Two restaurants debut at Stanford Shopping Center
As we plunge deeply into the season of excess like a serving spoon into a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes, it becomes obvious there are more new dining options to enjoy than we have stretchy pants or room on our bulging calendars.
Just recently, two new spots opened in Palo Alto’s Stanford Shopping Center: Zaytinya and Delarosa Pizza. My friend Kathleen and I were among the first to experience the chef’s menu for lunch when Zaytinya, the latest outpost from José Andrés Group (JAG), helmed by Chef José Andrés, debuted in its handsome and brightly lit new space near RH and Arhaus at the east end of the mall. The name comes from the Turkish word for olive oil. The restaurant is open Monday and Tuesday, 4-9 p.m., for dinner only, with lunch served Wednesday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Originally opened in Washington, D.C., in 2002, this is the restaurant’s first Northern California location, and continues its tradition of modern takes on Mediterranean mezze. You feel truly welcomed from the outset, with friendly hosts, helpful servers and the feeling of warm hospitality throughout the well-lit bar, outdoor patio and lofty-ceilinged dining room.
Inspired by the foods of Greece, Turkey and Lebanon, the menu showcases vegetable, seafood and meat mezze sourced from Northern Californian farmers, fishers and ranchers including Christopher Ranch, Three Bells Farm and Glaum Ranch. Dishes created exclusively for Palo Alto include sesame salmon with caramelized onions, golden ladolemono, oyster mushrooms and green chickpeas; and steak Mishwi with green mushrooms, fries and mustard labneh.
General Manager Cyrus Khayat said dealing with all new construction made the project a bit more complicated, but the result is outright stellar. He was happy to be open in time for the busy holiday shopping season.
The food is uplifting and flavorful, beginning with the four dips we shared, including pomegranate balsamic and EVOO, fire grilled eggplant baba ghannouj, roasted red pepper and feta, and hommus (their spelling) with chickpeas, tahini and harissa chili crisp, which was particularly tasty.
Our server explained that each light-as-air pita, made with semolina dough, comes fresh from the oven. Among the meal standouts were the spanakopita, lamb chops, skewered chicken with garlic toum (a Lebanese emulsion of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and salt, with a texture like mayo), and crispy Brussels sprouts served with garlic yogurt and barberries. Not exactly a light dish, but plenty hearty for the season.
The orange olive oil cake was airy and deft, but the pear and vanilla yogurt cream and apple pie panna cotta parfait was the bomb. We’ll be back for the smoked beet salata with honeycrisp apple and candied walnuts and the Celebration Rice, with saffron, dried cherries, pistachios and spiced braised chicken. https://www.zaytinya.com/location/palo-alto
We’ll also be back to the Stanford mall to check out Delarosa, the fourth Bay Area location of the popular restaurant, whose menu includes Roman-style pizzas featuring crisp, thin crusts, as well as house-made pastas, and small plates like burrata bruschetta with hazelnut and honey and meatballs in spicy marinara. Delarosa offers brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night service seven days a week. https://www.delarosasf.com/location/palo-alto
The owner of Flowers and Hero Ranch Kitchen have a third restaurant in Saratoga, Dos Burros, located where Casa de Cobre was once located. Helmed by Chef Jose Mendoza, also of Flowers and Hero Ranch, Dos Burros is open for dinner Tuesday-Sunday, and features corn and queso dip, mango jalapeno Hamachi crudo, ceviche bowl, chili Colorado with filet mignons, pork chili verde, signature street tacos, taco plates and the Grand Burro platter ($275 for four) with tomahawk, grilled prawns and grilled pastor. https://www.dosburros-saratoga.com
In downtown Los Gatos, The Bywater offers a Winter 2025 Beer Dinner featuring Sante Adairius and Private Press for one night only on Dec. 14, featuring six courses with beer pairings. Tickets start at $135 at https://www.exploretock.com/thebywater. The Dec 15 Mentone and Bywater collaboration is sold out.
Ritual at Manresa presents Ocean: Portuguese gastronomic authenticity at its heart. Through Dec 21, members will have exclusive access to Michelin two-star Chef Hans Neuner, as he channels the journeys he undertakes each year following the routes traveled by the Portuguese during the Age of Discoveries. https://www.ritualatmanresa.com
Testarossa is holding a three-course family Holiday Feast on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 107 Bistro & Wine Bar. Enjoy a generous spread crafted by the culinary team, featuring comforting seasonal favorites and elevated holiday classics meant for sharing. $67 per guest; $42 for minors under 11. Beverages not included. Reserve at https://www.exploretock.com/testarossawinery.
With Christmas looming, it’s time to order your baked goods now from The Village Bakery in Woodside. This year, their offerings include their signature Bûche de Noël, handcrafted bourbon-pecan pie, freshly baked breads and other delectable treats.
Preorders are available through Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 6 p.m., at https://bit.ly/48r6fqc, with pickups that day from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Please be sure to note both the date and time of your selected pick-up.