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This delicious dim sum place makes a strong first impression: the long line of Chinese patrons, cheap prices (steamed dim sum = $1.55 for 3 pieces), & listing on the Chronicle's recommended cheap eats. In contrast, the atmosphere is bare-bones w/ about 6 tables for self-seating . Better to take your dim sum & eat elsewhere. Definitely follow the advice about taking a pink menu & circling the items & quantity. That's how you place your order. Make sure to bring a pen & wear comfortable shoes, as it is a long wait. However, it opens @ 7:30 am, so maybe this is the best time to go. Recommended for patient people wanting bargain tasty dim sum.
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Good Luck Dim Sum
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
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Inner Richmond |
2/21/2008
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Well-executed nigiri sushi in a Japanese-operated restaurant right across from Kinokuniya bookstore in J-Town. The Japanese touch is what separates the nigiri from other competitors: the rice is rice wine-vinegar flavored, formed gently such that the grains of the rice are separated just enough to allow the rice & fresh fish flavors to meld perfectly on the palate. I was pleased w/ the small ratio of rice:fish in each piece of nigiri. The serene environment & understated, yet attentive service enhanced the dining experience. There are 3 seating options: sushi bar, table, or tatami room (for larger parties only.). The white board above the sushi bar lists the daily specials. This was a good starting point for ordering. Non-sushi fans can also dine, as the menu contains rolls & cooked items. Recommended for any Japanese cuisine fans.
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Fuku Sushi Restaurant
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Japantown |
2/21/2008
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Hushed, dark decor (Tonga Room & Le Coloniel meet Fleur de Lys) needing a new century face lift serves excellent French-inspired Chinese cuisine. Think Mr. Chow. The extremely filling 5-course tasting menu was tasty & visually entertaining from the first to the last course. Lettuce wraps w/ squab was "PF Changy" predictable. A coconut filled w/ seafood & mushroom chicken-flavored bisque & topped w/ a puff pastry crust. What a hilarious sight of Asian Fusion indeed! The lobster claws w/ glass noodles was too oily & an unexpected anti-climax. The shaking beef was on par w/ the Slanted Door's. The mango mousse was rich & decadent & the surrounding strawberry coulis, a palate refresher. The service is very professional, if a little cheesy, like Charlie Chan cheesy. The clientele was entirely non-Chinese. Recommended for those who like peaceful, quiet dining atmospheres & as a lesson in "Chinois" culinary evolution preceding the Asian Fusion genre.
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Tommy Toy's Cuisine Chinoise
Cuisine: Chinese French (New)
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Downtown |
1/11/2008
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Still delicious bargain sushi in a small mom & pop fish market @ about $1-2 per piece of nigiri & $4-6 for rolls (6 pieces each). Of note, blue fin toro nigiri was $5.50 per piece (11/07). Even though the sushi rice is made from long-grains, it was delicious & in perfectly sized proportions to the fish. However, the fly population has definitely increased since the original owner retired 1 yr ago, w/ fly tape hanging from the ceiling over the fresh fish counters. My rating is neutral because of the flies.
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Yum Yum Fish
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Outer Sunset |
11/10/2007
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Wonderfully prepared French menu marred w/ sub-par service in 11/2007. I really thought the food was on par w/ Gary Danko, French Laundry, & Aqua (& less Californian). Most memorable courses included luscious butter-poached lobster, succulent medium-rare venison, & velvety chocolate souffle (of 9-course tasting-$150). The reservation policy has become lenient since Masa's culinary heyday. I took advantage of a 1,000 point bonus on opentable.com w/ a opening 5:30 PM reservation on a Tuesday. The door was locked at 5:35 pm. When Masa's opened a few minutes later & we were seated, it was clear they weren't ready to open. The 2 hosts were busily straightening the cutlery & flower vases, even spraying wrinkle releaser on some of the tables' tablecloths. The decorative underlayer on every table was wrinkled. It's easy to justify picking apart the service when you pay dearly for it. The dining experience & delicious food was overshadowed by a rough start & tainted ambiance.
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Masa's
Cuisine: French (New)
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Downtown |
11/10/2007
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Located just opposite of the Fillmore on Fillmore Street. This newly remodeled & clean Korean joint stays open late, great for post-concert dining, especially if you've already scored parking in the Western Addition/Japantown area. Food & service are acceptable. Remember this is a new small business & not all kinks are worked out. Serves up Korean nourishment conveniently.
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Heungbunae
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue
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Japantown |
10/19/2007
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This place is the Japanese equivalent to Denny's or Carrows restaurants, serving immediately gratifying food, not particularly memorable, but filling. You'll find inexpensive staples such as soba, udon, and ramen noodles in broth, okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake/omelet hybrid), assorted donburi, tonkatsu, curry, etc. for about $10-15. This place is one of the few in Japantown open during the usually dormant eating period between 2 pm-5 pm during the weekdays.
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Mifune Don
Cuisine: Japanese
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Japantown |
8/28/2007
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Consistently delicious American cuisine & professional, yet friendly service @ a wonderful location near the bay. The service @ my last visit on August 26th, 2007 exceeded my expectations. We really tested our server's level of knowledge of the menu. He passed w/ flying colors & deftly guided my friend, w/ severe food allergies, towards a meal that would suit her health needs. Very similar menu to One Market down the way a couple of blocks. Expect to pay about $25 for starters, $40 for dinner entrees, $15 for desserts, $15 for wines by the glass. Recommend all dishes-meat-lovers will be especially pleased. This is a good place to bring parents, business clients, or dates.
