Kinda conflicted on the rating for this place. The decor feels like a bistro in Paris, awesome! The beef tartare is well made, so is the beef bourguignon and gnocchi. The oyster is fresh, but not among the freshest I've had, slightly disappointed by the mix of oysters in the bunch, where a couple looks off. The shucker likely didn't sort them out before serving. The rotisserie chicken was kinda dry. The sancerre I ordered was served in a goblet with rounded thick rim, seemed like it's meant to contain water. There's a wine in the menu that has been out for a long time according to the waiter....but still not crossed out in the menu? It's a bistro, just use a sharpie. A lot of rough edges that made the whole experience meh... I wished it could fulfill the promise of its decor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Beef Bourguignon
Rob Director
Disappointing at best. Slow service, really slow almost an hour before main course… lukewarm onion soup, dinner special pork chop was over cooked. Scallops were not seared and the risotto was just rice. Bib salad was good. The wine pours per glass were light. Shame was we were hungry.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
HMBug
Bistro Vida offered exactly the French Bistro experience we were looking for: Traditional items like the onion soup and Steak Frites were prepared as ordered (and as expected). Service was prompt and polite, without being overbearing. Prices were quite reasonable for the Bay Area. Parking was readily available. (We had lunch on a Saturday.)
Michael Humphress
Great choice for classic French bistro fare.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cassoulet De Toulouse, Creme Brulee
robles101
As usual, outstanding food, attentive service, energetic ambiance on a Saturday night. The noise level was high, making table conversation difficult. High praise for halibut, scallops, and sole meuniere.
2BlackCats
Bistro Vida is our "go to" for a special get-together meal, great food, great service... just waiting for better weather so we can enjoy the outdoor seating area -- the traffic noise would be much less annoying than crowded indoor lunchtime seating.
BethF
The food was delicious. My only complaint was that I felt rushed. From the time we sat down to the time we left it was 50 mins totals. Sometimes that is great to get your food quickly and just eat and go but sometimes you want relax and hang out. Maybe that's only in Europe. And maybe it would have been different if we ordered alcohol. Still a great experience, I would try it again.
Rick Rence
We had a wonderful dining experience at Bistro Vida for my wife's birthday party of 17.. Thank you to all the staff and Ali.. The best !!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jean
We were seated, as requested, in the patio area. The patio was quite full and the wait staff was attentive and workinggn hard to accommodate everyone, The food was excellent and the wait time was not unusual. Overall a very positive dining experience!
COWC
Ali and his team continue to provide fabulous food and outstanding service, I took my cousin there for her birthday and we shared the mussels and scallops which were both delicious. Her lemon tart came with a candle - and even a song! Also, a big Thank you to Ali who does so much for the Menlo Park community,
Bistro Vida has been our favorite local restaurant for decades and it never disappoints! Menu has such a wide variety of dishes that it is difficult to choose. We love their Bibb lettuce salad as well as their Caesar salad AND the onion soup is the best anywhere. The New York Strip Steak and the Skirt Steak, both served with pomme frites are perfectly cooked, the French way. Love their hamburgers and poulet roti as well. The wine list is extensive and very reasonably priced. Must confess we always order the profiteroles because they are just spectacular. The ambience and decor are authentically French and last but not least, the staff seem to enjoy working there because they work very hard and are attentive to everyone.
Always get first class treatment when we eat at Bistro Vida. The owner, Ali, is fabulous and is so welcoming. He works hard side by side his staff. The food is consistently delicious and delivered with great service. A true gem of a restaurant in Menlo Park.
DebbieD
We love Bistro Vida - great food, great staff. A local favorite. I usually get the grilled salmon (it is perfection), decided to explore out of my comfort zone. Ordered the Steak Frites. Huge steak, perfectly cooked with a delicious bernaise sauce with fresh tarragon. Super hot and crispy fries. Thank you Ali and your Bistro Vida staff. Debbie & Tom. (Make a reservation, place was jumping on a rainy, Wednesday night)
eatinpup
Sit outside for a quiet meal, the outdoor area is covered and very pleasant. The food was excellent, the service was friendly and attentive. Prices aren't cheap, but are in line with other restaurants in the area. Portions were generous, and the desserts were wonderful.
