Restaurants

It’s autumn in Germany!  And that means it’s festival time.  Of course you’ve heard of Germany’s truly famous party, Munich’s Oktoberfest.  But Germany also marks this change of season with all manner of wine, beer, sausage and other  festivals, too.  (Any excuse to party, I suppose!)  And though the biggies like Oktoberfest generally command the headlines, it’s the smaller festivals that usually command the locals’ hearts.

Take Hoffest Hitscherhof.  The Hitscherhof is a working “landhaus pension,” or farm near Massweiler, Germany.  It’s held that spot for near about 700 years – And it holds this part fall festival, part craft fair every September to mark the Autumn Equinox.  You can find pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, learn how to make your own teddy bear, buy all manner of homemade goods and play among big bales of hay.  But the best part of this fest is the food – you can and will eat like a king.  There are pumpkin goodies galore, of course – a second-to-none kuerbiscremesuppe (pumpkin soup), kuerbisbrot (pumpkin bread) and even a kuerbis sekt (pumpkin champagne).  I, of course, couldn’t not try them all.  It wouldn’t be right!  So I Read More »

Bill's Place, an SF Institution

Burgers at Bill’s Place in one sentence: Legendary, landmark, local burger dinner joint that’s been an institution in the Outer Richmond for almost 40 years.

Who you’ll see there: Serious locals, working men sitting at the counter, families and neighborhood teens at the tables. If you don’t know about it, you’ll walk right by it.

Make sure to try: One of the celebrity burgers, like the Carol Doda (a famous SF topless dancer), which is two burgers, topless, side by side topped with an olive, or the Herb Caen, a burger topped with Monterey Jack cheese. The Paul Kantner comes with Thousand Island dressing. Also, you need a shake, which comes in a huge glass, plus the overflow, served in the stainless steel mixing cup.

Does anyone really bother with the garnish?

It’s okay to skip: The diet plate. You know you want the fries, they’re made on-site from actual potatoes and fried to practiced perfection.

Best dessert: Banana split or hot fudge sundae, if you inexplicably have any room left after the burger and fries.

Service: The same people have been working there for 40 years. They are friendly, efficient fixtures. You might get called “Hon”. Or they might be busy watching the Giants on the TV in the corner. Have some priorities, they do.

Average meal price: Starts at $6.50 for the Famous Bill’s Burger, Carol Doda is $9.00, Herb Caen is $7.50. Milk shake is $4.25, and you get free refills on your Coke.

Bill’s Place Logistics:

• Burger come med rare unless you specify something else
• You can pick potato salad or coleslaw, if you’re crazy enough to skip the fries
• In typical San Francisco fashion, there is a Japanese koi pond out on the back patio. Because every diner needs a koi pond.

Parking:

Street parking, meters, you might have to walk a block or two. There’s a lot a block away, but it hardly ever comes to that.

Location: Outer Richmond

2315 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: (415) 221-5262
Fax: (707) 824-0295

Hours:

Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Photos: Cat Lincoln

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Chef Andreas Surf & Turf

“Surf and Turf needs to be on every cruise ship!” laughs Andreas Noemayr, Executive Chef on Holland America Line Ms Westerdam, as he banters with guests dining in the Culinary Arts Center. Our cruise was adventure bound in Alaska.

Noemayer, a jovial man from Austria, appears to be enjoying his new show-and-tell position as the star of the HAL cruise line’s Chef’s Table. Wearing a microphone and standing center stage beneath a large mirror above the exhibition kitchen, Noemayer slices and dices vegetables as he explains our first course.

A relatively new offering from Holland America Line, the Chef’s Tables costs $129 per person and includes a six course meal, paired with wines, hand selected by Cellar Master Saurabh Vaishampayan. Guests of the Chef’s Table will not only be served a high caliber, gastronomic delight, for those diners wanting to replicate the meal, Noemayer provides recipes of his creations.

Our Chef’s Table Menu from a 7-Day Alaskan Explorer Cruise

Ginger Marinated Plump Scallops

Ginger Marinated Plump Scallops enhanced wth a spicy orange marmalade and wasabi dressing.

2007 Chateau Ste Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling, Washington State

Chilled Lime Froth served with cayenne crusted caramelized crab legs.

