Santa Ramen is a very popular Japanese noodle Ramen restaurant in San Mateo. Located in a small shopping mall with a Fresh Choice and JoAnn’s, the restaurant has achieved a legendary cult following and long lines at both dinner and lunch times. We have eaten here many times with our last visit in April 2013.

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Pizzetta 211 is a small but cozy 4 table, 4 seat counter restaurant in San Francisco’s Richmond district. We first dined there in 2008 and finally returned in April 2013.

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Since 1993, The House San Francisco has been cooking up top notch Asian fusion cuisine in San Francisco’s North Beach. Using local ingredients and blending American foods with Asian accents is their strong suit. Their mastery of sauces is evident in many dishes. The House flies under many foodie radars, but is one of our Favorite restaurants. Our last visit was in March 2013.

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Since 1998, Delfina, a bustling neighborhood Italian trattoria has been packing them in. The menu changes daily and they use organic produce and sustainably-raised meats and fish whenever possible. It is a popular place that requires advanced booking for a reservation or showing up at 530pm for a table at the counter or bar. Our last visit was in July 2012. If you cannot find parking, try the valet at sister restaurant Locanda.

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Opened in 2004, A16 has since been present on many top Italian restaurant lists. It is a very popular restaurant in the Marina district, with prime time reservations needing to be booked a week or two in advance. This restaurant is serious about wine and pairing. Our last visit was in the summer of 2012.

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One of the most underrated places in the San Francisco Bay Area. Located in the heard of the Napa wine country and specifically in foodie heaven aka Yountville, California. It earned One Michelin Star in 2012. We have dined here 3 times, with the last visit in the Summer of 2012. They also run sister Italian restaurant Redd Wood.

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Lobster Shack Redwood City

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Moonstar is a higher end Asian Buffet in Daly City, a short distance from the Serramonte shopping center, and almost next door to Chinese food Mecca, Koi Palace.  They used to have a location in San Francisco, but it closed years ago. Todai pioneered the idea of charging more and serving sushi, sashimi, etc a couple years back, but Moonstar took the idea to a higher level. Our last visit was at the May 2013. 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. Her next restaurant, Ragazza in the Metro Kathmandu space on Divisadero, is their sister restaurant.

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Be sure to read Boulevard: The Cookbook

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Koi Palace is a popular Cantonese Chinese restaurant in Daly City. The Peninsula is ground zero for some of the best Chinese food in the SF Bay area. It has been around since 1997 and specializes in wide selection of Dim Sum for lunch and special dishes for dinner. They also have locations in Dublin and at the Thunder Valley Casino. Koi Palace Dinner is reviewed separately. Dragon Beard candy creation is covered too. Our last visit was in the fall of 2011.

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One of our favorite restaurants.. Chapeau! is a French Bistro located in the San Francisco Richmond district in the middle of the Clement Street shopping district. At one time, they had two locations, but later wisely consolidated into this one location. Chapeau! SF opened in 1996 and means hat or wow in French. Chef Philippe Gardelle and his wife run this restaurant and are often times seen warmly greeting guests. Chapeau! specialize in value oriented French Bistro cuisine. You can get 3 course meal for $40.50 or 4 courses for $49.50. Save even more with early bird specials at $31.75 Mon – Thursday 5-6pm. Some items do require an up charge. This review is a culmination of many visits over the years, the last of which was in November 2012. Read the rest of this entry »