Went here for my partner's birthday. We started with the tortellini app. He ordered the quail, and I ordered the veal. They also brought out a complimentary creme brûlée for his birthday and did not sing happy birthday, which he much appreciated lol The food was good but not outstanding for the price point. The ambience very nice and quiet, which made for easy conversation. The outside area looks like a little garden which added to the peaceful ambience. We were seated outside near a little stream, and the sound of trickling water was relaxing. There were some insects flying around but that's to be expected with outdoor seating and greenery surrounding you. It wasn't too bothersome but something to be aware of if you are sensitive to that. Service was very friendly and attentive. Parking was easy. read more

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First, I will not deny that this restaurant has a great vibe and ambiance. Great for a date night or special evening. However. We ordered an appetizer, Caesar salad, I had the bison ribeye and my girlfriend got the seafood pasta. Bill came out to $178 before tip. My dish was clearly left out on the pass because the pasta wasn't ready on time. Everything on the plate was lukewarm except for one green bean that was hot because it was insulated by the rest of the green beans on top. The mash potatoes also had an unpleasant sourness to it. The pasta was hot though. Service was slightly below average. Not what I expected from a place like that. I would not spend my money there again. read more

Great spot for date night, great ambiance and very kind staff. Got the tortellini with a glass of wine and everything was delicious. The 'I can't decide' dessert was a mixture of everything on the menu. Would come back! read more

Unfortunately very disappointed. Michelin prices without the Michelin experience. This restaurant has potential for an exquisite experience. The Occasion: We came to celebrate my partner's birthday. The experience: Upon arrival, 7:30pm, we were sat next to a table with a loud child. I requested to sit on the opposite side of the restaurant as we were hoping for a more intimate experience. The manager said, it would put us against a wall and suggested our current table. We selected the six course tasting menu with wine pairings. The pace of each plate and wine pairing was extremely slow. At the end of the meal we sat and waited . . and waited. We hadn't seen anyone in quite sometime. I had to go looking for our server or even a manager at that point to bring our check. The check: $768 - My partner and I left feeling very underwhelmed and disappointed. read more

La Foret - French Near Me - San Jose, California

We went here back in August 2024 for our 13th year wedding anniversary and we have no regret. The food was sooo good. I been wanting escargot and I was so excited to eat it and was not disappointed. Like picture said we were happy with everything. It's such a cute place and intimate. Just a gorgeous restaurant. The service is amazing! Everything was just so good and perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary. read more

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The ambiance is beautiful even despite being seated at a not great spot in a seemingly empty restaurant. The service was great however and our waiter made sure to explain every course to us, and check in consistently. For a multiple course meal a lot of these courses did not satisfy, the escargot was the only dish that I left feeling good about and I feel that is only because it was drenched in butter. I'm not sure if I see myself coming again. read more

La Foret - Escargot - French Near Me - San Jose, California

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Ambiance 5/5 - but that's all they had going for them pretty much Service 2/5 - They were overall slow with drink menus etc. when we asked, forgot to bring us bread until reminded, took away bread and plates without asking when we weren't finished. Obligatory 20% tip was included on top of the bill by the way (plus recommended extra tip) Food 3/5 - If my friend had cooked me a similar meal in their home I wouldn't complain, but overall completely lackluster especially for the price. Even though it was a 5 course meal the portions were still comically small (a single scallop? half a lobster tail?), so expect to leave hungry as well, especially after the waiter steals away your bread. There's just so many better options in the area for this price range, or even well below it. read more

