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We recently drove up from Palo Alto and spent a typical Northern California day at the beach at Half Moon Bay. Foggy, freezing, windy. But we made the drive and attempted to remain positive. When we left at dinnertime, we attempted to eat at Pasta Moon, a fancypants restaurant on the main street in HMB. They had a 90 minute (!) wait, however, and directed us to "It's Italia" -- what appeared to be a little pizzeria in a strip center about a block away. We felt a bit defeated, as we were looking for something more interesting than pizza, but we were cold and hungry and decided to go for it. Well, this place exemplifies why we foodies are so darn spoiled in the bay area. This little "pizzeria" had the most amazing menu, and a list of chalkboard specials that nearly made me weep. Wild boar osso buco with citrus risotto, an array of designer salads and one gorgeous entree after another being delivered to the tables around us. An excellent option as you head up the coast.

Coffee (trader joe's organic) and 1% milk. I need 'em both to make my eponymous daily latte!

Hi Patty. My family and I just moved to Palo alto 2 years ago, and I think we have already eaten at more of the local restaurants than many of our friends who have been here much longer. Here are some of the favorites that come to mind:

Casual, Cheap and Quick:
Zao Noodle Bar on University. Their vermicelli noodle bowls are made with the highest quality ingredients and are absolutely delicious.
Tofu House -- authentic Korean. Zero ambience, brusque service, fabulous food.
Mediterranean Wraps on California Ave -- great middle eastern food.

Moderately Priced:
Palo Alto Sol on California Ave.--modern Cal-Mex cuisine
La Bodeguita del Medio--excellent cuban food, fun atmosphere, great cocktails

Fancier:
Evvia -- one of my definite favorites. Mediterranean cuisine with a California spin. Great service. Pretty restaurant.
Zbibbo -- I haven't been yet, but it comes highly recommended. High on my list.
Il Fornaio -- in the Garden Court Hotel downtown. It's a small chain, but it's very good.

Breakfast:
Don't miss the California Ave. Farmer's Market every Sunday a.m. year-round. You can eat lunch at one of the many wonderful food stands, or have a great brunch at Cafe Brioche or Joanie's (?) Cafe next door.

Not in Palo Alto but nearby favorites:
Xanh's Vietnamese Restaurant on Castro St. in Mountain View-- easily the hippest, coolest decor on the Peninsula, and the food is outstanding.
CasCal on Castro in Mountain View -- Great tapas, excellent cocktails, live entertainment on weekends.
Amber India on El Camino in Mountain View -- great Indian food.

DishDash on Murphy St. in Sunnyvale -- Really good, slightly unusual middle eastern fare

Well, that's a start. Welcome to Palo Alto!

Amy Sedaris' I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. A brilliant blend of quirky humor, possible insanity and recipes (mostly Greek) presented in earnest. She is the anti-Martha.

That is most definitely NOT David Sedaris.

@cybercita - oh no! say it isn't so! I don't think I want to go back now :(

You can go to fizzies.com and order any flavor you like! My favorite is cherry or grape. By the case for $12 or 15 - I can't remember. But what I miss the most are those giant Charms lollipops - I was proposed to with a handful of Charms Cherry because I was always seen with one stuck in my mouth! I was in the Army and they were at the ice cream store on base and one day an officer said I should at least take the sucker out of my mouth with I salute!

When I was travelling through that area about 10 years ago I stopped (somewhere) and looked in the yellow pages hoping to find a good Mexican resaurant....I did but I can't recall town or restaurant name. It advertised the Greatest Chili Colorado anywhere, and they were absolutely right!!! Would you have any info on this place. Chili Colorado was their biggest draw and advertised prominantly. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

What ever happened to understandijng the concept of diversity. To the Indivdual beauty as well as passion is in the eye of the beholder Practice more tolerance of other cooking styles. These folks grew up around their cuisines and cherish their traditions as much as you do yours ! Our sensibilities are all different and take a lifetime to develop..Acid tongued food critics .....what R WE gonna do with them ?????

Thanks for the ideas...