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BOULEVARD
Cuisine: American (New)
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Embarcadero |
8/28/2007
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Fresh-tasting casual Cantonese/Hakka Chinese food (next to Ariake Japanese Restaurant). You won't leave with an unbearable thirst, metallic-tasting palate or MSG migraine. Clients are a mix of neighborhood locals: including Chinese. Very easy to get a table. We tried the steamed bacon (thickly cut, 5-spice infused pork belly) with dry mustard greens, assorted meat (including seafood) clay pot, and deep-fried seabass prepared w/ salt & jalapeno peppers. The complimentary dessert of hot sweet beans was an appropriate finish to our comfort food feast. Relatively clean interior & bathrooms. Service was efficient, yet friendly and helpful. Wait staff are willing to make recommendations. Worth a visit if you already live in the Richmond or you find yourself in the neighborhood
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Dragon River Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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Outer Richmond |
7/17/2007
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Recommended when you're downtown or in Chinatown for a tasty, quick & casual bite to eat, for lunch or dinner. The server recommended the Lard Gai, a spicy lime saute of ground chicken, peanuts, cilantro and sliced fresh purple onions served with crisp iceberg lettuce and carrot shreds. Excellent summer dish! Other satisfactory choices were the Tod Mun (fried fish cake), Tom Kha (coconut chicken soup), & Gang Dang (red coconut curry-yes, it was covered w/ a layer of oil). Remember to add condiments: red chili & green chili sauces & peanuts to add tang & spice. The sauces they add to their dishes are wonderful, but the condiments really jazz up the food! The server mentioned that the same owner runs the Banana House & Bangkok's Best (301 Kearny) & menus are practically the same.
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Banana House
Cuisine: Thai
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Downtown |
7/4/2007
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Average "real" French dining experience, w/ hits & misses. The Presidio location has obstructed views of the Bay & Golden Gate Bridge. Free parking is a breeze in their huge lot. The newly constructed building is small & intimate, but large windows let in lots of light. Indoor & outdoor seating is available. We started w/ escargot in garlic butter. The escargot had a notable tinny flavor & watery & spongy texture. Could it have been prepared such that its canned origins were better disguised? The foie gras au torchon was rich & buttery, no surprises here. I tried the Saturday special, pork belly & lobster casserole. The pork was succulent & tasty, which overwhelmed any delicate sweetness the overcooked lobster might have had. Well-paired w/ a pinot noir ordered by the glass (3 choices). Fortunately, the night's savior, the chocolate & caramel pot de creme w/ sprinkle of sea salt made the visit here worthwhile. Not sure if I'll be coming again soon.
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La Terrasse
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Presidio |
7/4/2007
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My first & only experience was for a 9-10 course corporation-sponsored feast in one of their banquet rooms. Excellent food. The most exceptional dish was cracked live fresh Dungeness crab cooked w/ a bunch of egg whites. The egg whites, mixed w/ the juices, transformed into a luscious crab custard. The flesh was impeccably fresh, clean & sweet. Service is efficient, but not helpful or friendly. Bright, clean interior. Clientele are primarily Chinese. There is a major obstacle getting here though. The construction taking place at Vallco Shopping Park forces you to reach the restaurant entrance by first entering Macy's and exiting from the Men's clothing area. If you can't find it, ask one of the Macy's staff, as they've been giving directions here thousands of times. Outstanding authentic Chinese food!
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Dynasty Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
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Cupertino |
4/8/2007
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Can't beat their $7 bento-box lunch special w/ 3 pieces of California roll, miso soup, rice, salad, veggie & shrimp tempura plus choice of a small portion of meat (e.g. tonkatsu or chicken teriyaki). Not even remotely trendy or fashionable. Nonetheless, I recommend the truly authentic homestyle taste & Japanese mom -n- pop atmosphere, located behind the Miyako Hotel on Post Street.
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Takara Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Japantown |
4/8/2007
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Raising the review from neutral to positive as of 08/2007. Like almost everything else in the Westfield Mall, expect to pay an exceptionally high price for quality fast-food Vietnamese rice plates, sandwiches, rolls, noodle dishes, desserts & beverages. Most dishes taste clean, crisp & fresh-like what you'd get @ the Slanted Door-but priced lower. You can be seated in their dining room or in the open, @ the food court tables. My only disappointment was a rancid oil taste from the Petrale sole vermicelli salad. Noodle salads, steamed chicken bun, spring rolls, fried rolls & bubble tea are particularly tasty. Convenience & freshness at a premium. Great for a casual post-Westfield mall shopping treat!
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Out the Door (Westfield)
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Downtown |
4/8/2007
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Pastas, salads and strong mixed alcoholic drinks, served in large portions for sharing. Half-orders are generously sized, too. I was impressed w/ the fresh, sweet chunks of lobster in the ravioli in a con panna sauce. Brown (whole grain?) & French baguettes, green salad & angel-hair pasta w/ seafood in a robust red sauce were tasty, not exceptional. For a busy night, we received friendly & efficient, yet not pushy service: drinks & bread immediately, orders taken in a timely fashion, prompt refills & removal of dishes. Recommended for dining & drinking in a large group of adult friends & family. Saw some children, though, too.
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Maggiano's Little Italy
Cuisine: Italian
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San Jose |
3/18/2007
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Not really a Japanese restaurant & not really an American or Italian restaurant. But it fits in the important niche of Japanese cuisine called "You-shoku." As far as I know, it's the only restaurant of its kind in San Francisco. You-shoku restaurants have a cozy, casual cafe feel & have plenty of old comic books on hand for diners to read, drink & eat @ leisure. Menu items are pastas, hamburger steaks, gratins, rice dishes, Japanese pizza (okonomiyaki) & curries all made milder for the Japanese palate & may include include Japanese ingredients such as nori (dried seaweed), mentaiko (salted cod roe eggs), or sansai (wild vegetables/bitter greens). The atmosphere & food are authentic here, and hence, draws a steady young Japanese clientele & local twentysomethings. The dishes taste almost like a whisper of my big AmeriWestern expectations--e.g. rice gratins are undersauced w/ bechamel & given a slight sprinkle of cheese. Don't come here expecting bold flavors & heavy seasonings.
