Merienda—The Fourth Mealtime
In the Philippines there exists this special gastronomic occurrence - some time between lunch and dinner, often a social event, and almost like a fourth meal- merienda or afternoon snack. It's a little like English high tea but merienda is considerably more substantial than crustless cucumber sandwiches or little cakes ...
[ click here to read this review ].
Deep-Fried (insert name of bite-sized food here)
Ah... lounge cuisine, bar food, or appetizers - however you may call it, it translates to "deep fried" or "with cheese" (and oftentimes "deep fried cheese") ...
[ click here to read this review ].
Juh-juh-juh-Japanese Snacks!
If you're looking for information on senbei (rice crackers), dried squid, or dehydrated peas, this is not the review. The back button is on the left hand corner of your screen. This is all about my favorite new school Japanese junk food ...
[ click here to read this review ].
- San Francisco -
24-hour Dining in San Francisco
—Aren't There Any Insomniacs in San Francisco?
San Francisco is also home to a bunch of world-class chefs and restauranteurs. The quantity, quality, and variety of restaurants have made San Francisco one of the best places on earth to be an eater... But not a late night eater.
[ click here to read this review and locations ].
San Francisco Cheap Eats
I am a pig. I eat out at least four times a week and yet I am always as broke as a joke. Therefore, I know some pretty cheap places around here; cheap as in under $10 ...
[ click here to read this review and locations ].
San Francisco Restaurants for Brunch
—Haight Street for Breakfast Pigs Like Me
My two favorite breakfast eateries as of late happen to be across the street from each other on Haight Street. The Pork Store Cafe v. All You Knead ...
[ click here to read this review and locations ].
A
AsiaSF (in SoMa)
address
201 9th Street (at Howard)
phone
415-255-2742
prices
$8-15 entree
comments
During my first fabulous dining experience at AsiaSF, it reaffirmed my belief that San Francisco is a fun-loving, cutting-edge kind of a town that embraces diversity and trendiness (and isn't afraid to make a buck while doing it.)
read review...
If you don't mind patronizing a yuppified burger chain, then Barney's Gourmet Burgers is a place you need to pay a visit to. They have a gargantuan burger selection, with several vegetarian options as well as giant salads, plus you can even opt for their one hot dog offering
read review...
Boys Toys (in North Beach)
address
412 Broadway (at Montgomery)
phone
(415) 391-2800
prices
$20-30/entree.
comments
Boys Toys on Broadway is a hetero strip joint catering to men that serves food falling on the fancy side. It's got a cool-looking neon sign out front that has always caught my eye and I had always thought this was just another nudie bar.
read review...
Buca di Beppo (in SoMa)
address
855 Howard St. (bet. 4th and 5th Sts.)
[ website ]
phone
415-543-POPE
prices
$8-12 appetizers, $10-18 entree/enough to share works out to be $12-15 person.
comments
Everything is served family style - as in jumbo Southern Italian extended family style. Dishes are designed to be shared with others. When you place an order of pasta, you get two pounds of it. TWO POUNDS
read review...
C
Coriya Hot Pot City (in Richmond)
address
852 Clement St. (Clement and 10th Ave.)
phone
prices
$12/person lunch
comments
My friend had hyped this restaurant up for months - describing it as a combination Japanese shabu-shabu joint / Korean Barbecue place. It's really quite neither
read review...
Cordon Bleu Vietnamese (in Nob Hill)
address
1574 California St.
phone
415-673-5637
prices
comments
While there are a few Vietnamese staples on the menu, there is actually only one thing you should order when you show up at Cordon Bleu, something that has a bit of everything, and something that is ultra-delicious... the aptly-named combo #5. ... 1/4 of their famous 5 Spice roasted chicken, pork "kebab", bun cha gio, rice with a tasty tomato meat sauce, country salad
read review...
G
Godzila Sushi
address
1800 Divisadero Street
phone
415-931-1773
prices
$12/sushi dinner
comments
Godzilla Godzila Sushi (yes, one L) on the corner of Divisadero and Bush is apparently always packed. Even on a Thursday evening people are standing around waiting
read review...
H
Hahn's Hibachi
address
1710 Polk Street
phone
415-776-1095
prices
$8-10/dinner
comments
Like all chains, Hahn's Hibachi is cheap, filling, and mediocre. Unlike all chains, Hahn's serves up something that resembles Korean barbecue, sometimes even piles of it, and it isn't that bad
read review...
