Restaurants

Chloe's Cafe - a Noe Valley Destination

There are lots of places to have weekend brunches in San Francisco. You can choose a posh brunch at the luxurious Campton Place Restaurant at Union Square, or instead try a neighborhood hot spot like Chloe’s Cafe in Noe Valley.

Recently I tried Chloe’s Cafe for the first time, to see what all the fuss was about.  I met a friend there mid-week because there always seemed to be lines for their weekend brunches.  Given the persistence of the lines every time I drove by, it was my mistake to think that the food was going to be that great. Everyone I spoke to in the neighborhood, shoot even the lady waiting in line when I arrived raved about the menu and how the wait was worth it!

Maybe it was an off day, or maybe I should have ordered the breakfast items rather than the sandwich – but both my friend and I had a so-so experience. Read More »

The infamous beignets at Just For You Cafe in San Francisco.

Whenever my boyfriend David and I told people that we were moving into San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, we usually got three different responses:

“Where’s Dogpatch?”
“Oh! You will be near Just For You Cafe! They have the best beignets.”
“OK, listen to me, this is important. You must go to Just For You Cafe and get the beignets!”

With so many recommendations, expectations were high for Just For You Cafe, which is also known as Mabel’s. It did not disappoint. In fact, our first week in our new place, David and I ate at Just For You Cafe three times, hitting the restaurant for brunch, dinner and a happy hour.

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 »

Pres A Vi in San Francisco

An amazing restaurant and wine bar has jumped onto our radar recently inside the Presidio of San Francisco called Pres a Vi, pronounced Prez-ah-Vee. This hip spot is hopping on the weekends and Friday nights with lots of people dropping by who work in the Lucas Digital Arts Center.

We recently had company visiting so decided to head over to Pres A Vi for a sleepy Sunday brunch.  With foggy and damp weather outside, it was so relaxing to drive up and have a flat $5 fee for underground parking.

We walked up from the garage and into a hallway filled with large foreign movie posters lining the walls leading up to the restaurant door – a very nice start to our dining experience.

The first thing you will notice when you enter is the gorgeous wood all around you.  Their bar area is beautiful with lots of little tables and booths in front of the windows. The windows face a lush green landscape and it almost feels like a park because of the quiet.

We were seated quickly at a nice table by the window – and soon had cold Mimosas to wake us up.  Their menu includes both breakfast items and quite a nice selection of lunch choices. My group stuck to the classic breakfast dishes including their special that day of corned beef hash (my husband’s favorite).

Corned Beef Hash at Pres A Vi

I had their classic Pres A Vi Breakfast with some of the best applewood smoked bacon ever! It also came with country style potatoes that had a little too much paprika but their eggs were cooked perfectly and I still have homemade brioche toast. Yum and yum.

If my mother was in town, I definitely would bring her here for Mother’s Day. Instead it looks like we will be returning for dinner or Friday night date night.

One Letterman Drive, Building D
Suite 150, San Francisco, Ca 94129
415-409-3000

Brunch Hours
Sat -Sun – 11:00 – 2:30 pm

Dinner Hours
Sun – Thu 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Fri – Sat 5:00 – 10:00 pm

Bloggers Hawaiian Lunch Date

Is the rain getting to you these days? Need a mini-vacation? Come feel the warmth of Hawai’i by taking yourself over to Geary and Masonic Avenue in San Francisco.

Thanks to the powers at Uptake and our wonderful sponsors at the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (promoting their campaign, Hawaii: AThousandsReasonsToSmile),a great mix of bloggers got to experience a brief Hawaiian holiday recently at the San Francisco outpost of Hukilau.

Hukilau is the type of restaurant that you will find on any Hawaiian island filled with a relaxed atmosphere and the “spirit of aloha”. They pride themselves on being the laid back “plate-lunch” kind of restaurant found in small towns, like Old Koloa Town on Kauai.

We had about 20 people there for lunch and it look liked everyone sampled something different from the menu, including the macaroni salad and Spam Musubi (grilled teriyaki coated Spam wrapped with rice and seaweed nori).

Our entire table started with warm and salted edamame and fresh Ahi Poke (dressed with savory shoyu and sesame oil). Many, including myself, enjoyed the Hukilau Chicken Salad and all got to have their dressings on the side.

$5 Daily Special Cocktails

This was a great venue for a large group because though we took up quite a bit of space, they still had lots of window tables and covered outdoor seating for other customers.

This is a definitely a place I would come back to for a weekend brunch, and to try more dishes like the Kalua Pork. Hey you might even find me here for Mai Tai Mondays bruddah…

5 Masonic Ave
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 921-6242
www.dahukilau.com

Mon. 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Wed-Fri. 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Toast on 24th Street

I am a huge believer in eating a good breakfast in the morning. It is the most important meal of the day whether you are young or old. In San Francisco, we have a great eatery called Toast in the Noe Valley neighborhood.

They are so popular and successful that the owners of Toast took over an old breakfast spot on 24th Street called Herb’s Fine Foods and turned it into a second Toast location.

With several schools and parks in the neighborhood there are lots of families with children living near both great breakfast spots.

Besides the convoy of strollers, often you see little dogs waiting patiently outside of Toast for their owner to return, hopefully with a little treat as a reward for said patience.

Both locations offer mostly street and metered parking. These spaces are at a premium – especially if you want to come for a weekend brunch. Weekends bring a lot of people out in this neighborhood. The Saturday Farmer’s Market on 24th Street near Church brings many to the area, and the Noe Valley Bakery is a very popular destination for its cakes, breads and yummy cupcakes.

Fast Counter Service

Unless you can walk here or ride a bike, I suggest public transportation. Their original location is on Church Street with easy access from the J Church trolley line. This location also offers outside seating.

If you find yourself spending extra time looking for parking, the food and friendly wait staff, besides great coffee – or a champagne mimosa – helps take the edge off.

Toast’s menu includes lunch dishes but I believe their breakfasts are the reason to eat here. There are dozens of great items to choose from including a classic Eggs Benedict, corned beef hash, croissant french toast, pancakes, chicken fried steak or one of a variety of egg scrambles.

When I am really hungry my favorite is the Toast Combo: 2 eggs, 2 pieces of French toast, Niman Ranch ham and hash browns. Otherwise they make the best breakfast sandwich – outside the golden arches – with Niman Ranch ham or bacon, cheese, egg on an English muffin. Yum and yum!

Toast Combo: A Favorite!

1748 Church St
(between 29th St & Day St)
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 282-4328

3991 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 642-6328

www.toasteatery.com

Mon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Photo credits to sfcphotography