Category: Restaurant Reviews

I always get a little nervous traveling to a new city. If you think about it, a lot can go wrong on your trip. Along with not being able to book a hotel, getting lost, and countless other mishaps, you could find yourself trapped in a touristy area forced to eat at an over-priced and under-staffed restaurant, leaving you with a hurting pocket book, a growling stomach, and a bit of resentment.

I’ve actually found out a handy trick to avoid this problem. Whenever you’re headed to parts unknown, travel with a local! I was a bit shocked however, when on a recent trip to Monterey my "local" guide had led me into one of the most touristy parts of the city to get a bite to eat...smack in the middle of the Fisherman's Wharf. "You've got to be kidding me!" I thought silently as she led me down the wharf, which was full of screaming kids running around hopped up on ice cream with frustrated parents in tow.

My "local", who at this point I thought had lost her mind, re-assured me we were eating at a good place, and eventually led me to a relatively simple looking restaurant called the Old Fisherman's Grotto. The restaurant sign said it had been on the Wharf since 1950, so I figured it had to be at least OK. We walked in and I prepared for the worst.

This restaurant is usually packed with tourists because of its location and free samples offered outside, yet to my surprise, despite the commotion we were seated quite quickly. There were two things that I immediately noticed with this restaurant; it had a great view of the harbor from the dining room, and, despite the fact that it was located right on Fisherman’s Wharf and had a great view, the prices were pretty decent. A sandwich with fries costs between $8-$10 dollars, whereas a more sophisticated seafood meal like crab or lobster will cost between $16 and $22 dollars, which considering the location, wasn’t too bad.

I opted for a sandwich and a bowl of their clam chowder. While the sandwich was good, it wasn’t anything to write home about (the turkey was a little dry), but the clam chowder is hands down the best clam chowder I’ve ever had in my lifetime, and I think that means a lot when you take into consideration that i don’t care much for seafood. The bread that they gave you with the chowder was not your run of the mill free restaurant bread either, it was actually quite moist and fresh. If you don’t want your chowder in a regular bowl, they also offer chowder in fresh sourdough bread bowls. My friend enjoyed her half chowder half-sandwich special ($9 dollars), and actually was so full by the time she got to her sandwich she couldn't even finish it. Throughout our lunch the wait staff were actually quite nice, attentive and served us very quickly. Overall it was a pretty good place to eat, and it didn't hurt the pocketbook too bad either.

My only complaint with The Grotto was that there isn’t much to select from on the menu if you’re not big on seafood (lunch wise, I had a choice between chicken and a sandwich). Also, the ambience of the restaurant is not that great (it’s a great place to take your wife for lunch or meet up with some friends, but not quite first-date material.). I would definitely recommend the place to anyone who is a fan of clam chowder and fresh seafood (My local friend told me that the fried Calamari is one of her favorites).

If you’re looking for a quick place to grab dessert, there is also a LOT of ice cream and candy stores within a short distance of The Grotto. I stopped by Carousel Candies on 31 Fisherman's Wharf, which is next door and has prided itself on making handmade fudge, toffee, and chocolates for over 45 years. I grabbed myself a quarter pound of toffee for $5 dollars, and it was so rich and full of flavor that I was actually quite impressed! They even show you part of the toffee making process in the front window display of the store. Even though I think my dentist might hate me after eating a quarter of a pound of sugar, overall, I would have to say my trip to Monterey was a sweet success.

I always try to keep from getting in a restaurant rut, and I’ve worked at this most particularly since I started writing for PlanJam. All too often though, in this gastronomic wonderland we call home, I have to stifle a desire to visit the same spot every single day, because their offerings are just that good. La Boulange was the most recent discovery of that sort, and I have to admit defeat – I’ve visited at least once a week since the first time, several weeks ago. Because where most cafés do at least something right to keep me coming back, La Boulange does it all right, every time. From the atmosphere to the food to the prices, there’s not a thing I would change.

Being a makeup fiend, there are plenty of shops on Union Street that I visit fairly regularly. Usually, I find an excuse to head out for an afternoon of shopping just before it’s about time for a little something, and that something can always be found in this cozy café, regardless of what sort of treat I’m craving. For example, I need my coffee – I know I’m not alone in this. Every morning of mine has to start with coffee. Some of them have to start with a LOT of coffee. For those days when even a LOT isn’t quite sufficient, a BOWL of coffee, also known at La Boulange as a double latte, is the only way to go. Prefer tea? Their selection includes eight standard flavors of Mighty Leaf tea with a few random rotating varieties sitting alongside the regular ones.

