Los Gatos Restaurant Reviews

California bistro. From classy menu design to attentive service, Tapestry is a knockout. The menu underscores an interest in seasonal produce as well as the many cultural influences on California's cooking pot. Wine, beer. Full review.

Jasmine Chinese Cuisine brings delicious Chinese fare to the heart of Los Gatos. The menu includes a variety of appetizers, soups, meat dishes and vegetarian options. Some signature dishes on Jasmines’ menu are the Yu-Shiang beef, Kung Pao calamari and pork with imperial sauce.

Shangri-la is a great place to go for tasty Chinese food just about any time of day. While this quaint little spot isn’t considered a fast food joint, the food here comes out incredibly quickly, making it a popular destination for nearby work-force members and Los Gatos High students on their lunch break. Most traditional items are available, such as pot stickers, Chinese chicken salad, sweet & sour pork and Mongolian beef; the mu shu dishes have garnered a pretty heavy following. The portions are pretty big and the prices are generally affordable.

Of the five main regions in China that offer distinct cooking styles, Yeung Shing Restaurant specializes in two. Cantonese--from the southern city of Canton--is known for its meat roasting, grilling and milder seasonings. Szechuan-Hunan, in the west, is known for its hot and spicy dishes. Yeung Shing Restaurant also offers Mandarin, which is not a regional designation but rather an aristocratic cuisine that has gleaned the best from all other regions (Suzanne Cristallo).

Groups of all kinds meet at Bakers Square daily. They join other regulars who like being called by name, appreciate the service and want the familiar taste of a lemon-meringue pie or a Bakers Skillet breakfast to go with their coffee. Bakers Square, which started as a pie shop, offers up to 25 different pies, with a new one concocted every month by a marketing department in the home office. Beyond the baked goods, Bakers Square serves lunch and dinner entrees. The most popular are chicken dishes, including Chicken Florentine with spinach, tomato and red bell peppers and Honey Mustard Chicken. The leading breakfast choice is the Bakers Skillet with ham, tomatoes, mushrooms, green bell peppers and onions over home fries and topped with two eggs; it's served with toast or fruit (Suzanne Cristallo).

C.B. Hannegan’s has been a neighborhood favorite since it opened over 20 years ago. This warm, inviting place has the feel of both a restaurant and a bar, making it popular for everything from lunch to dinner with family to late night drinking escapades. The eclectic pub fare-inspired menu includes favorites like spicy chicken wings, bruschetta, beer battered calamari, half-pound burgers, meatloaf and braised short ribs. One of the house treats is the Guinness Irish Stew, since it just wouldn’t be an Irish establishment if Guinness weren’t involved.

Sometimes the Diner of Los Gatos feels like it’s been around forever. This greasy spoon is a Los Gatos institution that’s known for serving up standard diner fare in a retro, nostalgia-drenched setting. Everything about this cool little diner screams neighborhood, from the Los Gatos High students who get their first serving jobs here to the local coffee-sipping regulars that seem glued to the stools at the counter.

Both a sports bar and a fun, family-oriented restaurant, Double D’s Sports Grille is an awesome choice for a playful, casual night out with everyone from your kids to your friends. Pool tables, arcade games, big TVs and a full bar on one end of the restaurant keep the sports-oriented drinking crowds corralled, and large booths, friendly servers and a great menu of everything from burgers to pastas keep hungry patrons happy.

Gilley’s Coffee Shoppe is your average, quaint little breakfast place that everyone seems to adore. Greasy sausages, perfectly cooked bacon, delicious corned beef hash and consistently good eggs benedict are all things you can count on at this neighborhood breakfast gem. There is also an awesome assortment of delicious milkshakes that are bound to make regulars out of every kid around.

