December has arrived—finally. That may mean the air is cooler and the mornings more rainy, but it also means we are on the precipice of leaving this crummy year behind. But first, let’s take a second to leave 2020 with some positivity: maybe that includes grabbing a couple more takeout dinners from a favorite restaurant or picking up a gift card to a new eatery as a present. Here is just a sampling of the Silicon Valley restaurants that are newly open, set up for a date night, offering casual fare or sticking to takeout and delivery.
Newly Open
Petisco’s
399 S First St, San Jose; 408.320.2884
Petisco’s, a casual, tapas-style restaurant by the owners of the highly rated Adega, is set to start taking reservations this week, rolling out a menu of Spanish-inspired charcuteries and fresh seafood. Open 11:30am to 2pm and 5:30 to 9pm Wednesday to Sunday and 11:30am to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Holy Cannoli
138 E Santa Clara St, San Jose; 408.561.2223
Holy Cannoli had a tough road to opening its bricks-and-mortar location in downtown San Jose, where 2nd Story Bakeshop once lived, but it’s finally arrived. It serves sweet treats and breakfast food from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday.
Date Night
Cru Wine Bar
900B Middlefield Rd, Redwood City; 650.362.3535
Cru Wine Bar has something for everyone, whether it’s a cup of espresso, a glass of red wine or a small bite to eat. Some may be skeptical, but the eatery even makes tuna and green olive pizza work. It’s open 3 to 8pm Monday to Thursday and from noon to 9pm Friday and Saturday.
Caffe Riace
200 Sheridan Ave STE 102, Palo Alto; 650.328.0407
For most, traveling plans have been put on hold due to COVID-19. But at Caffe Riace, every meal could feel like dining out in Sicily—at least, that’s the goal. Open 5 to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday.
Vaso Azzurro Ristorante
108 Castro St, Mountain View; 650.940.1717
If there’s one thing Chef Allan Sadri wants anyone to know about his cuisine, it’s that every bite is meant to be savored, whether on the heated patio or at home after grabbing a dish to-go. Open 5 to 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 5 to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Trattoria 360
360 E Campbell Ave, Campbell; 408.429.8671
Italian food at its finest, Trattoria 360 offers classic Mediterranean dishes in a cozy, romantic setting. It’s open 5 to 9:30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and from 5 to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Sakoon
357 Castro St, Mountain View; 650.965.2000
3701 El Camino Real, Santa Clara; 408.241.5150
39195 Farwell Dr, Fremont; 510.744.9500
Inviting and comfortable, Sakoon has been a must-go for any Indian-food lover with plenty of meat and vegetarian options. It’s open daily for lunch between noon and 3pm and for dinner from 5 to 9:30pm.
Milagro’s Latin Kitchen
1099 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City; 650.369.4730
Tequila aficionados look no further: Milagro’s offers a mix of craft cocktails, build-your-own margarita kits and a full-service tequila bar on its outside patio. Open 11:30am to 10pm Monday to Friday; 11am to 10pm Saturday and until 9pm on Sunday.
Casual Dining
Fairchild’s Public House
fairchildspublichouse.com/menu
409 San Antonio Rd, Mountain View; 650.966.6949
Located inside Mountain View’s Hyatt Centric, Fairchild’s Public House serves California cuisine in a fresh-air veranda with a cozy fireplace nook. It’s open for dinner daily from 5pm to 9pm and for brunch from 7am to 9am Monday to Friday and 7am to 10am Friday and Saturday.
Zadna
2653 Broadway St, Redwood City; 650.366.9600
Zadna, which means “our traditional food” in Arabic, offers Middle-eastern comfort food at its finest. It’s open 11:30am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm Sunday to Monday to Friday and 1pm to 7:30pm on Sunday.
Billy’s Boston Chowder House
29 East Main St, Los Gatos; 408.827.4005
East coast transplants and California natives alike can savor the homemade craft cooking of an authentic New England seafood chowder house on the west coast. It’s open from 11:30am to 7:30pm Monday to Thursday, 11:30am to 8pm on Friday and 9am to 8pm on Saturday.
Rustic House Oyster Bar & Grill
295 Main St, Los Altos; 650.935.2129
In addition to oysters and shellfish, calamari, clam chowder and cheesy garlic bread are among the many dishes from Rustic House Oyster Bar & Grill’s menu that regulars flock back to order. It’s open 11am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 11 am to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Chef Chu’s
1067 N San Antonio Rd STE 1300, Los Altos; 650.948.2696
Since opening its doors in 1970, Chef Chu’s has become a go-to favorite in the South Bay. It’s open from 11:30am to 9:30pm Sunday to Thursday and from 11:30am to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
West Park Farm & Sea
855 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City; 650.549.8620
West Park Elm & Sea is all about serving healthy, but flavorful dishes with simple ingredients: lots of veggies, fish and grains. It’s open in downtown Redwood City daily from 10:30am to 8:30pm. Outdoor seating is available.
State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria
101 Plaza North, Los Altos; 650.383.5210
Inspired by California’s unique, laid-back culture, State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria seeks to make every guest feel at home. It’s open daily from 11:30am to 9pm.
Takeout & Delivery
Sumo Sushi Boat
355 State St, Los Altos; 650.941.9898
Sumo Sushi Boat offers classic sushi staples like California and spicy tuna rolls as well as sashimi and it doesn’t skimp on the vegetarian options. It’s open 2 to 8pm Monday to Saturday.
Hometown Noodle
2617 Union Ave, San Jose; 408.369.8868
Hometown Noodles specializes in homemade noodles in a southwestern Chinese style. “If you like spicy and delicious food then Hometown noodle will be your best choice,” the restaurant promises. It’s open daily from 11am to 8:30pm.
Jubba Restaurant
yelp.com/biz/jubba-restaurant-san-jose
5330 Terner Way, San Jose; 408.440.1504
As a family-run restaurant, Jubba offers a menu of Somali and other East African dishes in hearty portions from 11:30am to 9pm every day except Wednesdays.
Zola
3561 El 565 Bryant St, Palo Alto; 650.521.0651
Set under a green awning in Palo Alto, this local favorite is offering its staple French cuisine for takeout from 3 to 7pm Fridays and Saturdays. A new menu goes live every Wednesday, so it may not be a bad idea to check back often.
Portobello Grill
875 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City; 650.299.9918
Portobello Grill offers a menu filled with a mix of pasta, seafood and burgers, and half price all bottles of wine to seal the deal. Open for takeout from 11am to 2pm Wednesday to Sunday and from 4pm to 9pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Bravo’s House of Enchiladas
facebook.com/Bravo-House-of-Enchiladas-427583130610279
1075 Tully Rd, San Jose; 408.294.2958
This classic Mexican restaurant in South San Jose has built its brand around its original family recipes for salsas, sauces and enchiladas from scratch daily. It’s open daily from 11am to 9pm.
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