If I’ve already had my caffeine for the day and just need a little nibble, their pastries are exceptional. The tarts in particular come in a fantastic array, from sweet potato to tropezienne, leaving no sweet tooth unattended. If it’s time for lunch, an open-faced sandwich here is just the right size to finish off every bite without feeling sluggish and full or as though there wasn’t enough meal for the money – I’ve tried the tuna melt, smoked salmon, roasted turkey, and the club, and each one has spoiled me for the same thing anywhere else.

They make their own potato chips, which are kettle cooked to perfection, and their side salads are crisp and generous; either of these comes with each sandwich they serve. Also available are main course salads fairly overflowing with delicious ingredients, as well as a handful of brunch plates, served all day. Two soups are also on the menu each day so if you need a little warming up, try the fantastic carrot ginger or, their specialty, French onion. Don’t have time to sit and chat? Grab one of the mini sandwiches on fresh baked crusty rolls or the most adorable baguettes I’ve ever seen – the fillings could be anything from apples and brie to avocado and hummus to turkey and provolone, all sure to satisfy.

You know, all this talk about their food is making me a little nibbly… I think it might be about time for a little something. I’m sure you can imagine where I’ll be heading…See you there, perhaps?

Fine dining and children—the two are unfortunately often mutually exclusive. Luckily, Luella Restaurant offers a solution. The owners, a husband and wife and parents themselves, know how hard it can be to try to hit a restaurant with kids in tow. On Sunday evenings, this sophisticated and charming Mediterranean-inspired restaurant provides parents with a less stressful opportunity to dine out—and dine well. From five to nine Sunday evenings, the restaurant offers Little Luellas, kid-friendliness elements incorporated into the same elegant dining.

Little Luella’s allures little palates with such menu items as pizza, grilled cheese, and chicken pot pie for around a very reasonable five dollars. The atmosphere includes upbeat music, coloring sheets, and white paper coverings on the linen tablecloths. You might even see the owner’s own daughter, Gemma, dancing and sampling her own Shirley Temple.

Adult menu highlights include ahi tuna tacos, scallops with spring onion risotto, and braised pork with white bean puree. Not to mention their nice wine list and desserts such as their renowned orange and sweet ricotta fritters drizzled with wild honey. Voted Best Of for Appetizers in 2006, Luella’s possesses more elegance and panache than your average mom and pop place.

Luella’s Restaurant is located on Hyde at the corner of Green. Getting to it by car is definitely possible, but keep in mind that parking is very difficult in this area. If you drive, allow plenty of time to search for parking. Though the restaurant normally provides valet parking as an option, it does not do so on Sunday; however, valet parking is available in front of La Folie on Polk Street, and Walgreens at Polk and Broadway opens their lot for parking (for a $15 fee). If you prefer not to drive, a cable car stops right in front of the restaurant.

Visit their website to book reservations online. Although the they do accept walk-ins, call ahead to insure a smoother experience with children. Now relax. You can actually sip your wine and have semi-uninterrupted adult conversation—or groove to the music and color with the crayons. Who says the kids should have all the fun?

Being the hedonist that my partner is, particularly when it comes to food, it's a rare occasion when I introduce something she's never had before. Not long after arriving in San Francisco in January, I had the opportunity, and I relished the fact that I'd found them before her as much as the delicious discovery itself.

One afternoon, a colleague arrived at work with a yellow cardboard box and a giant smile on his face. "Beard Papas!" he exclaimed. "What? Beer poppers?" I had no idea what he was talking about. He set down the box and opened it to reveal six wax paper wrapped pastries dusted with confectioners' sugar. Cream puff style pastries, from what I could tell. Well that's cool, I thought; I've never met a cream puff I didn't like, so sure, I'll try one.

One wasn't enough. The three of us at work that day made it through the entire six before we headed home. Every bite was punctuated with a wide-eyed exclamation or a guttural moan of delight. Full to bursting with a unique blend of vanilla bean custard and whipped cream, each pastry was light and crispy on the outside but slightly doughy on the inside, containing the filling with the perfect blend of consistencies.