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On The Bridge
Cuisine: Japanese Coffee Shops/Diners
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Japantown |
3/13/2007
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Positive attributes are: fantastic bay view, lively crowd, free parking lot, good focaccia, nice desserts & attentive service. As of March 10, 2007, they are even offering a $30 three-course special, where you have a few options for appetizer, entree, and dessert. Unfortunately, and most importantly, the food is OKAY at best, presently. In past dining experiences, I have had very good seafood dishes. The dishes we had this time sounded great on the menu, but were lacking in execution, freshness & flavor. Roasted lobster was extremely salty, crab cakes & artichoke-crab dip made from fibrous canned crab, and, most disappointing, the pot of gluey clam chowder must have been burned at the bottom because it took on the burned flavor and browned appearance. I have had wonderful clam chowder here in the past. Luckily, the vegetable accompaniments were fresh, bright, & tasty. Even luckier is the fact that this restaurant thrives because of its location and not because of the food.
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Skates on the Bay
Cuisine: Seafood American California
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Berkeley |
3/12/2007
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Outstanding fine (post-Michelin honor) dining. My recent-March 2007- experience was as positive as my 1st in 2002. The dimmed lighting & multi-pedestal/level flower & candle arrangements in the dining room gave a much more intimate vibe this time. We had the 4 course option each: seared foie gras, the best in the city in my opinion, roasted lobster, duck breast, beef tenderloin, upside-down pineapple cake & chocolate souffle. The sauce chef was on FIRE-each reduction & sauce was perfection! We shared one half-bottle of real champagne & Australian merlot. The total was $300 including tax & tip. I couldn't help making comparisons to French Laundry (FL). GD draws a younger, more vivacious crowd. You could hear a pin drop in FL, it was so hushed. The GD service is professional but a little looser. Four courses @ GD was a palate delight while 14 courses @ FL was palate overload. NOT that I'm complaining. Don't dwell on minutiae, Gary Danko is worthy of your dollar, time & travel.
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GARY DANKO
Cuisine: American (New)
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Fishermans Wharf |
3/12/2007
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Hearty Korean comfort food @ good value in central J-town, along Buchanan's cobblestone path near Denny's & Soko Hardware. Clean yellow interior w/ wood booth, table & bar seating. Specializes in "soon dubu chigae," soft tofu stew in spicy, I believe beef-based, broth served boiling in small stone crock. U choose spiciness level & meat or veggie content/topping. BBQ meats, sauteed dishes, beer, & mixed soju drinks found on menu. $7.95 lunch (11am-3pm) lunch special sounded generous: roasted corn tea, bowl of tofu stew, choice of BBQ meat, salad, 3 side dishes, rice, & "Yakult," a sweet-sour probiotic yogurt drink to aid digestion. Arriving @ 3:30, I got most of the above, minus the BBQ meat, plus more side dishes & cute little whole fried fish for $8.95. Eating tips: you're served a raw egg. It's 2B cracked into boiling stew, if u wish. Hot H20 is added 2 crunchy rice bits in crock that cooked your rice. U drink rice H20 after eating stew to cool palate. Follow w/ Yakult.
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DooBu
Cuisine: Korean Comfort Food
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Japantown |
3/12/2007
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Accceptably tasty dishes at a reasonable price. Comparable to Iroha just a few feet away and better than Sapporo Ramen. They have counter seating for the single/double diners, as well as, table/booth seating. Definitely avoid this place on weekends & when there is a line. You will have to wait at least 45 minutes for your order. I have a lot of respect for the polite hardworking owners, but they really need to hire another body to help bus the tables on those busy days. You'll enjoy your Japanese casual dining experience here, but go elsewhere if it's busy.
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Tampopo
Cuisine: Japanese
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Japantown |
1/25/2007
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Stick-to-your ribs cooking for a reasonable price. Good service. Definitely agree with Flightplan about making a reservation through Opentable.com as it can get unpredictably busy, sometimes even just after opening. I liked the homemade bread & jam with brunch. Memorably rich & satisfying mac-n-cheese for dinner and tasty, but hyper-oily hash for brunch (though great use of leftover pot roast meat!). Closely located near MUNI, if the hassle of parking seems overwhelming. Great casual restaurant that's not trying too hard to please...
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Home
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Castro |
1/20/2007
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I might have thought the food was awesome if I hadn't gotten worked up w/ high expectations for ISA, based on the reviews on this page & a particular local TV show. Forget about the "family style, meant for sharing" concept...each dish is a generously-sized portion for one person. All of our dishes were delicious: lobster broth, foie gras, lamb chops, and creme brulee. We had a great table at the back of the patio area. Felt a little crowded in on all sides, but they did a good job with the heating (during the 20 F stretch) & warm lighting. Great place for a small group of friends or a date.
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Isa
Cuisine: French
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Marina |
1/17/2007
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Cool people, warm environment, & hot waitstaff...yummy c***tails, probably just right for a lightweight, but I definitely racked up the tab in order to get a decent buzz. Tuna tartare ($24) & crispy calamari ($20) appetizers were huge & easily shared among 4 people. They are not rave-worthy, just average. Attentive, yet non-intrusive service w/ timely appearances to keep the booze flowing and the table cleared of used dishes & glasses. Recommended for bringing guests from out-of-town to show them the swankier side of San Francisco. Don't forget to dress up! Also, great starting point after work or after shopping for a small group of friends or for warming up on an intimate date.
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Clift Hotel Redwood Room
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Downtown |
1/17/2007
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Great location, good food & decent service...definitely a great people watching place. I enjoyed the bruschetta, roasted chicken, & tiramisu. Stays open relatively late, too.
