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✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
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Rustic, Portola Valley restaurant, where classic California-comfort food meets the beauty of towering redwood trees right on our patio. Indulge in our rotating, seasonal, farm-to-table menu, crafted with locally-sourced ingredients. Perfect for a cozy dinner, or romantic date destination, our family-friendly, charming kitchen offers something for everyone. Grab an outdoor dinner reservation for a perfect dinner under the stars. Family Owned & Operated since 2000. Keywords: rustic restaurant, california comfort food, new american, wine, wine bar, farm-to-table, outdoor dining, family-friendly, romantic dinner.
Californian comfort food served in a roadside setting backed up to a redwood forest.
Hours
| Saturday | 5–9 PM |
| Sunday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 5–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 884 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028
Phone: (650) 529-9007
Website: http://parksidegrille.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: parksidegrille.comopentable.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Parkside Grille
Gourmet Californian Cuisine. Welcome to our cozy family restaurant and bar nestled in the heart of Portola Valley!
Reservations — Parkside Grille
18 people, 19 people, 20 people. Portola Valley’s “Neighborhood Fave” Winner 9 consecutive years in a row: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 …
Menu — Parkside Grille
roasted garlic / tuscan sun-dried tomatoes / kalamata olives / grilled housemade focaccia bread / extra virgin olive oil.
Reviews
Sohrob H
A Rare Gem Nestled in the Redwoods
Parkside Grille is an absolute treasure located in the heart of Portola Valley. It is a rare find that perfectly blends high-end Californian comfort food with a warm, festive atmosphere that feels both upscale and approachable. Set against a beautiful backdrop of towering redwoods, the restaurant offers a unique “roadside” charm that makes you feel miles away from the hustle and bustle. It is an ideal spot for anyone looking for a memorable meal where the quality of the hospitality matches the excellence of the kitchen.
✨ Highlights of the Experience
The experience is defined by a sense of ease and genuine care from the staff, making it a standout destination in the area.
Exceptional and Fun Service: The service is truly top-notch. Our server was energetic and kept the table entertained by cracking jokes all night, which added a wonderful personal touch to the dining experience.
Remarkable Kitchen Efficiency: We were pleasantly surprised by the speed of the service; despite the restaurant being busy, every dish arrived quickly and at the perfect temperature.
Famous Wood-Oven Bread: You have to try their amazing bread. Whether it is the wood-fired focaccia or the complimentary house-baked muffins, the bread is a highlight in its own right and sets a fantastic tone for the meal.
Phenomenal Culinary Quality: Each dish we ordered was phenomenal. The menu features standout items like the Asian-marinated skirt steak and the Greek-style lamb chops, both of which are expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection.
Inviting Natural Ambiance: The setting is stunning, with the option to dine on a multi-level patio under 800-year-old redwoods, providing a serene and crisp outdoor experience that is hard to beat.
Final Verdict: Highly Recommended
I am giving Parkside Grille a well-deserved 5-star rating. It is rare to encounter a restaurant that hits every mark so consistently—from the humorous and attentive staff to the phenomenal speed and quality of the food. It is a high-end comfort food experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it perfect for a special occasion or a high-quality weekend dinner. I highly recommend making a reservation to secure a spot in this beautiful forest setting; you won’t be disappointed!
… moreParkside Grille is an absolute treasure located in the heart of Portola Valley. It is a rare find that perfectly blends high-end Californian comfort food with a warm, festive atmosphere that feels both upscale and approachable. Set against a beautiful backdrop of towering redwoods, the restaurant offers a unique “roadside” charm that makes you feel miles away from the hustle and bustle. It is an ideal spot for anyone looking for a memorable meal where the quality of the hospitality matches the excellence of the kitchen.
✨ Highlights of the Experience
The experience is defined by a sense of ease and genuine care from the staff, making it a standout destination in the area.
Exceptional and Fun Service: The service is truly top-notch. Our server was energetic and kept the table entertained by cracking jokes all night, which added a wonderful personal touch to the dining experience.
Remarkable Kitchen Efficiency: We were pleasantly surprised by the speed of the service; despite the restaurant being busy, every dish arrived quickly and at the perfect temperature.
Famous Wood-Oven Bread: You have to try their amazing bread. Whether it is the wood-fired focaccia or the complimentary house-baked muffins, the bread is a highlight in its own right and sets a fantastic tone for the meal.
Phenomenal Culinary Quality: Each dish we ordered was phenomenal. The menu features standout items like the Asian-marinated skirt steak and the Greek-style lamb chops, both of which are expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection.
