|
The fried tofu was good. The tofu with eggplant was outstanding. The chicken satay was excellent. The lamb curry was delicious. The Indonesian iced coffee was tasty as well. The service was family shop fare - a fine pace if you're in no hurry. Recommended.
|
Borobudur
Cuisine: Indonesian
|
Tenderloin |
7/9/2008
|
|
|
Pot stickers are house made and delicious. The green onion pancake was tasty. The hot & sour soup was good. The general's chicken was also tasty. The show stopper was the beef with fresh basil. Excellent service - recommended.
|
Chow's Kitchen
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Potrero Hill |
7/9/2008
|
|
|
I can't believe I found another damn Chevy's to review. This is a place to bring a big group - the whole room seems to be set up to accommodate large groups. It's therefore rather loud. Maybe only Emeryville has a better view. The food is standardized not too challenging or innovative chain fare, but fresh and not bad. They are masters of the default upsell here, so be on your guard of you really don't want the top-shelf margarita...
|
Chevys Fresh Mex Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Richmond |
5/23/2008
|
|
I'll excuse alot of things when it comes to places I don't expect much of in the first place, but high on the list of unforgiveables is pawning your mistake off on me as the item I ordered and that you prepared for me. If I wanted a cold-stale screw up from half an hour ago, I would have asked you for one. This place sucks. Avoid.
|
Lee's Deli
Cuisine: Deli
|
SoMa |
5/23/2008
|
|
|
An excellent lunch place. Smallish, but worth the wait. Great service. The soups, salads and sandwiches have all been really tasty and fresh. Tastes range from really innovative to great renditions of the standards. Recommended.
|
Cafe de Stijl
Cuisine: Eclectic American Bistro
|
Embarcadero |
4/29/2008
|
|
|
Sam's right - Nothing will happen here that will amount to anything revolutionary in the culinary world - It can move 300 people on a turn, and everyone has a reasonable expectation of consistency from the product. 300 people on a turn is institutional cooking by any measure, and proper Italian cooking is anything but, so there will be trade-offs. It's not crap like Olive Garden, but it's still Italian food for people who aren't Italian. The service was good. The salad was very fresh and well prepared. The penne al vodka had chicken in it and was served roasted. The prosciutto was more of a 1/8" bacon type cut, and was almost certainly pancetta masquerading as its way superior sibling. The bread was oven fresh. I didn't come to this carefully consulted and engineered chain expecting much, so I was pleasantly surprised to find the food as fresh and well prepared as it was. If you need to feed some cranky haters for whom a trip up the road to Alice's would be a waste, Romano's will do.
|
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Cuisine: American Italian
|
Albany |
4/26/2008
|
|
|
I try to be charitable when the food out paces crap service, but in this case, I'm merely obliging the staff of Farmer Brown with this neg. I get it - It's the cost of 'keeping it real.' This is the kind of place that is about the statement first, and the food second - based on the dubious belief that the food will carry the day. I admit I was impressed with the Cassius Clay documentary playing on the wall, and the bohemian hipster concept of the room, but where they lost me was with the staff who are too cool for school - actually, too cool for food service as well, which is really unfortunate, because they are in the food service business. I would be sickened to see such a pathetic parade of nonsense, save for the knowledge that no place survives long in a crap neighborhood with a crap staff providing crap service. Maybe that's the big idea, but rest assured the damage to the credit rating of the owner when this place tanks will long outlive any legend they think they are building.
|
Farmerbrown
Cuisine: Soul Food
|
Downtown |
4/25/2008
|
|
|
Small but very well kept room. Excellent service - very knowledgeable about both the dishes and the wine. We tried the Artichoke special ap, the antelope tartare, the shrimp corn dogs and the endive salad - all excellent. The fried chicken and mac & cheese were fantastic updates of the classics and should not be passed over. The Wagyu sirloin was excellent, and the fig stuffed pork loin was also excellent. Desserts were the cheese plate and the strawberry pie. Very recommended!
|
Maverick
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Mission |
4/3/2008
|
|
|
Has all the appearance of a tourist hive, but it's a local's local with some tourists sprinkled in. They have dim-sum, but I got the pot stickers. They were actually crisped up nicely - no rush job there. Friendly service. The room is what you would expect from a chinatown tourist haunt. Recommended.
|
Great Oriental Chinese Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Chinatown |
4/2/2008
|
|
|
There's no denying the kitchen was in the weeds (snort!) from go, but with good help, the best seat in the house, wonderful company, and the best bottle of albarino, ever, it didn't seem to matter. We started with a glass of champagne which arrived 40 minutes before the bread, so the hour wait for aps didn't hurt so much either. That the sun set during our wait also took the pain out of it all. When they arrived, the aps were excellent. Having read the three item entree menu several times before ordering, I am certain no mention was made of the particularly bitter greens that lurked under the mushroom filo entree, but they were there - along with their really woodsy stems. Had the rest of it not been so very tasty, I would have considered it a bad miss. Maybe it was anyway. The griddle cake entree was excellent. The chocolate and sorbet desserts were excellent, as were the dessert wines. I should probably give this a neutral but the food was good enough to win out over the crap timing.
|
Greens
Cuisine: Vegetarian
|
Marina |
3/29/2008
|
|
|
Excellent staff, cute room, good portions. The Jambon de Paris (proscioutto, emmenthal and cornichon) was excellent. Recommended!
|
Cafe Clem
Cuisine: French Bistro
|
Berkeley |
3/29/2008
|
|
|
It can get loud at lunch. Excellent burger & fries. Asked for mayo and the waiter suggested their lemon aioli. It's that kind of place. Recommended!
|
900 Grayson
Cuisine: American
|
Berkeley |
3/29/2008
|
|
|
The haricots verts salad had green bean (of course), smoked duck breast, blue cheese, nuts and a romesco of some sort, and it rocked. They serve it here in the cafe. It's really good. They also serve a very tasty and large BLTs on levain bread which makes for at least two beard award-less locals effortlessly shaming 'Wichcraft and its just ok fare. Up there with Pip to go for the best fast lunch out the back of a San Francisco uber kitchen. Don't be thrown by the line - It moves out well. Myth Cafe is a must-try.
|
Myth Cafe
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
|
Downtown |
1/25/2008
|
|
|
The his and hers (or however you'd like it pitched) nine course tasting menus made for 18 tastes all with wine pairings - with non-reds for the migraine prone birthday girl. The service was outstanding - friendly, personable and knowledgeable. The room was really nice - not entirely expected, but appropriate for the fare. The crowd was up and comers, people being treated like pro athletes despite looking a little too short and fat to be real pro athletes, and new money being belligerent and loud because they must think it's how old money acts in a place like this. No matter - The fish preparations were the best I've had anywhere, period. The Columbia River sturgeon and Thai snapper were allowed to present their unique personalities and were not outshined by overly aggressive sauces or sides -wow. The poultry was quite good, as was the lamb and beef. As mentioned, the wine pairings were great - Challenging and imaginative. Masa's really is on par with the best in the city. Recommended!
|
Masa's
Cuisine: French (New)
|
Downtown |
1/19/2008
|
|
|
From the delivery menu, I've had and loved: the mountain, Hawaiian, calzone, chicken sandwich, sauteed mushrooms, greek salad and spaghettini with meat sauce. All very tasty and recommended. Oh yeah - Four! Hundred! Four! Hundred! Four! Hundred! Four! Hundred! w00t!
|
Uncle Vito's Pizzeria
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
|
Nob Hill |
1/16/2008
|
|
|
Formerly a country & western club - Don't be deterred by the lack of curb appeal - It's a nice room. The service is pretty good. Big menu. The mushroom ravioli special was excellent. The bread rocked. Albarino by the glass was also very nice. Recommended.
|
Townhouse Bar & Grill
Cuisine: Californian
|
Emeryville |
1/16/2008
|
|
|
This place has all the ambiance and charm of a busy financial district luncher, but the food is so good they could add $10 per entree to the tab and be selling signed cookbooks out of a souvenir store with more square footage than the dining room and get away with it. This is what Wichcraft should have been.
|
Chez Carla
Cuisine: American (New) French
|
Downtown |
1/10/2008
|
|
|
The room can get very loud, but that's the only knock. The brussels sprouts were very good, as were the meats and cheeses. The cauliflower with romesco was also very good. The paella Cesar and the New York steak were excellent. Good service and fresh iced tea. Recommended.
|
Cesar Piedmont
Cuisine: Tapas
|
Piedmont |
12/16/2007
|
|
|
I knew there was a review I had forgotten to write, and looking over my bank statement this morning, I finally remembered when I noticed I was charged twice by Flipper's for one meal: 11/26/07 $28.87, and 11/26/07 $26.00. Now I'm wondering what other random charges I'll be seeing. For the fun of disputing charges and replacing cards, I give flipper's both a neg and the finger.
|
Flippers Gourmet Burgers
Cuisine: Hamburgers American (Traditional)
|
Hayes Valley |
12/5/2007
|
|
|
Nice room, excellent, knowledgeable service, and good portion sizes. The kampachi and pulpo salad were both excellent, as was the quinoa cannoli. Recommended.
|
Essencia
Cuisine: Organic Peruvian
|
Hayes Valley |
12/2/2007
|
|
|
Killer room, great location and excellent service. The tomato ap was good. The squid ap absolutely rocked, as did the beef special. Recommended.
|
Sens
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Embarcadero |
12/2/2007
|
|
|
After loving several jumbo red-stripes at the bamboo hut, here's an excellent way to wind up the night - The slices are good. They have both art pie and standards. Friendly service too. Recommended.
|
Cable Car Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
North Beach |
12/2/2007
|
|
|
It's been here awhile. The beer is good. It's a bit of a sports bar. The Pyramid burger was excellent. Its doneness was to order, and done correctly. The Halibut and chips were also very good - the fish was excellent. Service was careless, but not awful. Recommended.
|
Pyramid Brewery & Ale House
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Berkeley |
12/2/2007
|
|
|
Ricky's opened in 1978, and it hasn't been remodeled since. This is truly a local institution in every sense, and if anything was done done to tart it up, it would probably be disastrous. The food is good. Soup, salad, bread and a side are included in the very reasonable entree price. The kind of place with Liver & Onions next to Prime Rib on the menu. If you're early, don't be thrown - The place will be packed to the rafters within an hour of opening. Great service. Recommended.
|
Ricky's Corner
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Italian
|
Rodeo |
11/18/2007
|
|
|
New shop - pardon their dust. Layout showcases the kitchen, which is cool. High-end pricing for Chinese, but the food quality measures up. Iced tea is fresh jasmine, which was great. Service was very good. The pot stickers were very good, and the hot & sour soup was excellent. Recommended.
|
Kirin
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Berkeley |
11/18/2007
|
|
|
So, it's in the neighborhood, it's open again, it's clean, it's wasn't really busy, so what the heck - and what do you know - It's not a B&T scene at lunch time, and it was actually very nice. The patio was awesome for enjoying the day and people watching, and the service was excellent. The bread was fresh local sourdough, and the mushroom risotto was both righteous and proper. The Cappuccino was excellent. We'll be back for a full meal, for sure. Recommended.
|
Enrico's
Cuisine: Italian
|
North Beach |
11/2/2007
|
|
|
We order sauvignon blanc, but the waiter is a-tinkle over the sancerre. Maybe it's just me, but if you must top me on my wine pick, the last thing that had better show up is something that is little else but an oaky chardonnay. Who am I, Rupert Holmes? The shredded 'confit' of duck was good but maybe needed something tangy to bring it all together. The linguine with creamy pancetta sauce, porcini, asparagus, and tomato was really delicious and a nice autumnal dish. Dessert brought us pistachio creme profiterole, which was bitter and portioned on par with something you might find at the Cheesecake Factory. Waiter monkey again on the ball with the wine selections didn't know if the ports were ruby or tawny, so guessed tawny, and brought ruby. He was a sentimental sort and didn't have the heart to separate us from the bread, which kept us company through all courses, dessert included. I'll not fault the whole experience over a Berkeley waiter who can't help but phone it in - Don't avoid.
|
La Rose Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro) Californian
|
Berkeley |
10/31/2007
|
|
|
Now I understand why Soluna is still in business. If McDonald's had mixed drinks, Moroccan lanterns and beat blender on the radio, I imagine Jardiniere would spin some overflow there too. It's a killer room, but if you're there within three hours of curtain at the opera, ballet, symphony or civic auditorium, expect a large crowd and a maddening din. The tasting menu was very good. The wine pairings were chosen well. The risotto was excellent, as was the duck breast. Once the show crowd bailed, it actually turned into a very nice meal. Avoid the show crowd and all should be well. The port flights are a must try. I recommend the tawnys over the vintage. The service was excellent. Pricing is on par with Mina and Danko, but it might be argued the menu concedes to the tyranny of their regulars such that the experience doesn't keep pace.
|
Jardiniere Restaurant
Cuisine: Californian
|
Hayes Valley |
10/24/2007
|
|
|
A cool local's local. Both the appetizer combo plate and the combo grill rocked. The staff is friendly and the room is working person's lunch counter cool. Recommended.
|
Gyro King
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Civic Center |
10/1/2007
|
|
|
The service was capable and well intentioned, unfortunately management didn't feel it was necessary to staff more than one waitperson. There were at least 70 people in the place - Bad call. Fortunately, we were only just grazed by that bullet, and enjoyed a perfect late summer evening on the patio. We were later joined by a neighborhood cat of the feline persuasion - not some furry jazz man up from G&G. The antipasto and the capellini pomodoro rocked. The cioppino was also very good and packed with generous portions of fresh seafood. I decided to share the salmon with kitty, who could not have been more pleased. The pasta side with the cioppino was as excellent as the capellini main, which only added to an already great impression. The tiramisu was very good, and the drinks and wine lists are both awesome and very reasonably priced. I'm not sure there's a nicer place in North Beach for some reasonably priced fair weather dinner woo.
|
Bocce Cafe
Cuisine: Italian
|
North Beach |
9/26/2007
|
|
|
There's probably been a restaurant at this location for over 100 years. It's an owner operated local's local. The prices are great, the service is genuinely upbeat and friendly. The pot stickers were excellent, and the hot & sour soup was also very tasty and second only to Hunan Chef in Bernal. I'll be back to sample the entrees for sure.
|
Yan's Kitchen
Cuisine: Chinese
|
North Beach |
9/18/2007
|
|
|
What a difference a couple of blocks makes. If you liked the Lori's on Powell, you will despise this one. The service was rude, the place is not clean, and in perhaps the worst dining surprise ever, the retro red plastic cups are not being cared for correctly, and therefore had a hideous glaze of black spotty mold in the bottom, which only revealed itself once I reached the bottom of my drink which I had been hard pressed to get refilled, until I noticed the evil badness lurking at the bottom, at which time I didn't care for one. Inshala, they will go under soon, and a more noble use can be made of the cool old candy machine and groovy candy apple red metalflake vinyl booths. Avoid!
|
Lori's Diner
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffee Shops/Diners
|
Downtown |
9/17/2007
|
|
Something about putting your kids to work in your restaurant - And I speak from having been put to work in the family restaurant - If they can't perform as well or better than the rest of the staff, bounce them. They will put you out of business. The food here was passable for suburban Italian, and the waitperson was the typically well intended rookie in the burbs fare, but it was the surly kid of the proprietor that totally torpedoed this one by parading her displeasure with needing to work and her miserly lording over the bread - literally doling out one single piece per customer and ignoring requests for more. When not ruining people's meals, she could be heard engaged in the typical teenager rants from behind the counter about all manner of things that matter to cranky suburban teens. Absurd.
|
Cafe Milano
Cuisine: Italian
|
Pleasant Hill |
9/16/2007
|
|
|
Tiny room. There are as many tables in there as will humanely fit, but it's a nice little lunch spot. The mussels were excellent. The Gnocchi was very good. The linguine with clams were good, except for the smashed shell bits that I crunched on several times. The caprese rocked. The cappuccino was good. The iced tea needed to be tossed.
|
Caffe Macaroni Sciue Sciue
Cuisine: Italian Seafood
|
North Beach |
9/12/2007
|
|
|
The baguette with heirloom tomato, brie, basil, salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic was about the most perfect sort of that thing I can remember eating. I was grateful for that, considering the surly counter help. If I'm going to drop $20 on a sandwich and tea for two, I'd like to see a little gratitude, cupcake...
|
Bouchon Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries
|
Napa |
9/9/2007
|
|
|
When you're too old and your closet too full of Tommy Bahama to make a credible spring break showing at Padre or Powell, there's always Calistoga, where you can drink and screw like a frat boy without all the humiliating screaming and yelling. I'll take stumbling drunk and well behaved over the usual antics, but I definitely felt like I didn't get the memo about where all the cool kids were hanging. All I knew was the kids my age weren't in Calistoga this weekend. Our waiter was in love with the bartender's boobs, so he was impossible to keep focused, but fortunately his fellow staffers were happy to pick up the slack. The ribs were excellent. The fish tacos were a little bland - I spicy cream based sauce of some sort would have made it a dish as good as the ribs. Good beer selection. Recommended.
|
Hydro Bar & Grill
Cuisine: American (Traditional) American Bistro
|
Napa |
9/9/2007
|
|
|
We were very lucky to beat the rush, and had a good brunch. The BLTA was good. The Juevos Rancheros would have been very good, were it not for the heavy handed heap of sour cream that tried to drown the rest of the dish. The tea needed to be tossed. Service was excellent.
|
Cafe Sarafornia
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Napa |
9/9/2007
|
|
|
Copia is like the Nut Tree, but for foodies, and Julia's Kitchen really reminded me of the Nut Tree's Herman Miller furnished dining room. Not identically so, but it was nice - not too loud, modern and pleasant. The chairs desperately needed reupholstering, however. As for the food, it was excellent. The heirloom tomato bread pudding was really nice. Both the fois gras and duck confit salad were excellent. I would have left the tarragon off the foie gras, but it did not hurt the dish at all. The cheese platter was also very good, and the selection of wines by the glass was also very good. The service was pleasant and unpretentious. Recommended.
|
Julia's Kitchen
Cuisine: Californian French
|
Napa |
9/9/2007
|
|
|
The room is tiny - almost can't get between tables tiny, which was the only questionable thing about the place. The duck curry was excellent, the Singha cold, and the spring roll was very good. The thom ka gai was also very good. Recommended.
