The squash soup was to die for and the roast beef was the best I've ever had. Definitely a place to come back to multiple times. I highly recommend this place for a fancy dinner! read more

I had dinner at The FB over the weekend with my boyfriend at the suggestion of my parents who live in town and was pleasantly surprised! This place is so cute and cozy. I went in knowing that they just opened up so I was preparing for a hit or a big miss. We were al little miffed about not being able to get a reservation until 8:30 but it went uphill from the time we got seated. Our server was Luis and he was polished and professional. It was quite busy when we first arrived but he made us feel special from the gate. I really like that this is a spot where you could come dressed up or in jeans and feel fine. The food: For a starter we shared the Beef Carpaccio and Mushroom Toast. Both were excellent but the Carpaccio was the star. It came thinly sliced just how I like it w/a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt ,capers and sliced baguettes on the side ..simply divine. For entrees I had the Short Rib and my BF had the Char. My short rib was seasoned to perfection and so tender it melted in my mouth. It was served on a puree of parsnips w/roasted brussels sprouts. I am picky about my brussels and the chef got it right . My guy loved his Char and was able to sub the starch ( I think potatoes?) for steamed spinach .I'm not a big fish eater but my bites were flavorful and really fresh tasting. For dessert we split the huckleberry tart which was topped with a toasted meringue and perfect the two of us. I would like to see as the weather warms up some lighter options and more vegetables on the menu. Overall lovely ambiance. experience and we will be back. Ps. After dinner we went into the back room and met bartender Phiilepe (sp?) he was super sweet and makes an awesome version of the Lemon drop. read more

Foodie very good but the service was not good. They did not listen on how they should serve the meat.

Overpriced, and underwhelming food. Nice presentation, but bland and uninteresting. Service was so-so.

We were treated like gold! The food was spectacular and our waiter , Cameron, a complete delight. Highly recommended!

What changed? This used to be a favorite for our family. We live in town and would eat there often, but hadn't been for a few months. Our last visit was extremely disappointing. The menu had changed completely. Gone were my husband's favorite melt-in-your-mouth short ribs. The soup and salads we ordered were just OK, the entrees disappointing. The sous-vide filets were chewy and flavorless. The flavors in my lamb chop dish were not well balanced, to my palate. At $43 I expected more from the dish. In our family of four, not one of us enjoyed our meal. This is no longer the place for great food at lower prices than the Village Pub. I don't think we'll be going back unless/until we hear from friends that things have improved. On a bright note, the servers were wonderful. There were two gentlemen there handling the whole dining room and bar with aplomb. It was a Friday night, and we were almost the only ones there. read more

Thoroughly enjoyed my meal here tonight. Came early and were seated in back by tiny bar. This is a cozy little back room with red leather seats and great for actually having a conversation with my friend. I began with the Scharffenberger rose bubbly, which ended up being a great complement to all the food we shared. The baby beet salad was better than any I've had lately. The Arctic char was accented by a tarragon sauce that worked really well with both the fish and the little turnips and chard. The risotto with chanterelles was luscious, and I'm so glad we shared everything so I could savor one dish, then the other, then back again. Our service was well timed, friendly and unhurried. I look forward to return visits. I enjoy the Pub, but this had an atmosphere that felt far more personal along with great food. read more

This quaint and charming spot was the perfect destination for date night. The food was excellent and the ambiance was romantic. Our host, Cameron, was incredibly thoughtful and attentive. He patiently answered our questions and was genuinely concerned about our dining experience. We are very much so looking forward to a return visit. read more

Super cute spot. Cozy and (if you want it to be) romantic. The service was outstanding and we loved the food. The oysters were awesome and fresh. Looking forward to our next visit. read more

Run - as fast as you can. Just had what resembled brunch after waiting for our food too long. Uncooked hamburgers for the kids. Cold eggs and potatoes for the adults. Ordered coffee only brought to us only when asked several times - and then only for 1 person. Toast not ever brought. Finally asked and they brought some but only for 1 person - oh but not toasted! Total cost for this Mother's Day disaster $125+. The food that was edible - scorched bacon, undercooked pancakes, and cold fries - was horrible. It was not busy at 11am on a busy holiday - which was the big warning sign. Well - time to go see if we can find a real brunch. read more

We LOVE the Bistro! The beef carpaccio is delicious, the cheese plate is generous and has a great variety. The endive salad with local pomegranate seeds was to die for. The oysters are also amazing. For dinner, I had the filet which was buttery and cooked to perfection. My husband had salmon over the homemade tagliatelle- again, cooked to perfection. For dessert, the creme brûlée was heavenly. Great wine selection, warm atmosphere and our server, Nat, was the best. read more

Lovely quiet space with excellent food and service. One tenth the size of ThePub, with ten times the enjoyment.