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Calzone's Pizza Cucina
Cuisine: Italian
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North Beach |
12/11/2006
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Pretty decent Korean BBQ, appetizers (ban chan) and other Korean dishes (soups, noodle dishes, sauteed items & boiled stews). Similar decor and cuisine to Koryo BBQ down the street. Convenient parking lot and proximity to Paramount Theatre, Oakland Chinatown & Jack London Square are other strengths. Better to dine here in a group in order to try more dishes. Avoid wearing clothing that is white or difficult to launder/dry clean.
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Sam Won BBQ House
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
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Oakland |
12/8/2006
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Lively, hip and decorated in the way as most trendy Asian restaurants are these days w/ dark wood & a smattering of stone Buddha heads. They have a dining section, as well as a bar -n- lounge section of the restaurant. Despite the cookie-cutter pan-Asian interior, I found our dishes pretty tasty and fun to share, especially the appetizers---French fries & spring rolls. However, even for the salt-lover that I am, I have to concur w/ Wyld4yoo about the extreme saltiness of a dish, specifically the Ayam Kalasam. Since they unintentionally gifted us an extra entree on the house, I maintain the positive review. This is a good place for group dining and drinking and conveniently located in the San Francisco Centre.
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Straits Restaurant
Cuisine: Asian Pan-Asian
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Downtown |
12/8/2006
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Comfortable, clean & quiet neighborhood restaurant and the dining equivalent to "Cheers," where "everybody knows your name." The clientele are the local middle-age & elderly people who live in the Albany area. The seafood is relatively fresh and predictably prepared with home cooked taste. The 5-7 PM early dining specials are a bargain at $10--a 6 ounce portion of fish w/ rice or potatoes, fresh steamed vegetable, and soup or salad. My favorite aspect of this restaurant is the friendly and warm wait staff. It is no wonder why this place has its loyal regulars. The waitresses make everyone feel comfortable and make a sincere effort to remember their customers names and eating preferences. This is a good place to dine during the weekdays when you don't want to cook, but want to eat a hot meal on the cheap.
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Cape Cod Restaurant
Cuisine: Seafood American (Traditional)
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Albany |
12/8/2006
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Delicious & simple ingredients w/ minimal & straight-forward preparation typify the Cafe menu. I found the minimal execution of our dishes delightfully refreshing. I loved our double fungus lunch of chanterelle pizzetta, followed by hand-cut pasta w/ porcini mushrooms, & mandarin sherbet w/ a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds & a long crisp cookie (langue de chat). I enjoyed my first-ever cup of Blue Bottle Coffee Company coffee so much that, as a result, I dropped my original plan to grab Peet's coffee at the mothership location around the block. I recommend also spending some time before or after dining to pitter-patter around the neighborhood AKA "Berkeley gourmet ghetto." Bathrooms are small. Carefully look at your bill: they automatically add a 17% service charge. The Craftsman setting is casual & cozy. A good setting for an intimate meal.
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Chez Panisse Café
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
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Berkeley |
12/8/2006
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Greasy spoon (breakfast & lunch only) in Richmond across from the ACE Hardware on McBryde Avenue, for the next time you find yourself in Richmond & you're hungry for local flavor.
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Cafe McBryde
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Richmond |
11/28/2006
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Solid food, convenient location in Napa on Hwy 29 & friendly, professional service by young, good-looking staff. Our lunch: I loved the ribs over penne and smoky duck breast w/ mushroom risotto. The shaved bits of (locally-made?) Parmesan cheese in the mixed green salad were outstanding. Best of all was the "trifle" served in a tall glass, a lean tower of heavenly richness--layers of caramel sauce & roasted almonds, chocolate sauce, vanilla pudding & cake. They serve generous portions. The only negative observation was an area of problematic staff traffic flow. The servers awkwardly passed through the customer bottleneck in the waiting area in order to serve those seated outside on the front patio. Other than that, this place is stellar. Watch out for the bold, rich flavors in all dishes---not for the faint of heart (or palate). Highly recommended to start off or finish a day of Napa Valley wine tasting!
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Bistro Don Giovanni
Cuisine: Italian
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Napa |
11/11/2006
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Tasty, fresh, affordable Chinese dim sum. Out of 8 dim sum dishes ordered, only the shrimp stuffed Jalapeno peppers were greasy. Lots of customers, nearly all Chinese--a good sign.
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Legendary Palace
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
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Oakland |
11/9/2006
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Most of the food ordered was average & a few missed the mark. I ordered the prix fixe: caviar, oysters, grilled fish of the day & dessert. Is Osetra caviar supposed to be tasteless? I was disappointed by the lack of taste & texture of the eggs. However, my caviar knowledge is limited to Japanese salmon "ikura" & cod "tarako." Oysters were fresh & sweet. Grilled sturgeon w/ a ginger reduction was delicious. The creme brulee, a good reliable standby. Also, tried the chicken liver pate, stewed lamb shank, & tomato & garbanzo bean soup. The pate & soup seemed standard-issue. The lamb shank was well-prepared. Our waiter was a really nice guy, but he couldn't tell me how to eat the Osetra caviar properly. He made up for it by giving us two espressos on the house though. I would choose Absinthe if I happened to be going to an event close by, such as the symphony or concert at the Civic Auditorium. Doesn't justify a trip just for the food or dining experience.
