My friend & I have been coming here for years to celebrate her birthday. Why? Escargots. Bistro Vida is a true French Bistro experience. And we keep coming back because the service is EXCEPTIONAL. I cannot tell you how joyful it is to experience deft service that is seamless without being obsequious. Especially to two women. Their service is so kind and considered. THANK YOU, Bistro Vida, for giving my friend a lovely birthday.
michelle
An evening at Bistro Vida in Menlo Park is nothing short of a culinary delight. Nestled in the heart of the town, this charming bistro exudes a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both cozy and sophisticated. Dim lighting, rustic decor, and a hint of French elegance set the perfect scene for an intimate dinner or a casual night out with friends. Upon arrival, the friendly staff greets you with genuine smiles, making you feel like a valued guest from the very start. Their attentiveness and knowledge of the menu are impressive, enhancing an already exceptional dining experience. The food is a sublime journey through classic French cuisine with a modern twist. Each dish, from the delectable Coq au Vin to the exquisitely presented Ratatouille, is crafted with precision and passion. The flavors are rich and balanced, leaving an indelible impression on the palate. Don't skip dessert — the Tarte Tatin is a must-try, satisfying any sweet tooth. Bistro Vida offers a harmonious blend of ambiance, impeccable service, and outstanding food. It's a place where memories are made over good conversation and even better cuisine. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this gem in Menlo Park is worth every visit. Bon appétit!
Gregory
Some of the worst service I have experienced in a very long time and the food was mediocre....This Restaurant use to be quite good...at this rate I would never return...there are much better french restaurants on offer in the Bay Area. Try Chou Chou in Burlingame for example....Very disappointing!
Morgan
With the sunshine and cool breeze, the restaurant is wonderful to enjoy dinner. @Tracy is a positive force of knowledge about the menu, cocktails, and ensuring we had an exceptional experience. Wow, she is thoughtful and kind.
David Sopkin
Good restaurant, lots of classic French dishes. Had the swordfish and french onion soup. Service was ok, atmosphere is 4 stars because the bar they own next door was playing music, as was Bistro Vida, but the songs were clashing with each other and not coordinated. It made for a really strange dining experience outdoor.
Gordon
The most recent of many visits. Classic French bistro ambiance and menu with attentive and professional service. Outstanding French onion soup and Calamari. Boef bourguignon, steak fritters, and halibut entrees were all great. Authentic French bread and butter (no additional charge!). Excellent crème brûlée, mousse, and profiteroles. Moderate prices, appropriate to quality and serving size. A great meal and good time was had by all!
Dima
My favorite restaurant in Menlo Park. Tasty French food, excellent service - Tracie is my favorite!
Anne
The dinners for all three of us—sole, halibut, pork— were outstanding. Old favorites and specials. The only issue was outside porch is leaning a bit and the accoutrements out there seem a bit tired. Noisy other guests but they were having fun
Carol
I took my husband for Father's Day brunch. We each had a glass of prosecco and the eggs Benedict. They were one of the best eggs Benedict we've ever had! The eggs were perfectly cooked and the hollandaise sauce was excellent!! Relaxed atmosphere and great wait staff!
Micheline
Not so good French food. They don't acknowledge birthdays. Just before 10 pm they were already asking us to leave. Not recommended.
The food and service were underwhelming. When my partner ordered sparkling water, the server asked if it was for both of us. I said I wanted a different drink and ordered that but was served sparkling water anyway. We also ordered a side dish that never arrived, though at least it wasn’t on the bill. As for the food, it just fell flat. The potatoes tasted like plain potatoes, no butter, no cream, no seasoning. The carrots and mushrooms were undercooked, and the beef wasn’t very tender. Nothing on the plate really tied together or felt thoughtfully prepared. My partner liked the onion soup though.
Dodie
We are regulars regulars but last night was exceptional. The food was great and our French speaking waiter chatted with our bilingual grandchildren 17 and 20. It felt like home.
Roberta
Service and foods superb . The greeting/waitress was exceptionally friendly and advised a great daily special which was delicious ! My French spouse was quite impressed with the authenticity of the French cuisine !
Rosemary
Always have great food here. Today's special was gazpacho soup which was delicious and it was a hot day so it was perfect. Salvatore couldn't have been more patient, accomodating and fun. Go here all the time.
