Restaurants

New Delhi Restaurant, San Francisco

Do you find yourself downtown in the evening and needing a nice place for dinner that won’t break your wallet? Looking for a great restaurant experience with good value while holiday shopping in San Francisco?

If you like the rich curries and exotic spices of Indian food, then you are in for a treat. Located in the heart of Union Square, when you walk in the door of New Delhi Restaurant you are enveloped within the warmth and old world spices of India.

From the hustle of Ellis Street, as you enter you’ll see a dark mahogany bar, often full of tourists and downtown workers alike, with a bartender ready to pour you the most delicious fresh mango martini or other house specialty. This is a place that feels like fine dining, having hosted many famous local and international guests, but if you’re wearing jeans you won’t feel out of place.

Exotic spices of India

Come with an appetite or a large group so that you can taste many dishes including the tandoori chicken, the korma, or saag gosht, with tender pieces of lamb and spinach. If you are vegetarian or you have one in your group, there are still lots of amazing dishes on the menu to choose from.

One of my favorites is the baigan masala, eggplant cooked with mild spices. And every meal needs one or two of the naan breads, especially their kabuli naan. Yum! Its sweetness goes perfectly with the spicy curries dishes.

This is a wonderfully exotic choice for lunch or dinner. And if you find yourself ordering more than you can eat, they are always happy to wrap your leftovers for you to take home. Given their incredible selection of savory choices, it has happened to me a few times.

And remember that if you just need a cozy place for a night cap after the theater, their beautiful bar is open late.

photo credit to plastic bystander, warriorgrrl

Fresh peach used in Wom Kim

Hyde Park Bar and Grill in Austin, Texas is your perfect neighborhood restaurant. It is located in, you guessed it, Hyde Park. This is a lovely old neighborhodd in north/central Austin with lots of character, charm and beautiful oak trees. The restaurant itself is inside an old house that would fit in with the rest of the neighborhood except for the giant 2 story fork stuck in the front lawn. The fork is always spearing some sort of food. It has changed over the years from a katsup laced french fry to various ripe vegetables.

Inside, the food and ambiance is always the same. It is very casual but with a slight air of sophistication, ever so slight. The walls are painted a buttery yellow with revolving local artwork. There are several small rooms, one with a fireplace and all the tables are covered with white table cloths. It has a warm cozy feeling that the large dark wooden bar, dominating the main room is somewhat responsible for.

The menu has fresh and well prepared dinner table favorites. From blackened fish and garlic mashed potatoes to their tasty burger and peppered french fries that come with the house made secret dipping sauce. But, I didn’t come here to talk about their great dinners. I want to talk about their desserts…one in particular.

Hyde Park Bar and Grill has the distinct honor of preparing my very favorite dessert in Austin, Texas…if not the entire universe! Wom Kim’s Peach Pudding has been on their menu for years, perhaps since they first opened their doors in 1982. At least, I like to think so.

Let me describe it to you: A moist soft cake made with buttermilk and filled with ripe slices of peach and then served warm with a ramakin of cold thick Devonshire cream. You pour the cream over the moist delicious cake and the rivaling temperatures, texture and flavors in your mouth are worthy of a standing ovation. I can hardly stand to write about it without drooling. In fact, I better step away from this keyboard until I have my salivary glands under control!

As much as I dream of this dessert, I would still frequent the restaurant, with or without it. The laid back Austin atmosphere makes you feel like you are dining in a old friend’s house, an old friend who cooks extremely tasty meals and has a fantastic home bar. If ever in Austin, you should try out this culinary gem.

Here are some details:

House Park Bar and Grill
4206 Duvall Street
(512) 458-3168
www.hydeparkbarandgrill.com
Open: Monday-Sunday, 11am to Midnight

Don’t forget to order Wom Kim’s Peach Pudding!

Photo credit to TotalAldo

Classic drinks at Harris' Restaurant

Looking for a quintessential San Francisco steakhouse? Need an elegant restaurant for your rehearsal dinner or other special event? Harris’ is a landmark that is a must for anyone looking for sophistication in their food, its presentation and entire dining experience. They have been ranked as one of the nation’s Top 10 Steakhouses by the Wine Spectator.