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Absinthe
Cuisine: French Brasseries
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Hayes Valley |
11/8/2006
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Even from the parking lot, you feel as if you have entered the "world" of French Laundry. Serenity pervades, just like in a resort spa. A hushed garden enclave dotted w/ candlelit benches & seats serves as an outdoor waiting area. It provides a bird's eye view of the immaculate kitchen, humming along calmly & efficiently. I knew it was going to be a memorable evening. We selected the omnivore tasting menu (alternative was vegetarian). Although 9 courses were listed, there were 2 tastings prior to the 1st course, 2 dessert offerings after the last course, which was already a dessert, plus breads from Bouchon. A lovely touch was the departing gift of shortbread cookies for each diner. Most clever presentation was the napkin-wrapped "ice cream cones" filled w/ creme fraiche & topped w/ "scoop" of salmon tartare. Most sophisticated was the "oysters & pearls": oysters & caviar suspended in a pearl tapioca sabayon. Wonderful gastronomic (Post-Michelin honor) experience (marathon!).
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French Laundry
Cuisine: French
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Napa |
11/8/2006
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Glad to see this place still standing and running just like the way it was 5 yrs ago! We fondly call this place "the Garage." Lack of windows and obvious marquee make the place seem dodgy, yet totally intimate---very Japanese "Izakaya"---though thoroughly Korean. Recently revisited and had the usual Korean drinking fare: seafood pancakes, fried chicken, "sausage" (I like the "budechige" at Arang's better) or seafood stew, peach or yogurt soju. I like this warm-up snack: their popcorn dipped in their mayonnaise sauce w/ the addition of extra Tabasco sauce. Writing this review makes me want to give a "shout out" to KOKO restaurant, another wonderfully semi-seedy Korean pub, which sadly closed a few years ago, last I heard, in Oakland. Anybody know if KOKO will be re-opening or if it already has?
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Toyose
Cuisine: Korean
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Inner Sunset |
9/20/2006
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If you don't have a reservation & want to avoid the crowds at Tra Vigne in ST. HELENA, this casual place is located behind the famed restaurant and offers a small menu of pasta, thin crusted pizzas and salads. It was not crowded on a cool Saturday afternoon in early June 2006. Since I tried only the pizzas and salads, I can only vouch that the specialty pizzas, especially the one w/ shrimp, are crisp and light, yet delicious. Flavors are not earth-shaking, but similar to or better than Firewood Cafe's. They offer a lovely outdoor seating area under a canopy of wisteria (perfect for late spring, early summer) and do not charge a corkage fee, allowing you to dine at total leisure. Recommended for those wanting a casual bite (think Firewood Cafe w/ better ambiance) to eat while touring the Napa Valley region.
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Tra Vigne Pizzeria
Cuisine: Pizza Italian
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Napa |
9/19/2006
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Only had a couple of overpriced breakfasts here. Breakfast buffet is probably the better deal. Good service. Standard fare. Better to go a couple of blocks away to Denny's or Mel's Diner instead.
Addendum: my very good (and god bless, very picky) friend held her wedding reception here, and she was very impressed w/ the professional service she received from the chef and wedding reception coordinator. Furthermore, the wedding reception sit-down dinner was delicious--filet mignon, mixed green salad, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a berry mousse/mixed berries in a waffle-like crisp cup. Demi-glace or whatever brown sauce that came w/ the filet mignon was outstanding. Service was smooth, seamless & unintrusive. Wonderful reception venue and food.
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Jester's Restaurant
Cuisine: American (Traditional) French
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SoMa |
9/19/2006
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Filling, herb-saturated deep dish pizza-stick to their specialities or try pepperoni & pineapple. But I can see how the large quantity of chunky tomato sauce, thick crust, & gluey, cheesy filling may not suit everyone's palate. However, as a serious Berkeley loyalist, I consider Zachary's a must-eat institution for all Berkeley visitors, students, and residents.
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Zachary's Chicago Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
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Berkeley |
9/19/2006
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Definitely worth the calorie splurge (ties w/ ice creams at Citizen Cake). Your palate will be satisfied for the next few days. I usually get raisin rum at any ice cream/gelato place...very intensely flavored here. Highly recommended.
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Ciao Bella
Cuisine: Gelato
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Embarcadero |
9/19/2006
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Japanese ex-pats rejoice! This bakery serves up freshly baked "European" style pastries & breads especially for the Japanese palate. Selection and variety are limited, but made up for w/taste. White loaf bread is much better here than purchased in the Japanese supermarkets in the neighborhood.
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Andersen Bakery Inc.
Cuisine: Japanese Bakeries
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Japantown |
9/19/2006
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Nice hangout when in Japan town. Good crepes and OK gelato (don't know what brand they use, but frozen hard as a rock & flavor intensity was medium). Recommend the Japanese dessert crepes w/ azuki red bean paste and maccha green tea sauce w/ or w/ out gelato.
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Sophie's Crepes
Cuisine: Crepes Dessert
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Japantown |
9/19/2006
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Decent sushi and cooked items. The sushi rice is seasoned which is getting pretty hard to find at most sushi places these days. Considering the so-so neighborhood & limited parking options in the area, their small parking lot is a draw to the restaurant.
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Genki Japanese Restaurant
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Berkeley |
9/19/2006
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Simple house made wonton & noodle shop w/ wonderful wontons & soup noodle dishes. Broth has distinct livestock odor which can be distracting, but otherwise it's a good place for a quick -n- tasty bite to eat.
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Hon's Wun Tun House
Cuisine: Chinese Noodle Shop
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Chinatown |
9/19/2006
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Good value 31 yr old Chinese & American greasy spoon located conveniently down the alley from Alfred's Steakhouse & right next to Hilton Financial District (old Holiday Inn) & near Hon's Wonton place. I never eat at the Hilton when I stay, I come here instead. I like their cheap & tasty Americanized Chinese entrees, porridge, wonton soup & American breakfasts (average price range $4-8 before tax & tip). Yes, everything about the interior of the place is greasy, but the food is less greasy (exception: chow mein). Give the place a break: the hard-working owner always wears a shirt & tie and is there sun up to sun down.
