Bank offers culture and good food
It's about that time of the year again. Your parents are talking about coming to visit and the new girlfriend is hinting that a romantic Valentine's Day dinner is not far away. Or maybe you just want to go out with some friends and feel like a baller at a restaurant where the bill reminds you more of the shock and awe strategy of the U.S. Army than what a college student should be paying for dinner.
In other words, if you want to enjoy an utterly exquisite dining experience, the Left Bank Bistro is an absolute can't miss. This Parisian-style restaurant in Santana Row may run up your bill, but a dinner here will be worth every penny.
Ambiance: The setup of the restaurant is unique. There are three separate dining areas, which are naturally separated by the room's architecture, so a whole section can even be reserved for large banquets -- while the other two offer views of passers-by and a walk-through area toward parking.
With high ceilings and perfect lighting throughout the entire restaurant, you won't feel cramped in here, even though it will be regularly packed on Friday and Saturday nights. There are European-style paintings and posters lining the walls which give an almost foreign feel to the Left Bank. And the partial views of the kitchen will let those itching for their food, be able to see it being served up.
Dress code: This place is nice enough for any occasion, from Senior prom to a random Monday night, or even a first date. You might want to dress to impress, especially if you're planning to go out to the classy bars afterwards. On the other hand, if dinner and window shopping is all you're there for, any attire is acceptable -- although dressing like "The Dude" will get some looks shot your way.
Bonuses you won't find on the menu: When you are waiting for your table, the hostess will give you the option of hanging out in the bar or taking a pager which will light up when your table is ready. The cool thing about the pager is that you can walk all the way up and down Santana Row and it will still work. Watch out though, fellas: If you're taking a girl, there are far too many jewelry stores and boutiques around so plan a casual walk never forgetting that diamonds are a girl's best friend.
Downfalls: The quality of the restaurant logically causes this place to be ber packed, so you will have to call ahead for reservations. Even then, you might have to wait several minutes before being seated. As for the food, make sure you ask your server what exactly your dish entails because, although the food at this restaurant gets the highest of ranks, the French style may make certain dishes seem to stray too far from the norm. Also, the booze does not come cheap in the Left Bank. Glasses of wine and beer are inhumanely jacked up, so don't plan on having to watch your alcoholic consumption.
Service: You will receive outstanding service from the time you step in the door until the time you leave your table. Frequent visits by servers -- who are happy to spill on you the wealth of information that they had to memorize to get the job -- will make you feel very comfortable, even if you are not used to the fine dining experience. You'll also get solid advice from your server in deciding upon what type of meal you're looking for as well as the right combination of wine with your entre.
Recommendation: Sack up and do not limit yourself to the cheaper items on the menu. Their offerings of fish-of-the-day, as well as rich poultry and pork dishes, will be far too tantalizing to resist. For instance, the lamb shank comes in a minestrone-type of broth where the meat comes off the bone with a slice of your fork. The appetizers all have unique sauces -- a common feature in French foods -- that will make your tongue tingle, ranging from sweet salads to addictive seafood platters.
You can depend on all the dishes to be prepared perfectly, and do not shy away from the seafood here. The plethora of choices from the deep will definitely put you in the mood to try something new. The quality of the food is through the roof, and there is not a chance that you will leave anything on your plate. Open up a belt notch for this place, because every bite will be inviting, and the wine will wash it down with a harmonic taste. If you have ever felt the urge to become a food connoisseur, the Left Bank will gladly entertain your sentiment.
--Written by Teru Olsen