|
Chai Yo
Cuisine: Thai Noodle Shop
|
Tenderloin |
9/9/2007
|
|
|
It was a train wreck. The night peaked while we were stranded in St. Helena between services in a stuffy, powerless train car with a bar keep barking fellow passengers back to their seats instead of serving wine to help wile away the 40 minutes the 20 or so of us were held hostage on this edition the wine train. Between 6:30 and 9:00, they served a tiny plate of finger food they called appetizers, and there were two opportunities to order drinks - There was no employee in the car the rest of the time, as evidenced by the car to car phone that would not stop ringing. Then came the Chris Farley in drag barkeep mentioned earlier...Around 9 came the dinner service, and since the train was running late, hauled butt back to Napa, which made everyone rock back and forth like Ray Charles. The halibut was dry and allegedly served on risotto, but in reality, it was plain old rice. The beef tenderloin was prepared right, but was otherwise unremarkable, save for the salty squished mushroom on top.
|
Napa Valley Wine Train
Cuisine: Californian
|
Napa |
9/9/2007
|
|
|
The heirloom tomato salad would have been really good, save for the bullying visited upon it by a heavy handed truffling. Truffles are great and all, but like saffron, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. The nicoise was simple, rustic and cooked all the way through. Isn't it supposed to just be seared? The aioli was past its expiry. The Serisin Savignon Blanc was very good. Service was ok. I might give it another try, just to be sure it wasn't an off night.
|
Cafe Rouge
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Berkeley |
9/9/2007
|
|
|
The food was good. There was an earthiness in the colony roll that the ingredient list would not have indicated should be there, but the quality of the rest of the food didn't support a bad ingredient making it in to one roll, so we toughed it out. Service was pleasant. The room desperately needs a good cleaning and an update, thus the neutral - There's too much competition in this neighborhood to just phone it in...
|
Sanppo Japanese Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese
|
Japantown |
9/4/2007
|
|
|
The building is a testament to what you can do with millions of dollars and 10,000 gallons of horse pee. The cafe was nice, but indeed a venue to shill the product of the Coppola family. The antipasti was good. The iced tea should have been tossed. The cappuccino was proper. The room was well kept. It was not busy, so the pace was relaxed and pleasant. The wait staff was old-school professional. Something about an old school wait staff - They're not the masochistic sycophants so many people expect a good waiter to be these days. An old-school pro will expect as much of you as you of him, and if you can't deliver, it's unlikely he will either. Had I had more time and more appetite, I would have tried the linguine with clams, just to make sure the kitchen was up to the task. I will be back to do just that.
|
Cafe Zoetrope
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
|
North Beach |
9/4/2007
|
|
|
The service and subsequent handling should have earned them a neg, but the food managed to overcome it. The couscous salad was very good, as was the chicken salad. The cheese plate was excellent. The Catalan sausage was insanely good, and pulled this one way up out of the dumpster.
|
Bocadillos
Cuisine: Tapas
|
North Beach |
8/13/2007
|
|
|
Good local lunch spot. Service is good. The room is pleasant and not large. A bit worn, but clean and well kept. The hot & sour is typical lunch special fare - corn starch and white pepper. It woke up with a splash of vinegar. The lamb curry was good, but I'll try something else next time. The pot stickers were very good. Portions would feed two - all for $10. Recommended.
|
Great Hunan
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Chinatown |
8/1/2007
|
|
|
The margherita pizza, cheese plate and calamari were good. The penne al vodka with chicken was ok, but not proper. Lose the chicken and add mushroom and pancetta, and we'll talk.
|
Figaro
Cuisine: Italian
|
North Beach |
7/22/2007
|
|
|
Once Hot Pot City went away, this was my only reason to go to Daly City. Now that they are popping up everywhere, Daly City doesn't beckon like it used to. The Strawberry Banana Rendezvous, no chips, is the one to get.
|
Cold Stone Creamery
Cuisine: Ice Cream Dessert
|
Daly City |
7/14/2007
|
|
|
I recommend the banana strawberry thingy, hold the sprinkles. I find them way too rich to eat a whole one on my own, but I'm sure a more determined player will succeed. It takes dessert treats to a whole new level.
|
Cold Stone Creamery
Cuisine: Ice Cream Dessert
|
Downtown |
7/14/2007
|
|
|
There are more calories in a blooming onion that an adult's recommended daily caloric intake. Yes, it's that kind of place. It's also the kind of place that maintains one of those state of the art "table's ready" pager systems. Of course the only reason for that is because each outback has extra wide parking stalls for their extra wide customers and their extra wide Tahoes. The service was suburban generic. The decor is threadbare and tired. The food was good. Not great, but good.
|
Outback Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse
|
Pleasant Hill |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
Jazz, poetry and a full deli. You can eat-in, or even better, take your pick of meats, cheeses and bread, and go have a picnic in the hills between Crockett and Port Costa. This deli has been here for awhile, and they do it the way an old-school deli should.
|
Valona Delicatessen & Cafe
Cuisine: Deli
|
Crockett |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
This is another one of those 'all about the view' places. It was never very successful until SF's Stinking Rose ownership started running it. It is a very successful place these days. It's priced, menued and themed to be a high-end local friendly pick, which for many, it is. If it was on Fisherman's Wharf however, it would be just another despised, over priced tourist trap. Italian on the menu this close to a generations deep Italian enclave like Crockett is only asking for trouble. Whether you like the dish or not, it will never be as good as what mother made. The cioppino at Nantucket (just a few blocks away) runs circles around anything on the Dead Fish menu, but I have not yet tried their mussels and crab, which I may still do.
|
The Dead Fish Restaurant
Cuisine: Seafood
|
Crockett |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
You and a friend can split a burger and still leave full. The product quality really is top-shelf, but in being so, it seems to miss the essence of what a burger is. It doesn't miss like a veggie burger, decaf coffee or non-alcoholic beer, but a burger needs juice, and extra lean burgers are extra not juicy. Fine service, good fries.
|
Burgermeister
Cuisine: Hamburgers Niman Ranch beef
|
Castro |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
Fine service, quality product, nice room. A bit heavy-handed on the price-point, but not disproportionately so. Good iced tea, good soup and excellent, fresh salad. If I was looking for a safe play in the neighborhood, this would be a good choice, if I couldn't get a table at Houston's.
|
IL FORNAIO
Cuisine: Italian Bakeries
|
Embarcadero |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
With as much as I love Indian/Pakistani food, I'm stoked to see the Naan n' Curry chain making a go of it. Their food is excellent, and from what I've seen, a lot of prep seems to happen at a main kitchen, which assures consistency across the shops. Fortunately, it's good chow. The service layout is the same as other Naan & Currys. Not fancy, but good chow. The chicken tikka masala is great, as is the lamb vindaloo.
|
Naan 'n Curry
Cuisine: Indian
|
Berkeley |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
This is a great beer and grub joint. Not fancy, not foody, but awesome. Not really for the urbane - It's a working man's local. Good burgers - I like the chili cheese burger.
|
Cliff's Pleasant View Restaurant
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Benicia |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
Maybe the best roast duck and barbecue pork in the city. Not for tourists or those expecting typical restaurant service. Try it and it will be the measure by which you compare all other duck and pork.
|
Hing Lung Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Chinatown |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
Another really awesome clay pot restaurant. Also, another neighborhood local and not really a tourist type place. When it's cold and foggy, try any clay pot on the menu, and you won't need to buy one of those stupid alcatraz swim team sweatshirts to keep warm, as you'll be plenty warmed up from within. The chicken mushroom was excellent. Recommended.
|
Bow Hon Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Chinatown |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
This is a Chinatown local's local. Don't expect all the usual trappings of the more tourist oriented places. The roast duck and barbecue chicken were both excellent.
|
Kam Po Kitchen
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Chinatown |
7/13/2007
|
|
|
I'll secondo that - There's finally a place in this space that will succeed. Excellent service, management determined to do it right, awesome food, nice room, and finally some relevance and gravity to keep City Lights and Vesuvio company on this side of Broadway. I had the mussels & clams ap with an extra side of bread with an iced tea, finished with a cappucino. Perfect. We'll be back for dinner and many more lunches. Did I mention there are real Italians at the helm?
|
E Tutto Qua
Cuisine: Italian
|
North Beach |
7/4/2007
|
|
|
It's true, the sangria is the star of the show, but the sauce on the potato thingy is also quite good - I don't know what kind of crack they stir into it, but I'm going to guess, it's the good kind. As with the other Cha in Mission, you can part much water with a kind attitude toward the help.
|
Cha Cha Cha
Cuisine: Caribbean Tapas
|
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
I know I ate at the actual restaurant as a kid, but can't remember it. The crab stand is the way to go here. It's good, fresh and market priced.
|
Fisherman's Grotto
Cuisine: Seafood
|
Fishermans Wharf |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
Grab loaf from here and a crab at #9 and mosey down to the maritime museum for some messy grubbing and people watching. It's best if you bring a towel...
|
Boudin Sourdough Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries American Bistro
|
Fishermans Wharf |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
A former coworker of mine and I lunched here with our former boss who suddenly realized she needed to take the temperature of her staff, as does happen when you're way off budget, and no longer able to get by on just your charm with the higher-ups at Corporate. It was one of those awkward and agonizing two hour excursions that was not going to change the inevitable housecleaning that would later ensue, and it was not made better with drinks, because we still had work to do, and she had a happy hour to get to afterward. We sat in the 'outdoor' section, which exuded all the charm of a catering tent, since it was after all, a catering tent. The caesar salad and iced-tea were both excellent. Service was appropriately polished and unremarkable.
|
Waterfront Restaurant & Cafe
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
|
Embarcadero |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
This place is always such a zoo, there is no way you can come here for a proper meal. The food selections are an excellent counterpoint to those after work pints, however.
|
Kate O'Briens
Cuisine: Irish Californian Fusion Pizza Pub Food
|
Downtown |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
They catered an event at my office - The pasta was overcooked. The sauces and flavors would merit a visit.
|
Pasta Paradiso
Cuisine: Italian Mediterranean
|
Downtown |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
It was good. Not, great in a 'holy cow, this is what a guy wearing 5 Beard medals makes when he makes a sandwich' sort of way - just ok. I'll wait in the crush at Molinari's and know I'll get a better sandwich, and enjoy it more. We tried the chicken salad and a turkey sandwich of some sort. I was a little disappointed that my whole grain bread had been allowed to air dry on the outer side of the slice - Here's a tip they don't teach you about sandwich making when the teacher is wearing 5 Beard medals - Put that side facing in, so it absorbs some moisture from the toppings.
|
wichcraft
Cuisine: American Bistro Deli
|
Downtown |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
If there's one thing I can't abide is a line. The routine here is so wrong, it's maddening. It's as if they figured out the most gimmicky way to do it, and stubbornly resisted improving it at every opportunity since. Here's an idea - Walk the customer by the chow line on their way to their table, seat them, get a few drinks in them and then take their order, and then -- serve it to them. I hear there are a few places trying this new 'waiter' thing and it might just take off...The food was ok, but I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't feel like poking someone in the eye with a fork by the time I sat down to eat it.
|
Tommy's Joynt
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
It's art pie. The standards are alright as well. The crust was stale on the ends - Not overcooked, but stale, with that stale taste and everything...
|
Extreme Pizza
Cuisine: pizza
|
Cow Hollow |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
This is a local's local, and the pupusas are indeed their specialty - It's all I've had from here, and they are worth a special trip. This is another place my native Spanish speaking co-workers thought to be the best in the neighborhood.
|
La Santaneca
Cuisine: Central American Mexcian Salvadoran
|
Bernal Heights |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
Very good service and excellent chow. The panang curry was excellent, as was the pad thai. I wish I was on my red duck curry kick when I ate here. I spend lots of time wondering how it would stack up. I guess I have to go back...
|
Dusit Thai
Cuisine: Thai
|
Bernal Heights |
6/26/2007
|
|
|
I'll never take for granted how great it was to have eaten at some of the best restaurants in Beijing and Tianjin. It has set the bar for how I determine just what is great Chinese dining every moment since. Great Eastern took me back to Beijing in an instant. Clean room, enthusiastic staff, impeccably fresh and expertly prepared dishes - This might be the best Chinese I have had in the city. I didn't try any soup, so Hunan Chef in Bernal retains the best hot & sour title, but everything else at Great Eastern pwns the city...If it was down to a coin toss between here and Yau Hing, I'd pick Great Eastern.
|
Great Eastern
Cuisine: Chinese Seafood Dim Sum
|
Chinatown |
6/14/2007
|
|
|
Don't let the name fool you - this place and the one in inner sunset could not be more different. I like the other place better than this one, but it was still good. I was especially enamored of the disinterested over-done Russian trollop on the phone routine from the server. She had just the right amount of contempt, neglect and odd appeal to make it more entertaining than not. The pizza was good, but of a thicker crust variety than the other Pasquale's.
|
Pasquale's Pizza
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
|
Outer Sunset |
6/9/2007
|
|
|
Personally, I like that this place hasn't been updated substantially since it was the Doggie Diner. Having a warm dog here before heading over to the zoo on a cold, overcast day is one of my earliest childhood memories. Carousel tastes the same to me as the Doggie, but my preference these days is the chili-cheeseburger.
|
Carousel
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Outer Sunset |
6/3/2007
|
|
|
This might be the best thin crust pie in the city. The antipasti salad is enough for a meal with the bread. Great service, Roy Orbison on the jukebox, and great prices. The only thing I can fault is iced tea tastes like it's brewed in the coffee basket. We'll be back for sure.
|
Pasquale's Pizzeria Restaurant
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
|
Inner Sunset |
6/3/2007
|
|
|
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served both here and at the Oakland shop. Busy and loud. Fish tacos were a little greasy and condiment heavy, but I'd give it another try before going neutral or neg.
|
Cocina Poblana
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Emeryville |
5/27/2007
|
|
|
Very friendly service. The caprese sandwich was pretty good, as was the chicken/avocado sandwich. The turkey with dried cranberry was very good. Recommended.
|
Ruby's Cafe
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Emeryville |
5/27/2007
|
|
|
Salads, sandwiches, pastas and pizza - Good lunch fare, friendly service. I had the BLAT - Recommended.
|
Cabucci's Cafe
Cuisine: Italian American (Traditional)
|
Emeryville |
5/27/2007
|
|
|
My salad was a greens, chicken and apple thing that was very good. It's very busy at lunch. Breakfast served all day. Recommended.
|
Doyle Street Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners American (Traditional)
|
Emeryville |
5/27/2007
|
|
|
I should be ashamed to have passed this place on my way to a lesser meal as many times as I have. This is do-it-yourself grilling done in such a way that you get all the enjoyment of a great meal, and don't leave smelling like a fireplace. The ingredients were fresh and expertly prepped. The beef and fresh veggies were excellent. The tomato salad is also a must get. Allow your grill to get to full temp before throwing your stuff on the fire. The oolong iced tea is another must get. The service was great - Polite and graceful, even in the face of idiots acting like racist boobs while pretending they were making their very own paris & nicole show. It was all I could do not to spit on their food for him. Very recommended.
|
Juban
Cuisine: Japanese
|
Japantown |
5/27/2007
|
|
|
I knew there had to be good breakfast to be had on this side of town, and at last, here it is. The linguica & eggs rocked. Louis Prima on the stereo, real, non-gourmet coffee, excellent service and neighborhood prices. The locals will be very unhappy the word is out on this place.
|
Curly's Coffee Shop
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Russian Hill |
5/27/2007
|
|
|
The scrambled eggs were good, except that they weren't the over-easy that was ordered. The iced tea was good. The vegetable strata was good, as was the chicken meatloaf sandwich. Recommended!
|
Modern Tea
Cuisine: Organic Coffee/Tea Shop American Bistro
|
Hayes Valley |
5/12/2007
|
|
|
Good salad, and the pie was alright. If a thin crust is to your liking, you might dig it, but I thought it tasted a little stale toward the end. It was takeout however, so I'd eat-in before I'd give it a neg.
|
Pizza Orgasmica
Cuisine: pizza
|
Marina |
5/12/2007
|
|
|
Excellent salad. The pie was just right - good crust & sauce with the right amount of cheese and pepperoni. The wings were just ok. Friendly service. Recommended.
|
Goat Hill Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
SoMa |
5/12/2007
|
|
|
The bolognese, puttanesca and gamberi were all very good. That said, I know my grandfather would have stormed the kitchen and given the chef cooking lessons. It was catered, so the pasta was overdone. That's not so much a failure as an inevitability. The sauce and preparation was good enough to merit adding a proper visit to the to-do list.
|
Pasta Paradiso
Cuisine: Italian Mediterranean
|
Embarcadero |
5/11/2007
|
|
|
It's not every place that can claim to be the whole package, and in North Beach, where there doesn't seem to be a great deal of incentive to be the whole package, Citizen Thai is indeed all that. I dare say, it might be one of the best restaurants in North Beach. The room backs up the menu's fusion of traditional Thai, modern California cuisine and San Francisco-Foo. It speaks to an attention to detail that is backed up by the food - fresh, locally sourced and very well presented. The Sonoma duck breast red-curry totally rocked. The portions were excellent for the price, and for North Beach, the pricing is an absolute bargain for the quality of the product and experience. Our server was on a solo flight for what was probably a busier than expected lunch. She meant well, so no gripes about the service. Very recommended.
|
Citizen Thai
Cuisine: Thai
|
North Beach |
4/11/2007
|
|
|
I'm sure the locals are very bummed the secret's out about Bo's. Maybe the best barbecue in the bay area. Awesome live jazz. We beat the rush by minutes. If we hadn't, we could have been waiting for awhile. The ribs and chicken were both excellent. Bo's is a dry barbecue, and it comes with an excellent sauce as well. Dinners come with a sweet potato salad, fresh greens, bread and baked yam. Don't be thrown by the order-at-the-door routine - The service is great. This is one of those places that could fall victim to its success. If they grow, let's hope they do it like Zachary's and not La Hacienda.
|
Bo's Barbecue
Cuisine: Barbecue
|
Lafayette |
4/7/2007
|
|
|
The brisket rocked, and the chicken was great. I wished I could have tried the ribs. The sauces were fantastic. The hot was truly hot, but not Everett & Jones' ruin your meal because you can no longer taste anything hot. The mac & cheese was overcooked and on its way to mush. The potato salad was of the 'smashed' variety. Recommended!
