A Palo Alto mainstay, Zola charms its way into diners’ hearts via an upscale French bistro menu with Californian flair. Whether you’re using grilled levain to soak up the vermouth cream sauce from a bowl of PEI mussels dotted with pancetta and Fresno chili, breaking the yolk of a soft-cooked egg in a plate of pillowy Parisian gnocchi with wild mushrooms and Brussels sprouts, or indulging in filet mignon with luscious pommes purées and sauce Périgueux, the cuisine offers no shortage of pleasure. Whether seated in the more relaxed, intimate restaurant space, or the bustling adjacent bar, the cocktails are top-notch, and a well-chosen wine list is equal parts Gallic and Golden State. Crème caramel for dessert may be traditional, but it’s also perfectly executed and decadently rich.