Restaurants

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 »

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Ziegler Painting in Baranof Hotel's Gold Room

Ask a local where they dine on special ocassions and more than likely, they’ll say The Gold Room. Located in the historic Baranof Hotel in downtown Juneau, the dining room displays local Alaskan art and is home to a Ziegler mural that was commissioned back in 1939.

FRESH SEAFOOD

I wanted to try out the restaurant while on a port visit during a Holland America Line cruise on the Ms Westerdam. I’d been making the most of my time in Juneau; visiting the Mendenhall Glacier and going out on a whale watching boat.  All of that sight seeing worked up my appetite.

Crab Cakes with a Thai Chili Sauce

The two crab cakes with Asian slaw, wasabi aioli and Thai sauce were flavorful with plenty of crab meat and priced at $17. I also ordered the special of the day, crab stuffed Halibut. The local Dungeness crab, stuffed inside fresh, locally caught Halibut, with fennel cream sauce and topped with pesto, also came with rice pilaf and vegetables for $36.

As I was heading back to the cruise ship, I didn’t feel inspired to try anything on the dessert menu. Having said that, I’ll confess that I stopped at the Alaskan Fudge Co. and picked up a piece of their Gold Rush fudge; pure peanut butter fudge loaded with large semi-sweet chocolate chips. Whoever said there was no more gold to be found in Juneau?

Ziegler photo courtesy of Baranof Hotel. Crab cake photo by Nancy D. Brown

Westmark Baranof Hotel 1 (907) 463 6208 or (800) 764-0017

127 North Franklin Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801

I love Seattle, I love everything about it. Yes, I even love the clouds. One of the things we love to do as a family is head down to the pier to get some fish and chips and shop in the little “Made In Seattle” stores.

Our favorite Fish and Chips spot is Ivar’s.

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From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Cruising & Dining - A Match Made At Sea

Killer coffee, healthy halibut and fresh cornbread with caribou chili; throw in a side of Alaskan king crab legs and you have yourself one heck of a party. As I’ve been known to say on a recent trip to Alaska, “when in Alaska, eat like an Alaskan. And so it began when I boarded Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas ship, bound for…you guessed it…Alaska!

This was my first time on a cruise ship other than a two night stay on the Carnival Splendor, floating around the San Francisco Bay as the company introduced its newest ship.

I can see why the cruise industry is so successful; floating hotels offering gourmet, international-inspired cusine and no dishes to clean up. I could get used to this. I particularly enjoyed Royal Caribbean’s Portofino specialty restaurant with its Northern Italian menu. I recommend the filet of halibut over a citrus, crab and shrimp risotto, finished with salsa verde and lemon butter sauce.

Portofino Halibut with Crab & Shrimp Risotto

Raven's Brew - the Last Legal High

Deadman’s Reach - Coffee for Seafearing Souls

One of my favorite Alaskan discoveries is Deadman’s Reach, a flavorful caffeinated jolt from Raven’s Brew Coffee. My husband loves the coffee, while I’m captivated with the graphic designs on their packaging.

For the sweet tooths in the bunch, stock up on handmade fudge, truffles and chocolate candies from KetchiCandies in Ketchikan. Sarah Palin’s not the only thing going in Wasilla, Alaska, I discovered cashew brittle made by Klondike Candies.

Denali Bound

Halibut Fish and Chips

Heading to Denali National Park while you’re in Alaska? We stayed at the McKinley Village Lodge where I ordered halibut fish and chips from the Gold Rush dining room. I wanted to get a quick bite before our visit to the Husky Homestead Tour and my waitress rose to the occasion when I requested a speedy turnaround. Good food, good service.

If you find yourself in the tiny town of Talkeetna, stop by the Road House for some caribou chili and a hunk of cornbread. The homemade cinammon rolls looked amazing, but one can only eat so much. However, I did manage to revive my appetite the next day for some reindeer chili at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. I also tried the reindeer sausage at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown for breakfast on my last day.

Our group of travel writers, on a Royal Caribbean Cruisetour, dined at the Snow Goose Restaurant our last night in Alaska. I wasn’t impressed with the food or the service, (they forgot to fire my order) but the beer drinkers in the group enjoyed the beer on tap from the Sleeping Lady Brewery on premise.

All photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

Beach in front of Mama

Traveling to Maui is expensive; first the airfare, then lodging, and finally food. However, there are ways to maximize your dining dollars while visiting this tropical paradise, and here are my 5 tips. Read More »

Joe with his Mama

Joe’s of Westlake or Westlake Joe’s as we call it, is an original “old school” Italian-American restaurant. It looks and feels straight out of the movies Goodfellas or Casino. For skiers and those familiar with Frank Sinatra’s connection to Northern California and Lake Tahoe, it is equivalent to a 1950’s Cal Neva experience.

