Category Archives: California

Keiko à Nob Hill

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***** (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

Buena Vista Cafe

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***** (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

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

Duke’s

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**** (4 stars)

I have a sentimental attachment to this place, because I used to go here with my parents in the 1960s, when it was The Sea Lion. In those days the waves splashed against the glass in the bar. Since then rocks have been added to protect against storms, but there is still an amazing view. I’m sure the food is better now, too. A variety of fresh fish selections are available, along with a variety of preparations.  On a recent visit we enjoyed a hummus trio appetizer, tuna poke tacos and a roasted basil and black garlic fish presentation. All were excellent, and the greens that came with the entree were scrumptious! It’s a great place for a seaside break from the city.

Duke’s
21150 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 317-0777
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dukes-malibu-malibu

Ye Olde Kings Head

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**** (4 stars)

If you like English food, this is a great  spot for it. Most is authentic, and what’s not authentic is in general an improvement. The BLSt used English bacon, and was a delicious combination of ingredients. The Ploughman’s Platter was more extensive than any I’ve had in England. And the chicken salad had just the right amount of curry.

The decor is really charming, much quainter than most real English pubs.There’s a cozy dining space and also a more traditional pub.  There’s also an extensive outside dining area along the sidewalk.

Next door is an English shop where you’ll find many hard to obtain foodstuffs.

Ye Olde Kings Head
116 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-1402
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ye-olde-kings-head-santa-monica

Melisse

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**** (4 stars)

This is a good, but not great restaurant. The preparations are elaborate, and most results are quite tasty, but it is rare that things come together in that transcendental experience where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

The wine list is good if, expectedly, pricey. There are some hard to find gems, although no great depth of vintages.

Service is efficient and accommodating, neither stiff nor particularly friendly.

Atmosphere is understated although the open room and fairly bright lighting aren’t particularly intimate.

A fine restaurant, but after two visits to check it out, not one that beckons me back.

Melisse
1104 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-0881
http://www.yelp.com/biz/melisse-santa-monica-2

Stan’s Doughnuts

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***** (5 stars)

I can attest to the fact that Stan’s has been making the best donuts on the planet for forty years. My favorite is the glazed buttermilk bar, but anything with buttermilk or maple in the title is a winner. I don’t really understand why anyone would eat a donut from anywhere else. I’ve even ordered them shipped to Florida!

Stan’s Doughnuts
10948 Weyburn Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 208-8660
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stans-doughnuts-los-angeles

Vibrato Grill Jazz

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***** (5 stars)

This is my favorite spot in Los Angeles, and I have hundreds of candidates for that list. I like to go around 6:30 because the opening act is great dining music. It’s usually piano and bass. The place has amazing acoustics, and you can hear every note perfectly, yet still have a dinner conversation in a normal voice.

And what food! Anything beef is great, but I like the tuna tartare, salads, and enjoy the lamb lollipop appetizer as an entree.

Great wine list–although somewhat pricey, there are a few gems. Check out the Opaque Petite Verdot if you like big, chewy monsters.

Vibrato Grill Jazz
2930 N Beverly Glen Cir
Los Angeles, CA 90077
(310) 474-9400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vibrato-grill-jazz-los-angeles