House of Nanking (in Chinatown)
address
919 Kearny Street (near Jackson St)
phone
415-421-1429
prices
$5-10/dinner
comments
One of the best dining experience in S.F. because it's different than most and backs it up with great tasting food.
read review...by Lynus
I
Irving Cafe and Deli (in Sunset south of Golden Gate Park)
address
2146 Irving Street (bet 22nd and 23rd Sts)
phone
415-681-2326
prices
$2-3.00
comments
I found this hole-in-the-wall completely by accident - it's not in the heart of San Francisco and serves as a neighborhood haunt. Ultra casual, cash only, and the service is a little slow but they serve Vietnamese sandwiches
read review...
Memphis Minnie's, which has actually moved to Haight, is one serious and amazing barbecue place; there is nothing cute about the food
read review...
P
Phuphing Thai (in Richmond)
address
3288 Pierce St. (in Pacific East Mall)
phone
510-558-3242
prices
comments
Everyone in San Francisco knows Thep Phenom - the overpriced Thai food "phenom"enon (roll eyes now) that manages to elicit squeals of delight from a certain friend I have. Recently a relative of Thep Phenom migrated to the East Bay, which had excited my foodie friends all over again. I've been to Phuping Thai (yes, I believe it's "puping", seriously) several times now, and have been disappointed over and over
read review...
S
Sapporo-Ya (in J-Town)
address
1581 Webster Street (at Post St.)
phone
prices
Ramen starts at $6, Okonomiyaki at $8
comments
Sapporo-Ya's ramen is special not only because it's good, but also because it's the only ramen place in the Bay Area I know of that makes its own ramen
read review...
Suppenkuche (in Hayes Valley)
address
525 Laguna St (corner of Hayes and Laguna)
[ website ]
phone
prices
$12-16 for dinner, 0.5L draft beer $5.
comments
Suppenkuche is a friendly intimate German restaurant you can come to enjoy a meal, and a beer with friends.
read review...by soothsayer
Part Enchanted Tiki Room, part Jungle Cruise of Disneyland, brought together by that retro lounge feel, the Tonga Room in Nob Hill is one serious lounge/restaurant for all Tiki Bar fanatics, uninitiated locals, and tourists who enjoy campy, cheesy, and of course Las Vegas
read review...
- Oakland -
C
Le Cheval (Downtown)
address
1007 Clay Street (at 10th st.)
phone
prices
appetizers $6-8, entrees $6-11.
comments
Ever since I first tried Vietnamese food in San Diego (Phoung Troung) I've always toyed with the idea of ordering the Seven Courses of Beef because it just sounds so gluttonous and a little scary. The last time I went to Le Cheval though, I went with a friend who had once braved the Seven Courses, and persuaded me to go in it with her
read review...
D
Drunken Fish
address
Piedmont at Broadway
phone
prices
comments
If you like Koryo Sushi on Telegraph, you'll love Drunken Fish on Broadway.
read review...
G
Garibaldi's (Rockridge)
address
5356 College Avenue (bet Bryant + Manilla)
phone
510-595-4000
prices
entrees $9-17
comments
My friends took me to Garibaldi's on College for my birthday and while I enjoyed the entire meal, one thing has been calling me back ever since... THE CHOCOLATE BUDINO read review...
J
Jade Villa (Downtown)
address
800 Broadway (at 8th St.)
phone
510-839-1688
prices
dim sum $8-10/person
comments
Someone, somewhere touted Jade Villa as the best dimsum spot in the East Bay. I disagree, but their dimsum is good, some even great, it's not the best I've had. Yet, dimsum at Jade Villa is still a recommend
read review...
K
Kincaid's Bayhouse Restaurant (Jack London Square)
address
1 Franklin St, Jack London Square
phone
510-835-8600
prices
comments
Kincaid's is pretty good. It's the kind of seafood restaurant found in marinas with big overpriced drinks, an interesting menu, and a view of yachts that you will never be able to afford. Kincaid's could be the kind of place you take your boyfriend's parents to for lunch - it's safe but leaps and bounds beyond Red Lobster.
read review...
O
The Old Spaghetti Factory (Jack London Square)
address
62 Jack London Square
phone
prices
$5-9 entrees
comments
I don't regularly patronize nor review chain restaurants (woah, that came out a lot haughtier than intended) but I recently dragged husband to the Old Spaghetti Factory because I had the strangest craving for mizithra cheese
read review...
