Bistro Elan
$$$ • Italian, French, Wine Bars
Hours:
2363 Birch St, Palo Alto
(650) 327-0284
About Bistro Elan
Customers' Favorites
Cast Iron Seared Flatiron Steak
Amuse Bouche
Plates
Bistro Elan Reviews
Menu
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Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5 - 8PM 11:30AM - 2PM |
| Thursday | 11:30AM - 2PM 5 - 8PM |
| Friday | 11:30AM - 2PM 5 - 8PM |
| Saturday | 5 - 8PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
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Bistro Elan is a cozy, intimate restaurant with an open kitchen, offering a small but perfect menu that changes seasonally. The food is consistently delicious and fresh, featuring standouts like the steak frite, scallops cooked to perfection, and smoked salmon served on a waffle. Fresh ingredients from the farmer's market are used, and desserts—even the blackberry ice cream—are made in-house. The restaurant is small, which allows for careful attention to detail, and the customers are mostly regulars. On Sundays, a secret hotdog counter appears during the Farmer's Market, serving tasty dogs with grilled peppers, onions, and sauerkraut. The menu is always surprising but never overdone, with generous portions and fair prices. The wine list is nice, offering a range from moderate prices to several hundred dollars a bottle, with some available by the glass. Friendly staff, led by attentive waiters, create a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a favorite among locals, perfect for special occasions or solo dining. Reservations are very much recommended.