This is one of my favorite places to go for birthday dinners or when I have family visiting. Definitely put on your nice clothes, bring your appetite and take a cab here, because you will have one of the best meals in the world with all the traditional sides and decadent desserts. I recommend reservations and when you make them, ask for one of their plush booths!

Harris’ also serves the coldest and wettest martinis, with your waitperson bringing the vodka or gin in its own iced single serving glass decanter and mini wooden bucket to your table, before elegantly pouring it into your glass. The refined atmosphere here is perfect for business dinners. If you have to wait in the lounge before your table is ready, you won’t be disappointed. There is a cool montage of San Francisco scenes based on an original painting by artist Antonio Sotomeyer on the wall.

Harris' Butcher Counter

Besides the upscale décor and refined menu, what makes Harris’ unique to the city is its famous butcher counter in the front of the restaurant. Every evening you can pick from aged, Mid-western, corn-fed beef. They offer it in a variety of cuts including a Harris Steak (bone-in New York), a Filet Mignon and an entire Filet Strip.

If you want a great meal with some of the best sides ever, like the divine scalloped potatoes or sautéed button mushrooms then I suggest calling now. I’m sure, like the best steakhouses in San Diego, this is the time of year when Harris’ will certainly be filled with diners celebrating the holiday season.

Photo credits to Harris’ Restaurant

Homemade tortellini

It takes more than a scorching to keep a good restaurant’s doors closed, as the owners of La Trattoria in Olde Town Greenwood have proved. The Indiana entrepreneurs recently reopened in a newly built structure, which became their only option after the original bricks and mortar went up in smoke earlier this year.

Happily, the new digs on North Madison Avenue still resemble the early 20th century house that lent such charm to a plate of spaghetti. Of course, this is the 2008 version, so the entrance is now at the front door where diners feel like welcomed guests as opposed to the side door where you weren’t sure if you were asking for a table or applying for a job. The handicapped ramps are good news as well.

And who wouldn’t feel at home walking across Bella Vernici flooring, surrounded by warm brown shades of paint on the walls and ceilings. It’s probably no accident the designers call these shades toasty.

The porch and adjacent dining room accommodate 78 diners at a sitting, the same seating capacity as before. But now the kitchen has doubled its size, which led our party to think the menu might have doubled as well.

Nope. It’s the same homemade pasta we Hoosiers know and love: a rich tortellini alla panna that I can never get over long enough to try something else on the menu, a penne with ham and peas that calls my husband’s name, and those perfect, succulent steaks that have won local awards for owners Tom and Rene Trotter. Predictably, my friend ordered hers medium rare.

Best of all, they kept the bread coming: a moist, chewy flatbread that disappears from the basket like butter on your baked potato. Everyone ate just two pieces, but somehow the five of us snarfed through 24 slices sometime between the salad and the main entree.

It was the comfort food we thought we’d lost forever.

Never mind they’ve added pounds to our waistlines — and thus hours on our treadmills‚ we aren’t the only Indianapolis residents thrilled to have La Trattoria’s authentic Italian cuisine back on the restaurant circuit. Just a few days after the official re-opening, you couldn’t spot an empty table and the new lobby was packed with dressed-up diners waiting for us to quit lingering and give them a chance at ordering.

“I never realized how wanted this place was until it was gone,” Tom Trotter told the local newspaper. Tom, dear, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it clears out the cholesterol.

The April fire may turn out to be a brilliant business turn for years to come.

Father's Office is One of the Top 3 Best Burger Restaurants in L.A.

There’s a battle in Los Angeles, and it has nothing to do with gang warfare. This longstanding debate is about where to get the best hamburger in LA. I figure that, culinary expert that I am, it’s time to throw my my discriminating picks out there. Anyone traveling to Los Angeles who wants to take a break from classy high-end restaurants, would be happy to grab a burger and fries at these joints.

