Sakae Sushi moved to this location in 2009. It was originally called Noboru, but morphed into Sakae Sushi when their other location located. They also run Yuzu in San Mateo. It earned a Michelin guide Bib gourmand rating in 2010. We have been here several times, with our latest visit in March 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

Baxter’s Bistro & Lounge is a high end Mountain comfort food restaurant in Northstar at Tahoe’s Ski Resort’s village. Local, organic, seasonal focus. It opened in December 2008 and is owned by the folks who also own the popular Moody’s restaurant in Truckee. Both restaurants have similar styles and menus. We found Moody’s food slightly better than Baxter’s when compared back to back, in early 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

Tsukiji Sushi is a Japanese Restaurant in downtown Mill Valley that opened in July 2009. Haruo Komatsu is the Sushi Chef, he was the head sushi chef at Sushi Ran for many years. Tsukiji uses Koshihikari rice (a super-premium rice) and rice bran oil for their frying. The restaurant is named after the Tokyo Tsukiji fish market, the largest fish market in world. Most fish is sourced from this market. We decided to try this place because we’ve been to Sushi Ran so many times. Read the rest of this entry »

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China Village is a Chinese restaurant featured on the KQED public television program Check Please back in 2008. They specialize in Szechuan (Sichuan) Chinese food but serve other styles of Chinese Food. China Village is in the 2010 Michelin Guide as a recommended restaurant. We were nearby and finally had an excuse to visit. It is a generic decor Asian restaurant in the Solano avenue business district of sleepy Albany, just north of Berkeley. Read the rest of this entry »

Zen Peninsula is a Cantonese Chinese restaurant in Millbrae.  Millbrae is ground zero for some of the best Chinese food in the SF Bay area. It has been around since 2004 and specializes in wide selection of Dim Sum for lunch and special dishes for dinner. They have an extensive printed menu that you order on, and a small number of carts, servers serving dim sum. We last visited in early 2010. Zen Peninsula Dinner has a separate review. Read the rest of this entry »

Limon is a Peruvian restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission district serving Nuveo Latin Fusion. It closed for 16 months due to a fire and recently reopened. Martin Castillo reopened Limon with Emmanuel Piqueras from three Michelin star Arzak restaurant in Spain. They reinvented the menu so the food is different from the old Limon. Michael Bauer recently gave the place 3 stars. Read the rest of this entry »

Poggio is an Italian trattoria Restaurant situated in the Casa Madrona Hotel, right on the main touristy street of Sausalito. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They focus on Northern Italian cuisine using local ingredients, sustainable products, and property-grown organic herbs and vegetables.
The founder Larry Mindel has a long history with restaurants including Ciao, Prego, and Il Fornaio. Peter McNee is the executive chef. Read the rest of this entry »

Gialina Pizzeria is a small pizzeria named after the chef-owner’s grandmother. It is opened in January 2007 and is located in San Francisco’s Glen Park neighborhood right near BART. Chef Sharon Ardiana has help positions at well respected places including Lime, Dine, Garibaldis, Slow Club, and Boulevard.

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Commis is a hot restaurant in Oakland run by James Syhabout. He has cooked at several superstar restaurant; Manresa, The Fat Duck, el Bulli, Mugaritz, and Alkimia. Commis focuses on Contemporary California cuisine with a focus on local, sustainable, and eco friendly practices. The restaurant is located in the Piedmont Avenue area of Oakland, home to hot spots like Bay Wolf, Dopo, and Fentons. Commis received one Michelin star in 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

Asian Pearl Peninsula in Millbrae, California’s downtown was part of the same Culinary Wonderland group as The Kitchen in Millbrae, hence the same menu. We’ve been to this location a couple times and have found it to offer very good Cantonese Chinese cuisine. The Richmond Asian Pearl has also served up very good Chinese food. This place stays open till 1am. We went for dim sum lunch. Asian Pearl Peninsula has a separate dinner review. Read the rest of this entry »

Pican is a restaurant in revitalized Uptown Oakland next door to Ozumo. New Orleans native Michael LeBlanc started this restaurant in 2009. This area is undergoing a transformation from long closed auto dealerships and the like to a modern inner city. It serves California infused Southern Cuisine with lots of fresh seasonal ingredients in a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere. They were on the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list for 2010. Read the rest of this entry »