Straits Restaurant

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333 Santana Row 1100
San Jose, CA 95128

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(408) 246-6320
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Straits Restaurant - San Jose, CA
Straits Restaurant - San Jose, CA
Reviews
( 6 )
( 10 )
( 8 )
( 6 )
( 8 )

Best

Yea, this place is pretty cool, great for large parties, they really do rock. Food comes out at the same time, always hot and fresh. Management does a great job with shaping the...

Worst

Bad customer service. Tasty food. Avoid the Blonde hostess at all means possible.

Nice Ambience - Good food 1/14/2006

Straits used to be one of my favorite place to dine at on a friday night after work (can't do it anymore b/c I moved). Their lychee martini, the banana blossom salad and their lamb dish are delicious. I was disappointed when they took out the foie gras appetizer a few years ago, and the service can be slow when it gets busy, but they still have enough good dishes to make me want to go back to enjoy good drinks and food. If you're looking for a more tame place, I'd recommend the palo alto branch, but for a younger crowd, santana row is the place. Pros: Ambience more
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Inconsistent 10/13/2005

The quality of food is never the same. For example: the Rendang Beef is sometimes tender and mildly spicy and other times it is dry and flavorless. That spoils the fun in ordering what you thought was one of favorites! Make a reservation a week in advance if you would like to dine here on a weekend, but that does not mean that they will seat you promptly, especially if you have a large party. Pros: Trendy Cons: Poor service more
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Worth for a try 8/4/2005

we ordered Banana Blossom Salad, Grilled Beef in Grape Leaf , Spicy Basil Chicken, and garlic noodle..they are all pretty good and reasonable priced. One problem is that the salad came last, which i thought should be come first. The waiters are attentive. Pros: Food, Crowded, Good parking Cons: Jazz not play on time, plates arrive random more
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So Over-Rated! 7/17/2005

The music is so loud in the main dining area, you can't hear your partner. The pepper lobster is divine. The rest--awful. The drinks, for $9, completely lack taste and any sense of alcohol. The service is hit or miss. I ordered Poh Pia because my daughter likes shrimp. I dismantled them tonight, and among the 4 rolls, there was 1/4 of a shrimp. This place is so over-rated it's ridiculous. Even as a singles scene...I just don't get it. Don't waste your time going here. It's expensive and so not worth it. Pros: Free parking nearby Cons: Expensive, Too noisy, Food not good more
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excellent 5/8/2005

I went for lunch and the food and service were impeccable! The banana dessert was superb! more
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User review by nigelbonacci 5/7/2005

With so many pan asian out there, it's hard to decide which I would go back to. Straights is classy, fun, and offers a dynamic menu. But I think it's becomming too corporate and therefore, the food does'nt have the personal touch of the chef as some of the noncoporate pan asian out there. I would recommend it as least once. Pros: stylish, dynamic menu, fun Cons: lacking substance, too sweet more
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The pad thai was a bit salty 4/21/2005

and the service wasn't great but the atmosphere was great for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Not my favorite place but I'd definitely go back. Pros: Outside seating, Shopping nearby, Easy to locate Cons: Not enough parking more
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User review by aha 4/8/2005

I went to find what the hype was about. Not much. The bar is great but the dining was awful. The only thing my waitor brought me quick was my bill while I was still chewing and a fork in my hand. I went for brunch, the meat came half raw and it took 30 minutes just to come out so imagine my horror of waiting for a n ew one to be cooked. Tables that came in 20 mintues after me ordered, got their food, and were eating before I got my meat. Sad. more
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Go to Straits Cafe-Santana Row 2/12/2005

We were seated promptly, but the restaurant was very busy--I think we got lucky. Everything we ordered had great flavors; Banana Flower salad--awesome, Green Curry vegatables and Sashimi were very good. The service was outstanding despite a very busy restaurant. Also, the Mangopolitan was yummy. I've been to Straits-Santana Row several times and it is consistantly excellent. Cons: parking more
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Better for Drinks and Lounging 2/3/2005

The food here is only okay- a little contrived. Ambiance is great- the place is always packed and crawling with young singles. In the evenings, there's a live DJ. My bad experience here was when I was having dinner and forgot my i.d. I ordered wine, and was halfway through with my glass when a man (I suspect either the owner or manager) comes over and cards us!!! This has never happened to me in a restaurant before. When he learned I didn't have it with me, he proceeded to take away my wine. I suggest just going to hang out at the bar. Be sure to get there early to try to grab a seat- it gets rather crowded. more
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unique spot 1/6/2005

the vegetables are great & fresh, love the sea bass packet :) and garlic noodles. the pepper crab was too salty. service was slow, we waited almost 50 mins. for a party of 6. that ambience is great, nice place to unwind or to get a drink before a night on the town Pros: decor, ambience , food Cons: , loud more
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Disappointing 7/23/2004