Inviting Natural Ambiance: The setting is stunning, with the option to dine on a multi-level patio under 800-year-old redwoods, providing a serene and crisp outdoor experience that is hard to beat.
Final Verdict: Highly Recommended
I am giving Parkside Grille a well-deserved 5-star rating. It is rare to encounter a restaurant that hits every mark so consistently—from the humorous and attentive staff to the phenomenal speed and quality of the food. It is a high-end comfort food experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it perfect for a special occasion or a high-quality weekend dinner. I highly recommend making a reservation to secure a spot in this beautiful forest setting; you won’t be disappointed!
maribel castro
We chose Parkside Grille to enjoy our New Year’s Eve and made a reservation to be seated outdoors, fully aware that the evening would be cold and rainy. Despite the weather and the fact that we ultimately ended up being the only guests dining outside after the others who were there left, the restaurant graciously honored our request and made every effort to accommodate us.
Given how busy the dining room was, I initially worried that service might suffer. Fortunately, our server, Laramie, was exceptional. She checked on us at just the right intervals, answered our questions thoughtfully, and offered honest, helpful recommendations when asked. Her attentiveness and professionalism ensured that we felt well cared for throughout the evening.
We started with the focaccia and flatbread with butter, both served warm and fresh. While the focaccia was enjoyable, the flatbread stood out thanks to its subtle char and depth of flavor, likely from the wood-fired oven, and we found ourselves wishing for more of it rather than the focaccia.
For my entrée, I ordered the Petrale sole special, which was beautifully prepared. The fish was moist and flavorful, the mashed potatoes were creamy and well-seasoned, and the vegetables were cooked perfectly to my liking. My partner chose the wood-fired chicken quesadilla, which he enjoyed. The tortilla was nicely crisped, and the chicken was tender and not dry. While it came with guacamole and pico de gallo, we both felt an additional sauce, perhaps a chipotle crema or another salsa could elevate the dish and add a bit more depth of flavor.
Our cocktails were equally enjoyable. The passionfruit margarita and the berry smash (if I recall correctly) were refreshing, and well-balanced. To finish the meal, we shared the decadent chocolate torte. As advertised, it was rich and indulgent, with the accompanying berries providing a welcome contrast that balanced the intensity of the chocolate.
Overall, the experience was cozy, quiet, and exactly what we were hoping for on New Year’s Eve. Parkside Grille delivered warm hospitality, solid execution, and a relaxed atmosphere that made for a memorable evening—even in less-than-ideal weather.
… moreGiven how busy the dining room was, I initially worried that service might suffer. Fortunately, our server, Laramie, was exceptional. She checked on us at just the right intervals, answered our questions thoughtfully, and offered honest, helpful recommendations when asked. Her attentiveness and professionalism ensured that we felt well cared for throughout the evening.
We started with the focaccia and flatbread with butter, both served warm and fresh. While the focaccia was enjoyable, the flatbread stood out thanks to its subtle char and depth of flavor, likely from the wood-fired oven, and we found ourselves wishing for more of it rather than the focaccia.
For my entrée, I ordered the Petrale sole special, which was beautifully prepared. The fish was moist and flavorful, the mashed potatoes were creamy and well-seasoned, and the vegetables were cooked perfectly to my liking. My partner chose the wood-fired chicken quesadilla, which he enjoyed. The tortilla was nicely crisped, and the chicken was tender and not dry. While it came with guacamole and pico de gallo, we both felt an additional sauce, perhaps a chipotle crema or another salsa could elevate the dish and add a bit more depth of flavor.
Our cocktails were equally enjoyable. The passionfruit margarita and the berry smash (if I recall correctly) were refreshing, and well-balanced. To finish the meal, we shared the decadent chocolate torte. As advertised, it was rich and indulgent, with the accompanying berries providing a welcome contrast that balanced the intensity of the chocolate.
Overall, the experience was cozy, quiet, and exactly what we were hoping for on New Year’s Eve. Parkside Grille delivered warm hospitality, solid execution, and a relaxed atmosphere that made for a memorable evening—even in less-than-ideal weather.
Tee Ponsukcharoen
A wonderful restaurant embraced by nature! We went there at night so the weather is nice and crisp. The restaurant inside is warm and festive. We enjoyed the service and the quality of the food. Of course the price tag is relatively high but it is expected. What we didn’t expect is how big the food is! We particularly impressed the lamb chop cooked to perfection. The chocolate lava cake is a bit overcooked but the flavor is top notched. Usually in my family people just tried to be courteous and mindful of the sugar intake. However, we can just kept digging in until the cake disappeared lol. Highly recommended for a date night or a special event. Come hungry!