This classic restaurant starts with a darkly lit cocktail lounge with lots of seating, and a few regulars. You walk in further to the main dining room and you are greeted by both a maître d’ and a hostess. Since opening in the 1950s they have had tuxedo clad waiters and waitresses. The cooks behind the long counter seating are all men with the tall white chef’s hat.

The decor is a mix of large paintings on the walls of race horses at the track and local business awards. You’ll love the huge bank of windows which keeps the place bright and with the many booths, a place to have a long leisurely brunch, lunch or dinner.

Joe's Special

Joe’s of Westlake offers my husband’s favorite brunch dish Joe’s Special, scrambled eggs mixed with ground beef and spinach (mushrooms are optional). Other cafes have this on their menu but this place really knows how to cook it just right. Deelish.

If you want to relive some of the 1950s nostalgia you can rent out the back room for your own Goodfellas posse. We are planning to return for a weekend dinner here when they have live music in the lounge.

Located in Daly City just south of San Francisco, Joe’s of Westlake is a wonderful destination for date night, taking your grandmother out for lunch or dinner with the entire family.

Classic Italian American Restaurant

11 Glenwood Ave
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 755-7400

Fri-Sat 11:00am-12:00am
Sun-Thu 11:00am-11:00pm

Photo credits to sfcphotography

When I think of roots, my first thought used to be about my gray hair showing, and that it was time to speed dial my hairdresser — well not anymore. To coincide with the Eye For Travel Social Media For Travel event, Uptake, along with Frommer’s co-sponsored a fabulous meet up at The Orchard Garden Hotel and within its seriously elegant and intimate Roots Restaurant.

Cozy and Intimate Dining

The Orchard Garden Hotel is California’s first hotel built to the nationally accepted standards for green buildings, and inside is the lovely and cozy Roots Restaurant.

The travel blogger meet up with about twenty-thirty people fit the restaurant space with room to spare. Perfect for business lunches, after work drinks or romantic dinners, they serve delicious foods with a Mediterranean flair. The passed hors d’oeuvres for our event included delicious breaded and fried shrimp, a tasty lentil mixture topped endive, bacon wrapped scallops along with creamy cauliflower soup in tiny espresso cups.

Focusing only on local produce, naturally raised meats and sustainable seafood, their kitchen along with a softly decorated dining room guarantees a soothing dining experience.

And for you theater goers while the musical Wicked is in town, Roots Restaurant is featuring a clever fixed price dinner menu with entrees like Cyclone Day Boat Scallops P.E.I Mussels- Chorizo- Fingerling Potatoes or Munchkinland Wild Mushroom Tamale Pie- Chanterelles-Truffle Tremor.

Enjoy pre-theater cocktails and appetizers

Roots Restaurant in The Orchard Garden Hotel
466 Bush Street (at Grant Ave)
San Francisco, California 94108
Phone: 415.659.0349
www.therootsrestaurant.com

Photo courtesy of The Orchard Garden Hotel

BOA is a Best Steakhouse Restaurant in Santa Monica (boasteak.com)

Santa Monica is a popular travel destination in Southern California, and for good reason.  In terms of dining, there’s a little of something for everyone here, from the lowest of greasy spoons and sports bars, to great burger joints, to upscale restaurants that are on par with anything in greater Los Angeles. These formal, adult restaurants provide more than just dinner; they provide memorable dining experiences. Here are my recommended best high-end restaurants in Santa Monica, California.

Best Upscale Restaurants in Santa Monica:

Melisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd - This elegant restaurant is a pricey affair, and worth it. French food prepared to perfection, with expert sommeliers on hand, provide a sense of European dining. This is a 2-star Michelin, 4-star Mobil Travel Guide restaurant, and reservations are needed. When I’ve dined here, I left feeling as though I’ve had a genuinely valuable foodie experience – and I’m not the only one. It’s been a top-rated upscale restaurant in Los Angeles for eight years.

Banquet Dining at The Lobster, in Santa Monica CA (thelobster.com)

The Lobster, 1602 Ocean Ave - It looks like it might be tacky or hokey, what with its location right on the Santa Monica Pier. But don’t be deterred, as The Lobster has seafood as spectacular as its views of the Pacific Ocean and the beach. This is a great restaurant for people taking vacations in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, as it provides ample views of the locals rollerblading or haplessly trying to surf. The bustle here is notable during lunch, but at dinner, the setting is suitably romantic for a special adult meal.

