Restaurants

Contigo San Francisco Jamon Serrano

The Noe Valley neighborhood in San Francisco has another new restaurant that is so good, when you add in the recently opened Whole Foods Market; the area seems to be turning into a destination for foodies. The area can definitely support more good restaurants, and when the menu is created with local and organic products and sourced from humane farmers, ranchers, fishermen and artisans; locals applaud and line up at the front door.

Contigo Kitchen + Cava is a fabulous restaurant that serves only dinner and they do not take reservations. It is worth arriving early but if have to wait, they have a counter you can stand at sipping wine while you watch their kitchen cook everything from scratch.

Contigo is the only restaurant in San Francisco where you can sample the fabled jamón iberico de bellota — and an assortment of Catalan coques (flatbreads) from the wood-burning oven. Having had this ham in Barcelona, what we tasted at dinner was a flashback to our amazing trip years earlier. Read More »

The crouton makes it magic!

El Toreador in one sentence: Bright, cheery, always busy “sit down Mexican” place in West Portal, with bottomless bowls of chips, generous pitchers of Margaritas and big platters of comfort food.

Who you’ll see there: College students, families, couples before going to the movies.

Make sure to try: the sopa, the tasty tomato broth soup with one giant, yummy crouton floating in it. Also, the enchiladas will warm you up on the coldest, foggiest San Francisco night. Definitely go for the pitcher over the individual glasses of margaritas.

It’s okay to skip: the crispy taco plate. It’s a lot of fried, and they heat up the plate with the lettuce on it — not my favorite.

Service: The place is always busy, so they keep things moving. You’ll never have an empty plate sitting in front of you, and your water or soda will be refilled without you asking.

Average meal price:  Two people are in and out for $30 without booze, $45 if you get a pitcher.

Logistics:

• Be prepared for a line, you put your name on a list and wait
• No reservations
• It will be loud – it will not be romantic
• Kinda cramped, but in a friendly way
• Yes to credit cards

Parking:

On the street, can be tough to find, the smart move is to drop someone off to put your name on the list while you look for a spot

Location:

West Portal
50 W Portal Ave
(between Claremont Blvd & Portola Dr)
San Francisco, CA 94127
(415) 566-8104

Photos: Cat Lincoln

Mamacita's guacamole

A stranger named Jimmy is my new best friend.

Back in June, when I wrote about Cancun Mexican Grill in Hollywood, Florida, Jimmy suggested I also try Mamacita’s Mexican Bar & Grill on the Broadwalk. I agreed to stop in the next time I was in town.

I’m not a gal who takes such written commitments lightly, so finding this place was on my first night’s agenda. And since I had my husband along on this trip, he enthusiastically endorsed the idea after he heard the words “Mexican food” — even if I did have to talk him through how to drive a mile straight down Ocean Drive, turn right on Johnson Street and find a parking space with a meter. Duh.

I was excited to see the location: all tables at Mamacita’s have a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean, and we were ahead of the crowd so we could take our pick. Chips, salsa and the sea are really all it takes to make my soul content. My husband, however, contained his excitement until they handed him a menu, and then his eyes bugged out of his head.

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

Fried olives at Sociale

Sociale in one sentence: Neighborhood Italian trattoria tucked away down an alley off Sacramento Street, featuring a four course menu of local, sustainable and delectable dishes.

Who you’ll see there: Dressed up, slightly older, well-heeled (sorta rich) “Heights” crowd.

Make sure to try: the fried olives stuffed with fontina, the pasta Amatriciana with Guanciale, and the braised pork shank with maple glaze.

It’s okay to skip: it’s all delicious, so I have to go with “anything except dessert”

Best dessert: chocolate oblivion cake with olive oil, sea salt, amaretti cookie crumbles or the incredible house-made doughnuts with espresso shake — the doughnuts come out warm with the sugar melting off them.

Service: Unobtrusive but professional and attentive. You will never have a chance to pour your own wine.

Average meal price: On the medium/pricey side, with appetizers in the $8-12 range, pastas $15-18, and meat dishes $22-28. Desserts under $10, but the wine list will tempt you to overspend.

Chocolate oblivion cake

Sociale Logistics:

• You absolutely need reservations on the weekend, and most week nights
• Beer and wine only
• You will be tempted by the charming patio with twinkling lights, but even heat lamps have a hard time competing with cold San Francisco fog
• There are no high-chairs in evidence at Sociale. If you’re spending this much, it’s worth it to get a babysitter, too.

Parking:

Give yourself a few minutes to look, but street parking is surprisingly doable.

Location:

Laurel Heights
3665 Sacramento Street between Locust and Spruce Streets
San Francisco, CA
415.921.3200

Hours:

Lunch: Tues-Sat 11:30-2:30 PM

Dinner: Mon-Sat 5:30-10:00 PM

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 »

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Gaylord's Restaurant at Kilohana Estate

As we enter the legendary Kilohana Estate in Lihue, I’m reminded of what it must have been like to grow up on a Hawaiian plantation. Visions of paniolos, Hawaiian cowboys on horseback, flash in my head.

Once the home of Ethel and Gaylord Wilcox, Gaylord’s  Restaurant is now home to Chef Andrew Althouse and his Pacific continental cuisine.

Althouse’s focus is local, as in pick it from the estate garden and support local growers, fishermen, ranchers and Kauai-specific producers.

His efforts shine through in the goat cheese and beet salad that started my meal, served on the estate’s courtyard lanai. Diners will enjoy mountain views and tropical breezes while they share a romantic moment on this garden island of Kauai.

Gaylord's goat cheese & beet salad, Nancy D. Brown

After my salad, I ordered the local opah fish, served with hamakua mushrooms. The fish was fresh and moist. Too much time on the grill and this fish can end up dry. You’ll notice in the pictures that all the meals were plated with local flowers, a nice touch when dining in Kauai.

Swimming with fish on the Na Pali Coast

During my time on Kauai, I had a chance to go out on a catamaran and see the beautiful Na Pali coast and swim with some of the local fish.  Of course, these were more of the small fish that stay close to the corral reefs. I didn’t see the opah fish, but I did spot a flying fish or two on my way back to the harbor.

local opah with hamakua mushrooms

Photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Gaylord’s at Kilohana 1 (808) 245-9593

3-2087 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue, HI 96766

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

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

Ceviche Mixto @ Fresca

Fresca serves up some of the tastiest Latin American food I have eaten.  The owners brought the flavors of Peru to San Francisco many years ago with the opening of their Fillmore Street location, followed by restaurants in both West Portal and the Sunset neighborhoods.  A few years ago they finally arrived in Noe Valley, one of my favorite areas of San Francisco and opened on 24th Street across from the new Whole Foods Market.

This particular location of Fresca showcases beautiful blue mosaic tiles and deep rich wood details.  They created a cozy layout for the tables so that you walk in and realize that the room stretches from the vibrant street, all the way back into intimate seating areas.  The window seats in the front are great for lunch, and for lots of people watching along 24th Street.

We stopped in on a sunny afternoon to check out their well known ceviche, and wow!  We had the Ceviche Mixto for $13 and had our socks knocked off by the incredible flavors and pile of fresh fish! The citrus flavor, the fish with the crunchy corn kernels along with the red onion shavings were amazing. Yum! Read More »