Burritos & Mosquitos

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Anyone who lives in or near Menlo Park has more than likely been to (or at least heard of or driven by) Cafe Borrone. It’s a family-owned restaurant doing everything from waffles to open-face turkey melts to salads, soups, pasta and more. This year, they opened a sister restaurant called Borrone MarketBar in a smaller space next door. The verdict: delicious, unique and hard to believe it’s a Menlo Park restaurant. It’s a little fancier than Cafe Borrone (I.M.H.O.) and more of a special occasion dinner, though the prices are pretty good for what you get. Solid portions and very, very well done food. They also have various prepared foods available for take out (housemade pasta, salads, marinated meats, desserts, etc.). To top it all off, they have a beautiful oyster bar, lovely outdoor seating (well set back from El Camino and near the train station so it’s its own quiet haven) and a full liquor license.

I particularly enjoyed a proscuitto/burrata/grilled leeks appetizer plate, crab spaghetti and a gin fizz, but everything was excellent. Make sure you save room for dessert; the bombolone are out of control (see below).

Borrone MarketBar // 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park

Borrone MarketBar Anyone who lives in or near Menlo Park has more than likely been to (or at least heard of or driven by) Cafe Borrone. 

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Don’t miss the recently revamped Hog Island Oyster Co. at the Ferry Building. You might have to wait outside in a short line, even on Wednesday evening, but it’s worth your time (plus, you can stare at the gorgeous Bay view behind you if you’re really grumpy about waiting).

Exquisite oysters, excellent drinks (I loved the Marshall Mule), salads, ceviche, mussels — oh, and grilled cheese, because why not. Sitting outside on a nice night is beautiful but the inside is great too — it was expanded and remodeled earlier this year.

Hog Island Oyster Co. // San Francisco Ferry Bldg #11A, San Francisco

Hog Island Oyster Co. Don't miss the recently revamped Hog Island Oyster Co. at the Ferry Building. You might have to wait outside in a short line, even on Wednesday evening, but it's worth your time (plus, you can stare at the gorgeous Bay view behind you if you're really grumpy about waiting).

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Here’s your plan for next Saturday or Sunday: Head to the Contemporary Jewish Museum downtown to check out a very interesting home-and-design exhibit, and make sure you leave room for lunch at Wise Sons’ museum outpost. The Jewish deli has a full restaurant in the Mission and very fittingly opened a branch at the museum in early 2014. Same food options, same deliciousness. I am not a big reuben fan, but Wise Sons’ version of the sandwich is excellent. You can choose from pastrami (which I tried, and is reportedly rubbed with coriander and black pepper and then smoked over hickory for seven hours), corned beef, smoked turkey or even a veggie option (done with king trumpet mushrooms). Even the standard turkey sandwich was amazing. Pickled red onions hit the spot and dressed it up. Wise Sons also serves De La Paz coffee, made practically down the street on Mission.

I’d love to go back to try the grilled cheese (made with cheddar on challah, whoa) and matzo ball soup.

Wise Sons @ the Contemporary Jewish Museum Here's your plan for next Saturday or Sunday: Head to the Contemporary Jewish Museum downtown to check out a very interesting…

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NYC eat & drink

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Leave it to a San Franciscan to have her first breakfast in Manhattan be avocado toast. But Cafe Gitane — a wonderful little French/Moroccan spot in Nolita — does it quite well, perhaps better than some West Coast cafes. It is absolutely sublime when paired with an order of baked eggs with basil, tomato and cream. My only complaint about the eggs was that the yolks were not runny at all, but the flavor more than enough made up for it. I wish I could have returned for lunch or dinner, because many other menu items look delicious.

Cafe Gitane // 113 Jane St. and 242 Mott St., New York City

In NYC :: Cafe Gitane Leave it to a San Franciscan to have her first breakfast in Manhattan be avocado toast. But Cafe Gitane -- a wonderful little French/Moroccan spot in Nolita -- does it quite well, perhaps better than some West Coast cafes.

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If you live in San Francisco and haven’t eaten at Lolinda, I would make a beeline for this Mission restaurant immediately. Though it’s dubbed an Argentinian steakhouse, you need to get to the subhead: Argentinian steakhouse with strong California sensibilities. You could do quite well here as a pescatarian or vegetarian, with delicious veggie and fish dishes (the ceviche and swordfish skewers, in particular). Though I would feel bad for them, because they won’t get to taste what might be the best pork chop I’ve ever had, the most wonderfully juicy and flavor-stuffed chorizo sausage, among other meat dishes. A small serving of chimichurri sauce comes with most dishes; I wish I could get a bucket to go to slather on everything I eat on a regular basis.

