Restaurants

Crusty Sourdough & Fresh Oysters!

San Francisco has few restaurants left that illustrate the city’s rich history like this restaurant in the financial district. Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant now permanently anchored at the edge of Bush Street and Belden Place, began in 1867 as a simple seafood stall run by an Irishman, named Michael Molan Moraghan.

The fresh fish and shellfish supplied by Mr. Moraghan went to all the best restaurants and hotels in San Francisco. He became very successful and even flourished after the famous 1906 earthquake and fire.

In 1922 his company was called the Burlingame Oyster Co. which he sold to Sam Zenovitch. By 1931, after several tries, the name “Sam’s Seafood Grotto” stuck.

The business moved to a few locations but always stayed near what is now the Bank of America building on California Street, and home to the Carnelian Room. After Sam Zenovich passed away in 1936, and the restaurant was bought by Frank Seput, who gave the name, “Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant.” The restaurant has been at its current location since 1946. Read More »

While vacationing in Long Beach last month, I dined out at several places worth writing about. One such place was Parker’s Lighthouse. We went to celebrate a special occasion so there were 20 of us. A nightmare for servers because you know, they have to split the tip.

I ordered an $11.00 glass of wine, which my mom thought was kind of expensive, but was really the average price for a glass. Little did I know, I should have saved my money for the entrees.

Read More »

Capannina in San Francisco

Capannina is a wonderful Italian restaurant with the freshest seafood, in the heart of the Cow Hollow neighborhood in San Francisco.  They have a fixed price menu everyday for $25 from 5:00-6:00 with rotating selections.  Fixed price menus are a great way to try a new restaurant in an economical way and something you rarely find in this city.

Capannina is great for large groups celebrating special occasions, like graduations or birthdays.  The chef turns out amazing dishes that are perfect for sharing.  We had a group of four and shared our pasta course and the desserts.

We had friends visiting from out of town recently.  They wanted to have Italian food but assumed we would have to trek over to North Beach for restaurants.  Instead we went half the distance and had one of the best dinners.

As I mentioned we love pasta but like to save room so we can try other menu items, especially at restaurants we are trying for the first time.  We started with their Calamari Ripieni Con Granchio, fresh Monterey Calamari stuffed with Crab and Potato.  They came out with one order, with four pieces which was perfect for us to each taste.  We also shared the Pappardelle con Funghi e Sugo di Cinghiale, Pappardelle with Mushrooms and Wild Boar Ragu.  Loved the meaty taste along with the perfectly cooked noodles.

Perfect Portions: Wild Boar & Calamari

My main course was the Misto Griglia di Pesce, Mixed Seafood Grill with Lemon Caper Sauce and Spinach, which I loved.  The seafood was so light and fresh, I was very impressed.  We all ended our meal with a killer Creme Brulee with Blueberry & Lemon.  We are definitely going to return soon, I know we have more celebrations to toast. Salute!

Creme Brulee

1809 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 409-8001
www.capanninasf.com

Mon., Wed-Thu. 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sun. 4:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Armstrong’s Fish Market and Seafood Restaurant isn’t in itself worth the ferry ride to Catalina Island, but it makes for a pleasant, relaxed lunch during a day trip or vacation on this large California channel island. Plastic checkered tableclothes inside point to the informal atmosphere, as do the best-selling fried fish tacos, slowly enjoyed mugs of beer, and friendly, chatty waitresses.

Located quite near the ferry dock in Avalon, Armstrong’s has one of the best views of any of the Catalina Island town’s restaurants. Outside dining affords full-on views of the water, and people-watching galore. I recommend it for lunch, when the daytime sun sparkles off the water. It’s instantly relaxing, and even in winter the weather is balmy (it’s probably a little too chilly to sit outside for dinner during the winter months). Lunch at Armstrong’s is a lovely way to spend an hour outside.

The seafood here is fresh, therefore some choices are only seasonably available. The South Pacific mahi-mahi, grilled in lemon and butter, was very nice. The shrimp kabobs are a popular favorite. Also on the menu are lobster (the Pacific, spiny-tailed version), sea bass, sanddabs, and whatever else was in the catch of the day.