|
Memphis Minnie's BBQ Joint
Cuisine: Barbecue
|
Lower Haight |
3/30/2007
|
|
|
Friday's is another one of those places that is so well researched and consulted that failure is nearly impossible. This is also the reason I would never do well consulting. If you were to say to me, "Let's take a fat, roll it in starch, and fry it in fat!" I would think you were joking and counter with, "No wait, let's take a starch, bathe it in fat, roll it in starch and *then* fry it in fat!" If you know your Friday's, you already know deep fried mac & cheese balls are already a very popular item on the menu, American Idol is a hit on the TV, the Pussycat Dolls are big on the radio and the web's most hyped site is the digital equivalent of the National Enquirer. We all have our guilty pleasures, for me, this isn't one of them. I had an opportunity to eat here free and took it. If I were paying, I'd pass. The food is fine, the service is Olive Garden, the crowd is Olive Garden, the room is a shameless knockoff of something between Hamburger Mary's and Madison Bear Garden.
|
T.G.I. Fridays
Cuisine: American
|
San Bruno |
3/25/2007
|
|
|
Very reminiscent of a British pub. The service was great, the beer selection was great, and the food was great. The BaBa Burger is very recommended, as is the balsamic baby mixed greens.
|
The New Zealander
Cuisine: Pub Food New Zealand
|
Alameda |
3/25/2007
|
|
|
The animal roll and super dynamite rolls rocked. spicy tuna roll was actually spicy, which was a rare treat. The service was excellent. Nice room, but if it was jamming, I imagine it would be really loud. The blade runner bathroom is pretty happening, too.
|
Blowfish Sushi To Die For
Cuisine: Sushi
|
San Jose |
3/9/2007
|
|
|
The pasta with duck sogu and wild mushrooms was excellent. The garden salad was just ok. The manchego/serrano ap was delicious. The Caesar salad was prepared with anchovy. The ricotta gnocchi was perfect. The apple tart was very good, as was the gateau victoire. The Abarino white was an excellent accompaniment. The service was good, but fell off at the end. The upstairs dining room was cool. Recommended.
|
Zuni Cafe
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Hayes Valley |
3/8/2007
|
|
|
The roast turkey sandwich was great. The mixed greens were fresh, plentiful and perfectly dressed. The bread pudding was probably the best I've had in the city. The place was packed, but we were seated right away. The turnaround on the order was much better than expected, given the crowd. The iced-tea was fresh, and the service was excellent.
|
Slow Club
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Potrero Hill |
3/8/2007
|
|
|
Three of us kept the drinks coming and had multiple courses for just about $200, so only you know how that works out on the affordability scale. The duck liver pate was rock hard and fresh from the fridge when it hit the table, which was a huge disappointment and caused me to steer away from any cheese and wine selections. The pizzas were good as was the roast duck. The sides were also very good, but maybe a bit clumsy in the execution. The desserts were good - The donut was the high water mark of the meal. The drinks were excellent, the service was fine, but as mentioned previously - TwoSF conjures images of Coco500 - for me that means the deafening din of the room was nearly agonizing. I can't hear anything my guests are saying, and all I can do is smile politely and try to look like I hear them, because they obviously tired long ago of repeating themselves loudly, only so I may act like I heard them, when I obviously didn't. If your entrees are flirting with $20, this is not ok.
|
Two San Francisco
Cuisine: Californian
|
SoMa |
3/5/2007
|
|
|
For every dozen unimaginative neighborhood places, there's a place like Triptych. It's not a big room, but it's clean, modern, and a bit warehousey, but not detrimentally so. The focaccia and feta dip was really nice, as was the cocnut/curry soup. The ceviche was also excellent. The wine selections were excellent, not unnecessarily extensive, and paired well with the food. It was nice to see organic wine selections as well. The butterfish was excellent and perfectly prepared, as was the leg of lamb. For dessert, the pear tart and espresso thingy were both outstanding. The service was excellent as well. I know some of NYCs better known chefs were able to build solid reputations by opening places in neighborhoods that may be about to turn the corner, thus making it more affordable, and enabling a more uncompromised pursuit of the vision. It's a high risk formula, and for Triptych, it's likely to pay off. The meal was a SFSurvey comp, but I would have gladly paid full price. Recommended!
|
Triptych
Cuisine: Fusion
|
SoMa |
3/4/2007
|
|
|
Same here - I didn't read the reviews before eating Ho's. There's a guy here at the office who orders it for us, and it's always been really good - maybe that mystery ingredient makes the difference. I can't stand the suspense - What could it have been? Mouse p**p? If you eat out regularly, you've eaten it more than you want to know. There's always a chance it could be an unfortunate looking rice kernel...When it's in the salad, I have to draw the line - It's not even sterile at that point...I digress...Having broken up and cooked tens of thousands of chickens in my life, I have my suspicions that maybe the Kung Pao Chicken might actually be another kind of bird altogether, but it was still good. The barbecue pork is particularly tasty as well. The Mongolian Beef was about a third beef and two thirds onion. The won-ton soup rocked, and they will deliver all the way down to SoBe...
|
Ho's Bar & Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
2/26/2007
|
|
|
With a room full of intimate, empty, out of the way two-tops, why were we sat at the one nearest the kitchen? I was intrigued by the seafood spec with vegetable 'melody' offered by the Mel's grade server, but I hear this place is all about the steak, so it was Fred Flintstone time. The bread was good. The chopped salad was forgettable. The steak house salad looked very fresh and my guest enjoyed it. The baked potato was big enough for two. The petite filet was excellent, as was the T-bone, but it wasn't really all that. I guess my expectations were a little lofty, but I know I've had better steak in the city. While eating, the tables around us had turned, and suddenly two tables were trying to out F-bomb each other. Normally that wouldn't be such a big deal, but spending my meal ducking the much hyped 500 degree plates flying from the kitchen, it was just another annoyance. The upside was watching a runner with a full tray in one arm keep it there as his stand jammed him in the jewels.
|
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Cuisine: Steakhouses
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
2/26/2007
|
|
|
My coworkers love it. Art pie isn't really my thing, so I may not be the best judge on this one. I thought the crust was over-worked, and it reminded me of of a less sweet boboli.
|
Extreme Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
SoMa |
1/27/2007
|
|
|
To walk out of here complaining has me thinking of what kind of legs Hemingway would have had if all he had to say about his visit to Pamplona was that it smelled like cow plop, the flight cost too much, and the flight attendant gave him warts. Not that a review needs to meet any literary standard to be good, but the story you're telling isn't the story you think you're telling. The only foul air this night was from the few patrons expecting Chez Paul and not a modern world-class California restaurant. If you want to see a stiff floor staff, try Aqua or French Laundry. Our guy was conversant on the dishes, the wines, the cheeses, the desserts and the tea - Just the sort you would expect in a place like this. The tasting menu and wine pairing was excellent. My favorite dish had to be the oyster/caviar thing. It really sang. The dessert was perhaps too rich, but I was recovering from scarfing the last of the wife's delicious birthday squab, so I may have thrown off the chef's master plan
|
GARY DANKO
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Fishermans Wharf |
1/23/2007
|
|
|
I will confess my bias straight away - The owner is a friend of my wife's family, and he was a customer at my family's place a time or two in its day. This is a 50's hangout drive-in updated to be as much a hub for suburban Young Turks as the drive-ins ever were. The energy you feel going in is the same energy I remember from our family's place in the 70s. It's not just a place for good chow, it's a place that matters to the community it's a part of. We had the burger and the Buffalo chicken salad. Both were excellent. There are plenty of other choices, including cans of Oly, because that's how it's done in the east bay - heart-warmingly so. Your server will be a hipster misfit, just like we had back in the day, as well. The only difference there would be the fashion and the music on the stereo.
|
Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe
Cuisine: American Coffee Shops/Diners
|
Emeryville |
1/22/2007
|
|
|
Baja Fresh does this brand of fast Mexican much, much better.
|
La Salsa
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Downtown |
12/30/2006
|
|
|
Very not recommended, either off the menu or the buffet. If you have ever wondered what food poisoning feels like, you have a very good chance of finding out here.
|
Julie's Kitchen
Cuisine: American Bistro
|
Downtown |
12/30/2006
|
|
|
Great green iced tea and excellent salads. Cucumber in the water is always nice. Everything was as fresh as you would hope for from a salad shop. Really friendly and fast service. Nice, clean room. Don't let the line throw you off. Try the fruity nutty.
|
Mixt Greens
Cuisine: Californian
|
Downtown |
12/30/2006
|
|
|
This is a tiny place with a friendly staff, and excellent food. If I lived here, I would be here several times a week. The Tom Ka Gai was excellent, as were the curries. Very recommended.
|
Thai Time
Cuisine: Thai
|
Outer Richmond |
12/30/2006
|
|
|
This is a very busy local's local. It's primarily Chinese, but if you want a sandwich or Borscht, it's on the menu. The service, room and overall cleanliness is what you would expect of neighborhood grub joint. The pot stickers were very good, the hot & sour soup was also very good, the spring rolls were good. The tea was not so good.
|
D & A Cafe
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Inner Richmond |
12/30/2006
|
|
|
Now open! They are still working out the kinks, but the food is awesome, the dishes are clean, service is friendly and it's right across the street. It is typically tenderloin semi self-service Indian-Pakistani, so don't expect to be greeted, seated or waited on. In this case, I'm going to support whatever it takes to keep costs down, so they can stay open. It's like the best Christmas ever...
|
Naan & Curry
Cuisine: Indian Pakistani
|
Civic Center |
12/30/2006
|
|
|
This is a nice little French bistro. The onion soup was very good. The quail was excellent. The service was also very good. This would be a nice place to take a date. Recommended!
|
Anjou Restaurant
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
|
Downtown |
12/16/2006
|
|
|
I agree, the room is a cozier Campton Place. Everything appears to be as it ought to be, but all the right ingredients in all the right amounts is no guarantee it will be what is expected. Majestic has just about finished its shake down cruise however, and once all the details are sorted and the staff is humming, this will be on many people's lists of top-5 places to take a date. The amuse bouche was delicious but served in a glass with a tiny spoon that only allowed you to get about 3/4ths of it out. We asked to see a specialty c***tail list, only to learn after about a ten minute wait that what the server meant when he said, 'yes' was, 'no.' The wine list had been pillaged since its printing, but thankfully the bartender offered an excellent substitute. Aps were very good. Waits for both courses demanded good humor, good company and lots of wine. The mignon was prepared perfectly, had we ordered it rare. Its cut however would have caused it to be sent back, were not a SFSurvey comp.
|
Cafe Majestic
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Pacific Heights |
11/19/2006
|
|
|
A very nice neighborhood place that has me wishing as much as ever that I lived over here. The room would benefit from something that would subdue the volume. The service is friendly and prompt. If the Pad See Yu is any indicator, the food is prepared fresh and proper. Recommended.
|
Regent Thai
Cuisine: Thai
|
Noe Valley |
11/18/2006
|
|
|
If you're the kind who is going to eat at Mina and complain about the price, you probably also go swimming and complain later that you got wet. You can spend a month's pay dining pret a porter. Add wine & supplements, and you will go 'kuidaore' for real. Mina is a bourgeois shake down by every measure, but there is absolutely nothing deceptive about what you're in for and the opportunities to turn left and land instead at the Cheesecake Factory are as limitless as time is infinite. We did the seasonal tasting menu, which side-stepped his greatest hits. We also went for the recommended wine pairing. I was pleased they took the no-reds for the migraine prone wife in stride, but a little disappointed all they could come up with to sub were oaky Chards. No matter, all the trios were stunning, with the glaring exception of the ravioli, the sauce for which tasted of out of the tube tomato paste, and little else. That looks to be off the menu now, so the seasonal should be an excellent pick.
|
Michael Mina Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Downtown |
11/11/2006
|
|
|
They probably just changed the name, but regardless, the latest incarnation at this location retains its chops as a viable neighborhood shop. They do deliver, the food is good, and if you're dining in, you might get to see a rookie fling a tray of Asahis when tripping over an unfamiliar bump in the flooring. What's not to like? The sushi is good, the beer is cold, the tempura is proper, the bento is right, and the teppanyaki is good. Go, man, go!
|
Sushi Hana
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
|
Civic Center |
11/11/2006
|
|
|
I never wanted to believe the terrible things people said when they said the terrible things they said about those I loved so, so much. Eventually however the time came when I had to admit that I was just really into promiscuous women, and if those jealous haters can't even get lucky with my girl, they are never going to get lucky, and that is not my problem. I'd like to be able to say it's been pretty smooth sailing ever since, but it hasn't. So, we leap from a cab into the streets of the NB, and we're off to Viva, courtesy of the winners do win SFSurvey review and win contest. Here is the thing about eating in the NB: This is one of life's great destinations. It's forever exciting, firm, curvaceous, supple and full of the bubbly, dangerous exuberance that makes it a place you pretend is easy to dismiss, but if you know it, it's impossible to forget. If you get the Caprese, the Pescatore, the Gnocchi, and you loved it, you are fooling only yourself when you say you did not.
|
Viva Restaurant
Cuisine: Pizza Italian Seafood
|
North Beach |
11/11/2006
|
|
|
Ahi Taco Tuesday?! Que delicioso! The heirloom tomato salad could not have been more fresh, the cheese plate was excellent, the mac and cheese was a hit (but the sauce was a miss), the sliders were good, and the eggplant also was very good- The service was attentive, and the sangria blanca would have benefited from more mango and less orange (and more wine).
|
Andalu
Cuisine: Eclectic Small Plates
|
Mission |
10/17/2006
|
|
|
Don't be fooled by the locale, this is a very good Italian restaurant. The pasta was excellent, as was the service. The place was screaming busy, and the staff was composed, the service was excellent, and the food was as if our order was the only one on the pass. Excellent all around! If I had to say anything critical, the iced tea was old and needed to be tossed. The rest of the meal overcame that and then some.
|
Vito's NY Trattoria
Cuisine: Italian
|
San Jose |
10/17/2006
|
|
|
This is a too-popular local. It's places like this that remind you the mission is just the marina with ink, emo haircuts and heavy gauge piercings. The food was not especially remarkable. The margaritas were good, and the service was friendly and well intentioned.
|
Puerto Alegre
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Mission |
10/15/2006
|
|
|
Lobster ravioli was good, calimari was good, tuna burger with frites was good, there was a salad in there, but I forgot what kind it was - It was good as well. Ice tea was fresh and kept topped up. Bread was fresh. Service was impeccable. Intimate room with pleasant volume. We'll be back!
|
Fringale Restaurant
Cuisine: French Basque
|
SoMa |
10/7/2006
|
|
|
Pad Thai with Chicken was good - Generous with the chicken and not a giant plate of noodles.
|
Koh Samui and the Monkey
Cuisine: Thai
|
SoMa |
9/29/2006
|
|
|
Excellent flavor, generous portions and friendly service. I had the number three and it rocked. I'll try the combos next time.
|
Asmara Restaurant
Cuisine: Ethiopian
|
Oakland |
9/12/2006
|
|
|
Good wine list and desserts. Heirloom tomato salad was good, as were the oysters. Lamb duo and pork chop were excellent. It all went far to overcome the shamelessly overcrowded seating, pretty ok service and deafening din.
|
Town Hall
Cuisine: American (New)
|
SoMa |
9/11/2006
|
|
|
This is somewhere around third for the best places in the neighborhood that serve really good Pakistan/Indian. Maybe I am mis-diagnosing the origin of the preparation. There is something different about the preparations of the tikka masala and bhangun bhartha between the tenderloin and polk street. I really think there is more to this story than meets the eye. I really think there is a whole story here that remains unexplored. I really think the world will pause, if only for a moment to simultaneously remember and forget the great first imagined expatriate inner-city culinary preparatory schism. This Fall. Foodie Bacchanal. Only on Bravo.
|
Shalimar
Cuisine: Indian
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
9/4/2006
|
|
|
We weren't even allowed to acknowledge this place existed until the family exited the business. Old school burger stand and soda fountain, a la Fosters Freeze, A&W, etc...Some would consider it fast food, but they do breakfast all day, and they don't have a drive thru, so for me, it's a restaurant - not a nice or fancy restaurant, mind you, but a restaurant nonetheless. I haven't been in lately and can't vouch for what kind of service you might get, but the burgers are good.
|
Nation's Giant Hamburgers
Cuisine: Hamburgers
|
Pinole |
8/11/2006
|
|
|
We let ourselves be pulled in here on a lark after getting home from Beijing. I don't know why we went to Chinatown SF from China, but it's how it happened. The photos of the famous people who have eaten here are impressive. I hope they know there is better Chinese than this in the city. What? 300 reviews? Me? I had no idea! I made it to 300 reviews! Well, I could not have done it alone...I'd like to thank my lovely wife for enduring my obsession with never eating at the same place twice (except Chevy's), GOD, for not letting me choke on something, and helping me avoid food poisoning. I'd also like to thank my ex-wife who never did dishes, and got me into the habit of eating out almost every day. I'd also like to thank all the servers, hosts and hostesses, chefs, cooks and everyone else for not trying harder to kill me. If it doesn't say Hecho en Krypton, just leave it on the shelf. I'd of course like to thank Angela and Wayne as well for making such a kick butt site! Thank you! :)
|
Empress of China
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Chinatown |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
There is always a line for a reason. It is a good place, if Chinese pastry is your thing. I've had the moon cakes and they were delicious. I doubt I would have the patience to wait in line more than once a year, however...
|
Golden Gate Bakery
Cuisine: Chinese Bakeries
|
Chinatown |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
This is sushi for students either on their way to class or between classes. If the owners wanted to make it a high rent sushi place, I doubt they would have picked MLK and University as the place to do it. I have eaten here a few times, and it was not great, but it was not bad, either.
|
Sushi California
Cuisine: Sushi
|
Berkeley |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
This place rocks. I don't know why Ethiopian isn't a more popular cuisine, but it really should be. If you have not tried it, this is a great place to start. I never get over here any more, but each time I do, I kick myself for not slotting in a lunch or dinner here. It's worth a special trip. Don't expect western style utencils or service - It's a totally different scene. Just go with it, and appreciate it on its own merit. Very recommended.
