I went to celebrate my friends birthday. We had a delicious vodka cocktail (actually 2 each!) coconut shrimp and pork belly appetizers. And we're too full for another dish! Except of course a shared dessert. It was sort of like French toast with pistachios as part of the crust. Over blueberries and very light whipped cream. And of course,I forgot to mention the milk bread. (Got one loaf to go to take home to BF who wolfed it down). Super place. Super service. Super food.
Joel
Ethyl's Fancy was a lot of fun and everything we ordered we enjoyed. We were seated at a corner of the counter so we were facing each other. The seating is wood barstools which were comfortable enough but no seatback if that's important to you. I got a fair amount of heat from where they wood fire meats etc. at first I thought I might end up uncomfortable but it was fine. I got the Vodka Martini because it sounded interesting. It was good but if you're a traditionalist it might not be to your liking. My wife got the Shibuua Express which she loved and was quite pretty. For food we got the Coconut Fritters and the Warm Sesame Pancakes. The pancakes were good, a little oily on the fingertips but we liked it. The fritters were amazing. Then we got the Salt and Pepper Octopus which was really good and the Hand Cut Kelp Noodles. They were both good. We were amazed at how good the noodles were (nothing about them seemed “kelp”) Only the thin pieces of rubbery Abalone seemed to lack purpose. It was delicious though. Then we shared the Pork Chop which was A-MAZ-ING. They serve it cut into chunks for sharing along with the bone for gnawing on. Fantastic. During the first course we had the Poe sparkling which was very nice. For the main my wife got a Sauvinyawn blanc. I got the PALMENTO COSTANZO which I liked so much I'm trying to find some. Somewhat light, very pretty tasting but nothing cloying about it. Service was top notch. They played wacky classic rock music qhich was endearing in a WTF kind of way. Overall a fun outing. Obviously a splurge but when you do shell out for a good meal it's nice when the restaurant delivers. We wqould love to go back.
Amy
Loved the food. Solid quality, attention to detail and general flavor profile. We ordered 14 dishes from the menu and 12 were executed flawlessly and we would order again. The katsu swordfish and the pork chop were subpar and we wouldn't try again but everything else was superb. We watched the chef meticulously finish off dishes before they were sent out. The smallest plates and the desserts were excellent so glad we had a good start and ending to the evening. The waitress was friendly and did not look down on us not ordering drinks. Only ambiance was not working well to make it a five star. The music was so loud and too bouncy for a good meal like this to be rushed. As a result people were loud trying to talk over the music, and the tables were too cramped. I would really love to come again but please turn down the music so I can enjoy the food. Thank you!!
michael
overall it was fine. nothing stood out and it was all terribly lacking in seasoning. if they were to focus more on details, size of cut for instance a large piece of celery root in with a raw oyster competes but if it were much smaller dice it would have been married the dish far better, this theme translated through all the dishes, no last execution. good/fine but lacking in detail construction or finesse. glad i tried it wouldn't go back. ingredients were solid. season your food it makes all the difference... or put salt on the table.
Jenny
Excellent service. Beautiful plating. Food is generally good. Very small portion for the price. Good to try once.
Evita
The food was better the last time I went several years ago. It was not seasoned well this time. However our waitress was amazing. She was very thoughtful and we had a great time because of her service. For that alone it was worth going. We also sat in the back room where the noise level was much lower. We had a great time celebrating my friend's birthday.
Opentable Diner
Food was outstanding. Superior service and the soundtrack being played was genius. A fantastic experience!
Roger
We love Ethel's Fancy! The food and service are always top notch. Chef Scott does amazing seasonal dishes that we always look forward to trying.
Larry
My wife and I absolutely loved Ethel's Fancy: everything from food to service staff to even management was wonderful! Table seating is something I usually take for granted, both good and on occasion, not so good. In our case, the only reservations available, for all but late evening, was outside (and cold). I reserved what I could, but I asked the restaurant via OpenTable if I could be placed on a waiting list for inside seating. Shortly after, I received a note from “Mickey” that we had an inside table. Upon seating after our arrival, a gentleman came by to ask us if our seating was satisfactory — it was Mickey, who also happened to be the general manager! Service was exceptional and Shelby, our server, cheerfully and knowledgeably explained our options, gave us ample time, and then answered our questions about dishes of interest to us. As we waited, every possible need and more was handled by an attentive wait staff and Shelby. As for the “California Japanese food,” it could not have been better! As a businessperson and third-generation Japanese-American, I have dined in Japan many times, and I would place our dinner among some of the best and certainly most original that I've had. Each course was based on an authentic Japanese dish, but was also transformed into a delicious and culinary creation using fresh and non-traditional Japanese ingredients. It's hard to do the chef justice, but EVERY dish we had from appetizer to main course to dessert was delicious and original. We will definitely be back!
