There are a lot of websites full of fun things to do in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Here are a few you can check out.
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Silicon Valley:
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San Francisco:
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Restaurants
Though we miss the wonderful variety of eateries in Los Angeles, there are definitely some delicious resturants in Silicon Valley. Here are a few we can recommend:If you like Korean food, or want to try it for the first time, there are a few places we like in the area:
1. Hahn's Hibachi
460 Ramona Street
Palo Alto
650-323-2555
Although Hahn's Hibachi is touted as a Korean barbecue, it doesn't have a grill at each table like a traditional Korean barbecue. However, the food is delicious, the service is FAST, and it is conveniently located in downtown Palo Alto. Kara's favorite is the barbecued Unagi (freshwater eel). It tastes just like the little pieces you get at a sushi place, but is served as a whole filet. Yum!
2. Korea House
2340 El Camino Real
Santa Clara
408-249-0808
This restaurant serves traditional Korean favorites like Bul Gogi (barbecued beef), Duk Kook (yummy soup with rice ovalettes), pa jeon (Korean pancake). In addition to all the little dishes of kim chee and other goodies, they also bring every table a big plate of chap chae (rice noodles with vegetables). If you order meat, watch out for the overly helpful owner. She will wrestle your chopsticks away, and pile everything inside a lettuce leaf for you. This spot is always busy.
3. Palace BBQ
1082 E. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale
408554-9292
The buffet-style Korean barbecue boasts grills on each table. Once seated, head to the buffet in the back to choose your meats, rice, soup and side dishes. Back at your table, the restaurant staff will fire up your grill and you can start cooking. This place is ALWAYS packed, so make a reservation. Great fun for a group, but be aware that your clothes and hair will smell of barbecue.
If you like Mexican food, we have a couple favorites, both within a few blocks of our apartment:
1. Burrito Real
580 N. Rengstorff Avenue
Mountain View
650-988-6705
Burrito Real reminds me of Subway. You follow your server along the counter while he or she builds your burrito just the way you like it. The ingredients are fresh, the prices are low and everything tastes wonderful. Often there is a bit of a line-up, but it's worth the wait!
2. Los Altos Taqueria
2105 Old Middlefield Way #E
Mountain View
650-965-7236
The Taqueria has an extensive menu of Mexican favorites. Order up at the front and they'll bring your food to your table. The staff is friendly and fast and the food is WONDERFUL. Very inexpensive.
Here are a few of our other favorite spots you might like to try while you're in town:
1. The Prolific Oven
550 Waverley
Palo Alto
650-326-8485
Simply put, their chocolate cake with rum cream cheese frosting is the best cake ever made. While you're in town, grab a newspaper and head over to the Prolific Oven for a cup of coffee and a slice of the best cake on the planet.
2. Paradise
1350 Grant Road #15B
Mountain View
650-968-5949
We made our first foray into Afghan and Persian cuisine at Paradise, and it is delicious. Make sure to get an order of Chello Kadu for the table to share - it's a delicious mixture of sauteed pumpkin and fresh yogurt. The kabobs there are wonderful.
3. Mango Cafe
435 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto
650-325-3229
This terrific Jamaican restaurant is a popular downtown eatery. The roti bread is served warm and practically melts in your mouth. This may be the only restaurant in Palo Alto where you can order goat : )
4. Mandarin Cuisine
3417 Alma Street
Palo Alto
650-493-1889
This Chinese restaurant is right next to our old apartment building in Palo Alto. We grabbed food there the day we moved in, and we were hooked. Delicious food, friendly service and reasonable prices. We miss having it right next door.