menlo park the "other palo alto"

This is a small town in a long line of towns, but it has a character all it's own. You can walk down Santa Cruz Ave., stop for a drink (wine or coffee) and people watch at one of the many outside tables. You can drive through some amazing neighboorhoods and (unfortunately) at the present time see more construction under way than you would like. Walk through some of the neighboorhoods bordering downtown and you will glimpse many different styles of living. Oh and did I mention that as you are strolling downtown you are just as likely to hear russian or french being spoken as english?

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This excellent cantonese restaurant has been a neighborhood favorite for years. It is so popular that there is a separate take out branch a block away (with a few tables for eating a quick meal).

There is a separate bar area where locals gather to chat and watch sports. The dining area has 3 areas, all with white table clothes and good service. Food is freshly prepared and usually cooked to perfection (and I am a tough critic). Prices are very fair and the servings are large. Special request are happily accomodated (I love moo shu, but didn't want the eggs - no problem).

This is a very good choice for one or many. There are lunch specials which are good value for money as well as a very extensive menu at lunch and dinner.

Some of my favorites are sizzling rice soup, moo shu chicken, sizzling rice shrimp, well I could go on and on but go and find out for yourself. You'll enjoy it and not break the bank (an important consideration in this area).

This restaurant is owned by Joey Altman who also hosts Bay Cafe on local TV. He opened the restuarant in 1999.

"The Wild Hare was born outof a desire to take meat and potatoes to new heights. Inspired by the bold flavors of venison, elk, wild boar, and other game meats, Joey developed a menu with dynamic combinations of flavors, cultures, and styles. The cutting-edge Silicon Valley lifestyle made it not only possible, but imperative to create food that captures peoples imagination,"

I was there on a slow Thursday night, one of about 20 diners. This is highly unusual I was told. Prices are high, but the quality is good. The interior is dark, with the most impressive collection of bottles behind a bar in width and height (pray we don't have ever have and earthquake) I have ever seen.

I had a special - lasagne made with rabbit, bison, and duck. Too bad the meat was ground because even though it was nice one could not taste the distinct flavors. It was served piping hot with just the proper crunch on the top. Tasty.

Desserts look wonderful - had the molten chocolate cake beautifully presented and again perfectly cooked. The menu is limited and only the vegetables seem to change seasonally. So except for special things are pretty much the same (which is good of course if you have a real liking for one of the menu items) all the time, a bit of a disappointment for me since I was looking forward to experiencing some of the adventures Joey cooks on the air. Friendly service, romantic if somewhat exotic (read dark and old west) interior. This is a VERY expensive restaurant and might not have made it had it not been launched during the dotcom maddnes IMHO - which would be a shame because the food is very good. The wine list is extensive, but ordinary wines are $10 a glass and even the expensive wines seem to be marked up 3x retail (eg 1990 Cristal $450, Dom similar mark up, etc). This seems like a lot to me but maybe that is how they can stay open in a pricely location and only serve dinner ( not open for lunch :( ) If money is no object and you like exotic meat prepared well this is the right place. For me given the embarrassment of riches that are offered within a 10 minute drive I am afraid I won't be back too often, just too many better choices for less money.

A true east coast style fish restaurant on the west coast. Quality is excellent, service is usually also excellent. Very friendly staff.

Menu - extensive choice of appetizers, soups, raw fish (tuna sashimi, oysters, clams), steamed, sauteed, grilled fish all excellently prepared. There is often a special of lobster, clams, mussels with fresh corn for around $20. Menu items range from 12 up with many choices of the freshest, well prepared fish.

Tonight I had many fresh oysters and clams (happy hour special and boy were they good) and corn and lobster chowder. Outstanding.

The restaurant opened a few years ago and has fast become a favorite in the community - for good reason!

This french bistro is owned by Roland Passot, the owner of other Left Banks and La Folie in San Francisco. If you are expecting La Folie you will be disappointed, but if you are expecting a french bistro you be happy you willl find homestyle bistro with excellent food, but variable service and a bit noisy. Right now it's one of the "in" places so there are a lot of "power deals" going on.

Food ranges from steamed mussels (with excellent pomme frites on the side if you wish - they don't tell you but you CAN order a half order of the fries) to bring back memories of dining in France, excellent duckling a l'orange - on a nice evening I had this sitting outdoors and imagined I was in France instead of California (well okay the waiters didn't speak French and they were a bit more friendly than the ones in France). Wine is available by the glass or bottle (though pretty pricey).

Wonderful desserts and fresh bread too.

In downtown Menlo Park is an extremely updated street replete with upscale restaurants, many with outdoor dining. Fashionable second hand stores, coffee shops Petes and Starbucks within a few blocks and both apparently flourishing, pastry shops, ice cream stores, many banks, a hardware store (jammed with useful stuff), a stationary store, and assorted other goodies.

Not a cheap stroll, but in good weather you can do a lot of people watching while you are getting your errands done - and if you get hungry or thirsty - well that is nooo problem.