Restaurants

Dave Wong's Garlic Fried Chicken

Do you fall into the fast food trap when you are traveling? You know, the “oh look, there is a name I recognize” so let’s stop here because it’s easier than trying to find something else.  I admit that I have done it. Many times. However today I am here to help with a dining option for those traveling on Interstate 5 between Sacramento and all points north like Lake Tahoe, or all points south like Los Angeles, California.

If you find yourself hungry and either on your way through or stopping overnight in Stockton, California, you will be enjoy eating lunch or dinner at Dave Wong’s Chinese Restaurant.  They are located close to the freeway but closer still to clean and comfortable motels such as Extended Stay America.  You will also find a Starbucks, including its own drive-thru across the parking lot.

We were at Dave Wong’s recently to eat dinner and once again had a great meal.  Our dinner included three entrees for the two of us and drinks.  At $8 we indulged by getting their special garlic fried chicken, and took two of the four pieces back to our room.  The chicken is really delicious but very fattening so I recommend you share it for sure or skip it, if you really are concerned with greasy goodness on a road trip.  We also got their steak and mushroom fried rice for the first time. Wow! Wow! Wow! Read More »

Cornish Pasty Shop at Victoria British Rail Station

One of the best things about travel is tasting the food along your journey.  I love the challenge of finding not only good tasting food but food that is good for you, especially at airports and train stations.  Recently we were back in London, traveling from Gatwick Airport into London via Victoria Station on British Rail.  Having not eaten much except some Boxer Chips on the plane, I was feeling peckish (That is “Britspeak” for hungry).

Our short ride from the airport into Victoria Station had me thinking about sweet then savory food ideas.  As we pulled into the train station and walked our bags out to the main floor, I saw a vision..a Pasty Shop sign!  The Pasty Shop are makers of tasty treats typically found in the Southwest of England in the area known as Cornwall. I was in heaven when I pulled my suitcase up to the counter and immediately saw the classic Cornish Pasty on the menu. Read More »

Grilled bread for the table and a crisp rose wine!

Pasta Pomodoro in one sentence: Sure, it’s part of a chain of Italian restaurants, but in the consistent, reliable sort of way, with a tasty menu, good sized portions and healthy options.

Who you’ll see there: Singles who don’t feel like cooking after work, couples who don’t feel like cooking after work, families who don’t feel like cooking after soccer practice and work…you get the idea. The cafe in Laurel Village is a well-known “child-friendly” spot, so it’s a big spot for the local nannies at lunch.

Make sure to try: The butternut squash ravioli, the chicken marsala, the broccoli sauteed with garlic and chile flakes, and the “mista” mixed green side salad, which has a wonderful mix of fresh vegetables and a light but tasty dressing. Also, the wine list is surprisingly extensive.

It’s okay to skip: The bruschetta. They bring you grilled bread and a garlickly dipping sauce for the table.

Best dessert: Simple but delicious affogato: espresso poured over vanilla gelato.

Seriously, isn't that a nice looking salad?

Service: It’s perfectly fine. They get your meal on the table without dropping it in your lap. There’s not a lot of variety on the menu for them to explain, but they’re nice kids, you know? Leave a nice tip, they try hard.

Average meal price: Pretty affordable and recession-friendly. The most expensive thing on the menu is the $16 steak. The Laurel Village cafe offers week night specials, half-price bottles of wine, and the servings are always big enough to bring home for left-overs.

Pasta Pomodoro Logistics:

• You can usually walk right in and get a seat
• Credit cards, yes
• It’s kid-friendly, which means there’s a good chance there will be a screaming child one or two tables over. There aren’t any fancy table cloths to absorb the sound. It can get loud. Be ready to roll with it, or get your order to go.
• Heated patio

Parking:

Officially street parking, but everyone parks in the Laurel Village parking lot.

Location:

Laurel Village
3611 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-831-0900

Photos: Cat Lincoln

Spicy Vegan Pad Thai @ Loving Hut in San Francisco

Though my dislike of vegetables evaporated decades ago, I cannot really say that I search for vegetarian restaurants for my meals when I’m hungry.  However today I was with a girlfriend looking of a nice clean spot offering noodle dishes for a good bargain.  Not only did I walk into a delicious restaurant, but now I have a great recommendation for my vegan friends and family!

The Loving Hut is a relatively new addition to Chinatown in San Francisco.  This corner restaurant has a 100% vegan menu.  They cleverly disguise their meat or seafood with soy shaped substitutes.  I had Pad Thai for $7 that was out of this world. Spicy but not hot, and a huge portion!  The “shrimp” included was actually soy though it totally looked like medium size ocean shrimp. Read More »

Sweet Crepes @ Savor San Francisco

One of the most consistent restaurants in my ‘hood is Savor, on 24th Street in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.  Savor is also an apt description of our recent dining experience. We savored every bite!  We stopped in for brunch recently and were cheered to see that the food and service is still outstanding.

As I mentioned before, Chloe’s Cafe around the block on Church Street is a very popular brunch spot, with a line present most weekends. However popular it might be, one of my favorite lunch or brunch destinations is Savor. They offer homemade corn beef hash to start with. Real homemade. Not many places do that anymore and the difference in flavor is immediately noticeable. Read More »

There are times that you just have to eat out. There is nothing in the refrigerator and you don’t want to go out for a fancy expensive lunch or just drive thru. I have the solution for you. Fatburger!

Read More »

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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Millie's Kitchen is THE place for breakfast in the East Bay

We are out of our element, driving in Lafayette, California. This sleepy, suburban town across the Bay Bridge is a world away from San Francisco but only about 30 minutes driving time.

However we discovered that Lafayette might be sleepy but it has one of the most happening places for breakfast called Millie’s Kitchen. They are close to the Highway 24 but you won’t see them unless you are already on Oak Road.

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Barneys Gourmet Hamburgers Marina Location in SF

We’ve been going to Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers in Noe Valley, in San Francisco for years.  It is the only hamburger joint within walking distance for us, which is important because we I always over eat there, forcing me to roll slowly home as I digest.  Well good news for me, and my arteries, I just discovered that Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers has another location in the Marina neighborhood.

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Let's Be Frank in San Francisco

I may have found the best hot dogs in San Francisco, let’s be frank, they were dog gone good then GONE, because we ate them.  Our family eats hotdogs on a regular basis so we like to find tasty dogs when we are out walking the city.

Let’s Be Frank is a very cool hotdog operation with street vendor carts in San Francisco and Los Angeles.  They also have catering, a new retail shop in the Marina area and you can find their franks and pork brats (bratwurst) in groceries like Andronico’s, Bi-Rite Market here in the city.

Their recipe was carefully developed by Sue Moore, former “meat forager” for Berkeley’s famed Chez Panisse. The dogs are made from premium cuts of grass-fed beef and the brats from pure heritage pork. Both use organic spices. No nitrates, nitrates, preservatives, filler or junk.

What I love is that they often have a cart set up on a regular weekend basis at Crissy Field near the Warming Hut in San Francisco.  This part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is very popular with families and tourists.

Yummy Hotdogs @ Crissy Field

We often head over to this area to picnic or celebrate a birthday on the weekends.  Ever since Crissy Field in the Presidio of San Francisco was rehabilitated, coming over to the Warming Hut or Fort Point is like a mini-vacation.  Discovering these delicious hotdogs with their fresh Acme bread buns and fancy condiments, like Napa Yellow Mustard is another draw, just be ready to spend $5.50.

Grass-fed Beef Hotdogs

New Shop Open Everyday!
3318 Steiner Street
San Francisco, CA
www.letsbefrankdogs.com