Chef Srijith Gopinathan is an acclaimed chef known for pioneering Cal-Indian cuisine, a unique blend of Californian and Indian culinary traditions. He has held two Michelin stars and is a James Beard Award nominee....
Chef Jake Peterson is known for his fire-forward cooking philosophy, grounded in classical technique. He aims to strike a balance between bold and refined flavors in his dishes.
Chef Jake Peterson brings a fire-forward culinary philosophy grounded in classical technique, aiming for a balance between bold and refined flavors. He has trained at Michelin-starred Acadia and shaped Chicago's...
Ettan, meaning 'breath' in Sanskrit, offers a unique Cal-Indian dining experience in Palo Alto. It blends traditional Indian culinary techniques with fresh, vibrant California ingredients. The restaurant features an eclectic global aesthetic, designed to be casually chic by day and sophisticated by night, making it suitable for both professional gatherings and intimate evenings.
Customer Perception
Customers generally praise Ettan for its sophisticated atmosphere, attentive and professional service, and beautiful setting, making it a popular choice for corporate events and special occasions. While many appreciate the variety and thoughtful preparation of dishes, some reviews indicate inconsistency in food quality, particularly for certain main courses and desserts, with some finding the value for money lacking compared to other fine-dining establishments. Dishes like Asparagus Kofta and Kerala Fried Chicken often receive positive mentions, while others like Butter Chicken and certain desserts have been described as mediocre or disappointing.
Additional Details
Ettan is a sister restaurant to Copra Restaurant. The concept emphasizes a 'deconstructed elegance' and a 'unique confluence of the Indian culinary palette and California fresh ingredients.'
Ettan is open for lunch on weekdays (11:30 am - 2:00 pm) and dinner daily (starting at 5:00 pm). Weekend brunch/lunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays (11:00 am - 1:30 pm). It is ideal for professional gatherings during weekday lunch and for a sophisticated dinner or weekend brunch.
Ettan Palo Alto is a stunning restaurant with a beautiful, unique ambiance that makes the entire dining experience feel special.
The food was excellent overall. We tried the **Jain sesame leaf** appetizer, and it was absolutely mouthwatering—easily one of the highlights of our meal. For the main course, the team was kind enough to prepare a **Jain paneer curry** for us, even though it wasn't on the regular menu. Since it was a slow day, they were able to accommodate our request, but they mentioned that they typically require **at least one day's notice** for Jain meals. We truly appreciated their willingness to go the extra mile.
A couple of things could be improved. The **Bangalore Days mocktail** was quite disappointing—it was bland and lacked flavor, so I'd skip it. Also, while our server knew we were ordering only Jain food, they didn't mention that the **naan contains egg** until we specifically asked. It would be helpful if the staff proactively informed guests about ingredients that may not align with dietary restrictions.
Overall, we had a wonderful experience thanks to the delicious food, beautiful setting, and accommodating staff. I hope to see **more dedicated Jain options on the menu** in the future, as I'm sure many diners would appreciate them. We'd definitely love to come back!
A Wonderful Dining Experience at Ettan
We visited Ettan during our holiday trip to California from Europe, and given its popularity and the enthusiastic recommendations from several friends, we made an advance reservation. We’re so glad we did—we genuinely had a wonderful experience.
As someone who is in the restaurant industry, I tend to notice the finer details, and it was evident that a great deal of thought and care has gone into every aspect of the experience at Ettan. The menu is particularly impressive—creative, well-conceived, and beautifully balanced, with each dish having its own distinct character. My sincere kudos to Chef Srijith!
We ordered quite a few of the popular dishes, including:
• Sesame Leaf Chaat
• Kerala Fried Chicken
• Cauliflower Pepper
• Monkey Buns
• Copra Beef Curry
• Okra Curry
• Paneer Kali Mirch
• Chicken with Kale
Every dish brought something different to the table, and we thoroughly enjoyed the variety of flavours, textures, and interpretations.
I’ve noticed that reviews of Ettan can be somewhat mixed, and personally, I feel that some of this may come down to expectations. Ettan offers its own distinctive take on Indian cuisine, rather than simply serving familiar or traditional interpretations. Going in with an open mind and an appreciation for the chef’s creativity makes a big difference.
A special mention to Srini, the host who took care of us at the table. He was very attentive and welcoming as well.
If you’re looking for a place where great food, a thoughtful dining experience, and warm hospitality come together—whether with family, friends, or on a date—Ettan is definitely worth visiting.
We highly recommend Ettan and would happily return on our next trip to California!
5
My favorite Indian restaurant in the bay area. The portion sizes are perfect in my opinion, leaving me full without leftovers. The dishes are unique both in presentation and flavor. There are many vegetarian and gluten free options and they generally allow for substitutions and changes to dishes for preferences if you ask. Food is high quality.
The decor is beautiful and great for pictures. The location is also in a good central part of downtown. I would recommend making a reservation if you want to sit inside. I waited around 20 minutes for outdoor seating.
Our waitress was new and very enthusiastic and gave us a fun experience and helped explain the menu. Service was fast and attentive.
They only had outdoor seating available but there was a heater.
3
Went with a few friends for dinner, here's a few takeaways:
1. We ordered Ananas Pani Puri and Sesame Leaf for snacks, Mangalore Bun and Kerala Fried Chicken for starters and Homemade Paneer Kalimirch, Red Chard Patra, Chicken Tikka & Kale for mains: (i) Sesame Leaf, Ananas Pani Puri, Kerala Fried Chicken and Red Chard Patra were good overall, all of the rest was honestly just decent (not worth the price). (ii) Food quality was good. (iii) Food quantity was very much on the low end. (iv) Quality of paneer could have been better.
2. Service was good and timely.
3. Ambiance was good, as expected from a place like Ettan.
4. Lots of street parking and public parking garages around.
5. We had a reservation but it wasn't required.
4
Just did Mother's Day brunch at Ettan in Palo Alto. Michelin starred, James Beard finalist, and yes the hype is somewhat real. A few dishes that stood out:
⭐ Jackfruit Slider - 5/5 (other reviewers agree, this is a must-order)
⭐ Braised Lamb Ribs - 5/5 on flavor, but criminally small
⭐ Sesame Leaf Chaat - 4/5, inventive and fun
⭐ Asparagus & Fava Kofta - 3/5, underwhelming
The highs are genuinely great. But the portion sizes are a running theme in reviews for a reason. You will leave wanting more food, not just more of the good dishes. Go for the experience, just temper your expectations on how full you'll leave.
Also they add a 3.0% living wage charge to the bill. 20% surcharge for 6 or more people
Interestingly the waiter cleared my plate before I finished eating. Maybe because it was busy.
