Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Elements Restaurant in San Jose

4.6 (93) 6471-10 Almaden Expy, San Jose, CA 95120, United States

Categories

Asian fusion restaurant
Asian restaurant
Family restaurant
French restaurant

Location on the map

San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, US

Phone: +1 408-927-8773
Site: http://sanjoseelements.com/

Opening hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:5–9 PM
Wednesday:5–9 PM
Thursday:5–9 PM
Friday:5–9 PM
Saturday:5–9 PM
Sunday:Closed

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.6

93 Reviews for Elements Restaurant 2024:

Review №1

2023-11-04 03:57:45

Small pieces sea bass $40Apple / Spanish salad $14Spider roll $18Chicken Satay $18Small than my hand cup of Chicken wonton soup $13.50Crème brûlée$15………This place is way to overpriced!

Review №2

2023-05-04 02:52:38

At first glance, the restaurant may look sketchy and may look like a smoothie shop that sells banmi sandwiches because of the outdoor seating, but looks can be deceiving. This white tablecloth ambiance is the finest Vietnamese restaurant in the area! Absolutely a delicious experience, flavors were consistently but was not boring at all. Salty and umami to the gut!Presentation wise, stunning. Flavor combinations, not shy at all. The chef knows exactly what hes doing and has a lot more potential if he so desires it. Perfect weekend restaurant because its not saturated with people, noise level is kept at a minimum. My only concerns were that there was only one server staffed for the evening, making it difficult for the server to talk about wine pairings with the food. Paying attention to detail was upheld but lost as more tables had to be attended. Thank you, chef, and I will be coming back for more!

Review №3

2023-08-18 10:19:06

I had the pleasure of dining at Elements, the Euro Asian restaurant, and it was an absolute delight! The appetizers were a tantalizing introduction to the culinary journey that awaited me. Each bite was a harmonious fusion of European and Asian flavors, leaving me eager for what was to come. However, the star of the show was undoubtedly the rack of lamb. Its no exaggeration when I say it was the best Ive ever had. Cooked to perfection, the lamb was tender, succulent, and packed with flavor that lingered on my taste buds. The skillful blending of ingredients truly showcased the restaurants commitment to culinary excellence.Equally impressive was the service. The staffs attentiveness and knowledge of the menu made the experience even more enjoyable. Their passion for providing an exceptional dining experience was evident in every interaction. From start to finish, the evening was a symphony of flavors and impeccable service that left a lasting impression. Elements has truly mastered the art of creating a remarkable dining experience, and Im already looking forward to my next visit to savor more of their exquisite dishes.

Review №4

2023-10-24 04:05:40

Excellent food and service. Weve been dining at this family owned restaurant for years. The Vietnamese Stew is my favorite. My friend almost always orders the salmon.Tristen the chef owner is super friendly and knows all his regulars by name. Its a great atmosphere.

Review №5

2023-10-08 02:14:41

The food here is SO GOOD! I had the beef appetizer wrapped in noodles it was bomb, also the sea bass special was perfect. The sauce was amazing.The service was also so great! I was very happy eating here. Highly recommend

Review №6

2023-05-10 15:38:40

My sea bass was cooked perfectly, very tender and tasty. The vegetables were good too. The roasted quail was also crunchy and flavorful.

Review №7

2023-08-27 04:28:30

The price for value here is off the charts, they could have charged double and I would have been happy, its that good. Ive paid double for similar dishes and it was not as good. Get here fast because these folks are going to move out of this zip code quick...The technical ability alone gets 5 star. I had tea-smoked duck au gratin (its not potato its creamy mashed taro... super good) and seafood paella and every element was cooked perfectly. The flavors are also phenomenal. The duck dish has the composition of a thanksgiving dinner, very fun plating and so tasty. The paella had 7 different seafood elements and they were all cooked perfectly and Ive tried these same things all over and generally something is chewy and inedible but not here.. it was good. Very talented, thank you for the wonderful meal.

