Wanderlust World Wanderlust World In northern California, Highway 101 serves as a major route, connecting the city of San Francisco to southward cities like San Jose and Los Angeles. Also called the Bayshore Freeway, the highway passes through numerous communities south of San Francisco, including some that feature highly-rated restaurants. Located within three miles of Highway 101, these establishments feature dishes from a diverse blend of regions, including French, Moroccan and Japanese cuisine.
Sakae Sushi & Grill originally opened in January 1995 and moved to its location about one mile from Highway 101 in the town of Burlingame in May 2009. A favorite of the local Japanese-American community, the restaurant held Zagat ratings of "extraordinary to perfection" for its food and "good to very good" for its service and decor as of September 2010. Sushi is the specialty of the house with many of the selections imported fresh from Japan. An a la carte menu is available as well as two different combination platters that have an assortment of 10 to 12 selections. The bar specializes in sake and offers 30 to 50 selections each night as well as flights that allow diners to sample three different types of the Japanese spirit. Sakae Sushi & Grill serves lunch Mondays through Saturdays and dinner nightly. Reservations are not required. Casual attire is appropriate. The restaurant features karaoke regularly.
Sakae Sushi & Grill
243 California Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
650-348-4064
sakaesushi.com
Established in January 2010, Baume is in Palo Alto, less than 2.5 miles from Highway 101. The restaurant held Zagat ratings of "extraordinary to perfection" for its food, decor and service as of September 2010. Celebrity chef Bruno Chemel prepares a different tasting menu for each table nightly based on what local and imported ingredients are available fresh that day. The cuisine is French with elements like truffles, abalone, grass-fed beef, foie gras, leaks and black mission figs. The multi-course tasting menus are available with or without a wine pairing to compliment each dish. The restaurant has a full bar and specializes in cocktails like the Baumetini, sake garnished with caviar. Baume serves lunch on Fridays only and dinner Wednesdays through Sundays. The restaurant closes every Monday and Tuesdays. Reservations are highly recommended because the restaurant offers only two seatings each night with space filling quickly; reservations are taken both online by phone. Business casual attire is the norm.
Baume
201 S. California Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-328-8899
baumerestaurant.com
Il Postale is in Sunnyvale, around 2.5 miles from Highway 101, in what was originally the town's post office. The establishment opened in August 1995 and held Zagat ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food and service and "good to very good" for its decor as of September 2010. The restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine with the house-made ravioli and beef braciole among the featured entrees. The wine list consists of more than 60 selections, concentrating primarily on Italian and Californian vintages. Il Postale serves lunch on weekdays and dinner nightly. Reservations are only taken for parties of five or more, and a wait is possible for a table during peak dinner hour on weekends. When crowded, the restaurant can become very noisy so plan to hold lunch or dinner meeting on off hours. Casual attire is acceptable. A children's menu is available, and the restaurant features outdoor dining in nice weather.
Il Postale
127 W. Washington Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
408-733-9600
ilpostale.com