Parkside Grille

Wonderful meal. Easily the best in Portola Valley. A bit away from everything but super friendly staff and a great meal. Hey risotto was very tasty and even their Mac and cheese was above and beyond the usual shells and cheese. Certainly on the pricey side but will definitely be back.

What a great restaurant outside of the downtowns and busy streets. The Parkside Grille is a rather quaint, welcoming, and cozy restaurant with great ambiance and delicious food/drink. The service was also supurb. I'll definitely be back! A few recs: - Salmon entree - Mahi entree (was a special) - Grilled goat cheese appetizer

Wonderful restaurant hidden deep in the redwoods of Portola Valley! Super casual, owner is friendly, and food is always excellent. Highly recommend the Asian skirt steak and the pizzas are fantastic. Parking is a bit limited but you can park by the church down the road.

We love this place! Probably our favorite restaurant in Portola Valley! Best sweet potato fries on the peninsula! The chicken with Mac n’ cheese is also very delicious. Food is delicious, service is great and the patio under the redwoods is so nice. The new rule about extra heaters outside costing $30 seems a little excessive, though.

Food was Excellent! The atmosphere was Amazing out in the Forest! The service was 1st class! I highly recommend.

Sohrob H

🌲 A Rare Gem Nestled in the Redwoods Parkside Grille is an absolute treasure located in the heart of Portola Valley. It is a rare find that perfectly blends high-end Californian comfort food with a warm, festive atmosphere that feels both upscale and approachable. Set against a beautiful backdrop of towering redwoods, the restaurant offers a unique "roadside" charm that makes you feel miles away from the hustle and bustle. It is an ideal spot for anyone looking for a memorable meal where the quality of the hospitality matches the excellence of the kitchen. ✨ Highlights of the Experience The experience is defined by a sense of ease and genuine care from the staff, making it a standout destination in the area. Exceptional and Fun Service: The service is truly top-notch. Our server was energetic and kept the table entertained by cracking jokes all night, which added a wonderful personal touch to the dining experience. Remarkable Kitchen Efficiency: We were pleasantly surprised by the speed of the service; despite the restaurant being busy, every dish arrived quickly and at the perfect temperature. Famous Wood-Oven Bread: You have to try their amazing bread. Whether it is the wood-fired focaccia or the complimentary house-baked muffins, the bread is a highlight in its own right and sets a fantastic tone for the meal. Phenomenal Culinary Quality: Each dish we ordered was phenomenal. The menu features standout items like the Asian-marinated skirt steak and the Greek-style lamb chops, both of which are expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Inviting Natural Ambiance: The setting is stunning, with the option to dine on a multi-level patio under 800-year-old redwoods, providing a serene and crisp outdoor experience that is hard to beat. 👍 Final Verdict: Highly Recommended I am giving Parkside Grille a well-deserved 5-star rating. It is rare to encounter a restaurant that hits every mark so consistently—from the humorous and attentive staff to the phenomenal speed and quality of the food. It is a high-end comfort food experience that doesn't take itself too seriously, making it perfect for a special occasion or a high-quality weekend dinner. I highly recommend making a reservation to secure a spot in this beautiful forest setting; you won't be disappointed!

maribel castro

We chose Parkside Grille to enjoy our New Year’s Eve and made a reservation to be seated outdoors, fully aware that the evening would be cold and rainy. Despite the weather and the fact that we ultimately ended up being the only guests dining outside after the others who were there left, the restaurant graciously honored our request and made every effort to accommodate us. Given how busy the dining room was, I initially worried that service might suffer. Fortunately, our server, Laramie, was exceptional. She checked on us at just the right intervals, answered our questions thoughtfully, and offered honest, helpful recommendations when asked. Her attentiveness and professionalism ensured that we felt well cared for throughout the evening. We started with the focaccia and flatbread with butter, both served warm and fresh. While the focaccia was enjoyable, the flatbread stood out thanks to its subtle char and depth of flavor, likely from the wood-fired oven, and we found ourselves wishing for more of it rather than the focaccia. For my entrée, I ordered the Petrale sole special, which was beautifully prepared. The fish was moist and flavorful, the mashed potatoes were creamy and well-seasoned, and the vegetables were cooked perfectly to my liking. My partner chose the wood-fired chicken quesadilla, which he enjoyed. The tortilla was nicely crisped, and the chicken was tender and not dry. While it came with guacamole and pico de gallo, we both felt an additional sauce, perhaps a chipotle crema or another salsa could elevate the dish and add a bit more depth of flavor. Our cocktails were equally enjoyable. The passionfruit margarita and the berry smash (if I recall correctly) were refreshing, and well-balanced. To finish the meal, we shared the decadent chocolate torte. As advertised, it was rich and indulgent, with the accompanying berries providing a welcome contrast that balanced the intensity of the chocolate. Overall, the experience was cozy, quiet, and exactly what we were hoping for on New Year’s Eve. Parkside Grille delivered warm hospitality, solid execution, and a relaxed atmosphere that made for a memorable evening—even in less-than-ideal weather.