Review №8

2022-02-27 22:44:29

Wonderful take on Asian French fine dining. Love the presentation of the food. The quail appetizer was nice little half birds cooked wonderfully so the skin was crisp like peking duck. The Paella was so delicious! The tea duck was also very good. Great restaurant 👍👍

Review №9

2021-10-23 22:50:04

This place provided fresh taste sensations. Chef here knows his/ her sauces! The Salmon Wellington was done to perfection: wild salmon inside a toasty Wellington shell, over an airy & delicate lemon sauce. Balance btwn crust and fish showed a deft hand. Seafood Paellawas a full bowl of shell fish over satisfyingly flavored rice: the tangy tomato sauce had a nice bite, but showing sufficient restraint on the pepper. And the Filet Mignon: what can you say to a perfectly executed med rare filet sitting atop a truffle sauce that enhanced everything on the plate?!The only minus was the fried calamari appetizer: it failed to match our gold standard from another place. A bit on the rubbery side, and without any flavors. Like it was done by a whole different person (probably was!)Service was attentive yet unintrusive. Loved the bold art work on the wall and the beautiful music. Wish theyd fix the door alarm, which was an annoyance to an otherwise highly pleasurable experience.

Review №10

2023-10-10 23:04:08

We reached at 8.20 as they are open till 9pm but after we were seated they said kitchen is closed. But we did ask them before entering if they are open they said yes and got us seated. So they agreed to take our orders. We were rushed to finish our food which was served at 8.45pm and they dimmed the lights at 8.55 to remind us they close in 5 mins so we had to quickly pack our food to leave.Service was good, food was ok. Pho which was served with noodles was very tasty but the rest were good. Calamari and chicken nuggets were bland.Plenty of free parking available. Go early to relax and eat.

Review №11

2021-04-29 18:48:07

Elements Vietnamese Restaurant didn’t disappoint. The calamari appetizer was cooked to perfection - tender, nearly melts in your mouth, and a sharp contrast from chewy calamari which is normally served at other restaurants. I ordered the salmon Wellington and it had my tastebuds singing. From the lemon beurre blanc sauce, the moist salmon, and the hearty vegetable medley which is all engulfed by a flaky cage shell, I didn’t want the experience to end. Then we finished our dinner with a mango panna cotta which was light, silky and delicious. My only regret is that we should’ve ordered 1 per person. I will definitely be back to Elements!

Review №12

2019-12-28 04:13:11

This is my first time here with my husband.We ordered fresh scallops, tea smoked duck and a seasonal special butter cream squash soup.All food looked exquisite and tasted delicious！The service here was awesome as well and they are very friendly!

Review №13

2022-01-23 20:57:15

My parents have been huge fans of Elements for years but, since I lived in LA for 21 years & only moved back to SJ a few months ago, I finally had my 1st meal at Elements for my 40th birthday this past week & it was pure perfection. The impeccable service, delicious food, beautiful presentation, lovely decor & calming ambiance were absolutely incredible! It was a little slow because it was a Wednesday night, but that just made us feel like we had the whole place to ourselves. I sincerely hope they get a lot of takeout orders though ‘cuz I want them to get a ton of business ‘cuz they deserve to stay in business forever! Highly recommend 😋

Review №14

2022-09-13 19:22:53

Cons: no outdoor seating. lava cake was just a chocolate cake, not much lavapros: delicious food, nice atmosphere.

Review №15

2021-09-07 01:17:40

Great service! Food looks really good and are delicious. Duck and scallops are great.

Review №16

2023-10-16 15:09:54

I had their seafood peallea and it was amazing. This is a hidden gem that I just found. Highly recommend.

Review №17

2022-09-14 18:34:39

Went to Elements for our 30th anniversary. Decided to eat outside. Quiet and delightful. The menu is eclectic and creative. We had trouble deciding what to get because we wanted to try everything. Our plates were delicious and large so we had enough for lunch the next day. Service was excellent.Side note: I’m not sure what kind of butter they use, but waiting for our meal we enjoyed the bread with butter and asked for seconds because the butter was delicious. That sounds lame, but it’s true.We will definitely go back and keep trying other interesting plates from the menu. This is a locally owned small business and we are happy to support!