I had the risotto and it was delightful. A lovely Kistler pinot noir, and passion fruit tart rounded out the elegant dinner. Superb. Intimate. And friendly. read more

Food was not good today for Mother's Day Brunch. Had brunch there two years ago and it was amazing. Today I felt like it was eating salad out of a bag and a toasted bagel with cream cheese. I swear the bacon bits on the salad came from a bottle. Staff are nice but I don't think we will be back. We are local from Woodside. Very disappointing. read more

Went there on a prefixed menu night (Valentines day- this year), it was really disappointing. Yeah, sure it was busy, BUT....Server was not friendly (at all)...The couple sitting next to us, was there before us and had been waiting an hour plus before their food came. The reason I know this is we got our starter first and my wife and Iooked over and asked them because we felt guilty. Never got our water refilled and never got my horseradish with the prime rib. Food was alright, but for $75 per person they should make sure you get the entire entree. I ordered a second glass of wine for $14 which was significantly under poured. Based in Woodside you'd think this place has better service standards with all the millionaires and billionaires in the local Woodside community. I want my money back. read more

Had a wonderful experience last night at Firehouse Bistro in Woodside. Although it is a small space, the tables are arranged to give a sense of easy movement. The decor is casual and also upscale, blending well into the feel of Woodside. Our dinners were beautifully prepared and delicious. It is obvious that a lot of thought and expertise has gone into planning the menu. This restaurant is an excellent addition to the local dining scene. Would definitely recommend it! read more

This was our second time at Firehouse Bistro. First of all, the food is really really good. Everything we ordered on a busy Saturday night was just as we would like. The room is, as others have noted, a bit funky given the layout, but they're doing the best they can. Our waiter was very good, smart, knowledgable. The cocktail program is a train wreck. They served one of their featured drinks, a Manhattan, in a fairly standard 2 oz pour. But they served it in an 8 ounce martini glass. It just looked silly. Buy some new glasses already. And one of their other featured cocktails was an undrinkable cherry or strawberry thing that tasted like cough syrup. This isn't hard. Just make some decent drinks. Given how good the food is, maybe let the chef run the bar too. The carrot cake was awesome. read more

Very very noisy. Hard to listen to the person you are with even at the tiny tables they have. Crowded breakfast diner-like atmosphere with tables uncomfortably close together. Stark hard wood surfaces and paintings do nothing but bounce sound in the tiny room. Everyone at the group tables were yelling to at each other so they could be heard. Even table clothes would have helped improve the ambiance and sound level, but the tables are hard marble surfaces. Service was good, but food was mediocre. It was at the level of Applebees and I would classify this as a diner, not a fine restaurant. We ordered the filet and it was good as many other places around. The only comment on the food is that it is not impressive and you pay way too much for it. If you are looking for adventure instead of a nice place to eat than you may want to try this as one reviewer stated. However the negative reviews are justified, and I would read them all before you dine here so you know what you are getting into. I would never go there again unless it was with a casual group that booked the entire room or a family get together that booked the restaurant. I certainly would never take someone there, or get dressed up to go there again. We sat at a small round table in the front near the fireplace. We were crammed in. The front room is about 14' by 30' and there were about 30 diners. I was closer to the group of 8 next to me than to my wife. There were 4 empty tables. They need to improve the food and decor, eliminate half the seating and add table cloths and something to reduce the noise level. When Bentleys was there they had about half the seating in the same room and it was perfect. Station 1 was a little more crowded. This place is crammed. You have to squeeze between tables to get in and out of the place. It would be OK but there are plenty of small diners around with better atmosphere and better food at half the price. I understand the economics, Bentley had better food and atmosphere so could charge more and needed fewer diners. The food here was mid level quality and priced a little too high, but the room is too small for the number of diners. read more

Three of us had an exceptionally delicious dinner here tonight, combined with great service from two friendly staff. We ordered the salmon and the duck, which followed heavenly focaccia (baked fresh!)and a starter of golden and purple beets. We spent twenty minutes trying to figure out why our choices were so delicious. New chef? Extraordinary baker? read more