BAKER & BANKER** March 9, 2011

We had everything on the menu except for the salad. Starters were better than the mains. The Tuna Tar Tarduck liver pate was excellent particularly on the house brioche – dense yet light. The house bread basket was also a hit with the ultra soft and fragrant honey bread and the savory foccacia. Also enjoyed [...]

PROSPECT** January 17, 2011

Brunch at Prospect.  Modern space, professional, if somewhat formal service. Standouts were the baked goods, but everything was fine.  Worthwhile if in the vicinity.James Beard’s French Toast – great, textures and delicious – only slightly sweet.  Egg Sandwich – nice egg with beautifully cooked pork belly and a pepper jelly to round it out. Biscuit [...]

NOPA *** February 6, 2010

We were looking for a place with good food and a decent martini, so we found ourselves at Nopa.  I’ve always known this place to be very busy, but optimism trumped experience and we showed up with no reservation on a Friday night.  Good thing we wanted to start with drinks, so spending time at [...]

FRANCES**’ January 17, 2010

Standouts were the bouches, particularly the croquettes with a dipping sauce and a squid salad.  I wish I could run through all the bouches, but let’s just say its safe to order all of them.  The entrees were another story.  The slow roasted beef was tender and moist, yet lacked depth of flavor.  The fish entree was perfectly [...]

UBUNTU **** December 13, 2009

Ubuntu is at the top of my list of restaurants in Napa.  It’s clear that the chef took the vegetarian menu as an inspiration for creativity rather than feeling constrained by it.  The menu is seasonal, so it’s a good excuse for me to go up there come Spring.  We ordered everything listed on the [...]

Oliveto Tomato Dinner 2009 *** August 26, 2009

Tomato Bloody Mary – good fresh tomato flavor, not a heavily seasoned style of bloody mary; Lightness on the spices showed off the tomato. Insalate di carne cruda of Watson Farm lamb loin with green tomatoes and grappa* Crudo of salted Atlantic cod and local albacore with Black Cherry tomatoes, Lipstick pimentos, and almonds. Half [...]

NOPA *** March 26, 2008

Nopa on a weeknight. Marinated squid salad, perfectly cooked tender squid with a slight bitterness that matched well with the sweetish vinaigrette and spiced chickpeas. The little gem lettuces had a beautiful creamy dressing and showed off very fresh produce as were the wood over roasted spears of asparagus. The asparagus had a very woody [...]

BAR TARTINE Revisited**** January 29, 2008

Update: Bar Tartine has changed chefs.  The meal below was served when the kitchen was run by Jason Fox. Nothing is better than having a great meal at a restaurant then returning months later and having an even more impressive meal. Bar Tartine is currently at the top of my list for a fine dining [...]

BAR TARTINE **** September 21, 2007

Bar Tartine has no real sign, but everyone knows exactly where it is. Right on Valencia between 16th and 17th in a candle lit room with wood floors and a view of the kitchen — perfect for a beautiful Friday night dinner. After looking at the menu we were thinking that it might be easier [...]

RANGE**’ August 6, 2007

Range is one of those quintessential SF restaurants with it’s casual atmosphere, gourmet food and modern retro decor, complete with a retro fridge at the bar upfront. The cooking is unpretentious, yet thoughtful treatment of fresh local ingredients. The most popular items according to our server are the Roast Chicken, the Steak and the Halibut. [...]