Almost everyone got a big shock last week when Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials decided that everyone needed to restart their efforts to tamp down on the novel coronavirus spread by shuttering indoor dining and other businesses. Eating outdoors under a heat lamp, or grabbing some dinner to go is still allowed and these restaurants, whether newly opened, casual fare, date night cuisine or takeout-only are trying to make the rules work for everyone.
Newly Open
Scott’s Chowder House
200 S First St STE 50, San Jose; 408.531.6421
Think of Scott’s Chowder House like a younger sibling to Scott’s Seafood, sitting right next door. While Scott’s Seafood caters to sit-down dining, Scott’s Chowder House offers seafood, soup and sandwiches for customers on the go. Open daily from 11am to 8pm.
Marufuku Ramen
865 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City; 650.257.3012
The popular Marufuku Ramen has opened its newest location in Redwood City, offering five kinds of ramen, including its traditional Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen. It’s open 11:30am to 2pm and 5:30 to 9pm Wednesday to Sunday and 11:30am to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Bloom Eatery & Spirits
202 Saratoga Ave, Santa Clara; 408.345.2667
Santa Clara’s newest restaurant, Bloom, flowered last week in the South Bay city, where it is serving up breakfast and brunch—including delectable sweet and savory chicken and waffles—as well as lunch and signature cocktails. Open daily from 8am to 2:30pm.
Date Night
MJA Vineyards
24900 Highland Way Los Gatos, CA; 408.353.6000
328-A Ingalls St, Santa Cruz; 831.421.9380
MJA Vineyards, which handcrafts about 8,000 cases of wine annually, offers a huge selection, from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, dessert wines, Bordeaux blends and many Mediterranean varietals. It’s open noon to 5pm Thursday to Sunday, closed Monday through Wednesday.
Timber & Salt
881 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City; 650.362.3777
Timber & Salt features a mix of craft cocktails and artisan comfort food in a spacious outdoor patio along a twinkle-light lined pedestrian thoroughfare in downtown Redwood City. Open 5 to 9pm Tuesday to Thursday as well as Sunday and 5 to 10pm on Friday and Saturday.
Relish
707 First Street, Gilroy; 408.767.2673
The concept behind Relish is to savor every bite of Chef Beltran Reyes’ California cuisine. He uses sustainable, organic and locally sourced ingredients in each flavor-packed dish. Open daily at 5pm and for brunch from 10:30am to 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday.
Hachi Ju Hachi
14480 Big Basin Way, Saratoga; 408.647.2258
Hachi Ju Hachi serves traditional Japanese cuisine, offering sushi and sashimi in downtown Saratoga. Open 5 to 9pm Tuesday to Sunday for outdoor dining and 5 to 7pm for takeout.
Vino Santo Bistro
2030 Broadway St, Redwood City; 650.780.0793
Family owned and operated, Vino Santo Bistro feels like a home away from home, serving traditional and creative new dishes such as hand-rolled gnocchi, veal scaloppine to a Grand Marnier souffle. It’s open from noon to 9pm Monday to Friday and 4 to 9pm on Saturdays.
La Viga
1772 Broadway, Redwood City; 650.679.8141
La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana is a casual, bistro-style restaurant with fresh seafood dishes, like ceviche and arroz con mariscos on a patio next in the midst of the city’s downtown street life. Open noon to 8:30pm Sunday to Thursday and until 9pm Friday and Saturday.
Casual Dining
La Victoria Taqueria
291 N 4th St, San Jose; 408.320.1595
La Victoria, known for its signature orange sauce, serves up a variety of Mexican staples including burritos, quesadillas and tacos. It’s open every day from 9am to 10pm.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
3055 Olin Ave, San Jose; 408.244.6267
Maggiano’s at Santana Row has been a San Jose staple for nearly 30 years, offering classic Italian fare crafted with fresh, local ingredients. It’s open from 11am to 10pm Monday to Thursday; 11am to 11pm Friday and Saturday and from 11am to 9pm on Sunday.
