Menlo Park has an interesting set up of French (bistro style) restaurants sitting directly next to each other with quite related menus - Left Bank and Bistro Vida https://www.bistrovida.com/ .We tried Left Bank before but now it was time to also see how Bistro Vida compares to it. Overall quality of cooking is quite similar (as are the prices), same with service. It’s nice to have these two options in the (extended) neighborhood (but it was also apparent how “sleepy” Menlo Park tends to be as both restaurants (as most others nearby) tend to close around 9:30pm on a weekend)
Assiette de Charcuteries - prosciutto, saucisson sec, pate, olives, cornichons
Coquilles - sauteed sea scallops, garlic, white wine, herb de provence
Tartare de Thon - ahi tuna, ginger, chives, yuzu
Olives Marinees - warm marinated olives
Cassoulet de Toulouse - duck confit, toulouse sausage, white beans
Vida Burger - roasted red bell pepper, gorgonzola, fries
Coq au Vine - red burgundy braised chicken, lardons, mushrooms, pearl onions, egg noodles
Bread Pudding - apples, raisins, and coconut, creme anglaise
Profiteroles - vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce