Buckeye Roadhouse, a pleasant Marin surprise

Having just recently moved to Marin, it is embarrassing that I was introduced to what I would say is the best restaurant in South Marin by a New Yorker. Admittedly a New Yorker who is a fellow food fan and a prospective west coaster so I guess that makes it ok.

Right off the 101 in Mill Valley, Buckeye sits up on a hill. The winding path up to the lodge style restaurant feels like you should have done a good days skiing prior to dinner. Inside on a Tuesday night, it was packed with a broad range of patrons; older well dressed couples having a nice night out, families, younger couples and us. The inside was very homey with soft lighting and lots of wood, high windows and a fire place. Our waiter was a true professional and kept us entertained with great wine and great service.

Food wise, you couldn't go wrong, according to our waiter. We opted for the Grilled Artichoke with a Taragon dip followed by the pork chop and the butternut squash lasagne. Desert was unavoidable and somehow expected. Smores chocolate, flourless chocolate cake soon disappeared. It seems Marin has a classic dining spot. Go here for a treat, not light on the wallet but an experience you will undoubtedly want to share with others. Thanks DL.

Flour and Water, finally...

It has been 6 months since Flour and Water opened on Harrison Street in sunny SOMA. After a 50/50 set of reviews from friends and other food fans, I thought it was time to finally check it out for myself. Not cutting to the final score card just yet, I will say that it was better than expected. The inviting and warm interior designs from Sean Quigley spill out onto the street luring you in from a relatively unassuming block. Smiling faces all round starting with Marya the hostess (I hope I spelt your name right), the service was impeccable. Very calm and attentive, apart from one over eager girl who was very determined for us to have desert.

The menu is concise and well kept, looking to fulfill the ambition of the owners to create a place where people can experience great Italian food without all the fine dining fuss and pomp. Focused around pastas and pizza - we opted for pasta. Sat on one of the long communal tables by the door, we kicked off with the chanterelle mushroom and roasted squash appetizer and followed with the winter savory pappardelle with pork sausage and the parsnip tortelloni with a 25 year old balsamic vinegar. Perfect portioning, tasty dishes and friendly neighbours and staff made this a highly enjoyable dining experience. Give it a go, the smiley people are waiting for you....

Sporking is fun

Konbanwa, hisashiburi ne blog fans. Thanks for continuing to bug me and reminding me that I need to get back to restaurant coverage! Tonight after just getting off a plane from Tokyo, I got a call from a friend who was marooned in the city thanks to the bay bridge delays. He was looking for a dinner date. Having wanted to check out all the hullabaloo about Spork in the Mission but having never been able to plan enough in advance to get a table, I thought this was the perfect opportunity. Early table on a wed, sure enough they were able to accomodate us. Off we went to the once KFC now funkily lit Valencia eatery. A very agreeable blonde lady was our host and gave some of the background of the restaurant. The chef Bruce got together with his wife's cousin to start the place. In the ashes of an old KFC they attempt to deliver locally sourced, organic dishes that rotate weekly, washed down with some trendy Belgian beers and finely picked wines.

We kicked off with the buratta and tomato salad, the goat cheese croquette and a house salad. Great flavour and presentation but nothing is still going to get me into beets and goat cheese. Picking from a short list of main courses and avoiding the house favourite burger, we opted for the stuffed squash (very rich and buttery but tasty), the halibut (standard presentation a la Range) and an unusual Beef Stroganoff (again very rich and could have used more pasta as opposed to the gnocchi to break up the flavours but very satisfying none the less)

Armed with our signature Sporks we finished with an Apple Crisp a la mode. A solid end to a well lit, well presented meal. I would recommend for a weekday favour escape, good for tables of 2-4. Spork away!