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The Garden Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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Chinatown |
9/18/2006
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Good value lunch fare. Wonderful crab salad--large undressed chunks of sweet Dungeness w/ whole green leaf lettuce & delicious c***tail sauce on the side--served in a bread bowl. Yummy bread, salads & soup, too. Very crowded when I went and there was a serious customer flow problem & bottleneck around the aisles of gourmet food products near the pick-up counter. Crowded out any browsing customer who would have wanted to purchase a fancy cookbook or specialty olive oil. Maybe they should shrink the SF map & place more products around the map of SF, leaving more space for pick up?
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Boudin Sourdough Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries American Bistro
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Fishermans Wharf |
9/18/2006
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Great food, great value, good atmosphere. I recommend the "City dinner" for $30. It's a good deal for a salad, entree, 2 sides, and dessert. I got to try bites of the salmon, chicken & filet mignon brochettes, mixed & Caesar salads, cheesecake & cappuccino ice cream pie. They were delicious. Our filet mignon steaks were very satisfying, smoky, and nearly perfectly done (my medium was medium well). Well paired w/ a recommended Pinot Noir (by the glass). Delicious creamed spinach, garlic mashers & ravioli. Atmosphere was cozy, intimate, quiet. Old school-red leather booths. Appropriate for a serious date or adult family. Service was pretty barebones & we went largely ignored, waiting 15 min b/t each course. The waiter was more occupied w/ his table of 8 ordering several bottles of wine. Had better service in past visits, hence retaining a positive review. Fabulous food, high quality beef @ a lower price point than Harris's, Morton's or Ruth's.
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Alfred's Steak House
Cuisine: Steakhouse
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Downtown |
9/18/2006
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Very much comparable to the Japanese interpretation of the cream puff, so it is wise not to make any comparisons to American or European versions. Very luscious custard and the pastry was the perfect encasement. When I telephoned them at 7:45 AM one morning, they kindly accepted my order of 3 dozen cream puffs and allowed me to pick them up at 8:30 AM. They usually open at 10 AM. They graciously threw in another cream puff, my breakfast, for me and gave me the friendliest customer service when I arrived. Thanks Beard Papa!
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Beard Papa
Cuisine: Japanese Bakeries
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Downtown |
8/15/2006
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The most warm & pleasant dining experience in SF. Restaurant was packed when we arrived for our 8 PM Sunday reservation & we waited for about 15 min for our table. I agree that there is a serious bottleneck near the door, but luckily there weren't too many people waiting. Make a reservation. The first thing that was brought out were the carrot & celery sticks in a non-descript herb oil infusion...pretty disappointing start, but not a total deterrent. The bread & butter were standard as well. We shared the eggplant parmesan, the wild boar papparadelli, the breaded sole w/ capers & mashed potatoes, & sliced sirloin entree. Comfort foods w/ homestyle taste. Good, but not fantastic; however, I have never been to Italy nor claim to be an Italian cuisine connoisseur. The highlights of the meal were the tiramisu & exceptionally warm & wonderful hostess, Vicky, who let us linger after the restaurant closed, gave us dessert wine & a long espresso on the house. She rocks!
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Antica Trattoria
Cuisine: Italian
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Polk St./Van Ness |
8/15/2006
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Good place for a bite to eat at Civic Center. Convenient, inexpensive, and safe underground parking and the restaurant provides validation. Sushi rolls are their forte. Had nice thick and fresh slices of sashimi, too. Raw oyster appetizer and salad dressing were good. Edamame needed more salt. The miso soup was pretty flavorless and the deep fried tofu appetizer was not cooked thoroughly, such that the internal temperature was cold. The most bothersome aspect was the numerous baby flies that swarmed around our sushi and sashimi boats upon presentation. I was concerned about a maggot infestation in the restaurant. I survived unscathed though: no upper or lower gastrointestinal problems or fever. I would have given a negative rating if the food had not tasted as good as it did. Not recommended--until they clean up the maggots-- Sayonara, Shima, Sorry!
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Shima Sushi
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Civic Center |
8/15/2006
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I like the coconut chicken dish and beef ball soup. Their cold noodle salad with barbeque pork and deep fried egg rolls is good. Actually everything is delicious here. Quietier and more laid back locale & clientele. A lot of people from UCSF eat here.
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MinhTri Vietnamese Restaurant
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Inner Sunset |
7/27/2006
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Great Bibimbap & bulgogi omelet! Even my Korean friends can vouch for the tasty bibimbap (it's all in the spicy red sauce you add to the dish!). The American breakfast fare is pretty good, too. Counter seating only. You keep your belongings on your lap or hang on the wall hooks behind each seat. Conveniently close to UCSF and N-Judah.
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Art's Cafe
Cuisine: breakfast diner korean
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Inner Sunset |
7/27/2006
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I came here often while a student at UCSF, and recently re-visited 3 years after graduating. The food here is just as good was it was when it first opened. Good sized portions and warm, cozy atmosphere for a small outing or solo dining.
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Pomelo
Cuisine: Eclectic
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Inner Sunset |
7/24/2006
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A good place for a bite to eat if you have just come from a concert @ the Fillmore or karaoke singing in J-TOWN. I like the "bento" box combinations. My favorite is the artery-clogging sausage stew: a stove top crock of boiling slices of SPAM, VIENNA sausage, hot dog, and ground meat in a red, spicy soup base with some bits of chewy rice cake, fermented soybeans, TOP RAMEN instant noodles, and kim chee for added nutrition (j/k). Be warned: the sodium content is sky high and you may return home with puffy face, extremities, & high blood pressure. The health hazard is worth it.
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Arang Restaurant
Cuisine: Korean
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Upper Fillmore |
7/24/2006
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Reliable, late night standby (open until 3-4 am). Great place for a study break if you're a student at nearby USF or UCSF. The family style special for 3-4 people is a pretty good deal. "Chapchae" is a little greasy, but certainly hits the spot after a night of drinking/partying/studying.