Really, there is zero bang for buck. There is utter confusion at the hostess desk, no one has a clue about wait time. We were told on the phone, that usually walk-ins are seated in 20 mins ...longest 20 mins of our lives ! All dishes and drinks arrive out of order, and your waiter disappears only to show up rarely. Our Pratha was half-cooked, and crab cakes were lousy (most expensive all the things we ate, but utterly disappointing). I really doubt we would subject ourselves to this place again. more
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Not Impressed 5/13/2004

I have tried this place twice. The food is really good but overpriced for the small amount you get. The service is pretty bad. Went once on my friend's bday. Drinks took a really long time and when they finally did arrive, the server spilled two whole drinks all over her lap. Second time we went, the bartender was really slow. We waited well over 5 minutes to pay in a near empty bar so we could go to our table. The server was okay, but drinks again took a long time. The busser never brought us water refills until long after dinner was over. They checked our yet unpaid bill no less than three times. It wasn't like they were waiting to use our table. Several emtpy tables were around us. Don't understand what all the hype is. Like I said, good food, but overpriced and service needs help. Pros: Food Cons: , Prices more
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The Beautiful People 9/13/2003

It seems to me that everyone who is anyone is going to Straits. Its a place that is totally unexpected of San Jose. The food is really great, there are always beautiful people everywhere, the staff is extremely friendly. Great place to meet people and have a great time. Pros: People, Service, Food Cons: none at all more
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As good as it gets 9/9/2003

I went on a Monday night with a party of 6 adults & 2 kids. We had no waiting for a convenient table outside where the antics of my little grandchildren caused no problems. We ate a variety of small and large dishes--each a winner in terms of taste, presentation and variety. All 18 dishes shared exotic blends of flavors and textures. Each was a winner by itself but fit in well with the others. Service was prompt but not over-bearing. Pros: great food, good service, nice atmosphere Cons: expensive more
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Escape From San Jose!!! 8/28/2003

Finally a unique dining experience without the drive to S.F. SEATING: Hosts were very nice. DRINKS: Shark Martini (this cool blue concoction) is my fav. FOOD: Definitely not a good steak place but if you like fresh seafood you'll be in heaven. Perhaps just one steak on the menu for the carnivores would be nice. If you go try the Roti naan bread and the cold seafood platter. SERVICE: The restaurant is always so busy but not once out of three visits has my service been anything less then great. (At times drinks take a while but it has a very busy bar.) ENVIRONMENT: Sleek and sophisticated, House DJ's supply good music that spills over the restaurant from the lounge. (For quiet sit in the back or outside.) OVERALL: An exciting place to go out and have a drink, make new friends, and enjoy unique yet tasty food. Pros: seafood/drinks, location/environment, service Cons: lack of red meat, crowded more
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Sad Straits 7/27/2003

The decor is fabulous! Attractive tableware. The food is good but nothing to flip over. The service is definelty something that needs major improvement. I received my food before my cocktail. Perhaps they should have just been a home accessoires store than a restaurant? Pros: Decor Cons: Service more
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Nice & Yummy 5/13/2003

The food was pretty tasty and delicious. I definitely would suggest the black pepper crab ($28); it was worth every penny. The oysters were a bit small, but the dipping sauces were good. Our waiter was attentive and helpful. The place has a pleasant & romantic atmosphere. Recommend making reservations first especially on weekends. Pros: Food, Good Parking, Atmosphere Cons: A Bit Pricey more
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Still trying...Need improvements 2/9/2003

Well, the place looks pretty nice, and thats about it. We sat down, and it took about 15 minutes before anyone came to talk to us. Then we ordered, and I got the chicken wings that are un-cooked in the middle... Then when we got the wings back the 2nd time, they weren't hot (they were kinda cold - it feels like they just left it there for a while and brought it back to us.... :-( They also didn't replace our plates when they brought back the chicken. And they forgot to give us rice. I think anything that could go wrong went wrong for our dinner there.... Pros: good ambiance Cons: slow service, uncooked food, bad public relations more
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Menu for Straits Restaurant


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    It's a sleeker, more sophisticated space than the first two outposts of this beloved Bay Area mini-chain. Befitting its Santana Row locale, the glamorous space is all...

  • 10/26/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sunday To Tuesday From 11:00 AM To 10:00 PM Wednesday From 11:00 AM To 12:00 AM
  • Payments: Visa, American Express, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: West Valley, Central San Jose
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