Restaurants in Cupertino

“Hueco” translates roughly to “little cave,” a tribute to the Peruvian hole-in-the-wall restaurants that serve ceviche and charcoal-roasted meats at any hour of the day. El Hueco attempts to capture the feeling of a hangout in the little mountainous country with traditional dishes crafted by lauded chef Jaime Laos. “Laos,” the San Jose Mercury News noted in an article, “has come a long way since his grandmother taught him to cook in a one-faucet house they shared with eight others in Lima.” He now creates a full menu of traditional small plates and entrees, which rely heavily upon the seafood, South American chilies, and sweet potatoes that make up the bulk of Peruvian cuisine.

From the steaming vats of beef stew cooked in a corn-beer sauce to the pan-fried chicken cooked in a blend of porto butter and chocolate, Laos introduces clients to the ancient flavors of Peru. Guests experience how Peruvian chefs prepare mixed vegetables and quinoa. The soft grain was cultivated by Incans hundreds of years ago, but is now becoming popular in North American health-food stores and slapstick movies about people falling into vats of different things. After bowls of ceviche, traditional desserts at the eatery pair root vegetables with a splash of sweet molasses.

Mancora Cebicheria is the joint effort from a pair of restaurateurs eager to show to the world the colorful dishes and diverse flavors of Peruvian cuisine. Head chefs Marcelo and Michael cure morsels of seafood with a marinade called "leche de tigre"⎯a blend of pepper sauce, zesty lime juice, and sea salt along with a written warning against ever attempting to actually milk a tiger. Grilled steaks share plate space with sides of fried bananas, roasted garlic, and pasta covered in basil pesto. Along with fresh seafood, corn finds its way into dishes throughout the menu, whether garnishing ceviche plates with huge kernels of choclo or in glasses of purple corn chicha morada juice.

For more than 30 years, Quiznos has toasted its submarine sandwiches to bring out the hidden flavors found in butcher-quality meats, cheese, and artisan breads. Its classic and signature subs take on a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles ranging from the prime rib mushroom and swiss to the classic italian donning black olives, mozzarella, red-wine vinaigrette, and plentiful sliced meats. Those closely monitoring their waistlines can take unabashed bites of sandwiches that have fewer than 500 calories, such as the pork-cuban, Baja-chicken, and veggie-caprese subs. Quiznos' Sub Sliders offer slimmer versions of sub fare and flaunt supreme aerodynamics when shot out of T-shirt cannons and into mouths. A selection of Flatbreads, soups, and salads round out Quiznos' varied menu.

Taking diners on a journey through the regions of India, the artisan cuisine at The Menu runs the culinary gamut from sizzling tandoori chicken to fluffy naan, each dish composed of fresh, organic, and healthful ingredients. Puffy samosas and crispy kale pakoda are lightly fried in grape-seed oil, while curries are prepared with almonds and other nuts to create a rich, creamy consistency free from the fattiness of cream. These cooking practices are part of The Menu’s commitment to promoting organic food and healthy sustainable living as an active member of the organic movement. In addition to earth-friendly food, part of The Menu’s mission is to be a positive and hands-on member of their community and support local schools and charities through fundraising and nutritional food dives.

Spanning 10,000 square feet, The Menu's interior includes a dining room, wine bar, full stage, and private banquette hall for up to 150 people. On Thursday evenings, the sounds of live jazz fill the expansive space, delighting guests and the hot-air-balloon pilots who transported them there.

Seafood traverses the menu at DeCarlo's Place, sizzling on bread, inside tacos, or tossed on top of salads. Inside the colorful eatery, a walkup counter dispenses heaping baskets of half-pound cheeseburgers or fish 'n' chips to tables, alongside shrimp Louie salads or piping hot bowls of new england clam chowder. A selection of sodas, beer, and wine keeps mouths refreshed and less likely to hang open during rainstorms.