Javier Rey

My wife and I came here for our anniversary dinner. I got the Caesar salad and the pasta with sausage. To drink I got the Berry smash. The pasta was delicious. It was very creamy. The salad was good too. My wife got the risotto which was also delicious.

Rolly Junio

Ambiance - 5/5 Very cool hidden spot. Road to get there is very dark if you are driving at night but well worth the drive Service - 5/5 Waiter constantly checked on us for water, etc. he was very friendly and had casual conversations with us. Food - 5/5 Peppered Ahi Tuna was Risotto with shrimp was very good as well.

Tee Ponsukcharoen

A wonderful restaurant embraced by nature! We went there at night so the weather is nice and crisp. The restaurant inside is warm and festive. We enjoyed the service and the quality of the food. Of course the price tag is relatively high but it is expected. What we didn't expect is how big the food is! We particularly impressed the lamb chop cooked to perfection. The chocolate lava cake is a bit overcooked but the flavor is top notched. Usually in my family people just tried to be courteous and mindful of the sugar intake. However, we can just kept digging in until the cake disappeared lol. Highly recommended for a date night or a special event. Come hungry!

Wei-Ai Tai

Nestled in the Redwood trees of Woodside, this charming restaurant is a relaxing venue for elevated Californian cuisine. The baked goat cheese was delicious, as was the seared ahi tuna. The staff is efficient and friendly, and there’s a decent sized free parking lot.

Sankha Hota

An excellent restaurant near the Woodside area with some outdoor seating arrangements under the redwoods. It is better to make a reservation as I did not see an empty table until about 8:15 pm. The food was delicious and sufficient, but the service was a little bit slow. But we thoroughly enjoyed the evening under the tall trees.

Anne H

A great restaurant in a serene setting. If you can get a table amongst the redwoods it’s worth it. We’ve been here to celebrate birthdays or just go out with friends and family. We’ve liked just about everything we’ve tried. Only once was the service slow, but they were super slammed that night. The wait staff has always been cheerful and helpful.

J J

My go to spot whenever I am in town. The BEST restaurant in the area! Excellent service and food. Try the asparagus appetizer, pasta dishes, and arugula beet salad with pears!! The staff and hostess are top notch following COVID 19 protocols making me feel safe and comfortable. Can't wait to go back.

Wook Chung

This place is a true gem. It's hidden within the windy roads of Portola Valley so only those who "know" and "care" would ever find this place. The restaurant is in a corner, sort of a steakhouse feel, but then with rustic yet somewhat modern finish. Fits the redwoods surrounding the village. Let's start with the fresh baked bread that comes out. Oh my god, this is so good. No garnish needed. Just bread and butter. It already puts you in a fantastic mood and we had a tough time resisting to dig for more lest we fill our stomachs. We tried the margherita pizza, linguine vongole, ceasar salad with anchovies, chicken tenders and spaghetti with fries. All the food is prepared "home-style". It definitely is not garnished and visually overdone. It stays truthful to the dish and you can definitely feel the chef's love. The chick tenders are freshly hand-made as one can tell by the irregular yet non congealed texture. The linguine was made with fresh clams, but again, staying truthful to the ingredients and bringing out its flavor. The pizza was simple, yet effective. This is Californian / American high-end comfort food at its best. It does not get better than this - starting from the atmosphere all the way to desert. The staff is friendly and professional and the food is cooked with a degree of professional homeliness. Top all of this with not-too-bad prices. Again, not cheap. But very reasonable. We'll definitely return!

Chris Mysen

Wonderful meal. Easily the best in Portola Valley. A bit away from everything but super friendly staff and a great meal. Hey risotto was very tasty and even their Mac and cheese was above and beyond the usual shells and cheese. Certainly on the pricey side but will definitely be back.