The Beard Papa story is told on their website in a cute animated short. It all began in Osaka, Japan, with a small bakery where a man the people of Osaka called "Beard Papa", because of his fluffy white beard. After being asked to create a new sweet, Beard Papa was prompted by this nickname-inspiring feature to create the world's most perfect cream puff. Beard Papa now has locations throughout Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, Singapore and the US, serving the "World's Best Cream Puffs" in a variety of flavors as well as éclairs, cheesecake sticks, and fondue au chocolat. Always available for Beard Papa fillings are chocolate and the original vanilla bean, and on a rotating weekly schedule are green tea, strawberry, caramel, tiramisu, and pumpkin. Each puff is filled when you order it, ensuring that the pastry itself is still crisp and light.

You can find Beard Papa in the Westfield Center, or at the nearby storefront on Yerba Buena Lane between 3rd and 4th streets. Try just one, if you think it'll do the trick, but I'd suggest having a cup of coffee and eating it nearby – there's a good chance you'll end up going back for a yellow cardboard box full for you and yours.

When I select places to review for PlanJam, I generally try for the types of shops, coffee houses, and restaurants that visitors to the city, or even residents who are new or have less time to wander outside of their own regular stomping grounds, may not have heard of or visited before. Sometimes though, I'm going to have to share a place that many people know about but that is worth reviewing for the one person who may not have heard of it. It would be an injustice if a single person in San Francisco, be it for good or for a few days, didn't know that Mitchell's Ice Cream is a must.

My first visit to the city last year was a whirlwind – shopping on Haight Street, visiting Coit Tower and Fisherman's Wharf, hitting Ocean Beach and the Musee Mecanique. In all of the sightseeing, my partner made very sure that we made it to Mitchell's, and, being a New England girl, I was surprised to find myself contemplating my now wavering loyalty to my favorite Vermont based ice cream men.

Mitchell's is open from 11:00 to 11:00 daily, and I've never once arrived and been able to go straight to the counter. Sometimes the line is ten or more people, and their deli style ticket dispenser is absolutely necessary. Other times, just a few people are ahead of me and I get a little panicky because I know I'll never make up my mind before it's my turn. With over fifty flavors of ice cream and sorbet in their standard queue and seasonal flavors on a rotating schedule, choosing what's going to land on my cone or in my cup is a difficult task. Thankfully, the staff is very helpful and friendly, and they'll let you sample any flavors you want without once looking at the growing line behind you.

Perhaps their most famous flavor selection is the tropical group – from avocado to lychee to thai tea, choosing a scoop from the tropical list is always an adventure of the most delicious kind. If you're not sure where to start, try a delicious Halo Halo, a traditional Philippine summer cooler (only made in Spring, Summer, and early Fall). If you're looking to get a couple of different scoops but don't know what flavors are going to taste best together, ask your server – they're always ready with an amazing combination that's guaranteed to make mouths happy.

My most recent Mitchell's experience, as suggested by my server? Their seasonal Pumpkin Ice Cream atop a scoop of Mexican Chocolate. The cinnamon of the Mexican Chocolate combined with the explosion of spices and cream in the Pumpkin was just like something that should be served after every holiday dinner. And it can – Mitchell's also pre-packs half-gallons of all of their flavors, and will hand pack a quart, pint, or half pint at your request. For larger gatherings, one and a half gallon or three gallon containers are available, as are round cakes, sheet cakes, and pies.

Visit Mitchell's and see why they've been a San Francisco favorite, earning awards and recognition from magazines, television shows, and local publications and fairs, for over fifty years.

When I'm at work and I get a text message from my partner that says, "Don't eat lunch yet," I know that another opportunity to share a new food experience with PlanJam readers is on its way. This time, it was Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers, and, as a burger connoisseur, I am happy to report that the result is most favorable.

I'm all about dressing up a burger, be it at home, at a barbecue with friends, or by asking rather obnoxious favors of my wait staff at a restaurant. At Barney's, they eliminate the need for questions and explanations, having a menu full of options that pile on excellent toppings in delicious combinations.

Cooked to order and marked with perfect grill diamonds, the burger was flat enough to keep it from being a monstrous mess, and wide enough to support the tremendous number of bacon strips they added. Throw onto that the melted cheese and a small side of delicious dressing, a slice of fresh tomato and a large crisp piece of green leaf lettuce, and you've got a classic burger from which robust condiments would only detract.

