Saratoga is a small town wedged between the Silicon Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The quiet little downtown area has a pleasant, village feel to it. And a number of very good places to eat.

Best place for a date:
La Fondue at Big Basin Way and 4th Street has wonderful four course dinners, with salad, cheese fondue, meat course and chocolate fondue. The meat course have some pretty exotic offerings, including crocodile, ostrich, savage duck, venison, buffalo, wild boar and lobster tail. the ambience is boisterous and eclectic. Loads of fun, but a bit pricey.

Best place for a business dinner:
A little further up Big Basin Way is Gervais. The proprietor is French / Vietnamese and is a stickler for details in his preparations. He is particularly good at soups and souffles. the ambience is quiet and reserved, often with a jazz pianist in the bar / lobby. 14560 Big Basin Way.

Best place for a family dinner:
Bai Tong Thai restaurant has out-of-this world curries, one of the few restaurants to serve brown rice, and the only restaurant I know that serves Duvel beer. My kids love it here, but they are almost done with teenagerhood. 14515 Big Basin Way in Saratoga.

Best place for a younger family
Florentines is a casual Italian restaurant, where everyone seems to know someone there. Great socializing and wonderful cioppino. Kids can get messy and a little rowdy here. Outside dining, always pleasant.

Also, try the Blue Rock Shoot for AM coffee or PM beers, especially go for the balcony.