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Wooden Charcoal Barbecue House
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
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Outer Richmond |
7/24/2006
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Recommend the duck fried rice (chicken is great, too). I really think adding the condiments is key to enjoying Thai food. A great place for a cheap, tasty, & quick bite to eat, especially if you're hitting the pavement shopping in Union Square. Don't go the Macy's basement: this place is just at the end of the block from Macy's.
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King of Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Downtown |
7/24/2006
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Had a lovely, quiet dinner on a Wednesday night with 2 friends thanks to sf survey. We shared 2 tasty starters: shiitake ravioli and shaved fennel salad. Next was paella (plate to share was plenty to share among the 3 of us), which was OK. Felt that rice was not savory enough---too much tomato sauce, no saffron flavor. The salmon with the coconut curry sauce, bok choy & rice was awesome. The molten chocolate cake really hit the spot after a great night of conversation. Make sure to visit the 70's inspired restroom: interesting disco-era memorabilia on display. Service was non-intrusive and attentive. Hope this place does more business during the week, but the peace was welcome as we could really eat & talk at leisure. I wouldn't make a special trip here, but this place would make a good starting point for dancing/music in SOMA.
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Triptych
Cuisine: Fusion
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SoMa |
7/22/2006
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This was my first "high tea" experience, so I cannot compare to Lovejoy's or the Palace Hotel. We made the reservation for 11 guests in our bridal shower party and was originally told we would be seated in the main tea room. On the day of the bridal shower, the attentive owner, Annie, had graciously allowed for us to be seated in the private tea room as it had not been booked. Annie did a wonderful job of accommodating our last-minute bridal shower needs such as gluing tulle onto a tiara & taking group photographs. The food was decent tasting and presented beautifully. I liked the caramel drizzled cheese cake and mini quiches the best. They tasted more homemade than "costco" frozen food aisle, but I don't know if they bake items on-site (probably not). I recommend this place more for the atmosphere, intimacy and wonderful customer service, as for the food & tea-nothing to call home about.
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Secret Garden Tea House
Cuisine: Tea
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Inner Sunset |
7/11/2006
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Beautiful yellow Victorian nestled among a few redwood trees. Loved the glass ceiling in the main dining room. Started w/ the savory chef's gift of crostini & lentils in olive oil & floating nasturtium blossoms. Followed w/ awesome sweet corn & lobster soup-not much lobster flavor. My spiced Kurobuta pork chop in cherry sauce was juicy and flavorful, if a little over salted. Came with green mashed potatoes & sauteed chanterelles and corn. They are having half-off all bottles of wine this month. Got a good half-bottle of Duckhorn Vineyards 2004 Merlot for $23.50. (one criticism-no wait staff refilled our empty wine glasses). Our lovely server recommended the carrot cake parfait & lemon cannoli for dessert, but we stuck w/ the signature butterscotch pudding. Great pudding, but probably should have followed the recommendation. They could make a better cup of coffee. This restaurant is a great place to take your parents, quiet friends or relatives. Well-heeled older clientele
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The Lark Creek Inn
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Larkspur |
7/11/2006
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Great special occasion or date spot. Warm, intimate decor, spacious booths & table layout. Soft volume groovy music is conversation enhancing. Expecting worst based on negative service reviews, I was pleasantly surprised by attentive, timely & non-intrusive service for our party of 10. Got nice Navarro vineyard white (German sounding varietal, not familiar to me) wine recommendation. Started off w/ one plate of each appetizer selection (except for samosas, which were sold out) & 2 dragon rolls. Kumamoto oysters on half shell & beef appetizer were best. Selected entree of eel w/ fois gras over mashed potatoes-wonderful combo of comfort tastes & textures. Went upstairs to Prive for dancing & bottle service ($900 pre-tip for 2 bottles of Grey Goose). No cover charge when dining @ ROE. Wasn't crazy about DJ's ability @ mixing music. Crowd was mid- to late-20's & 30's. Highly recommend this place to start off a night of partying in SOMA.
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ROE Restaurant
Cuisine: French Japanese
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SoMa |
7/10/2006
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Moroccan lamb stew over couscous, garlic sauteed/steamed broccoli, and mac -n- cheese were OK. Filling, but not brag-worthy in my opinion. Cost about $13.
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Mistral Rotisserie Provencale
Cuisine: French
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Embarcadero |
7/10/2006
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Had $32 price-fixe dinner with large bowl of pesto-enhanced tomato soup, 3 grilled scallops in a sweet red-wine reduction and sauteed swiss chard & shallots, and brioche bread pudding w/ vanilla ice cream dollop. Enjoyed food, but did not blow my socks off, actually I thought the coffee was probably the highlight of the meal. Received good service from a cheerful waiter, but perplexed by how the stone-cold baguette (my still tap water was warmer) was served on butcher/tissue/parchment paper on the table without bread plates. I didn't know this was a bistro. Wait staff ignored the blanket of bread crumbs over the table and kept on serving all courses without sweeping off the table. I think the locale, bar and accessibility to the financial district post-work crowd are really what's keeping this place in business.
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MarketBar
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Seafood Italian
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Embarcadero |
7/10/2006
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Ate here two lunches in a row. I think the flavors would really satisfy the palates of young Japanese ex-pats, exchange students, and tourists. Ingredients are very fresh and menu items are similar to the Western-inspired Japanese fast food served in convenience stores in Japan. Recommend the rice paper-wrapped sushi rolls. I had the non-vegetarian sushi roll bento box with one shrimp cake roll and one raw salmon roll. They were also filled with seasoned rice & grated cucumber. Very fresh and tasty on a hot afternoon. Potato croquettes-pretty authentic. The 5 item bento box sampler was pretty good, too, and Japanese items tasted on the mark. Contained sesame (goma-e) flavored boiled spinach, wasabi-edamame-lettuce potato salad, ground chicken dumpling w/ ginger-soy flavored sauce, whole grain salad in a vinaigrette, and deep fried shrimp cake. Pretty pricey, $ +11 for each lunch, but hits the spot if you're hankering for "Lawson" or "7-11" Japanese bento.
