Zuni Cafe is a popular American restaurant on Market street near Hayes Valley. Judy Rodgers has served classic fare that stays timeless since their inception in 1979. Menu changes daily and they use sustainable and humane ingredients. They are packed most of the time. Bar tables are available first come first serve.

Decor, Vibe - Odd, pie shaped building with exposed brick, large windows, large bar area and oyster bar. Lots of folks in their 30’s to 50’s, better dressed, a bit of a scene.

Menu Pictures

Dessert Menu

Picks:

Zuni Caesar Salad ($9) is a classic dish. Fresh greens and classic dressing.

Chicken for two ($48) roasted in the brick oven, warm bread salad with scallions, currants, and pine nuts is their signature dish. Order it as soon as you sit down, as it takes an hour. Some of the best chicken around, it was juicy and tender. Bread was crispy. It is good reheated.

Oysters ($12) Wescott Pacific, Hog Kumamoto, and Olympias were fresh and served with champagne vinegrette.

Piccolo fritto ($11) deep-fried radicchio, onions, and lemon with balsamic vinegar was crunchy and satisfying. How could deep fried food not be?

Pistachio ice cream cones ($8.75) with chocolate sauce were small but the ice cream was smooth and creamy. Yes, it was someone’s birthday.

Espresso granita ($6.25) with whipped cream was a refreshing dessert. Caffeine and zingy coffee flavor balanced with cream.

Wills Ranch Pork Chop ($25) roasted with cardoons, chickpeas, and almond green garlic picada was cooked just right, tender, and juicy. Good beans.

Farro soup ($8.25) with 3 greens and one egg was excellent. Good broth and fresh greens.

OK:

Tomales Bay Mussels and Hog Island Manila Clams ($10) with saffron, coriander seed, orange zest and harissa was only fair. Fresh shellfish combined with good sauce. Good dip for bread.

Serrano Ham with Twin Girl Farm cherries and fennel ($11) was fair. Too simple, we guess. The other appetizers were better.

Polenta ($5.25) with parmesan cheese was fair. A litle on the hard side.

Pans:
None

Zuni Cafe had above average service that was friendly. All food came out paced well. Classic food that is very accessible, no wonder they are always packed. Be sure to try the Burger during lunchtime or late night time.

Cocktails like the Mojito and Margarita were strong and well made.
They add a 4% San Francisco Health Surchage to your bill.

Be sure to check out the Zuni Cafe Book

Kirala is a popular Japanese restaurant in Berkeley. They have 2 locations. The one in North Berkeley is a to go shop. They do no take reservations, so the place fills up rapidly. We came for lunch. They have a separate lunch menu as well as a sushi menu.

Sushi Bar

Decor, Vibe - Classic Japanese restaurant decor. Lots of workers in their 30’s and 40’s were eating lunch.

Menu Pictures

Lunch Menu

Sushi Menu

Appetizers

Dinner Menu

Wine List

Picks:

Sushi Lunch Special ($12.95) had 3 pieces of real crab California roll, hand rolled Unagi sushi, salmon ball, and 4 different types of fish sushi. Very good quality all around, even the miso soup was good.

Kitchen Lunch Special ($11.25) came with a small chicken teriyaki, piece of cooked sea bass, and a Mushroom Soba noodle. Great variety and good quality all around. They have a sample the lunch special placed right near the front door every day.

Nabayaki Udon ($8.75) with Batter fried shrimp tempura, poached egg & vegetables came out very hot and steam from the stove. Lots of noodles, fish cakes, a nicely tempura’d shrimp.

OK:

Seaweed Salad ($5.50) had Sesame seasoned seaweed mix and tasted average. Good quantity, but nothing special.

Pans:
None

Kirala has above average service. Lunch was a good deal. Dinner is more expensive, but they have a much more extensive dinner menu including many small plates of Robata grilled items. Cannot wait to try it sometime. They also have a large Sake selection. Wines by the glass start at $5.25, Bottles from a reasonable $23.
This is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the East Bay. Be sure to give it a try if you like Sushi.
Berkeley Bowl is two blocks away, be sure to visit this interesting supermarket.

Kirala 2 To Go menu

Kirala 2 To Go Selection

Kirala 2 (To Go)
1511-D Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709
510-649-1384

Restaurant.com $25 Dining Certificate for $10
Entertainment Book 2 for 1 restaurant, food coupons, and much more

The Navio restaurant is located inside the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. It serves one of the best Sunday Brunches around. They have everything from traditional breakfast items, Sushi, caviar, fresh seafood, Dim Sum, Pastries, and Desserts. The location on the coast is perfect. You get views of the coast and golf course.
Reservations are required and keep in mind the place books up weeks in advance. They have 2 sittings, 11am and 1:30pm. Be sure not to book the earlier breakfast buffet. They have larger special occasion Sunday Brunches located in their larger ballrooms. We visited on a busy Mothers Day when prices were raised to $110/person.

Decor, Vibe - Large windows let you take in the awesome ocean views. Classy clubby atmosphere. Lots of familes and some tourists were taking in Sunday Brunch.

Menu Pictures

Sample menus

Food Pictures

Omlette Station

Charcuterie

Fresh Cookies

Caviar

Sashimi

American Breakfast

Peking Duck

Prime Rib, Rack of Lamb, Veal

Dessert

Raw bar

Sorbet

Cheese

Desserts

Truffles

Raw bar - Oysters, Clams

Pastries

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay Navio Sunday Brunch is still the best buffet around. Far superior to the best buffets in Las Vegas, at the Wynn and Bellagio. The quality of items was extremely high and the selection immense. Service was top notch as expected.

The price is high but it is well worth it for special occasions. Champagne even isn’t included. The Ritz Carlton San Francisco’s brunch is very good but does not reach the heights of the Half Moon Bay location. Be sure to come with an empty stomach and pace yourself, dessert here is great. They have discounts for kids and kids below a certain age are free.