Incredible space, as well, plus quality cocktails and wine and wonderful service. (Oh, and there’s a magical bar and Mexican restaurant on the roof that is always packed but worth checking out. Though if you’re going to eat, downstairs is where it’s at.) I can’t wait to go back.

Lolinda // 2518 Mission St., San Francisco

Lolinda If you live in San Francisco and haven't eaten at Lolinda, I would make a beeline for this Mission restaurant immediately.

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Have you gotten off your high horse to spend $4+ on fancy toast and delicious Four Barrel coffee yet at The Mill? Highly recommend.

Breakfast @ The Mill Have you gotten off your high horse to spend $4+ on fancy toast and delicious Four Barrel coffee yet at…

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Welcome to b. patisserie, a charming, modern French pastry spot in lower Pac Heights churning out tasty treats: croissants or all kinds, quiche, kouign-amann, tartines, you name it. Throw in Four Barrel coffee and lots of seating and you can’t go wrong.

Owner Belinda Leong — previously a pastry chef at Gary Danko in San Francisco — had been doing the pop-up thing for awhile before finally opening up her own brick and mortar. Her story is worth reading.

  b. patisserie // 2821 California St., San Francisco

b. patisserie Welcome to b. patisserie, a charming, modern French pastry spot in lower Pac Heights churning out tasty treats: croissants or all kinds, quiche, kouign-amann, tartines, you name it.

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Reveille Coffee Co.’s relatively new outpost at Castro & 18th (opened in February) isn’t to be missed. Beyond high-quality coffee, they have plenty of food options: an array of those famous hipster toasts, yogurt + granola, salads and sandies. Too bad I didn’t realize and came with on a full stomach, only prepared for the coffee. It’s a really beautiful space, with indoor and outdoor seating a’plenty.

Reveille Coffee Co. // 4076 18th St., San Francisco

  Reveille Coffee Co. Reveille Coffee Co.'s relatively new outpost at Castro & 18th (opened in February) isn't to be missed.

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I think I’ve found the best brunch in San Francisco. I’ve been to Nopa for dinner, but brunch at the Divisadero Street restaurant is a whole different game.

A must order is the custard french toast — a magical construction of the most perfectly cooked, crusty on the outside but custardy on the inside piece of french toast you’ll ever have, topped with a dollop of housemade butter and caramelized orange slice. Pairs quite nicely with the sunshine fix cocktail (aperol, gin, lemon & angostura). The two savory dishes we tried were also stunning — butter-basted eggs with grilled bread, crispy artichokes, ham & pecorino and kielbasa with roasted carrots, sauerkraut & some tasty creamy sauce (the official name escapes me). This is brunch on another level. Highly recommend.

Nopa // 560 Divisadero St., San Francisco

Brunch @ Nopa I think I've found the best brunch in San Francisco. I've been to Nopa for dinner, but brunch at the Divisadero Street restaurant is a whole different game.

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A trip to L.A. this past weekend brought me to The Tasting Kitchen in Abbot Kinney. I’ve heard only good things, and love the area — it’s a must visit for anyone even remotely in the area — and was not disappointed. Quite possibly the best waffle I’ve ever had, paired with two succulently fried pieces of chicken. My only complaint: The waffle-chicken proportion was way off — more waffle than chicken — though that didn’t stop me from wolfing the waffle on its own. Great drinks, beautiful space, many delicious brunch dishes.

  The Tasting Kitchen A trip to L.A. this past weekend brought me to The Tasting Kitchen in Abbot Kinney. I've heard only good things, and love the area -- it's a must visit for anyone even remotely in the area -- and was not disappointed.

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Beer Thirty: Santa Cruz’s newest hotspot for delicious craft beer served in a great indoor-outdoor beer garden setting. They’re serving up about 30 brews on tap, most of which I had never heard of before. Pretty decent prices to boot. They also sell bottles, which you can open and drink there or take home to save for later. It’s a really beautiful space — lots of reclaimed wood and an awesome lighted “Beer!” sign inside, plus huge European beer-garden-style tables outside with plenty of room. They don’t have a kitchen or serve any food, but Beer Thirty patrons can call in take-out orders from two nearby restaurants, Carpo’s and Michael’s on Main, and pick it up to eat there. This weekend, an employee from neighboring market The Fish Lady was also around peddling some goods and snacks. All in all, a great concept that’s sure to be incredibly successful.

Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House // 2504 South Main St., Soquel

Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House Beer Thirty: Santa Cruz's newest hotspot for delicious craft beer served in a great indoor-outdoor beer garden setting.

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