We've been pretty disappointed with the quality of Palo Alto's mid-priced restaurants as well.

The restaurants in Palo Alto just don't seem to be memorable...or special. But then what do I know? I still miss Good Earth and Vicolo pizzeria!

I have a hard time seeing how you could be disappointed at either Zola or Evvia. That are consistently fabulous and very memorable.

But Evvia is overpriced - you cannot get two courses and wine for under $40 - as required above. IMO, Evvia's food is fine for most part, but unnecessarily overpriced, overall.

Disappointed that Zola was dropped. I've dined there and found the food marvelous and service excellent. Perhaps it didn't meet the Bib Gourmand criteria - too expensive? Would like to know .. From what I know Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants are ones where you can get two courses and a glass of wine or a dessert for $40 or less, excluding tax and tip.

Thank you, Elena, for mentioning a Redwood City establishment. We're rockin' up here withs TONS of great mid-priced places. It's great that we can simply walk along Broadway and choose one. Also, the restaurants that open mostly tend to stay in business. There is not a "here today gone tomorrow" atmosphere that I find distracting. We aren't picky eaters, don't need a gourmet experience; our middle-class palettes are very happy here.

A well deserved award. I work in Redwood City and have been going to Vesta since they opened. Always great food, friendly service, good prices. A truly wonderful restaurant. Congratulations to the whole team at Vesta that makes it happen!

Congratulations Vesta!

Curious about whether $40 becomes $52 with tax and tip. Full-service restaurants here in general, not just Vesta.

@tip-poll: "Curious about whether $40 becomes $52 with tax and tip." It depends on A.) what your local sales tax rate is and B.) how much you tip. As stated in the article, the Bib Gourmand criteria are: "two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included)." Here's the math. A $40 + 9% sales tax would total $43.60 on the guest check. Add a standard 15% gratuity ($6.54) and you arrive at $50.14.

Keep in mind once again that Michelin's "Bib Gourmand list" is separate from its category of "budget" restaurants (the Guide has included a separate "under $25" list in recent years, but that is not part of Michelin's annual pre-release publicity program that prompted this and other journalistic references to Bib Gourmand). "Bib Gourmand" is a list of Michelin inspectors' personal favorites within a price range somewhat above the "budget" category. The distinction between the two is made very clear in the actual book.

@ Eater Reader: Tip should only be calculated on food price, not including sales tax. While many restaurants have suggested tips based on including sales tax for the calculations in the past, I have been noticing that many in the last couple of months have changed and now only make the percentage suggestions on the food price excluding sales tax. $40 * 15% = $6. Total $49.60. Or as restaurants now write it 49.6.

Didn't mean to derail the thread, but "tax and gratuity not included" omits a significant amount. I doubt the tip-consensus is still 15% around here, except for maybe a quick breakfast served at the counter. Don't know what the servers see or expect. Perhaps they are happier with a pleasant low-maintenance customer than they would be with a high-tipping boor. Compensation is a touchy subject.

I dine out for superior food and great service and a nice setting - In Palo Alto I feel Bistro Elan is worthy of my money.

Neither of the two dropped restaurants meet the criterion of less than $40 for 2 courses plus glass of wine or dessert. There is another (unlikely) possibility: one or both of them has been elevated to "star" status. If RWC commercial rents do not go the Palo Alto way, there is a good chance Vesta will maintain its status and maybe even more RWC restaurants will be awarded bibs.