Mid-Peninsula Dining?

[Rapini]

I and some professional colleagues get together for dinner once of twice a year. Because we come variously from the South Bay, SF and Oakland, we try to meet mid-peninsula.

In the past, we've been to Village Pub, and a steakhouse someplace--Broadway Prime? Prime Broadway?...two or three of us have a higher appreciation for fine dining and good wine than the others--the others being more meat 'n potatoes.

Anyhoo, I'd appreciate suggestions from knowledgeable 'hounds for good meals in that southern San Mateo County-northern Santa Clara County area.

Thanks in advance.

[bbulkow]

Your geographical region is contradictory, so I'm confused.

Southern San Mateo County - northern Santa Clara County would actually be South Peninsula in most people's lexicon.

Mid-Peninsula is roughly Burlingame / San Mateo / San Carlos. Thus the recs for that area.

Southern San Mateo County -> Northern Santa Clara means Redwood city, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Mountain view, which has recently been covered in some good threads --- I recommend

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/608206

IMHO, the best steak house (right about on the san mateo / santa clara county line) is Sundance Mining in Palo Alto. Looks chintzy from the outside, is the real deal on the inside.

I'll be quiet about more detailed recs until I understand what area you're really looking for. And a better description of what you *want* - fine dining? steak and potatoes? Is Asian in or out? And how many people do you have? Do you want to get a room?

[Shane Greenwood]

If you're looking just based on the quality of the food, check out Refuge in San Carlos. They specialize in house made pastrami and Belgian beers. The menu would satisfy the meat & potato crowd and the quality will make the foodies very happy. It's not fine dining though, not at all. It's a nice place, but definitely casual. You will be pleased with the food and drink though.

If you want to go more fine-dining, then check out Viongier or 231 Ellsworth in San Mateo.

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231 Ellsworth
231 South Ellsworth Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401

The Refuge
963 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070

Viognier
222 E. 4th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401

[orezscu]

Exactly my choices. The Refuge has a high level of sophistication, even for a top-tier charcuterie pub, and most of them actually come from Viognier. Viognier is your white tablecloths, "flights and prix fixe"-type place. The Refuge is the Food of Men; Viognier is the Food of Men on Dates.