Cafe Pro Bono
2437 Birch St, Palo Alto; 650.326.1626
Cafe Pro Bono is a family-friendly restaurant in the heart of Palo Alto, offering a range of Italian and European-style dishes, like the classic pasta, filet mignon and a rack of lamb. Open 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5 to 9pm Monday to Friday as well as 5 to 9pm Saturday and Sunday.
Ray’s Crab Shack
5859 Mowry Ave, Newark; 510.792.8808
Ray’s Crab Shack serves an assortment of fresh, locally caught crawfish, shrimp, mussels, crab and lobster daily. It’s open 11:30am to 9:30pm Sunday to Thursday and 11:30am to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Eleven College Ave
11 College Ave, Los Gatos; 408.402.3072
South Bay native Chef Suhail Karimi has nearly two decades of experience serving dishes inspired by California’s seasonal ingredients. Open for lunch from 11:30am to 2pm and 5:30 to 9:30pm Tuesday to Friday. Open for brunch from 10am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Takeout & Delivery
Bay Area Pizza
2898 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara; 408.244.9444
Bay Area pizza has it all: from the classics, like pepperoni and cheese to creative, Indian-inspired pies. Open for delivery daily at 11am until 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 10pm Friday and Saturday. Pickup is an option a half-hour later than delivery.
Orenchi Ramen
3450 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara; 408.772.2310
2432 Broadway, Redwood City; 650.537.9494
Selected for best ramen this year by Metro’s Best of Silicon Valley, Orenchi Ramen has gotten creative with its takeout menu, offering a DIY udon set along with classic favorites. It’s open daily for takeout from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm.
Pizza My Heart
864 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose; 408.226.9100
2023 Camden Ave, San Jose; 408.628.4748
117 E San Carlos St, San Jose; 408.280.0707
4898 San Felipe Rd, San Jose; 408.238.6000
1390 Lincoln Ave, San Jose; 408.279.4441
850 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose; 408.364.0400
19409 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino; 408.253.6000
9 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos; 408.395.8834
1037 El Monte, Mountain View; 650.938.4200
110 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.245.4100
220 University Ave, Palo Alto; 650.327.9400
831 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City; 650.361.1010
Surf-themed pizza chain Pizza My Heart opened nearly 25 years ago serving up California-inspired pies, and has since expanded with more than a dozen locations across the Bay. Open 11am to 9pm Monday to Wednesday and from 11am to 10pm Thursday to Sunday.
Sakura Teppanyaki and Sushi
744 Laurel St, San Carlos; 650.832.1254
2198 Broadway St, Redwood City; 650.368.0800
Teppanyaki cuisine is defined by its use of a teppan—a type of iron griddle—to cook stir-fry steak and seafood dishes. Open at 11am on the weekdays until 8:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9:30pm on Friday. Open at noon on the weekends. Takeout is available through GrubHub, DoorDash and Postmates.
PhoEver
yelp.com/biz/phoever-sunnyvale
321 W Washington Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.962.0669
PhoEver has half a dozen different kinds of pho soup to satisfy just about any noodle craving. It’s open for takeout from 11am to 7:45pm every day except sundays. Delivery options are available through DoorDash, Postmates and UberEats.
Jang su Jang
3561 El Camino Real STE 10, Santa Clara; 408.246.1212
269 Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas; 408.262.3434
Jang su Jang, known for its Korean BBQ, noodles and bibimbap and has two locations to order from in the South Bay. It’s open for takeout daily from 11am to 9pm.
Homeskillet
820 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City; 650.261.1831
Silicon Valley and Peninsula dwellers craving a hearty American breakfast or a solid donut will find both at Homeskillet in Redwood City. The homey restaurant serves brunch favorites including a variety of egg dishes, pancakes and pastries. It’s open daily from 6am to 2pm.
Must-sees & Events in Silicon Valley: Week of Nov. 18 
Restaurateurs Push Ahead with Openings Despite Pandemic 
