As you sit down to your table, you immediately take in the continental décor, the large cream columns and the cherry-stained wood grain and you are instantly happy. It feels good. The restaurant website boasts “understated elegance and casual sophistication.” I agree. Situated in the heart and soul of the Silicon Valley, Birk’s will leave you feeling satisfied and content.
The steaks are hardwood grilled and they taste heavenly. Filet and Prawns is served European style with the prawns stacked on the steak in a structured tower. The filet is cooked in wine and is fall-apart tender. The prawns have an exciting salt and fresh black pepper flavor. The accompanying yogurt/cucumber mashed potatoes and heirloom beans with braised kale and salt pork are a lovely addition to the main event.
Also not to be missed: the large Grilled Skirt Steak, tender on the inside and blackened on the outside. Pan-roasted root vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes complement the meat nicely, but the crowning glory is the dense and chunky red chimichurri sauce. It’s temperately spiced and carries its own weigh – taking skirt steak to a new level. Compliments to executive chef, Maurice Dissels, for such a unique and tasty dish. Next time, I think I’ll ask for an entire bowl of the sauce.
Before dinner we enjoyed the fried calamari. I’ve had a lot of calamari and Birk’s is noteworthy. Large pieces of tender meat, breaded to perfection, are topped with generous portions of Romano and Parmesan cheeses, garlic and herbs. It’s served with red and white sauces. Be warned, however: the white sauce is addicting. No appetizer plates needed. Your calamari will likely be gone before you realize your plate is still sparkling clean.
Kudos to the pastry chef Gerardo Rodriguez are also in order. The Triple Chocolate Decadence is a flourless chocolate torte on the bottom, layered with chocolate mousse middle, topped with chocolate ganache, and finished with blackberry caulis, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. It was my first time to try a blackberry sorbet and I wasn’t disappointed. The blackberry flavor is unquestionable and delightfully unique.
Birk’s is in a great location with plenty of parking. The atmosphere is pleasant and the staff is helpful and friendly. Light jazz background music, coupled with a lovely presentation, provides an excellent place for business meetings or catching up with old friends.
Birk’s Restaurant
(408) 980-6400
3955 Freedom Circle
Santa Clara, CA 95054
www.birksrestaurant.com
Lunch entrées range from $12.00 – $38.00
Note: All reviews are conducted anonymously and are typically based on one visit. The Santa Clara Weekly pays for all meals. For comments, questions or suggestions, email April Jones at AprilJanetJones@yahoo.com.