Bistro Elan on BIRCH ST.
| Address: | 2363 Birch St, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA |
| Phone: | +1 650-327-0284 |
| Site: | bistroelan.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | Closed 5:30–9PM 5:30–9PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 5:30–9PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
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A Private User
The food is excellent overall, although the steak that I ordered medium rare was a bit over done. It was still juicy and flavorful. The amuse bouche at the beginning were a nice touch. The shrimp were flavorful, but the choux pastry with gruyere cheese was flavorless. There seemed to be no flavor from the cheese and my husbands was empty. The plain bistro salad was creative and very fresh. The chocolate souffle was excellent, freshly made and served warm. You do pay for all this. Expect about $100 per person for a full meal with a glass of wine and no coffee. The ambiance has not changed although they have rearranged the tables since I was there previously. It seems a little less crowded as you no longer have the person at the next table able to eat from your plate or the waiters butt in your plate. The noise level is very bad. When I made the reservation I asked for a "quiet" table. When we arrived on time for our relatively early reservation (there were still many empty tables) She suggested that since we wanted a quiet table we should sit outside on the patio. As the high for the day, in the sun, was 65, I said no, I wanted to sit inside. She then seated us at a table immediately next to the service area--water, bread, meals coming out and empty plates going in--where we were in the draft of the door every time it opened. We also got the smoke from the open kitchen and much clattering of pots, pans, and plates. I have had quieter meals in Grand Central Station (New York City) at rush hour. Our water was a pro and very good. However you should not plan to linger over your meal. The place is very noisy and has a rushed feel about it. Although the food is excellent, I downgraded it for the ambiance which is far too noisy and the attitude of the hostess who seemed to not want to seat us and hoped we would leave quickly if she placed us at the table in the busiest area of the restaurant.
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A Private User
Bistro Elan is our favorite restaurant in the South Bay and one of our favorite restaurants anywhere. We live in Palo Alto and eat out often. Our choice is always between Bistro Elan or "someplace else" and more often than not we opt for Bistro Elan/ Why? The food is exquisite -with the foie gras and steaks served with the best french fries in the US at the top of our list along with the lobster salad eith mango and artichike bottom that sometimes appears on the menu -- and the desserts, of course ,which are always beautiful, delicious and never too sweet. And what other restaurant serves spectacular, fresh lemonade with simple syrup, even in the winter along with an excellent, well priced list of wines? The ambience is perfect, too. Inside it is simple, elegant without being fussy. Outside, if you are lucky enough to get a table (first come, first served only, even for regulars who call ahead!) you will find yourself sitting under an umbrella on a small patio among rose bushes and fruit trees and amazing pots of lush herbs/ Heavenly. In contrast to some odd remarks by other reviewers, I have always found the service impeccable. None of the "Hi Im JoAnn and Ill be your waitron. Have you ever seen a menu before?" sort of familiarity, though. Maybe thats what some other reviewers who found the service "snooty" expect? In short. A perfect place for lunch or dinner, winter or summer. Im just amazed it has taken me so long to post a review. Maybe, secretly, I have been hoping that this superb gem stays a bit under the radar. Just in case. I would not want anything to change, ever.
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Susan Shepard
(I rated this before and maybe it still exists, but Google appears to have lost it, so adding my review again.) Ive been coming here on and off for 11 years! Theres a cozy garden thats open if its not too cold outside--they run heaters in the evening. Inside it can get quite loud. Really good, well-prepared French and seasonal foods. My favorite part was always the desserts (which mostly I cant eat anymore), so I cant say how they are these days, but... Some of the desserts I fondly recall: crepes stuffed with sauted apples, topped with candied pecans and a little scoop of cinnamon ice cream on the side; apple strudel with vanilla and milk chocolate sauces, sponge cake with pineapple coulis and a scoop of coconut ice cream. You should check to see if they still have an awesome pastry chef. Ive only eaten there a couple times since needing to eat gluten free, but Ive found the waitstaff helpful and that Ive still had lots of tasty options. I miss living just down the street from here. Of course, its not really an every day meal place, but its one of my favorite special occasion restaurants.
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Elaine Brown
This would have been a charming place to dine if I were not black. After spending $100 for dinner, my white companion spending the same, our having finished a long day of research at Stanford, the waiter told ME--notably not my white male friend--that I would have to leave as the table was needed for other guests. Having been black all my life and noting that I was the only black in sight, I knew what was happening. It was not a matter of not serving a black; it was a matter of relegating the black to the back, so to speak. There were at least six available seats at two tables, and I saw no one hovering outside. To avoid a scene, I called later to complain, and the manager, who couldnt figure out how to apologize, told me hed have the owner call. She never did. Racism spoiled the food.
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A Private User
I love the atmosphere of this restaurant. We live in the neighborhood and enjoy walking here. It is always busy. The chef is Swedish and I enjoy the Swedish pea soup. The food is always fresh, seasonal, and local. The service is great. The seafood is excellent and we always share a bowl of pomme frites. The steak is great except for some reason they slice it into strips. I just cant understand this practice. Im not so excited by the desserts. The devils food cake, is misleading, it isnt a cake. Despite these complaints, the place is wonderful and I look forward to returning.
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Harry Blair
Overpriced pretentious place. We should have known when their site listed Michelin recommended 2011 -- but isnt a current M recommendation. "Are we ready". What you mean we, kemosabe. You are a server, not our mother. Us: Id like salad with dressing on the side "we dont do that Ill dress it lightly". If we werent entertaining a friend, we would have walked out. Sever affected a bad French accent. Disappointing all around. Better food at half the price elsewhere. We wont be back.
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A Private User
Food is organic, local, fresh, and the menu changes with the months, seasons. Service is European level, i.e. excellent by North American standard A definite treat, even if slightly pricey.
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Arrielle Mali
had the seared ahi with beets, green beans, avocado for lunch today, very good. very small and loud which made it difficult to hear and have a conversation. service was also very good.
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David Bledin
came here for a work dinner. really excellent food all the way through - delicious salad, scallops, frites, and a ridiculously awesome ginger cake. small and casual which I enjoyed.
