recommendations for special occasion dining on the peninsula / South Bay

[nutellajar]

Hi Chowhounds:

Can you recommend a list of restaurants for special occasion dining ( i.e. anniversaries, romantic dining, 30th/40th birthdays ) for the lower peninsula and South Bay?

So far I was thinking

Manresa - Los Gatos
Chez TJ - Mountain View
Tamarine - Palo Alto
Evvia Estiatorio - Palo Alto

thanks in advance.

Dennis

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Tamarine Restaurant
546 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301

Chez TJ
938 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041

Evvia Estiatorio
420 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301

[budnball]

I would also recommend Parcel 104 in Santa Clara. Yes, it is a hotel restaurant but the friday chefs tasting is always good and the room is lush. Best desserts in the south bay, IMHO

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

[alina555]

Have never been, but you can probably add Baume in Palo Alto to the list.

It's not fine dining, but the atmosphere alone makes The Mountain House in Woodside a nice special occasion spot.

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Baumé
201 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306

[Fiftyishfoodie]

I have been thoroughly pleased with Dio Deka in Los Gatos in two visits.

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Dio Deka
210 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030

[openhelix]

Alexander's Steakhouse would be my top bet. My first trip to Manresa was great but my last 2 have been forgettable. Chez TJ is still figuring out their new menu but can be amazing! My only trip to Le Papillon was VERY poor but I'll leave it at that.

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Chez TJ
938 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041

Alexander's Steakhouse
10330 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA 95014

Le Papillon
410 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129

[mlutsky]

Donato Enoteca in Redwood City is fabulous.

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Donato Enoteca
1041 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063

[jsaimd]

It's good, but it isn't really fine dining. It is fairly casual. We did enjoy our meal there last Saturday though.

[Claudette]

I'd recommend Plumed Horse (the best in food and decor), Chez TJ (penultimate in food), and Le Papillon (penultimate in decor and food presentation). Dio Deka and Manresa would be my next choices; Tamarine and Evvia have good food, but aren't special enough compared to the others.

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Tamarine Restaurant
546 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301

Chez TJ
938 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041

Dio Deka
210 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030

The Plumed Horse
14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

Le Papillon
410 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129

[ML8000]

Manresa and Chez TJ are both good choices. Manresa has more interesting/inspired food but TJ might be right up there with the new chef. (someone else can chime in) TJ is more intimate/cozier, Manresa is still very nice...very California.

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Chez TJ
938 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041

[bbulkow]

Evvia isn't special enough compared to those others. For that category, Dio Dekka.

[nicedragonboy]

Alexander's Steakhouse - Cupertino

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Alexander's Steakhouse
10330 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA 95014

[mdg]

Manresa and Chez TJ are both great choices. If it's not too far north for you, Village Pub in Woodside would also do admirably.

Michael

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Chez TJ
938 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041

Village Pub
2967 Woodside Rd., Woodside, CA 94062