Johnny's Northside Grill in Los Gatos is a place to bring the kids. Parents can sit and have a dinner of barbecue ribs or chicken on the covered back porch while watching their youngsters shoot hoops on a warm spring evening. All of the barbecued dishes are available in the restaurant, together with burgers, cheese steaks, vegetarian dishes and a different soup every day--clam chowder is the choice on Friday. Wednesdays are Mexican food night with freshly made tamales, rice and beans. Margaritas by the pitcher and Mexican beer are on special (Suzanne Cristallo).

Regulars of Little Lou's on Los Gatos Boulevard will not find much on the menu changed since Gloria and Bonnie Leonard sold the place to Wagner and moved their business to Monterey. Meats such as tri-tip, prime rib, chicken, baby back ribs and pork spareribs are still being barbecued in a chitwood oven. The Santa Maria tri-tip dinner or the prime rib dinner, with creamed horseradish, coleslaw, garlic bread, potatoes and a choice of two sides, is a favorite. Hamburgers, quarter-pound hot dogs and hot-link sausages plus quarter, half or whole chickens and all other dishes can be ordered to go. No table service is provided in the small restaurant, but tables and an outdoor area accommodate diners wishing to eat on the premises (Suzanne Cristallo).

Lunches at the Live Oak Kitchen include Cobb salad and Oriental marinated breast of chicken salad served on crisp Asian noodles with roasted peanuts and tossed with salad greens and sesame seed dressing. There's also a variety of sandwiches, with Philly cheesesteaks and hamburgers topping the list. Dinners include steaks, pork, fish and chicken dishes, along with fettucine, lasagna, spaghetti and special white sauce pizzas, such as the pesto or the Capricorn with goat cheese and sausage. Entrees come with soup or salad, side servings of potato, vegetables and bread sticks. There's also fresh soup--two kinds each day (Suzanne Cristallo).

Lou’s Restaurant is one of those neighborhood greasy spoons that everyone can enjoy when craving a massive breakfast that will leave you full ‘til dinner. Lou’s has a pretty strong following of regulars for its casual atmosphere and yummy breakfast menu, which consists of a.m. favorites such as eggs benedict, Belgian waffles and biscuits and gravy.

By 6:30 a.m., every chair is filled in the Southern Kitchen. Omelets are many and varied, and the restaurant has won awards for its apricot and apple and cinnamon French toasts. Head cook Leo Gonzalez, with brothers Sergio and Gerardo, has been around since Rosemarie Thompson, owner of Southern Kitchen, started. They work with a speed that guarantees food on the table within 10 minutes of ordering--such as the lunch specials of chicken-fried steak and country gravy, avocado stuffed with chicken salad and fresh-roasted turkey sandwiches (Suzanne Cristallo).

Since the first Erik’s Deli Café opened in Scotts Valley in 1973, it has been a popular spot to go when craving a cool, funky old-west atmosphere, fast and friendly service and incredibly yummy sandwiches. This super casual deli in Los Gatos has a great menu of slow-simmered soups, large salads, pastries and “sandwiches with character”.

Le Boulanger, holding court from it’s cozy location next to downtown LG’s park, is another one of those places where everyone from families to corporate folk can be found enjoying gourmet sandwiches, delicious soups and specialty breads. During the school year, Los Gatos High students flock to this place around 11:30, hoping to score a tasty sandwich before they high-tail it back down the street to get to class.

Hidden deep in the Vasona Station shopping center, there is a deli. On cold days, customers who have taken the trouble to find it line up for the warming taste of chili cheddar, split pea, lentil, chicken and fresh mushroom soups and clam chowder. The soups and the fresh baked goods made on the premises are the pride of Mary and Perry Phillips, of Perry's Deli Plus on Winchester Boulevard in Los Gatos. Besides the soups and baked goods, the Phillipses offer a variety of quarter-pound sandwiches, such as pastrami, turkey and salami and specialties like reuben, meatball, chicken Italiano and vegetarian. Fresh salads include broccoli, stuffed tomatoes, tuna pasta and shrimp. The meatloaf and the gravy are homemade. Breakfast diners can enjoy eggs, bacon and toast, jumbo muffins, croissants, bagels and cinnamon rolls with a variety of drinks from the espresso bar (Suzanne Cristallo).

