Palo Alto has a new Rendezvous spot on Page Mill Road

When I read that the owner of Caffe Riace, one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Palo Alto, had teamed up with a chef from my French fave, La Boheme, to open a new spot, I immediately pinged my intrepid dining companion Ann to check it out with me. The Rendezvous is at the very (dead) end of Page Mill Road, on the ground floor of an apartment building. Not exactly a bustling neighborhood, but it has the relaxed feel and casual friendliness that owners Giuseppe Carubba and Maxime Roucule, friends for over 30 years, had in mind. Roucule also owned the now-shuttered Pastis.

The Rendezvous is part wine bar, part sports bar, part coffee shop and part gourmet food market, with all-day table service. The menu is delightfully broad. Here you can enjoy a taste of Paris with a café au lait and a freshly made pastry—perhaps a raisin roll, apple turnover or pistachio croissant—or hit the heavyweight sandwiches like Croque Provencal or Croque Monsieur.

The authentically French food is well-priced, and the wine list boasts over 300 bottles, with eight wine flights available, including bubbles, whites, Bordeaux and dessert wine flights, priced from $23-$35. Inside is replete with comfy couches, and there are two covered patios to enjoy the outdoors. The Rendezvous, 195 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Gott’s Roadside in Palo Alto at Town & Country Village just launched their Peak Summer Specials, available until Sept. 9. Among them are the Maine lobster BLT with capers, green onions, dill and house-made lemon mayo on a butter-toasted sesame brioche bun, and the Fried Green Tomatoes breaded in a traditional seasoned coating and fried to crispy golden perfection. Love peaches? Eat dessert first. The Peach Cobbler Parfait tops Straus vanilla soft serve with house-made peach compote and pecan crunch.

Dos Burros in Saratoga is now open for brunch on the weekends, from 11 a.m. until 2p.m., with carnitas Benedict, breakfast burritos, chilaquiles and berry French toast.

Speaking of Saratoga, La Mere Michelle is being transformed into Negeen, a Persian restaurant serving dishes like charbroiled kabobs, stews served with saffron basmati rice and vegetarian dishes.

Che Fico Menlo just launched a happy hour, Monday-Friday, 5-6 p.m. with $10 and $12 drinks and $7 snacks, including their signature Suppli.

Appellation Lodi

Julie Scopazzi, former marketing manager at Testarossa in Los Gatos, had been telling me about the beautiful transformation of Appellation Lodi, with its gorgeous territorial architecture and colorful gardens. There’s a terrific selection of wines at the visitor center onsite, and Maison Lodi serves breakfast and lunch at the resort and spa. Fine dining can be enjoyed onsite at Americana House.

Lodi is also home to Ruby’s Bakery and Cafe by former Tartine Bakery pastry chefs Fausto and Lynn Echeverria, as well as Oxford Lodi by Srijith Gopinathan, who previously opened Taj Campton Place in San Francisco and Michelin star Ettan in Palo Alto.

Believe me, you could do far worse than be stuck in Lodi.