When a Good Waiter Makes a Big Difference

Favorite dining spot in Palo Alto - Bistro Elan on California street. I like it both for lunch and dinner. Easy in and out from 101 off the Oregon Expwy and away from the madness and mediocrity of University Ave. In the summer, the backyard patio is beautiful, filled with wisteria and freesia, shrubs of big, bright lemons and the aroma of fresh lavender, whose pots are strategically located to send off whiffs of perfume. The dining room is comfortable, not too big, well lit (very important!) - and has a nice buzz. The restaurant has been there for years and the food is good-- simple but very consistent. A nice, tight, easy to read menu of Frenchified American fare. I've been going there for years, and recently, I was there for lunch and dinner, and was blessed to be served by the same server.

When announcing the day's specials, his body language, facial expression and mannerisms all sounded like he was about to devour every single morsel of food he was describing. He was so expressive, you could almost taste and smell everything, and this was before our drinks even arrived. I was prepared to eat lightly, because the food-elves were a little too good to me this past holiday season. But, he inspired me and my appetite, so not only did I have a starter and an entree, but I had dessert. Bad, bad girl. But oohh..so good!!

Some restaurants understand that the waiter is the salesman. Another good experience lately was at the Cafe Majestic a couple weeks back. Another fabulous dinner spot in SF. In both places, the waiters were as passionate about the food as the chef and helped you make a smart and delicious selection. And when you go home and realize you're in a stupor and on the brink of a food coma, the only thing you'll remember is the great experience you had because both the food AND the service were superb. And unless you're European and get an ulcer when you have to leave more than 10 percent, with service like this, you won't mind parting with the 20 percent (or more) tip.


Scoop du Jour: California Ave in Palo Alto has a great selection of quality, well priced restaurants. Across Bistro Elan is the very quaint Cafe Brioche - a great lunch and weekend brunch spot. Creative salads and sandwiches. Closer to El Camino is El Bodeguito del Medio, a Cuban restaurant and bar named after Ernest Hemmingway's favorite spot in Havana. Killer Mojitos. Good empanadas. Cafe Pro Bono on Birch street still survives, and is still the favorite of local, long time residents. The crowd that dines here is a little more discriminating than University Ave.