Bistro Elan
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Phone: (650) 327-0284
- Price:
- $$
- Hours:
- Tue-Sat 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm
Editorial Review for Bistro Elan – by Citysearch Staff
The Scene
Living up to its name, this smart, trendy bistro on California Avenue lures Silicon Valley's jet set. On nice days you can sip wine in the back garden. Inside, banquette seating offers intimacy with plenty of prime crowd-watching. The wait staff is skilled and knowledgeable.
The Food
The meal often begins with a delicious amuse-bouche of sun-dried olives and sliced bresaola (air-dried, aged and salted beef fillet). For your first course try the tiny crab cakes or the house specialty: a poached egg and sevruga caviar on a bed of shallots, crisp pancetta and spinach. If you're looking for something light, the mussels in tomato, basil and porcini broth are always a safe bet. Meat lovers can enjoy the natural, hormone-free Niman Ranch steaks. Favorite desserts include cream-cheese tarts with seasonal fruit and coconut custard with fresh mango and crispy sesame tuiles. The inventive wine list is well-suited to the food.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
After-Dinner DrinksTry the Bonny Doon Vin de Glacier, the even richer Navarro Last Harvest Riesling or any of a strong showing of ports.
Park It!Street parking is available.
User Reviews for Bistro Elan
02/14/2008 Posted by GBG123456
we were just there for our valentine's night. There was a fixed menu and pretty expensive at that -$65 per person not including alcohol. The food was simply taste-less (appetizer very soggy). The staff couldn't care less. We left without eating dessert even though we paid for it. I talked to the owner. He didn't seem to care. There are so many wonderful restaurants in the Bay Area. Why not patronize the kind people's restaurants? one can forgive the food, but not the rude staff. It saddens me to write this.
Pros: location
Cons: very rude staff, less than ordinary food, expensive for the value you get
10/11/2007 Posted by sesamekinjiru
This place is really starting to grow on me. It's law firm recruiting season, and I've been taking interviewees here all week. The recipes are always inventive, the food is fresh and generally well done, the service is fast and friendly, and the menu is varied enough to offer something for everyone. Definitely recommended.
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