Vida Bistro

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641 Santa Cruz Ave
Menlo Park, CA 94025

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(650) 462-1686
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Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Vida Bistro - Menlo Park, CA
Reviews
( 3 )
( 2 )
( 1 )
( 2 )
( 2 )

Best

Exceptional service. We recently had our anniversary dinner there. The duck was juicy, tender. We were seated promptly and great house wine. Our friends came later to join us an...

Worst

Specials are supposed to be good, right? - the freshest catch of the day or the innovative dish?? Not so, here - the beef stew special was horribly put together. It was too blan...

Best French Cuisine 12/12/2007

Exceptional service. We recently had our anniversary dinner there. The duck was juicy, tender. We were seated promptly and great house wine. Our friends came later to join us and a table was set up right away. The food came promptly. The atmosphere was a real French Bistro without flying to France. Tasty wine. Tasty food. More than satisfying portions. Pros: Warm inviting more
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Disappointed Customer 6/1/2007

I was very disappointed in Bistro Vida, especially since it was recommended to me by a friend. \r \r First, the service was horrible. Having worked in the food industry, I understand the stress when you don't have enough wait staff (at least it appeared that they were short staffed), but there is no need to be rude while waiting on us and make me have to go over to get my bill and then be even more ruder, especially since they and they weren't that busy. \r \r Second, I ordered a croque monsieur that was awful. It wasn't even on the bread specified on the menu, that would have made it more tasty and didn't have the melted cheese on top (plus the cheese inside was hardly melted). Honestly, how hard is it to make this sandwich, especially for a French restaurant? \r \r I definitely won't be going back.\r \r Oh, but one good thing - I saw they had a Tobin James wine - unfortunately given that I went there during work hours, I couldn't partake - perhaps if I had, I would have had a better experience! more
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A piece of France in little Menlo Park 5/18/2007

I don't understand any of the negative reviews below. Bistro Vida is a GREAT find. I feel transported back to a quaint Paris neighborhood every time I dine there (although the place does have a little NY trendy edge feeling about it as well, in a very good, not trying too hard, way.) The menu is true to the Parisian style and very tasty. The owner, Allie is one of the kindest people ever, and he works hard to ensure everyone is happy. He also makes a great mojito and recommends very nice wines. He is a Frenchman, which is probably the reason this place feels so legitimate. My husband and I love this neighborhood bistro, as do many of our good friends. We strongly recommend it! Pros: Great ambiance, friendly owner, real Parisian menu more
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Best French food I've had! 4/6/2007

This is my second time eating French food EVER, but I'm shockingly surprised at the previous comments. I took my girlfriend there for Valentine's day for a late dinner. Good thing. The place was buzzing and busy! We found it very charming. Great decor, cocktails were nice, atmostphere was comfy, food was excellent, and the owner was cool! Try the duck confit! Pros: Environment, cocktails, owner Cons: Parking, small tables more
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Average, but not memorable 1/14/2007

I can't say they did a bad job - the pork chops were especially tasty, but the rest of the food was not distinctive or memorable. Not bad if you're just looking for some place to eat (the atmosphere is pretty nice) but the prices are a little bit on the high side, and it's not a place I'm rushing back to revisit. more
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Don't waste your time or money 6/30/2005

Wanted to try it out with a girlfriend on a warm summer evening. Started out wonderfully, seated in an open doorway at a not too small table. Wonderful breeze. Swiftly dropped into disaster. Seems they give men large cocktails and women small ones, when we ordered Mojitos (having seen the gentlemen next to us drinking out of very large glasses) we were served tiny drinks but did have the privilege of paying the same. Ordered seared peppercorn Ahi medium rare. Was served steak well done, shoe leather, no pepper and about 3/8"" thick - who prepares such an Ahi steak? Sent it back and did receive properly cooked but still inappropriate steak. Side spinach was drenched in butter and overcooked. Two meals, one side, one salad, two cocktails, one glass of wine - final bill $93 Pros: seating, ambiance Cons: Food, Price, Service more
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Try someplace else 1/30/2005

One of my worst experiences in Bay Area dining - from the shockingly slow service (appetizers arrived an hour after ordering) to an inattentive waitstaff to a penne dish described by my dining companion as akin to overblown ""tuna casserole."" Although the dining room was a nice, decently romantic place to sit, it did little to make up for the restaurants drawbacks. I will not return to eat there again. Pros: nice decor, prompt seating Cons: poor food quality, slow service, overpriced more
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Best in the Area 1/21/2003

This is my favorite restaurant in the area! I had my birthday celebration at Vida, and it was great. Definitely try the frites, the steak with the green sauce...all very good! more
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get some flavor 11/7/2002

Specials are supposed to be good, right? - the freshest catch of the day or the innovative dish?? Not so, here - the beef stew special was horribly put together. It was too bland and please, stop using frozen peas and carrots. The pate and fr. onion soup were only okay. The food needs some serious overhaul. 2 words, chicken stock! Pros: good, trendy decor, good service Cons: poor food, not a good deal more
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Menu for Vida Bistro


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Walls painted a deep tomato red, black-and-white tile floors and burnished wood banquettes opposite a long wooden bar envoke feelings of old-time French bistro...

  • 8/14/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Friday From 11:30 AM To 02:30 PM Monday To Saturday From 05:30 PM To 10:00 PM Saturday To Sunday From 09:30 AM To 02:30 PM
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown Menlo Park
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