Glorious. I've not been here in a decade and am kicking myself for having let it drop off my list…read more Charming staff, lightly renovated interior, and running at full capacity when we arrived, I was happy to see business was booming, and some familiar faces on the team. The food was excellent. Pate, snails, pork medallions, coq au vin, and chocolate mousse is what we had and it was all divine. Paired with two kir royales and some unpretentious house wine, we paid $155 pre-tip which I found to be an insane value. Je reviens.

This is a lovely restaurant with a very friendly and cozy atmosphere. The lamb and fish entrees are…read moremy favorite. Our waitress Aline was great!

I came by the Chinese bakery but they were closed. Maison Alyzee was next door and had no line. It…read morewas the first time I could go in easily and see a full line of desserts they had. I love desserts and the French are number one in that category. I came from Yutori after buying so much that I squeezed in Madison's dessert, Padova Mandarin Yuzu. The clerk said it needs to refrigerate promptly or else eat right away. I had no choice but to stop by the library's park and eat that along with my tuna egg sando from Yutori. The Yuzu dessert was cool and refreshing. It's good to pair with tea. I'll have to come back and try more desserts. They all look so good to try.

Nearly ALL of my European clients and friends have raved about Maison Alyzee as being the most…read moreauthentic French patisserie in the area. Some of them don't even go to any other bakery besides this one and as such, I was excited to try their pastries. I got a combination of both basic items such as their croissant and their more decorative items such as their Paris Brest. The fundamental difference between American pastries and their French counterparts is that the latter are much less heavy and sweet and in that sense, Maison Alyzee does a good job. However, that quality really isn't that important to me unless I'm making baked goods at home or having them at a friend's. When it comes to a bakery, I care more about nuanced flavors, tastes, and textures and in those aspects, this place didn't really blow me away. To put it this way, I would rather travel to Midwife and the Baker and have one of their croissants at a cheaper price even if it may be more of a sugar bomb. I was actually contemplating knocking off another star because of how much the pastries cost an arm and a leg (almost $10+ for some of the individual items). In the end, I decided against it because this bakery is the first I've visited where the pastries both look nice AND taste good (Paris Baguette and Alexander's Patisserie, take note). Overall, this place is good if you are looking for pastries that both look and taste nice. Perhaps my palate is just not sophisticated enough but I just don't get any unique taste that warrants them being the most authentic French patisserie in the area. Personally, I would visit Midwife, Craftsman, and (soon) Arsicault in Palo Alto to get a more "quality' pastry.

Casual Italian- French restaurant, voted best of Mountain View, right on Castro with ample outdoor…read moreand indoor seating. Only 2 other parties there when we arrived around Sat 12pm. We sat next to window so nice for people watching but got bit hot with sun, even with shade down. Later a few families (seemed like regulars) came in. Lunch menu feels more Italian than French to me - various pastas, pizza, sandwiches, plus entrees. For party of 4, we ordered clam chowder the soup of day, seafood pasta dish, Chicken penne dish, pasta with bacon, and chicken breast entree. Bread with olive oil on the house. My dish Chicken breast was tender and juicy, downed with a lot of buttery sauce, so it was filling.

Brought my toddler and husband here to eat. They had high chairs for my toddler and even a coloring…read morebook and crayons. They even asked if we wanted to have the TV turned off when they noticed he was watching the tv. Very attentive. The food was great. It also came with complimentary bread that was warmed up and served with olive oil. My toddler enjoyed the free bread as well. We got the arancini, crab cakes , cordon blue , margarita pizza, mushroom truffle ravioli and steak frites. Our favorite dishes were the crab cakes , steak frites and the mushroom ravioli. The crab cakes were tasty and came with a lemon wedge and aoli, the steak frites came in a large portion. The meat was tender and came with a tasty sauce a mushrooms. My son enjoyed the fries that it came with , tasted like there was truffle oil in it. The ravioli was also good, nice and creamy. They also provided a free panna cotta for my husbands birthday. Overall, toddler friendly and expansive menu given that there are both Italian and French options.

La Bohème is exactly the kind of place you hope to find when you're craving a true French dining…read moreexperience. I was not disappointed. The ingredients were fresh, beautifully balanced, and honestly so good I considered ordering another round. The bread was solid too -- perfectly crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. We tried a range of dishes and everything delivered. The omelette stuffed with shrimp was generous and great value, the French onion soup, mussels, and entrecôte were all absolutely spot on, and the chocolate mousse to finish was delicious. Next time, I'm definitely coming back for the soufflé. Even the fruit bowl stood out -- you could tell it was freshly cut, with each fruit tasting crisp and distinct rather than blended together. It's those little details that really show care. The space itself is charming and cozy, with a lovely French ambiance. It's a medium-sized restaurant , with additional outdoor seating, and a decor that makes you want to linger. What really stood out, though, was the service. Absolutely top notch. You can tell the staff and chefs genuinely care about what they're doing -- and that makes all the difference. Honestly, I'm surprised it wasn't more packed -- it deserves to be. We'll absolutely be back to explore more