The Posh Bagel in Los Gatos serves breakfast bagels filled with scrambled eggs and ham or cheese. Onion, blueberry, sesame and whole wheat bagels are also available, as are plenty of cream cheese "schmears" to go with them. The tomato basil, veggie, lox, walnut raisin, garlic herb and spinach dill schmears are all rich in flavor and low in fat. Regulars keep the store busy between 6 and 8 a.m. Another surge in business comes with the 10 a.m. coffee break and another at 11:45 a.m. with the high-school lunch rush (Suzanne Cristallo).

At 6 p.m. any weekday, it's take-a-number time at the Whole Foods deli in Los Gatos, as hordes of commuters pick up entrees, side dishes, salads and desserts for a sit-down dinner at home. Beyond standard salad items, customers come for the array of organics and "health foods" including jicama, soy nuts, spring lettuce mix, baby spinach and tofu, and for the fresh melons, pineapple and other fruits. Each day there are also two vegetarian and two meat-based soups, like butternut curry, chicken gumbo or tortilla. The hot case has a selection of up to eight entreesincluding grilled vegetable or low-fat spinach lasagna; teriyaki chicken breasts; whole rotisserie chickens, ducks and turkeys; beef ribs; and teriyaki sesame drummettes (Suzanne Cristallo).

Sweet Peas Cafe & Catering in Los Gatos has a large menu consisting of breakfast specialties, sweet and savory crepes, quiches, soups, sandwiches and wraps along with fresh salads. The crepes are the specialty here, ranging from breakfast-friendly concoctions with fruits and powdered sugar to lunch or dinner-appropriate treats with meats and rich cheeses. Fish and chips and cheesesteak sandwiches are also available.

Hawaiian / island regional cuisine. Kaua'i native Justin Wong brings "local-style" plate lunches to downtown Los Gatos. The menu features such island favorites as teriyaki, kalbi, mahi mahi and kalua pork, all served with rice and macaroni salad. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Grill offers a traditional Hawaiian plate with laulau, lomi salmon and chicken long rice. Closed Sunday. Full review.

Incredible, authentic Italian cuisine is a mainstay at Aldo’s Ristorante & Bar. This spacious, elegantly decorated restaurant features a robust menu of mouthwatering dishes from all over Italy, ranging from one of the best Cesar salads in town to amazing homemade gnocchi in a rich, creamy sauce to Petrale sole prepared in a white wine, lemon and butter sauce that will knock your socks off. Appetizers that aren’t to be missed include the eggplant rollini and the artichoke hearts with fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil.

Gallo’s is a casual Italian eatery with a family-friendly neighborhood feel. The decently priced menu is comprised of tasty dishes like veal parmesan and raviolis, and the portions are large. On Friday and Saturday nights, Gallo’s tends to get busy with larger groups seeking a causal setting, so it’s wise to arrive a little on the early side.

Gardino Fresco in Los Gatos is a small Italian restaurant with a big menu. The staff of four can prepare orders from a list of up to 45 entrees and serve 25 customers at a time while limiting the wait for patrons gathered out front to an average of 15 minutes. The extensive Gardino Fresco menu offers veal dishes--Marsala, picatta, Parmesan and cutlet--along with chicken and fresh seafood dishes, which are served with mostaccioli pasta and vegetables. Among the seafood is Gamberoni del Los Gatos, comprising lightly breaded prawns sautéed to a crisp with a lemon herb and white wine sauce. The cioppino is a mix of calamari, clams, mussels, prawns and scallops in a hearty tomato sauce, also $19.95 (Suzanne Cristallo).

