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Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Peninsula

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OpenTable
Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Peninsula? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Velvet 48 Wine Bar restaurant
5.0
5 (69)
$31 to $50
Wine Bar
Burlingame
About the restaurant

Velvet 48 is a premium wine bar in downtown Burlingame started by 20-year wine industry veteran, Jason Cooper. We offer over 40 wines by the glass, 1100 wines by the bottle, a cultivated beer selection, and a variety of delicious savory and sweet small plates.

We have wines across every price point so there is something for everyone, from the casual wine drinker to the wine aficionado, who will be impressed by a wine collection that houses some of the finest wines in the world. We aim to cultivate an experience for our guests that starts with a complimentary splash of our house label, Velvet 48 Sparkling wine, followed by outstanding service from our Wine Specialists to guide you through our expansive list. We offer a discount of 25% off bottles purchased TO GO.

Due to the nature of our alcoholic license, we are unable to allow anyone under 21 on the premises, including infants.

Thank your for your understanding.

Top review
Careyvip
Dined on Oct 19, 2024
Fantastic. I had no idea this wine bar has been in Burlingame for the last 5 years, right off of Burlingame Ave. So good! Loved our red wine tasting and especially loved the 50% off bottle discount. Employees very personable, knowledgeable of wines and attentive to us! We will definitely be back.
A photo of Ethel's Fancy restaurant
4.8
4.8 (490)
$50 and over
Californian
Palo Alto
About the restaurant
A hip and fun restaurant with chef's counter dining, serving thoughtful American cuisine, with an emphasis on local seasonal products.

Ethel's Fancy is open at 5 PM Tuesday - Saturday.

We have a small dining room with a limited amount of reservable tables. We do keep our Bar seats and a table in the restaurant open for people to walk-ins. Walk-ins are on a first come basis.

Please do not make multiple reservations with the intention of combining reservations to increase party size.

All guests must be present before your party will be seated.

To help provide a seamless experience for all our guests, we have allocated 2-hours for your group of 2 to 4 people.

Top review
Cheryl
Dined 3 days ago
Surprising , delicious, unique food. The chef is incredible talented and creative with ingredients and flavors. A Bay Area hidden gem.
A photo of 808 Zone restaurant
4.8
4.8 (13)
$50 and over
Japanese
Foster City
About the restaurant
Getting tired of the same omakase experience? Too intimidated to even go to our first one? 808 Zone may be the perfect place for you!
With a contemporary kaiseki meets omakase fused with western inspiration and unexpected flavor combinations experience, your taste buds are surely to thank you for delighting them with something unique and different. Every dish aims to bring something innovative to the table while highlighting the freshness and beauty of the ingredients themselves.

Top review
Brian
Dined 5 days ago
Excellent value for your money. Entertaining Asian fusion dinner.
About the restaurant
Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review
Gregvip
Dined on Oct 5, 2024
Our outstanding server was very friendly and helped us order as it was our first time there. She checked on us regularly. The staff also change the grill grates at the table a few times during the meal which helps cook the meat better. The meats were marinated well and the table sauces they provide were tasty.
A photo of Broadway Masala restaurant
4.7
4.7 (500)
$30 and under
Indian
Redwood City
About the restaurant
Broadway Masala invites you try our ever evolving Indian cuisine along with personalized service and beautiful ambiance. Our menu is carefully crafted with fresh seasonal and local produce and offering the diversity of regional Indian fare.
Top review
Mayavip
Dined 4 days ago
Portions are small for price; the aloo tiki chaat was hard like stone, and jackfruit had excessive onions, but the paneer tikka and Saag were good. Khewar dessert was nice as well.
A photo of All Spice – San Mateo restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1103)
$50 and over
Californian
San Mateo
About the restaurant
Enjoy our oft-changing 3, 4 or 5-course Chef's menu for dinner inside our charming cottage or on our heated outdoor patio.

Come take a special journey when you dine at our charming restaurant.

Husband-and-wife team Sachin Chopra and Shoshana Wolff have turned a 1906 Victorian house into a pioneering dining destination that showcases Modern Californian Cuisine. It's local and seasonal whenever possible, but is also so much more. Sachin stretches beyond his classical training to create elegantly composed dishes that subtly hint at Indian, Japanese, Norwegian, Mediterranean and other worldly influences. The result is a unique cuisine with its own distinctive point of view. Warm, professional service and a thoughtful wine list enhance the experience.