There are other, non-seafood options here (salads, burgers and the like). The Children’s Menu assures that picky eaters can still get their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and the otherwise seafood-averse can try the steak sandwich – this goes great with a cold beer. However, Armstrong’s isn’t solely a casual, quick seafood restaurant – it’s also a fish market. The specialty is seafood, the view of Avalon Bay is great, and if you’re eating there, you’re probably enjoying a Catalina Island vacation. I recommend staying with the ethos of the place, and ordering seafood. It’s what Armstrong’s does best.

Armstrong’s Fish Market & Seafood Restaurant
306 Crescent Ave, Avalon Bay
Santa Catalina Island
(310) 510-0113

Sam's Chowder House at Sunset

Half Moon Bay is well known locally for its annual Art and Pumpkin Festival but did you know that this harbor town also has a seafood restaurant that serves great lobster rolls – some of the best I’ve had outside of Boston.

Sam’s – not to be mistaken for the other well known Sam’s located in Sausalito – is located in the heart of Half Moon Bay along the harbor. You will find lots of parking in front and lots of waterfront tables in the back.

I recently took my mother, who was visiting from out of town, out for a nice leisurely drive south of the city. Being from Seattle originally, she loves to visit little coastal towns along Highway 1 whenever she comes to stay with us in search of good seafood.

We walked into Sam’s without reservations on a weekend and they were able to seat us almost right away. At the front of the restaurant they also have a separate seafood market, open on the weekends. The entire restaurant is quite large with two floors, an outdoor area for warm weather seating and a long bar area near the front door.  They have tables set up across the dining room floor and along the big picture windows looking out onto the harbor.

The hostess gave us a nice spot so my mother could look out at the fishing boats. The service was a little inconsistent though.  Our waiter set us up pretty quickly when we sat down, but then after we placed our order he didn’t come back to fill my mother’s water glass until I flagged someone down to ask.

Even with this little bump, I decided to go for it and order their house specialty, the $20 lobster roll and was I impressed, very impressed. It was tasty and came with home made potato chips, fortunately sitting on lots of paper because they were a bit on the greasy side. My mother had the crab Louie salad and was very satisfied with the quantity of fresh crab and the flavor of the classic dressing.

Definitely a bit touristy but given its location on the harbor and proximity to the city, I would go again. And on a sunny day, a nice glass of white wine enjoyed with that relaxing view of the coast is wonderful.

Next time, I’m going for the Boston Clam Chowder or I might just grab one of their clam bake pots to go!

Sam’s Chowder House
4210 North Cabrillo Hwy,
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650-712-0245

Open daily from lunch through dinner.

Sam’s Seafood Market Hours
Friday 4:00p – 8:00p
Saturday-Sunday 12:00p – 8:00p

Photo credits to Sam’s

Ambiance at Epic Roasthouse

Epic Roasthouse is the “steakhouse” sister of the seafood restaurant, Waterbar, with both San Francisco restaurants being co-owned and designed by world renowned Pat Kuleto.

Pat Kuleto has designed and built more than 175 restaurants worldwide, including Martini House in St. Helena. He is the proprietor of his namesake Kuleto Estate Winery in the Napa Valley as well.

When you arrive at Epic the first thing you notice is its location on the waterfront, facing the Bay Bridge. It sits near the striking Cupid’s Span sculpture. As you walk inside, the tables in the large dining room are laid out for maximum viewing pleasure of the beautiful water and the Embarcadero.

This is the type of restaurant that gets lots of business dinners and special occasion dinners, so you will want to dress up some when you go. If you can arrange it, I suggest arriving early and going upstairs for a cocktail. There is a wonderful and cozy bar with intimate seating, beautiful dark wood details and more of that killer view. Their martinis aren’t so bad either.

Beautiful view of the Bay Bridge

When it is time to sit down for your dinner, I suggest ordering a bottle of fizzy carbonated water for the table. They have taken vintage glass water bottles and turned them into classic seltzer bottles (think Marx Brothers slapstick).

For meat lovers the Epic Prime Rib is out of this world and is offered until 8:00pm each night. I also love the Wood Oven Roasted Pork Porterhouse Chop, the glaze they use is divine. And definitely try the Scallop Potatoes Au Gratin as a side dish.

If you find yourself running behind schedule, this restaurant offers valet parking for $10 that is a bargain, for the location and convenience.

369 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 369-9955

Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30-2:00
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5:30-10:00 Friday & Saturday 5:30-10:30
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 11:00-2:30

Photo credit to Epic Roasthouse and sfcphotography