A relative newcomer to the University Ave scene, Oren’s Hummus Shop opened its doors to hungry Palo Altans in June of 2011. It serves authentic Israeli cuisine in a casual yet elegant ambiance and at a competitive price point.
Silicon Valley VIP can’t seem to get enough of it. Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page are reported regulars and Paul Graham can’t stop tweeting about it to his 67,000+ followers:
Breakfast at Buck's: Tales from the Pancake Guy
The restaurant, a now-renowned VC hotspot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, opened in 1991, and the attention started not long afterwards. In 1992, Bob Metcalfe (who was the CEO of and a columnist for InfoWorld Magazine) mentioned Buck’s in his popular tech column. In 1994, Jamis says, one TV crew showed up to interview him. By 1995, he estimates that 100 TV crews came to visit.
On stupid pitches and ideas
Some of the many entrepreneurs that filter through Jamis’ restaurant even try to pitch him, the self-proclaimed “pancake guy,” which he discourages. “You’re probably pitching the wrong person. But I listen to a lot of restaurant pitches.” (more…)
Go to Buck’s of Woodside at dinnertime and you’ll find a quirkily decorated family restaurant. But go there for breakfast or lunch and you’ll find something completely different: a VC meeting spot, “where the money meets the entrepreneur.”
That description comes by way of Jamis MacNiven, the owner of Buck’s. He opened the place in 1991, and by ’92 it had already become the go-to place for deals between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. It’s certainly convenient for the latter group, located one exit on I-280 away from Sand Hill Road, at 3062 Woodside Road. (more…)
Only in Silicon Valley can you charge $3.75 – $10 for a cup of drip coffee. And still have a line out the door.
Clusters of people huddle over laptops, colonizing tables for the day. (Local startups work here when they don’t have co-working space.)
The eclectic barista staff were mum about who their clients are but you can find out yourself. Enjoy the free WiFi and spend the day on the couches. Bring some work and find out the favorite drink of your favorite tech idols.
Thursday Night is Trivia Night — come prepared to meet some interesting folks. If the trivia crowd is anything like the regulars, expect to compete against hard working students, savvy entrepreneurs, and maybe even a VC or two 
Protip: if you are looking for something sweet on a balmy day, get the iced mocha Tesora. It won’t disappoint.
Some of our best overheards have come from Philz customers:
- “I should never meet with start-ups at
@Philz_Coffee before work. I get too fired up. It makes me want to throw my legal work at my secretary.”
- “Our relationship is significantly improved by the existence of FaceTime”
#overheard at@Philz_Coffee
Photo: Gawker
The overwhelming odor of peanuts infused with Mexican food, the clatter of billiard balls and the chatter of Silicon Valley elite; welcome to Antonio’s Nut House. One of the most famous bars in Palo Alto, Antonio’s Nut House is known for its unique atmosphere and the colorful personalities of the bar regulars.
The bar became known as the Facebook watering hole when Facebook’s office was located blocks away at the corner of Amherst Street and California Avenue. Zuckerberg also lived in College Terrace, the adjoining neighborhood. After a long day of work running the world’s ubiquitous social network, Zuckerberg can still be found grabbing a beer and playing pool down the street.
Photo: San Francisco Sentinel
While the Peninsula is still the heart of Silicon Valley, tech youngsters have begun migrating to San Francisco’s SoMa and Mission neighborhoods, in search of cafes open past midnight, dive bars and a hipper vibes.
One place to see these city-dwelling technorati is the Universal Cafe in the Mission. It’s ranked as one of the SF brunches in Gayot.com, probably because it’s hip and healthy. (more…)
Sand Hill Road is best known for its many venture capital offices. But the road is also home to a luxury resort—The Rosewood. VCs and entrepreneurs are often seen meeting at the resort’s bar and restaurant, the Madera.
Usually Madera’s atmosphere is relaxed and professional. But not Thursday evenings. That’s when the bar’s legendary happy-hour scene attracts a large crowd, infamous for the abundance of “cougars.” A high-end escort service is rumored to operate out of the bar. (more…)