We can't wait to see you!

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Aug 1, 2024
Exceptional dining experience. Every course, from the pre-appetizer to the post-dessert bites, was delicious. The sauces were perfectly matched to each dish. My salmon was cooked to perfection, tender with a lightly crispy exterior. The cheesecake featured a sweet yet tangy sauce—delicious! The table-side pouring of the onion soup was a delightful surprise. An ideal venue for a special occasion.
A photo of Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Menlo Park restaurant
4.6
4.6 (198)
$31 to $50
Thai
Menlo Park
About the restaurant
“My goal is to make sure people get enough spice”
says owner Kasem “Pop” Saengsawang. It is all about the spice. The spice extends life, and we strive to provide the freshest pure ingredients in everything we serve, from our Thai street food to our fancier entrees. “We believe that Thai cuisine will never die. We believe the spiciness will last long, forever.”

We invite you to come and be transported to the streets of Thailand. Experience all we have to offer — our zesty food, our elegantly adored walls, and even our heartwarming smiles. The Best Thai Restaurant. San Francisco, Oakland, Menlo Park, and Portland.

We refuse to compromise on quality in our restaurant. That's why we source our fresh ingredients from local farmers' markets. No matter what time of year, you can be sure you're eating the best of the season.

Top review
Deepti
Dined on Oct 13, 2024
Flavours were perfect with extensive options in the menu. We had vegetarian guests with us and they too enjoyed the food equally! Chef was happy to adjust the spice levels to make it very spicy and we loved it! Special drinks menu was interesting- Hedwig and Lod Chong were truly amazing!
A photo of Twelvemonth restaurant
4.6
4.6 (560)
$31 to $50
Californian
Burlingame
About the restaurant
At Twelvemonth, our approach begins with passion and respect for people and the planet.

Everyone can play a part in imagining a healthier, more sustainable world. Our role is to bring people together with delicious, 100% plant-based food.

Our passion and respect have driven us to craft a culinary destination to suit every occasion: from your morning coffee to a happy hour beer at the bar to an eight-course tasting menu.

We source from local farmers, champion waste reduction, and push the boundaries of vegetable-first
creativity.

Twelvemonth exists to foster genuine connections. It’s a place where we share compelling stories and aim
to build a better future together—one that works in closer, tastier harmony with the environment.

Top review
Charlesvip
Dined 3 days ago
The food was creative and tasty! I loved the atmosphere and I can't wait to come back.
A photo of Broma restaurant
4.5
4.5 (213)
$50 and over
Spanish
Mountain View
About the restaurant
A modern palette blended with regional tastes embodies an atmosphere that welcomes novel thought and casual gatherings. Inspired by Spanish cuisine, yet influenced by many places, our restaurant is a culinary journey—one that’s as bold and diverse as the flavors found on our menu.
Inspired by his travels through Spain and Portugal, Michelin-starred chef Jarad Gallagher Latin influenced cuisine at Broma.
We work closely with our purveyors to source only the finest ingredients, both local and abroad.
In addition, we offer hand-crafted cocktails from The Emerald Hour, craft beer, American and international wines, and a variety of delightful non-alcoholic options.

Top review
Krish
Dined on Oct 26, 2024
Excellent food and service. The flavors and freshness were out of this world. Ambiance is okay.
A photo of ROOH Palo Alto restaurant
4.3
4.3 (252)
$31 to $50
Contemporary Indian
Palo Alto
About the restaurant
ROOH Palo Alto explores open fire cooking in combination with regional flavors. A style of cooking that lends incredible complexity to the simplest of flavors.Wood fired cooking is a cornerstone of Indian food preparations and Chef Sujan Sarkar delves into the exploration of what is already well known, familiar but bringing it into the contemporary world. Offering a taste and appreciation for India, all of India, capturing the beautiful intricacies of its diversity for a unique communal dining experience.
ROOH’s mixology team has created 9 brand new seasonal cocktails based on Ayurveda and its six tastes, or rasas The conceptual cocktails infuse the signature smokiness of the wood fired grill and the story telling culture of India. Californian ingredients shine through, as the cocktails evoke the spirit of different Indian cities with their regional inspired names


Top review
Johnvip
Dined 4 days ago
Service is amazing. Professional and attentive. Food is unique and delicious!
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