A "half" order of their curly fries puts most extra large orders elsewhere to shame, and even after being transported from Noe Valley to SoMa, they were hot and crispy, as curly fries should be. The slice of cantaloupe that came with the burger was refreshing and perfectly ripe, rounding off the meal nicely.

Halfway through the burger and after only a small portion of the fries, I was completely full and couldn't even begin to think about finishing it. Both the remaining burger and the still enormous bag of curly fries reheated brilliantly in the oven and provided a whole second meal that night.

If you're simply looking for the best "plain" burger you can get for under ten dollars, you can definitely satisfy that need at Barneys. If you're more adventurous and want a burger with unusual fixin's, this is the place to go for that, too. And if you're not a red meat eater, or not a meat eater at all, don't despair! With comparably constructed chicken, turkey, and vegetarian burgers, everyone can leave Barney's with a hefty sandwich that makes for an amazing meal, or two!

Blogging for PlanJam has given me an entirely new view of San Francisco - as I meander down streets in new or familiar neighborhoods, I'm constantly keeping my eyes out for the next spot to review, be it a little storefront, a new coffee haunt, or a great new restaurant to tell you all about. Last weekend was no different; while I of course had to spend a good half hour browsing the shelves at Phoenix books even though I've already reviewed it, I poked my head into a few new places, picked up business cards, chatted with the staff, and took mental notes for future posts. Given the choice between Pasta Pomodoro, which you know I love, and a new place, I figured that, just for you, I would try out a place I'd not yet visited so I could give you the scoop. The result? A fantastic dinner at Savor.

Savor is well known for its brunch menu, and as well known for the long wait to enjoy that brunch menu. At four thirty or so on a Friday evening though, there was no line at all, and we were at a table immediately upon arriving. The restaurant is deceptively large; the few tables you can see from the front door are only a small part of the seating area, most of which lies behind the kitchen. One wall is lined with padded benches and throw pillows, behind which hang large paintings depicting ocean scenes and serene pastures. Opposite are several more tables as well as the outdoor dining area, a large wooden patio, the only drawback to which is the fact that it overlooks the adjacent dry cleaners' shop and nail salon. While some of the tables are a bit narrow to maximize seating capacity, there are also several that seat four comfortably, and could be arranged to accommodate larger parties.

We started the meal with their spanikopita appetizer, which came with a generous portion of hummus, pitted kalamata olives, feta cheese, and warm pita bread. Just as we finished, the entrees arrived. My New York Strip was done to perfection, and the mound of garlic mashed potatoes was more than I could even begin to conquer, even if the meal didn't also include steamed seasonal vegetables. My partner decided to try one of their savory crepes - filled with spicy tomatoes, cheese, chicken, and avocado salsa, and topped with sour cream, it was an enormous portion and delivered an incredible mix of flavors. The rosemary potatoes were perfectly seasoned and complemented the meal nicely.

As we were leaving, takeout boxes full of leftovers in hand, a nearby table received their dessert crepe, making me wish I'd saved room - filled to overflowing and topped with mounds of whipped cream, it looked amazing and I'll definitely be back to try it for myself. As for the overall experience, Savor is family friendly, but don't rule it out for date night; the atmosphere is conducive to either a meal out with the kids, or a quiet evening on your own. If you're in Noe Valley and are in search of a delicious, moderately priced dinner, a huge variety of brunch items, or a delectable dessert and glass of wine, Savor delivers the goods all around.

Living in San Francisco, it seems to be practically sinful to patronize any restaurant that isn’t the only one of its kind – surely there are enough independent, privately owned eateries that you never need to go to a chain, but occasionally, one rises above the rest and makes it worthwhile. Pasta Pomodoro is one such place.

With locations throughout the City, Pasta Pomodoro takes the best of both worlds – chain and independent – and fuses them together for a consistently tasty, affordable, and accessible experience. While any restaurant in San Francisco will have a waiting list on a weekend night or at lunch on any given afternoon, the time spent at this establishment is reasonable regardless of the time or day. The servers will gladly bring you a glass of wine to enjoy indoors or out while you wait, and once you’re seated, they present warm focaccia bread to nibble while you browse the menu.

Unlike chains that span the entire United States and beyond, Pasta Pomodoro boasts authentic Italian meals with a great array of sauces, proteins, and vegetables. Whole wheat pasta is available for substitution in many of their dishes, and there is truly something to satisfy every palate among their main courses. While the menu isn’t overwhelming in size, each dish sounds so delicious that it’s difficult to choose, so every trip results in trying something new, none of which has ever disappointed. The Penne Portobello and Gemelli have even rated encore performances – definitely worth trying if you’re having the same trouble in making your decision.

