Zola + BarZola

"A Palo Alto mainstay, Zola charms its way into diners’ hearts via an upscale French bistro menu with Californian flair. Whether you’re using grilled levain to soak up the vermouth cream sauce from a bowl of PEI mussels dotted with pancetta and Fresno chili, breaking the yolk of a soft-cooked egg in a plate of pillowy Parisian gnocchi with wild mushrooms and Brussels sprouts, or indulging in filet mignon with luscious pommes purées and sauce Périgueux, the cuisine offers no shortage of pleasure. Whether seated in the more relaxed, intimate restaurant space, or the bustling adjacent bar, the cocktails are top-notch, and a well-chosen wine list is equal parts Gallic and Golden State. Crème caramel for dessert may be traditional, but it’s also perfectly executed and decadently rich." - Michelin Inspector

25 Best Restaurants on the San Francisco Peninsula | Eater SF

"A laid-back, classy spot for French cuisine with gems like whipped bone marrow and octopus carpaccio. The steak frites are amongst the best in the Bay, served with either chimichurri hanger, au poivre New York strip, or dry-aged ribeye in bordelaise. Pair your meal with a fun cocktail like the Cafe de Mexique, featuring elote, coffee, coconut, and mole bitters." - Octavio Peña

Six Affordable French Restaurants To Try

"A Palo Alto sparkler, Zola charms its way into diners’ hearts via a seductive French bistro menu with Californian flair. Whether you’re spreading smoky salmon rillettes on toasted artisan levain, twirling pillowy caramelized ricotta gnocchi into the yolk of a soft-cooked egg in brown butter, or tucking into tender filet de boeuf with creamy sauce béarnaise and golden-brown fingerling potatoes, you’re sure to fall hard for the food. The stylish space updates a few classics (wood tables, bistro chairs, pressed ceilings) with a dark teal color scheme and enticingly low lighting, and the well-chosen wine list is equal parts Gallic and Golden State. Crème caramel for dessert may be traditional, but it’s also perfectly executed and decadently rich." - Sophie Friedman

These Are the Food and Drink Innovations We Should Keep When the Pandemic is ‘Over’ | Eater SF

"I’m encouraged by positive cross-pollination such as Love for Butter baking out of Zola French restaurant in Palo Alto, demonstrating how sharing kitchen space can help small businesses survive." - Becky Duffett

What to Eat in San Francisco This Summer

"Chef/owner Guillaume Bienaime is known for putting a California spin on his French fare at his seductive bistro in Palo Alto." - Abbe Baker