Date: February 8, 2025 Time: 7:30pm Party: 4 Reservation: Through OpenTable (1 week prior) I recently visited La Forêt for my grandmother's birthday. Here's how the evening went: Wait-time (2/5 stars): Our reservation was for 7:30pm, so we arrived early at 7:15pm to check in. Unfortunately, we didn't get seated until 7:55pm, which felt like a long wait. It was a bit frustrating, and my family and I even considered leaving. However, the servers were kind and offered us a complimentary drink--my grandmother enjoyed a glass of champagne as a nice gesture. Ambience (3.5/5 stars): The atmosphere was cozy and elegant, though a little dimmer than I expected. For the rest of my family, it was just right. Each table had beautiful flower arrangements and lamps, which added a lovely touch to the mood. The noise level was moderate--pleasant but not overly loud. Service (4/5 stars): Our server was friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. He described each dish in detail and gave thoughtful recommendations based on his favorites. He made sure our courses came out at the right times, ensuring all the dishes arrived together. We appreciated his efforts, though the meal did take about two hours, which felt a bit slow. Food (3.5/5 stars): We opted for the 5- and 6-course tasting menus, 2 of each, which offered a great variety of flavors. All the dishes were tasty and tender, though some leaned a bit on the salty side. The presentation was beautiful. Nothing that really blew me away. From the 6-course, the rack of lamb was the standout for my mom and me--it was perfectly cooked and flavorful. From the 5-course, the tournedos of beef with chanterelles was a favorite for my grandmother and sister, as it was more tender and less gamey than the other options. Both were excellent, though the rice served with the lamb was a bit too hard and salty for my taste. The desserts, particularly the chocolate truffle tart, were delicious, though it was a little firm towards the end of the night. Still, it was rich and creamy--a perfect finish to the meal. Portion Size & Pricing (3.5/5 stars): Portions were decently sized. Initially, I thought the portions might be too small, but by the time the entrees arrived, I was already quite full. The prices were reasonable for the quality of food. The 5-course tasting menu was $115, and the 6-course was $150--still pricey, but it felt worth it for a special occasion. Overall Experience (4/5 stars): Overall, La Forêt is a lovely spot with great French cuisine. It was a wonderful experience, even though the meal was a bit slower than expected. The service was excellent, and the servers were thoughtful and kind. If you're planning to visit, I'd recommend booking an earlier reservation to avoid a long wait time. Expect to spend around two hours enjoying the full experience. It's a great choice for special occasions! read more

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I've eaten at La Foret a couple of times, and in my opinion it's a place that is living on it's reputation. The decor is dated and a little run down. The menu is classic French - no surprises. The food is very good, but I've yet to have a dish that really blew me away. Which brings us to the service. It is, in a word, terrible. It is very, very slow. On one visit, we wanted to get another round of drinks, and our waiter had disappeared. We flagged down another waiter, and he said he'd tell our waiter that we needed help. When our waiter returned several minutes later, he asked "How are you enjoying everything?" He clearly had not gotten the message. We gave him our drink orders, and by the time he returned, we'd finished our meals. The last time I was there, our waiter seemed annoyed when my friend had questions about the menu. La Foret isn't a BAD place... it's just not the really special place it pretends to be. And for the price, they should do a lot better. read more

AMAZING. From the ambiance and the view and the professionalism of the staff, everything was enjoyable. The only thing I was a bit confused about was that we had thought there was a dress code upon entry, but we saw a lot of people in casual wear and they weren't turned away. So I guess for a restaurant being upscale, they aren't too strict with your attire where they'll turn you away if you're not "dress to code." We had a fulfilling time in Alan's section, and he made recommendations I'm definitely glad I took the "risk" to try: VENISON! The scallops were so tender (I wish they were cooked a little bit more so that they had a bit of a crunch to it rather than having it soft/melt in your mouth). The prawns were delicious. And the sauce? Ohhhhhh the sauce... it tasted so good with seafood and with the protein dishes we had. I wish I had more. The venison (cooked medium-rare) was extremely moist and absolutely not gamey as you'd expect. The ribeye was superb (though I wish it was a bit less fattier) and so juicy. I LOVE dessert and couldn't decide which to get (and I still think about the deliciousness of it all to this day)... so we had the creme brulee, souffle, and chocolate torte. Do I regret my decision? ABSOLUTELY NOT. But I do wish they had a take out option where I can just order the desserts to enjoy :') Definitely a place for a "big" celebration, or just to try! You definitely won't regret anything. read more

I will have to update this review later, but the server we had was the same server. My parents had on their anniversary night, and she was simply wonderful! Very understanding of my teenager son, who was semi bored out of his mind, but loved the menu!! Ambience felt really home and cozy and the food Was so flavorful I literally am salivating just thinking about it! I would also say that the seafood platters were beautifully presented, and the scallops I had tasted like butter! My son was not into the escargot. He said it tasted too grainy, or like a chewy pear, but the garlic butter herb sauce was simply divine with bread!! Also the area in which this restaurant is is gorgeous!! Beautiful, hiking grounds nearby, that I've actually hiked at and had no idea this restaurant even existed! I will definitely be back here again! There was also an array of different types of meats and seafoods for my carnivore family to enjoy! Sadly, my brother could only eat the mushroom ravioli since he's vegetarian. My mom and I are both pescatarian, so we quite enjoyed ourselves to see the least! read more