Top 3 Best Burger Joints in L.A.

In-N-Out Burger - Sure, Fatburgers’ got their proponents (my daughter among them), but burger gourmands know in their hearts that IN-N-Out is really the superior hamburger chain restaurant. It’s got many locations throughout Southern California, not just Los Angeles – but each In-N-Out Burger I’ve been to has been tops. They’re in West LA, Culver City, Westwood and Hollywood here in Los Angeles, as well as a few in the Valley and a couple just south of LAX. The Fatburgers vs. In-N-Out battle is an ongoing one, but take it from me; In-N-Out wins, hands down. Get the Double-Double and real ice cream shake for lunch (pass on the fries, they come out soggy sometimes), and you won’t have to eat until tomorrow.

The Apple Pan for the Best Burger and Crankiest Service in Los Angeles (Richard Kaszeta)

The Apple Pan - It looks a little questionable from the outside, what with the shack-like appearance and stools (no tables, no frills). But The Apple Pan is a Los Angeles landmark for foodies, and for good reason. The burgers are perfect and messy, the service is hilariously grumpy (but always on hand with the extra napkins you’ll need) and the crowd well mannered. Well mannered for a burger joint, anyway. This restaurant is at 10801 Pico Blvd, right across the street from a popular mall with its own food court, but it’s worth your time to cross the street and eat your lunch here. Get the hickory burger and fries, and if you can manage it, a slice of banana cream pie for dessert. Lots of people will tell you to get the apple pie, of course (after all, the restaurant IS named for it), but I recommend the banana cream. As for the burgers, well, they’re steak burgers, get it with all the fixings. The burgers at The Apple Pan are as good as they get.

Father’s Office - This restaurant is the cleanest of the bunch, but still very comfortable and relaxed – the way a great burger joint should be. It’s at 1018 Montana Ave, in one of LA’s priciest parts of town (Montana Ave in Santa Monica is somewhat akin to Rodeo Drive, but a bit more child-friendly). This is the only best restaurant on this extremely selective list that serves beer. Like its neighborhood, Father’s Office is pricey. it’s worth it, though, and the quotient of “beautiful” people is pretty high here compared to In-N-Out and Apple Pan. Come to Father’s Office for dinner: Eat one of the best burgers in LA, do some people watching, and don’t forget to order fries – they come in cute little shopping carts, a real crowd-pleaser. By the way, a second Father’s Office recently opened in the Helms Bakery area of LA (this is where there are a lot of big furniture stores, not a travel destination at all). This new high-end burger joint also offers wine and spirits.

The Top 3 Best Burger Joints in Los Angeles simply can’t be beat. I’ve been very, very picky with this list – no Johnny Rockets here! Do you have a favorite hamburger spot in LA? If so, I’d love to hear about it.

San Francisco Japantown

Do you find yourself out shopping when suddenly you’re hungry but you don’t want a big meal? Going to catch a movie at the Sundance Cinema in Pacific Heights (formerly the AMC Kabuki) and need to eat something more than popcorn? If you are short on time and love fish, this is your place.

Isobune is “sushi boat” dining located within Japantown, in the center of the mall. It is a uniquely Japanese experience because you line up at the entrance and when a seat opens you take a spot at a circular counter, with two sushi chefs in the center. The chefs stand and prepare various types of sushi, sashimi and other dishes. They fill in the gaps as customers help themselves to the trays resting on the boats, slowly moving past your seat in a little chain. Each tray is color coded with a little diagram in front of you, describing the prices for each dish.

Soon after you sit down someone will be at your elbow with a hot towel to wipe your hands and a cup of hot tea. After I fold my towel, I like diving in and getting edamame, fresh salmon sashimi and a maybe a tuna nigiri or two.