JiRaffe Restaurant, 502 Santa Monica Blvd - This is another classy restaurant, and it’s a short walk from the Santa Monica Pier and the 3rd St. Promenade. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in the entire Los Angeles area. Try the prix fixe menu on Mondays to get a little taste of many tasty items on the menu; this is a relatively affordable way to sample several terrific California French entrees. The blend of fresh, local ingredients with traditionally French cuisine is a creative take, and perfectly encapsulates the best of California’s ability to make new what could otherwise remain Old Country-style cuisine.

BOA Steakhouse, 101 Santa Monica Blvd - Observant readers may notice that steakhouses are my favorite type of restaurant. BOA is a great steakhouse in Santa Monica (there’s one in West Hollywood, and Las Vegas, as well), with the casual yet formal flair that characterizes so much of California’s overarching culture. Right on Santa Monica and Ocean Ave, BOA is across the street from the ocean, and outdoor seating is very, very popular.  The steaks and other entrees are as good as I’ve had.

Ivy at the Shore, 1541 Ocean Ave - The original Ivy is iconic; a classy, sophisticated restaurant where movie stars come to be seen. The Ivy at the Shore has the same high-quality food, albeit without the “star power.” This is a good thing for a less pretentious, quiet American meal with a view.

Melisse is a Best Restaurant in the Los Angeles Area (melisse.com)

Chinois on Main, 2709 Main St - Chinois on Main is a drive away from the tourist hub of the Santa Monica Pier and 3rd St Promenade, The Main Street area is more bohemian, and filled with local artists and strivers. Chinois is worth the trip, though; it’s still a classy affair. It’s hard to find good Chinese food in Los Angeles outside of Chinatown, and this is one of the best. The French-Chinese cuisine is an interesting twist on the standard fried rice platters. It’s loud, though – consider yourself warned. This is a best fusion restaurant in Santa Monica, certainly, and the best Chinese food spot on the West side of Los Angeles. If it’s a quiet, romantic meal you seek, however, try Melisse instead.

Valentino, 3115 Pico Blvd - Valentino is also a drive away from the most popular vacation area of Santa Monica. It’s a very romantic Italian restaurant.  The classic Northern Italian dishes are amazing: this is no red-sauce-and-spaghetti joint. The wine list, wine matching, and sommelier are perfect for a romantic, adult meal. Valentino’s is highly recommended for a special occasion night out.

These are my picks for the best upscale restaurants in Santa Monica, California. Any one of these would provide a memorable night out for travelers visiting the Los Angeles area.

The Palm in San Diego (Photo courtesy of ThePalm.com)

The Palm is a family-owned, well-known upscale steakhouse chain with around 25 restaurants scattered across the country. In San Diego CA, The Palm is downtown but basically on the edge of the Gaslamp District, on J Street. Like the other Palm restaurants, this one has a wide variety of menu options available in a classy, old-style restaurant. The decor is reminiscent of the original Palm in New York City – caricatures and old photographs all over the walls, classy settings at tables and booths, and a convivial atmosphere.

Some logistics of The Palm in San Diego: There is a spacious open dining room with seating for approximately 130 guests,
three elegant private dining/function rooms, each with a flat/plasma screen TV, full AV capabilities and data connection for laptops, accommodating a total of 130 guests, and perhaps best of all, a fun bar scene, with seating for 65 guests and adjoining lounge, with two flat/plasma screen TVs.

Classy, festive bar at The Palm, San Diego (photo courtesy of ThePalm.com)

The Palm is referred to as “the place to see and be seen.” This is likely in reference to the various star sightings that occur at all the Palms. Famous people that already have their caricatures, photos, and portraits up on the walls have even, occasionally, autographed them.

The Palm serves very generous portions, and the atmosphere encourages leaning over and sampling from your friends’ or family’s plates. Really; the appetizers and entrees are oversized, and meant for sharing! The large and varied menu includes all the usual steakhouse options, along with fish prepared most ways imaginable, and classic Italian choices as well. The appetizers are all seafood, and really can’t be missed; try the jumbo shrimp cocktail and lobster bisque. Delicious. But why the Italian flair? Easy: The original restaurant was founded in 1926, by two immigrants from northern Italy. The Palm is still owned by their Italian-American descendants, and all the Palm restaurants keep the tradition. It works. Some of the Italian specialties at The Palm are linguini with clam sauce, veal martini, and chicken scallopine. They are all recommended for guests not interested in the fantastic Porterhouse steak or prime rib.

Luckily for San Diego’s leisure and business travelers and locals alike, The Palm on J Street opened strong just a few years ago (2005) and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s not only one of the best steakhouse restaurants around the Gaslamp Quarter, it is one of the best in San Diego, CA as a whole.