Restaurant Reviews

Violetto at Alila Napa Valley Elevates Italian Cuisine

The Napa Valley has more than its share of Italian restaurants, so the addition of yet another might easily elicit a shoulder shrug. Yet, Violetto is different. Offering the only prix fixe,…

Empress by Boon: A San Francisco Chinatown Culinary Jewel

I first dined at Empress by Boon upon its opening three years ago, and was enchanted by both the beauty of the restaurant’s interior, and by the presentation of the multi-course Cantonese-centric,…

Fall for These Fab San Francisco Outdoor Dining Spots

Outdoor dining is mostly associated with summertime. Yet, in San Francisco, fall is the most glorious of the four seasons. Sunny autumnal weather is the city’s best-kept secret, making these last months…

Bar Crenn’s Le Comptoir is Culinary Theater at its Best

Le Comptoir translates to “the counter,” a more-than-humble moniker for Michelin-starred Bar Crenn’s multi-course dining experience. Imagined by the inimitable Dominique Crenn, the maximum 10 seat, one service-nightly (Wednesday – Sunday), two-hour…

Alora Invites Diners on a Coastal Culinary Journey

Having enjoyed Anu and Vikram Bhambri’s ROOH Progressive Indian in Palo Alto and their newer Pippal in Emeryville, I imagined Alora to be a “sure thing.” And I was right. The newest…

Elena’s Receives a Hearty Welcome in West Portal

The family behind beloved Original Joe’s has opened another restaurant. But rather than the pastas and piccatas found at the brand’s North Beach mainstay, guests at the new West Portal spot will…

The Bungalow Kitchen is the Bay’s Community Clubhouse

Whatever the occasion, The Bungalow Kitchen offers the perfect venue. Be it a romantic date, a birthday party, a family reunion, or a business meeting, the waterfront Tiburon restaurant offers a convivial…

Goodnight’s Prime Steak + Spirits

The Healdsburg steakhouse led by Executive Chef David Lawrence is blazing a trail in Sonoma County.

Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Culinary Renaissance

From freshly foraged seafood to Korean fried chicken to grass-fed, artisan beef burgers, diverse cuisine thrives in enchanting Carmel-by-the-Sea. Several new restaurants made their debut in Carmel Village this past year, joining several…

Visit Italy Without Leaving the Bay: Eataly Silicon Valley

If you’re an Italophile, or simply one who loves quality cuisine, Eataly Silicon Valley is your mecca. Located within Westfield Valley Fair shopping mall in San Jose, the Italian food emporium features…

Dalida Finds a Perfect Home in the Presidio 

The Presidio is one of San Francisco’s most under-the-radar destinations, encompassing 1,500 acres of some of the most beautiful real estate in the Nation. This pastoral playground features miles of hiking and…

A Taste of Vienna in Palo Alto

The newest branch of a beloved South Bay restaurant marries European tradition with Californian sensibilities.

Escape to Half Moon Bay

Experience a luxurious overnight stay in this charming coastal town As the warm sun rises over the glittering Pacific Ocean, the coastal town of Half Moon Bay in California beckons with its…

Kiln

Right now is the time to snag reservations at one of the city’s best new offerings, where less is dazzlingly more.

Michelin Magic: San Francisco’s Sons & Daughters

San Francisco’s Sons & Daughters has long held Michelin acclaim, yet the popular Nob Hill restaurant was recently bestowed with yet another honor from the revered restaurant guide. Executive Chef Harrison Cheney…

Seafood-Centric Aphotic Captivates

As at many fine restaurants, guests are often presented post dining with a menu of the dishes they enjoyed during their meal. Such is the case at Chef Peter Hemsley’s sublime, Michelin-starred…