Restaurants

Have you ever dined at a restaurant that was so good you wanted to go back everyday and try every thing on the menu?

I have and that restaurant is Jaks Grill. Oh my goodness, it’s one of those places that makes your mouth water when you walk by. The aroma that wafts out and around the restaurant it’s just heavenly.

Jaks has 3 locations around the Seattle area. There is one in Issaquah, Laurelhurst and West Seattle. I live near the Issaquah location and I walk by it everyday, much to my dismay.
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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.

Kuleto's on Union Square in San Francisco

When we “play tourist” or have family visiting who really want to eat somewhere nice downtown in San Francisco, Kuleto’s is often our “go to” restaurant. The restaurant and its sister cafe are both located inside the Villa Florence, a very nice hotel in Union Square.

When you look around the immediate area, your restaurant choices are limited to bar food or super expensive restaurants, though I would be tempted to return to an old favorite, John’s Grill. At Kuleto’s their menu has so many great dishes, even my own picky mother found delicious risotto the evening we took her out.

Dining at Kuleto’s if it is the two of us, we love to sit at their long counter that faces the cooks. There is something about watching them cook for you that adds to the experience – and you are served pronto! We usually share one of their antipasti to start, like the Calamari Fritti alla Diavola or the Prosciutto di Parma con Carciofi. My husband swears by their Tagliata con rucola which is the hanger steak, and I often use my date night to eat exotic pasta like their Tortellini d’Anatra.

If you get a chance, arrive early for your dinner so you can have a glass of wine at their bar. It is an amazing 40-foot-long, intricately-carved Brunswick bar made in England, which was brought around Cape Horn aboard a clipper ship and survived the 1906 earthquake while installed at the Palace Hotel.

221 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 397-7720
www.kuletos.com

Sunday – Thursday 11:30am-10:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am-11:00pm

Photo credit to my iPhone

John's Grill, a famous San Francisco Landmark

Did you ever read Dashiell Hammett detective stories as a kid? Do you like watching film noir movies such as The Thin Man with Nick and Nora Charles? The thrill of Sam Spade solving a murder in San Francisco as well as the romantic notion of apartment living in the style of Nick and Nora (and their little dog Asta!) filled my head with all kinds of dreams as a kid. And downtown near all the major hotels and theaters, you will find the restaurant whose claim to fame is being a setting in The Maltese Falcon!

One of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco is John’s Grill, with its landmark status and original period furnishings, opening its doors in 1908. The dark oak interior walls are filled with 8×10 headshots of local and international politicians and celebrities. Photos range from Lauren Bacall, Alfred Hitchcock, Truman Capote and Sophia Loren to Ronald Reagan, Bill Gates and Senator Dianne Feinstein.

During the holidays, my husband and I always make a special trip – meaning I get dressed up – to this venerable restaurant for a quiet romantic dinner. We start with a cold Manhattan (or two) at the tiny six-person bar, usually prepared by Luis, the bartender who has been at John’s Grill for decades and never forgets a name.

If you like local history and have a strong constitution, you might try ordering the house specialty drink called “Bloody Brigid”. It is made with sweet & sour, vodka, soda, special mix, lime and grenadine over crushed ice. You get to keep the souvenir glass.

Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade

The back-story for this drink comes from The Maltese Falcon novel, “Miles Archer, Sam Spade’s partner, was done in by Brigid O’Shaughnessy at the blind end of Burritt Street just west of the overpass, where Bush roofs Stockton Street.” This book and movie, with Humphrey Bogart, had me walking all around the city looking for the scene of the crime!

Often we begin dinner with an appetizer of garlicky but savory escargot, and fresh Dungeness crab or shrimp cocktails. Depending on the weather we might have the chowder which is wonderful with the fresh sourdough bread. Dinner choices for us are usually steak or a delicious petrale sole. Last year I had the Sam Spade lamb chops, and they were cooked perfectly.

I hope you get a chance to soak up this unique dining experience, especially if you are a film noir movie buff like me.

John’s Grill
63 Ellis Street
Between Stockton and Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-986-3274

Monday thru Saturday 11:00am to 10:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Photo credit to rick and 1horsetown

Classic drinks at Harris' Restaurant

Looking for a quintessential San Francisco steakhouse? Need an elegant restaurant for your rehearsal dinner or other special event? Harris’ is a landmark that is a must for anyone looking for sophistication in their food, its presentation and entire dining experience. They have been ranked as one of the nation’s Top 10 Steakhouses by the Wine Spectator.

This is one of my favorite places to go for birthday dinners or when I have family visiting. Definitely put on your nice clothes, bring your appetite and take a cab here, because you will have one of the best meals in the world with all the traditional sides and decadent desserts. I recommend reservations and when you make them, ask for one of their plush booths!

Harris’ also serves the coldest and wettest martinis, with your waitperson bringing the vodka or gin in its own iced single serving glass decanter and mini wooden bucket to your table, before elegantly pouring it into your glass. The refined atmosphere here is perfect for business dinners. If you have to wait in the lounge before your table is ready, you won’t be disappointed. There is a cool montage of San Francisco scenes based on an original painting by artist Antonio Sotomeyer on the wall.

Harris' Butcher Counter

Besides the upscale décor and refined menu, what makes Harris’ unique to the city is its famous butcher counter in the front of the restaurant. Every evening you can pick from aged, Mid-western, corn-fed beef. They offer it in a variety of cuts including a Harris Steak (bone-in New York), a Filet Mignon and an entire Filet Strip.

If you want a great meal with some of the best sides ever, like the divine scalloped potatoes or sautéed button mushrooms then I suggest calling now. I’m sure, like the best steakhouses in San Diego, this is the time of year when Harris’ will certainly be filled with diners celebrating the holiday season.

Photo credits to Harris’ Restaurant