New Italian. I Gatti fits like a glove along peaceful Main Street--a little place, but not cramped like so many small restaurants can be. The chef understands the basics but isn't afraid to create refreshing twists on traditional recipes. The menu presents a manageable selection of stylized Italian recipes that wear the signature of a chef who cooks with joy and inspiration, creating dishes that are innovative yet cleave to the basics of good Italian cooking. Full review.

Couples, families, students, connoisseurs--everybody in Los Gatos seems not only to have discovered Kamakura, but to be big fans as well of this smart sushi showcase located downtown. In a smart setting, Kamakura showcases a procession of impeccable sushi and sashimi platters, along with traditional Japanese favorites. Full review.

Yokohama Japanese Bistro in Los Gatos serves traditional sushi--raw fish with rice, and sashimi--raw fish without the latter, along with over 30 sushi rolls, with the California roll the most recognizable among the Americanized versions of sushi. Particularly intriguing are the "BLT" with broiled salmon, the "Spider Roll" with soft-shell crab and the "Philadelphia Roll" of salmon and cream cheese. Full dinners come with the culinary mainstay, miso--a fermented soybean paste, salad, kelf--a brown seaweed, and, in several instances, a sushi roll, and run in the $15 range. They include entrees of chicken teriyaki, tuna sashimi or vegetarian bento. There's also hot and cold sake, beer and soft drinks. Green tea ice cream is the topper (Suzanne Cristallo).

Andalé prepares healthy Mexican food with no lard or preservatives--and nothing frozen or out of a can. Its menu covers all the basics (appetizers, burritos, tacos, tortas, etc.) and has several vegetarian options. One of Andalé's specialties is its mesquite-roasted chicken marinated in a special achiotes sauce. Some of Andalé's more unusual dishes include the popular mesquite chicken salad with tomato, avocado and goat cheese; Tamal, a pork or chicken dish with mole sauce and sour cream; the Baja-style fish burrito with red snapper coated in beer batter, roasted tomato, salsa, cabbage, black beans and poblano rice; and, if you really want to splurge, the camarones al ajillo dinner, a dish of shrimp cooked in garlic butter and laid on a bed of guacamole, rice, beans and tortillas (Sarah Quelland). Full review.

Burritos at Los Gatos’ High Tech Burrito are modestly priced and include the basic chicken, steak and pork burritos, as well as special Thai, barbecue, tofu and Cajun dishes. They can be prepared according to customer specifications to include rice, prawns, salsa--such as the "nuclear" hot sauce--and fresh local produce. Imported and local beers and a variety of soft drinks are available, along with a children's menu that includes quesadillas. Standard orders can be filled in about five minutes (Suzanne Cristallo).

When authentic Mexican food is on the brain, La Esquina is a good place to sate your craving. This cool little Mexican restaurant in Los Gatos offers an ample selection of south-of-the-border favorites, including carne asada tacos, chile relleno, chimichangas and chorizo burritos. The prices here are pretty reasonable and the portions are awesome.

Hot reds, deep lake blues, jungle greens, fiesta purples, sunlight yellows--colors true to the vibrancy of Mexico. They make up the unique look at Pedro's Cabo Grill in Los Gatos. The deli offers a variety of dishes that can be taken home, heated and served or frozen for later. On the menu is the best-selling chile verde burrito; there are also tamales, enchiladas and chile colorado--lean pork cooked in a spicy, tomato-based sauce (Suzanne Cristallo).

Iron Skillet serves basic American fare, appealing to a wide range of tastes, from pastas to South-of-the-Border, but it's probably the brunch menu that gets the biggest action. The "Skillet Classics" include basic two-egg breakfasts with hash browns or home fries, and wheat or sourdough toast. There is also the "Healthy Stuff" menu, including oatmeal, fruit and Egg Beaters omelettes. The "Skillet Specials," are four-egg omelettes, stuffed with bacon, mushrooms and bell peppers and topped with jack cheese, with home-style potatoes and toast on the side. Sandwiches come in many forms, from blackened chicken with its secret spices to Philly French Dip with mozzarella and grilled peppers and onions. There are salads of cashew chicken, skillet seafood and hot spinach. Beer and wine and the gamut of softer drinks round out the menu. (Suzanne Cristallo).

