The Stanford Business Reporter

550 Waverley Street, Palo Alto

(650) 326-8485

Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto

(650) 323-6293

For that study-break sweet tooth, the best bets are Max’s Opera Cafe and Prolofic Oven, both scenes of caloric decadence and gigantic portions. Prolific Oven is a great place for a little studying with a side order of chocolate eclairs. At Max’s Opera Cafe, the Niagara Falls Cake has been described as waves of black and white chocolate cake and buttercream.

399 Grove Street, San Francisco

(415) 861-2228

The food at this Hayes Valley eatery is excellent...but the desserts are to die for. Part patisserie, part restaurant, Citizen Cake delivers an "After Midnight" devil’s food cake with chocolate mousse and ScharffenBerger and El Rey chocolates that is sublime.

477 S. California Avenue, Palo Alto

(650) 329-0700

Despite the oft-heard complaint from our New York classmates that nothing except H&H bagels can be deemed worthy of the title "bagel," Izzy's Bagels takes this category by a landslide. Izzy's is located on California Ave., between El Camino and Mimosa in Palo Alto.

Other notable mentions: Noah’s, House of Bagels, and Schwab on Monday and Friday (supplied by Noah’s). For donuts, it’s Krispy Kreme (Rengstorff Exit off 101 and now in Lower Arbuckle).

1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park

(650) 327-0830

419 University Avenue, Palo Alto

(650) 325-7731

Located next to Kepler’s Books, Cafe Borrone is the perfect place to while away a sunny afternoon with a gourmet sandwich at one of their outdoor tables. A good spot for post-exam detox. Torrefazzione has great coffee – and you can study upstairs.

Other notables: Café Brioche and Printers, Inc. on California Avenue.

Fort Mason, Building A, San Francisco

(415) 771-6222

Nearly nudged out by Good Earth in Palo Alto, Greens serves delicious soups, salads, and all-veggie entrees in its spacious restaurant in Fort Mason. The view of the marina is a knock-out.

Rengstorff Exit off 101 (1159 N. Rengstorff) and 53 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View

Before ‘98, the In-N-Outers had to trek as far as Milpitas to get their burger fix. It’s still not as convenient to campus as the McDonalds on El Camino Real, but it’s worth the drive. Venture "off menu" and taste the true value proposition there.

Local:

636 Emerson Street, Palo Alto

(650) 323-9378

San Francisco:

1283 9th Avenue, San Francisco

(415) 566-1770

247 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto
(650) 328-57

Just off University Ave is Osteria, a nice Italian restaurant with Tuscan fare. Osteria offers veal scallopine, prosciutto with melon and great traditional pastas to name a few, all in a busy yet friendly atmosphere. Other GSB favorites include Pasta? (best bang-for-the-buck), Carpaccio, and Buca di Beppo on Emerson. In the City, it’s Moose’s in North Beach.

1700 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto

(650) 856-7700

560 Waverley Street, Palo Alto

(650) 326-3830

163 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale

(408) 739-1238

A large elegant Chinese restaurant, Ming’s offers something for everyone. Try Ming’s beef and the Hunan eggplant, or check out the full veggie menu. In Palo Alto, Hong Kong Flower Lounge gets high marks, although it’s a bit pricey. Hunan Gourmet is located in comparatively close neighborhood. Jerry Huang, MBA2, notes, "For a reasonable price, you can have descent spicy food from southern China. It is one of the most favored venues for GSB Chinese group gatherings."

If you want to go beyond Palo Alto, there is Fook Yuen (try not to mispronounce it) in Milbrae. There’s also Koi Palace in Daly City. You might also try Chef Wang’s in Los Altos. If the photos with the last 4 presidents don’t grab you, check out Gorbachev. The man comes all the way from Russia, and this is where he eats.

Closer to home is Jing Jing (443 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 328-6885). In the city, we recommend Hunan Home in Chinatown.

1143 Crane Street, Menlo Park

(650) 853-1143

For a variety of vegetarian specials, as well as excellent pad Thai, green curry chicken, or deep fried fish cakes, Siam Garden in Menlo Park is this year’s choice. And if you’re venturing out to San Francisco, try Thep Phenom for authentic Thai food.

317 Stanford Shopping Center

(650) 326-8761

Gaylord’s, a favorite among voters, can give you a spicy dose of curries, lamb, or numerous vegetarian dishes. Runner-up Janta (369 Lytton Ave., 462-5903), is a cozy restaurant that feels more like you’re in someone’s home than in a business. The spicy vindaloo wins raves among people who really know Indian food.

408 California Avenue, Palo Alto

(650) 328-8840

As for the city, we like El Castillito (136 Church St, San Francisco; (415) 621-3428). One Mexican colleague of ours calls it the best Mexican food north of San Ysidro.

 

201 University Avenue, Palo Alto

(650) 327-9777

820 Veterans Boulevard (corner of Veterans and Jefferson), Redwood City

(650) 364-7848

World Wrapps makes the list both for its good food and GSB connection. Wil Weisman ’99, is a co-founder. El Molino comes highly recommended by many folks. Eric Osberg, MBA2 said, "After eating there, I now know what the perfect burrito tastes like! It's a casual place, (order at the counter), with tables for eating in - but it's also good for take-out. The only reason I discovered it is because I worked across the street this summer, but now that I know about it I look for excuses to head to Redwood City."

Other notable mentions: La Taqueria (2889 Mission St, San Francisco; (415) 285-7117), La Costena, and Baja Fresh (3990 El Camino, Palo Alto).

530 Bryant St, Palo Alto
(650) 323-7614

635 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park
(650) 473-6543

l’amie donia and The Left Bank are both terrific. You won’t be disappointed. We highly recommend them both. In the city, La folie (upmarket), Le Petit Robert (bistro-type), and Elizabeth Daniel are all highly recommended.

93 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto

(650) 322-3601

381 S. California Avenue, Palo Alto

(650) 321-3234

1010 University Avenue, Menlo Park

(650) 324-7700

or

342 First Street, Los Altos

(650) 948-4425

67 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto

(650) 327-4111

Blueberry coffeecake with brown sugar crumbles and an enormous pat of melting butter. Breakfast decadence available morning, noon, and night.

Runner’s up include: Café Brioche and Joanie’s on California, Late for the Train, Dinah's Poolside Café, and Buck’s on Woodside. More formal choices include MacArthur Park and the Stanford Park Hotel.

and 899 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park

Looking for a decaf latte, espresso, (gasp) just a regular cup of joe? Or something strong? Peet’s Coffee wins among GSBers for the best coffee in town beating out the ubiquitous Starbuck’s, University Café, and even the CoHo at Tresidder.

Tresidder Union and 855 El Camino Real (in Town & Country Village)

Is there anywhere else for smoothies? Jamba Juice offers a variety of smoothies with ingredients ranging from raspberries to coffee, and sherbert to the ever-seasonal pumpkin. Add a free juice boost, and maybe Jamba bread, and you’ve got a meal! Looking for something new? According to our sage classmates, World Wrapps also delivers in the delectably blended fruit category.

435 Emerson Street, Palo Alto

(650) 327-1317

Top off a delicious dinner with a scoop of tiramisu. Interrupt a study group with a dish of white chocolate. Do you really need an excuse? Across from the Aquarius movie theatre, Gelato Classico is located on Emerson. Honorable Mention goes to Rick’s Rather Rich Ice Cream at 3946 Middlefield Road.