|
Blue Nile
Cuisine: Ethiopian
|
Berkeley |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
The snacks were good, as were the drinks. This is not really a place to come have dinner. I definitely felt like I was crashing some kind of scenester's ball. I felt for a moment that an L7 like me might not be able to get the bartender's attention, but thankfully, I was wrong.
|
Fly
Cuisine: Californian Pub Food
|
Western Addition |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
If this is Italian, I'm perenneal Match Game favorite Charles Nelson Riley. Remember that episode of the Bachelor, where that lush from Texas asked Andy Firestone if he had ever eaten at Olive Garden, and when he said no, her response was, "you don't like Italian?" Those four words ended their relationship - you could see it in his eyes. This is Italian for places where there are no Italians, which would be like, Fairbanks, Alaska, or something. I'm not just hating without actually having tried it - My grandmother wanted to go, and what grandma wants, grandma gets. The chicken cacciatore was obviously pre-breaded tv-dinner style and frozen for later boil in a bag service. It that was not the case, it might as well have been. Even the salad, which seemed to be fresh, just tasted wrong. The waitstaff was hoodrat gangsta fabulous, and the whole experience sucked on a level that I really can't quite put into words. Thank God this is not all we have to choose from around here. I would die
|
Olive Garden
Cuisine: Italian
|
Outer Sunset |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
I agree - Good tuna melt, but the room and the service is more in line with a low-rent local walk-up than a 'wait to be seated' type of place. The first glass of iced tea was from the bottom of a pitcher that should have been tossed. Once all the construction in the neighborhood ceases, this place might flip yet again.
|
3rd Street Grill
Cuisine: Pub Food American
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
Casper's is a consistently great dog. I can't count how many times I ate at this Casper's growing up. I have not been over here since my grandparents sold their nearby restaurant, however. If this one isn't working for you, there's another up San Pablo, in San Pablo, on San Pablo.
|
Caspers Hot Dogs
Cuisine: Hot Dogs
|
Richmond |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
This is old school San Francisco pub-grubbing at its best. We're as lucky to have places like this as we are all the hot new cuisine. It's a really cool place to grab late lunch. I had a cheeseburger and a pint, and it was great. It's not exactly health food, but they have good salad selection too, if necessary.
|
Harrington's Bar & Grill
Cuisine: Pub Food
|
Downtown |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
I prefer the mothership, but if you can't get over there, Cupcake should hold you in the meantime.
|
Citizen Cupcake Cafe and Bar
Cuisine: Dessert French (Bistro)
|
Downtown |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
Everything I have had here has been good. Not remarkable, but fresh and good. It's eat at your desk food. I think the price point is too aggressive for the take-out. I'm always happy to see the leftovers in the office kitchen if they over-order for a meeting.
|
Specialty's Cafe & Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries Deli
|
Downtown |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
Pub grub and lots of nutritious beer! Perfect place to catch the world cup, but check back in the meantime - I'm sure it won't be as busy. The food is really good - on the better side as pub grub goes...
|
Irish Bank, The
Cuisine: pub food Irish
|
Downtown |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
I remember the food was good, but mostly I remember the parking, the killer facade, and most of all how cool a place this is to catch a futbol game - Especially if Cruz Azul is on the field. One of the great spots in the Mission.
|
El Herradero Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Mission |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
I had never had Nicaraguan food before, and went in to Nicaragua Restaurant without a guide. This brought a great deal of amusement to the staff and fellow customers, as I dunked my one thing into the opaque, starchy soupy stuff, which was actually soup that was supposed to be drank using both hands to cup the little gourd thingy. I had no idea, and there was no way they were going to tell me, as there was no telling what I might try to do next, and it could only get better. Fortunately, it was all excellent, and no matter how I mishandled and abused it, it was delicious. This is a neighborhood joint, serving the everyday food you might eat if you're hanging with the locals in Nicaragua. It's really good stuff, but not high-end cuisine, if that matters to you.
|
Nicaragua Restaurant
Cuisine: Nicaraguan
|
Mission |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
When I was one of five gringos working with 50+ native Spanish speakers, and we had an office lunch, a giant batch of pupusas del Zocalo was always on the table. They are considered the real deal by the locals, and they are definitely worth the hype. I have not been in to the restaurant, but I don't know what could undo the thumbs up I'll give to those pupusas.
|
El Zocalo
Cuisine: Mexican Pan-Latin Latin American
|
Mission |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
From time to time, I find myself playing tour guide to out of town bands touring on a shoestring. When the set is over and the gear is packed and secure, we head here. I've never been in without several beers in me, and I'm not sure how I would feel about the food if I didn't. That said, every time I have been in, I remember being really stoked to be. The food has never disappointed - even the next day.
|
El Farolito
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Mission |
8/10/2006
|
|
|
After trying their Pad See Yu, there is no way they meant to serve the red curry the way they did. Something must have distracted the cook, and they left something out. Bummer. Everything else - price and service included was great.
|
Sai Jai Thai
Cuisine: Thai
|
Tenderloin |
8/8/2006
|
|
|
This is a jumping lunch spot. I have tried just about every Pho on the menu, and they were all excellent. The Pho Bo is my favorite. That sweet coffee thing is good too - Iced or hot. The place is old-school divey, but if you're serious about Pho, you'll probably agree it's not unusually divey.
|
Pho Bac So 1
Cuisine: Vietnamese
|
San Jose |
7/26/2006
|
|
|
It's shocking how much money four people can spend here. The food is great, as long as you don't burn it, or your tongue. I had the shameful displeasure of pouring about 1/4 bottle of opus one on the table instead of my guest's glass - The servers know enough to decant it, but don't expect them to keep your glasses topped off. When sitting at a low chair, at a high table, don't try to stay seated while negotiating the pour from one of those goofy things. It will not go well...The price really killed it for me. Not even the totally insanely good chocolate fondue could get me over the price to product ratio - and that's not counting the wasted fancy pants wine...**Update** I do have to back my junk up and admit that it really is a pleasure to see this business making a go of it, and ok, this is a spendy place, but I'd rather lose my wallet's contents on good food here than lose it to a dope fiend needing a fix in the same place. Big ups to all of downtown SJ for fighting the blighting
|
Melting Pot
Cuisine: Fondue
|
San Jose |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
Another formica-topped local's local with real coffee - the kind that makes a sucking sound as you squeeze the can opener handle to begin the 50 crank journey around the number 10 can. Early morning breakfasts in a place like this are one of my fondest childhood memories. The more sophisticated connoisseur might find a place like this representative of all that is wrong with old-school American dining, however. I'm sure there's somewhere up the road where you can get a chalky $6 scone lodged in the back of your throat instead. Fortunately, they also serve syrupy lactose bombs to wash that down with for another $4...
|
Flippy's Family Restaurant
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Rodeo |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
The tandoori chicken was one of the best I've had anywhere. It's a family run place, and everything we have had here has been very good. They are not striving for Michelin stars here, but if they were, they probably would not be in Richmond. That said, I have had way worse Indian in way nicer shops.
|
Sahib Indian Restaurant
Cuisine: Indian
|
Richmond |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
Only Soluna has topped this place for me in terms of what an absolute disaster a restaurant can be. There is nothing about the service, the food, the pricing or anything else that redeems it. For as long as the locals had nowhere else to go for a 'better' sit down, it had its place, but as the world wisens up to what a good meal and a good restaurant should be, the Pinole Creek Cafe's of the world will find it increasingly difficult to be viable or relevant.
|
Pinole Creek Cafe
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Italian
|
Pinole |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
Somewhere between the '50s suburban style Japan in a can cuisine, and actual Japanese lies Tachikawa. Another of those places that has adapted to its local base, which the regulars love, and traditionalists may not appreciate as much. It's good, and it's a local O&O that has been at it for awhile. Recommended.
|
Tachikawa Japanese Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese
|
Pinole |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
Another of the great hidden gems of east bay grubbery. Excellent grub. It should be pretty self explanatory upon your arrival. Not a strip mall, and not an Applebees. This is old school bay area dining. On the weekends, the place fills with dudes and their lady friends who spend all week making the kind of cabbage it takes to hang $5k of chrome doodads off a $20k motorcycle. It's the one time all week they have to stop acting like dentists and accountants and act like Hell's Angels - without the whole violence thing, of course. Those bikes don't pay for themselves...Good people, good food and good beer.
|
Bull Valley Restaurant
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Port Costa |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
This is one of the last of the original post-war stand-alone O&O burger stands in the bay area that still retains a semblance of what they really were when families could make a living owning and running a little shop like this. The burgers rock, as does the rest of the menu. This is a locals type of place, and not one fussy types are likely to enjoy. Another of the kind of places that won't be around forever. Enjoy it while you can.
|
D's Giant Burger
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
|
Rodeo |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
There's not much happening in Rodeo, but if you happened to be over here on Pacific, El Sol is a rocking SF style Mexican grub hut. It's very big with the locals, and not necessarily because there is nothing else out this way. The prices are good as is the food.
|
El Sol Authentic Mexican Delicatessen & Catering
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Rodeo |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
If the Shattuck Ave Thai places were your regular haunts several years ago, you will be happy to learn one of the best landed here in Rodeo. Until these guys turned up, the only foreign food you could get in Rodeo was Pizza. Unless you count El Sol, which technically isn't exactly foreign, technically...Anyway - Won Thai is without a doubt one of the best things happening out here - Turn in where it looks like you're going to a truck stop, and go back behind the Burger King, and enjoy what you (and many of the locals) have been missing.
|
Won Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
|
Rodeo |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
Foodies will find it to be a bit divey, which is fine with everyone involved. One of the best Cioppinos in the bay area. Enjoy your meal as you realize everyone in the room knows everyone else in the room, most likely because their grandparents went to grade school together up the street. Hard to imagine communities like this still exist in this area of millions but it's true. Catch the last moments of a part of the bay area that will never be again.
|
Nantucket Restaurant
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Crockett |
7/25/2006
|
|
|
It was busy, but the wait was not unreasonable. The two tops were respectably spaced. Only one refill for my iced tea, and none for my guest. I'd say it was a good thing it wasn't 90 degrees outside, except that it was. The BLT and lime chicken salad were both very good. We got out of there for under $40 with tip.
|
Daily Grill
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
|
Downtown |
7/22/2006
|
|
|
A new themed diner from the people behind Lori's. Very good food. 50's era diner with excellent modern standards like a Caesar salad as well.
|
Betty Boop's Diner
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
|
Downtown |
7/20/2006
|
|
|
Aside from Europeans with jumbo large phones, there is nothing making Iluna Basque a worse experience than anywhere else nearby. Pricing is aggressive relative to the portions, but the tourists weren't griping, and it really wasn't out of sorts with its comparables. Add to it, this is North Beach - It's foolish to expect bargain pricing in this neighborhood. Chef Menor was not behind the pans on our visit, but that's not unusual at any other shop of this sort, either. If you have a problem with a $9 cheese plate here, you have a great deal to fuss about here in the 415. On our visit, we stuck to the small plates and the Coit tower view at sunset. If there is a better meal going in north beach right now, I have not tried it. The hams were rocking, as was the cheese. The duck empanadas and foie gras were both excellent. The hunky waiter was competent, recommended a killer Spanish white and had the ladies aswoon. Salting my game will cost you, Fabio. The desserts alone are worth a visit
|
Iluna Basque
Cuisine: French Spanish
|
North Beach |
7/7/2006
|
|
|
If you're looking for better Italian out this way, fortunately this institution keeps those in the know knowing better than to head for the Olive Garden. I'm not too sure about the room layouts in the new digs, but the food and service are what has made this place what it is, and both are still very much on the good side.
|
Zio Fraedo's Restaurant
Cuisine: Italian Continental
|
Pleasant Hill |
6/17/2006
|
|
|
This is another place where my parents are hall of famers in their beer club. The beer selection is awesome for its variety and quality. The food is also outstanding for what it is. When it's busy, the crowds are absurdly big, and mostly those overfed Tahoe driving dudesters with trophy wives in tow. Go in when it's not so busy, and it's not so bad...
|
The Hop Yard American Alehouse & Grill
Cuisine: American Pub Food
|
San Ramon |
6/17/2006
|
|
|
If you get this far into the belly of the east bay, you probably know this place. If not, and you find yourself out this far, this is a very good pie. The salads are good too. These are the burbs, so don't be surprised by loud, poorly behaved kids and huge crowds of people who also don't want to go to another lame chain and who love this great little local.
|
Rocco's Ristorante Pizzeria
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
|
Walnut Creek |
6/17/2006
|
|
|
This is another of those places that have been around so long, that I never really think of it. The view is incredible from all sides. The food is oriented to their most faithful clientele, therefore, as with Spenger's, "correct" preparation is a relative term. In this case, it is what the bulk of their regular customers say it is. That said, the salad was very fresh and pleasing to the eye and palette all the way through. The crab stuffed mushrooms and filet mignon were also good. When I'm out and service is especially out in the sticks, I will sometimes take to waiting my own table, just to see how far I can get. Tonight I got as far as water, and they were pretty good sports about it.
|
Hs Lordship's Restaurant
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Seafood
|
Berkeley |
6/17/2006
|
|
|
The only reason I'm putting this Chevy's up is because there hasn't been anything decent to eat out this way since Mello's went under. I could cut paste previous reviews - These are cookie cutter establishments - But I won't. This isn't about total reviews. Okay, maybe it is, but I'm at least going to try to keep the reviews unique, even when the restaurant is not...
|
Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Pleasant Hill |
6/17/2006
|
|
|
Okay, now I'm a little embarrassed to be putting up *all* the Chevy's in the bay area, but honestly, they are successful at what they do in that they are often the least objectionable thing when the choices are limited to listening to a lifer drone on about digging out her ingrown toenails to her regulars at the breakfast counter of a festering grime laden Denny's or guerilla birthday greeting assaults over a frosty margarita. I really do prefer the latter. It's just this thing...
|
Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Emeryville |
6/17/2006
|
|
|
I should be ashamed to be putting up another damn Chevy's, but I'm not. The food isn't great, but truth be told, it's not bad. If every meal was a high end tooter, there would be nothing to gauge the really good stuff against. Besides, what else are you going to eat at a mall? Olive Garden?
|
Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Outer Sunset |
6/17/2006
|
|
|
The thin crust pepperoni slice and Greek salad were both good. The iced tea needed to be tossed. Friendly service.
|
Patxi's Chicago Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Hayes Valley |
5/30/2006
|
|
|
We finally made it over and we were not disappointed. The combination appetizer was excellent. The wine selections and service were very good. The kebabs were tasty. When asked to choose how I would like the sirloin kebab done, I asked that it be done as the Chef thought it should be, and it came out well done. I might have opted for less done than that. The lamb kebab special was the winning dish, hands down.
|
Alborz
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
5/30/2006
|
|
|
Just when I had decided that Ahi Tartar had been played and played again, my friend insisted I give Aqua's a try, and it was spectacular. The Lobster & Quinoa Bouillon was also excellent, as were the Day Boat Scallops. I'm not sure what happened with previous reviewers here, but service was excellent from all quarters on our visit. The Strawberry Glace was very good, but the Citrus Tart stole the show. Between the Ahi, the service and the tart, this was easily one of the best meals I've had in the city.
|
AQUA
Cuisine: Californian French Basque Seafood
|
Downtown |
5/30/2006
|
|
|
The rolls were very good, as was the nigiri. Sake in the green tea ice cream was an excellent touch. Recommended.
|
Fuku Sushi Restaurant
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
|
Japantown |
5/20/2006
|
|
|
How this place has managed to stay off the radar is embarrassing. Several principals, including the chef, came over from Belden to give this great little room the life it deserves. The third-party online menus are out of date - Current offerings are fresh, seasonal fare. We had the butter lettuce salad and the hearts of palm lobster salad with tarragon vinaigrette - Both were outstanding. We had the rib-eye and guinea hen entrees, and both were as good as anything I've been served in the city. The dark meat on the hen deserves special mention - Wow. The per-glass wines were of such quality such that it would have been a shame to anchor ourselves to a whole bottle of anything. The sommelier was completely on the ball with all his recommendations, including the dessert selections. Speaking of desserts, the chocolate trio and apple thingy were both excellent, and the recommended Madeira and port were both spot on - and not the top priced. Les Amis should be on your best kept secret list.
|
Les Amis
Cuisine: French
|
Embarcadero |
5/12/2006
|
|
|
Don't let the location fool you - This isn't your typical Polk dive. The room and service will quickly have you forgetting whatever bizarre street theater you may have witnessed on your way in. Everything was excellent, and the piano man is top-shelf. We tried the lamb trio, oysters, the ravioli special, the Guinness soup - It was all excellent. The cheese plate was very good as well, however the recommended wine pairings suggest they may have revived the long forgotten 'lawn dart' selection technique over the more traditional tasting and contemplation method. That aside, the wine list is good, and the selections by the glass were such that you can probably come up with some of your own pairings.
|
O'Reilly's Holy Grail
Cuisine: Irish European
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
5/5/2006
|
|
|
As authentic a Brit pub as you will find out this way. Good beer, crowd, service and food.
|
The Crown
Cuisine: English Pub Food
|
Danville |
5/3/2006
|
|
|
I shouldn't even be including this place. It's a local's local, and if you come in here acting like some kind worldly foodie expecting to be wowed, someone will probably pee on your shoe. Cold beer and sandwiches. See you at the turkeyshoot.
|
Kingfish Cafe & Pub
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Oakland |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
This was on the circuit when I worked over here, but I was never terribly impressed. There is better food in the neighborhood.
|
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Oakland |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
As much a part of the East Bay DNA as the Claremont - Arguably more so. Definitely worth detouring if you're out this way. Everything I have had has been good.
|
Fentons Creamery & Restaurant
Cuisine: Dessert Hamburgers
|
Oakland |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
This is a killer local. Great beer and a huge variety of it. The food is just as good, as is the service. They have a beer club thing, if that's your bag. My parents are hall of famers...
|
Barclay's Restaurant & Pub
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Pub Food
|
Oakland |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
This is a great little lunch spot. You'll be competing with the office crowds from next door, but it's worth the tussle. Burgers and salads are both excellent.
|
Claremont Diner
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Oakland |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
Definitely great food. The day we were in, the service was appalling.