Poleng Lounge - Balinese groove

One of our friends is in a band and was playing tonight at Poleng Lounge on Fulton. We ventured over to the neighbourhood for the second time in a few days and were pleasantly surprised (next to Papolote). The refurbished restaurant come bar come live music venue smells and feels like a brooklyn joint and the crowd matches the bill. It was a full house on a Thursday night, lots of drinkers with a few tables enjoying some of their small plates that are inspired by traditional asian street food. Looking at the website it seems to be a vibrant little spot collecting all sorts of cultural nuggets. If you are in the mood for some small plates and ecclectic beats then off you go to Poleng...

Cheap tasty Indian food?

If that's what you're looking for then Lahore Kahari is your secret find. It is totally non descript from the outside and the inside doesn't offer anymore flair. However as long as you have your booze in tow, this place delivers on the food. Guddu, the owner, runs a one man show, his smiling face greets you as you enter. Four of us ordered everything that caught our eye on the menu, shovelled down all the tikka masala, garlic naan and other treats we could stomach and the bill...? 38 dollars for four, that's probably not too far off a meal back in Lahore proper. Double this place up with a classy cocktail at Bourbon and Branch and you will get extra brownie points.

Did someone say healthy Mexican?

Sunday night post Yoga, friend in town who needs feeding. Hmm, the dilemma, he is an old roommate and I know he has a thing for healthy Mexican joints. I type into my phone, healthy, Mexican, SF and low and behold Google actually delivers and off to Papalote we go. Its bustling outside with limted seating inside. A long open kitchen stretches the length of the restaurant. Everything here is made fresh to order - I went for a selection of tacos, soft corn - chicken, beef and fish. Other people had the veggie burrito and veggie tacos. All delivered to one of the few tables that we were lucky enough to snag. As a bonus they have beer and that Jamaican ginger beer that seems to be everywhere. We left full and happy. If you are looking for an eat in or take out healthy mexican meal, this is your place. (Other location on Valencia).

Kuleto double bill - Farallon

Tonight my trusty assistant booked a table at Farallon just off Union Square on Post st. I am still working down my target list and this one has been recommended more than once. After dropping 12 dollars on valet, painful after LA living and also adding to the guilt of even driving at all considering it was close to the office, I entered the restaurant and was served up a magical surprise. Pat Kuleto masterpiece number 2 in the last week, the inside is the Hobbit shire meets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Fantasy previals in this underwater playground. Top notch service and entrees on the pricier side, nevertheless this fishy joint is a special one. We had Wreck fish entre, which was well presented in a gnochi vegetable broth. No time for dessert as I had to rush off for a squash game. First date spot for brownie points, otherwise client dinner - best experienced in a relaxed manner over a couple of bottles of Pinot.

Range and Bi Rite combo

I have been going on and on for a while now about how Range is one of top favourite spots in the city. Tonight was my 3rd visit and again it didn't disappoint. Top notch, relaxed service, short and funky menu and great wine selection. They kindly accommodated us at the last minute and got us a seat in the back which is the most homey. We started with the classic asparagus soup and soft shell crab and then followed with the chicken and the cod. Poor old chicken is often overlooked on menus but here stands out as one of their house specialties. In its 3rd year of existence Range still delivers on its original mission of simple, relaxed dining made with locally sourced, fresh, organic ingredients. The menu is constantly evolving and this husband wife combo team are definitely here to stay. Make sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment

As a part 2 to the evening, we headed to the famous Bi Rite for ice cream. Miraculously this tiny take away joint had a queue of people on a chilly evening at 9pm. Hats off, it was good enough to take a pint home but I am still a sucka for good ol fashioned Rocky Road, must be the Kentucky boy in me!

Waterbar - classy joint by the water

Romantic, sophisticated with views of the bridge and large fish watching you eat other fish. This is Waterbar on the Embarcadero, one of Pat Kuleto's hot spots. It is nothing like his wood paneled Boulevard, although be warned it is also on the pricier side. Start off with Oysters at the bar with a glass of champagne and then head to a table for some proper fish action. We kicked off with the scallops, the yellowtail and the octopus, all delicious. Being a bad greek and not generally being a fan of octopus, the chef really delivered and had me savouring each mouthful. Main course was the Dorade with mushroom ravioli, highly recommended and make sure to get some of the baby miso carrots on the side. If you are entertaining clients, friends or family from out of town this is the spot - head there for sunset cocktails, then dinner and finish down the road at La Mar for a Pisco sour or two

Its time for a curry - Rotee SF

Have you ever suddenly and inexplicably had the urge for a really good curry? You just have to get your chops around some creamy Chicken Tikka Masala, delve into some Keema naan, pile on some Okra do piazza and top it off with some Aloo Gobi, all swilled down by a large Kingfisher. This dream was all but fulfilled apart from swapping a Maharaja for the Kingfisher at Rotee in the Haight. Simple decor and groovy beats are the backdrop for this perfect little neighborhood Indian / Pakistani restaurant and very kind on the wallet to boot ($10 entrees). The owner is planning to open a third Rotee in the fall in SOMA so watch out for that one. In the meantime, put Rotee on your list for curry spots and make sure to take your time when you get there!

Harris' - A quality east coast steak experience in SF

If you have been craving a classic steak dinner in a fine dining environment, then look no further than Harris' on Van Ness. Although it has only been on the block since 1984, it feels like it has been there since 1904. Top quality service, comfy booths and a mean Prime rib with live piano playing in the background. I opted for the crab cakes and a Rib eye, medium rare with a bottle of Cali Cab chosen by my host Jordan. Some people say this is the best steak joint in the country, am not sure about that but I certainly went away with a satisfied smile on my face and made a personal commitment to not eat again for at least a week!

Monday night at "The House"

Its a rainy Monday night which is all the more reason to get yourself out and about to sample some more of the City's fabulous restaurants. Going back to my own list, tonight's choice was "The House" in North Beach. After shelling out 11 dollars for parking to avoid the driving round for 30 mins to score a spot situation, we entered the small, unassuming "House" on Grant st. With Minimal decor and only wine bottles providing color on the walls, it was hard to tell what kind of cuisine to expect. It turns out to be Pan Asian with a liang ban haung gua starter on the table, we then ordered shrimp dumplings, scallops, the miso glazed cod special and the sea bass. The food was downright tasty with just the right size portions. I was tempted by a scrumtous looking creme brule but it ended up being drowned in a tart passion fruit glaze. Too much for my palette and the waitress was rather grumpy. All considered "The House" has catapulted itself into my top 10, not for ambiance but for amazingly presented and deliciously prepared food.

Coco 500 - neighbourhood chic

We were recently considering checking out Orson, but after putting our head in the door, we decided to pass (#1 restaurant rule, no people, no go). Walking up and down the street we finally came upon Coco 500, lurking on the corner of Brannan. It has very inviting earth tones and clean design. Starting with a mojito which was well mixed, we ordered a plate of the home made papardelle with lamb. Tremendously tasty, accompanied by a simple salad and some brocolli rabe. Check out this place for a mid week night out. Only downside, a little pricey for the offering.

Slanted Door - an SF classic

Seated in between two gorgeous ladies, looking out over the Bay Bridge and tucking into some sizzling beef at Slanted Door has to meet most guy's ultimate dining wish list. Friday night was my lucky night to go back to the Phan favourite on the Embarcadero, first opened in the Mission in 1995. This restaurant has now very much become a San Francisco institution. Starting with the Yellowtail, followed by Snap peas, Halibut, sizzling beef and some Japanese eggplant, it was all perfect. All washed down with a Belgian dark beer, clocking in at a healthy 7% and served by our top notch blonde mohicaned waiter in fine wine glasses. If you live here and haven't been here, shame on you, if you are newly arrived, pick some friends and make a booking asap! You won't be disappointed and if you fancy mixing it after dinner head next door to La Mar for a Pisco sour at the bar, enjoy.

Nihon - neighbourhood spot du jour

Ok, as some of you may know I have lived in Japan, attempt to speak the language and am now working for a Japanese company. In addition I live in SOMA so, with all this going for me, surely Nihon should be my favorite local hangout in the city. Well, it comes pretty close. Walking distance from where I live this little funky bar restaurant prides itself as a top notch Izakaya (drinking establishment that also serves food) that boasts a vast selection of single malt, apparently the largest on the west coast. Not being a whiskey drinker despite persisent attempts by the bargirl to convert me, this place rocks. At the weekend DJ's, like my new friend Label, spin to help the sake go down smoothly, late night or after work check out Nihon for a good time. She will love in you in the morning too!

To Citizen Cake or not to Citizen Cake

Locals seem to be split down the middle on little ol' Citizen Cake. If you are going here to get blown away by the food, then you need to recalibrate expectations. On the other hand if you are looking for a good for groups brunch spot at the weekend then this should be on the short list. We hit it last week with some visiting friends from NYC and eventually got our group table. The service was a little spacey but the food was solid brunch fare, my fish tacos went down very well chased by a super spicey Bloody Mary. (Side thought, why not give the bloody mary a look during the week, why does it have to get stuck as a brunch cocktail!). So there you go, it's time to make your own decision. (chef Elizabeth Faulkner also has Orson in SOMA which is on the list to check out)

Maverick - a Mission gem

This review is dedicated to the delightful Miss M. Yes, Rach, Maverick is one of the places to check out among the SF scene. I have to credit my first experience here to Daryl and his delightful wife way back when on a short stop visit. Well I rediscovered it up here again as a local, mainly because it seemed to hit everyones "must check out" list. Without knowing where to find it, you might easily miss this spot but it is worth finding. Michael Pearce is a wine guru and obsessed with delivering exciting new american fare sourced from only the freshest local ingredients. Popular starters are the Beet salad and the Crab Fluffs, after that Fried Chicken is a good one to go for. No, Cynthias but for SF it certainly tops Front Porch for original southern fare.

Foreign Cinema

This is the restaurant that made me move to this finely feathered city. Back in oh, 2008, I walked down the tea light lined corridor that leads you in from the unsuspecting entrance on Mission St. It opens up into a magical outdoor garden with a giant wall at the back where classic, often quirky, black and white movies are screened. The food and cocktails are always inspiring but the real reason to come here is the ambiance. Whether you choose a table outside or one in the expansive indoor dining room, you can't help feeling that you have just discovered THE hot spot in town and are already thinking about who you are going to bring here next. This is an SF Classic and should be test driven immediately. (Foreign Cinema)

A day out in Sausalito - Horizon

The joy of living in SF is that on a sunny day you can drive across the bridge in no time for a change of scenery. This is what we did last weekend, first stop Sausalito. We scored major parking right on the main road by the water and then started to survey the menus of the ocean front establishments. After some exit polling, we decided that Horizons was going to be our best bet. Easter Sunday, I was fancying a nice roast which they had on the menu, coupled with an unparalleled deck with gasp worthy views back at the city. I had the Lamb roast special and Jaime had the Crab Louis. Washed down with a healthy dosage of mimosas, the meal was splendid. Foranyone who is new to the city or visiting, this is a great day out. After lunch go for a stroll along the waterfront which are lined with gallery upon gallery and a couple of killer ice cream shops.

Bourbon and Branch

So officially this is a blog about food but what is food without drinks right? With that totally legit justification I am going to offer some quick comments on the underground overground Bourbon and Branch. If you are looking for a hot spot to take a bird (English for girl and always meant with respect), then look no further. Similar to downtown NYC's speak easy's, you have to book a table and are given a password to gain entry. No standing anywhere and no cellphones (I did text but noone seemed to mind). It is VERY dark when you enter but ones the eyes adjust it feels like you just hit a backstreet New Orleans classic. Ian the barman surprised us with a couple of expertly shaken cocktails in addition to some from the varied cocktail list. It's a treat at Bourbon and Branch, the bar seats are very comfortable too so what are waiting for, put it on your to go list!