Review №18

2023-01-30 03:28:04

Magnificent meal, this might as well be a Michelin star restaurant!! The scallops and prawns were incredible, the salmon was amazing literally one of the best meals ive had in almaden.. please please do yourself a favor and come experience this food

Review №19

2022-09-21 03:53:34

Decent dining place. Wish they could open lunch in the future.Its really a nice local dining option in Almaden! Not that formal as La Foret, not that casual as those Pizza places, and food options is more variable. All entrees we ordered is very nice! Environment, service and food is all good. Their source is between American and Aisan type I guess? So its more easily to satisfy most customers. We will certainly go back some time for some dinner event.

Review №20

2021-10-17 16:45:31

10/16/21 My friend and I came to San Jose to see Hamilton, and went to Elements for dinner the night before. We also looked at previous reviews and were excited to taste the fare. I had starters: grilled beef on asparagus skewers and Vietnamese spider rolls (spring rolls stuffed with crab, veggies, and vermicelli) and my friend had meatloaf with mushroom sauce. There was also bread and butter! Everything was so delicious and the staff was attentive and helpful . If you are in the area, it is well worth it! There is patio seating as well as dine in. It is a hidden delectable gem! It is 20 minutes from the downtown hotels.

Review №21

2022-05-15 07:23:03

A friend and I had dinner there Saturday night. It was our first time there and the place was moderately full (open tables, no line to get a seat.)Service was spotty. Our waitress (elderly Asian woman) was sweet but a little absent-minded. She sat us, took our drink order and appetizers. We had to flag her down before she took our dinner order 10-15 minutes after they had removed our appetizer plates. Then we heard another waitress seating a couple and telling them about today’s soup and specials. Our waitress made no mention. We had no idea there were specials.We had the Spider Spring Roll (spring roll with soft shell crab @ $16). They were ok but not the best value. There were two spring rolls per order, each cut in half for a total of four pieces. Examining the inside, we realized there was just one leg (not the meaty claw but a spindly back leg) inside each full spring roll. For $16, I would more crab. A spider sushi roll easily has 3x the crab for $12. Very disappointing.For dinner we had the scallops and the herb crusted salmon. Both were good but not amazing. Better can be had at other restaurants for the same price.For dessert, we split the mango panacotta, which had a dollop of sorbet on top with some berries. That was fine; nothing to write home about.Given the other positive reviews, I can only comment based on the dishes we ordered. I would give the place another try but this time, with some suggestions from the staff. Overall, we found the food decent but not quite worth the price or value.

Review №22

2021-11-21 00:53:46

My family had a dinner for our 20th anniversary couple of weeks ago. All dishes were fantastic. We tried beef, duck, sea bass - sorry can’t remember names, which are all good. Oh, Pad Thai was good too. A bit pricey but worth it. Definitely we’ll be back again.

Review №23

2022-06-05 15:53:13

Food and service was excellent. You won’t be disappointed. I got the lamb rack and it was really good! The sauce, mash potatoes, and veggies were a great combo.Looking forward to coming back again!!

Review №24

2023-12-01 21:53:49

So delicious and great service. Will return!!

Review №25

2021-11-21 03:03:29

This unassuming restaurant is a hidden gem of high quality food with great presentation. Some favorites are the lamb chops and duck, and the caramel chocolate lava cake is delicious. Definitely check it out, and youll be back for more!

Review №26

2022-02-22 05:22:34

The lemongrass Seabass with black rice & curry sauce was delicious

Review №27

2015-08-15 03:51:50

My husband and I love this place. Food is always excellent and the service is top notch. We got the beef wrapped asparagus spears and they were so delicious I wanted that as my main course. Salmon Wellington is excellent as well as the seasonal sea bass dish. We always love the mixed berries dessert. Its wonderful!

