Bistro VidaFRENCH GEMVery Authentic feeling french ambiance , the food and the service were excellent I love the music at this bistro great selection .6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMVida pleases againThis was our fourth visit , and is our to go guests who like french food , the mussels are excellent and our friends rave about the steak frites .6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent bistroExcellent food and service we love the french ambiance we will be back .soooon6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWill be back!This was our second visit to Bistro Vida. Our second visit verified our memory of our first visit: great food, great atmosphere, great service. Both visits have been parents' night out. Next time we'll take our 14 year old "foodie" son. He'll love it! We'll definitely return again and again.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent french cuisineSteak and frites was very good the oysters were fresh and sweet cool ambiance and very good waiter making you want to stay for longer time .6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful experience at BistroWonderful experience at Bistro Vida! We had a family celebration dinner for our high school graduate. Our meal was exceptional with warm, friendly service. My very picky and critical mother said her beef bourguignon was fantastic, "better than Julia Child's". Our waiter didn't know who Julia Child was but he was charming and was delighted she loved her meal. Always a pleasure to dine here.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMDependable bistroNice place to seat out side , have a nice bottle of french wine and relax food was good , wine delicious , and service was attentive , ambiance is very french we love it.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat french bistroI have been to bistro vida several times , but this is probably the best experience I have had . we had oysters and mussels for appetizers . oysters were fresh and sweet . mussels in provencal was cooked perfectly . the service was very good and the ambiance was lively6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst timerAtmospher was very nice. Food was very good. Enjoyed my Lucca drink! Seated for 4, table was build for 2 - tightly squeezed in. Would go back but would request to sit outside or at bar.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial find in Menlo ParkSmall restaurant with some curbside tables. The food was lovely...the scallops, shrimp and risotto were delicious, my dining companion had the lamb chops, also a good choice. Enjoyed finding this place with a European flair. The open kitchen is a little too noisey but the cooks were smiling and noticed when we were ready for our main course. Welcoming staff. We plan to return to try some other interesting items on the menu.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMOur favorite restaurantBistro Vida is casual restaurant with always top-notch food. We had the mussels, and clam fettechini (sp?). Both were excellent.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food Great serviceFor starters we had a house specialty cocktail: Bizou - amazing, fresh light strawberry taste without tasting too strong of alcohol! We then shared the gnocchi which was lightly browned served with fresh crisp brussel sprouts, the tuna tartar and lastly the duck pate. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful and was beautifully presented. For our entrees we had the salmon with mashed potatoes and the bowl of mussels. Again, everything cooked perfectly. Our waiter was very attentive and accommodating. The ambiance was beautiful and transporting as if you were really in france...it felt authentic with the huge open doors connecting the restaurant to the sidewalk dinging.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMOur food was 45 mins lateOur food was 45 mins late on Mother's Day.Not ok for a my mom who only ordered crepes bananas and strawberries at a french restaurant.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a joy to go here. Very,Always a joy to go here. Very, very busy on Mother's Day - long wait for dinner, but food was delicious and we were not in any hurry.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMReliably FrenchI've been here frequently over the years. They are the prototypical French bistro, but with an english speaking staff. Recommend the mussels and coq au vin. House wine is a great value and deserts are excellent. Plan on going back again soon. Thanks...5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMLa Pura VidaI always love this place. I took my sisters for their Mother's day celebration and we all had a great time. Great food! Great service! and we will definitely go back.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA "go to" neighborhood restaurant!We recommend that you go to this French bistro, too! Typically, the wait staff is great, but they were very busy on Mother's Day. I think the "moms" had the night off, which is good with me.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBest French bistro in MenloSo very French. If you sit outside, it's quiet. Excellent traditional bistro fare. The wild salmon was perfect. Their cocktails are excellent. Beats Left Bank in every way. The profiteroles are a MUST!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Saturday Brunch find!We went here for the first time and were surprised by the great food and the excellent service. restaurant was only about one-quarter full, and we felt as if we had the full attention of the entire staff. The menu items were diverse and had something for everyone, plus they had escargot, which is a favorite of mine. I would highly recommend this place to others and will be back again myself.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMLocal Gem-ambiance, food and wineFrench Bistro decor, inside and out, gives one a sense of Paris. The waiters were thoughtful and informative as they attend to you. The appetizers - escargot and salmon carpaccio were delivered timely and were very fresh and delightfully presented. Our entrees of steak and salmon were not prepared until we were almost through with our appetizer. The entrees arrived hot and elegantly prepared. The steak was juicy and tender, grilled perfectly. The salmon was moist, tender with a light french sauce that tasted a bit like bearnaise. Desserts of creme brulee and profiteroles topped this sumptuous feast. We brought top rated wine since corkage is charged. The staff made us feel very welcome, comfortable without being intrusive. I'll be back.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMEnergy in Menlo Park, Finally!!Lively, bustling, but not too loud- open doors to the street make for European ambiance, the service and food were terrific. We were a large group- 10- and were tended to in a professional manner. Would definitely return and recommend.