Vicente Baamonde
This restaurant is a true standout for anyone who appreciates creative cuisine in a stylish, welcoming setting. The ambience is modern yet cozy, with a warm atmosphere that makes it perfect for a relaxed evening or a special occasion. Every detail, from the decor to the plating, feels carefully thought out.
The food was impressive across the board. The oysters were incredibly fresh and bright, and the swordfish was a real star, perfectly cooked with flavors that felt both bold and balanced.
The Salt and Pepper Spanish Octopus deserves special mention. It was beautifully presented and cooked to perfection, tender, flavorful, and paired with unique elements like persimmon and fermented napa cabbage that added depth and complexity. It’s clear the kitchen puts a lot of care into crafting dishes that are both visually stunning and delicious.
If you’re looking for a place that combines high-quality ingredients, inventive flavors, and a great vibe, this is absolutely worth a visit. I’d recommend it without hesitation, you’ll leave impressed and wanting to come back.
The food was excellent as usual. But the tempo of service was very off on New Years Eve. They either rushed to take away the unfinished the plates or totally forgot to remove empty plates. There were long waiting between courses. Overall, the total time spent in waiting was probably as long as in eating. We'll still go back because we love the food at Ethel's Fancy but will not go on major holidays.
Rongmei
We enjoyed the food but the service was rather rushed and even rude: disappointed overall since we've been looking forward to eating here.
Irene
Everything was good except for that there was a female server ignored me multiple times when I tried to talk with her. I don't understand why.
Daniel
Always a great experience dining here. We sat at the counter and to watch the kitchen in action which added to the experience
Naomi
Our favorite spot in Palo Alto. Mickey, the manager, always makes us feel welcome and well looked after. Never disappoints!
I went to celebrate my friends birthday. We had a delicious vodka cocktail (actually 2 each!) coconut shrimp and pork belly appetizers. And we're too full for another dish! Except of course a shared dessert. It was sort of like French toast with pistachios as part of the crust. Over blueberries and very light whipped cream. And of course,I forgot to mention the milk bread. (Got one loaf to go to take home to BF who wolfed it down). Super place. Super service. Super food.
Ethyl's Fancy was a lot of fun and everything we ordered we enjoyed. We were seated at a corner of the counter so we were facing each other. The seating is wood barstools which were comfortable enough but no seatback if that's important to you. I got a fair amount of heat from where they wood fire meats etc. at first I thought I might end up uncomfortable but it was fine. I got the Vodka Martini because it sounded interesting. It was good but if you're a traditionalist it might not be to your liking. My wife got the Shibuua Express which she loved and was quite pretty. For food we got the Coconut Fritters and the Warm Sesame Pancakes. The pancakes were good, a little oily on the fingertips but we liked it. The fritters were amazing. Then we got the Salt and Pepper Octopus which was really good and the Hand Cut Kelp Noodles. They were both good. We were amazed at how good the noodles were (nothing about them seemed “kelp”) Only the thin pieces of rubbery Abalone seemed to lack purpose. It was delicious though. Then we shared the Pork Chop which was A-MAZ-ING. They serve it cut into chunks for sharing along with the bone for gnawing on. Fantastic. During the first course we had the Poe sparkling which was very nice. For the main my wife got a Sauvinyawn blanc. I got the PALMENTO COSTANZO which I liked so much I'm trying to find some. Somewhat light, very pretty tasting but nothing cloying about it. Service was top notch. They played wacky classic rock music qhich was endearing in a WTF kind of way. Overall a fun outing. Obviously a splurge but when you do shell out for a good meal it's nice when the restaurant delivers. We wqould love to go back.
