Bistro Elan

Intimate French bistro sourcing local farm ingredients with a seasonal menu and rotating desserts.

Bistro Elan has cooked California-French food in Palo Alto for close to 30 years. The menu sets lighter takes on French classics next to seasonal California dishes, among them pan-seared scallops with celery root puree, gremolata-crusted lingcod, crispy duck leg confit, and a cast-iron seared steak. Warm-weather plates include chilled cucumber soup and a salad of organic peaches with prosciutto. An open kitchen faces the dining room, and patio seats look out on California Avenue.