The location is across Sand Hill road from the 3000 Sand Hill Road complex, home to more venture people than anywhere else in the world. 3000 Sand Hill had/has a lunch place in the middle that for a long time was the only walkable restaurant and it wasn't ever very good. Location, location, location!
Sad to hear that the writer thinks Palo Alto post-10pm is dark. We've got the 24/7 Happy Donuts, Denny's, and the drive-thru at Jack in the Box that prove otherwise!