Bistro 412
Categories: American (New), Steakhouses, Bars [Edit]
412 Emerson StPalo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 326-7183
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 5:30 p.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner
- Music: DJ
- Best Nights: Fri, Sat, Thu
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
39 reviews
Redwood City, CA
"SETTING A drab exterior conceals a contemporary and elegant interior. The atmosphere is very subdued. Diners are mostly established…" read more »
19 Reviews for Bistro 412
I made reservations based on reviews, silly me. My date and I were the only ones there for dinner. It's a large place, and the 4 or 5 people at the bar made echo-y noise which didn't add to the atmosphere. The place next door was a 1 hour wait. How embarrasing. The service was D+, the food was C-.
I organized a group of friends to have dinner at Bistro 412 this past Saturday and in short it was one of the best times.
There were about 10 of us in the group, some had dinner and others were ordering appetizers ...like me. I thought the asparagus steak wraps & the taco trio were yummy! Not sure what they do to the steak but it had flavor jumping out of your mouth. The taco trios are unlike any taco you have had before.
The place slowly turned into a lounge with cool lounge music, and then picked up in to full gear and the place turned into a dance floor with top 40 music. The back patio also had great house dance music. the back patio had a tent, which was perfect because it was a little chilly.
our party didn't see a reason to leave and closed out the night at this place. Apparently there are different events every Friday/Saturday. im coming back on March 22nd for more for my sisters birthday.
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I actually went to Bistro 412 the first night I bought alcohol legally, about a year and a half ago now. I don't really remember that night... Although, from what I remember of the beginnings of it, I think it was a good time :) There's a very pretty patio out back and either the drinks were stiff or..I'm a total light weight. (I'm Irish, that can't be it)
Anyway, my rating is actually for the lunch buffet. My friend and I were aiming to go to Sushi Tomo, but had to park a couple blocks off because of Palo Alto lunch hour traffic. I had a bad blister on my heel (didn't want to walk the extra block) and was tempted by the "$9 Buffet!" sign. I waffled for a minute. The place looked kind of suspect-- there weren't a lot of choices in the buffet and there was absolutely no one else in the place, save for the host and a busboy. But the interior was ritzy, with large plush couches to sit on and dimmed lighting, and the food smelled delicious. Plus, I'm a tennis player and my friend's a basketball player, so "all-you-can-eat" is a generally enticing option.
Definitely a good choice! The food was yummmm. It's standard hearty American fair-- they had tri-tip and grilled chicken, a pasta-chicken dish with a rich creamy sauce, potatoes with bacon and vegetables, and a spaghetti dish. Then there were elaborate fixings for a fruit bowl (every sort of berry, melon and pineapple) and salad, and loaves of bread to go along with it. While there were only four main dishes to choose from, every dish tasted gourmet. After getting full after two re-fills, I wanted to keep eating since it was so delicious. My friend waded his way through three plates before calling it a day. After tax and tip, we paid a grand total of $22 for all our feasting.
The completely bizarre thing was that we were the only people there the entire time! Maybe people have yet to discover how delicious the food is here? I guess it's all the more attentive service for me then.. I'm definitely going back.
Came here on a random spontaneous Friday night around midnight with a group of friends. Cover was $10 per person but free before 10pm. On Saturday after 10pm , it's $20 for guys and $10 for the ladies. Little surprised at the door price since this is PA, and not even SJ or SF. Oh well, owners have to make their money somehow. Also, my review is for the club and not for the restaurant just to make it clear.
Anyway, music was Top 40s and hip hop but the DJ kept interrupting the song with another song in the middle of it so that kinda of killed my buzz a little bit. Decent size dance floor with a mixed crowd. One thing is they have a VERY strict dress code. My hubby was not too pleased when they asked him to take off his hat. One plus is there's an ATM machine located outside next door to the club.
I don't know how strong the drinks were since I didn't feel like drinking anything too hard that night so I ended up ordering only a glass of chardonnay for $6. Not bad. They have only one decent size bar with two bartenders who were pretty attentive despite the large crowd hovering everywhere.
Their VIP areas were pretty nice and you can watch everyone that's on the dance floor since it's right next to it. The interior of the club is trendy and chic, or trying to be anyway. I also like the fact that they have a large patio outside with tables, umbrellas and chairs. There's a bar and a dance area out in the open, playing techno music. The bathrooms are located near the patio. One con is the cobblestone ground. It's kind of hard to walk around if you're wearing heels. Also, it's gets easily packed so enjoy.....