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excellent restaurant , wonderful food and service. The ambience is also very nice. l had venison with cherry reduction and it was excellent

Totally disappointing! This used to be a really nice place for dinner, but those days are gone. I know there have been a few new owners in the recent past, and perhaps that's why they lost the elegance they once had. They've remodeled and the interior is nicely decorated, but it's quite loud and you can hardly hear the person you're sitting across from. There was something about it that just felt tacky, no longer the quiet elegance it once had. Aside of the ambiance, the food quality has completely gone down. I ordered the ribeye, which was certainly not a prime cut of beef, but choice at best. It was cooked medium rare as I asked, but there was such a burnt, charred taste to the outside, the sauce they poured over it in didn't even cover it. It came with rice pilaf, which was overpowered with all the bell peppers they put in it. Just not the right paring for a ribeye. It also came with asparagus, that was also charred so badly you couldn't actually taste the delicate flavor of the asparagus. The little carrot that came with it was ok. My husband ordered the bison and it was ok, nothing to get excited about. The portions were huge, so we got the impression of quantity over quality. I will say though the appetizer we ordered was very good! We ordered the scallops and the shrimp. The scallops came with two, which were cooked perfectly in a very nice sauce. The shrimp only came with three and were perfect! Bit pricy for what you get, but very good! We were way too full for dessert, but we also didn't want to see what disappointment that brought, so I can't comment on the desserts. Overall, there are much better restaurants to go to for this price point. If you actually looking for a good steak, go up to Sundance in Palo Alto, they've never disappointed. read more

La foret is my bestie favorite dating restaurant with her husband so she recommended it to me. I came here for celebrating my work buddy birthday. What i felt about this restaurant is Food 4/5 Service 3/5 Ambiance 3/5 The food here is absolutely delicious! From appetizers to desserts, this restaurant exceeded all our expectations. Only one dish I quiet doesn't like is tortellini la foret. My server of the night is very friendly and helpful. However, sometimes its hard to find her maybe she is too busy with other tables. The entire staff kinda ignore my table. We have to wait for our drink more than half an hour the food is more than an hour. Nobody came to our table for check in or refill water. It is very lacking of attentiveness. Ambience is alright. My table is very near to other table. And the family on other table keep staring at us the whole time and making us feel uncomfortable. All in all, i might give it a second chance for the food but I hope they improve more on the service. read more

La Foret - French Near Me - San Jose, California

I made a reservation at La Foret to try out the restaurant and celebrate our anniversary. We went for a late Wednesday night dinner which was not a very busy evening. It's located in the quaint Almaden foothills and is situated in a quiet area. After scanning through the menu and hearing their daily specials, we decided to move forward with the six course tasting menu, which came highly rated from our server, along with a tuna starter to share. We also got a suggestion to pair a Bordeaux with our meal rather than going through the wine pairing. Overall, the tasting menu is well balanced, nicely presented, and tasted great. Our server was wonderful all evening and a highlight of our evening. I would agree that La Foret is fine dining, though not terribly French. I would say it's upscale dining with a focus on local, California foods and fine detail. I would love to return to try some of their other items on the menu as we knew wanted to try more but simply couldn't fit it all in one meal. read more

La Foret - our view from our table - French Near Me - San Jose, California

My coworker held her daughter's wedding reception here. It is lovely and intimate, feels cozy and tiny, but easily accommodated the entire wedding party. Beautiful tree-filled setting, lots of windows, and pretty and quiet interiors. Of course the food was delicious. read more

First of all, special thanks to Sean/Shawn for his hospitality and friendliness! It was our first time here and he really made the experience to be extra special. Easily one of the best smoked salmon dishes I have ever had. The pasta and ribeye was delicious, "a little surf and turf combo", as Sean/Shawn had stated. It was our first time trying a Soufflé as well and was really new to us but we really enjoyed it. Overall the restaurant is a great spot to go on a fancy date or celebrate an occasion. Can't wait to come back in the future! read more

