Dining at its very best -- in every respect
There's no shortage of good Mexican food in the Bay Area, but Estrellita in Los Altos provides more than simply "good Mexican food." Estrellita offers the best. The menu features outstanding versions of traditional dishes that will be comfortable for people who prefer the familiar, but Estrellita also provides bold and exciting monthly specials that will delight the tastebuds of even the most seasoned and savvy of diners. I've eaten there with a variety of friends with different diets and preferences, and everyone has fallen in love with the food, the staff, and the atmosphere. It's a very easy restaurant to love.

The family that owns and operates Estrellita is from the state of Chiapas, and they have integrated a variety of dishes and flavors from that region into their ever-developing menu. They even take culinary inspiration from literature. A recent Valentine's Day menu was inspired by the book _Like Water for Chocolate_.

Rose-petal sauce, barbacoa, Apricot-Chipotle sauce, a thrillingly spicy Shrimp Diablo, and Mole are just a few of the featured ingredients and dishes you might encounter. The meats are always tender and flavorful, the beans are always perfect (the true test!), and the homemade horchata, when available, tastes like heaven. And if you are a vegetarian, Estrellita offers choices and thrills for you too. The vegetarian platter is one of several meatless dishes that will provide you with a delightful range of subtle and complex flavors. And dessert (maybe creamy flan or thin and surprisingly crispy sopapillas) is always a treat there.

The setting is every bit as wonderful as the menu. Manager Russell Clark goes to great lengths to ensure that the bright and festive atmosphere looks fresh and inviting every day. He takes as much care with the decor as with the amazing menu. He is clearly attentive to details, as will be evident when you enter the restaurant and see the mouth-watering and artistic display of the current specials. Colorful furniture, cozy lighting, plants, great music, and art from Chiapas contribute to what is always a wonderful dining experience.

In addition to Russell, an incredibly affable person who embodies excellence in hosting and whose warm smile will always make you glad you came, the entire staff at Estrellita will make you feel welcome. Whether you meet Patricia, Adriana, Florencia, or one of the other people who make Estrellita so special, you'll be awfully glad you made it to the corner of San Antonio and El Camino Real in Los Altos.

And if you like your dollar to mean something, Estrellita offers special attractions for the socially conscious diner. Russell's cousin runs a Fair Trade store in San Francisco, Casa Bonampak, and the crafts, art, books, cards, coffee, and other goodies for sale at the restaurant are all produced and sold under ethical and fair conditions. Estrellita even recently hosted a benefit dinner to raise money to send local high school students on an educational trip ('reality tour') to Chiapas.

I should add that Estrellita is a very family-friendly restaurant. I'm always impressed by restaurants that welcome children and youth as much as adults, and Estrellita excels in this regard as well. (But if you want to knock back a few drinks and eat well without the kids, this is still the perfect place for you.) I teach at Stanford, and I once held class at Estrellita, treating my students to fine food while I asked them questions about their readings. No one batted an eye when they saw the books by our plates.

Dining really doesn't get better than this. Whether you are out with friends, on a date, dining with family, planning the revolution, celebrating a special event, or simply hungry for excellent food, Estrellita will make your meal an incredible and memorable one.    [30 Apr 2003 01:12:07]

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Recommended Dishes: the monthly specials -- May is mole!

     ­Anonymous, Stanford University