Bistro Elan – French
Bistro Elan invites diners into a light-filled sanctuary where the briny sweetness of freshly shucked oysters and steamed Salt Spring mussels evokes the refined spirit of the coast. The kitchen masterfully balances rustic comfort with elegant technique, serving golden potato waffles draped in smoked salmon alongside delicate seared crab cakes and vibrant salads crisp with seasonal fruit. Every meal feels like a curated celebration of the sea and soil, where the warmth of Swedish yellow pea soup and the buttery texture of pan-seared lingcod create a sophisticated yet soulful neighborhood dining experience.
Bistro Elan, 290, South California Avenue, Evergreen Park, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, 94306, United States +16503270284 https://www.bistroelan.com/0Cuisine: French
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at Bistro Elan
Dairy-Free at Bistro Elan
Bistro Elan in Palo Alto has 4 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Pickled Gold Beets, Oysters, 1/2 dozen and Castelvetrano Olives. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Bistro Elan
Bistro Elan in Palo Alto has 4 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Pickled Gold Beets, Oysters, 1/2 dozen and Castelvetrano Olives. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Bistro Elan
Bistro Elan in Palo Alto has 15 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Little Gem Caesar Salad, Pan-Seared ME Sea Scallops and Pickled Gold Beets. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Bistro Elan
Bistro Elan in Palo Alto has 3 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Oysters, 1/2 dozen, Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Glass) and Swedish Yellow Pea Soup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Bistro Elan
Bistro Elan in Palo Alto has 4 keto-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Oysters, 1/2 dozen, Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Glass) and D'Anjou Pears & Niman Ranch Prosciutto. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Bistro Elan
Bistro Elan in Palo Alto has 6 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Steamed Salt Spring Mussels, Cast Iron Seared Flat Iron Steak and Oysters, 1/2 dozen. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at Bistro Elan
Bistro Elan in Palo Alto has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Oysters, 1/2 dozen. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Bistro Elan
Bistro Elan in Palo Alto has 9 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Pickled Gold Beets, Castelvetrano Olives and Madeira D'Oliveiras Malvazia 1994. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Bistro Elan
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Little Gem Caesar Salad | 71.3 g | 34.7 g |
| Bucatini all'Amatriciana | 16.4 g | 27.7 g |
| Seared Crab Cakes | 26.7 g | 23.6 g |
| Pink Lady Apple Salad | 36 g | 22.1 g |
| Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Glass) | 0 g | 20.7 g |
| Swedish Yellow Pea Soup | 0.4 g | 17.6 g |
| Castelvetrano Olives | 29.8 g | 16.9 g |
| Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak | 39.4 g | 16.1 g |
| Vanilla Crème Brûlée | 105.4 g | 12.9 g |
| Local Lingcod | 38.8 g | 12.8 g |
| D'Anjou Pears & Niman Ranch Prosciutto | 2.9 g | 12.5 g |
| Bistro French Fries | 74.8 g | 11.9 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Menu
Starters
- Oysters, 1/2 dozen: shallot mignonette Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, Alkaline, AIP, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seared Crab Cakes - $25: frisée salad & tartare sauce Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- D'Anjou Pears & Niman Ranch Prosciutto - $17: arugula, feta, EVOO & lemon Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Potato Waffle & Smoked Salmon - $20: cucumber, creme fraiche & preserved lemon Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: brunch, dinner, lunch
- Swedish Yellow Pea Soup - $15: ham & Dijon Dietary tags: High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Little Gem Caesar Salad - $18: lemon, garlic, Dijon, croutons & white anchovy Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pink Lady Apple Salad - $19: mixed greens, toasted walnuts & crumbled blue cheese Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Steamed Salt Spring Mussels - $40: White Wine Shallot Sauce, Green Peppercorn & Bistro Fries Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pan-Seared ME Sea Scallops - $48: roasted delicata squash & organic creamy leeks Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Local Lingcod - $39: gremolata crusted, sautéed spinach, brown butter shallot sauce, & fried capers Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bucatini all'Amatriciana - $35: La Quercia guanciale, red sauce, chile flakes, pecorino & parmesan Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Van De Rose Pork Schnitzel - $45: lemon, Spring onions & Bintje Potatoes salad Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak - $48: button mushrooms, herb butter & Bistro fries Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seared Pork Tenderloin - $35: Vande Rose pork, snow peas, tomato saffron sauce Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cast Iron Seared Flat Iron Steak - $38: balsamic Jus, Bistro fries Dietary tags: Low-Carb, South-Beach, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Pickled Gold Beets - $9.75 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bistro French Fries - $9.75 Dietary tags: Halal, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Castelvetrano Olives - $9.75 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sautéed Spinach - $9.75 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Ground Almond Cake - $13.75: raspberries & whipped crème fraîche Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- TCHO Chocolate Cake - $13.75: whipped crème fraîche Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Ice Cream of the Day - $13.75: brown butter sugar cookies Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Vanilla Crème Brûlée - $13.75: fresh berries Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber
Beverages
- Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta Brut NV (Glass) - $19.75: Sparkling Wine Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Atkins, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Glass) - $14.75: New Zealand 2024 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Atkins, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Sauternes Chateau Roumieu-Lacoste 2019 - $14.75: Dessert Wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
- Banyuls Domaine La Tour Vielle 2020 - $14: Dessert Wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Vintage Port Quinta do Vesuvio 1995 - $21.75: Dessert Wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
- Madeira D'Oliveiras Malvazia 1994 - $29.75: Dessert Wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Frequently Asked Questions about Bistro Elan
- Is Bistro Elan dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Bistro Elan has 4 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Pickled Gold Beets, Oysters, 1/2 dozen and Castelvetrano Olives.
- What can I eat at Bistro Elan on a dairy-free diet?
- Pickled Gold Beets, Oysters, 1/2 dozen and Castelvetrano Olives carry the dairy-free tag, out of 4 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Bistro Elan have vegan options?
- Yes. 9 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Pickled Gold Beets and Castelvetrano Olives.
- Is Bistro Elan gluten-free?
- 4 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Bistro Elan?
- Little Gem Caesar Salad, at roughly 34.7g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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