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The most romantic restaurant I've been to in a while! When we first arrived, it didn't seem like such a great place as the restaurant is nestled in a residential area. Parking wasn't too bad considering we were there on a Friday evening. Once we checked-in, they showed us to our table (I had requested outdoor seating near a space heater) and this is when I was blown away by how cute this place is! It's placed right next to a creek and you can still hear the water flowing beneath you. The water isn't too close to you so you don't have to worry about mosquitoes which is nice. For our appetizer, we ordered the Tortellini La Foret, it was delicious! We instantly wanted more, and to be honest, their portions are kind of petite so we wished we had ordered more. Then we ordered our salads; I ordered the Salade Francaise, my husband ordered the Soup Du Jour and my best friend ordered the La Foret salad. All three of these were very tasty and well balanced. For our entrees, my husband and my best friend both ordered the Ribeye and I decided to try The Rack of Lamb... my goodness, was it delicious!! The red wine reduction sauce our dishes had complemented the meats perfectly. We all ordered medium rare and it was cooked to perfection. Hats off to the chef! My French 75 cocktail was delivered to me pretty quick and once I sipped it, I only wanted more. I wish I had taken his name down, but the older gentleman that walked us to our table had a great warm presence to him. Elondra, our server was very kind and attentive to our table and they were both friendly to us. I absolutely loved my dining experience. Thank you to the staff for making our evening special. read more

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Service was beautiful. Our server was so friendly and helped us on the menu. It was my birthday and my partners (yes we share a birthday), they gave us two individual crème brûlées for the occasion! Every item we ordered on the menu was immaculate. I felt like Remmy from Ratatouille when he visualizes each and every flavor in the food. Our favorite was the prawns and the asparagus from the Rack of Lambs seem to use the same juice so it was nice getting that flavor again in my entree. 10/10 experience for a special occasion. It is pricy but worth it. The creek and setting is also a special and unique touch on everything. read more

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Let me start by saying that the 2 stars are for the food, not the service. Service was great and everyone was very professional and friendly. The place was beautiful, surrounded by trees and had a great vibe. However, the corner that we were seated at had a spiderweb + a spider, seems like it has not been dusted for a while. Tortellini came out way too fast- within 2 minutes of us ordering. The sauce tasted of burnt garlic and the pasta was dry and hard. We also ordered the pasta fruit de mer as well as the wild boar. The pasta- best part was the shrimp, it was well seasoned & cooked. The scallop was huge but was bland while the pasta itself was just heavily seasoned. The sauce, like the tortellini, tasted of burnt garlic. The wild boar- ordered medium rare but received it more well- done. It was the better tasting element of the night but the roasted garlic sauce on the plate also tasted of burnt. It was very nice of the restaurant to give me a plate of sampler dessert for my birthday- super sweet and I appreciated it! Unfortunately, overall it was very disappointing. It was definitely overpriced for the experience and personally won't recommend to friends and family. read more

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Really beautiful spot. A little off the beaten path so be prepared to drive a bit. Great service. Very good food.

Nice looking and historical restaurant, classy and all that stuff....Yawn... This place is VERY expensive and in my experience, isn't worth it. (it's not Michelin star!!). It's simply just good, straightforward cooking. No transformation, nothing creative, normal flavor profiles...just normal cooking. This is the place you go to for one of the following reasons: You have discounted gift cards from Costco, you want to try some interesting "gamey" meat you can't find anywhere else, or you just have so much money that it just doesn't matter and you want to drive your nice sports car up into the Almaden Valley to impress someone. Bread service was nothing special. For the price, I was expecting spectacular bread. $28 for two scallops! Really? Nothing special. They're seared and served with a bland creme sauce and crispy overcooked pastry puff. The chewy undercooked tortellini la foret was (for almost $20), about 6 tortellini with a tiny bit of a stiff filling that had absolutely no flavor. And the mushrooms? rehydrated dried mushrooms. The $69 tournedos of beef medallions (you get two of them), were cooked to a nice medium rare, very tender, had great flavor and was good quality beef but the mushrooms again, seemed dehydrated and chewy, which makes sense, since chanterelles aren't yet in season. The lamb was the star for us. Nice sear, warm pink middle and very tender. I would get that again, but never for $70!!. For dessert, we tried the very "eggy" and heavy soufflé with a very thick creme sauce. Again, a nice location and good service. If I'm gonna spend almost $300 for a meal, I'm going to a Michelin restaurant. read more

