**** (4 stars)
Excellent sashimi, and a very reasonable price for it as a lunch combination was the highlight here. The space is cozy and very popular, with good reason. The restaurant is actually in two separate buildings, but only one side is open at lunch.
Sushi Ran
107 Caledonia St
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 332-3620
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-ran-sausalito
***** (5 stars)
This is exactly the ambiance I am looking for in a restaurant: dark and romantic, with the spectacular food in the spotlight on each table. A vibrant bar scene well-separated from a dining area where you can have an intimate conversation.
And yes, the food is great, too, with a traditional French flair tempered by lighter and more modern sensibilities.
There is a thoughtful winless, and the wait staff is friendly and obviously enthusiastic. Of all the restaurants we visited in San Francisco on this trip (and there were some great ones) we all agreed this is the one we would return to.
Jardinière
300 Grove St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 861-5555
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jardini%C3%A8re-san-francisco-2
**** (4 stars)
Tacky Tiki to the max. There aren’t many of these venerable old Tiki bars left, and we need to cherish them. The Tonga room lacks the fancy glassware and smoking drinks of some, but it does have a pond and a barge for the band. Definitely a fun spot for before or after dinner drinks, although I’d skip the pricey buffet.
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 772-5278
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tonga-room-and-hurricane-bar-san-francisco
*** (3 stars)
Pretty much average Chinese food, which is a bit disappointing given its location in Chinatown, but perhaps it is too close to the tourist corridor. Chow mein included an oddly large amount of noodles turing it almost into lo mein. The lamb ribs were very fatty. Best bet is the pot stickers and the onion pancake.
Hunan House
826 Washington St
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-1299
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hunan-house-san-francisco
***** (5 stars)
This intimate restaurant serves a set menu with all tables starting at the same time. The courses progress from light to medium, building to a magnificent piece of true Wagu beef. The food was good, and the service polished in that Michelin approved sort of way, but the thing that made the evening fun was the proprietor’s enthusiasm for the wines on his (very expensive) grand pairing. He has worked hard to collect rare bottles you won’t find elsewhere, and is proud to show off how well they math the food. These are prestige labels, but rather rare and fairly pricey wines that he obviously treasures. This enthusiasm is what elevated the meal to 5 stars for me.
Keiko à Nob Hill
1250 Jones St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 839-7141
http://www.yelp.com/biz/keiko-%C3%A0-nob-hill-san-francisco-2
***** (5 stars)
I have been to many deluxe resorts and hotels around the world, but I have, categorically, NEVER had a nicer room than the one at Dolphin Bay Resort. The vast, two bedroom space features spaces dining and breakfast areas, a large, well-equipped kitchen, luxurious baths, a full laundry room, and spectacular ocean views from two balconies. Seriously, we’re ready to move in.
Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa
2727 Shell Beach Rd
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805) 773-4300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dolphin-bay-resort-and-spa-pismo-beach
*** (3 stars)
This is a lovely facility owned by Firestones. Most of the wines poured here are actually fro other properties, with only the Cabernet locally grown. Some wines are from as far away as Napa.
Overall wine quality was only mediocre, with several wines exhibiting sulfite or sorbet issues.
Service was friendly, and pricing is reasonable.
Eos Estate Winery
2300 Airport Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 591-8050
http://www.yelp.com/biz/eos-estate-winery-paso-robles-2
***** (5 stars)
This place never changes. They invented the Irish coffee (or at least did a darn fine job of copying it) and I don’t know of anyplace to get a better one. Perfect balance of coffee and liquor (and obviously very good coffee to start with) plus an amazing cream that is thick and rich yet floats and remains distinct from the liquid. Great on a cold day, but even on a warm one thesis an essential stop on any visit to San Francisco.
Buena Vista Cafe
2765 Hyde St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 474-5044
http://www.yelp.com/biz/buena-vista-cafe-san-francisco
**** (4 stars)
Spacious, modern rooms and nice bathrooms are the highlight at this hotel, located conveniently right across the street from Berns Steakhouse. I’m not a fan of the hotel restaurant, which is too austere, but the rooftop bar is great.
Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection®
1207 South Howard Avenue
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 999-8700
http://www.yelp.com/biz/epicurean-hotel-autograph-collection-tampa
***** (5 stars)
Best live performance venue in Orlando mainly because of decent acoustics in the theaters and reasonable sound levels. The seating isn’t the most comfortable, but when you go to a concert you want to hear it clearly, and this is about the only venue in town that guarantees that.
The Plaza Live
425 N Bumby Ave
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 228-1220
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-plaza-live-orlando