2008 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

Potato Chests with Mushrooms

Potato Chests with Mushrooms filled with a truffle flavored cognac cream and accompanied by caviar on the rox

Conumdrum, California USA

Chef’s Version of Surf and Turf with an Asian twist

Domaine de la Serre Cailloux, France

Tropical Cheesecakes: Blue Mountain Coffee Cheesecake, Mango- Chili Cheesecake and Lime – Tequila Cheesecake served with a spiced strawberry sabayon

NV Graham Six Grape Port Wine, Portugal

All photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

It’s not especially fun to be female when your birthday rolls around. Oh, I couldn’t give a fin flip about my age — but as the organizer, scheduler and event planner in this house, it means I have to coordinate my own party.

Mouth-watering salmon at Bonefish

The calls usually start at the beginning of the week: “So, where are we going to celebrate your birthday on Friday?” Now this is a tricky proposition, because you never want to name something out of your guests’ budget comfort zone. On the other hand, they looked rather aghast when I threw out the idea of ordering some pizzas and whooping it up in the back room at Donatos. After all, since my teen-age friend landed a job there, we’ve done that on plenty of ordinary nights.

I had already eaten at On the Border this week (uh, twice), and I spent a few minutes considering Famous Daves, because nothing says happy birthday like BBQ stains on your jeans. Still, the fact that we were looking for dinner at 6:30 in Indianapolis on a Friday all but required me to choose a restaurant that takes reservations. Once I realized that, the dilemma was over. We were heading to Bonefish Grill.

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Curlys Coffee Chop in North Beach

Say what you will about this place but Curly’s Coffee Shop in North Beach holds a special place in my heart. First of all, I have always loved their classic American breakfasts with a Japanese twist. I used to walk over from Sunday services at Sts. Peter and Paul Church at Washington Square Park, often getting their french toast almost every week.

Secondly, I appreciate any cafe that can stick around this long in San Francisco without going under financially or being closed by the Health Department. And thirdly, I think they also kind of kick *ss for being such a long time North Beach “non-pasta related” merchant in a sea of excellent Italian cafes and restaurants. I mean, I think I have followed them around to at least three different addresses in a two-block radius of Columbus Avenue.

Today was a nice reminder that though I can’t walk here for breakfast anymore, I can still drive over and enjoy classic menu items like the french toast or one of their delicious omelettes!

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Chloe's Cafe - a Noe Valley Destination

There are lots of places to have weekend brunches in San Francisco. You can choose a posh brunch at the luxurious Campton Place Restaurant at Union Square, or instead try a neighborhood hot spot like Chloe’s Cafe in Noe Valley.

Recently I tried Chloe’s Cafe for the first time, to see what all the fuss was about.  I met a friend there mid-week because there always seemed to be lines for their weekend brunches.  Given the persistence of the lines every time I drove by, it was my mistake to think that the food was going to be that great. Everyone I spoke to in the neighborhood, shoot even the lady waiting in line when I arrived raved about the menu and how the wait was worth it!

Maybe it was an off day, or maybe I should have ordered the breakfast items rather than the sandwich – but both my friend and I had a so-so experience. Read More »

I love to attend seminars at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis. For starters, they are connected to Circle Centre Mall, so you can park a bit more cheaply and walk over regardless of the weather. I think the flowing water fountains and glass elevator are cool. And my friend is a concierge there, so I can always count on a friendly face to say hello to on my breaks.

Best chili in Indy

Of course, there’s also the fact that they turn the meeting rooms down to 50 degrees so even those wearing sweaters are huddled up in their chairs trying to conserve body heat.

But escaping the man-made Antarctica is only the first reason to anticipate your lunch break: Charlie & Barney’s Bar and Grill is among the restaurants choices at the ground floor level. Good old C&B on Indy’s north side was a big favorite of mine back in the days when I put on a suit every day and sat in an office chair, mainly because you can’t beat their chili with spaghetti.

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From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

The Pinnacle Grill - Ocean View Dining

My friend has a food allergy. She can’t have foods that include onions. She always mentions her allergy to the wait staff. Sometimes the kitchen gets it right, and sometimes she has a reaction to her food. One of the first things I noticed upon being seated at the Pinnacle Grill on the Ms Westerdam was that the table next to me was ordering, and one of the guests had a gluten and wheat allergy. The waiter listened to his requests and responded with a “can do” attitude. I also noticed that the gentleman apologized to his fellow diners for his food allergy, adding that he was “high maintenance.”

