Portola KitchenThis is a great neighborhoodThis is a great neighborhood restaurant. The bar serves excellent and generous drinks, and the food is always good with generous servings. Nice to see the chef and the owner both nearly always in the restaurant warmly greeting guests in evenings.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous new "kitchen"From the decor to the food everything was perfect!
Extensive wine list including wines by the glass. Ordered the buratta crostini - outstanding, kale pesto homemade pasta- delicioso, fish of the day - cod (fresh) - cooked to perfection. Two shared and we still didn't have room for dessert. To wind up the evening we decided to have a nightcap at the full bar. Who do we meet? Mike, the owner. Yes the name rings a bell because he owns all the Mike's Cafes - Portola Kitchen being an ex. The executive chef was chitchatting at the bar as well and we had a very exciting culinary discussion with him - being the foodies that we are. Ended the evening with a Sasacaia grappa. Unique!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWe recently had a family dinnerWe recently had a family dinner (10 of us) ... dined outdoors facing Bianchini's produce display; the feeling is like being on a patio in a tiny market village. The atmosphere encourage people to relax, laugh out loud, sit comfortably, and (if there are pre-schoolers in the mix) move around. It is the perfect extension of the indoor restaurant. Our group ordered a variety of entrees: always excellent sole; the veal porterhouse special; homemade torchio pasta with lamb ragu; mussels; the huge burger and indescribable fries. Cocktails, wine and voila!! it was a memorable evening.
PK is a regular go-to place when we are just 2 or 4 people, and we like to dine at the bar, too. But this was perfect for a larger, happy, talkative group.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall just a great placeOverall just a great place to grab a very nice meal. The food and flavors are wonderful and excellent portion size. Our favorite places when needing to eat in the Portola - Woodside area.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGood lunch spotHad a business lunch there, sat outside, was quiet, comfortable and the service was very good. Had the seared salmon salad, which was very good.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific! Our meal was deliciousTerrific! Our meal was delicious and tge hospitality of the staff sheer perfection! Portola Kitchen will be a favorite of ours to share. Thanks!!!!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved itExceeded all expectations. It was great. We'll be back.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe frequent the restaurant,We frequent the restaurant, and always enjoy the menu innovations, the setting, and the terrific staff. Highly recommended, always fun, always interesting. And, on top of that, reasonable prices.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMTry the new pork chop andTry the new pork chop and a bottle of Cartlidge & Brown Pinot!!! Amazing!!!!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMPortola Kitchen: Worth Finding It!Portola Kitchen is worth finding. It is hidden from street view, tucked inside Ladera Shopping Center, directly across the pedestrian walkway at Bianchini's Market. The location adds to PK's ambiance: if you sit outside, (under a covered canopy with noiseless ceiling fans), you face Bianchini's beautiful fresh produce displays. The open-air and local market displays transport you to a small European town.
Chef Guillaume Bienaime has extensive experience creating very fine menus -- there is truly "something for everyone" on the menu. Tender petrale sole (in season of course), torchio (pasta) with seasonal ragu (lamb, duck, short rib, etc), terrific pizzas, huge wonderful burgers. DO NOT MISS THE FRIES! These are one-of-a-kind.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe are thankful every dayWe are thankful every day Guillaume Bienaimé is now in Ladera!4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe pizza and mint fennelThe pizza and mint fennel calamari were good. The fish entree was too, except was overly salty. Still, it was within our tolerance limit so we beared through it.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and service - whatGreat food and service - what more can you ask for?4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMCartlidge & Brown Pinot NoirCartlidge & Brown Pinot Noir and a meat ball.... nuff said!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe starter courses were exceptionaThe starter courses were exceptional, as was the mushroom risotto special. The decor is perfect for the community: contemporary and informal but sophisticated.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative, delicious, well-preparedCreative, delicious, well-prepared food. Festive atmosphere. Perfect way to end a long work week!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMLick you plates ladies & gentlemenAll it takes is one, personable, knowledgable waiter to make a meal and "Nick" suggested three outstanding choices that we all shared and drooled over: Eggplant caponata sandwich, absolutely delicious on a fresh, toasted garlic ciabatta roll, big enough for two or in our case, three to share; a literally bubbling chafing dish of coddled eggs in a cheesy peppery sauce that had us all poking our forks into for more and more; the wonderful crisp-on-the edges ricotta pancakes with fresh maple syrup... how decadent yet light and filling. Steaming hot coffee from Peerless, I think, and once again a great server, Nick, to make sure we were well taken care of and happy. Now that's what I call an excellent meal! Thank you.2/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWorld Class Food in a Cozy PlaceDined here twice now, once for lunch and once for dinner. I'm saying without any hesitation, that Portola Kitchen is world-class. Never had better food anywhere. Raving about this place is redundant. Pastas with sauces that defy description and require every last drop to be sponged with fresh Mayfield Bakery bread. A pancake made from ricotta that was so perfect that I want to have it everyday. Panna Cotta that melted in your mouth with fresh strawberry preserves. Wines that are perfectly paired. Prices that are absolutely reasonable. Figure about $30 per person! If I could go anywhere, including SF's finest, I would pick Portola Kitchen. Please don't go there!! I want it all to myself. :-)1/2/2013 12:00:00 AM