… moreWei-Ai Tai
Nestled in the Redwood trees of Woodside, this charming restaurant is a relaxing venue for elevated Californian cuisine. The baked goat cheese was delicious, as was the seared ahi tuna. The staff is efficient and friendly, and there’s a decent sized free parking lot.
… moreAnne H
A great restaurant in a serene setting. If you can get a table amongst the redwoods it’s worth it. We’ve been here to celebrate birthdays or just go out with friends and family. We’ve liked just about everything we’ve tried. Only once was the service slow, but they were super slammed that night. The wait staff has always been cheerful and helpful.
… moreSankha Hota
An excellent restaurant near the Woodside area with some outdoor seating arrangements under the redwoods. It is better to make a reservation as I did not see an empty table until about 8:15 pm. The food was delicious and sufficient, but the service was a little bit slow. But we thoroughly enjoyed the evening under the tall trees.
… moreJ J
My go to spot whenever I am in town. The BEST restaurant in the area! Excellent service and food. Try the asparagus appetizer, pasta dishes, and arugula beet salad with pears!! The staff and hostess are top notch following COVID 19 protocols making me feel safe and comfortable. Can’t wait to go back.
… moreSteve Jones
This is my kind of place. Set under enormous redwood trees in a nondescript plaza. Outdoor seating was cool, indoor seating was equally impressive. The building they are in is quite old but they have done a great job combining it with a superb restaurant. Decent cocktails and a well-developed wine list. Not a place to go for an inexpensive dinner put the prices aren’t going to make you feel like you’re in San Francisco either. Give it a try, I think you will like it
… moreWook Chung
This place is a true gem. It’s hidden within the windy roads of Portola Valley so only those who “know” and “care” would ever find this place. The restaurant is in a corner, sort of a steakhouse feel, but then with rustic yet somewhat modern finish. Fits the redwoods surrounding the village.
Let’s start with the fresh baked bread that comes out. Oh my god, this is so good. No garnish needed. Just bread and butter. It already puts you in a fantastic mood and we had a tough time resisting to dig for more lest we fill our stomachs.
We tried the margherita pizza, linguine vongole, ceasar salad with anchovies, chicken tenders and spaghetti with fries. All the food is prepared “home-style”. It definitely is not garnished and visually overdone. It stays truthful to the dish and you can definitely feel the chef’s love. The chick tenders are freshly hand-made as one can tell by the irregular yet non congealed texture. The linguine was made with fresh clams, but again, staying truthful to the ingredients and bringing out its flavor. The pizza was simple, yet effective.
This is Californian / American high-end comfort food at its best. It does not get better than this – starting from the atmosphere all the way to desert. The staff is friendly and professional and the food is cooked with a degree of professional homeliness. Top all of this with not-too-bad prices. Again, not cheap. But very reasonable.
We’ll definitely return!
… moreLet’s start with the fresh baked bread that comes out. Oh my god, this is so good. No garnish needed. Just bread and butter. It already puts you in a fantastic mood and we had a tough time resisting to dig for more lest we fill our stomachs.
We tried the margherita pizza, linguine vongole, ceasar salad with anchovies, chicken tenders and spaghetti with fries. All the food is prepared “home-style”. It definitely is not garnished and visually overdone. It stays truthful to the dish and you can definitely feel the chef’s love. The chick tenders are freshly hand-made as one can tell by the irregular yet non congealed texture. The linguine was made with fresh clams, but again, staying truthful to the ingredients and bringing out its flavor. The pizza was simple, yet effective.
This is Californian / American high-end comfort food at its best. It does not get better than this – starting from the atmosphere all the way to desert. The staff is friendly and professional and the food is cooked with a degree of professional homeliness. Top all of this with not-too-bad prices. Again, not cheap. But very reasonable.
We’ll definitely return!
Greg Cron
My wife and I visited the Parkside Grille on a Saturday evening. We came by bicycle. The restaurant has a small, old bike rack near the road which was difficult to lock our bikes to, but we managed. We had the goat cheese appetizer (amazing), bacon mac & cheese (amazing), roasted chicken and Ahi tuna entrees (meh), crème brûlée (meh) and lava cake (amazing). We sat outside underneath a propane heater which kept going out, so it got a bit cold. Overall we were glad we made the trip and had this new experience.
… more