We went for an early Valentine's day dinner (the 13th instead of the 14th). We had a reservation…read moreand were seated immediately. The staff were warm and nice and I liked the ambiance of the restaurant. I ordered a coke to drink and my partner had a French beer. We proceeded to order the charcuterie and french onion soup for appetizers and the duck breast and french burger for entrees. The soup came and it was fine- it tasted like french onion soup. The charcuterie never came; I guess they forgot to put the order in or forgot to make it. It was awkward just sitting there starving while my husband ate his soup though. We figured maybe they were bringing it after he finished the soup so there'd be room on the table but nope. The burger looked nice and was cooked to the ordered temp of medium rare. Otherwise it was like any other burger anywhere else, not overly special. The fries were crisp and well salted. The duck was underwhelming. It's $38 for this plate of food and it came with totally flavorless and dry mashed potatoes, whose texture was akin to boxed potatoes. No butter or cream flavor to speak of. The vegetables were so disappointing. They had no seasoning whatsoever and were as soft as baby food- I am not exaggerating on that. I was surprised by how mushy the carrots were. For almost $40 I expect more exciting veg than broccoli, cauliflower and carrots all steamed to death. The duck was okay. There was a large tendon running through the middle of every piece and I could only eat half of it due to gristly fat. The port wine reduction that covered it totally masked the flavor of the duck. All I tasted was soy sauce. We let them know about the missing charcuterie to make sure it was not included on the bill. Other small things that detracted from the experience included them never clearing any dishes from the table (like the basket from the complimentary bread, appetizer plates or the huge wine glasses that neither of us needed) and not checking in on us to see how everything was going. The table was so cluttered it was hard to eat. It took a really long time to get the check and was so uncomfortable just sitting there obviously done with our food. For the prices charged I expected a higher level of service that was blatantly absent. Overall will not return. Over priced, slow, bland food.

Chez TJ is a bit hidden, as it is a cute little house on a busy street in downtown Mountain View,…read moreso it may blend in a bit. There is a parking lot across the street, as well as street parking surrounding the area, but parking may be hit or miss, depending on when you come by. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating - we were greeted warmly and treated with the best service during the whole evening. We were able to try their Pear Panna Cotta, Royal Kaluga Caviar, Fermented Gooseberry, Dill; Onagadai Tartlette, Creme Fraiche, Fingerlime, Horseradish; Brassica Veloute, Fenugreek Oil, Guanciale Powder Okinawa Sweet Potato, Perigord Black Truffle, Burrata Foam; Petite Baguette; Mushroom & Barley Tea; Squab, Cascabel Mole, Chanterelles, Winter Citrus Gel; Pain Levain, Navel Orange Ricotta; Australian Wagyu, Confit Beetroot, Smoked Parsnip, Sticky Cabbage; Strawberry Basil Mousse, Honeycomb, Strawberry Caviar, Basil Oil Palmier; Hazelnut Chouquette; and The Lime & The Coconut Ganache. My favorites were definitely the Onagadai Tartlette; Petite Baguette; and Squab, Cascabel Mole, Chanterelles, Winter Citrus Gel. Overall, everything was delicious and I was blown away for the experience.

Good laughs, good service, and a lot of different drinks & dishes to try…read more Came here for a company dinner recently, the host and wait staff were very nice and fast to act. We enjoyed the garden tour and trying the many drinks prior to dinner service. For the meal, we started light and wrapped up with a waygu dish. The desserts were good, but the staff miscounted and missed a portion, I ended up getting a replacement dish that didn't have 2 out of 3 of the original components. Overall, it was a fun experience and the patio seating made the ambience very enjoyable.

Had a great experience here this evening. I wanted to treat my coworkers to dinner so made a…read morereservation for a large group a few weeks prior. Making the reservation was a tad difficult since the my did not respond to my email or inquiry from their website and had to call. We arrived for our early dinner and was seated promptly. The place slowly filled up as the night went on. We ordered an assortment of appetizers and entrees. Raved about dishes were their Belgium fries, mussels, and the chicken dish. Most of my coworkers ordered the shaken filet and rice. I had the short rib. Everyone throughly enjoyed their food. They also have a nice cocktail menu. I don't drink but all of my coworkers had a drink and they all seemed to enjoy their drinks. Service was prompt and courteous. We all had a great time. I would definitely return here again.

CHECK YOUR BILL!!. I recently dined at Elyse in San Jose and wanted to share a mixed experience…read more First, the positives -- the food was genuinely very good. The dishes were well-prepared, flavorful, and thoughtfully presented. The overall ambiance was also enjoyable, making it a nice spot for a dinner out. Unfortunately, the experience took a concerning turn at the end of the meal. Our bill came out to $86.42, and I handed my credit card to the waiter. Within seconds (thanks to my card alerts), I received a notification that $103.92 had been charged. When the waiter returned with the receipt, there was no mention of any discrepancy. After waiting a few minutes to see if it would be addressed, I brought it up myself. The waiter appeared flustered and then claimed he had accidentally charged me for someone else's food. That explanation didn't align with the itemized bill I was given, which made the situation feel questionable. He assured me that it would be corrected and that I should see the adjustment in a few days, which I'll be watching closely. Mistakes can happen, but the lack of transparency and the fact that it wasn't proactively disclosed is what left a bad impression. Being overcharged without explanation -- and having to catch it myself -- is not something I expect when dining out. I'd consider coming back for the food, but I'd definitely be more cautious when it comes to the bill.

