RESTAURANTS

Chef Ming's Chinese Food
61 Washington Street
Santa Clara, Ca. 95050
(408) 984-6688
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This has come to be one of my favorite haunts as I have lunch here often; business lunches, staff lunches, and also go here to read the New York Times and get out of the office. Great take out, too. Food is great. Price is great. Great place to be alone or bring a client or have a group meeting.

I recommend their "Sesame Trio", "Shredded Pork with Hot Garlic Sauce", and any of the items on their luncheon special. You will find couples, groups, and executives eating lunch often by themselves as I said earlier.

Chao Hsing Sung and his wife took over ownership. He is a prominent chef of Mandarin, Szechwan and vegetarian cuisine. He started his profession when he was fifteen years old, winning many prestigious awards over the last thirty years. He has prepared wedding banquet, catering, including banquet dinners for Taiwan's President Lee.

Chef Sung's unique culinary techniques include exquisite food presentations, including his famous sculptures which are carved from a variety of vegetables, which has earned features in many Chinese newspapers.

Right off Highway 880, take the Bascom Avenue turn-off. Or come up Lafayette through old downtown Santa Clara.

Monday to Friday, 11:00am to 2:30pm for lunch/ 4:30pm to 9:30pm dinner They are only open for dinner during the weekend.

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Kiraku
20 Washington Street
Santa Clara, Ca. 95050
408-984-1518
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Corner of small shopping center, a lot of parking in the back. Located at Newhall and Bascom (see map).

Kiraku may be viewed as a small "hole-in-the wall", not a fancy Japanese Restaurant, but it perhaps is my favorite local place for lunch and a quick dinner. I have taken Jon Anderson, Jerry Lohr, Rob McNabb, my key staff and visiting bank presidents and vice-presidents, plus my daughter Tascha and I eat here regularly. Not fancy, not expensive, simple menu, but they will do the dinner menu if asked, and if they have time.

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Mio Vicino
1290 Benton Street
Santa Clara, Ca.
408-241-9414
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Located on the corner of the Franklin Mall, always busy. Come early if you want a seat. Great take-out. Small, fantastic Italian food. Silicon Valley executives drive from all over to have lunch here. The locals stand in line as early as 5:30pm to get in. It’s that good!!!

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Wasabi
2288 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
(between San Tomas Expressway & Scott)
408-248-8881
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Japanese Teppan Grill
Open 7 days 10:30am – 10:00pm
Drive Thru or eat there

It was formerly known as the Chicken Bowl started in Santa Clara with a drive-in and now have three locations. Not fancy, but great, inexpensive food: teriyaki, curry, and Thai chicken rice bowl $2.99 specials have pot stickers, drinks, $3.99 to $4.49 or large bowls $3.99 or Stir-Fir Noodles $3.69 (great take-out or eat there---not fancy, but great food for the price)