jim basiji
My wife and I ate her this evening at Bistro Vida for the umpteenth time. Everything was so good that I thought it deserved yet another review. I had the Mahi Mahi fish special. My wife had coq au vin. Both meals were phenomenal. I chose the Bordeaux Red to accompany the meal, another great choice. The service, the whole experience was just plain enjoyably
Kinda conflicted on the rating for this place. The decor feels like a bistro in Paris, awesome! The beef tartare is well made, so is the beef bourguignon and gnocchi. The oyster is fresh, but not among the freshest I've had, slightly disappointed by the mix of oysters in the bunch, where a couple looks off. The shucker likely didn't sort them out before serving. The rotisserie chicken was kinda dry. The sancerre I ordered was served in a goblet with rounded thick rim, seemed like it's meant to contain water. There's a wine in the menu that has been out for a long time according to the waiter....but still not crossed out in the menu? It's a bistro, just use a sharpie. A lot of rough edges that made the whole experience meh... I wished it could fulfill the promise of its decor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Beef Bourguignon
Disappointing at best. Slow service, really slow almost an hour before main course… lukewarm onion soup, dinner special pork chop was over cooked. Scallops were not seared and the risotto was just rice. Bib salad was good. The wine pours per glass were light. Shame was we were hungry.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Bistro Vida offered exactly the French Bistro experience we were looking for: Traditional items like the onion soup and Steak Frites were prepared as ordered (and as expected). Service was prompt and polite, without being overbearing. Prices were quite reasonable for the Bay Area. Parking was readily available. (We had lunch on a Saturday.)
Great choice for classic French bistro fare.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cassoulet De Toulouse, Creme Brulee
As usual, outstanding food, attentive service, energetic ambiance on a Saturday night. The noise level was high, making table conversation difficult. High praise for halibut, scallops, and sole meuniere.
Bistro Vida is our "go to" for a special get-together meal, great food, great service... just waiting for better weather so we can enjoy the outdoor seating area -- the traffic noise would be much less annoying than crowded indoor lunchtime seating.
The food was delicious. My only complaint was that I felt rushed. From the time we sat down to the time we left it was 50 mins totals. Sometimes that is great to get your food quickly and just eat and go but sometimes you want relax and hang out. Maybe that's only in Europe. And maybe it would have been different if we ordered alcohol. Still a great experience, I would try it again.
We had a wonderful dining experience at Bistro Vida for my wife's birthday party of 17.. Thank you to all the staff and Ali.. The best !!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were seated, as requested, in the patio area. The patio was quite full and the wait staff was attentive and workinggn hard to accommodate everyone, The food was excellent and the wait time was not unusual. Overall a very positive dining experience!
Ali and his team continue to provide fabulous food and outstanding service, I took my cousin there for her birthday and we shared the mussels and scallops which were both delicious. Her lemon tart came with a candle - and even a song! Also, a big Thank you to Ali who does so much for the Menlo Park community,
Restaurantji Recommends
Bistro Vida has been our favorite local restaurant for decades and it never disappoints! Menu has such a wide variety of dishes that it is difficult to choose. We love their Bibb lettuce salad as well as their Caesar salad AND the onion soup is the best anywhere. The New York Strip Steak and the Skirt Steak, both served with pomme frites are perfectly cooked, the French way. Love their hamburgers and poulet roti as well. The wine list is extensive and very reasonably priced. Must confess we always order the profiteroles because they are just spectacular. The ambience and decor are authentically French and last but not least, the staff seem to enjoy working there because they work very hard and are attentive to everyone.
Always get first class treatment when we eat at Bistro Vida. The owner, Ali, is fabulous and is so welcoming. He works hard side by side his staff. The food is consistently delicious and delivered with great service. A true gem of a restaurant in Menlo Park.
We love Bistro Vida - great food, great staff. A local favorite. I usually get the grilled salmon (it is perfection), decided to explore out of my comfort zone. Ordered the Steak Frites. Huge steak, perfectly cooked with a delicious bernaise sauce with fresh tarragon. Super hot and crispy fries. Thank you Ali and your Bistro Vida staff. Debbie & Tom. (Make a reservation, place was jumping on a rainy, Wednesday night)
Sit outside for a quiet meal, the outdoor area is covered and very pleasant. The food was excellent, the service was friendly and attentive. Prices aren't cheap, but are in line with other restaurants in the area. Portions were generous, and the desserts were wonderful.
My wife and I ate her this evening at Bistro Vida for the umpteenth time. Everything was so good that I thought it deserved yet another review. I had the Mahi Mahi fish special. My wife had coq au vin. Both meals were phenomenal. I chose the Bordeaux Red to accompany the meal, another great choice. The service, the whole experience was just plain enjoyably
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coq Au Vin