Tasting Menu 5 presentation, flavors, texture were all very good…read moreService 5 Ambiance 5

I haven't been to Le Papillon in 20 years, but I could hardly remember my experience then. My…read morehusband had never been, so our recent dinner was basically new to us. We were both highly impressed by the food and service. My husband didn't expect the restaurant to look as fancy as it did. That said, there were a mix of guests wearing anything from casual to formal attire. It was New Year's Eve though, so I felt like most guests erred to the side of being well dressed. There was a 4-course prix fixe menu for the evening, which was superb. Each course had 4-6 options, and I was extremely pleased with everything my husband and I chose. My salad with had baby lettuce, toasted pecans, and shaved feta was the best salad I've had all year. The sea bass I got for the main course was particularly outstanding. I was informed that the sea bass was a staple of the daily dinner menu, so I can't wait to get this dish again. The dinner was also accompanied by complimentary bread service, amuse bouches, and mignardises. Last but not least, overall service was excellent. Kendra was our lead server, and she was friendly, attentive, and very helpful when it came to making selections. All the wait staff members were on top of clearing plates and refilling beverages. The pace by which the food was brought out was perfect.

So delicious I'm still thinking about this meal. The service was amazing. There's a huge menu with…read morelots of great options. This has been one of my favorite bites in South Bay. We ordered the sake oyako mesh with dashi to have the option for ochazuke, kurobuta katsu, tori karaage, and hojicha creme brulee. The rice clay pot dish had so much flavor and dimension. The katsu and karaage were both very crispy and fried to perfection. And the hojicha creme brûlée was the perfect sweetness. I would love to come back to try more of their dishes.

I came here with my brother and we ordered a variety of different items ranging from pizza to clay…read morepot rice, to carpaccio. The things we ordered included: Yuzu ceviche- This was delicious. The house made chips resembled ruffles and the ceviche was actually very refreshing. I couldn't stop taking bites out of it. Hints of citrus plus tomato, cucumbers, this was the perfect appetizer for clearing the palate before a meal. Ankimo - Monkfish liver, this dish was decent. The ponzu really shined and it wasn't fishy at all. Also oddly refreshing. The liver tasted like a paste almost. Sake carpaccio- Smooth, sweet, and light. The salon was nicely seared and tasted wonderful. Yakiniku Kochijan- The pizza crust was light and flaky and the cheese had an amazing cheese pull. The kimchi was subtle but it was definitely present in flavor. Jako Mentaiko Meshi- Dried fish and cod roe clay pot rice. The rice was super crispy and the dried fish had a ton of flavor. When mixed in thoroughly with the rice it just brings out the essence of the fish and the flavor. Overall, a solid spot!

I celebrated my birthday here and had a truly wonderful dinner experience in the cocktail lounge…read more The à la carte menu offers a thoughtful blend of Asian fusion bites--each dish more impressive than the last. We were attended to by four staff members, and while that may sound like a lot, their service was seamless. Every movement felt intentional and unobtrusive, enhancing rather than interrupting the ambiance. The craftsmanship of the food--wow. This Michelin rating is absolutely well deserved. Each dish had such depth of flavor that we couldn't help but murmur "mmm" with every bite. The presentation was, of course, stunning, with flavors that matched the beauty on the plate. I can't wait to return and experience the dining room next. I highly recommend adding Protégé to your "Best of the Bay" list.

Protégé is a New American casual restaurant that offers both an a la carte and a tasting menu…read more We made reservations in advance, and we were excited to check this place out for dinner. Our party went for the a la carte option to order a variety of dishes to share, rather than to be restricted to options. We tried: +the Milk Bread - served with Stepladder Creamery cultured butter and Balinese sea salt +the 'Fish & Chips' - prepared with hamachi, Asian pear, red curry, and pickled jalapenos +Crab and Caviar - with dungeness crab, Protégé reserve caviar, and yuzu sabayon +and, the A5 Wagyu Tataki - with black sesame crackers, enoki mushrooms, and karashi For my entree, I tried the Flannery Beef Short Rib, which was served with sunchoke 'hash', charcoal-grilled king trumpet mushrooms, horseradish, and pimenton; I also tried one's Blackened Monkfish and the 'Peas and Carrots.' Everything was well-presented and aesthetically-pleasing, service was on point, and they checked upon our large party often. The restaurant itself is well-decorated, with nice photographs on the wall; request for the tufted seating, as it's more comfortable. +attentive staff +a la carte and tasting menu offered +reservations accepted

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.