While the seating arrangements could be more roomy, and it’s probably not the best locale for a romantic date due to the family friendly atmosphere, it’s a perfect spot for many occasions: a quick lunch with a friend, a dinner with the parental units, or a glass of wine and appetizer spread for happy hour with your colleagues. The food is consistent, the service reliable, and the price always fair. Sure, it’s a chain, but occasionally, a chain’s success is due to the fact that they’ve really learned how to do things up right. Pasta Pomodoro hits the mark, and I’ll gladly break the rules of restaurant patronization propriety to enjoy what they’ve got to offer.

Finally, there's a place in San Francisco that caters to the need of those of us who have come of age in the era of serious multi-tasking – Brainwash Café and Laundromat.

This may not seem to be a novel idea to you at first, but that could be because you haven't experienced it for yourself. Sure, there are Laundromat combo places everywhere – laundry and fast food, laundry and video games, laundry and…tanning? But you can't usually find really excellent food, cheap beer, and even live entertainment alongside your triple loader. That's where Brainwash comes into play.

I first learned about Brainwash through my fax machine at work. Every afternoon, we get their daily specials via fax, and while there are days where it arrives a little later than most people have lunch, it's usually sitting on the machine well before I've started thinking about my afternoon meal. And this list isn't your standard café fare – we're talking about homemade soups (corn chowder every day, with a second rotating soup), an eclectic mix of green salads, and a variety of burgers, available cooked to order, that get my vote every time. If you're an early riser, they also serve breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and I've heard a rumor that, before ten o'clock, they serve up a breakfast burrito the size of your forearm for just a few bucks. The entire menu is similarly priced, with excellent ingredients and plenty of variety with no single meal costing more than $9.00.

Now for the entertainment portion of the show – the Brainwash calendar of events is jam packed with musicians, comedians, open mic nights, and more. Many of the events are recurring, so if one strikes your fancy, you can count on that to keep you going while you do your weekly wash. If you're there earlier in the day and either need to work while your duds are tumbling, or you want to check out the latest PlanJam blog, there's free WiFi and plenty of table space and seating between the laundry side and the café.

Finally, if doing laundry just isn't your thing no matter how many appealing reasons there are to hang out at Brainwash, their wash and fold service is only $0.99 a pound with a ten pound minimum. Just make sure you grab a meal to go – even if they didn't do your laundry for you, the food would be worth stopping by.

I'm a big fan of the "don't blink or you'll miss it" sorts of places – shops, restaurants, coffee houses, art galleries – any variety of place where, were it more noticeable, I'd have a hard time getting in and out with my sanity intact. San Francisco is full of such out of the way nooks and crannies; right in the heart of the busiest neighborhoods, you can find these tiny places only by either knowing that they're there, or entering each door on a street, hoping you aren't busting into someone's home uninvited.

One such place is Castro Cheesery, located at 427 Castro. With just room enough for two or three people to stand side by side, and a street side window that's obstructed by shelving, this storefront may well be one of the easiest places to miss, particularly amid the brightly colored signage of Castro's surrounding businesses. You'll want to make sure you find this covert operation, though; particularly if you live in the neighborhood and need caffeine to jump start your day, or if you're visiting the Castro and could use a midday pick-me-up.

Despite its name, Castro Cheesery sees more customers for coffee than for cheeses, though their selection there is admirable and well priced. Signs around the shop categorize both coffee and cheese by type, strength, and location of origin, and the family members who staff the cheesery are knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient. You can get freshly ground or whole bean coffee by the pound, or have a drink made for you in moments. Grab a package of madelines or one of many flavors of biscotti, and your morning (or afternoon) is off to a running start. The prices are lower by far than those at chain coffee shops, and that combined with the knowledge that you're supporting an independent business is usually more than enough to make it worthwhile for any local SFer.

I've tried several of the standard coffee drinks here, and have yet to be disappointed. Their dark roasts in particular are robust and not as acidic as those I've found elsewhere, and the additions to the sweet beverages temper the coffee just enough without overwhelming the brew. If you're looking to get your fill of great coffee without emptying your wallet, be sure you don't miss this spot.