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Wakuriya Restaurant Review, San Mateo

Posted on September 3, 2012

Wakuriya is a Michelin Starred Restaurant in a San Mateo strip mall. They’ve been around for several years and have established themselves as one of the finest Japanese restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. The owner and chef Katsuhiro Yamasaki used to work at Kaygetsu (a now closed Japanese Fine dining restaurant). His wife also helps to run this tiny restaurant. You need to book roughly one month in advance as this restaurant only has 4 tables and a small counter.

Press Restaurant Review, St. Helena

Posted on July 23, 2012

Why did we dine here? – Press is a Steak House in St. Helena that has received positive press from Michael Bauer. We were nearby and decided to give this beautiful restaurant a visit for dinner. A surprising mainstream change from the California cuisine that we normally have, at a place like Terra..! This restaurant is situated next door to foodie heaven, Dean and DeLuca.
Make sure visit them before coming here for dinner.

Sons and Daughters Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Posted on March 21, 2012

Sons and Daughters is a One Michelin star restaurant run by young chef/owners Matt McNamara and Teague Moriarty. (Gregoire) They have a 1 acre garden in Los Gatos that yields fresh produce and herbs.

Atelier Crenn Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Posted on March 12, 2012

Atelier Crenn is a one Michelin star French restaurant from Dominique Crenn (Formerly of Luce) located in San Francisco’s Marina District. (Atelier means workshop in French.) As she puts it, “An expression of taste, scent, and vision.” Seasonal and sustainable cuisine. We have been debating whether to dine here for a while. Our worries were whether this place was more style or substance. Some of the pictures of the dishes here looked too beautiful to eat!

Chez Panisse Restaurant Review, Berkeley

Posted on February 13, 2012

We had dined at Chez Panisse Cafe almost 3 years ago.. Our last visit to the Main restaurant was decades ago. Tons of restaurants have come and gone since they opened over 30 years ago. It was time to see how Chez Panisse has stood the test of time.

Joël Robuchon Restaurant Review, Las Vegas

Posted on January 18, 2012

Joël Robuchon is a Haute Cuisine French Restaurant located in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was opened in 2006 and is the US outlet for most Michelin Starred Restaurateur in the word, Joël Robuchon. This Las Vegas location received 3 Michelin Stars in 2008 and 2009. A separate review is available for the lower cost restaurant next door, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.

é by José Andrés Restaurant Review, Las Vegas

Posted on January 16, 2012

Wow, one of the top molecular gastronomy restaurants in the USA… é by José Andrés is a mysterious restaurant in the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Las Vegas that doesn’t even have a phone number. They take reservations by email ([email protected]) 30 days in advance for one of the 8 spots of counter seating. Seating are at 5:30PM and 8:30PM, meals typically last 2 hours. After you make a successful reservation they will send you a Golden Ticket in the mail.

Tin Lung Heen Restaurant Review, Hong Kong

Posted on November 9, 2011

Why did we here? – This restaurant is located in the brand spanking new Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, making it a no-brainer for those seeking out beautiful new restaurants. They received a surprising 2 Michelin stars in 2013. Guess the food has improved since our visit in 2011.

Fleur de lys Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Posted on July 18, 2011

Fleur de lys is a long-standing French restaurant from Hubert Keller, who also owns Burger Bar and is featured on a PBS television show. They received one Michelin star in 2011. The last time we were here, perhaps 8 years ago, we were very impressed, so we had high expectations.

Palace Hotel Garden Court Sunday Brunch Buffet Review, San Francisco

Posted on July 11, 2011

Best buffet in San Francisco? Palace Hotel Garden Court Sunday Brunch was next on our list of high-end buffets. We are suckers for lavish spreads of high-end food in addition to our mainstays of regular fine dining! Sadly we have found the best Sunday brunches outside of San Francisco, in far off places like the Wynn buffet in Las Vegas, and Conrad Sunday brunch in Hong Kong.
This Sunday brunch cost about $68 with unlimited, average quality Piper Sonoma champagne. Coffee, tea, orange juice were also complimentary. Special brunch menus are offered on holidays and throughout the month of December.

Fook Lam Moon Restaurant Review, Hong Kong

Posted on May 25, 2011

Legendary crispy chicken wows us.

We recently visited Hong Kong and dined on excellent Cantonese Chinese food and more. Hong Kong is a modern city like New York, that is progressive, packed with energy, and filled with top-notch restaurants.

