Bistro Vida - Menlo Park

Menlo Park has an interesting set up of French (bistro style) restaurants sitting directly next to each other with quite related menus - Left Bank and Bistro Vida https://www.bistrovida.com/ . We tried Left Bank before but now it was time to also see how Bistro Vida compares to it. Overall quality of cooking is quite similar (as are the prices), same with service. It’s nice to have these two options in the (extended) neighborhood (but it was also apparent how “sleepy” Menlo Park tends to be as both restaurants (as most others nearby) tend to close around 9:30pm on a weekend)


Assiette de Charcuteries - prosciutto, saucisson sec, pate, olives, cornichons


Coquilles - sauteed sea scallops, garlic, white wine, herb de provence


Tartare de Thon - ahi tuna, ginger, chives, yuzu


Olives Marinees - warm marinated olives


Cassoulet de Toulouse - duck confit, toulouse sausage, white beans


Vida Burger - roasted red bell pepper, gorgonzola, fries


Coq au Vine - red burgundy braised chicken, lardons, mushrooms, pearl onions, egg noodles


Bread Pudding - apples, raisins, and coconut, creme anglaise


Profiteroles - vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce

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Haven’t been to Left Bank or Bistro Vida for awhile but used to go to both. The owner of BV is a really friendly guy and has a longtime customer base. They’ve been there for 20 plus years and now have lots of outside seating.

We “dined” at Alpine Inn, Amigos Grill and Dutch Goose last week. When you’ve got small grandkids in tow those are the perfect venues. I am excited for Taverna opening up in Ladera Shopper where Lobster shack used to be.

Is Taverna going into the Portola Kitchen spot ?

No where the Lobster Shack place was down from Portola Kitchen. Small inside but lots of outdoor seating. Hope someone goes into Portola Kitchen soon.

I didn’t realize that Lobster Shack was gone