If you are high maintenance when it comes to food, be it a gourmet diner who demands choice Sterling Silver beef, or someone who has food allergies, Pinnacle Grill will meet your needs. Of course, it will cost you a little bit more, but I think it is worth it.

Reservations Please

As a guest of Holland America Line sailing on the Ms Westerdam to Alaska, I was fortunate to be able to dine at the Pinnacle Grill; once for lunch and one time for dinner.  The upscale shift is noticeable upon entrance – from the Riedel stemware to the Bvlgari china imported from Germany and Frette linens.

Crab & Shrimp Cakes with a lime Thai curry sauce

I ordered the Northwest Five Onion Soup with Tomato Shallot Soubise. The cream based soup was a welcome beginning to a fine meal. Two crab and shrimp cakes arrived as my main course, served alongside an exotic lime Thai curry sauce, accompanied by orange rice with pine nuts. I ordered the chocolate brownie decadence for dessert and was under-whelmed. The dish was fine, yet not decadent to my taste buds.

For me, the difference between The Pinnacle Grill and the Vista Dining Room was demonstrated in the Lobster Bisque. During dinner at Pinnacle Grill, my soup was hot and creamy, while the same soup, served at the Vista Dining Room, was luke warm and lack luster. Understandably, the specialty restaurant serves a smaller clientele and the food has less distance to travel.

Trio of Lamb Chops

I ordered the Colorado lamb chops with a side of button mushrooms and a baked potato at the Pinnacle Grill.  The previous night I had oven-roasted rack of lamb, rubbed with Dijon mustard and garlic herb crumbs in a Pinot Noir sauce from the Vista Dining Room. As was expected, the cut of lamb was far superior at the Pinnacle Grill. The $10 additional fee for lunch and $20 fee for dinner at the Grill was worth its price in service, atmosphere and food quality. Chef Phillip Heise takes care and effort with his presentation and it shows through in a top notch meal. That’s not to say that Chef Rudi Sodamin doesn’t do a fine job at the Vista Dining Room, it’s simply a different dining experience. Aside from eating and drinking, there are plenty of things to do in Alaska.

Insider Tip: Don’t waste your time on the chocolate brownie decadence. If you are looking for chocolate bliss; instead go for the chocolate lava cake…now that’s decadent!

All photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Beautifull in one sentence: Healthy, clean, mostly organic prepared food that you can pick up on the fly and not feel guilty about eating.

Who you’ll see there: Neighborhood moms, after-work professionals, after-workout couples, the occasional girlfriends at lunch.

Make sure to try: The red quinoa and edamame salad, tea smoked salmon, turkey meatballs and always check the daily specials.

It’s okay to skip: Trying to sit and eat in the cafe which can get busy, loud and crowded.

Best dessert: Yummy and kinda guilt-free cookies, especially the chocolate chip cookie made with cocoa nibs.

Service: Friendly counter help, polite cashiers and attentive managers.

Average meal price: Deli prices, in the neighborhood of $8 sandwiches, $7-10/lb salads, $10-12/lb entrees.

Beautifull Logistics: You can do pick up, delivery, or curbside – as in you call in your order, and they have someone standing on the corner, ready to toss it through your window as you drive by. Located at the Laurel Village Shopping Center, so you can grab dinner, shop for kids’ clothes or drop by the bookstore.

Parking: A big and beautiful free parking lot in the back, meters in the front

Location: Laurel Village

3401 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 728-9080

Hours:

Open 7 days a week
9:00am – 8:00pm

Photos: Cat Lincoln

This week marked the end of the Durkheimer Wurstmarkt.  What’s that, you ask?  Think of it as the Wine Lover’s Oktoberfest.  Each year, the city of Bad Durkheim, situated along the famous Deutsche Weinstrasse, hosts a huge festival celebrating the region’s wines.  It’s a big carnival, party and wine tasting all wrapped into one.  It’s probably no surprise to learn that it’s one of the highlights of my year.

But one of the best parts of heading to the Wurstmarkt is checking out all the great wineries and restaurants along the Weinstrasse.  And one that I have to stop at whenever I’m in the area is the Weinhaus Henninger.

Of course this restaurant has great wine.  Locally made, you can try all manner of excellent vintages – the wine list is bigger than the menu.  But the reason to stop here is the food.  Creative, international and unique, you won’t be disappointed.

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