Patch Picks: When and Where to Catch a Little March Madness

March Madness is upon us! Here is a general schedule of when the teams get whittled down, followed by five great places in and around Los Altos to catch some of the action on TV while getting a good bite to eat and a good drink (or three or four) to wash it down it with.

NCAA MARCH MADNESS 2011

2^nd Round: Thursday and Friday, March 17-18

3^rd Round: Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20

Sweet 16: Thursday and Friday, March 24-25

Elite 8: Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27

Final Four: April 2

Championship Game: April 4

Be sure to check out ESPN’s comprehensive NCAA Tournament Bracket for complete March Madness details!

1.

397 Main St., Los Altos

With the feel of a friendly, neighborhood pub, First and Main is roomy, clean and welcoming, and it boasts a menu of great food and great drinks. Plus, it’s family-friendly, with a kids’ menu that’s almost as good as the main menu.

2.

233 Thirs St., Los Altos

If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, Los Altos Grill has a diverse menu that offers everything from burgers to fine seafood, and a full bar that includes an impressive wine menu.

3.

541 Ramona St., Palo Alto

Looking to have a little fun while watching the game? The Old Pro is known for having everything you could possibly want in a sports bar and a restaurant. The menu is not limited to typical pub fare—in fact, it can hold its own against some of the area’s best restaurants, not to mention the full bar, wine list and specialty drinks menu. When it comes time to watch the game, Old Pro has a whopping eight, new 63-inch plasma TVs. Last but not least, if you need something to do during the commercials, you can always take a ride on the old-fashioned mechanical bull in the corner!

4.

191 Castro St., Mountain View

Go to Kapp’s if you looking for something a little different in the food department to accompany your basketball game. Think gourmet pizza, calzones and pasta, alongside bar favorites like potato skins, mozzarella sticks and calamari. Add that to a full bar with great drinks and plenty of TVs and sports fans to mingle with, and you've scored!

5. Firehouse Grill and Brewery 

111 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale

Firehouse’s motto is, “Come for the beer, stay for the fun.” The menu is diverse, with everything from juicy Angus burgers to pasta and seafood. Along with Firehouse’s signature, handcrafted beers, there is also a full bar with plenty of great drinks, served up by friendly cocktail waitresses in Catholic schoolgirl-type uniforms (guys, need we say more?). Firehouse always shows the latest and greatest in sports events on its generous supply of TVs, including exclusive UFC fights. Check the website for the latest news on what’s showing.