|
Tacubaya
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
Another good Thai place up on Solano if you can't get a table across the street.
|
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
I have slurped my weight in Pho Bo here. Recommended.
|
Pho Hoa
Cuisine: Vietnamese
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
Soul food, for real. Wonder bread and everything. If you are certain you can not get enough fire in your barbecue, try it here, and you will be cured.
|
Everett & Jones Barbecue #2
Cuisine: Soul Food Barbecue
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
If there is better Ethiopian in San Francisco, I have not found it. It is worth a special trip. Killer chow.
|
The Blue Nile Restaurant
Cuisine: Eritrean Ethiopian
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
Telegraph without Blondie's would be like Doggie Diner, without the doggie. Good pie.
|
Blondie's Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
This place is hit or miss, with my last trip being a definite miss. There is no way the cook didn't know how absurdly over-salted the tikka masala was. It was the only time I had Indian food that I ultimately couldn't eat. It used to be much better.
|
India Chaat & Sweets Indian Cuisine
Cuisine: Indian
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
This is damn good Thai. It's an out of the way place, but it's an awesome neighborhood, and well worth the trip. It's a local's local with lots of regulars.
|
Boran Thai Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
Good beer and chow. Kinda spendy for what it is, unless you are Shuffleboard Master, in which case the losers buy the beer for you - until I show up, then you will be buying for me. If the table is still there, anyway. If not, I'll see you at the fish.
|
Triple Rock Brewery
Cuisine: Pub Food American (Traditional)
|
Berkeley |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
Super fish or shredded beef - Both are good and you can eat for days on either. Sure, there's better in the Mission and all that jive, but this is good stuff nonetheless.
|
Taco Del Mar
Cuisine: Mexican
|
SoMa |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
Another good lunch spot. The combo platter is the dish, for sure.
|
City Gourmet
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
5/2/2006
|
|
|
Good, but Pride of the Mediterranean in SF is better. Good vegetarian selections.
|
La Mediterranee
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Better than Blondie's
|
Fat Slice Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Ok pub grub. Hit or miss service.
|
Raleigh's
Cuisine: Pub Food
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
The dessert crepes are a must get.
|
Cafe Durant
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners Mexican
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Good, fast dogs and Polish sausage.
|
Top Dog
Cuisine: Hot Dogs
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Super good Thai
|
Cha Am Thai
Cuisine: Thai
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
It's not Zachary's, but they make a good pizza. One of those art-pie type places.
|
Cheese Board
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Sandwiches and salads - Fresh, good, big portions, good value.
|
Cafe Intermezzo
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffeehouse
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
She led us from the culinary dark ages with a singular vision and made our world a much, much better place. If you haven't eaten here, you are denying yourself one of the great experiences not just of living here in the bay area, but one of the great experiences of life. I'd like to think anyone could be doing what Chez Panisse is doing in terms of using only organic, fresh, local, seasonal fare to create a menu and a moment as spectacular as our climate and scenery, but you can count her contemporaries on one hand, so maybe it isn't as possible as it seems. All the more reason to call and make the first reservation you can get. Obviously, the food lives up to the hype and the service is on par with the food. I actually thought the service was better here than French Laundry - Not because FL was lacking, but because it was just a bit warmer here.
|
Chez Panisse
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Absolutely outstanding. It's managed to meld old Sonoma with the best of what has made the area one of the world's great destinations. Everything we had was fantastic. A must-go place.
|
the girl & the fig
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
|
Sonoma |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
It beats the hell out of Olive Garden, but then so does McDonald's, so maybe that's not the best comparison. If I wanted really good Italian down here, I'd go to Joe's, but then there are those who would be somewhat right to claim they are not terribly different. You'll find better in SF, but probably not down this way. Not great, but not bad.
|
Buca di Beppo
Cuisine: Italian
|
Campbell |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Casper's is the one great dog in the bay area.
|
Caspers Hot Dogs
Cuisine: Hot Dogs
|
Walnut Creek |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
When places like this surface, I wonder if the people who develop them are actually aliens from outer space who are secretly creating restaurants like this so they can later harvest our livers, like some kind of human foie gras farm. If you're wondering where on earth you're going to wear that all leather NASCAR jacket you won in the office raffle, you've found your place. The food is good. The place is a zoo. I think you can get your picture taken if you finish all six pounds of food you'll be served. I would caution against this, however, as that might be be how the alien overlords keep track of their most prized stock...
|
Claim Jumper
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Steakhouse
|
Concord |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
This would be a very nice restaurant in any city. The food is very good, as is the service.
|
A.P. Stump's
Cuisine: Steakhouse
|
San Jose |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
I know people who make fun of people who gush about places like French Laundry and Chez Panisse, who also consider Maggiano's fine dining. It's a testament to what you can do with a suburban strip mall restaurant with the right consultants and enough money. It looks like it has been there for 100 years even though it's barely been 10. City pricing, mountainous portions, nothing special food or service. Don't tell that to a local, however, unless you want to be escorted to the border of Los Gatos and told you're too hoity toity to keep it real in the Jo.
|
Maggiano's Little Italy
Cuisine: Italian
|
San Jose |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
There aren't many institutions down this way, but this is one of them. Excellent food. Old school waiters. Who knows how long places like this will be around. Get in there while you can.
|
Original Joe's
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Italian
|
San Jose |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
High end food court.
|
Zao Noodle Bar
Cuisine: Noodle Shop Pan-Asian
|
Emeryville |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
|
Zao Noodle Bar
Cuisine: Noodle Shop Pan-Asian
|
Emeryville |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Very good place to grab a bite if you're over this way. The curries and pad thai are both recommended.
|
Ruen Pair Authentic Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
|
Albany |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Among the very few places in the east bay worth a special trip, Zachary's is second only to Chez Panisse, and first if you want pizza. Here's how to do it: Ditch the whiners and bart in from wherever you are. Jump off at Rockridge. Walk a block. Get on the list, and know your wait time. Cross the street to Barkley's and get bombed. Come back, wait a few minutes more, and soon you will enjoy the best Chicago style pizza, ever. Make a pit stop before departing. Head back to bart and home. Repeat as necessary.
|
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Oakland |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
I know several die hard Plearn fans who consider this their only go-to place for vegetarian Thai in the east bay. I don't know that I would make a special trip, but if I was in the neighborhood and there was parking, I don't know that I would go anywhere else.
|
Plearn Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
As local chains go, North Beach is one of the better. The IHOP meets north beach SF in the 70s decor is actually pretty alright.
|
North Beach Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Places like this are what makes Telegraph so awesome. Start at Rasputins, lunch here and finish up at Amoeba. I'm 17 again...
|
Bongo Burger
Cuisine: Hamburgers Middle Eastern
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
There is only one reason this place is still in business, and it isn't the food.
|
Skates on the Bay
Cuisine: Seafood American California
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
I had no idea they had food. Great place to get bombed.
|
Shattuck Avenue Spats
Cuisine: American Caribbean
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Another institution - awesome grub.
|
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
Cuisine: Hamburgers
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Five generations of my family have eaten here - Long before they yuppied up fourth street. It's an institution. The food is good. If anything, it's one of those places that is a victim of its clientele. With as much fish as this place moves, you can bet they probably know how to cook it right, but if it's only going to come back to the kitchen with a demand that it be returned to the table only once it is dried out and over-cooked, you can't be surprised that they get in the habit of getting it 'right' the first time.
|
Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto
Cuisine: Seafood
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
All the magic and meaning of Chez Panisse, without needing to wait weeks for a reservation. It is just as good as the mothership in every way.
|
Chez Panisse Café
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Chicago style. I don't care for the crowd, but once you get a bite of that pie in your mouth, all else falls away, and you realize no distraction on earth can take away from how unbelievably good a pizza they make. It's a pizzagasm.
|
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Berkeley |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Every bit of hype you've heard about this place is not only well earned, but very possibly understated. Four of us did the big tasting menu with all the add-ons and several recommended bottles as pairings and got out of there for around $1400.00, and it was worth every penny. We are at such an awesome place and time to have a restaurant like this in our back yard, right here and now. You don't have to ruminate about what it must have been like - you can go experience it first-hand - and you should.
|
French Laundry
Cuisine: French
|
Napa |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
When the VP of this or that wants to feed the whole department - This is where you're likely to end up. Fortunately, it's consistent, like a chain ought to be. Nothing on the menu is particularly spectacular, which is no accident. All the usual tirades apply about corporate chains lacking the street cred assigned to the local O&Os. One thing places like this share with the venerable local institutions however is that they stay in business and don't chase every menu and decor fad that comes down the pike. Each has its place, of course, but you can't expect the one to be the other.
|
Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Downtown |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
New name and a new look, and fortunately a new take on the menu as well. The old favorites remain, and items like the sukiyaki are much improved. Recommended.
|
Shima Sushi
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
|
Civic Center |
4/25/2006
|
|
|
Nice room, good service and an all around nice experience. The dorade entree saved the meal. The asparagus soup was nice, but would probably have been better had it not been foamy. Speaking of the foam craze, we were served a complementary warm cauliflower oyster soup/foam taster that immediately had me feeling that I just fed myself a mouthful of spit. Someone's warm, gamey, kinda smelly spit.
|
CAMPTON PLACE
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Downtown |
3/22/2006
|
|
|
Dang - this place is alright. We each had the French onion soup and split a club sandwich. It was a perfect rainy day shopper's lunch. The server faithfully arrived each time we began to wonder if maybe the dingos made off with her. In all, a pleasant surprise.
|
Nordstroms Cafe Bistro
Cuisine: American Bistro
|
Downtown |
3/14/2006
|
|
|
The chicken, lamb, beef, veggie and salmon kebabs were all excellent. Recommended.
|
Asqew Grill
Cuisine: Californian
|
Marina |
3/14/2006
|
|
|
Service was what you would expect from someone who was hired for appearance and not service skills. Fries were undercooked. Burgers were very good. After watching the fat drippings re-coagulate on my plate during the 20 minutes it took to get the plates cleared, it was pretty easy to see why.
|
Gordon Biersch
Cuisine: Pub Food
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
3/4/2006
|
|
|
The portobello fries were very good. The heart of romaine salad was good, and the presentation was very nice. The oil was not hot enough for the fish and chips, and was left in too long as a result. The fish was perfect, but the crust tasted of oily, overcooked batter. The crab cake was excellent and hearty in a way you might not expect it to be. It was early Friday, and already items on the dessert menu were not available. The donut thing was very nice, but a nice mate for the ports was not to be had. Service was not bad. Presentation was good. Menu items could all be priced up a buck or two and the wines down three or four, and the ticket total would not change, but the perception of the pricing might just change for the better. Too many tables and decibels.
|
Sauce
Cuisine: Comfort Food
|
Hayes Valley |
3/3/2006
|
|
|
We had the lemon 'chicken,' which wasn't chicken at all, since this is a vegetarian place. It was good. The thousand layers tofu eggplant was a little salty. The pot stickers were good. From what I hear, there are better items on the menu. Grub joint service.
|
Golden Era
Cuisine: Asian Vegetarian
|
Tenderloin |
3/2/2006
|
|
|
$50 will stuff five people with what might be the best and almost certainly the freshest sushi in town.
|
Yum Yum Fish
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
|
Outer Sunset |
2/11/2006
|
|
|
Off the beaten path and easy to miss. Not too busy at lunch, for now. Fast, friendly service. The meatball sandwich and salad were both good. Average sit-down pricing.
|
Uncle Vito's Pizzeria
Cuisine: Pizza Pasta
|
SoMa |
2/9/2006
|
|
|
Pretty good bento. Very fast and efficient lunch service.
|
Kamakura Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese
|
Downtown |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
Very good burger and fries. Onion rings are very good as well. Crowded at lunch. Loud room. Catch up on everyone's office drama...
|
Bistro Burger
Cuisine: American
|
Downtown |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
Long line at lunch. Chicken salad was very good.
|
Bistro Burger
Cuisine: American
|
Downtown |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
The Thai chicken was an assemblage of edible ingredients that was not particularly objectionable on their own, but which failed utterly in the execution. I often wonder if the people making these wrappy things actually try them before they put them on the menu.
|
360 Degrees Gourmet Burritos
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Downtown |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
Very good burgers, fries and dogs. I'll try the fish & Chips next. Burgers are made to order. Good hangover food.
|
Downtown Flames
Cuisine: American
|
SoMa |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
The flautas are very good as are the burritos. The chips are ok.
|
Si Senor
Cuisine: Mexican
|
SoMa |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
Free viddles during happy hour. Good drinks. The hot salsa is very good. The guac is ok. Excellent grilled-steak burrito and chips from the take-out counter.
|
Maya Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
|
SoMa |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
There is way better dim sum in the city.
|
Canton Seafood and Dim Sum House
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
|
SoMa |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
Steam-table lunch counter Chinese. About the same as Lees--maybe a bit better. Go in when it's busy and there's no guarantee what you ordered is what you'll walk out with.
|
Ming's Coffee Shop
Cuisine: Chinese
|
SoMa |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
Ice tea was kept full, which makes it very hard for me to dislike a place. Friendly, attentive service. The lunch pizza was very good, as was the cheeseburger and fries.
|
XYZ
Cuisine: Californian
|
SoMa |
2/6/2006
|
|
|
Predictable, formulaic Mexican fast food. For the same money, check out Si Senor on 2nd, or Maya's to go. The hint of lime in the chips is nice.
|
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Cuisine: Mexican
|
SoMa |
2/4/2006
|
|
|
Excellent sandwiches. The pot pie was good, but an oddball spice took it down a notch. Salad was so-so. Great au lait, and the pastries are amazing.
|
Cafe Madeleine
Cuisine: Bakeries Coffee Shops
|
SoMa |
2/4/2006
|
|
|
Standard fusion fare, and the nouveau Asian food wasn't too bad, either.
|
AsiaSF
Cuisine: Californian Asian
|
SoMa |
2/3/2006
|
|
|
AG Ferrari is no Molinari's, but it will do for a Sunday picnic. If it is your local, you're a lucky ducky. Expect to be corrected if your sandwich is not to your liking, but expect a good sandwich nonetheless.
|
A. G. Ferrari Foods
Cuisine: Italian Deli
|
SoMa |
2/3/2006
|
|
|
Two bottles of a German white, the olives, frites, sampler, house made pita, flat bread, cheese plate, tombo tuna, brined pork, bruschetta and lamb kefta--$150.00. The light fixtures were captivating. The help was unremarkable. The room was loud, but not so loud that we could not hear the PTA meeting next to us whining that the room was too loud. I can not say enough about how good the food was. It eclipsed the slacker supermodel in waiting service and Moroccan cafeteria ambiance. Go for the lights, stay for the viddles.
|
Medjool
Cuisine: Mediterranean Tapas Small Plates
|
Mission |
2/3/2006
|
|
|
Benihana is on the safe list among people who spend a good part of their life on the road and eating on their employer's dime. Unfortunately, unless you're your own group of eight, there's no telling who you'll be dining with. Sometimes, that's a good thing, other times, it's an overcaffinated, under socialized geek from MacWorld spouting self-aggrandizing platitudes about some obscure detail about how "Steve" would be nowhere without brains like his behind the curtain--all the while with his laptop out, on and in your space. That aside, it's really lovely, expensive communal dining food-theater. Excellent food, of course. Plan on $50 a head if you're just tippling.
|
Benihana
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
|
Japantown |
1/10/2006
|
|
|
The bento was very good. Whenever I am here, I wonder why I don't come over here more often. The nigiri is very good as well.
|
Osakaya Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
|
Japantown |
1/10/2006
|
|
|
This place rocks. There are so many places in this complex--This is a sure bet.
|
Sapporo-Ya
Cuisine: Japanese Noodle Shops
|
Japantown |
1/10/2006
|
|
|
The hipster doofus host was MIA for too long while we waited to be seated. He then took a call and made us wait a little more. You're so right sir. We are not worthy. Our actual server was very good--Better than the grifter veteran that was apparently training her. The saffron cheese croquettes and brie with quince were both very good. The lamb kebab was good, but when my guest requested a side of the pomegranate dressing from the croquettes, it was suddenly very good. The rack of lamb had been cooked with more fat on it than I prefer, but was cooked right, presented nicely and was very good. The sorbets were great as was the wine and port list. We were thanked for coming by some goomba in headphones on our way out. It was some kind of weird David Lynch moment. We'll definitely be back to see how things develop.
|
Faz
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Embarcadero |
1/6/2006
|
|
|
Whoever turned up at Bizou, looked around knowingly and declared, "gut it" should be drowned in the oil drum out back. Bizou suffered only from lackluster marketing and died the hard way at the hands of one of these tools that roam about turning places like Bizou into places like Coco 500. Shrinking veneers tacked to now visible particle board underlayment, cork floors and Herman Miller seating moved the starting line for this experience back a bit and added about 30 decibels and 20 seats to what was once a nice room. The trouble is, the room was never the problem. This went from a nice place to any place. Rooms like this are the strip malls of urban dining. The servers are known and respected SF veterans, which is a definite plus. Our particular server had his upmarket "Want fries with that?" expertly finessed. That wasn't so much a good thing. The house made meyer lemonade was awesome. The minestrone proves they can still make a good soup.
|
Coco 500
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
1/6/2006
|
|
|
Excellent burger. The Buffalo chicken Cobb salad was good, but the chicken tasted like it had been lurking in the fridge for about a week. The greens were very fresh, however. As for the beer, the blonde was just ok, the pale ale was too sweet, the stout tasted like watery home brew, and thankfully the IPA was just right. The pomegranate cider was delicious as ciders go. The service was very good. Bedwetting drunk former fraternity pledges (from the 90s) were well represented among the fellow patrons.
|
21st Amendment
Cuisine: American (traditional) Pub Food
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
12/29/2005
|
|
|
It was good. The bangun bhartha is prepared in the same manner as it is at Darbar, which is not the same as it is at Chutney. It's more of a stew than a curry. The tikka masala was alright. The sag paneer was very good. The Chicken korma was the best of the dishes. All around good, but not great. It all just seemed a little under-seasoned.
