I live in Palo Alto, and my office is on California Avenue. I get to eat in the neighborhood all the time for both lunch and dinner, and Bistro Elan is consistently one of the best places in town. The menu is short, and the ingredients are fresh. At lunch, you can go from a soup and half sandwich up... more

Lunch outside in the back is a treat in the summer. Dinner inside can't be beat. It's a trip back to a french bistro. more

You are sure not to find such atttude even in France! Good food does not allow for such nastiness! We were there with a large party for a very important Birthday and, A. They wouldn't let us bring in a Birthday Cake (even for a corkage-like fee) B. They wouldn't allow us as a party of six to sit in... more

Bistro Elan is consistently the best restaurant in Palo Alto! Great food and great service. Sit at the counter if possible. more

Go for lunch, and sit on the garden patio in nice weather. They don't take reservations, so you just have to arrive early. Order the warm chicken salad with Napa cabbage. That was my favorite, but now I'm a vegetarian. That's one of the things I REALLY miss. more

Yummiest desserts. more

They were very snooty to us. more

good not great french food, noisy, slightly pretentious crowd more

Bistro Elan has everything you could want...beautiful atmosphere, fabulous wine, a perfect souffle... 5 stars across the board right down to the succulent olives. Yum! more