Silicon Valley Round-up

California Cafe, Los Gatos: Reliable and fairly priced. I had the Silicon Valley Restaurant Week prix fixe for $35 with 3 paired wines for $12 more. Cola Pork Belly, Halibut and baked peaches were all very likable. Service was ok, but by 8.55pm you really go the impression they'd like you to leave.

The Basin, Saratoga: Ate here twice in a week. Really lovely food, cheap for what it is. Good service, nice location. I'd happily recommend the Basin. Short Rib lovely but would be better with mash than polenta.

Morton's Steakhouse, San Jose: Excellent tuna, excellent steak. Service rather theatrical but ok I guess. Very expensive IMHO.

Parcel 104, Santa Clara: Reservation for 8.30. Not seated until 8.55. Maitre'd comp'd four of us a glass of champagne each, which balanced scales. $35 Silicon Valley Restaurant Week menu. All dishes (3 choice per course) also on main menu. Heirloom tomato and cheese baignets lovely. Tomato braised short rib also good. Pumpkin pie desert ok - not as flavourful as hoped, but with an excellent ice cream and biscuit on the side. Proper espresso. Overall, excellent value for a good meal.

Sent Sovi, Saratoga: First off, I've eaten here before and had a great time, but not this time. Sat in the back room which I didn't like. Too few servers, slow and inattentive service. Shame, since the food was very good. Opentable should introduce a NOT Good For Groups category....

Lime, San Francisco: Very nice dessert. Horrible area to find parking - take a cab!

Roy's, San Francisco: I had a canoe of appetisers. A canoe. How can that be beaten? It was tricky to avoid fruit on savoury dishes, which seemed to be the main Hawaiian aspect of the menu. Good value, good service. Honestly, I could have done with a bit more tiki ; )