|
Bombay Curry House
Cuisine: Indian
|
Marina |
12/24/2005
|
|
|
Somewhere in here, under one of the couches is my more expensive than it ought to be lens cap. I'm too cheap to part with one graciously, but not willing to be tossed out for crawling around under a bunch of tarted up Delta Zetas on the eve of their 10-year to find it, either. It was lost somewhere between the first and second bottle of Stoli that my host presented the eight of us with. It was a rough night. I loves my Top of the Mark, but this is as venerable a room as any in the city.
|
Clift Hotel Redwood Room
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
12/21/2005
|
|
|
A snappy remodel revives this corner sushi place very nicely. Everything was fresh and good. The TNT and Rainbow Spicy Tuna Rolls were tasty. The tempura was good. The Udon was also very good. The noodles were not at all rubbery, and had a nice bite to them. Also--They have the same green tea ice cream that Opera Plaza Sushi has, which makes this an excellent alternative to Opera Plaza Sushi, if you're in the neighborhood. We'll be back to try their teriyaki.
|
Sushi King
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
|
Civic Center |
12/14/2005
|
|
|
If you're on the hunt for firsts, this might just be the place. I have never had a well done prime rib, but I did at the Hard Rock. The Caesar salad almost made this a neutral, except for the other first--I've never, ever seen four bartenders go as far out of their way to ignore just about every single customer, three deep dying of thirst and waving cash at the bar. If management was not aware this was going on, the place needs new management. If they were aware, the place desperately needs new management. Obviously there isn't much incentive to be any good at what you do when the tips are crap, but then that's kind of a chicken-and-egg thing, isn't it? If you're unhappy slinging mojitos for cheap tourists, maybe you shouldn't be a bartender at Pier 39.
|
Hard Rock Cafe
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
|
Fishermans Wharf |
12/14/2005
|
|
|
It's an alright lunch spot. The burritos can make for three meals. Fast, friendly service. Stacks up at lunch...
|
Victor's INC Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
12/5/2005
|
|
|
Another very good neighborhood place. Turkish, of course. Both the appetizer and mixed grill samplers were excellent, and perfect for two to split. The hummus and baba ganoush are great, as are the chicken and lamb kebabs. The rest was very good as well. Good, cheap wine by the glass--Not a fancy wine list, just a generous glass of good table wine. It looks like a family run place, so don't expect pro service.
|
Ala Turka
Cuisine: Mediterranean Turkish
|
Tenderloin |
12/4/2005
|
|
|
You can't miss with the lunch specials.
|
Ming River Seafood Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Downtown |
12/4/2005
|
|
|
It's no Saha, but it gets it done. Good drink menu. Good desserts. Don't bring a finicky guest. The duck in pomegranate sauce is just the thing.
|
paul k
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Hayes Valley |
12/3/2005
|
|
|
We went for dessert and wine. Very good selection of ports and treats. The pairing with the rose creme brulee was right on. My guest had a peppermint ice cream with a ginger/nutmeg meringue thing that was ok. The ice cream was tasty. As for the meringue--I'm not so sure if ginger as a baking spice is really all that. If you're palate takes you into spice cakes, maybe...It also had a house made cotton candy that was more fiberglass than cotton, but tasty nonetheless. Good, pleasant service. Try to beat the post-show rush, and you'll have a lovely experience. They have a full dinner menu as well, which we'll be sure to get back and try.
|
Citizen Cake
Cuisine: Californian Bakeries
|
Hayes Valley |
12/3/2005
|
|
|
Fortunately the food decisively eclipsed the rookie waiter. The wine is cheap, very good and served the way my grandfather poured it--generously, and into a juice glass. The salad was very fresh and very good. The pesce (red snapper with capers) and dona fugata (roasted eggplant with rotini, pesto and mozzarella) were both very good. I was eyeing the spumoni, but we went to Citizen Cake instead...All in all, an excellent sleeper neighborhood shop.
|
Stelline Italian Food
Cuisine: Italian
|
Hayes Valley |
12/3/2005
|
|
|
Small neighborhood shop for the intrepid diner who's in it for the food. You'll know before you go in if this is your kind of place. The Pho is excellent and prepared the way it is supposed to be.
|
Phu Huong
Cuisine: Vietnamese Chinese
|
Civic Center |
12/3/2005
|
|
|
Upon learning this was one of Sammy Hagar's cribs, I was ready to ROCK! SAM-MAY! Sadly, you'll need to leave at home the red leopard print spandex--the place is filled with yuppies and sales hags. Why can't this be love? Because Sammy rocked best before he hit the jackpot--like every other rock kingpin, that's why! Crap! Anyway--The same thing will happen to you at Don Ho's place in Honolulu--You're going to be fleeced on the price point for the franchise alone. Your job is to find the bragging rights make you feel better about it. If that doesn't count for frijoles, you can at least be thankful that the chow and margarita here are on par with pricing for any higher rent City establishment. The escolar was heaven. As for the tacos, save $12 and walk up to the taco truck at 4th @ T'send with some rose-water and cumin. No difference. The guac at $8 is a waste. Too much salt and too little lime. Margaritas are worth the price if you appreciate quality. Service is what you would expect...
|
Tres Agaves
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
11/30/2005
|
|
|
Every time I get fed up with bigfoot truck driving closeted jocks from Orland trying to prove something about their manhood to everyone in San Francisco, or crack addicts crapping on the sidewalk, a place like this turns up and reminds me that only in a city like this will you be able to eat and live as well as we do here. Truth is, we eat every day, and we don't encounter those in desperate need of help as often. Don't let the one exert too great an influence, and don't dare take the other for granted. The pizza at Village is top-shelf. If it were me, I would leave the garlic off next time. Also, you can order online, and there is a huge non-pizza menu, and there is a full complement of all kinds of beverages to choose from, that can also be delivered. That is not going to happen in Concord, Redwood City, Santa Rosa or anywhere else but right here. We rock.
|
Village Pizzeria
Cuisine: Pizza Italian
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
10/10/2005
|
|
|
Red Hook makes their house ale, which is much stronger than it lets on until about the third pint. Food is pub grub, and not too shabby. We tried the sampler. All were good. I would have left the garlic powder off the potato skins. Good crowd. It's an Irish pub insomuch as your definition of an Irish allows when said pub has an acoustic tile ceiling. It's no Ireland's 32, but Ireland's 32 is a long way to stagger and Temple is like a block away...
|
Temple Bar and Restaurant
Cuisine: Pub Food American (Traditional)
|
Tenderloin |
10/8/2005
|
|
|
This place is to burgers what sushi would be if it was prepared by Germans. The food seems perfect, but someone forgot to add the soul. It was not stellar, but good. I always walk out of these places feeling like some kind of freaky Howard Hughes like germophobe. Clean surfaces really are as important as hot food in a place like this. Also - true, it is the wharf, and therefore not a San Franciscan's San Francisco, but it is our city, and places like this only serve to make it much more like anyplace else. You wouldn't find one of these at Pike Place in Seattle.
|
In-n-out
Cuisine: Hamburgers
|
Fishermans Wharf |
9/22/2005
|
|
|
Three cheers for these guys for taking what can only have once been a dive bar, and making it a sports bar with a really good Indian buffet. The American Dream is alive and well.
|
India Curry House
Cuisine: Indian
|
North Beach |
9/22/2005
|
|
|
It's a jumping tourist hub, but they also take in their share of the local office lunch crowd, and they do it well. Not memorably so, but there is worse food to be had in the neighborhood.
|
Steps of Rome
Cuisine: Italian
|
North Beach |
9/22/2005
|
|
|
You get a heap of tofu with the fried tofu appetizer. The Pad See Yu was good, as was the duck curry. The duck curry was actually very good. Friendly and attentive service. Good, cheap neighborhood lunch.
|
Thai Stick Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai
|
Downtown |
9/22/2005
|
|
|
Caesar salad was good. Jamon Serrano with fig, manchego and arugula was also good. My friend had the steak and frites. I tried it and it was magnificent. If you get it and don't like it, give me a shout and I'll come down and finish it for you. My other friend had the mussels and frites and said it was the best she's had, possibly ever. The ladies enjoyed the wine, and after some cajoling, I got my mai tais, which were good for a bar that "didn't have one." Two issues - It's a loud room, and the expediter had a *really* bad habit of slapping his ring laden hand on the wood behind my guest's head, so presumably all eyes would be drawn to his fancy watch. Super. It was obnoxious. Just like a Rolly. Slap that wood again, and you're going to get tripped. For the food, however, we'll be back.
|
Scala's Bistro
Cuisine: French Italian
|
Downtown |
9/21/2005
|
|
|
This is to Mexican what Original Joe's is to Italian--Hyphenated American grub...With cocktails! If you can't appreciate it for what it is, you are either very hard to please, or God has carved a special little niche out of this universe just for you and your cranky a** to spend all your days and nights graced by nothing but that which is only the best, finest, freshest and whatever--just go to Gary Danko and whine about how played it is, already.
|
Celia's Mexican Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Outer Sunset |
8/31/2005
|
|
|
We went for lunch and it was really a good meal. The food was fresh and well prepared. The staff was friendly and attentive. It was a weekday in the off-season, between rushes, and they allowed us to loiter all afternoon, and the iced-teas were kept topped up. We had a lunch salad and apps. They were all good. It's always good to check in to places like this, if only to keep up on what the tourists are being sold as San Franciscan. There's some dude down there who hides behind two impossibly small fronds of shrub and really does manage to become invisible. When he knows someone doesn't see him, he surprises them by jumping out of the "bushes." It's the best. When I was a kid, they just had mimes.
|
Neptune's Palace
Cuisine: Seafood
|
Fishermans Wharf |
8/23/2005
|
|
|
This is one of those things you have to force yourself to do from time to time--like going barefoot in the grass. It will put a smile on your face, if only on the inside.
|
Swensen's Ice Cream
Cuisine: Ice Cream
|
Pacific Heights |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Good, but not terribly memorable. We'll be back.
|
Paragon
Cuisine: Californian
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Good for a late weekend start. It can be hit or miss, but any place with a shop doggie is a-ok.
|
The Bell Tower
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Good, but I always think it is going to be better than it turns out to be.
|
Zebulon
Cuisine: American Californian
|
SoMa |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
I was lucky enough to get back here under better circumstances, and found it to be very much the opposite of my last visit. I highly recommend an early reservation. Timing really can make all the difference. You can get everything from caviar service to very nice Chinese here. Check out the menu online and try a few of those order-ahead items. It the off-the-rack fare is any indicator, it will probably be very good. Not only that, but they have a pretty with-it somellier running around, if you want to try something more palatable than baijiu with your meal. The duck was excellent, as was whatever else we had. I wanted to check out the cigar selection in the guangxi room, but got the wrinkled nose from the wife...Next time...
|
Shanghai 1930 Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Embarcadero |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Dinner update - Friday night walk up found us seated at the Chef's counter, which was a nice place to watch it all happen. The wine by the glass selection was excellent. The bleu cheese with fig ap was really a cut above the usual, the shrimp/noodle entree was very good, as was the lamb shank. The desserts were also very good. Recommended!
|
Roy's
Cuisine: Hawaiian Seafood
|
SoMa |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Good drinks! Appetizers are just ok. The menu seemed a little limited.
|
Nova
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
SoMa |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Overrated and overpriced. The service is unique however in that it sucks and blows--at the same time.
|
Buzz 9
Cuisine: California
|
SoMa |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Great food. Fast service. Most places are more subtle about turning a table and don't leave you feeling rushed. It wasn't like that here on this night.
|
Osha Thai Noodle
Cuisine: Thai
|
Mission |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Good chow. Very French. Cozy place.
|
Hyde Street Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
|
Russian Hill |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
This is the real deal as far as Mexican is concerned. Refried beans were good enough to stand out. Huge portions.
|
Casa Mexicana
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Noe Valley |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
This is old school North Beach Italian, from the red and white checked tablecloths, to the waiters. Excellent gnocchi. You might wind up dining family style. You'll be dining in the marina. Only you know if that's going to work for you.
|
E'Angelo
Cuisine: Italian
|
Marina |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Great tapas, sangria and service.
|
Alegrias, Food From Spain
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
|
Marina |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Authentic German food, according to a friend who spent a summer slinging it, right there in Dusseldorf. Good beer. Loud.
|
Suppenkuche
Cuisine: German
|
Hayes Valley |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Filet mignon and lobster thermador - both amazing.
|
Scoma's
Cuisine: Italian Seafood
|
Fishermans Wharf |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
It's all you would expect it to be. At least Alioto's is local crap.
|
Rainforest Cafe
Cuisine: American
|
Fishermans Wharf |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
If you want me to pay that much for Chinese, you might not want to be five minutes away from way better Chinese for half the price.
|
Mandarin, The
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Fishermans Wharf |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Lunchtime salad bar and buffet are very good, especially the green beans and asparagus. Shells and cheese are also very good.
|
Lightening Foods
Cuisine: American (New) Vegetarian Deli
|
Embarcadero |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
Alas, we weren't seated at the Mayor's table (my guest was a Gonzales girl), but still, if Captain Steubing asks you to dine at his table, it's an invitation you do not refuse...He never asked, but he looked right at me a couple of times, which was cool. Anyhoo...When the towncar is out front, and goons with matching ties are failing the invisibility test in lobby, you can at least be assured the head chef is on the clock, which rocks. Apps were peaches wrapped in serrano ham and jicama wrapped ahi - Both were excellent, but the peaches were the better of the two. Entrees were filet mignon and a Hawaiian escolar. Both were out of this world. The green bean side was very good as well. The first round of drinks were good and on time. We were just about to light a signal flare when the second opportunity to order drinks presented itself. The cucumber colada is terrible. Desserts were good, but when the price on the bill is more than the price on the menu, the difference is in the tip.
|
Jack Falstaff
Cuisine: Eclectic
|
SoMa |
8/19/2005
|
|
|
In the first Star Wars--meaning the one made in the '70s--When Luke's X-Wing fighter was zooming along the Death Star's lengthy, yet narrow crevice, you knew he was there to plunge his photon torpedo into that tiny little trash chute, and you knew he would get it done. The same can be said for Puccini & Pinetti. It's exactly what you expect. Just go ahead to a northbeach flagship. It's what you wanted to do anyway...
|
Puccini & Pinetti
Cuisine: Italian
|
Downtown |
8/7/2005
|
|
|
Unless you're a B&T, a tourist, holding a Corporate AmEx, from Fresno, or shooting I Love the 80's, part 3, you might as well go to Houston's. You'll spend the same money, and Barry Bonds is rumored to have been seen at Houston's.
|
Fog City Diner
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Embarcadero |
8/7/2005
|
|
|
Sandwiches are all very good. The soups are bland.
|
Working Girl's Cafe
Cuisine: Deli
|
Downtown |
8/7/2005
|
|
|
Do not miss the Prix Fixe lunch.
|
Tommy Toy's Cuisine Chinoise
Cuisine: Chinese French (New)
|
Downtown |
8/7/2005
|
|
|
Back in the day, I hired people based on the recipes I knew they would bring over from their former employers. When this place hires someone from Bizou who knows that mushroom soup recipe, I'll let you know. Until then don't go out of your way...
|
San Francisco Soup Company
Cuisine: Soups
|
Downtown |
8/7/2005
|
|
|
It felt so very '80s. I'll be back for the duck.
|
Postrio
Cuisine: American (New) Pizza
|
Downtown |
8/7/2005
|
|
|
The mussels and the frites are both worth the trip. The Belden places seem to orbit around the same cuisine consultant--Fortunately there's good food there...
|
Plouf
Cuisine: French Seafood
|
Downtown |
8/7/2005
|
|
|
It lives up to its hype. I'll take HOPR any day, but you can't go wrong here. Well, I guess you could if you're Hindu and vegetarian, but if you came here with the idea of leaving here feeling like a fresh out of the oven bladder full of haggas in a dinner jacket, then Morton's will not disappoint. Friends familiar with what it must be like to be in Chicago report the SF Morton's is like the Morton's in Chicago, which can also be said about McDonald's, so, there you go.
|
Morton's Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse
|
Downtown |
8/7/2005
|
|
|
When there's $8 of product on my plate, in the right place, I can live with paying a triple markup. When there is 93 cents of product on my plate however, prices at Millennium are the equivalent of charging $160 for $8 worth of product, which is not cool, even if Thomas Keller and Alice Waters teamed up to make it. It would not be cool, even if they fed it to me, and Thomas rubbed my shoulders and Alice whispered naughty limericks in my ear between bites...
|
Millennium
Cuisine: Vegetarian
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
Cheap & fast breakfast buffet. Good hangover food.
|
Lee's Deli
Cuisine: Deli
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
The organic salads really are great, as are the soups.
|
Harvest & Rowe
Cuisine: American Bistro
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
This is a good place for drinks after work. The drinking snacks are pretty good. Something for the kitchen to consider--When more than half a head of lettuce is wilted and needs to be tossed--The other half has no business being on a plate, as it will taste like dirt. Literally, just like soil. Not good.
|
Elephant & Castle Pub & Restaurant
Cuisine: American Asian Indian
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
The pastries really are all that. The panini is amazing. Salads are just ok.
|
Cafe Madeleine
Cuisine: Pastries
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
Cozy place. Coq au Vin? Coq au Bon!
|
Cafe Claude
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
I had a really good sandwich here. I don't know what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised.
|
Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe
Cuisine: Bakeries
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
Stuff your face while standing kind of place. When you're stranded in some faraway backwater where pizza is considered exotic Italian food, Blondie's is the place you'll miss first.
|
Blondie's Pizza
Cuisine: pizza
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
It's a steak and martini kind of place. Dig the leather banquettes.
|
BIX
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
Service was slow for there only being three tables seated. The tikka masala and the tandoori chicken that went into it were both very good. I would order the tandoori chicken entree next time--The guy a table over got it, and it looked and smelled great. Naan was ok. Bhangun Bhartha was ok. They had no ice. The waiter assumed I wanted to tip him 40% and never brought back my change--HARAM!!
|
Darbar
Cuisine: Indian Pakistani
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
It is what it is, and it isn't so bad, really. In the food quality department, it kicks Mel's butt from one end of the soda fountain to the other. As for decor, Lori's is more of a time capsule to Mel's time machine. The Powell St. Lori's was also clean--Floors, tables, dishes, utensils, glasses--all of it. It is truly the anti-Mel's.
