Restoration Hardware, a chain of upscale furnishing stores, announced the opening of its rooftop restaurant location in Palo Alto’s Stanford Shopping Center in May.
The restaurant sits on the third floor of the building, above two levels of modern furniture and artistic decor. It features an elegant interior with high glass ceilings and a fountain surrounded by olive trees. For those who prefer to dine outside, the outdoor patio offers a serene escape with stunning views of the surrounding skyline.
The lunch and dinner menus are composed of thoughtfully crafted dishes and exciting flavors. Though lacking in options for vegetarians like me, the servers were generous when it came to providing suggestions for ways to alter dishes to fit my diet.
Di Stefano Burrata ($24): 8/10
The Di Stefano Burrata, a well-rounded mix of textures and flavors, was a wonderful appetizer. The bread was served cold and had a rustic, charred flavor. That smoky flavor was at times overpowering, but the bread’s soft center made up for it. The burrata itself was well-seasoned and predictably creamy. It was the blackened peppers, though, that stole the show. They were sweet and bursted with flavor and color.
Crispy Artichokes ($18): 10/10
The first part of this dish I reached for was the fried potato slices mixed in with artichokes. Though there were only a few of them in the dish, I picked through and enjoyed every one. The potatoes were lightly crispy and thinly sliced, with not a single dry bite. The artichoke leaves themselves were thin and crunchy, and the heart was soft and chewy. The lemon aioli dipping sauce added a lively layer of flavor, making for a decadent combination.
French Fries ($10): 9/10
These fries were served in a funnel, piping hot, thin, and perfectly salted. Paired with ketchup and mayo, they were an absolute winner. I have nothing negative to say about this dish—it was simple but executed to perfection. Next time, I look forward to trying their truffle fries for an exciting new flavor.
BLT With No Bacon, Add Avocado ($20): 9/10
When asking the waitress for a vegetarian main dish, her suggestion was the BLT, add avocado and remove bacon. I’ll admit I’ve previously been suggested this exact sandwich, and ordered it without the mayo, but I am glad I decided to go with the spread this time. I was ready for just another mediocre sandwich that I wouldn’t finish, but the mayo, which I am not typically a huge fan of, turned out to make or break this sandwich. It made for a perfectly balanced flavor, specifically with the addition of avocado, though an extra four dollars, which added the perfect creaminess to the crunch of the sourdough. For what it is, I can not see this sandwich being done any better.
Gem Salad ($18): 7/10
The gem salad was solid, with a generous helping of avocado. The only downside was that it lacked a substantial quantity of feta. The dressing—a buttermilk herb with a hint of fennel—was fantastic, adding fresh flavor to an otherwise average salad.
This sophisticated and enjoyable dining experience—with a beautiful setting, attentive service, and well-prepared dishes—proved Restoration Hardware is well worth even these pricey costs. Who would have thought a hardware store could have such elegant food?
