Sounds unpleasant when compared to its predecessor, the Woodside Bakery. Paying for bread? When you ordered dinner at the Woodside Bakery, you got individual focaccia that were out of this world.

You could watch meals being prepared at the bar, really a wonderful experience that is way, way too uncommon for a restaurant.

The salads were excellent. So were the pizzas. And it was affordable.

What a shame, to have a Woodside institution -- where they know who you are, in the best sense of that phrase -- being replaced by an organization that seems dedicated to squeezing the customer's wallet, and for what? Skimpy drinks? Chicken seasoned with cinnamon and anise? You've got to be kidding! Bread that's ala carte??? Give me a break.

I'll trade innovation and exclusivity for comfort and familiarity and actual friendliness every time. I'm never going to this place, not to the bakery, not to the restaurant.

It's bad enough that the Roberts family bounced the successful local long time owners of the previous bakery, but then putting in a corporate overpriced operation, who couldn't care less about the local community. What a bunch of sellouts. I would have a tough time going to a place like that with those prices, small portions, and then nitpicking every crumb and morsel that lands on your plate with additional charges, but after displacing a perfectly good local proprietor with somebody who is willing to pay more rent? What's next, pay toilets? How about charging people for hanging up their coats? It's as bad as the airlines! Guess where you won't see me!

Loved the Woodside Bakery and it was a favorite of cyclists. I'm with Srini and Joe, this place isn't for me.

Even though we live in Mountain View, we ate at Woodside Bakery at least once a week. What a shame it's gone.
We visited this new restaurant in Palo Alto and found that everything the above people said is true. However, even the food was not good, but expensive.

We still go to Buck's and hope this owner doesn't force him to leave.

Never will we go to this new restaurant, where

Woodside Bakery used to be.

Sorry.

Ditto all the above comments. I have been to the Village Bakery restaurant twice and will never return. In my opinion, it is over priced and uninviting in all respects. Why would the Roberts family make such a change? Follow the money. I'm waiting it out for the tried and true Woodside Bakery to expand their Sharon Heights location. Meanwhile, there's always Buck's if they don't get kicked out, too.

I visited the Bakery Cafe with my family over the Christmas holiday and again with friends for breakfast. We ordered the bread for the table on both occasions. It was unique and clearly worth the price. Our meals on both occasions included fresh from the garden ingredients and were superior in every way. I found the service to be impeccable. Our waiter on both occasions went the extra mile for us. One of my friends ordered off the menu I was enchanted with the lovely decor. I was glad to pay the extra coverage to cover the wait staff and kitchen help. After all their wages are low and we live in an expensive area. And I can afford it!

I loved the Village Bakery and can't wait to return for their unique menu and wonderfully fresh food.

I have had the pizza no less than ten times,each time it has been better than the time before. Often when coming with another couple, we have it as an appetizer, and everyone loves it and it's reasonable price. I've sat at the bar enjoying the excellence and consistency of the mixed drinks often. Let's not forget the principal owner is a Woodside resident and is extremely receptive to the customer's feedback. It is often we remember the past as we wanted it to be and not as it actually was. This new place is the best plain and simple.

I love the Village Bakery. Wow, I am so happy the Village Bakery opened up in Woodside. It is so refreshing to go into a clean, well run and organized restaurant. The menu is amazing and I have tried almost everything. I love the roasted chicken and the fish specials. The fresh bread smells heavenly, and worth the price. I go at least twice a week week to dine or grab a quick bite at the bar. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is outstanding and the food is fresh, organic, and most important consistent. I'm always greeted by my name, and the manager always stops by to check in when I'm alone or with friends. I always look forward to going there.

Agree with most here. Unfortunately for the new place, they are being measured against one of the best relaxed,casual/quality places with what seemed to be a a big favorite of many as shown above. The old Woodside Bakery put together a PERFECT recipe for many seeking such a place. I'm not sure what the new place is trying to be, but I'm in agreement with the "It's not for me" crowd. It's a darned shame, but I guess it frees us up to discover the next Woodside Bakery type place, but that's a tall order.

It's amazing to me, considering how difficult the restaurant scene is to flourish in, when someone comes up with a formula that is a hit and gets locked in by residents over decades, but then someone comes in, chucks that out and tries something new. It usually doesn't end well. The old place was a "Wow", the new one is a "Meh". Life's short, go for the Wow.