|
Lori's Diner
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffee Shops/Diners
|
Downtown |
8/6/2005
|
|
|
Very good--What I remember about eating out in the city before eating out in the city was something that could take three months to pay off. The pesto gnocchi and seafood linguine were both excellent. The caesar salad was enough for two. A bottle of wine was reasonable, and the whole meal was great. They pack them in there, but we got in early and there was no wait. No dessert, but there is a candy shop up on Columbus that can easily take care of an after dinner sweet tooth. Hoof it up and over Pacific to Van Ness, and the whole thing is guilt free to boot.
|
Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant
Cuisine: italian
|
North Beach |
7/21/2005
|
|
|
I think they sub the pasta prep out to the kitchens of chef boyardee. The eggplant ensures that I will always enjoy something here. I could take or leave the place.
|
Buca di Beppo
Cuisine: Italian
|
SoMa |
7/6/2005
|
|
|
This place rocks. The Mediterranean platter was delicious and would have made an excellent light meal all by itself. The gyros platter--Excellent meat, tzatziki and fresh, house made pita. The lamb shank was expertly prepared, and the sauce was a perfect accompaniment. Garlic mashed potatoes were nice, and the vegetables were easily among the best prepared I've ever had. Nice detail--They are so often an afterthought. Dessert was a quadruple sized tiramisu with a very nice semisweet raspberry confit. Holy cow! All other portions were generous as well. All this and a bottle of wine for...$60?! I double checked the ticket--wow. Right on. I would have been happy with that meal for twice the price.
|
Santorini Restaurant
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Downtown |
7/6/2005
|
|
|
There isn't much to get me out this way, but Fresca alone is worth the trip. We went for lunch.
|
Fresca
Cuisine: peruvian
|
West Portal |
7/6/2005
|
|
|
The pupusas and carnes might be the best in the city. There is so little that differentiates so many Mexican/Central American/South American places in the city that I can never remember one from the other. If I could, I'd have 10 more reviews on this thing...For me, there are two standouts--This place and another lunch only place on Mission...I need to head down there and find it...
|
La Santaneca De LA Mission
Cuisine: Central American Salvadoran Mexican
|
Mission |
7/5/2005
|
|
|
This place was alright. They sat us ahead of the first seating, which was much appreciated. Everything was very good. I'd like to return on a non-show night.
|
Caffe Delle Stelle
Cuisine: Italian
|
Hayes Valley |
7/5/2005
|
|
|
Really great for lunch. The eggplant was properly made. Excellent food and service.
|
Ristorante Umbria
Cuisine: Italian
|
SoMa |
7/5/2005
|
|
|
Good chow. Any other location, and this would be a very popular place to grab a bite.
|
Opi's Grill and Cafe
Cuisine: Mediterranean Middle Eastern
|
Civic Center |
7/5/2005
|
|
|
It was good, just not as good as I had hoped. There has to be better Ethiopian in San Francisco, and it can't be that the best Ethiopian in the bay area was in San Jose and closed over a year ago...
|
Cafe Ethiopia
Cuisine: Ethiopian African
|
Mission |
7/5/2005
|
|
|
The naan alone is worth a visit. I don't know enough about Indian food to differentiate between regional treatments, but here, the tikka masala is not a creamy one. Good nonetheless, just not like you would expect, if you were expecting a dish of buttery bright orange sauce for to dunk your naan. The most popular items are conspicuously priced accordingly, but the portions are generous. We'll be back.
|
Indian Aroma Restaurant
Cuisine: Indian
|
Nob Hill |
7/5/2005
|
|
|
Fortunately, the wine flights were very well selected, and the waiter knew enough about both the wine and the food to make informed suggestions that made for an excellent experience, despite the shoe horned seating. If I can bite a fellow patron on the a** as they shinny between our tables to sit, then we are sitting at a two-top in name only. If we were all chickens, and those two-tops were the back of a truck, you would have peta all up in your kitchen, so to speak...
|
Eos Restaurant & Wine Bar
Cuisine: Californian Asian Fusion
|
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
7/5/2005
|
|
|
Good chow...and beer!
|
Long Life Noodle Company and Jook Joint
Cuisine: Asian Noodle
|
SoMa |
7/5/2005
|
|
|
Pub grub. The place gets jumping after work. It's good. Seemed like the cook was just going through the motions.
|
Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub
Cuisine: pub food Irish
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
Their snacks are really good, and so is the beer selection.
|
Great Water Bar & Cafe
Cuisine: Pub Food Thai
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
Line out the door at lunch. Good grub. The ceviche rocks.
|
Taqueria Orale
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
Very good lunch. Hearty, go back to work and nap food.
|
The Holding Company
Cuisine: American Bistro
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
For the money, this place has some really good stuff--Specifically the roast chicken. The won-ton soup is really good as well. Other items don't measure up as well. It's a lunch counter like YoYos next door.
|
Silverstar Deli
Cuisine: Chinese Deli
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
There's a reason there is a line out the door and halfway to Chinatown at lunch--Everything is really good, and the prices are as well. Don't be scared off by the line, unless it's late, in which case they might be running low on a few items.
|
Yo Yo's
Cuisine: Japanese Noodle Shop Sushi
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
This is an awesome lunch spot. Everything I have had here has been great.
|
Il Massimo Del Panino
Cuisine: Italian Deli
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
There appears to have been a makeover and name change at this location. If it's the same family, you can count on the kitchen.
|
International Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
Great soup and salads. This was my every day lunch spot for a couple of years. It's a lunch counter kind of place. Grab lunch and eat across in the park on a nice day.
|
Cafe Insalata
Cuisine: Soup
|
Downtown |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
The salads are $2 more than a safeway salad, but way more consistent and much better. Add to it, you're supporting a local O&O, so in the karmic scheme of things, you cancel one trip to starbucks every three times you eat here. The Mediterranean fare is next on my list. It looks really good. The vegetarian platter is ok. For the money, the salads are better.
|
Chopper's
Cuisine: Deli
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
6/28/2005
|
|
|
If you are in search of the whole Chinese dining experience--as in, what you would expect to experience in a part of China that is not overrun by tourists, this is your place. If you want the total package--go here naked. Not because that's that people do there, but because, you'll get the wonderful food, the exact decor, the exact service, and by being totally freaky and naked, you'll get the gaping stare, as if you just pulled up in your flying saucer and parked it on the roof. Trust me--I've done it. Not the naked flying saucer part--the dining out in China part. It's like you're William Shatner at a trekkie convention. This is the real deal.
|
Hong Kong Dim Sum House
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
|
Chinatown |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
Having had more than my share of greasy, heavy, tepid, and um, 'explosive' dim sum, I actually enjoy a place that moves that much product and aims for the high-end. Yes, it is more spendy than other places, and 80%+ of the menu can be had anywhere, but Yank Sing has its place. The weddings you see happening here on weekends are not the B&T crowd. Locals dig it, too. If you are looking to turn out your suburban friends and family--This is a good practice place, as well.
|
Yank Sing
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
|
SoMa |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
Excellent sandwiches and iced tea. I am always eating late or early, and this is perfect for either. I don't get here enough.
|
Brickhouse Cafe & Bar
Cuisine: American (New) Hamburgers
|
SoMa |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
Good chow. Very friendly on the front-end, practically self-service on the back end. Good place to chill out and read the paper if it isn't busy.
|
Primo Patio Cafe
Cuisine: Caribbean
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
Again with the Calabrian and tomato--My grandpa grew up in Belsito, Cosenza--He would eat this pie. Normally he would go to the kitchen and tell them they didn't know what they were doing--
in Italian. He might do that here too, but he'd still eat all that pie. If your waiter looks like Joe Pesci, you're experiencing what North Beach ought to be. Ooh! --A follow up from the 'I swear I'm not kidding' file--I was told you have to ask them not to burn your garlic bread sticks, otherwise, that's what you get, and they will only comp it once.
|
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
Cuisine: Pizza Italian
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
We had the ahi tar tare with that green tobiko--not too shabby. The jumbo shrimp cocktail was also very nice. They moved us once a larger, hungrier table showed up. The buffalo chicken sandwich is very good, as is the Cobb salad. I'd rather have both kidneys harvested than be here on a game day.
|
MoMo's
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
After a night of behaving on a dinner cruise, we hit Pier 23 for snacks and drinks, and finally had a nice time. If you are one to cluck your tongue at beer from a plastic cup, keep moving. There are plenty of places for you on the waterfront.
|
Pier 23 Cafe
Cuisine: Seafood
|
Embarcadero |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
The breakfast rates a plus, for sure. The coffee rode the cusp of sucking for most of the meal. Fancy coffee doesn't keep more than 20 minutes. Keep a timer on the urns, dump it and start a new pot every ten minutes. It gets very busy.
|
The Crepe House
Cuisine: Crepes French
|
Hayes Valley |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
We hit it late in the afternoon, and it was good all around. We had snacks and drinks. We'll be back for sure.
|
Rex Cafe
Cuisine: French Brunch
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
When I was one of five gringos in a shop of over 50 native Spanish speakers, this was the go-to place. This is top-notch chow.
|
Tlaloc
Cuisine: South American Mexican
|
Downtown |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
For as busy as this place can get, we've always been able to find a nice spot for two, and the food has never disappointed. Same for the service. Don't be scared off by the appearance of a crowd, unless it's St Patrick's Day, then you might just want to run. Quickly.
|
Royal Exchange
Cuisine: Burgers Brew
|
Embarcadero |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
You can't miss here. We've had an excellent meal every time we've been in. If you are on a looking for decent Italian grub that tastes like it's made by people who care, this is your place.
|
Victor's Pizzeria
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
At last, we have found a breakfast spot within walking distance. Imagine what it would be like to see the city for the first time as you eavesdrop on intrepid young DIY tourists plotting the day's agenda, while you enjoy the kind of breakfast you wish there was more of in the city. Okay, maybe you don't, but I do. Friendly service, great chow.
|
Olympic Flame Cafe
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Dinner Breakfast all day
|
Downtown |
6/27/2005
|
|
|
Good God, how the hell am I going to eat all this salad? If the ride in from Walnut Creek has left you feeling homesick, this place is like a diplomatic compound for east bay residents...
|
Cheesecake Factory, The
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Dessert
|
Downtown |
6/24/2005
|
|
|
Everything I have had here has been excellent. Not nearly as busy as it should be. They take their salsa seriously, and you will be pleased. Good portions. Nice room.
|
Pancho's Salsa Bar & Grill
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/24/2005
|
|
|
Good place. Alright pub grub and beer. I thought the giant TVs were a little incongruous with the room, but nobody seemed to mind...
|
Norton's Vault
Cuisine: Pub Food American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
6/24/2005
|
|
|
When you've been treating your liver to a night up and down Polk Street, this is an excellent place to wrap up the night. I don't remember what I had. I'm sure I enjoyed it.
|
Grub Stake
Cuisine: American Portugese
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/24/2005
|
|
|
When it's time for a department lunch, pick this place. You're never going to eat here otherwise. It is actually quite good. I don't know that I would attempt after work here. Maybe I'm confusing the after work crowd with Gordon Biersch...
|
Palomino
Cuisine: Mediterranean Californian
|
Embarcadero |
6/19/2005
|
|
|
We did one of those VP's in town early dinners here, and it was really good, like Kuletos on the wharf is really good--Solid, consistent and and no surprises. If you never eat in a place like this, you'll think it's really great. If you are only just eye-candy for some higher ranking official on the ropes who is counting on you to be the foil at dinner when the big guns are in town, wear your sunglasses into the place and hug everyone with a towel in their hand, blow kisses to all the girls in black pants, and in three weeks, you will be named the successor to the schmuck that decided you all should go there on the company's dime.
|
Houston's Restaurant
Cuisine: American
|
Embarcadero |
6/19/2005
|
|
|
It's much busier than the one in my neighborhood, but they get it done. You could do worse. Service is efficient and friendly. Take your nemesis down a notch, and tell the host it's his birthday.
|
Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Tex-mex Mexican
|
Embarcadero |
6/19/2005
|
|
|
This is one of the very few places I would say are worth the wait, if you are lunching in the hood. You'll see going in there is really no seating, which you'll need to decide whether or not is going to be a problem. The iron bowl is my neighborhood foul weather favorite. They have a full selection of authentic and outstanding fair weather fare as well. They are certainly in the top three of the best baba and hummus in the neighborhood. If this was still nearby, I'd tell you it totally sucks, because I don't like to wait--but don't take that to mean Soluna and CPK don't suck, because they really do. Go to Max's instead. It's across the street. Get up in any of the three and see how far you get into a First Edition Kenny Rogers era a-capella medley. Your only chance to return to your table and eat will be at Max's, which is good, because it's also the only place you'll want to return to your table and eat.
|
Baladie Gourmet Cafe
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Downtown |
6/19/2005
|
|
|
Another lunchtime winner. Fast, friendly and very good! When upstairs, try not to sit at the table nearest that door. Any of the specials will treat you right. You'll spend maybe $2 more than you might at subway, but you'll be enjoying a meal that will at least help you to imagine having a life, instead of surrendering yours to the power of the most inane but persistent advertising.
|
Ali Baba
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
|
Downtown |
6/19/2005
|
|
|
A lunch spot you would easily pass by, most days, if you sized it up from the curb, which if I still worked in the neighborhood, I might attempt to perpetuate, since the lines were rarely long and it might just be one of the better on-the-go lunches in the neighborhood. Excellent service, and the food is very good. If you are one stop shopping for lunch and dinner, the burrito bar is the thing--$6-8, and depending on your appetite, you might even have breakfast.
|
Fire House Cafe
Cuisine: American Bistro
|
Downtown |
6/19/2005
|
|
|
I have only had the regular crust which is hearty and thick. It's the go-to shop for the office party. They are reliable with orders, consistent with the product, and make a good pie.
|
North Beach Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Fishermans Wharf |
6/16/2005
|
|
|
It was all really good. We were doing a group thing, so our choices were limited. The fish was well prepared and safe. If the parents are in town, and they don't like surprises, and they are buying, this is your place.
|
McCormick & Kuleto's
Cuisine: Seafood
|
Fishermans Wharf |
6/16/2005
|
|
|
We were in the neighborhood and hungry, so we thought we'd give it a try. The bread arrived and it was stale. For all the magnificent views to be had, we were seated nearest the door. It would seem customers between rushes are even less welcome than ones who turn up when expected. I wanted to bail but was overruled. I had iced tea, and reduced the bread to bread crumbs for the chef. There's no reason the contents of that basket shouldn't have chance at a third trip to a table come dinner.
|
Alioto's
Cuisine: Seafood Italian
|
Fishermans Wharf |
6/16/2005
|
|
|
I had way too many Guinness pints at Ireland's 32 while watching some front man praddle on about his fantaises of what it would have been like if Maoism were mainstream back in the 50's and thought to myself that I was grooving more on the guitarist's girlfriend than his band. Turns out this is none other than Miss Yolo County! So here we all are an hour later at Mel's in the Richmond, and here I am sitting right next to this girl. Of course you are wearing dayglo lace ankle socks--and indeed, you have taken the city by storm, Ms. County!
|
Mel's Drive-In
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
|
Inner Richmond |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
This place is to the bay area advertising business what Spenger's is to bay area maritime history--at least for as long as Grumpy's address has been known for advertising and not shipping...Fortunately, they make a good burger. This is the kind of place where you can be assured your fellow customers are going to be total pricks, and probably also your current, future or former employer. The help will be well intentioned, and usually very good.
|
Grumpy's American Pub
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
Good for a late lunch or early dinner. Go for the sandwiches--They are very good, and the service is what it ought to be for your local--Good people.
|
Old Ship Saloon
Cuisine: Pub Food
|
Downtown |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
The margarita recipe is on the move. My guest prefers the sweeter incarnation. I prefer mine with alcohol, and lots of it. I've probably had just about everything on the menu, and it is all good. There are servers here that $100 a plate shops should kill for. Some of the best waiters in the city are in this shop, as are some of the most fairly ok waiters in the city. There are runners here that could be $100 a plate servers. How some servers manage to pass them is a bit of a mystery.
|
Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Tex Mex
|
Civic Center |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
This place is a zoo. Loud and crowded. The kind of place that will not dissappoint the out-of-towners...We had a nice night despite the din, but I kept feeling like it would be way better to be on the street end of this sardine can than anywhere where you'd have to have to claw your way through a clutch of panicked Topekans in a hasty ergress.
|
Stinking Rose
Cuisine: Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
This is a good lunch spot, but the food to me was always close but not over the top. I know the meat pie is little more than just a gluttonous indulgence, but if you are not going to eat your piece, then I have no shame in trading you a way better pot sticker or two for it. The lunch entrees are alright. The specials are definitely the tour bus fare other places nearby are accused of more vehemently. But if you go off the specials menu and pick a few of the relatively high-rent dishes, you'll find some good food. The fried rice with everything (as my cohorts and I called it) was very good.
|
Henry's Hunan Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Chinatown |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
So my sweetheart from high school and I finally catch up after college and several years of real-life, and I am miserable, and she is a newlywed, and we're having an alright time here at the Embarcadero Fuzio. She's a doctor now, and I'm just jealous of it all, and I was trying my damndest to be aloof and detached, but all the while engaging, and oh my God, the freakiest longest weirdest looking hair emerges from my lunch salad, and suddenly I held the keys that might finally drive me to a lifetime of bulimia. Trying hard to keep it together, I flagged the server, presented the evidence--No sir, all my hair is quite straight and short, and am willing and able to prove it...and with that they comp...the dish. She insisted on paying before we even sat down, so I came away with half a hollow victory, and all I had to do was eat on some hairy salad for awhile. I'd give it a negative, but up to then, it was an awesome salad, and considering how busy they were, the service was on the ball.
|
Fuzio
Cuisine: Eclectic Noodle Shops
|
Embarcadero |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
If this place was in my neighborhood, I would definitely be here every night, because it is cheaper than anything I would make, and way better. I ordered the Pad Thai, and it was excellent.
|
King of Thai
Cuisine: Thai
|
Inner Richmond |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
I took my then-soon-to-be-ex-wife here for her birthday, and she proceeded to tell me she was in love with a guy who happened to be two years older than her dad. I remember I really enjoyed the meal, and the suggested wine was a great fit. I don't remember what I had, but it had to be really good to be a stand out from that night.