Ben Toll

What a great restaurant outside of the downtowns and busy streets. The Parkside Grille is a rather quaint, welcoming, and cozy restaurant with great ambiance and delicious food/drink. The service was also supurb. I'll definitely be back! A few recs: - Salmon entree - Mahi entree (was a special) - Grilled goat cheese appetizer

Hayden Shieh

Wonderful restaurant hidden deep in the redwoods of Portola Valley! Super casual, owner is friendly, and food is always excellent. Highly recommend the Asian skirt steak and the pizzas are fantastic. Parking is a bit limited but you can park by the church down the road.

Briana Fortnam

We love this place! Probably our favorite restaurant in Portola Valley! Best sweet potato fries on the peninsula! The chicken with Mac n’ cheese is also very delicious. Food is delicious, service is great and the patio under the redwoods is so nice. The new rule about extra heaters outside costing $30 seems a little excessive, though.

Ben Kahner

Food was Excellent! The atmosphere was Amazing out in the Forest! The service was 1st class! I highly recommend.

This is my kind of place. Set under enormous redwood trees in a nondescript plaza. Outdoor seating was cool, indoor seating was equally impressive. The building they are in is quite old but they have done a great job combining it with a superb restaurant. Decent cocktails and a well-developed wine list. Not a place to go for an inexpensive dinner put the prices aren't going to make you feel like you're in San Francisco either. Give it a try, I think you will like it

The ribs were overcooked but they were able to very quickly recover and brought out a new order very quickly. Amazing people and Service. I recommend the lamb special!

Food was fabulous, service very attentive, bar dining area was a little too loud for easy conversation.

Jen Van Schmus

Food was fabulous, service very attentive, bar dining area was a little too loud for easy conversation.

Jason Born

The ribs were overcooked but they were able to very quickly recover and brought out a new order very quickly. Amazing people and Service. I recommend the lamb special!

Steve Jones

This is my kind of place. Set under enormous redwood trees in a nondescript plaza. Outdoor seating was cool, indoor seating was equally impressive. The building they are in is quite old but they have done a great job combining it with a superb restaurant. Decent cocktails and a well-developed wine list. Not a place to go for an inexpensive dinner put the prices aren't going to make you feel like you're in San Francisco either. Give it a try, I think you will like it

My wife and I visited the Parkside Grille on a Saturday evening. We came by bicycle. The restaurant has a small, old bike rack near the road which was difficult to lock our bikes to, but we managed. We had the goat cheese appetizer (amazing), bacon mac & cheese (amazing), roasted chicken and Ahi tuna entrees (meh), crème brûlée (meh) and lava cake (amazing). We sat outside underneath a propane heater which kept going out, so it got a bit cold. Overall we were glad we made the trip and had this new experience.

Greg Cron

My wife and I visited the Parkside Grille on a Saturday evening. We came by bicycle. The restaurant has a small, old bike rack near the road which was difficult to lock our bikes to, but we managed. We had the goat cheese appetizer (amazing), bacon mac & cheese (amazing), roasted chicken and Ahi tuna entrees (meh), crème brûlée (meh) and lava cake (amazing). We sat outside underneath a propane heater which kept going out, so it got a bit cold. Overall we were glad we made the trip and had this new experience.

Gorgeous restaurant and great location in downtown Los Gatos! I wanted to love this so much. I’ve been several time for food and drinks here. Menu items are nice sized with a good variety of options. I’ve tried many of their items for lunch and dinner and for whatever reason, it was just mediocre. I liked their burrata toast the best of all the items I tried. I had their deviled eggs which were heavily marked up due to the egg shortage, the chicken sandwich and one of their salads. I’ve had appetizers and several cocktails. The bar is always super busy in the evening which provides for a lively atmosphere. It can be a bit of a wait when it’s busy, but that’s understandable.

Alaire Orme

Gorgeous restaurant and great location in downtown Los Gatos! I wanted to love this so much. I’ve been several time for food and drinks here. Menu items are nice sized with a good variety of options. I’ve tried many of their items for lunch and dinner and for whatever reason, it was just mediocre. I liked their burrata toast the best of all the items I tried. I had their deviled eggs which were heavily marked up due to the egg shortage, the chicken sandwich and one of their salads. I’ve had appetizers and several cocktails. The bar is always super busy in the evening which provides for a lively atmosphere. It can be a bit of a wait when it’s busy, but that’s understandable.