Bistro Elan [448 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA] [650-327-0284] [outside]
The regulars are very loyal to this somewhat stuffy French restaurant on California Ave. The food is rather expensive (upwards of $30 for a main dish) for the serving sizes, but the deserts were pastry as art. Ideal place to take the date you wish to impress, but make sure she's one of those modern girls who insists on paying for her food. [22/30]

Cafe Brioche [445 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA] [650-326-8640] [outside]
Cafe Brioche lies next to Jeanie's Cafe on California Ave, and since they are both always busy, I decided they were worth a try. Turns out, they're not. The fare is average and the service poor - the only explanation I can provide for its apparent popularity is that people like sitting outside in plastic chairs close to strangers.  [14/30]

Cafe Pro Bono [2437 Birch St, Palo Alto, CA] [650-326-1626] [outside]
Pro Bono is a wonderfully cozy Northern Italian restaurant near California Ave in Palo Alto. I have eaten there more times than I care to count - and only because Mr. AMEX reminds me once a month! The main dishes run between $15-20 and except a rare misstep they were all very good. The service is great and the desserts were delectable. [24/30]

Celia's Palo Alto [3740 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA] [650-843-0643] [outside]
The portions are large, the service polite, and the hostess is well-dressed - what more can you ask from a Mexican restaurant? I went there many days in June because they let me change the channel to watch the NBA playoffs. :-) Oh, and be sure to order a Kahlua Colada! [19/30]

Fuki Sushi [4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA] [650-494-9383] [outside]
Polite waitresses don't make up for exceedingly slow and very overrated sushi chefs. [15/30]

Jang's [2209 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA] [outside]
Average & greasy Chinese food - but it was close to my College Ave place. [12/30]

La Bodeguita del Medio [463 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA] [650-326-7762] [outside]
A lively Cuban restaurant on California Ave that I have not given enough attention. I would recommend the "yuca and plantain chips" appetizer, the "tierra y mar" main dish, and the "havana bananas" dessert. The main dishes are flavorful, but the restaurant is not in Alma de Cuba's league. [21/30]

Mediterranean Wraps [425 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA] [650-321-8189] [outside]
Go here for cheap, filling, tasty, though somewhat greasy, Mediterranean wraps. The proprietor is as charming as they come, and when he recommends the pistachio Baklava, I suggest you take him up on it. [17/30]

Palo Alto Baking Co [381 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA] [outside]
Excellent pastries. [21/30]

Peking Duck [2310 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA] [650-856-3338] [outside]
Some dishes are better than others, but overall it is another average & overly greasy Chinese restaurant. [13/30]

Saravana Bhavan [1305 S Mary Ave, Sunnyvale, CA] [408-616-7755]
Very good south Indian vegetarian restaurant. [21/30]

Spalti [417 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA] [650-327-9390] [outside]
Spalti is another good Italian restaurant in the California Ave area. Being a creature of habit, I returned to Pro Bono more often than not, but probably more out of habit than qualitative differences. The service at Spalti is not the same as Pro Bono, but that's about it. The portions were often slightly smaller at Spalti, but that small quantity certainly packed a punch when it came to their desserts. I highly recommend their chocolate mousse. [22/30]

Saint Michaels Alley [806 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA] [650-326-2530]
A wonderful small restaurant near downtown Palo Alto that serves excellent brunches. I cannot vouch for the rest of the menu, but if dinner is anything like my salmon scrambled eggs then you will be thrilled. Props to Jen Woo for introducing me!  [25/30]

Su Hung Eatery [4101 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA] [650-493-4664] [outside]
Decent Chinese at decent places [17/30]

Sushi Tomo [4131 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA] [650-856-1100] [outside]
A simple, back-to-basics, sushi restaurant that rarely disappoints and rarely surprises. The sushi comes cheap, however, so chose this over Fuki Sushi if you're in the neighborhood. [18/30]

Thai City, [3691 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA] [650-493-0643] [outside]
Supposedly authentic Thai food at reasonable prices. I haven't been disappointed thus far. [20/30]

Tofu House [4127 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA] [650-424-8805] [outside]
Authentic Korean soft tofu soup dishes. Tasty. [19/30]

Yakko [975 W Dana St, Mountain View, CA] [650-960-0626]
Until I visited Sen-Nin, Yakko had served me the best Sushi ever. Unfortunately for Yakko, they are an order of magnitude below Sen-Nin (in both quality and price, of course), which is reflected in their rating. The portions are reasonable and the Chef’s have some interesting parting rituals... [19/30]