Review №28

2019-11-05 01:22:28

Im a big fan of this restaurant. They were closed for over a year while they moved to a location a mile north, but now they are back with pretty close to the same menu. I wouldnt characterize the menu as Vietnamese, though it clearly has strong influence. To me it feels more French. Ive had multiple dishes there, including the Tea-smoked duck, the salmon wellington, the scallops and prawns, the herbal crusted salmon, and the steaks. All have been extremely well prepared. I also like their choice of salads and the chicken & wonton soup. They have a nice wine list, and the staff has always been first rate. One thing of note is that the quality is very consistently excellent - Ive never had a failure in a meal there.

Review №29

2023-06-18 03:03:15

Excellent. Fathers Day dinner. Salmon Wellington was fantastic.

Review №30

2023-04-29 04:09:05

Incredible. A Diamond in the rough of South Bay food. Rare to find such fine, delicious food outside of SF, Mt View or Palo Alto.

Review №31

2021-11-24 05:23:17

Amazing food!Its like eating French dishes with Asian flavor and enjoying American services! The price is reasonable for the food quality.I recommend Duck and Salmon.Will definitely come back!

Review №32

2021-04-10 21:12:20

So glad they are open again. Great food and great service.

Review №33

2021-05-16 01:25:49

Pad Thai, Saigon noodles, roast chicken, spring rolls. All delicious.They do amazing food, you must support them. Been in Almaden Valley a long time, now near Safeway.So glad theyre here!

Review №34

2020-04-20 05:13:30

I was able to stay in my car while they brought the food out. My call in order took over an hour, but that was likely due to my calling at dinner time. Everything was delicious and didnt need reheating, even with travel time to our table at home. A definite must have for unbeatable meal flavors.

Review №35

2022-09-11 13:40:06

I had sea bass with lemon grass and tofu soup and they were both delicious but expensive.Not many patrons and plenty of parking in a quiet area.

Review №36

2018-01-19 22:06:29

Amazing food, lots of flavors, the butternut squash is something special in a small bowl. Im so glad its close to me, happy theyve reopened. I cant wait to try other things!

Review №37

2023-09-02 12:24:26

Food n service was great. We Would go back.

Review №38

2020-10-01 02:38:13

Ordered two Ban mi pork and roast beef. The roast beef was incredible with vegetable and cilantro and a sauce/ mayo. The pork one had dried up meat almost no veggie and no mayo/ sauce. It was so choking dry I finally gave up and threw it out when I came to an inedible piece of meat. After the dozens of times I have been there this is terrible to serve to the customer!

Review №39

2019-11-21 18:08:28

Elements is low key, but big on consistency, good service and great food at a fair price. Tristan and his crew treat customers like family and ensure satisfaction. You can enjoy a great meal here without being rushed.

Review №40

2017-02-17 05:36:34

We love Elements Restaurant. Shame they close for January but I suppose everyone needs time off. The food is so good and they care about the source of their ingredients. A good wine selection and the pricing is reasonable. The service is always professional and with a smile.

Review №41

2015-03-25 12:17:33

I have tried almost everything on the menu and been extremely pleased with each and every one. That includes entrées, appetizers, desserts, and even a couple of the local wines. I mean, seriously, this is probably the second or third place ever that I tipped the chef on top of the waitstaff. It is beautifully adorned on the inside (my five-year-old has even drawn pictures of it), yet they manage to be extremely patient and helpful to me and my little ones, who make a mess every time. No, its not as cheap as Chipotle, but I do find it nutritionally balanced, convenient, and fairly quick. My official favorite restaurant.

Review №42

2015-03-22 16:55:05

I love the attention to detail, beautiful food,great selection,home made sauces. Everything if fresh and the best quality. Nice view from the out side seating. Gets busy so go early, better yet tuesday or wednesday is a nice time to go. My favorite is the sea bass,warm bread, home made cream bur-lea, and a nice glass of wine. Nice find.

