B-day place around Santa Clara or within driving distance--see description

[scottybooj]

Ok, it's my 35th and i'm headed to Santa Clara for business without my wife (she took me out for amazing sushi tonite). Thanks to all the chowhounds for suggestions in/around SC.

I will have a car so a little travelling will be fine.

So, I want to go out for my birthday to a place that has a nice atmosphere, great food, and decent prices. I'm from NY so i'm used to the over priced crap...i'm looking for that perfect combo only a chowhound could recommend. Basiclly, I want to have a nice time without breaking the bank.

Oh, cuisine is up in the air except Italian ...to be honest, I've had amazing Italian around me and I don't need to have it in cali. No offense...I'm actually sick of Italian.

I welcome all other suggestions....thank you very much.

-scott

[scottybooj]

thank u all!

[Concetta]

So....where did you end up celebrating your b-day? Hope you had a good trip!

[sairuh]

Within Santa Clara itself, I'd suggest Parcel 104. It costs a bit a less than the Village Pub (which is definitely yummy), but less of a drive. Changing menu, based on seasonal and local ingredients.

Vung Tau outside of downtown San José is also excellent. If you go there, you must get the shrimp cupcakes (banh khot, I think they're called).

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Parcel 104
2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054

[ceekskat]

If you don't feel like hiking it to Woodside for the Village Pub (excellent restaurant)....

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/501718

There's also Vung Tau in San Jose, the original of Tamarine (of which I posted on your other thread). NOLA in Palo Alto...fun atmosphere, cocktails, decent Cajun style food.

http://www.vungtaurestaurant.com/menu...

To put Santa Clara in perspective with regards to your request, the South Bay is not exactly the gastronomical dining hotbed that San Francisco is.

[Claudette]

Scottybooj - see my reply on your earlier post; my listed restos, and Village Pub, will be ~ $50-70/person, depending on your choice of alcohol.

I second Manresa and Chez TJ, but they're at least $100/person, and probably booked already, but this is Spring Break week, so you might give it a go.

Happy B'day.

[Giselle]

I still say go to Village pub even if you just go to the bar and have a pub burger it will be quite festive and its always fun the first time you go finding it as it is tucked back with very few signs so it will be a like a treasure hunt

[Giselle]

I second Concetta. You will not regret going to the Village Pub
Happy Birthday

[Concetta]

Will you be dining alone? I'd check out the Village Pub in Woodside.
www.thevillagepub.net

[Concetta]

ok - here's two more, but they might be close to the bank breaking category:
Manresa in Los Gatos
Chez TJ in Mountain View
Both have 2 Michelin stars

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Chez TJ
938 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041