Wonderful New American, although we've heard things may have gone downhill since the former chef's departure.

Gorgeous, delicious, contemporary kaiseki, featuring seasonally-appropriate menus.

Their French-inflected New American food has been a pleasure the several times we've eaten there. Nice service and a starched-but-convivial atmosphere round out the package.

Winning Greek; we share one moussaka and one whole fish.

Classy California Ave. Cuban. Tasty food and a fun atmosphere. The cigar area in the back is a nice place for a few (not inexpensive) drinks.

Topping-loaded medium-dish pizzas in a wood paneled venue straight out of the 1970s. We think it's great, but note mixed opinions (some neighbors call it “Craplewood”).

Other than an early closing time and limited table space, it's hard to find a complaint about BaY's great jerk everything. The chicken rocks, but the salmon and pork are even better. We haven't yet sampled their barbecue or fried seafood menus. Don't skip the corn festivals.

Inexpensive, and head and shoulders above your everyday Americanized Thai restaurant. Tastes like curries were cooked with meat, rather than the latter just being thrown in at the end.

A truly delicious fat burger. For me? Blue cheese, grilled onions, pineapple, and roasted peppers, please. And bring the sweet potato fries with the burgers, not before.

Really solid Sichuanese with an appealing atmosphere, good service, and great value. Go with a group and share lots of dishes — portions are not small.

Consistently good, filling Indian in downtown Palo Alto. Check for good coupons (always available online, with even better ones in the Stanford phone book). We like the keema chole.

All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ was delicious, and the service was notably excellent. Especially with their periodic coupons, a deal that can't be beat when we're hungry.

A home-style Japanese restaurant on El Camino in Redwood City? We never would have guessed. No particular element is amazing, but solid sushi, cooked food, decor, service, and prices make for a great all-around package.

Greasy, wonderful Chinese food on Castro in Mountain View. Three main dishes for $20 is an amazing bargain; the three cup tofu could be worth that much by itself. We usually hit Tea Era next door for pearl tea afterwards (and ask for “half sweet”).

A contemporary shabu-shabu chain. I'd invest.

The kimchi tofu with pork and bi bim bap have become like comfort food for us.

Delicious Ethiopian in San Jose. The combination platters allow even a small group to try lots of things. Friendly service, but be prepared to wait for a table. Near the rocking J.J.'s Blues bar, if you want to make a night of it.

A kick-butt DF-style Cubano torta. Big enough to serve two (or holds up as leftovers). Contrary to the sign, they do not serve tacos; but for tortas, mochi wa mochiya.

Super-cheap, delicious beef-focused taqueria on Middlefield Road in Redwood City's “Little Michoacan” neighborhood. Hand-made tortillas, spicy barbacoa, sopes. A new favorite.

A salmon-colored taqueria on El Camino between Stanford and Mountain View. Come for the carnitas, stay for the carnitas (and horchata). My first taqueria love.

A member of the sandwich pantheon. In an office park in Redwood City, and at Stanford soon!

I love burgers, and this is a great “thin” burger in my book. My standard stop on the way back from the airport. Go for animal style.

Great papusas at this downtown Redwood City Salvadorian. Pork, beans, cheese, loroco, and various combinations of the above have all been winners. Good (and slightly different) horchata.

Our new go-to dim sum joint on Castro in Mountain View.

Great Mexican breakfast options (chilaquiles are a winner), including vegetarian.

Chill weekend vibe with delicious pancakes and other traditional breakfast food. Mystery of the day: why (oh why) are they closed on Sundays??

We did not initially have high expectations, but are consistently happy with the brunch dishes here. A shame the “pig sandwich” came off the menu.