Review №43

2018-08-29 04:29:59

A reasonably priced restaurant that provides tasty, innovative dishes and cuisines. The manager was compassionate and all the staff is friendly and professional. They are mindful of how they should deal with their customers and serve them earnestly. The place was presentable enough and really cozy at the same time.

Review №44

2019-06-29 03:10:59

Good spot for vietnamese food. Service is always nice even when they have a full house. There was fast and courteous service. The bill was fair for the quality of the food. Feels similar to a restaurant in New York I loved.

Review №45

2020-02-24 00:48:13

This place is Vietnamese-french fusion. It used to exist in another shopping center on Almaden Expressway. We have always liked it. The people are friendly, the food excellent and the wine list exemplary. The new incarnation is possibly even better.

Review №46

2023-11-25 02:55:29

AMAZING! Food was delicious and wonderful service!

Review №47

2013-06-25 15:25:35

The food here is great but it is a little pricey for what you are getting. I had the Wonton Soup with the Salmon Wellington and it was pretty good. The food is also a little bit Vietnamese Asian fusion so they have some unique selections. Overall not a bad place to dine.

Review №48

2023-05-25 20:55:46

WoW wow. You would not think of the service you get and the food. Its was over the top. Great place

Review №49

2021-08-01 18:50:27

Friendly, warm help, good food and interesting flavors. The place is loud (concrete floors) and the portions are larger than described, but I will definitely go back (and maybe split my dinner).

Review №50

2022-10-20 07:24:48

Great staff. Tasty food. Nice decor. Big wine menu. High-end Vietnamese/French food.

Review №51

2013-08-04 02:51:17

I believe theres an old saying, Never judge a restaurant by its facade. This could not be more true for Elements Restaurant in Almaden. The facade of the restaurant is not much to look at, but the quality of the food is wonderful. Elements is a French-Vietnamese Restaurant. It has many of the fresh Vietnamese ingredients and influences mixed with the wonderful sauces that you find in French Cuisine. I had the won-ton soup to start which was delicious and was made with fresh crisp vegetables. Afterwards, I had the sea bass cooked in banana leaves which was served with a light bernaise sauce, steamed vegetables, and forbidden rice. The sea bass was moist and perfectly cooked and pair very well with the sauce. The vegetables, carrots, green beans, and broccolini were cooked just right, not too soggy with just enough crispness left in them. My friend had the fillet which was only $24 (a steal!) and was melt in your mouth delicious. For dessert, we shared the creme brulee. It was well made, nice and crispy on top and plenty of fresh vanilla bean in the custard. All in all dinner was a success. This place was recommended to me and Im glad I gave it a go. I never would have tried this place had I just happened by this semi deserted strip mall but I went on a friends recommendation and it was one of the best new to me restaurants that Ive been to recently.

Review №52

2021-10-26 15:03:00

We called in a last minute to go order and it was delicious! Generous portion as well. We have been meaning to try since they were at the old location, so glad we finally did!

Review №53

2020-02-26 22:18:41

Great food. Its listed as vietnamese style but the menu is very americanized. I had the meatloaf and it was excellent. My dinner partner had the filet and she loved it as well.

Review №54

2014-06-15 03:49:58

Excellent every time we eat at Elements. Love the crusted chicken breast and the Salmon. Consistent and delicious always! Gourmet euro/asian fusion cuisine!

Review №55

2022-01-28 22:59:21

Love this place, I usually get take out but decided to dine in. the service was great so was the food, i had the Tea smoked duck It was F*cking divineI tried the stuffed chicken, the Pho other times and all of it was delicious.

Review №56

2021-09-03 03:39:35

Great service. Wonderful ambiance. Food looks too good to eat--like individual works of art. But eat you must because it tastes as good as it looks!

Review №57

2022-04-28 16:26:21

Los of great variety on the menu, from paella to crusted sea bass.The staff is super friendly& efficient.