Salt House

Ok, so I am clearly WAY behind with my food blogging activities, not least because last night was actually the 4th time I have had the pleasure to dine at Salt House. Originally recommended by my good friend Nancy before even moving here, this place never ceases to delight the taste buds with solid dishes like the Crispy Shrimp and a groovy atmosphere. The Rosenthal brothers who are behind Salt House which opened in 2006, also brought us Townhall. For the not so new venture they teamed up with Doug Washington who really delivers on his promise of "dinner party" atmospshere and service. A great place to meet people after work for a drink, with apps also available at the high table but best enjoyed with some fine wine at one of the tables. Last night we bumped into a couple of self confessed cougars, Leanna and Monique who were visiting from Canada, it had been recommended to them and now I am recommending it to you! Get your Salt fix soon.

A big Phan - Out the door and Heaven's Dog

So Sundays are not usually a day for restaurant exploration but today turned up a double dosage of Phan favourites. Starting at lunchtime it was off to the delightful Westfield mall basement food court. Not a typical mall foodcourt by any stretch of the imagination, this one delivers some healthy bites from food forward stalls including Out the Door, the offshoot of the famous Slanted Door on the Emabarcadero. It caters to take out and dine in with friendly staff to greet you. We went light with the Vermicelli Chicken, tasty lunchtime fare. Check it out after a hard morning's shopping, pulled pork sandwich also recommended.

This evening after Yoga we spied dumplings being made through a glass storefront on Mission. The place was called Heaven's Dog - and as we soon discovered is the latest arrival from Mr Phan. Interesting decor and well attended, encouraging for the new Soma revival. Shanghai dumplings were pretty daodi (authentic). Good for groups and with a bar area at the front. We were looked after by the gorgeous Ashley, who no doubt will be soon signed as a model in NYC, ie another reason to check out Heaven's Door!

Dosa on a Monday

During my Japanese class last night, my delightful teacher happened to mention that she had had an amazing curry the night before which immediately got my taste buds tingling for a quality Indian. One restaurant that has been recommended again and again was Dosa in the Mission. Not faulting them for still having a Valentine's promotion on their website we headed to Valencia and they were able to accommodate a last minute table for 2. The restaurant was packed, ON A MONDAY, this city never ceases to amaze and there is supposedly this recession thing going on, clearly not for lovers of South Indian cuisine! For those of you unfamiliar with the Dosa based menu it does take some getting used to, no Tikka Masala and the like and mainly vegetarian. We ordered the enormous spicy lentil Dosa and some of the Chennai chicken, all very tasty washed down with a couple of Kingfishers. If you are looking for a fun, funky, friendly Indian fare, Dosa is waiting for you.

Levende Lounge

For the second Sunday in a row, it has been group brunch at Levende on Mission. Amazing open space with original brick walls, DJ's spinning in the background and today a Brazilian esque chanteuse contributing her melody over the beats. Great for groups, very accommodating staff and the Heuvos Rancheros rocked, oh and there is the Bloody Mary bar but due to afternoon yoga ambissions it was off limits. Check it out, well worth a trip - Friday and Saturdays also serve up a club vibe after 10pm, can't vouch for it but sounds fun.

NOPA

Went to Nopa last night for what I thought was the first time accompanied by 2 gorgeous blonds. As it turned out I had been before with Evangelos, a man who knows his restaurants. The name Nopa, stands for North of the Panhandle and is the baby of famed chef Lawrence Jossel and his partner. It has been a hot spot since 2006 and is consistently busy thanks to its lofty cool decor and top class small menu. Recommended favourites are the white beans and the asparagus as starters and then the cod. Be prepared to hang at the bar for a while even if you have a reservation but its worth it and you may end up meeting someone fun while you wait as we did

San Francisco - Restaurant List

Welcome to Mr V Eats San Francisco!