Sushi for people in a hurry

You have to use a critical eye though and let anything go by if it looks suspect to you. They do sometimes have fish that looks like it isn’t that fresh or that it has been seasoned in a way that might upset my stomach. You will also have to be open to having neighbors eating next to your elbow that can be highly entertaining, a quiet family eating or an obnoxious person drinking too much sake. Overall this place isn’t the cheapest but it is fast and a healthy alternative to nachos and movie popcorn.

photo credit to shiny things and wharman

Interior of Whole Foods

Austin is a town known for its food. Austinites are serious about their dedication to small independently owned restaurants and this focus fosters unique dining establishments with creative and lovingly prepared food. I didn’t have the experience of eating a “bloomin’ onion” from Chilis or IHOP pancakes until I was well grown. So, it may come as a surprise that one of the food establishments I miss most from my hometown is, in fact, a chain. I am referring to Whole Foods grocery store.

I would like to point out that this isn’t just any Whole Foods. Austin, Texas has the honor of claiming the very first Whole Foods ever. I canstill remember the original store. It was a small, long and white building with a rickety old wooden ramp going up to the door. The inside smelled vaguely of molasses and herbal supplements and most of the people who shopped there had long hair and Birkenstocks. My mom would shop there for certain items when I was a kid and if I was good, she would buy me an apple ‘fruit leather’ strip at the check-out.

Well, needless to say, Whole Foods grew out of this small ‘hippy’ space and started taking over the country. A bigger, nicer Whole Foods was built not far from the original one. Then, four years ago, the headquarters was built at the corner of 6th and Lamar, five stories of glass office building and below it, the largest Whole Foods grocery store known to man! It puts any other one I have ever seen to shame.

It has an outdoor courtyard with fountain, vine covered trellises and a babbling brook running throughout. There is a second story balcony with even more tables and spaces for book readings. They actually convert this area into a skating rink around Christmas every year.

Gelato Bar

Inside, there is everything you expect in a Whole Foods, except bigger and then there is more. There is a fudge and confectionary shop right next to the bakery section with more types of fudge and chocolaty delights than should be legal. Oh, and did I mention the yummy creamy gelato? Absolute heaven.

The prepared foods section is immense as is the clothing and bodycare section. What’s more, there are mini-restaurants set up inside where you can watch the chefs prepare the fresh dishes and sit at a high table with a glass of wine. There is a salad restaurant, a seafood restaurant, a BBQ joint and one that makes fresh and tasty pasta dishes.

I have spent more time at the Austin Whole Foods, meeting friends for dinner or picking up something for lunch and people watching (the BEST looking people seem to shop here) than I ever have actually grocery shopping.

It is part grocery store, part community center and part food bazaar. I miss it terribly!

Photo credits to Wolfiewolf and Jackie Hubba

Enjoy a romantic dinner

Looking for a cozy bistro for dinner on a cold and foggy night? Do you need a great Sunday brunch spot?  This neighborhood treasure offers diners value and an incredible French menu starting with a warm and savory goat cheese tart and a frisée salad with a poached egg as appetizers that are out of this world. Ce que de délicieux plats [what delicious food]

But before I get carried away with describing their incredible savory and delicious menu, let me tell you that this is a perfect little spot for that anniversary dinner or a special birthday or other celebration. The staff is very attentive and the tables set up along the walls so that you are in a very casual environment but you still feel like you can have a quiet and intimate conversation with your date. It isn’t a place for children but if you want to “pop the question” or just remind your loved one that they are special, Chou Chou has the perfect atmosphere to make you feel as if you’ve gotten on a plane and flown to France.

A house specialty of this restaurant is the delicious “cassolette”, a rich country stew served in clay pots and topped with a pastry shell lid.  If you want something lighter you must try the steamed mussels with a side of pomme frites. And no meal is complete without a bite of one of their sinful desserts, especially a chocolate tart! They create a variety of chocolate tarts everyday with different fruits such as pear and other ingredients like walnuts.  If you are one of those rare folks who don’t have a sweet tooth, this is one place where I would still recommend buying a tart to take home for a special birthday or other occasion, it will be a hit!