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DELICA rf-1
Cuisine: Japanese Deli
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Embarcadero |
7/10/2006
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This is a good place for a quick, cheap, & filling lunch, especially when shopping in Union Square. The decor and plastic cups are unappealing, but the braised (sauteed) noodle dishes, fried rice, coconut-milk based soup (meal in a bowl) dishes, and soup noodle dishes (meal in a bowl) are all pretty good. Not a good place for a group to try many different entrees, as dishes are not prepared for "family-style" sharing and tables are small. It really helps to doctor your food with the condiments-chili sauce, peanuts, & picked peppers, if you like to balance the sweetness w/ more heat.
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Bangkok Noodles
Cuisine: Thai Noodle Shops
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Downtown |
6/29/2006
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I had the salmon red coconut curry for lunch. Very large portion. Tasty, but frankly overly sweetened. Thought that the tables against the wall were too close to each other. I felt I was totally eavesdropping on the conversations from the table next to mine.
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Osha
Cuisine: Thai
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SoMa |
6/29/2006
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Another good place to take visitors from out-of-town, if anything for the traditional wood decor and crotchety, white-clothed male waiters with bifocals. Food is traditional and reliable. You can feel equally comfortable dining alone at the bar or in an enclosed booth with your friends/family.
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Tadich Grill
Cuisine: Seafood American (Traditional)
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Downtown |
6/29/2006
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Really enjoyed our afternoon snack on the outdoor picnic table: steamed clams and oyster sampler platter. Great views of the commuter ferry docks and good people watching, too.
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Hog Island Oyster Company
Cuisine: Oysters Seafood American (Traditional)
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Embarcadero |
6/29/2006
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PROS: quick, efficient service (I like how the staff is outfitted w/ walkie-talkie headsets to convey to all food server staff when a table requests a specific dim-sum dish), prompt tea refills and check processing, delicious, fresh (no rancid oil after-taste), numerous offerings of traditional and "fusion" dim-sum dishes (best: peking duck and all steamed dumplings), best dim-sum place to take out-of-town guests, especially if not Chinese, serve alcohol, many tables. CONS: pricey (up to $40/person-if large appetite), not enough bathroom stalls or space for large # of patrons they serve. If you want to eat high quality dim sum w/ your local friends on a casual day, go to Ton Kiang's. If you want high quality dim sum w/ people you'd like to impress or for a special occasion, Yank Sing is the place.
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Yank Sing
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
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Embarcadero |
6/29/2006
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House of Prime Rib is an excellent example of how simplicity and consistency equal restaurant success. I have dined here for the past 10 yrs about a total of 20 times, each a positive experience. Everything is tasty from the bread, to the salad, sides & of course the prime rib. They will give you exactly the level of doneness you want and are willing to replace your piece if it is not to your liking. The food and atmosphere is not for trend setters, vegetarians, or those who are intimidated by large portions. Highly recommend making reservations. The wait may or may not be long (30 min) even w/ a reservation, but well worth it. If you want to avoid the filling salad, you can order prime rib ala carte, which includes everything except for the salad. If there are two of us dining, we usually order a "cut" and an "a la carte" and split the salad (no extra charge). Much rather eat here than Harris's, Ruth Chris's, Izzy's, Albert's, & (maybe) Morton's steakhouses
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House of Prime Rib
Cuisine: Steakhouses
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Polk St./Van Ness |
6/25/2006
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We had an early dinner here once the wineries closed & were very satisfied w/ the food, professional service, & prices. The term bistro seems quaint & misplaced for the level of cuisine & service provided. We started w/ the excellent escargots & quenelles de brochet. Our entree selections were rib eye steak w/ french fries, hanger steak w/ potato gratin, 2 cassoulets, & sole meuniere. I enjoyed bites of my companions dishes, especially the sole. I had cassoulet for the first time. I was taken aback by the saltiness of the confit & overall heaviness, but could appreciate the rich, braised duck, homemade sausage, & beans. I was pleasantly surprised that the dish took on a mellow, complex & less salty quality when I ate the leftovers. The climax of the evening was the wonderful desserts: chocolate mousse creme brulee, apple tart, & lemon tart. Need to try the tomato soup in puff pastry next time! A lady @ the next table made priceless orgasmic faces with each sip of her soup!
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Bistro Jeanty
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Napa |
6/25/2006
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Our group of 5 had a 7 PM Saturday reservation, the day before the Bay to Breakers, and was seated promptly at a booth near the kitchen. The restaurant had not been filled to capacity yet. We shared a number of dishes, but the most savory and memorable were the seafood tagine, barbecue salmon and shrimp, salmon salad, ahi knaffe, spread sampler, and hodeida prawns. Our pleasant and helpful waiter had forgotten to bring our salmon salad, but gave us a second spread sampler on the house. We were stuffed by the time our salad arrived. The restaurant had filled up by the time we finished dinner and we could feel the room temperature and humidity rise to a slightly uncomfortable level with the increasing number of bodies. The experience overall was a 7 out of 10. Good, tasty and fresh, but not mind blowingly so. The decor and ambiance is a little more fashionable and romantic than la Mediteranee, but I prefer the more traditional food at la Mediteranee.
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Saha
Cuisine: Middle Eastern Mediterranean Moroccan Fusion
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Downtown |
6/25/2006
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