Los Gatos Pizza Company is a great choice for just about anyone who’s craving pizza and a fun environment. This neighborhood spot features pool tables, a big screen TV for sport nights and a mini arcade that keeps the younger kids (who always finish eating before everyone else) happy. The pizzas range from standard faves like Combo and Hawaiian to delicious specialty pies like the Tandori Pizza (Indian tandori chicken, red peppers & red onions) and the Queens Gourmet (pesto sauce, mixed cheese, fresh tomatoes, garlic & pine nuts).

In every way your standard tasty pizza joint, Mountain Mike’s has been holding down the fort for Los Gatos pizza-lovers for many years. At any given point, you’ll spot sports teams from the local elementary schools celebrating a win or mourning a loss over a massive specialty pizza, families out for a fun night of cheesy goodness or locals sipping beer and catching the game when the workday ends. For those who want to stay in but need a night away from cooking, Mountain Mike’s Pizza in Los Gatos also delivers.

Combine a strain of sourdough developed in San Francisco in 1926, local tomatoes and vegetables delivered fresh each day and a sauce created in the cafe every morning, and you have the beginnings of a T-Bird's pizza. Since 1986, the pizza cafe in downtown Los Gatos has been serving what daily crowds of teenagers choose for lunch and what business locals use as a pick-me-up. Names of the pizzas, like La Bamba, Peppermint Twist and Great Graffiti evoke visions of the '50s in tune with the restaurant theme inspired by a 1956 Ford Thunderbird. The T-Bird pizza is the best seller, offering a smothering of pepperoni, red onions, green peppers, mushrooms, Italian sausage and tomatoes on sourdough crust (Suzanne Cristallo).

Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza offers much more on its menu than the usual pies—gourmet sandwiches, cheessteaks, fresh salads and juicy rotisserie chickens are a few items not generally found at the local pizza joint. Also on the menu are grilled salmon with pesto sauce served on a bed of tabbouli with sautéed spinach, lemon chicken served on a bed of fusilli and a calzone stuffed with goat cheese and wild mushrooms. Full Review.

This sophisticated, romantic Old Town institution features candlelit booths, paneled walls, arched doorways, stone masonry and beautiful wrought iron. The Wine Cellar’s full-service bar serves specialty drinks along with an impressive list of both California and imported wines. Signature dishes include Swiss and Gruyere cheeses fondue, tortellini, cranberry chicken and an ahi tartar salad that will blow your mind. The Wine Cellar also features an amazing brunch and lunch menu, which includes treats like homemade corned beef hash & eggs and outstanding fish tacos. Full Review.

The menu of Los Gatos’ Happy Hound is refreshingly simple. The one-third pound Happy Burgers can be topped with a choice of tasty chili, cheese, 'kraut, mushrooms or bacon. Also on the menu are nine-inch-long hot dogs, Polish and Mexi Hounds, with Kraut, Corn and Cheese Hounds in between. Large fries weigh in at two pounds and compete with onion rings, chili, salads, milkshakes, floats and freezes for the accessory spots. Grilled salmon and chicken sandwiches offer alternative tastes. The chicken is marinated in mesquite sauce for 24 hours before cooking (Suzanne Cristallo).

Armed with a graceful interior, an exciting menu and a red-hot location, Green Papaya is just one more reason why Los Gatos is giving Palo Alto a cult-status run for its money. More than a touch of Indochine ambiance wafts through the inviting pages of Green Papaya's menu, long on inventive updates of clay pot and five-spice authentica, noodle specialties and mouthwatering seafood entrees. California cuisine meets Southeast Asia by way of Paris. The wine list, easily the clearest, most invitingly written list in the area, offers myriad temptation--especially in the region of white wines, so perfect with the spices of Vietnamese cuisine (Christina Waters). Full review.