P
Peony (Downtown)
address
388 Ninth Street (bet Franklin + Webster)
phone
510-286-8866
prices
dim sum $13/person.
comments
Peony is spacious and bright with crisp peach and bright white linens. And, unlike other dim sum houses in the East Bay, the tables aren't squashed together so you don't feel as crowded
read review...
Phnom Penh House (Chinatown)
address
251 8th Street
phone
510-893-3825
prices
appetizers $3.50-6.50, entrees $6-12.
comments
With rockbottom prices and warm service, Phnom Penh is just one of those places you have to try at least once. ... I've been to Phnom Penh (the restuarant, not the city) enough times to have tried the best and the worst of their menu and here's a veteran's recommendations
read review...
R
Red Tractor Cafe (Rockridge)
address
5634 College Avenue (at Keith and Ocean View Dr.)
phone
510-595-3500
prices
$5-8
comments
If the décor doesn't transform the place into a farm, the food definitely will. They serve down home meals; comfort food at a restaurant that's actually good read review...
T
Tropix Backyard Café
address
3814 Piedmont Avenue
phone
510-653-2444
prices
comments
Tropix Backyard Café is the place to experience Jamaican/Cuban/Creole/Latin American cuisine. Prices are decent, the atmosphere conducive to enjoying a fruity cocktail or a Red Stripe
read review...
As soon as you step in, you realize you're in one of "those" restaurants. It's very slick, sleek, and modern, designed by Morimoto Architects. Soft jazz is piped through the speakers. It's quite large and airy, with several seating options ... Yoshi's has traditional and novel dishes, and like their appetizers, everything we tried was top-notch.
read review...
- Berkeley -
Berkeley in a Day for Low-Budget Gourmets
This list comprises establishments that have consistently provided excellent food at quite low prices relative to the quality, while maintaining good sanitation and adequate service. ... Vik's Chaat House, The CheeseBoard Pizza, Peet's Coffee & Tea, The Berkeley Farmer's Markets, Thai Brunch, The Berkeley Bowl Market...
[ click here to read this review and locations ].
K
Khana Peena
address
1889 Solano Avenue
phone
510-528-2519
prices
entrees are vegetarian around $9.25
comments
I thought it was pretty gutsy (stupid) when Khana Peena opened up across the street to Berkeley's most popular Indian restaurant, Ajanta. Much to everyone's surprise (and my secret delight), the food at Khana Peena is better. It's less pretentious, more authentic, and well, just better
read review...
- Emeryville -
B
Bucci's
address
6121 Hollis Street
phone
510-547-4725
prices
comments
Bucci's is a moderately priced Italian restaurant known for it's kinda-upscale-n-trendy-but-not-really fare. It's always busy, but the wait is never long. ... The menu is Xeroxed on an 8 1/2" by 14" piece of paper because it changes daily for both lunch and dinner. Seasonal and trendy things like Niman Ranch meats find their way on it and there are also standbys like oven roasted meats, a handful of pasta dishes, and pizza, which are all good.
read review...
D
Doug's BBQ
address
3600 San Pablo Avenue (at 36th St)
phone
510-655-9048
prices
$7-9
comments
Doug's is a serious 'cue joint - there are no waiters, no tables, and no ambiance - unless you count the giant wood burning ovens that dominate the space or the guys chopping or scooping food behind the counter ambiance
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I really like the Can't Fail Cafe (I believe named after the Clash's "Rudy Can't Fail") because it's so punk rock, yet family friendly, clean, and it has the best burgers in the East Bay - the burger I had today was so good, it was like I was stoned - but I wasn't. I swear. I savored every bite, deliberately chewing to enjoy every moment. I even had a conversation with our server about the burgers - Neiman Ranch beef. No wonder. So juicy and truly flavorful.
read review...
- Alameda -
A
Ole's Waffle Shop
address
1507 Park Street (at Lincoln)
phone
510-552-8108
prices
breakfast, $4-7.
comments
Ole's Waffle Shop is a classic breakfast spot that hasn't changed in forever. I know they're old school because their menu features a variation of the Dieter's Plate, which includes a hamburger patty, scoops of cottage cheese, and slices of beets. And I know they're classic because they don't just offer liver and onions, but "Calves Liver and Onions".
read review...
S
Sahib
address
1531 Webster Street
phone
510-523-6993
prices
comments
Sahib is a "last resort" kind of place - it's handy if you were craving Indian food, it's cheap and filling - but it's also the kind of place you wouldn't bring your friends too. The food is just too average.
read review...
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