Thank you, Ali and your great team!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMIt's the staffWe love La Vida. We're always treated like Royality! The food is excellent.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMclassic french cuisineone of the best meal we have had at bistro vida . The escargots was delicious and the steak was fantastic . the service was attentive , bistro vida is a wonderful and perfect place for date night4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe always enjoy our visitsWe always enjoy our visits to Bistro Vida. The food is always spot on. They have great value wines. The owner is a charming and gracious host. We feel very lucky to have this true "neighborhood gem" right down the street.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWe found Bistro Vida on OpenWe found Bistro Vida on Open Table and decided to go there instead of the Left Bank next door in order to try something new. It was very cute and bistro-like and we were glad to see that they had some more reasonably priced items on the dinner menu. We had the steak sandwich was was lovely and a croque monsieur which looked and tasted exactly like one in Paris. Very nice.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat french ambianceGreat french food and menu we love the ambiance here , service very attentive overall great meal4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent neighborhood bistroExcellent bistro energetic , neighborhood bistro , loved the food and the atmosphere, my only regret is that it is 3000 miles from my neighborhood .4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMLIke being in francewe love this place , the side walk tables , is like being back in france on a nice spring evening . we especially enjoy the moules frites and of course very good french bread to dip with too . we order a nice bottle of tavel from france and could be in a small village in france .4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMthis is a lovely placethis is a lovely bistro and amazing bargain in menlo park the food can be as good as much tonier, much more expensive places around the area but nota fussy .This is sweet neighborhood place . plus , the chef/ owner usually goes to all the tables and greets diners and make everyone feel at home ..4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMvida was delicious andvida was delicious and a very enjoyable , nice meal , good ambiance . The gnocchi parisienne was amazing .4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMClassic french in the heartthis is a classic french restaurant in the heart of menlo park . Excellent food, great service , noisy in avoid way and plenty of street parking , reasonably priced , if you are looking for a great restaurant you have found it .4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMsuperb like being in a bistrolike being in a bistro in paris ..... love the butter lettuce salad with tarragon . The service is professional and warm...... great attention to detail all during the meal . The menu is inviting , we wanted everything on the menu the onion soup , tuna tartare and steak tartare all good , very affordable , very pleasant we will keep coming back , thank you chef and the great staff.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFrench comfort foodExcellent and , best of all , authentic french cuisine and atmosphere4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMCute local bistrotCute local bistrot vida reminded me of being in france . Such a cute place. service was great and the food was delicious4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and staffGreat french food and staff we always enjoy dining here . love the ambiance at night4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent fresh fishThe food was excellent and the service was out standing . Try the escargot are amazing . the fresh salmon was excellent , beautifully prepared and presented . great vibe and ambiance4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThe decor does a great jobThe decor does a great job reproducing a classic French Bistro. The food is good, and generally follows a French theme, but does not follow the French Bistro rule as closely as the decor. For example, I had a decent shrimp ceviche appetizer, but it's flavor was more of spicy mexican and came with tortilla chips.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMBistro vida was the perfectBistro vida was the perfect place to bring our Beijing colleagues for a taste of french food .3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMMussels are excellentMussels are excellent . We sat at the bar and the bartender was great helpful with orders and attentive3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous pouletFabulous tasting poulet , the best ever . Attentive bar staff .3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother delicious meal at Bistro ViAnother delicious meal at Bistro Vida! The wild salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked. The veges were perfectly cooked and so were the mashed potatoes. The salad was very fresh and the dressing was delicious. For dessert, profiteroles and creme brûlée were the perfect finish to a wonderful meal. Did I mention the coffee was exceptionally wonderful! We will be back! Judy & Peter of Menlo Park...3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMvery good as alwaysvery good as always . Love the lamb chops special and frites. consistent3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMBeautiful Restaurant withBeautiful restaurant with touches of french style . The service was attentive the food was some of the best we have had . we will definitely go back probably before our next trip to paris .3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat bistroGreat food , service , and ambiance our friends loved it .3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMthis is our second visit ,This is our second visit , this time with group of friends and we all enjoyed the ambiance , food , and service3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMParis in menloHaving lived in paris , I can say authoritatively that bistrot vida is literally a bit of paris transported to menlo park . Except the english going on around you , you would be hard - pressed to know that you were not in some neighborhood bistrot in the 16eme arondissement . the food is not gourmet but it is wholesome fare of the kind found in typical french cafe , bistrot , etc , I mean by this that is excellent . it is hard to have a bad meal in france . Even the most humble establishments serve decent food . bistrot vida serves wonderful food , created with care and served with pride .3/18/2013 12:00:00 AMClassic bistroout standing bistro classic french fare . The service was great , very cozy place and ambiance try les moules it is fantastic3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall experienceThe overall experience was very nice. We went on a Sunday evening and they were a bit understaffed, the waiter and expediter were attentive even though they were very busy. The food was very good, I had the scallops and shrimp with asparagus risotto, which was very good. My wife had the 1/2 chicken and found that the breast was a little dry, and the thigh and leg were very juicy. I would recommend Bistro Vida and will take visitors there.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGenuine french cuisineThe food was fantastic genuine french cuisine by far my favorite french restaurant in town . Something comforting about coming in from the street and being enveloped by the huge velvet drapery that send a frisson of anticipation into me .3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service wereThe food and service were both very good at Bistro Vida, and my wife and I enjoyed our quiche lorraine and Cog au Vin. The service was attentive and friendly. This is a good place to dine if one wants a delicious and casual meal with the feeling of dining at a cafe in France.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AM