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Bistro Vida, Menlo Park, CA

Bistro Vida

4.8
4.8
2801 Reviews
$30 and under
French

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2 people
19:00
Booked 45 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Established in 1998, Bistro Vida is a neighborhood restaurant inspired by the great Parisian bistro culture and traditions of French cooking. Our mission is to bring the joie de vivre, comfort, and community of the City of Lights to downtown Menlo Park. The name " Vida" the Spanish word for life, was chosen as a toast to the enjoyment of life, love, and food. Each delicious detail of the chic interior from the smart bar to the blackboard menus, the huge cylindrical chandeliers to the long mirrors reminiscent of brasseries has acquired a warm patina over the years.

Additional information

  • Location
    641 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025
  • Phone number
    (650) 462-1686
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French, Bistro, Californian
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00–14:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00–14:00 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–21:00 Sun 17:00–20:00
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street parking all around and public lot directly to the rear of the restaurant.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Ali El Safy

Menu

Hors D'oeuvres

  • HuîtresUS$18.00

    ½ dozen oysters du jour

    • Tartare de ThonUS$16.00

      ahi tuna, ginger, chives, yuzu

      • Calmars FritsUS$13.00

        fried calamari, aioli mayonnaise

        • CoquillesUS$17.00

          sautéed sea scallop, garlic, white wine, herbes de provence

          • Escargots à la BourguignonneUS$20.00

            Burgundy snails, parsley-garlic butter

            • Soupe à l'Oignon GratinéeUS$11.00

              caramelized sweet onions, beef jus, country bread, gruyère

              • Pâté de CampagneUS$15.00

                country pâté, radishes, cornichons, baguette

                • Assiette de CharcuteriesUS$19.00

                  prosciutto, saucisson sec, pâté, olives, cornichons

                  • Tartare de BoeufUS$19.00

                    hand chopped fillet, egg yolk, cornichons, caper berries

                    • Olives MarinéesUS$7.00

                      warm marinated olives

                      • Assiette de FromagesUS$19.00

                        selection of three artisanal cheeses, toasted baguette

                        • Fondue aux FromagesUS$16.00

                          gruyère & emmental cheese

                          Les Salades

                          • LaitueUS$12.00

                            bibb lettuce, fines herbes, dijon vinaigrette

                            • CésarUS$12.00

                              hearts of romaine, croûtons, parmegiano reggiano

                              • Chèvre ChaudUS$13.00

                                mixed greens, warm goat cheese, roasted beets, champagne vinaigrette

                                • Tomates et BurrataUS$16.00

                                  tomatoes, arugula, basil, burrata cheese

                                  Fruits de Mer

                                  • Moules FritesUS$30.00

                                    mussels, sauce marinière, parsley, french fries

                                    • Clams FritesUS$30.00

                                      clams, sauce marinière, parsley, french fries

                                      • Sole MeunièreUS$32.00

                                        fillet of sole, beurre noisette, haricots verts, roasted fingerling potatoes

                                        • Saumon GrilléUS$33.00

                                          grilled wild salmon, beurre blanc, seasonal vegetables

                                          • Risotto aux Saint JacquesUS$30.00

                                            seared sea scallops, asparagus risotto

                                            • BouillabaisseUS$36.00

                                              provençal fish stew, tomato-saffron broth, croûtons, rouille

                                              • Linguine de PalourdesUS$25.00

                                                linguine pasta, manila clams, cherry tomatoes, garlic, white wine

                                                Garnitures

                                                $8

                                                • Pommes Frites

                                                  french fries

                                                  • Épinards

                                                    sautéed spinach

                                                    • Haricots Verts

                                                      sautéed french green beans

                                                      • Champignons Fricassée

                                                        sautéed mushrooms

                                                        Les Viandes et Les Entreés

                                                        • Poulet RôtiUS$28.00

                                                          roasted free-range chicken, haricots verts, mashed potatoes, herbed chicken jus

                                                          • Coq au VinUS$30.00

                                                            red burgundy braised chicken, lardons, mushrooms, pearl onions, egg noodles

                                                            • Cassoulet de ToulouseUS$35.00

                                                              duck confit, toulouse sausage, white beans

                                                              • Pork TenderloinUS$30.00

                                                                roasted pork tenderloin, caramelized onions, crème fraîche, potato gratin

                                                                • Lamb ChopsUS$42.00

                                                                  grilled new zealand lamb chops, demi glace sauce, roasted potatoes, asparagus

                                                                  • Boeuf BourguignonUS$33.00

                                                                    beef stewed in red wine, pearl onions, baby carrots, mashed potatoes

                                                                    • Steak FritesUS$40.00

                                                                      New York strip, sauce béarnaise, french fries

                                                                      • Filet au PoivreUS$44.00

                                                                        filet mignon, asparagus, potato gratinée

                                                                        • Vida BurgerUS$22.00

                                                                          roasted red bell peppers, gorgonzola, french fries

                                                                          • CouscousUS$30.00

                                                                            couscous, merguez sausage, harissa sauce

                                                                            • Gnocchi à la ParisienneUS$23.00

                                                                              sautéed gnocchi, mushrooms, asparagus, peas, beurre noisette

                                                                              Last updated: 2 February 2022

                                                                              What 2,801 people are saying

                                                                              Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                              Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                              4.8
                                                                              4.8 based on recent ratings
                                                                              • 4.7Food
                                                                              • 4.7Service
                                                                              • 4.7Ambience
                                                                              • 4.6Value