|
Blue Plate, The
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Californian
|
Bernal Heights |
6/15/2005
|
|
|
What I liked about this one over the one in Daly City is the smaller stations are actually nice for two, and you don't feel so on display. Makes it nice if it's just the two of you. Do the half and half if you like hot. Nice way to combat the clouds and chill. I walked out of there smelling like a fireplace, but I thought it was because I always lose track of that barbecue tray toward the end of the meal, and reduce my sauces to glowing, carbon embers. Nothing a shower and a washing machine won't fix. The food is excellent. If you're any kind of cook it is, anyway. The ingredients are fresh and higher quality than a lot of the Chinese or Korean that you only see finished. A great place to hone your Benihana parlor tricks.
|
Coriya Hot Pot City
Cuisine: Chinese Barbecue
|
Inner Richmond |
6/14/2005
|
|
|
The help was indifferent. Pad See Yu was awful. Duck curry is worth the trip again and again.
|
Before and After Thai
Cuisine: Thai
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
I must be high on glue. I have never eaten here.
|
Bur-Eat-Os
Cuisine: Mexican Eclectic
|
Embarcadero |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
At the Alliance Française. We went for the debut of the beaujolais nouveau, and had one of those nights that you remember for a lifetime. The Prix Fixe menu was expertly paired with the wine. Bring a group and enjoy.
|
Curbside Bistro
Cuisine: French
|
Nob Hill |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
This is beer and pizza, pizza. I enjoyed it. It's a respectable neighborhood place that hasn't been all dandied up and taken over by tense, pouty hipsters who hate you. Beer was cold. I'd go back. Bring back the jade plants!
|
The Front Room
Cuisine: Pizza American (Traditional)
|
Nob Hill |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
Great meal and sangria. We played it light and safe, and didn't even get to the meat of the menu. We've been back, and the authentic Peruvian entrees rock. Don't let the curb appeal and cinema sized crucifixion painting right inside the door throw you off. This place gets jumping and with good reason.
|
Fina Estampa
Cuisine: Peruvian
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
Lunch is a crush of humanity, but I found it is an awesome place to go after work for a very quiet and intimate dinner. The Pho Bo and Spring Roll are both outstanding. Service is warm and friendly.
|
Sai's Restaurant
Cuisine: Vietnamese
|
Downtown |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
It was a reliable neighborhood joint when we lived nearby. Noodles are alright. Sukiyaki is very good.
|
Sushi Rock
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
This is an awesome restaurant. Probably the best Thai I've had in the city. If junkies and panhandlers are offensive or scary, you may want to try this one for lunch.
|
Thai House Express
Cuisine: Thai
|
Tenderloin |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
Girlfriend loved it. She's a huge fan. I thought it was good. We'll go back and I'll try something different. No outside ingredients allowed in your hookah.
|
Pride of the Mediterranean
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Upper Fillmore |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
We'll be back to try it again. It was a nice meal on a cold, wet night.
|
Old Krakow Polish Restaurant
Cuisine: Polish Czech Eastern European
|
West Portal |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
Old school is exactly right. You have to try it, as once it is gone, it will be gone forever. What you call field greens and an ahi tartar tower will be known as weeds and bait here. No matter. You don't come here for that. Enjoy it for what it is.
|
Original Joe's
Cuisine: Italian American (Traditional)
|
Tenderloin |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
Greasy fish and chips served in a newspaper wrapper that magically appears from an unseen kitchen. There is nothing better to go with a pint of Guinness and tunes from the coolest jukebox in town.
|
Edinburgh Castle Pub
Cuisine: pub food
|
Tenderloin |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
Now closed...Sr. Peppers coming soon...
|
International Noodle House
Cuisine: Asian Noodles
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/12/2005
|
|
|
I wanted so badly to enjoy it here, but the food was forgettable, and the staff was tired and aloof. Fellow diners were the worst part of the experience. For many it seemed this was their idea of having lunch in the big city. The WPA heritage of the building is fortunately not lost, and you don't need to buy a meal in order to appreciate it.
|
Beach Chalet Brewery
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Outer Richmond |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
This is a nice pub. The beer is cold and food is great. Whether American or Irish fare, it is honest pub grub and the staff is friendly.
|
O'Reilly's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Cuisine: Irish Pub Food
|
North Beach |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
When the dirty dishes are cleaner than the clean ones, I don't generally feel the love for a place. You're just not even trying at that point. I made sure to double check the confusing lunchtime ordering and seating rules, as I was wondering if I had inadvertently grabbed a glass out of a makeshift bus tub or something. I had done it right. That was not good. The food was way over-spiced. We must have caught them at the end of a lunch from hell or something. I have heard it is not generally like this.
|
Naan 'n Curry
Cuisine: Pakistani Indian
|
North Beach |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
This is the only burger I have sat down to eat that was more than I was able to put away in one sitting. It made an awesome dinner as well. It was a warm day and we sat outside. It was a great meal.
|
Barney's Gourmet Hamburger
Cuisine: Hamburgers
|
Noe Valley |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
This is the only place I would dare take my grandmother, who has pointed out on numerous occasions that she has not enjoyed a burger since she sold her last restaurant 20 years ago. As with any iconic food, there are many ways to appreciate it, and there are those who appreciate it best in its simplest and most original form. Joe's fits the bill, and they will prepare it to the doneness you specify, which is not going to happen at the hands of someone trained in the world of serving sterile meat rather than well prepared meat. If you think a burger is at its best with exotic and unconventional condiments, there are many places for you in the city. If you are in search of what a burger was before they were topped with warm goat cheese from organic clover fed virgin goats milked by virgins in a dewy meadow at dawn, you still have a chance to make that connection here.
|
Joe's Cable Car Restaurant
Cuisine: Hamburgers American (Traditional)
|
Excelsior |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
This is a nice place. The food is good and the service is great. I'm not sure why, but I was given a nice pair of mahogany chopsticks in a little presentation box. That was cool. If this were in my neighborhood, I'd be here several times a week.
|
Angkor Borei
Cuisine: Cambodian
|
Bernal Heights |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
We went here with out of town family. The attitude at the front door had me expecting the worst, but by some stroke of luck, we got a straight up server who was totally on the ball. It was late and the sashimi was fresh and the cuts were generous. It was a good night.
|
Blowfish, Sushi To Die For
Cuisine: Californian Japanese Sushi
|
Mission |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Every time I have been in here, I have had a great time and I enjoyed the food. If frat parties aren't your thing, be on your way before the after-dinner crowd shows up.
|
La Barca
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Marina |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
This place was hyped for the longest time as the best Indian in the city. It was good. Might have been better had there been about 70 fewer people in the dining room. There is better Indian in the loin and out on Clement.
|
Indian Oven
Cuisine: Indian
|
Lower Haight |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
That agonizing abdominal cramping comes from poor maintenance and hygiene of the beer tap system. As does that weird festering yeasty smell in there. I'm two for two with this place. When they start planning this year's Christmas party, I am speaking up.
|
Jillian's
Cuisine: American
|
Downtown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
The Calabria with tomato will be my undoing. A great pie. Staff is friendly. Service is quick, and I always leave feeling good. Right on.
|
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
Cuisine: pizza
|
Cow Hollow |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Fast, friendly delivery. Open late. Pizza is alright.
|
Pronto Pizza & Espresso
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Civic Center |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
The caterpillar and dynamite rolls are good. Sukiyaki was a little bland, as were the noodles. Clean, pleasant and friendly. Oh Jesus--don't get me started about whatever the hell green tea ice cream they are serving. It is cheaper than Zoloft, only 160 calories per serving, and full of fiber. We treat them like some kind of Baskin Robbins. All they want is for us to want their hamaci.
|
Opera Plaza Sushi
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
|
Civic Center |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
I've always expected injera to be sour, and enjoy how the sour injera marries with the savory items on the platter as I crawl up on the table and scarf the last heavenly bits of remaining slurry out of that big giant enamel plate. There is no better food on earth than good Ethiopian. I had never had bland injera until Axum. Wasn't sure what to make of that. It kinda took the rest of the meal down a notch. Like substituting wonder bread for a sourdough roll. I would try Axum again to be sure it wasn't an off night. Decor is what you'd expect from a pacific northwest dive bar, as was the help. At first I wasn't sure I was in the right place...This is not a bad thing, just not what you would expect. It's actually a good thing in that you are assured that no matter how long the food takes, they are happy to see to it your beer is full and cold.
|
Axum Cafe
Cuisine: Ethiopian
|
Civic Center |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Great for lunch, for sure.
|
Tandoori Mahal Indian Restaurant
Cuisine: Indian
|
Chinatown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
I used to work two blocks from here, and probably ate at every restaurant in the neighborhood twice before giving Nanking a try. Part was the crowds, and part was the anti-hype, hype. We lucked out late one afternoon and the only other people there were family members of the shopkeeper. I was with a co-worker who knew the place well. As we were in the process of settling in, he said, "One chicken, and one beef, both spicy." A few minutes later, we had a really nice meal. Tsingtao (the beer) chicken was really memorable.
|
House of Nanking
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Chinatown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
I remember being thankful we were coming in after the rush. The service was friendly, and they were not out of anything. Good all around.
|
Chow
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Upper Market/Church Street |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
I've never had the pizza, but the chicken tikka masala and the garam masala both rock. They deliver, which is awesome. They delivered all the way out to Civic Center once, and afterward, I felt guilty for not tipping more. So, so good!
|
Zante Indian Cuisine & Pizza
Cuisine: Indian Pizza
|
Bernal Heights |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
If you're bored with sushi, give this place a try. I don't know if they still seat in the back, but that was nice in a neighborhood secret kind of way. The Bernal roll and the Stop, Drop and Roll roll were awesome.
|
Moki's Sushi & Pacific Grill
Cuisine: Fusion Hawaiian Japanese
|
Bernal Heights |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
It's grub. Nothing really to complain about with the food. It is what it is, and you could certainly do worse in this neighborhood. In case you didn't already know, your waiter will likely get up and perform a show tune at some point during your meal. If you are not a fan of screaming kids at dinner, just you wait until your waiter hits and holds that big Rosemary Clooney finish. If it is your bag, you will enjoy it. I'm still waiting to hear Jet Song from West Side Story.
|
Max's Opera Cafe
Cuisine: Deli Dessert
|
Civic Center |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
A smart remodel makes this a really nice place to eat. It is clean, bright and well kept. Some of the best Thai in the city. The satay rocks. Same with the duck curry. They do it all very well. Service is warm and friendly. Right on!
|
Thai Spice
Cuisine: Thai
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
My dad took my mom here on one of their first dates. It is an institution that fortunately retains its reputation, relevance and charm. The food is awesome. Jaded been-there-done-thats may wish for something more in the moment. If I could not have easter dinner here, it would be like they canceled Christmas.
|
House of Prime Rib
Cuisine: Steakhouses
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
I spent my infancy through my teens in the kitchen of a '50s era diner. I loved it. What I loved most was the pride my grandparents took in running and maintaining it. Part of that pride shone on every gleaming surface that was wiped spotlessly clean several times a day, whether it was needed or not with a well wrung towel that had been soaking in hot bleachy water. So, imagine my horror upon sitting down in Mel's to find all 27 of the devices crammed onto my table covered with grease, goo, smudges and yuck. I spent the next ten minutes fervently using napkins and water in a futile attempt to recapture a lost era. Alas, it was for naught. Those days live on in memory only. The wait person was offended that I didn't want to wait as long as she felt I should. The food was nothing I couldn't make at home, except at home, it would be warm when I dug in.
|
Mel's Drive-In
Cuisine: Coffee Diners
|
Civic Center |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
The slacker wait staff needs to be sent back to Olive Garden, where they belong. There are too many hungry servers in this city to excuse the service here. To be fair, maybe this is one of those places where you are reintroduced to society because you started college pledging a sorority but somehow wound up in prison instead. I would never go back, except this place is a block away, and Amici's is not.
|
California Pizza Kitchen
Cuisine: Californian Pizza
|
Civic Center |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Open room, high ceiling. Felt like a hep cafeteria, which, between the interior design and ad shops nearby, makes it exactly that. Friendly service, albeit the kind of place where you'll stand looking for five minutes at the table at which you will eventually be seated, for no clear reason, whatsoever. Food was good, but not memorable.
|
Globe
Cuisine: Californian
|
Downtown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
It is nice to have another restaurant in the neighborhood, even if it is one that is still sorting out the details. Rooted in cuisine that prides itself on 107 ways to make spam, it is not entirely fair to come here expecting Tin Pan. First, Tin Pan was way cheaper, and there were better pairings there than a mai tai. Speaking of, Vic's food was better with each mai tai, and after three, you're in for no more than a decent bottle of wine would set you back, and at that point, I would be able to sing the praises of a bowl of Styrofoam, so let them help you help yourself into the correct Polynesian mind set--The food is alright, it's all very pricey, I should be upset, but I've had three mai tais, so it's all good. Basically, a trip to Maui without the $2000 plane ride. UPDATE! The mai tais are as good as ever! We grazed on pupus all night, and they were awesome. We had one crab, two different shrimps, a beef, raw fish and the egg roll. All were great. All is well!
|
Trader Vic's
Cuisine: Polynesian
|
Civic Center |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
General Tso's chicken is just the thing. Hot and sour is good. Pot stickers are very good. The roasted tea-duck is a must get. Delivery is fast and friendly.
|
Tai Chi Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
If I walk into your restaurant and I am told the dining room doesn’t open for five minutes, just know I am going to spend the next three minutes and forty five seconds having sex in the ladies room upstairs. The sangria seems like maybe for six bucks a glass, it should have more wine and less ice. The saffron crema of the tres cremas and friendly service are enough to keep me coming back to see what all is improving. Tapenade is great. Owning his suggestion, our server gladly replaced a goopy coffee flavored beer with something more our speed.
|
Thirsty Bear Brewing Co.
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
|
SoMa |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
If you're keen, you'll spy the note on your way in that puts you on notice that there is a direct relationship between your attitude and your ability to score timely seating. Either I have had very lucky timing, or it's true. I don't normally care for potatoes, but I'd trip all the way out there for just the sangria and spuds. So good.
|
Cha Cha Cha
Cuisine: Caribbean Tapas
|
Mission |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Open room, absolutely great chow. Bring the b&t's up on a cable car. They will think you are the coolest, most urbane host ever after suggesting this over hooters at the wharf.
|
Zarzuela
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
|
Russian Hill |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Very good. Pick a nice evening and do the outside thing with a group of friends.
|
B44 Catalan Bistro
Cuisine: Spanish
|
Downtown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Stellar. If I lived nearby, I might eat here every night.
|
Piperade
Cuisine: Spanish
|
Downtown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Two visits, and each was awesome in its own way. First visit, we were mid-way through the meal, and my companion was felled by a migraine. The waiter wrapped the remainder up to go, rang us out, hailed us a cab, and was a total pro all around. The lamb shank was stellar as a leftover. We swore we would return. When we did, it was just as good as the first visit, but the open 2-tops could be situated with more intimacy in mind. Maybe one less of them, or something. The shank was even better straight out of the kitchen, and the chop was better still. I happened upon a few bottles from their wine list at a bottle shop and was stoked to find their markup was less than I would have thought. Awesome place.
|
Kokkari Estiatorio
Cuisine: Greek Mediterranean
|
Downtown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
I fell in love with my wife to be over the grilled cheese and tomato soup on a cold, overcast day. To call anything sublime just seems so played, but I'll give it up for that tomato soup and grilled cheese.
|
MacArthur Park
Cuisine: Barbecue American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Best for picnic and woo. If you have not purchased a sandwich here, you are not allowed to call yourself San Franciscan. Back to Hayward for you.
|
Molinari Delicatessen
Cuisine: Italian Deli
|
North Beach |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
If the bar was kept to the same population density as the dining room, it would hold twelve impossibly perfect patrons, each of whom would be having an impossibly perfect time. When we were there, it was more like $1 mojito night in the marina. Fortunately we were having dinner. The wine list is more like a phone book, but shortly after fingering some blanc I wouldn't dare pronounce, they brought and started uncorking a gewurztraminer from the same vineyard, and it was on me to call the production to halt. Fortunately, I keep oenopaedias like these under my leg to help me coast through those awkward silent moments..."See?! They are different." The sommelier was soon on the scene, and was informed and helpful. All I remember of the rest of the meal was the chocolate and port pairing. That alone cancelled everything. I had an appetizer, salad and entree, but can only remember the port and chocolate pairing. So good...
|
Absinthe
Cuisine: French Brasseries
|
Hayes Valley |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
There is no better lambchop on any plate in San Francisco. If your quest is to find dishes that make you want to growl in gleeful delight, get the lambchop! The lamb/rosewater tagine is outstanding as well. The chocolate purse dessert was still being perfected when we were there. When they get that one sorted out, it will rock.
|
Saha
Cuisine: Middle Eastern Mediterranean Moroccan Fusion
|
Downtown |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
If my final hour was to be spent eating one each of Chutney's tikka masala, palak paneer and bangun bharta, and I then walked out the door, only to be shanked by a crack addict and pushed under the bald tires of a careening taxi, I would only be able to think to myself in my last moments that I just had the most incredible meal, and if it was my time to go, then at least I will be going having known what it is like to have just had the best meal, ever.
|
Chutney
Cuisine: Indian Pakistani
|
Tenderloin |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
The best hot and sour soup in San Francisco.
|
Hunan Chef
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Bernal Heights |
6/11/2005
|
|
|
Service was careless at best. Surprisingly long wait to place first drink order. We then waited even longer to get it. Ordered lambchop appetizer and got mussels. When lambchop arrived, it was pretty much raw, and I was given a butter knife to work with. Sirloin entree was presented as medium-rare, but was rare on the ends, raw to cool at the heart. Had to intercept server to get second round of drinks. Had to get up and go to bar to actually get them poured. Check came with mussels that were not ordered or eaten included on the bill. Server ran away into kitchen when approached about this little detail. Manager ran for back of the room and had to be intercepted from carrying tables out to patio in anticipation of turning room into disco later in evening. Only highlight was the extra tight shirt on server that allowed the east west cleavage rivalry to rage in full flower for all to see. Nice, but not $50 a plate nice.
|
Soluna Cafe and Lounge
Cuisine: Californian
|
Civic Center |
6/10/2005
|
jpierson's: Rss feed
