8FFLFOE MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE
■ RESTAURANT REVIEW ■ MOVIE TIMES ■ BEST BETS FOR ENTERTAINMENT
N R E S TA U R A N T R E V I E W
One door closes, another opens OWNERS SHUTTER BISTRO ELAN BUT OPEN THE SPARKLING BIRCH STREET RESTAURANT JUST A STROLL AWAY By Dale F. Bentson
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VERONICA WEBER
The Swedish tartine sandwich at Birch Street restaurant features smoked salmon, bay shrimp, egg, radish, cucumber and asparagus, on a toasted pan de mie.
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HACHI 50% off
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1711 W. El Camino Real Ste. B, Mountain View
650-988-6938
kitchen is larger than the dining room. Despite the nook size, it took the couple nine months to get through the permit process and start construction on Birch Street. The end results were worthwhile, though. During my visits, patrons were lined up when the doors opened for lunch. By noon, getting a seat involved a short wait. Service was ever-prompt and the kitchen necessarily fast — people needed to get back to work. For starters, both soups were packed with flavor. The creamy corn chowder with red potatoes and leeks ($5 cup/$7.50 bowl) contained kernels of just-shucked
Dining ON THE TOWN
July 8, 9, 10
Exciting New Japanese Fusion Restaurant
fter operating the highly regarded Bistro Elan on Palo Alto’s California Avenue for 16 years, Andrea Hyde and husband/chef Ambjorn Lindskog closed the restaurant on July 2. Fortunately for diners, they didn’t travel far; they shifted their business just a short stroll away to their new, smaller Birch Street location. “It was all about rent and the relationship with our landlord,” Hyde said of the move. “Many of our patrons met their partners on first dates at Bistro Elan; we watched families and kids grow; it was an extension of our living
room. We hope we brought those sentiments with us.” I found that everything sparkled at Birch Street, including the food. The stainless steel of the kitchen was mimicked in cool gray walls and a shiny hardwood floor. The large front window and side transoms flooded the space with midday light. The drawback is the size: a dozen tables inside, a dozen more outdoors when the weather cooperates. As of this writing, the restaurant is open only for lunch. Dinner service is scheduled to commence on July 15. Diminutive Birch Street might be the only sit-down restaurant I have been in where the
CHINES
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5pcs. of Ahi Tuna Sashimi with orders of $30 or more when you kiss your significant other for our photo wall.
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Menu available on Facebook
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Authentic Mexican family-friendly dining since 1997. We also feature Tequila Margaritas, Daiquiris, Sangria and Chavelas. Bueno Apetito!
Planning a Party or Event? – WE CATER!
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KAPP'S AR & GRILL B P I Z Z A o Street str 191 Ca w ie Mtn. V 1-1491 650-96 ours Happy H pm-6pm. 4 Mon-Fri
TRADITIONAL DINNER MENU
Open Monday thru Saturday —Lunch: 11:30/2:30 Dinner—Monday thru Sunday 5:00/10:00 Join us for lunch or dinner. And join our social networks for specials— CasaLupeMV!
459 CASTRO STREET -/5.4!). 6)%7 s (650)
965-2944
If you would like to be listed in DINING ON THE TOWN please call Brent at the Voice at 964-6300.
www.CasaLupeMV.com JULY 8, 2011 ■ MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE ■
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