As a realtor, connecting people with their ideal new home in the Bay Area is really only part of my job. My clients (and friends, and acquaintances), often look to me for recommendations on the best options for dining, socializing and other lifestyle activities. Here are some of my favorite South Bay suggestions, in two distinct flavors.
Rosewood Sand Hill
Out and About
Quintessential Silicon Valley bar scene? Generally, the area isn’t overly scene-y, but one exception might be Thursday nights at the Library & Bar at the Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park. A mix of venture capitalists, tech founders and entrepreneurs. Thursday after work is the best night. 2825 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park, rosewoodhotels.com/en/sand-hill-menlo-park
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The quiet drink? Evvia Estiatorio in Palo Alto is the perfect place for a quiet date or just relaxing at the bar with a glass of retsina and some delicious Greek appetizers. An easy tavern vibe, all around. 420 Emerson St., Palo Alto, evvia.net
Village Pub
Wining and Dining
Dinner to “accidentally” run into people on purpose? Oracle’s Larry Elison owns the Nobu Epiphany Hotel in Palo Alto where this outpost of Nobu is located. So, you will always see some heavy hitters dining here. But, Nobu is Nobu: there is simply no better Japanese fare done more elegantly anywhere. 180 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, noburestaurants.com/paloalto
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The perfect, easy dining go-to: I’ve never been disappointed at the Village Pub in Woodside, which despite its low-key name, won a Wine Spectator Grand Award this year. Chef Mark Sullivan is a master at elevating classic California cuisine. They have a bakery and cafe right next door for quicker bites and grab-and-go options. 2967 Woodside Rd., Woodside, thevillagepub.net
Wilkes Bashford
Looking the Part
Shopping for IT style? Pretty much any exclusive boutique, like Patrick James, in downtown Palo Alto, is going to stock the elevated hoodies, denim and casual athletic footwear favored by the younger developer crowd here. 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, patrickjames.com
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Classic fashion? Wilkes Bashford at the Stanford Shopping Center is my go-to for fine business attire. Brioni, Zegna, Cuchinelli...just the best-of-the-best curation and outstanding customer service and advice. 450 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, wilkesbashford.mitchellstores.com
Stanford Theatre
Relax and Refresh
The power weekend? A lot of the higher-end weekend mingling happens at house parties in Atherton, an outstanding enclave of fine homes in Silicon Valley. Of course, if you live in Atherton, you’ll be in on the fun, but scoring an invitation to an event here, even if it’s labelled informal, is usually an unforgettable night. ci.atherton.ca.us
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The get-away-from-it-all weekend? It doesn’t get more low-fi and low-tech than taking the time and getting out to catch a classic movie at the Grand Stanford Theatre in downtown Palo Alto. Golden age cinema in golden-age grandeur; it just ups the ante over watching something on Nextflix, for sure. 221 University Avenue, Palo Alto, stanfordtheatre.org
