The food was amazing and our waitress was wonderful. We had the bread, prawns, cucumber and pear salad and then trout for the main. For dessert the chocolate caramel tart and sesame seed ice cream with raspberries. Everything tasted amazing but trust me on this the bread was to die for. Get it. The entire staff was very sweet and polite.

Ethel's fancy is a delightful dining experience with creative, high-quality food and unique New American-Asian fusion flavors -- one of our favorite spots in Palo Alto! We have been here twice for dinner so far, and are definitely going to be back to enjoy more of their seasonal menu. To start, the milk bread was an absolute standout -- my husband declares that it is the best bread he's ever had!!! The interior pillowy texture and subtle sweetness were perfection, with the exterior sesame crunch was perfect. We couldn't get enough of this and had have it both times we dined! We also enjoyed the refreshing mocktails, which paired wonderfully with the meal. The Kampachi Crudo was light, fresh, and beautifully presented. This dish had traces of Vietnamese nuoc cham flavor, with a nice textural contrast with each bite between the crispy cracker and tender fish. We also tried the Heirloom Tomatoes & Stone Fruit, which was tasty, but probably not something we would try again. For the main courses, we had both the cod and steak dishes -- the steak definitely stood out! The meat was very tender, cooked to perfection, and the delectable sauce made is crave more with each bite. We were impressed by this! The ambiance was cozy yet elevated, perfect for a date night or special occasion. Service was attentive and friendly throughout the evening. We look forward to coming back to Ethel's Fancy!

One of my favorite restaurants in the Peninsula! New American cuisine with Japanese influence. The crispy pork belly was tangy and sweet! Perfect dish to pair with the soft milk bread! The bread was also sweet and definitely fresh out the oven! The yuzu kosho on the oysters added a unique flavor! I enjoyed the kampachi crudo with tomatoes on the yakitori cracker! I've never had something like it! We ended the dinner with a delicious dessert. The raspberry and cookies n' cream blended well with the matcha soft serve! All plates are shareable! Lots of street parking available around downtown Palo Alto. However, it may be more difficult to find parking in the evenings. The atmosphere is cozy and casual. The servers were knowledgeable and attentive. Service was quick while keeping the food fresh. I appreciate the fact that the menu is seasonal! Overall, Ethel's Fancy is a unique restaurant and I would definitely come back!

We had a lovely dinner at Ethel's Fancy. The food was delicious, each flavor was unique and exquisite. The ambience was warm, cozy, and fun. Staff took great care of us. Can't wait to go back.

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a phenomenal experience. Made a reservation via OpenTable and our table was ready upon arrival. Parking was plentiful on the street. Dining is available outdoors, in the dining room, at the bar, or at the chef's counter. There is also a private room in the back. The menu changed drastically since my last visit a couple of years ago. Our waitress was phenomenal in making suggestions and guiding us throughout our dinner. Started off with the bread, seasme pancakes, and charred green beans as our first course and it was world class. The Japanese milkbread was light and the butter was fragrant. The seasme pancakes were delightful, especially the dipping sauce! The charred green beans were also excellent with a vast contrast with the charring of the bean with the aioli. For the savory small plates, the salt and pepper octopus was excellent as this was served with a bunch of super tasty vegetables like hen of the wood mushrooms and tomatoes. The crispy pork belly was a crispy and flavorful small plate! For the larger savory small plates, the rigatoni was made in house and cooked to a perfect al dente. The Brandt Farms sirloin was also cooked to perfection with a crispy char and an interior that was a perfect red! The side of sticky carrot was fantastic too! For the desserts, the soft serve was excellent and so was the hochija tapioca pudding. The caramel tart was decent althoughj I'm not a fan of caramel myself. ~$70/head after tax, gratuity and 6% employer mandates.

The modern interior spells good food and upscale feel. We had a 7:30 reservation and was not seated til about 8:00. With much apologies, we were given complimentary drinks. Thank you, Mickey. The dishes were very delicious with different levels of flavour put together. Very impressive, very creative just how Ethel would have made it! Mickey introduced us to the Master Chef! Hope to be back soon. Thank you for the birthday dessert too.

The highlights? Delicious food! The sesame pancake, oysters, octopus and steak are a must! The sesame pancake was warm and fluffy, pairing well with the smoked fish dip. The oysters were so fresh and buttery, with the yuzu kosha. The octopus was crispy and tender, a perfect bite. The steak was cooked just right, paired with an amazing sauce. The entire night, our server checked in on us, filled our waters, and had the brightest smile on her face. It almost felt like a Michelin Star experience. Finally, the interior was beautiful with wonderful acoustics. There are so many restaurants where you have to shout in order to hear the person you're dining with -- there's none of that at Ethel's Fancy. The lowlights? We had a reservation at 7:15pm but ended up having to wait 20 minutes because the prior party was no leaving their table. For a restaurant this size, you would think they would have contingency plans put into place if a prior party is taking too long. The general manager was very apologetic but it was a bitter start to our evening for having to wait so long. All in all, Ethel's Fancy is a great restaurant if you are looking for New American dishes with an Asian twist. They have great food, drinks, and service. This is a great place for a birthday, anniversary or dinner for a special occasion.

Two of my besties treated me to dinner at Ethel's Fancy for my b-day. We were able to secure a 5pm reservation for 3 on a Saturday a few days beforehand on OpenTable. The drinks were smooth well balanced. My friend ordered the gold digger and I got a broke da mouth. We were mostly impressed with the food. Highlights were the milk bread, salt and pepper octopus, warm sesame pancakes, and crispy pork belly. Definitely get those! The corn on the cob, a special of the day, was alright. The halibut katsu style was nice and crispy, although a tad salty. The mustard sauce paired well with it. The bluefin tuna with koshikari rice was also ok. 6% mandatory surcharge. Service was attentive, although a comment was made early on (I'm sure it was meant in jest), that could have rubbed some the wrong way. We ordered the black sesame soft serve for dessert and we also received a complimentary one. We actually liked the birthday version better, which was without the grape jelly. The birthday gesture was appreciated, but we wished when we ordered ours, it was mentioned we would be getting one on the house so we had the opportunity to order something else to try. I hope this comment doesn't come off as ungrateful, as it's just a thought for patrons to experience more on the menu. All in all, a good meal.

Ethel's fancy do be fancy. But also pretty casual with both indoor and outdoor dining. The food is new American with seasonal California flare and Japanese influence. This place is definitely going for the Michelin vibe which is no surprise given the chef's background. The service is impeccable and the ambience is perfect for the laid back yet sophisticated west coast vibe. Keep in mind the menu changes constantly to highlight what's in season (and due to availability of fresh ingredients). So if you fall in love with something you see online, be prepared for some potentially bad news. Overall, you can't really go wrong with Ethel if you are looking for more elevated seasonal flavors with a touch of Japanese fusion.

On a spontaneous decision, we chose to have dinner at Ethel's Fancy, and it turned out to be an incredible experience. Not that we expected anything less, but since we regularly dine at great restaurants, we weren't anticipating something that would truly stand out. Yet, every dish was a delightful surprise--the flavors were bold and perfectly balanced, and the quality of the ingredients shone through in every bite. We loved each course and will absolutely be returning, as well as recommending it to friends. The staff was warm, friendly, and attentive, adding to the wonderful experience. The ambiance is understated yet inviting, providing a comfortable backdrop that's cozy. Overall, we had a fabulous evening and can't wait to visit again to try more dishes.