Ming Court Restaurant Review, Hong Kong

Posted on May 14, 2011

Sun Tung Lok Chinese Cuisine Restaurant Review, Hong Kong

Posted on May 7, 2011

We recently visited Hong Kong and dined on excellent Cantonese Chinese food and much more. Hong Kong is a modern city like New York, that is progressive, packed with energy, and filled with top-notch restaurants.

JW Marriott Hong Kong The Lounge Sunday Brunch Buffet Review, Hong Kong

Posted on May 6, 2011

The quest for the ultimate Sunday Brunch buffet continues. Foie gras check, Iberico ham, 2 kinds, unlimited champagne and wine, check, dinner, forget about it.

Tiffin Buffet Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Review

Posted on May 5, 2011

The quest for the ultimate buffet continues. Foie gras check, Iberico ham, check.

Ferry Building, San Francisco

Posted on April 11, 2011

The Ferry Building Marketplace is one of our most favorite destinations in San Francisco. Filled with restaurants, food stands, and gift shops, this place is on any foodies must visit list. Here are some of our favorite shops to visit and dine at.

PlumpJack Cafe Restaurant Review, Squaw Valley

Posted on January 26, 2011

PlumpJack Cafe is a restaurant in the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, at the Squaw Valley ski resort. They serve breakfast the hotel guests, lunch and dinner to all. A more informal bar right outside the cafe, also serves food. We were in the area and decided to drop in for a quick bite to eat.

benu restaurant Review, San Francisco

Posted on August 27, 2010

benu is the long awaited new restaurant in SF from French Laundry Alum and James Beard Award-winning chef Corey Lee. His old boss Thomas Keller is a partner in this new venture and has a wine locker by the front door. benu is housed where Hawthorne Lane used to be. We dined early on, during their 3rd week of operation. benu is a small product driven restaurant focused on contemporary American cuisine. benu is an Egyptian word and that stands for the phoenix, a symbol of something constantly renewing. benu received Two Michelin stars for 2012. The 17 course fixed price menu now costs $180. A la carte is offered Tuesday through Thursday.

2010 Hong Kong Mini Restaurant Reviews

Posted on August 24, 2010

We recently finished up our latest culinary tour of China in the Summer of 2010. Hong Kong is a world class city full of great food. Most of the Chinese food was superior to that in the San Francisco Bay Area and even Vancouver, BC Canada.

Here are some quick mini reviews of places we ate at, so you can understand how Hong Kong food compares, and so you select the best places on your visit. We have full reviews for places we deemed important enough;

Lei Garden Restaurant Review, Hong Kong

Posted on August 21, 2010

Lei Garden is a well respected restaurant group with locations in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Macau. They opened location18 in Shanghai in 2010. We visited their location in the upscale IFC mall in Hong Kong for dinner in late 2008. This location earned one star in the 2009 Michelin guide but lost it in 2010.

Auberge du Soleil Restaurant Review, Rutherford

Posted on July 28, 2010

Auberge du Soleil (Inn of the Sun) is a posh resort in the Napa Valley with a Michelin starred restaurant that opened in 1981. Executive Chef Robert Curry, formerly of Domain Chandon and Greystone, serves up Wine country cuisine.

5A5 Steak Lounge Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Posted on June 4, 2010

5A5 Steak Lounge is a contemporary take on a Steakhouse, and is located in San Francisco’s Jackson Square area. They serve , 100% natural beef with no antibiotics or hormones. Executive Chef Allen Chen formerly cooked at Cupertino’s top rated Alexanders Steakhouse, so you see a lot of similarities here.

Araxi Restaurant Review, Whistler, BC, Canada

Posted on May 19, 2010

Araxi Restaurant + Bar is a popular restaurant in Whistler’s village. They focus on British Columbia cuisine with lots of seafood. Executive Chef James Walt celebrates carefully sourced local ingredients including the freshest seafood. This restaurant is renowned to be the top spot in Whistler. Araxi has 3 well regarded restaurants in Vancouver.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Restaurant Review, Las Vegas

Posted on January 29, 2010

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is a ‘less’ formal restaurant from “Chef of the Century” Joël Robuchon. He has more Michelin stars than any other chef in the world. This restaurant is located on the Las Vegas Strip in the MGM Grand, right next door to the more formal Joël Robuchon at the Mansion restaurant. This restaurant received One Michelin star. Elegant French food is created right in front of you and served on the counter or on one of the surrounding tables. Our meal at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon was right before a show, so we tried their new low cost pre show menu.