                                                                              Noise • Moderate

                                                                              Review summary

                                                                              AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                              Bistro Vida is a cherished gem in Menlo Park, offering authentic French bistro dining with "amazing" food and "outstanding service." Ali, the owner, is known for his attention to detail and community involvement. Guests rave about the "best French onion soup" and delicious mussels. A perfect spot for family gatherings or special occasions.

                                                                              2,801 Reviews

                                                                              1. Patti VIP

                                                                                San Francisco21 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined today

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Wonderful meal at Bistro Vida. Salmon is always delicious.

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                                                                              2. OpenTable Diner VIP

                                                                                San Francisco1 review

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined 4 days ago

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Ali and the team always do a tremendous job. It was a lot of fun celebrating my mom’s birthday here with great service and even better food.

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                                                                              3. Jocelyn VIP

                                                                                San Francisco6 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 3 March 2025

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 3
                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                The owner Ali embodies gracious hospitality and refined customer service. The food was delicious, ambience felt like we were at a bistro in Paris, perfect afternoon lunch with friends. Rose, Salad Nicoise, frites ... was perfect. This is a neighborhood gem.

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                                                                              4. Jacqueline

                                                                                San Francisco5 reviews

                                                                                4.0

                                                                                Dined on 2 March 2025

                                                                                1. Overall 4
                                                                                2. Food 4
                                                                                3. Service 4
                                                                                4. Ambience 3
                                                                                We are patrons of Vida for years and appreciate that French Brasserie . Now with the opening of the new Bar,very nice, the noise in the restaurant is extremely painful and annoying. In the restaurant they have also dim the light? The atmosphere of the restaurant is changed ,for me not for the better. Why not keep the doors closed between the Bar and the Restaurant?

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                                                                              5. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                San Francisco1 review

                                                                                4.0

                                                                                Dined on 2 March 2025

                                                                                1. Overall 4
                                                                                2. Food 3
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                It was a nice place but very loud. The French onion soup was the best. Our main courses were good but not great. The Vanilla crème brûlée was delicious.

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                                                                              6. Alex

                                                                                San Francisco16 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 2 March 2025

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                Love this restaurant. Excellent food every time, and the friendliest most helpful staff!

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                                                                              7. R. Eugene VIP

                                                                                San Francisco54 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 1 March 2025

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Still our favorite place for weekend brunch. Their Eggs Benedict are the best on the mid-peninsula!

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                                                                              8. Lynne VIP

                                                                                Los Angeles37 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 26 February 2025

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Bistro Vida is our “go to” in Menlo Park. The food is great, the staff really friendly and helpful. It’s just always a great experience. I highly recommend the sole meunière and the poulet roti for lighter fare. The steaks are great as well. It’s always good to have an enjoyable, high quality alternative that you can count on.

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                                                                              9. heather VIP

                                                                                San Francisco18 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 21 February 2025

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                The aparagus soup was excellent. The risotto with scallops was excellent. And the warm chocolae cake with icecream was the best I've ever had

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                                                                              10. Elaine VIP

                                                                                San Francisco35 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                Dined on 21 February 2025

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Second time here in 2 weeks and excellent both times. Started with a cocktail next door at Loretta and then in to dinner at BV. Ali, the owner of both, is the quintessential host. Though he doesn’t know me, he made me feel special and welcomed me with a personal greeting & seating. Our dinner was delish—all 4 of us had different entrees, and we all enjoyed them. I had the swordfish which was done perfectly, and my husband had the scallops with risotto which I recommended to him— he loved the dish! More cocktails were excellent and the service and atmosphere were top notch!!

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                                                                              FAQs

                                                                              Bistro Vida offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 462-1686.

                                                                              Bistro Vida is rated 4.8 stars by 2801 OpenTable diners.

                                                                              Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                              Make a booking

                                                                              2 people
                                                                              19:00
                                                                              Booked 45 times today
                                                                              Google Map for Bistro Vida

                                                                              641 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025

                                                                              Additional information

                                                                              • Phone number
                                                                                (650) 462-1686
                                                                              • Price
                                                                                $30 and under
                                                                              • Cuisines
                                                                                French, Bistro, Californian
                                                                              • Hours of Operation
                                                                                Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00–14:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00–14:00 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–21:00 Sun 17:00–20:00
                                                                              • Dress code
                                                                                Casual Dress
                                                                              • Parking details
                                                                                Street parking all around and public lot directly to the rear of the restaurant.
                                                                              • Payment Options
                                                                                AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                              • Executive Chef
                                                                                Ali El Safy
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