Tomato,
Nice thread.
I second Rubicon, Chez Panisse and especially French Laundry. It is well worth the drive up to the Napa area. While it is pricey, I recommend that anyone who goes up try the full length, fixed tasting menu. It's simply unbelievable.
As for new suggestions, here are a few:
1. House of Nanking
2. 919 Kearny Street, San Francisco
3. Chinese with a healthy/California cuisine tint
4. $8 to $13 - Appetizers usually $3 - $5, main course dishes $5 - $8 5. Overall ***
a. Food ***
b. Service **
c. Ambience **
6. An excellent place to go out for lunch or have a quick dinner. Food is freshly cooked to order and is some of the best Chinese I've had, especially for the price. The place is a bit cramped and there can often be a line outside, but it's well worth the wait.
1. Star's
2. 500 Van Ness Avenue
3. Continental & California Cuisine
4. $20 to $60
5. Overall ****
a. Food *** 1/2
b. Service ****
c. Ambience **** (Exquisite Bar with classic French posters all over)
6. If I'm going to the symphony or opera in San Francisco, quite often I like to go to Star's as it is in walking distance of the two. It is a bit pricey and the clientele are often too swanky/the who's who of San Francisco, but they have some great food. I particularly like their steaks/filet mignoin, but they also have excellent chicken and fish entrees.
1. Oliveto Cafe & Restaurant
2. 5655 College Ave, Oakland
3. Italian with a flair of California Cuisine
4. $15 to $30
5. Overall *** 1/2
a. Food *** 1/2
b. Service ***
c. Ambience ***
6. Very close to Berkeley, as it's on the edge of Oakland. They have an excellent assortment of pastas and varied types of meats and game birds. They also have lots of fresh and interesting breads from their bakery downstairs.
Can't forget Marin....
1. Guaymas
2. 5 Main St, Tiburon
3. Mexican with a flair of California Cuisine
4. $12 to $20
5. Overall ***
a. Food ***
b. Service ***
c. Ambience ****
6. Located on Tiburon's waterfront with a spectacular view of the city from across the bay. A very romantic location for a date. Very good mexican food, very good service and an excellent ambience. They also have outdoor dining.
Prov
PS - Nobu Matsuhisa will be opening up another Matsuhisa location in San Francisco sometime early next year. If anyone is ever in Los Angeles and wants some great sushi and the most creative Japanese food I've ever had, try them out. Matushisa 29 N. La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills. The same goes for his locations in New York and London, called Nobu's. |
