Category Archives: California

Ahwahnee Dining Room

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**** (4 stars)

We’ve been coming here since 1978, and it’s amazing how it never changes. In fact, I think it hasn’t really changed much since 1927, when the hotel was constructed. The food is no doubt different than it was then, but it’s remarkably similar to the way it was in 1978.

The soups are still rich and creamy, and the portions large. At dinner I enjoyed the short ribs, and the salmon was even better.

There’s a buffet breakfast, but even better choices are available on the menu, including a kitchen sink vegetarian omelet made with three eggs that barely fits on the plate.

Many of the servers have been working here almost as long as I’ve been coming, which is a testament to what a special venue this is. During the day, the tall glass windows offer unsurpassed views of Yosemite valley. And at dinner the enormous windows turn into mirrors, reflecting back the hundreds of candles in the chandeliers.

It’s really a pretty magical place.

Ahwahnee Dining Room
Ahwahnee Hotel
9005 Ahwahnee Dr
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
(209) 372-1489
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ahwahnee-dining-room-yosemite-national-park

Flights 101 Club Lounge

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**** (4 stars)

This lobby lounge offers a surprisingly intimate atmosphere in the evening, with low lighting levels that make it easy to watch the flight traffic in and out of SFO. In fact, the lobby area is a much better choice for dinner than the adjacent restaurant, which is lit up like a coffee shop. And the lounge offers all the same food, plus bar food.

The chicken quesadilla was really more like a flauta, and it was fine. But the fish tacos were truly delicious: three larger servings of nicely seasoned fish topped with slaw and a piquant sauce.

During the course of our meal we were tag-teamed by six different servers, yet there was perfect continuity, and they were all very friendly and helpful. If traveling through SFO I would definitely eat here again.

Flights 101 Club Lounge
1800 Old Bayshore Hwy
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 692-9100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/flights-101-club-lounge-burlingame

Koi

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**** (4 stars)

This was a delightful find. Wonderful interior design and lighting make this a place you really want to spend some time in, and we dawdled our way through close to a dozen dishes, all of which were excellent.

Some of the sashimi was particularly good, and the specialty rolls were quite creative. There’s also a nice assortment of non-cconventional cooked dishes.

The wine list is excellent.

Koi
730 N LA Cienega Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 659-9449
http://www.yelp.com/biz/koi-west-hollywood

Bedford & Burns

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**** (4 stars)

This terrific bistro offers a great lively ambiance, and both indoor and outdoor dining options.

There is an excellent assortment of food ranging from sashimi and caesar salad starters to steak and lamb entrees.

The winless offers great variety, and there are some very nicely priced gems.

Service is friendly, attentive, and yet not at all rushed.

One of the best choices in the area.

Bedford & Burns
369 Bedford Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 273-8585
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bedford-and-burns-beverly-hills

The Belvedere

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**** (4 stars)

This is a beautiful dining room in the Peninsula Hotel. The space is light and airy, which makes it ideal for Sunday or Holiday brunch. We visited at Thanksgiving, and had a great time. The menu was served family style, beginning with appetizers, followed by main courses. Then dessert was buffet style.

There were a wide range of seafood, meat and vegetable items in the set menu, and the Champagne was endless.

Service was attentive and very welcoming, not stiff in the slightest. Definitely a good choice for a midday meal.

The Belvedere
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
9882 S Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 551-2888
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-belvedere-beverly-hills-2

Succulent Cafe Wine Charcuterie

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*** (3 stars)

This is more of a counter service sandwich shop (at least at lunch time) than an actual cafe. However they do have wine by the glass or bottle.

The “fish” on my salad was actually a round patty of minced and then fried fish and spices, presumably intended for a fish burger. However it contained about ten times the amount of salt that would have rendered it edible, so this was not successful. My companions’ tuna melt and ham sandwich were better.

The outside seating area is pleasant, and set back far enough from the main highway to create a nice oasis in busy Solvang.

Succulent Cafe Wine Charcuterie
1555 Mission Dr
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 691-9444
http://www.yelp.com/biz/succulent-cafe-wine-charcuterie-solvang

Lido Restaurant

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**** (4 stars)

The food is good here, with a wide range from a casual pizza to a tasting menu. But the real highlight is the amazing wine list, with 1000 selections at (mostly) reasonable prices. There is a focus on regional wines from the central coast, but also great selections from Napa and Europe.

The outside dining area atop the click can’t be beat. And our server was extremely helpful, even finding us a couple of cans of diet coke from elsewhere in the resort to take back to our rooms. (And the resort is magnificent.)

Lido Restaurant
Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa
2727 Shell Beach Rd
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805) 773-8900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lido-restaurant-pismo-beach

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa

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***** (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

Robert Hall Winery

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**** (4 stars)

The first Paso Robles winery to wine the “Best Winery in California” title by taking the most medals at the fair. The wines are perhaps not all categorically great, but the reserve wines are extremely well made. The tasting room policy of free tastings with the purchase of a bottle is highly appreciated.

Robert Hall Winery
3443 Mill Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 239-1616
http://www.yelp.com/biz/robert-hall-winery-paso-robles

Eos Estate Winery

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*** (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