Yesterday was beautiful, so we drove down the coast to Santa Cruz and
then went to Los Gatos with the intention of having an early dinner at
Aldo's Ristorante & Bar. They aren't on Open Table and their voice
mailbox was full, so we couldn't make a reservation. We decided to
walk around the shopping district and hope for the best when we got
there. It was a bad move on their part because they lost our
business. While window shopping, we discovered Andalé and decided to
have dinner there instead.
They keep their prices down because customers ordering at the counter,
you are given a number and someone brings the order to you. So, there
is no wait staff - just food runners and table clearers. To their
credit, Andalé is very nicely decorated inside and has a covered patio
that is worthy of any full service restaurant with a water feature,
greenery and high quality (wood) tables and chairs you'd be proud to
have on your own patio. They have a bar too, so they sell more than
just wine and beer. I would definitely go back. I see they have a
branch in Macy's basement here in SF - but I can only imagine it's a
mere shadow of the one in Los Gatos.
Our food was terrific. Everything tasted like it was made on the
spot, so it's hard to believe it's a chain (however small). Best of
all, prices are reasonable and their portions are generous. My meal
was one of the specials: beef Birria Jalisco (with a flavor profile
that is not for the faint of heart), Mexican rice and the best refried
beans I've ever had. I think they were mashed mayocoba beans. I only
say it because the whole beans that came with my husband's chili verde
were listed as mayocoba on the menu. We shared a very nice flan for
dessert and that (as my grandfather use to say) filled the cracks.
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sf