Commis Restaurant Review, Oakland

Posted on December 18, 2009

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.

San Mateo Prime Restaurant Review, San Mateo

Posted on November 25, 2009

San Mateo Prime restaurant opened in late 2007 in Downtown San Mateo. They specialize in dry aged prime rib cooked with rock salt and slowly roasted. We have driven by many times and decided it was time for a prime rib dinner. San Mateo Prime is modeled after places like House of Prime Rib in San Francisco and Lawry’s The Prime Rib. Entrees come with hot corn bread, salad, popover, and choice of two side dishes.

Chez Vong Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 10, 2009

Chez Vong is a fancy Chinese / Vietnamese restaurant located in the 1st Arrondissement, specifically the Les Halles area of Paris. We wanted some Chinese food for a change, so we decided to try this place.

Le Cinq Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 9, 2009

Le Cinq is a famous two Michelin star restaurant in the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris, right near the Champs-Élysées. The restaurant had earned 3 Michelin stars in the past. Eric Briffard, formerly of Paris’ Les Elysées has been head chef since 2008. He is known for dishes with a precision of flavors. They serve classic French Haute cuisine using classic French culinary techniques. Le Cinq embraces newer, lighter cooking styles, and always incorporates the freshest regional ingredients. Le Cinq serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has been open since 1999. A la Carte as well as two prix fixe menus (160, 230€) are available at dinner. We choose the cheaper Decouverte Gourmande Summer Menu de l’ete. (160€)

L’Ardoise Restaurant Review, Paris

Posted on October 9, 2009

L’Ardoise is a charming French Bistro located on a quiet street in the 1st Arrondissement, a block from the Jardin des Tuileries, and not far from the Louvre. They have a very affordable 34€ three course meal as well as an a la carte menu. We ordered two of these meals, plus and extra entree. If you need an early dinner, this is one of the few that start dinner at 6:30pm. L’Ardoise is mentioned in many tour books.

L’Arpège Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 8, 2009

L’Arpege is a famous three Michelin star restaurant in Paris run by star Chef Alain Passard. This famous spot opened in 1986. They serve classic French Haute cuisine focusing on seafood, poultry, and vegetables. Their three organic farms outside Paris grow their produce. Vegetables are bullet trained to the restaurant several TIMES a day, to maximize freshness. Alain became bored with meat and removed it from the menu several years ago, but later adjusted to include seafood and poultry. We came for lunch Menu L’Ete des Jardins (The Summer Garden) (120€) available July-September 2009, to lessen the damage to the pocket book. It looked like everyone else ordered it too. They had actually lowered its price by 15€!

La Poule au Pot Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 8, 2009

Since 1935, La Poule au Pot has specialized in chicken hot pot. They have an extremely good value 35€ three course fixed price menu. We ordered two of then plus an extra entree. This restaurant is located in the Les Halles area (Lots of shops and restaurants), and stays open very late.

La Fontaine de Mars Restaurant Review, Paris

Posted on October 7, 2009

La Fontaine de Mars is the known as the famous bistro in the 7th Arrondissement where President Obama went. There is a fountain right outside the restaurant that helped name this place. It is not far from the Eiffel Tower, making this a good place for a meal before/after a visit. They have serve South western French Cuisine including foie gras, duck, and cassoulet since 1908.

Restaurant Guy Savoy Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 5, 2009

Restaurant Guy Savoy (Pronounced G Savoy) is a three Michelin star restaurant in Paris named after the chef owner, who often greets visitors. The Arc de Triomphe is just a couple blocks from here. It was opened back in 1980 and earned 3 stars for the first time in 2002. Guy Savoy has a location in Caesar’s Las Vegas as well as less formal restaurants in Paris. His motto, “Cuisine is the art of instantaneously turning produce suffused with history into happiness.” We had eaten at Guy Savoy Las Vegas and were hesitant to eat here, but one step in the door, eased our fears.

La Fourchette Restaurant Review, Avignon, France

Posted on October 1, 2009

La Fourchette is a Provencal cuisine bistro located in Avignon about a block from the main street with the Palace du Papes. They specialize in Vaucluse caillettes, Les pieds et paquets, or a great Avignon daube. Their three course prix fix dinner costs a reasonable 30.50€.