This place is lightweight in the middle of nowhere. You don't have signal once you get here, so it's most likely a good drive away, but I would say pretty worth it if you want a great dining experience! We did the 6 course meal, and it was amazing! We stayed for 3 hours.. it was intense!! Everything was great, excerpt maybe the salad thing, which was a bit too vinegary? Service was great! Megan was amazing and very attentive. Bread was always fresh and warm, and we asked for a bunch of bread. Definitely worth a try if you're looking for a dinning experience! read more

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Food - I had the five course and every spare of my meal was delicious. French cuisine and the best Crème Brûlée I've ever had! Service was amazing- Water always filled, never needed to ask for anything. Everything was just there - but i never noticed the servers. We had a party of 13 and had the private room upstairs. There were major traffic delay with our part and dinner started an hour later than planned. The managers were so gracious for our entire party. Excellent - Highly recommend read more

Excellent service and food. I dined here with my group, 26 girls in all and overall, it was a great experience. They accommodated our needs, some on short notice. Thank you La Foret, I'm a regular and will definitely be back! read more

Since this establishment describes itself as fine dining, I am going to be reviewing it based on such. My husband and I went during the the weekend after Valentine's Day, so they were still running their multiple course Valentine's Day meals. The place is stunning for sure, and the whole ambiance felt very classy. Our server was friendly as well. However, I have stars docked off because (1) The food really does not compare to other fine dining restaurants I've been to for its price, and (2) We stayed there for a total of 2.5 hours, which is a looong time... For the food, I actually had to stop eating the salmon ordered at one point because it was tasting a little too slimy to not trigger a gag reflex. I don't know if we just went on an off evening or what, but the food was not that impressive and this restaurant had one of the most ridiculous wait times ever for food to get to the table when the restaurant was not filled with customers. Not entirely sure if I would return again, as nice as the place was. I got some nice photos though ! read more

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Wonderful and has been for several decades! The service is top notch. Go eat here! You will not regret it!

the food and service was really good. the only draw back was the scallops. they were a tad over done and the service was a little slow. they are still 4 .5 for me. read more

What a bummer! We had been looking forward to trying this place and we finally made the 30 minute trek, and were completely disappointed. We ordered the 5 course tasting menu with the wine pairings. The wine choices were not high end, but decent for the price of $45 for 5 tastes. The food was super disappointing. The bread on the table was stale, days-old baguette, Safeway has better bread by far. Each course was pretty basic. The sauces had tons of added sugar. When it came to the final entree of steak medallions- the whole plate was very underwhelming. Overcooked, boiled green beans, basic mashed potatoes and meh steak - no flavor. I looked around and realized the clientele is quite old and I guess that is who's pallet they are catering to. The menu setups lack creativity and if you use better ingredients you don't need to add things like sugar. We were overcharged for a glass of wine we purchased on the side and was poured the wrong wine for the other glass we ordered. The manager took off the wine that was poured incorrectly (that we did not drink because it was the opposite of what I ordered- think sauv blanc vs. high oak chardonnay) and left the glass that was overcharged according to the price on the menu. The souffle was undercooked in the middle. The creme brulee was burnt on top (actually black) and had ZERO vanilla bean in it. 100% fake vanilla. When we were done with dinner I went to the bar and asked for a taste of the wine I had ordered and was supposed to receive and compared it to what I was given. I wanted to compare to make sure I wasn't crazy. Sure enough the taste he poured (Viogner) was a very light color and NOT oaky, unlike the glass I was given (Conundrum- which I have never liked) which is very yellow and very oaky. I took a picture for my own sanity. I hate when servers lie about what they are giving you and act like you are crazy to question it. In short, we will not be going back. read more

Our first foray to this venue. As noted it is tucked away in the outer reaches of Alamaden Valley in South San Jose, so trust the map algorithm and keep driving. The restaurant itself boasts that the building is historically the first two-story hotel ever built in California, circa 1848. The resulting ambiance is rustic, charming, quietly overlooking a verdant creek. The vibe is decidedly old-school, in a charming way that my wife fell in love with. Business casual dress code clearly stated on website (which may or may not be stringently enforced), and entree selections like Bison, Wild Boar, and Elk amongst more traditional options. I tried the Bison, my wife had the tuna. Both were wonderful (photos below), as were the escargot and salad before them. Topped off with a Soufflé Grand Marnier and Amaretto Cheesecake. And throughout the evening, service did a wonderful job of providing informed service, tips, and favorites without crossing the line to imposing or pushy. Just the perfect note. In warmer weather, perhaps we'd try the creekside, lower patio outdoor seating. But we will definitely return. Worth the drive, excellent food, great service, restful and peaceful vibe. Check them out if you haven't already. read more