Ken
The food was just OK. Service was OK. It was slow getting our food. Asking for help at first was very "questionable".
My friend & I have been coming here for years to celebrate her birthday. Why? Escargots. Bistro Vida is a true French Bistro experience. And we keep coming back because the service is EXCEPTIONAL. I cannot tell you how joyful it is to experience deft service that is seamless without being obsequious. Especially to two women. Their service is so kind and considered. THANK YOU, Bistro Vida, for giving my friend a lovely birthday.
An evening at Bistro Vida in Menlo Park is nothing short of a culinary delight. Nestled in the heart of the town, this charming bistro exudes a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both cozy and sophisticated. Dim lighting, rustic decor, and a hint of French elegance set the perfect scene for an intimate dinner or a casual night out with friends. Upon arrival, the friendly staff greets you with genuine smiles, making you feel like a valued guest from the very start. Their attentiveness and knowledge of the menu are impressive, enhancing an already exceptional dining experience. The food is a sublime journey through classic French cuisine with a modern twist. Each dish, from the delectable Coq au Vin to the exquisitely presented Ratatouille, is crafted with precision and passion. The flavors are rich and balanced, leaving an indelible impression on the palate. Don't skip dessert — the Tarte Tatin is a must-try, satisfying any sweet tooth. Bistro Vida offers a harmonious blend of ambiance, impeccable service, and outstanding food. It's a place where memories are made over good conversation and even better cuisine. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this gem in Menlo Park is worth every visit. Bon appétit!
Some of the worst service I have experienced in a very long time and the food was mediocre....This Restaurant use to be quite good...at this rate I would never return...there are much better french restaurants on offer in the Bay Area. Try Chou Chou in Burlingame for example....Very disappointing!
With the sunshine and cool breeze, the restaurant is wonderful to enjoy dinner. @Tracy is a positive force of knowledge about the menu, cocktails, and ensuring we had an exceptional experience. Wow, she is thoughtful and kind.
Good restaurant, lots of classic French dishes. Had the swordfish and french onion soup. Service was ok, atmosphere is 4 stars because the bar they own next door was playing music, as was Bistro Vida, but the songs were clashing with each other and not coordinated. It made for a really strange dining experience outdoor.
The most recent of many visits. Classic French bistro ambiance and menu with attentive and professional service. Outstanding French onion soup and Calamari. Boef bourguignon, steak fritters, and halibut entrees were all great. Authentic French bread and butter (no additional charge!). Excellent crème brûlée, mousse, and profiteroles. Moderate prices, appropriate to quality and serving size. A great meal and good time was had by all!
My favorite restaurant in Menlo Park. Tasty French food, excellent service - Tracie is my favorite!
The dinners for all three of us—sole, halibut, pork— were outstanding. Old favorites and specials. The only issue was outside porch is leaning a bit and the accoutrements out there seem a bit tired. Noisy other guests but they were having fun
I took my husband for Father's Day brunch. We each had a glass of prosecco and the eggs Benedict. They were one of the best eggs Benedict we've ever had! The eggs were perfectly cooked and the hollandaise sauce was excellent!! Relaxed atmosphere and great wait staff!
Not so good French food. They don't acknowledge birthdays. Just before 10 pm they were already asking us to leave. Not recommended.
Restaurantji Recommends
The food and service were underwhelming. When my partner ordered sparkling water, the server asked if it was for both of us. I said I wanted a different drink and ordered that but was served sparkling water anyway. We also ordered a side dish that never arrived, though at least it wasn’t on the bill. As for the food, it just fell flat. The potatoes tasted like plain potatoes, no butter, no cream, no seasoning. The carrots and mushrooms were undercooked, and the beef wasn’t very tender. Nothing on the plate really tied together or felt thoughtfully prepared. My partner liked the onion soup though.
We are regulars regulars but last night was exceptional. The food was great and our French speaking waiter chatted with our bilingual grandchildren 17 and 20. It felt like home.
Service and foods superb . The greeting/waitress was exceptionally friendly and advised a great daily special which was delicious ! My French spouse was quite impressed with the authenticity of the French cuisine !
Always have great food here. Today's special was gazpacho soup which was delicious and it was a hot day so it was perfect. Salvatore couldn't have been more patient, accomodating and fun. Go here all the time.
The food was just OK. Service was OK. It was slow getting our food. Asking for help at first was very "questionable".
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