Hiely Lucullus Restaurant Review, Avignon, France

Posted on October 1, 2009

Hiely Lucullus is a popular restaurant in Avignon, France on the second floor above a clothing store on a main Avignon street. It reigned supreme for years as the top restaurant until Christian Etienne opened and got a Michelin Star. The haute cuisine served is predominantly French, Mediterranean, and Provencal. Grilled Alpine lamb is their specialty dish. They have some very good deals during lunch (19€). We can for dinner and were allowed to order a lunch deal as well two dinner Menu Carte (35€).

Chateau Eza Restaurant Review, Eze Le Village, France

Posted on September 30, 2009

Chateau Eza is tucked away in the thousand-year-old medieval mountain top village of Eze Le Village, overlooking the Mediterranean. We saw Eze Le Village in a Rick Steves’ TV show and knew we had to visit. It is located in a Hotel that used to be the winter getaway for the Swedish royal family.

La Réserve de Nice Restaurant Review, Nice, France

Posted on September 28, 2009

La Réserve de Nice is situated on huge rock overlooking the harbor entrance to Nice, France. It has beautiful panoramic views of the water. It earned one Michelin star in 2009. Their menu changes daily with best values in their prix fix menus. We order one of each prix fix menu plus a Bouillabaisse. They have an upstairs dining room that was closed.

Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road Restaurant Review, London, UK

Posted on September 25, 2009

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The Fat Duck Restaurant Review, Bray, UK

Posted on September 21, 2009

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Taiwan Hotel Imperial Restaurant Review, Beijing, China

Posted on September 13, 2009

Chinese Name: 官府菜

Taiwan Hotel Imperial Restaurant is situated in the Wangfujing area, a busy downtown district, a block away from a popular shopping street and the Dong Huamen Specialty Food Market. It is situated in the basement of the Taiwan Hotel. This restaurant specializes in the cuisine eaten by royalty, Imperial Chinese Cuisine.

No. 16 Courtyard Restaurant Review, Beijing, China

Posted on September 12, 2009

Chinese name: 后海16号美食会所

No. 16 Courtyard Restaurant is a quaint little restaurant hidden in the touristy Hutong area most people tour on bike coaches. It is near Shisha Houhai lake, north of the Yundian bridge. The specialize in Imperial Chinese Cuisine, the best of all China. Tiny restaurant with only a couple tables, so reservations are a must. Be warned that tables usually have a minimum food charge. Our large table had a huge 3000RMB minimum. We happened to strolling at lunchtime without a reservation and lucked out in finding a table available. They host many private banquets.

Guy Savoy Restaurant Review, Las Vegas

Posted on May 23, 2009

Guy Savoy is a French Restaurant located in Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. It was opened in 2006 and is the US outpost for 3 Michelin Star Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris. This location received 2 Michelin Stars in 2009.

Nobu Las Vegas Restaurant Review

Posted on May 21, 2009

Nobu is legendary Japanese restaurant with 20+ locations around the world. This location is situation in the LOUD Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. They focus on Japanese food infused with bold South American and Western flavors. Their overwhelming menu has everything from standard sushi and sashimi, to inventive hot and cold dishes and omakase. They have lots of specials that are not on the menu. Most Nobu’s around the world have similar menu items.

Picasso Restaurant Review, Las Vegas

Posted on May 19, 2009

Picasso is a 2 Michelin star restaurant in Bellagio at Las Vegas that show cases many of Picasso’s masterpieces. Chef Serrano’s menu is inspired by the regional cuisine of France and Spain where Picasso spent much of his life. You have the choice of 2 different daily changing prix fixe menus with several options.

Bobo’s Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Posted on April 17, 2009

Boboquivari’s is a steakhouse in the Marina district of San Francisco. It means Venetian court jester of comedy. It’s nick name is Bobo’s and is known for 100% USDA prime beef dry-aged for a long six weeks. They have free valet parking!

Frascati Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Posted on January 2, 2009

Frascati is a Mediterranean style bistro neighborhood restaurant on Russian Hill in San Francisco. Since 1987 this place has been serving it up. It has some of the highest ratings on Yelp.

Epic Roasthouse Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Posted on November 26, 2008

Epic Roasthouse is a steak house located strategically on the San Francisco waterfront. It has extra ordinary views and is next door to the seafood restaurant Water Bar. They are both part of the vast Kuleto Restaurant empire. They dry age their steaks for 28 days.
Decor, Vibe – Pat Kuleto is a master restaurant designer and has created Boulevard, Jardinere and many other restaurants. This place has an old school clubby atmosphere with a seawater pump house theme and an upstairs bar area. Well dressed businessmen and others in their 40’s – 60’s were dining.

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