La Foret - The Bison entree, perfectly prepared - French Near Me - San Jose, California

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My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and everything was fantastic. I believe our server's name is Allan or Adam, but he was very friendly/helpful and even wished me a happy birthday once seated. We ordered the grilled Prawns Meunière, Tortellini La Foret, Pasta Fruit De Mer, Rack of Lamb, Caramel Custard, and Crème Brûlée and everything was well portioned and delicious! From the food, ambiance inside and outside, as well as the service, everything was great and I look forward to coming here again. read more

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I absolutely love La Foret, it has become a staple for my family! We have celebrated countless accomplishments, birthdays, graduations, etc... and it has never disappointed. The food is always fenomenal! We have tried almost everything on the menu, including the tasting menu, which comes with multiple course. Everything is great! They have amazing drink options, and the bar can always make special requests. Desserts are also a must try, you really can't go wrong here. The service is amazing, I've only ever had pleasant exchanges with employees. Ambiance is also great, it's lively, friendly, and comfortable. There is a big parking lot in front of the restaurant, so parking shouldn't be an issue. There is indoor and outdoor seating, both options are great! Overall, I can not recommend this place enough!! Love it read more

La Foret - Meal for two - French Near Me - San Jose, California

We enjoyed a pleasant dinner here last Saturday night, the 18th. Food was delicious, especially the American Wagyu and Prawns Meuniere. Service was professional and solicitous. We were seated at a scenic window table overlooking the patio and creek. read more

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Came to La Foret for the first time in ~15 years to discover its under new ownership but has an upgraded ambience and even better food. We had a modified tasting menu: Tortellini la Forêt -- mushrooms with a touch of garlic and cream. A rich dish I enjoyed but glad I had it as appetizer rather than a main. Ahi Tuna -- rare tender ahi, lightly grilled, peppered and jalapeños. Excellent Sea Scallops -- a light cream sauce with a puff pastry. I wanted more Elk -- I'm not much for game but this was solid. Not too gamy, if that's a word. There's a choice of bison too. Dark Chocolate Torte -- OMG, so dark and rich and chocolaty. Didn't think I could eat the whole thing but I did. Souffle Grand Marnier -- because, why not? Not too sweet and worth the wait. The servers are outstanding, attentive without being intrusive. If you have a special occasion, La Foret is an excellent choice. Sometimes it's just Tuesday's and you want to make it special. read more

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Wanted to try something a little special tonight for anniversary. Made reservations about a month ago and I'm so glad I did. This is a special occasion restaurant. Located in a very beautiful location and I really wish it was summer or fall in order to enjoy the sound and view of the nearby creek. Anyhow started out with a quail appetizer. Small yes, but absolutely delicious. Boneless except for the legs. Next I had their version of caeser salad. Again very well done and tasty. As usual my wife stole half of my salad, after saying no to ordering her own. Next up main course, I had the Buffalo ribeye. Possibly the best steak I've ever had. My wife ordered the pasta al mare. Sooo good and flavorful. The scallops were so tender. Literally like butter. They gave us a celebratory creme brulee. Which was absolutely perfect. But we also ordered the sampler. Small piece of cheesecake, chocolate torte,cream brulee, and some chocolate covered berries. Will definitely be returning when the weather warms up. Is it pricey? Yes, but we'll worth it read more

La Foret - Pasta al mare - French Near Me - San Jose, California

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This place was amazing, but be warned it is pricey, but well worth it. The elk was the most tender meat that I have ever had and the seafood pasta was enjoyed by my wife. Our waiter was very well versed on both the menu and the wine and provided wonderful recommendations that were very much appreciated. I recommend this place for a special celebration. read more