I have now been in the "City" for 2 months now and have had the pleasure of experiencing some of the best restaurants in America. People here are just plain passionate about food with a focus on fresh ingredients, eclectic menus, professional chefs, great ambiance and great wine. Friends, colleagues, new acquaintances, chefs, barman and anyone I could get to make a recommendation have been kind enough to share their favorites with me so I thought I would put a blog together and share them with all of you. There is nothing better than an amazing dinner with friends and every part of that experience is in the hands of hard working professionals who take great pride in delivering a unique experience to us the customer every time, well that's the hope at least!

Please add your comments to the restaurants on the list, add your own, mention special events etc.

I hope to get to experience your restaurant or bar if you have one and to the general diners, keep experimenting with the SF scene, so many places to check out. let's take full advantage!

In no particular order...

1. Shalimar (Indian/Pakistani)
2. Mezes on 2373 Chestnut St.
3. Citizen Cake
4. Scoma's. Italian Seafood. Pier 47
5. Ti Couz -- best crepes and Bloody Marys in town. In the Mission
6. Apt 24 in North Beach
7. Esperpento -- also Mission. Amazing garlicky tapas. Not fancy at all. Go on the spontaneous tip, with people who love you well enough not to care if you have stink breath.
8. Mighty, Mezzanine, Temple -- for dancing till ur sweaty
9. Absinthe -- the strongest most insane cocktails, and also a wonderful chocolate pot du creme. Open late
10. Eos -- great oyster happy hour several days a week
11. Globe -- where restaurant industry ppl particularly chefs go for late-nite dinner
12. Nihon --we went there for izakaya and it was trendy and pretty and cool
13. Ebisu -- brilliant sushi, but far from you
14. Tokyo GoGo -- fun sushi, not too far from you
15. Range - mission
16. Berreta - mission
17. Bar tartine - mission
18. Slow club -
19. A16 - pizza
20. Delfina - pizza
21. Little star - pizza mission
22. Nopa - late night joint
23. House - north beach, date spot
24. Boulevard - mission classic fine dining
25. Gary danko - north beach, marina classic
26. Zarzuela - hyde nobb hill. Spanish. Good
27. Bella - 2nd and geary, david. Friend of dave at prana
28. Quince - old school
29. La mar
30. Weird fish, 18th and mission
31. Zuni - classic SF
32. Zeitgeist - chill out bar no go
33. Front porch - southern food, date spot, chill night
34. Maverick - fried chicken
35. 1300 filmore - southern
36. Big nates - bbq
37. Memphis minis - bbq
38. Goat hill pizza - potrero
39. Bix - old school sf
40. Gasparis - old school pizza, richmond area koi - nouvelle american
41. Michael minas - st francis hotel (space no good but famous chef)
42. Slanted door
43. Quince
44. Rnm
45. Salt house
46. Amber india
47. Burma superstar - thai
48. Golden era - tasty asian
49. Incanto - 29th italian, amazing! Noe valley
50. Frescas - noe valley 24th
51. Pesce - so so
52. Antiqua - italian
53. Maverick - southern food. Mission
54. Bar bambino. Mission
55. Farina - mission
56. The pork store - 16th and valencia
57. Sepentine
58. Mammas- brunch in north bunch
59. Yank sing
60. Ton king - dim sum richmond
61. Chaya
62. Sebo - hayes valley sushi
63. Domo - japanese on hayes and viejo
64. Mixed greens - downtown mission 1st and
65. Limon - mission
66. Foreign cinema
67. Tataki - cali and divisidero
68. Sushi zone - Hawaiian rolls, baked sea bass
69. Prana
70. Spruce
71. Octavia lounge - market and octavia. Good lounge
72. Orson - soma.
73. Hotel biron. - after dinner (rose alley)
74. Dosa - south indian
75. Supenkuchen - Hayes valley
76. Bacco - Italian. Good for parents
77. 2223 - American Castro date spot
78. Aqua - California, fancy, old school, dinner perbacco - italian small plates, new, fun.
79. Lime - Castro, modern fusion
80. Umami - Webster, north beach
81. Beach blanket Babylon - north beach
82. 1550 Hyde
83. Frascati - Russian hill
84. Bar joules -
85. Chez pannis - berkely
86. Betelenut - union street