Review №58

2023-03-05 02:43:29

Excellent service. Family run and they take a lot of pride! Food is excellent!!! Highly recommend

Review №59

2021-09-17 04:20:38

While the restaurant is nothing fancy from the outside, the food was absolutely superb. The presentation was exquisite. I would highly recommend.

Review №60

2022-05-27 02:10:59

Hidden gem wish I had tried it sooner 3 meals and an appetizer -- 98$ I had the scallops prawns risotto zucchini with green pea sauce !!!!!

Review №61

2021-10-13 05:18:31

Dont let the exterior fool you, this restaurants food is amazing and the service is wonderful. They have a large wine selection and the duck is incredible!

Review №62

2019-06-29 03:00:56

Great location for vietnamese food. super savory. looking forward to returning with my coworkers. bring your hunger - portions are large.

Review №63

2013-11-22 01:16:16

Try the sea bass, the filet, or the super comforting meatloaf. Just typing this makes me hungry.Service is always friendly and professional. What a great restaurant!

Review №64

2022-07-30 06:00:48

Familiar Vietnamese dishes done exquisitely and decent french food. Close knit and friendly staff.

Review №65

2021-11-05 02:34:07

My wife and I ordered to-go. We were happy to see the addition of quality pho to Almaden.

Review №66

2019-10-02 09:31:00

It was great. Food and service was great. Lemonade was a little bitter it needed extra sugar but overall good experience.

Review №67

2019-02-15 20:54:04

A first rate restaurant in the past. Rebuilding and reopening at the nearby Safeway center at Almaden and Camden. Construction clearly active. Workers say May completion.

Review №68

2022-06-19 02:17:50

Fantastic quality food and extensive menu. Great place for vietnamese sandwich to pan fried Chilean sea bass

Review №69

2022-08-07 04:05:35

Excellent food with excellent ingredients. Very good place for special occasions.

Review №70

2022-10-21 18:02:52

One of the hidden gems in South San Jose. Just wish they open at lunch time too.

Review №71

2022-03-18 03:21:01

The food was very good and the place is elegant and very nice 😁 I was satisfied

Review №72

2022-06-22 15:30:56

Food is good. I have been going there for years.

Review №73

2023-05-29 02:23:16

Great green papaya salad

Review №74

2021-03-12 03:24:38

Asian and euro style. I am not sure on delivery work but customers love it much

Review №75

2019-11-09 02:12:10

Fabulous food and service, as usual! Reservations are a good idea!

Review №76

2019-11-15 04:18:40

First visit and had a great time and wonderful meal. Will visit again real soon

Review №77

2020-02-15 03:23:29

Good filet and salmon

Review №78

2020-12-27 02:22:26

Take out only for now, but the food is still great.

Review №79

2017-03-26 03:36:23

The food amount is very little. You better eat some food before you come to this restaurant.

Review №80

2022-10-14 05:22:32

The wine and service were good

Review №81

2018-05-13 22:24:45

Great salmon and French fries and pastas.

Review №82

2019-07-08 01:31:15

A fav place for Vietnamese food. I will be back with my coworkers.

Review №83

2020-01-25 20:23:45

Wonderful food and perfect service!

Review №84

2021-05-29 23:23:29

Std. Fare with Vietnamese influence. More French than Vietnamese.

Review №85

2022-03-31 03:22:51

Delicious!!! Defintely coming back!

Review №86

2022-10-13 22:03:06

Food was really good.

Review №87

2021-03-28 08:21:31

Amazing food & great service

Review №88

2022-07-31 05:45:19

Really good dishes.

Review №89

2015-09-20 00:35:33

Half the food for.twice the price.

Review №90

2020-02-18 17:06:50

Everything was so good.👍👍

Review №91

2020-08-26 04:04:47

Good

Review №92

2020-07-14 20:47:38

Excellent food!

Review №93

2022-04-23 05:51:19

I found this restaurant by accident. There were not many reviews at first and I was a little hesitant. As soon as I entered the restaurant, I felt very comfortable and not too noisy. The atmosphere is very good. The bread and meals are delicious. I recommend you to come and have a try.