Restaurants

This San Francisco French bistro is as charming as its name. If you find yourself at Moscone Center for a conference or catching a movie at the Metreon, Le Charm is a warm and cozy spot to enjoy lunch or dinner.

Located south of Market Street, in the SOMA neighborhood, at night it is easy to almost miss this wonderful spot because its entrance is behind two large trees. However these same trees provide a sense of security and seclusion from the busy street out front. When we were there, the number of cars buzzing down the street were pretty noisy so we were very impressed by the restaurant’s quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

When the weather is mild, the outdoor patio dining in the back, along with the heat lamps is wonderful. The striped awning over the tables along with the plants adds a nice touch as well. The subdued lighting and the interiors definitely add to the warmth inside the restaurant. We had dinner recently at Le Charm and they gave us an intimate table for two. It was very romantic and surprisingly quiet for our conversations given how many people were close by. They recommended a great bottle of Beaujolais nouveau wine to go with our appetizers and salads.

Seasonal Beaujolais Nouveau Wine

If you are looking for value to go along with the charming bistro menu, then you won’t be disappointed. They offer a nice selection of items from the a la carte menu or if you go for dinner you also have a great prix fixe menu to order from, with a delicious coq au vin (chicken cooked in red wine).

My favorite starter for dinner or lunch is the sautéed chicken livers with the mixed greens or sometimes the French onion soup. I’m definitely returning on a Thursday night for their jazz music.

Le Charm French Bistro
315 5th Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-546-6128

Tuesday-Friday Lunch: 11:30-2:00 and Dinner: 5:30-9:30
Friday and Saturday Dinner: 5:30-10:00
Sunday Dinner: 5:00-8:30
Closed on Mondays

Every Thursday night is live jazz in the patio.

Photo credit to Le Charm and jetalone

Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, Napa Valley California

Napa Valley, California is one of my favorite destinations for a culinary vacation. Sure, you know the wine lists are going to be amazing at practically any restaurant; this makes sense, seeing that Napa is America’s premiere wine making region. With all those famous local wineries supplying bottles of superb, top-of-the-line wine, the restaurants strive to live up to those high standards. And many restaurants in Napa Valley do just that – for lunch, none better than Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen.

Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen is in the Napa Valley town of St. Helena, which is convenient: St. Helena has the best shopping (with the most charming stores) of all of the Napa Valley towns, so lunch here makes for the beginning of a lovely afternoon. The ambience here isn’t as sophisticated and refined as, say, Bouchon or the restaurant at the Auberge hotel – and for lunch, it shouldn’t be. A homey, welcoming decor, along with a friendly staff, almost guarantees that lunch here is going to be a relaxed, highly enjoyable one. That staff, by the way, is also skilled at wine-matching. Their advice is impeccable, should you be uncertain as to what to order with your meal.

Every menu item is fresh and delicious here, but frequent guests know that a first-timer can’t miss the crispy flatbread appetizer. I also recommend the roasted artichoke appetizer, if you’re willing to get a little messy. If you’re planning a big dinner and want a light lunch at Cindy’s, the avocado and papaya salad fits the bill. Otherwise – if you have a wine-tasting tour in the afternoon, and want more padding – try the spice-rubbed quail, steak frites, or Backstreet Burger. All are simply delicious. If you like comfort food for lunch, along with a friendly atmosphere free of pretention, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen is the perfect Napa Valley restaurant choice. Oh, and don’t forget to order the Campfire Pie for dessert! This Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen version of a smore is an excellent way to end one of the best lunches in the wine region of California.