Café Vivant

An interesting mix of upscale and casual. Café Vivant provides many intriguing juxtapositions. The restaurant is sleek casual, no tablecloths and a bar in the common dining area, but there's a pretty extensive wine menu, including a number of vintages of Screaming Eagle. The menu starts with a variety of elegantly artful canapés, but the mains features a whole roast chicken served family style, so delicious that one is compelled to pick up a drumstick and eat it with schmaltz-smothered hands. We were tight on time, so we limited ourselves to two courses. The first was a mixture of canapés and appetizers, and the staff seamlessly accommodated our mashup of courses that were intended to be separate. My scallops were expertly cooked -- a strong sear on the outside and almost the entire cent

Such a unique and cool spot. The chicken is very different from regular chicken—super tender and nicely chewy. Everything we tried, from the food to the desserts, was really good. The vibe is cozy and relaxed, and the staff are friendly. The wine glasses, tableware, and interior details are all thoughtfully chosen—it’s clear that so much care went into every part of the space, and it looks amazing. The wine selection is absolutely amazing, the best I’ve seen in California. Would definitely come back.

Yes! A new restaurant in Menlo Park! Café Vivant is truly a special dining experience. The concept alone sets it apart - honoring Heritage chicken breeds that were once staples of the American farmstead and transforming them into the centerpiece of refined, world-class cuisine. You can truly taste the difference. The chicken is exceptionally flavorful, tender, and rich, with beautifully crisp skin that isn’t overly fatty ( slow healthy growing) . There’s a depth and intensity you rarely experience with poultry today. It completely redefines what chicken can be. Super tasty! The indoor setting is equally amazing - intimate, warm, and relaxing. It’s the perfect atmosphere for meaningful conversation, whether you’re on a date or simply catching up with someone special. The ambiance makes it

If you love great wine or care about amazing food that’s thoughtfully sourced, Café Vivant is a must! The place is so vibey and welcoming, with intricate, elegant woodwork and soft lighting. In terms of food, everything was so yummy and I highly recommend trying the Heritage Chicken Nuggets, Hollander Squab and the Whole Heritage Chicken for 2 (you can choose among different breeds they offer!). It’s fascinating to taste the difference of heritage chicken from what we normally get at the market or other restaurants. The chicken was flavorful, crispy on the outside and juicy inside. You also cannot miss their dessert! We actually went over the top and got every dessert on the menu. The cheesecake, carrot cake and chocolate mousse were to die for! Last but certainly not the least, their

Delicious food with great presentation. Space has limited seating. I recommend that you make reservations, especially if larger than a party of 2. We had a reservation for 3: 2 adults and a toddler sitting in a high chair. The service elevated our experience. We were welcomed with a complimentary single bite-size crab cake. We split it amongst us and enjoyed it very much, but I recommend if complimentary bite size goodies are offered that it would be one per person. Our daughter had chicken nugget topped with crème fraiche and keluga caviar and a side of fries. Fries were cooked perfectly but may have been a little over-spiced for our liking. Chef went heavy on the chili powder. For our mains we got the Delaware chicken for 2. It was perfectly cooked however lacked some flavor. It did com