Pretty much a decent spot to hang out at in good ol' Shalo Alto if you wanna dance and you're not feeling the vibe of Blue Chalk or Rudy's Pub.
Been here a couple times for happy hour. Can't say much about the late night activities but it does a pretty bang up job for a work happy hour destination. Tries to be swanky with microfabric upholstery in muted lounge colors, lit candles and faux animal print pillows (yep...animal print).
The back patio area is great for gatherings if the heat lamps are on, and the inside area is good for small groups as the couch arrangement doesn't quite allow more than 10 bodies per U-shaped couch.
Food - finger foods that are on the pricey side, small portions, but decent for what they are...though one of my coworkers who got a peek of the kitchen was a little wary of eating the food afterwards, pretty decent fare overall.
Decent selection of beer in the available colors.
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This review is based on a networking event that I recently attended at this venue, so I can comment mainly on the space and set up of the venue. It was open bar for the first hour of the event, and the bartender was really friendly and helpful.
The appetizers ran out pretty quickly for an event for approximately 50 people. The leftovers were bread chips and this mushroom mix, which was just OK. I was pretty disappointed.
The space itself is pretty nice. Ideal for small groups to have events. I realized this was the old F&A's, and it had turned into a nightclub in the evenings. Not sure if this new place does the same thing. It's not the biggest venue, so it can get pretty crowded and tight if there's a lot of people. Location-wise, it's ideal in Palo Alto, close to parking lots and parking in residential neighborhoods, and located a bit off of University Ave., so you're not thrown into all the craziness of University Ave.
My initial reaction was, "I'd like to see this place made over by Chef Gordon Ramsey." I don't mean that the current state is a mess, but there seems to be so much potential and room for improvement. There is a lot of space that doesn't seem to be fully utilized and the furnishings indoors try too hard for a modern and chic vibe. The bar is nice and there is a lot of standing room along it.
The menu is very limited, even moreso for vegetarians-- I think I saw one eggplant-based entree and two salads. The sliced baguette was pretty dry and almost stale-- I'm guessing it was bought elsewhere.
However dim the atmosphere and slim the menu, the service was great and the waiter was extremely courteous. Very impressed.
Destined to fail in Palo Alto.....Palo Alto is not Las Vegas, Paris, or South Beach. It isn't even San Francisco. It is Palo Alto.
My friend had her birthday here on Saturday. She rented the "Elite" cabana and lounge seating inside. Yes, it was lots of fun. No, it wasn't elite--not even close.
We started out the evening on the patio (read: brink laid in the 1970's where my spike heels kept jamming in between). We rented out the cabana (read: ace hardware tent/patio furniture) for the beginning part of the evening....it wasn't available in the night. So exclusive that they only gave it out for shifts during the evening. Tacky
We had a limit that we needed to spend in order to get this "prime" seating.....only any drinks we consumed before we moved didn't count. Who treats good customers (30) who are going to spend a lot of money like this?
We were supposed to have a waitress dedicated to us and she was BEYOND horrible. She took forever to deliver drinks.....and when she did she just set them down in the VIP section and walked away. Why don't they have bottle service and make it a real VIP?
Basically, this place is fun to go to, but it is disorganized and poorly managed. There needs to be an emphasis on service which isn't there. That service is the only way a place like this is going to survive in Palo Alto. $500-$750 in Palo Alto to sit down is a bit much without it.
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Came here for the 3rd time yesterday night (Saturday) for the late night bar/lounge. Basically turns from restaurant to bar/lounge after 10pm, they also charge cover Saturday after 11pm($5 girls, $10guys). Nice environment, had two djs playing music one in the restaurant part and one in the back patio area. Music was alright it went from the usual club hiphop mix to techno randomly during the night, you have to switch in between the rooms.
Upscale decor does not always mean for a packed venue, sometimes it's real busy sometimes the place can be quite empty. If you want to be on the safe side for guys on dress code, wear a collared shirt. Drinks are $10 so it's safe to say go elsewhere in PA for drinks before coming here. There's two medium sized stocked bars by the way.
Besides the nice environment, nothing special about this place.
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I organized a dinner for about 20 people here and thought it was great. The service was terrific - both the waitstaff and the person who helped me organize the event. They were very accommodating. I thought the food was very good as well. We sat on the patio which had great atmosphere, although it was a little chilly.
