Straits Cafe Palo Alto

03/18/09

Great place for lunch or dinner

by Tom999

I was pleasantly surprised when my friends invited me to Straits Cafe last week. I haven't been there for a while now and the place has changed! ---for the better!!

The deco is so much subdue now...like the place has matured. I like the host, who was very polite and helpful. We went at Happy Hours and stayed until dinner. The drinks were only $5 unitl 6:00pm. Great value. The roti was still the best in town. The grilled sea-bass was out of this world. Definitely will go back again with my date.

• Pros: Great drinks

06/18/08

Over-rated - avoid having any group event here

by Kasenna

Unfortunately we were told by our management this place was superb and that our company celebration lunch had to be here. We arrived to no air-conditioning on a 100+ day and they didn't even have a fan turned on. Appetizers amounted to 1 small triangle shaped bread the size of an appetizer, and 1 other appetizer per person. Main dishes were served that could feed 4 people to tables of 11-12. My boss didn't even eat more than rice and a few bites of the main courses because he was concerned there was not enough food for employees. We had to ask to have rice delivered. It was almost like they were going out of there way to insult us. And this was a set price luncheon. The word of mouth after this party from our 50+ employees will last for the next year. Most of the good reviews on this website are from 2006. They had great reviews from our management - most who went regularly in 2006, but the place has gone downhill. Don't under any circumstances plan a group event here.

• Pros: Hostess is friendliest person in the entire place
• Cons: Small portions, overpriced, service, no airconditioning, management

04/21/07

best place for a business dinner at Palo Alto Straits!

by rfranklin01

I first learned about Straits in Santana Row, which wasn't like a restaurant, but more of a nightclub. They told me that they have two more locations in the bay area. One in San Francisco, and one in Burlingame. I later found out that there is another one in Palo Alto but Santana Row insisted that Palo Alto was closed down. When I visited Palo Alto, they told me that they are an independent entity and not affiliated with the other three locations even though their menu is similar. WOW what a difference! First of all, its a classy restaurant atmosphere, with no loud obnoxious music, no dancing, and perfect outing for a business dinner which my company has often. The service is impeccable where we got our drinks and food in a timely manner, even when the restaurant was busy on a weeknight. The bartender really put time and effort into making the cocktails, as did the kitchen because the food was fantastic! Wonderful wine list too. My business dinners will be at Straits Palo Alto regularly.

• Pros: food, drinks, ambiance, parking, business
• Cons: hard to find