Loved the food. Solid quality, attention to detail and general flavor profile. We ordered 14 dishes from the menu and 12 were executed flawlessly and we would order again. The katsu swordfish and the pork chop were subpar and we wouldn't try again but everything else was superb. We watched the chef meticulously finish off dishes before they were sent out. The smallest plates and the desserts were excellent so glad we had a good start and ending to the evening. The waitress was friendly and did not look down on us not ordering drinks. Only ambiance was not working well to make it a five star. The music was so loud and too bouncy for a good meal like this to be rushed. As a result people were loud trying to talk over the music, and the tables were too cramped. I would really love to come again but please turn down the music so I can enjoy the food. Thank you!!
overall it was fine. nothing stood out and it was all terribly lacking in seasoning. if they were to focus more on details, size of cut for instance a large piece of celery root in with a raw oyster competes but if it were much smaller dice it would have been married the dish far better, this theme translated through all the dishes, no last execution. good/fine but lacking in detail construction or finesse. glad i tried it wouldn't go back. ingredients were solid. season your food it makes all the difference... or put salt on the table.
Excellent service. Beautiful plating. Food is generally good. Very small portion for the price. Good to try once.
The food was better the last time I went several years ago. It was not seasoned well this time. However our waitress was amazing. She was very thoughtful and we had a great time because of her service. For that alone it was worth going. We also sat in the back room where the noise level was much lower. We had a great time celebrating my friend's birthday.
Food was outstanding. Superior service and the soundtrack being played was genius. A fantastic experience!
We love Ethel's Fancy! The food and service are always top notch. Chef Scott does amazing seasonal dishes that we always look forward to trying.
My wife and I absolutely loved Ethel's Fancy: everything from food to service staff to even management was wonderful! Table seating is something I usually take for granted, both good and on occasion, not so good. In our case, the only reservations available, for all but late evening, was outside (and cold). I reserved what I could, but I asked the restaurant via OpenTable if I could be placed on a waiting list for inside seating. Shortly after, I received a note from “Mickey” that we had an inside table. Upon seating after our arrival, a gentleman came by to ask us if our seating was satisfactory — it was Mickey, who also happened to be the general manager! Service was exceptional and Shelby, our server, cheerfully and knowledgeably explained our options, gave us ample time, and then answered our questions about dishes of interest to us. As we waited, every possible need and more was handled by an attentive wait staff and Shelby. As for the “California Japanese food,” it could not have been better! As a businessperson and third-generation Japanese-American, I have dined in Japan many times, and I would place our dinner among some of the best and certainly most original that I've had. Each course was based on an authentic Japanese dish, but was also transformed into a delicious and culinary creation using fresh and non-traditional Japanese ingredients. It's hard to do the chef justice, but EVERY dish we had from appetizer to main course to dessert was delicious and original. We will definitely be back!
This restaurant is a true standout for anyone who appreciates creative cuisine in a stylish, welcoming setting. The ambience is modern yet cozy, with a warm atmosphere that makes it perfect for a relaxed evening or a special occasion. Every detail, from the decor to the plating, feels carefully thought out.
The food was impressive across the board. The oysters were incredibly fresh and bright, and the swordfish was a real star, perfectly cooked with flavors that felt both bold and balanced.
The Salt and Pepper Spanish Octopus deserves special mention. It was beautifully presented and cooked to perfection, tender, flavorful, and paired with unique elements like persimmon and fermented napa cabbage that added depth and complexity. It’s clear the kitchen puts a lot of care into crafting dishes that are both visually stunning and delicious.
If you’re looking for a place that combines high-quality ingredients, inventive flavors, and a great vibe, this is absolutely worth a visit. I’d recommend it without hesitation, you’ll leave impressed and wanting to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The food was excellent as usual. But the tempo of service was very off on New Years Eve. They either rushed to take away the unfinished the plates or totally forgot to remove empty plates. There were long waiting between courses. Overall, the total time spent in waiting was probably as long as in eating. We'll still go back because we love the food at Ethel's Fancy but will not go on major holidays.
We enjoyed the food but the service was rather rushed and even rude: disappointed overall since we've been looking forward to eating here.
Everything was good except for that there was a female server ignored me multiple times when I tried to talk with her. I don't understand why.
Always a great experience dining here. We sat at the counter and to watch the kitchen in action which added to the experience
Our favorite spot in Palo Alto. Mickey, the manager, always makes us feel welcome and well looked after. Never disappoints!
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