Classic steamed mussels with french fries

This “cutie pie” [which is what Chou Chou translates to from French] gem is worth the effort it takes to get to its tucked away location near Forest Hill and Laguna Honda. There is a small parking lot next door with the easiest access being from Laguna Honda Boulevard.

Photo credits to: sfcphotography.com and nyaa birdies perch

Chicago is a really fun city – well, maybe not so much in the middle of a frigid Midwest winter, but all other seasons are great times to visit Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is famous for its deep dish pizza (and its ill-fated Cubs, another story). However, when hungry travelers want a great Italian restaurant that goes beyond the Original Gino’s and Pizzario Uno style pizza, there are viable alternatives. Three favorites are in Old Town, Chicago.

Banquet Room at Topo Gigio, a Best Italian Restaurant in Chicago

Second City is in Old Town, walking distance from Lincoln Park. A Chicago vacation almost dictates seeing the Second City troupe perform (or at least ETC, the Experimental Theater Company at Second City). Before or after a show, have fun in Old Town. There are a few popular, terrific Italian restaurants very close to Second City that come highly recommended.

Dinotto Ristorante, at 215 W. North Ave., is completely relaxed and comfortable. Dinotto Ristorante is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago for people wanting a mix of a cozy, casual environment and delicious, no-nonsense Italian fare. “Real” Italian food is prepared here, the bar is fun, and locals enjoy it. Of course, service depends on the particular staff and night – it gets busy here – and guests aren’t rushed.

Trattoria Roma, at 1535 N. Wells St, serves Roman style pizza (thin crust). It’s a tasty break from the usual Chicago deep dish – and the toppings can be creative as well as traditional. Trattoria Roma is very popular at both lunch and dinner: This is a testament to how delicious, affordably priced meals at a fun restaurant can really bring out the crowds. The menu changes every day, but there’s always a well-rounded selection of popular Italian favorites.

Topo Gigio Ristorante, at 1516 N. Wells St., is also popular with tourists and native Chicagoans alike. As unstuffy as a great Italian restaurant in Chicago should be, there is some whimsy here as well. No surprise, seeing that the restaurant is named after the “Ed Sullivan Show” mouse. It’s more of a family restaurant than the busy Trattoria Roma, with musicians on the weekends. Even though there’s no children’s menu per se, Italian food is generally kid-friendly anyway. Ask, and the staff here will create child-sized portions.

The best Italian restaurants in Chicago should fit the casual mood of the town – relaxed and unpretentious, but with attention to what makes for great meals. Take a break from Chi-town deep-dish pizza; these fun restaurants in Old Town make for fun, satisfying nights out.

Tuscan hills outside of Florence

Feel like getting away to northern Italy but don’t have the frequent-flyer miles? Need a romantic spot for date night? Look no further than Bacco Ristorante, located in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. As you pull back the dark heavy curtain at the front door, you are transported to Italy. The amazing smells from the kitchen hit you first, then the intimacy of the rooms and the warmth from the golden color of the restaurant walls just like the Tuscan hills outside of Florence. Most of the wait staff is actually from Italy, and they are all charming and ready to answer any of your questions, including giving you great suggestions from their excellent wine list.

I admit to coming to this restaurant often and no matter what day of the week I have been, or what special event I was celebrating, I have not been disappointed with my food or the attentive service. What I also love is that they will encourage you to split dishes, especially their divine homemade gnocchi and risotto.

It is a seasonal menu item but we always look for their fava bean crostini as an appetizer, it is sublime. Available year-round is the amazing bresaola plate that includes thinly sliced cured beef, arugula truffle olive oil and shaved reggiano. This is perfect as a starter for two, enjoy it while they are getting your pasta course. If you go during the week, they offer a generous prix fixe menu. And this is a true neighborhood restaurant, as they are one of the few elegant places open for dinner every night, even on Mondays.

Delicious homemade pasta

Take public transportation, a taxi or give yourself extra time to find street parking since they do not offer valet parking. However you get here it will be worth the effort, and don’t forget to try their special apple pastry dessert!

Photo credits to sfcphotography and mar mar.