Restaurants

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

Sometimes you really can’t make history repeat itself.

Ribeye at Daddy Jack's

When I worked in a corporate office on Indianapolis’ north side last decade, I was a regular patron at Daddy Jack’s Restaurant & Bar. It was a two-minute drive, offered great bar food, and the hostess was an older relative of the owner who took  pride in making sure Jim’s little restaurant treated its customers like kings. Jim himself was always the best source in town for a reporter to call when you needed to know something about the restaurant business.

Best of all, they had every television set tuned to ESPN, so if Indiana University drew an afternoon game in the first round of the NCAA tourney, I’d take a 2-hour break and watch it with a sandwich and fries.

Casual restaurants are always pricier than a drive-thru, of course, so I didn’t eat there as often as I wanted to. Which is a shame because I threw away some great opportunities to make more memories.

Read More »

Ah, Malibu! It’s one of the most upscale, yet completely mellow and casual beach towns in Southern California. One restaurant that perfectly encapsulates the dual nature of Malibu is Geoffrey’s, right off Pacific Coast Highway. A meal here is accompanied by some of the best views a restaurant can have.

Pull into the driveway and parking lot of Geoffrey’s Malibu, and you know you’re getting a special meal. A valet will quickly take care of you, parking your car carefully amid a sea of shining BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and even a Bentley or two. These mega-deluxe autos belie what awaits inside: Jeans, t-shirts, and California casual attire along with a relaxed, happy atmosphere. Geoffrey’s reflects Malibu in other ways, as well. Subtle mirrors panel the rear wall, bringing the ocean views from the front to everyone (reflects Malibu, get it? Well, I like it anyway). There isn’t a “bad table” in the restaurant. Read More »

Shibuya Sliders @ Umami

Some restaurants in San Francisco are closing their doors and some are getting clever and inventive in order to bring customers inside. In the Marina and Cow Hollow area of San Francisco, I am finding even trendy restaurants with expensive chef’s menus need to drum up business to stay alive.

One such trick that worked on me recently was half price bottles of wine at the upscale Umami in the location that previous housed Yoshida-ya, an old school yakitori restaurant. Today Umami continues with the dark wood theme inside and lots of booths but has changed its offering to reflect the current trends of the city.

Given my brother was with us, we started with appetizers that included meat – Shibuya Sliders to be exact. They were dee.lish.ous. Not exactly what I expected but savory and yummy.

We took advantage of the wine offer but we also enjoyed some of the nigiri sushi that the chef was recommending for the evening. Our waiter stopped by and pointed out everything that we had and I must admit that was a great way to taste the freshness of their daily fish and get familiar with the chef’s style.

Chef's Nigiri Specials

We moved on to some of their standard menu options like Amaebi (sweet prawns), California Roll and their Spider Roll. Though they made them with a slight variation to what we had in the past, still we had no complaints. It was a surprise but we enjoyed everything, even the service. Maybe the price could be a little less, even with the wine incentive we walked out paying more than we wanted to.

We might return. Parking is hard for this part of town unless you have incredible street parking karma, can walk/take bus or get a choice spot to make up for the $10 two hour fee, charged in the garage in the next block.

Spider and California Rolls

2909 Webster St
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 346-3431
www.umamisf.com

View from Sutro

In San Francisco we are fortunate to have many fine dining choices that include spectacular views of the bay and our landmark bridges. Last month I gave a  suggestion for ocean and park view dining near the end of the Golden Gate Park.

Recently I returned to the Cliff House for a mini-celebration lunch and to take part in Dine About Town. Though the weather was very stormy, we had a wonderful window seat at Sutro’s, the upscale restaurant in the lower portion of the Cliff House. Sutro’s is a restaurant run by Chefs George Morrone, Brian O’Connor and their team.

If you are lucky enough to go out to the occasional business lunch or dinner, you will certainly recognize the name of Chef Morrone, due to his earlier fame at Aqua, a wonderful restaurant in the Financial District.

Famous Ahi Tuna Tartare

Chef Morrone created his signature Ahi Tuna Tartare at Aqua – and lucky for me – he serves this appetizer at Sutro’s.  It was as spicy and delicious as I remember! He uses pine nuts, asian pears, habanero infused sesame oil, mint and a quail egg with the Ahi. Fabulous.

The Cliff House has a few dining options within its historic walls and Sutro’s is definitely one of the nicest for a special occasion. They have the amazing team in the kitchen, attentive wait staff, a killer view and lots of parking out front. Those are perfect ingredients for a wonderful lunch and that is what we had.

Steak Frites

Unfortunately I discovered belatedly that Sutro’s does not participate in Dine About Town on Fridays and Saturdays. We did not get to try their special menu but we still had a great meal, including one of the most mouth watering steak frites.

The truffled fries, the red wine onion compote along with the bordelaise sent my husband over the moon and back. I had a wonderful fresh and locally caught rock cod fish that was served with cucumber & fennel salad.

We watched while others ate the other highly recommend seared day boat scallops – I would definitely get those next time.

Old Sutro Baths

This special occasion restaurant is a wonderful choice for first time visitors to San Francisco. The Cliff House and its history is pure San Francisco and not to missed. If you are early for your reservations, take time to enjoy the stunning views of both the brave surfers and walk down the stairs to the Camera Obscura below.

After all of the tasty food and dessert, if you need a little help with your digestion, the green (and newly restored) trails close by are a great way to see the old Sutro Baths footprint and the more unusual views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sutro’s
1090 Point Lobos,
San Francisco, CA 94121
415-386-3330

Lunch weekdays from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Dinner weekdays from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday 11:30 am to 9:30 pm

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.

Firefly in Noe Valley

Firefly Restaurant celebrated 15 years in San Francisco, California recently. Food critics and locals alike have become loyal followers of this great spot, partly because of the consistently delicious food coming out of their kitchen and partly because it’s impressive when a restaurant survives this long in San Francisco. Most do not get past a few years at the most.

At Firefly I think you get a wonderful intimate restaurant setting, with a local neighborhood vibe but mixed with a more upscale and refined menu of the more trendy San Francisco restaurant.

Firefly is one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants in Noe Valley and compliments Ristorante Bacco by cooking up a great tasty and seasonal menu. Firefly offers a variety of dinner choices – including a prix fixe menu Sunday thru Thursday.

For many years ago I disliked Brussel sprouts – they were the only vegetable that I could not eat. My husband loves them so he tried off and on for years to cook them in ways that would tempt me, but never succeeded.

Intimate Dinners

Then we moved to Noe Valley and went to Firefly for dinner and voila! We saw Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Reggiano Parmesan and White Truffle Oil on the menu and ordered them as a starter. I am a good sport. Let me say that I was so pleasantly surprised – these were the best savory veggies I had ever tasted. I told our waitress our story too and how they just changed my life.

And while you are at it, you won’t be disappointed by their amazing fried chicken or the very delicious appetizer, Shrimp and Sea Scallop Potstickers. Both of these are typically on their regular menu and always yummy.

Seasonal Menu

Check Firefly’s menu online for their seasonal items and when you get a chance, make it over for their tomato salad during the summer. They usually serve this dish with three different kinds – and colors – of tomatoes. Cool and refreshing, perfect for the hot weather months, or unfortunately for us, during mini heat waves like the one we had this week.

4288 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 821-7652

Dinner Every night 5:30-10:00
Prix Fixe Menu Sunday-Thursday (appetizer, entree & dessert for $35 per person) Tell Your Server When Ordering

Photo credits to sfcphotography