The only thing that was a little strange is that the restaurant becomes a dance club. So if you leave after about 10pm or so you go from the nice patio area to a dance club... a bit surprising (I'm probably just getting old).
I would definitely recommend Bistro 412 for small dinners as well as group events.
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After enjoying Friday afternoon happy hour twice at this establishment, I think that I can give it a fair review. For my needs, Bistro 412 (aka B412) is a great place to enjoy drinks. I appreciate the outdoor patio because it seems that beer gardens are a rarity in this city. Also, the fairly low noise level makes this an ideal spot for my brothers and I to bring our aging father. I would also like to note that there are two conveniently placed bars, one in the restaurant and one on the patio.
I would come to this bistro again and again. The atmosphere in the main restaurant is similar to a lounge. It has a classy atmosphere. I would not hesitate to bring my girl here on a Saturday night.
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Our department has traditionally held our post-in-training exam party here, back when it used to be F&A. The patio is still the same and the real appeal to the place - a nice place to chill with friends and coworkers after a grueling all-day test.
Can't say much about the drinks, since I'm not into alcohol, but the food has definitely improved since they changed to Bistro 412, and we actually had a decent amount this year.
Unlikely to come here on my own, but for a post-exam party, it's not a bad place.
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Used to be F&A's.... an improvement for certain! Now the outside is a restaurant, but they will serve you inside (even in the lounge areas). The wait staff is *amazing* and friendly, makes good recommendations for drinks and food. The quasi-classic American menu of food is perfectly portioned and simply sensational. The music, lighting, and everything else background-related is very ambient and leads nicely into the nighttime drinking and dancing. You see, after about 10pm, the DJ comes in and plays very new very fresh music. At least this happened on the Friday night I was there with a group of girlfriends. Definitely recommended for both dinner and dancing. Unsure if parking is validated, but there was plenty to go around.
Enjoy you some Bistro 412!
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Went to a happy hour today after work, had some drinks in its outside patio. The outdoor bartender was very attentive and pushed his pomengranate mojitos well.
The patio is my favorite part with a nice setting, a redo with furniture and decor... but I miss it when this place was Fanny and Alexander's. Instead of grungy teenagers or students, you have well keeled lawyers and ivy league happy hours.
Was called F&A's
I'll check out the opening and yelp a review.
** If you want to go to the grand opening message me and I'll add you **
Awesome!!
Great dining experience out on their patio. Excellent service, cool tunes, nice garden setting.
Best Dishes are: Lamb Shank, Short Ribs, Dry Aged NY Steak, Halibut
Killer cocktails and a mean Martini!! (Finally!) Good wines now too!
Haven't gone for lunch yet but hear good things.
Definitely the best place to go in the south bay - good music, cool people. They are so accomodating if you want to plan a group event there - you get VIP treatment in a great atmosphere.
nice spot. it's the old F&A's in Palo Alto.
has an indoor room with a bar and deejay spinnin' hip-hop. spacious outdoor patio with a bar & tables and another deejay spinnin' weird $hit like house or trance.
was there Sunday Labor Day weekend. a day party. started at 4pm...'til...not sure. got wasted and bounced at 10pm! ha!
drinks are plenty strong & good. can't ask for much more. was no dress code so i came in shorts and flip flops. was hella fun too. coo place to chill with friends out on the patio and people watch and laugh at eachother while talkin' $hit to eachother.
helluva different crowd if you're used to the city/hip-hop crowd.
partying in palo alto is a refreshing break from the city. plus it's much closer to drive there from fremont than driving to the city.
another day party comin' in Oct i believe. i'll most likely be there again.
one love
--d
More 4.5 stars than 5 stars.
We were there for lunch.
5+ stars for the service!! From the lady I made phone reservations with to the waiter to the manager to the chef! They are VERY accommodating within reason. Many places can stick to the norm, but they will make something special happen if they can handle it. Our b-day coworker had a b-day to remember there. They were a bit slow to get the check and fill water, but I'm sure they would have been on top of it if it was mentioned. Great service.
I'd give it 4.5 stars for the food. It's better than good, but not something to savor over every bite. The prices are reasonable ($20's for nice entrees like tender halibut and a huge tender lamb shank) and the chef adds a special flavor to the dishes to add the extra to ordinary. On the down side, there were a couple flies that wanted to share our savory food..
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