Have lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years, we finally came for a special occasion. Despite having a reservation, we had to wait a couple minutes at an empty podium before the bartender decided to inquire if we had been helped. We were lucky, the bartender was able to switch us to an outdoor table by the creek; he left his 2 bar patrons and showed us to our table. The spot was quite cute and tables well placed alongside the creek, our specific location allowing for a more intimate experience. Critique: the railing should be dusted for cobwebs at first evidence at any time between guests, and the outdoor lanterns were full of cobwebs. Bugs do come at night, but that is to be expected along with being outdoors. With the sight and sound of the creek, it's worth it. Besides cobwebs, an ambiance killer was the use of fake plants and flowers in the flower boxes above and around the tree and planter boxes. Maybe not a killer, but disappointing. The restaurant is named La Forêt. Additionally the exterior of the building which is adjacent to diners needs a deep clean. We ordered Syrah and French 75, good. We ordered the smoked salmon and tortellini apps. Tortellini was very good, they do not skimp on the qty of mushrooms. I used the bread to drink up the remaining sauce. I cannot tell you how the salmon was because we were served the ahi in error, but it was tasty so it made us forget until on our way home. The spinach special salad with beets and goat cheese was like any other. Spouse had the rib eye, they liked it despite the pilaf not being their favorite, but I tasted it and thought it was yum. I had the special of Steak Diane using filet mignon. The portion was hearty. Although the veggie medley was rich in textures, it had nothing distinct to it, but I did enjoy the sweet carrot for its flavor and the much needed vibrancy. The mashed potato it came with was a delicious concoction of I don't know what. Very creamy but also a gritty texture that I loved. I don't know how to explain the contradiction, I'm not a foodie. We finished off with a crème brûlée to share and it came with a complimentary mini for our celebration. I liked the less eggy smoother consistency of theirs and would order it again. Service was good despite receiving the wrong app. Will come again in less than another 20 years. Part of the 4 star rating is because of the quaintness, ease of parking and being away from any other establishment. read more

La Foret - The creek just below. (cobwebs not visible in pic) - French Near Me - San Jose, California

Be prepared to be impressed. The service was impeccable. The prices were to be expected to an outstanding restaurant of this calibre. Great waiters. Wonderful menu. We are certain there are dozens and dozens of five star reviews for this amazing restaurant. Recently dined there with another couple and were highly impressed with every aspect of the meal. Yes, tres cher. read more

Interior design is good, but a bit old fashioned. The restaurant seems to be a renovated old mansion. Service was on par with the majority of the $$$$ fine dinings out here. Food was good, but didn't leave me with a "wow" impression. Parking was convenient with the parking lot located just across the street. Overall an okay but not impressive experience. read more

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I was looking for something unique. Something special. Something delicious. Somewhere romantic. Well, happy to report that La Foret met all my conditions -- 4 and 0! Something unique: ================ It's an hour away from where I live. In San Jose, it's 8 miles off the freeway thru normalville, crappy, rustic, and odd. The ride really does seem like your off'ing someone, but adds to the thrill of an adventure. Something special: ================ At the very end of a very narrow and winding road, is a parking lot and a special building. What's looks like an enormous house, turns out to be La Foret -- a former hotel turned restaurant many moons ago. They have a stepdown outside covered patio, recommended totally when nice weather. The outside rails overlook a small stream, and it's nestled with trees and flowers. Inside, fine dining in what looks, again, like a house -- small intimate rooms seating 6-10 tables each. Any way you go -- lovely. Something delicious: ================== I like the menu -- something for everyone. Steak, fish, game, veggie, pasta -- yes! I went with a Manhattan (awesome), the special salad (Spinach with goat cheese) [$16, 4.5 stars], and the TOURNEDOS OF BEEF CHANTERELLE [$68, 5.0 stars], 2 perfectly cooked 3-4 oz of beef, so fricken tender and flavorful topped with a mushroom reduction. Could have had a few more mushroom pieces, but it was to die for. My gf, loved her Veal Tenderloin w/Calvados Brandy Cream Sauce, Cosmo (best she ever had), and cream of mushroom soup ("amazing). For dessert, we got their famous SOUFFLÉ GRAND MARNIER [$16, 4.5 stars] with decaf Cappuccino's...perfect. Somewhere romantic: =================== My gf (aka "my lady") loved it, and so did I (if you couldn't tell). It was a very special night indeed. She said "YES". We'll go back for special occasions. For sure! PS. Eva, our server, was so knowledgeable and a total pro. read more

La Foret - TOURNEDOS OF BEEF CHANTERELLE [$68, 5.0 stars] - French Near Me - San Jose, California