We made it to the hip and cool RYE recently and it was well worth the visit. We’ve been to BOURBON AND BRANCH several times and it was time for a change. My wife picked the spot and we ventured.
And, it was so worth it.
True, it’s not cheap, but the cool factor mixed with people who work there being very friendly and knowledgeable made the experience very pleasant. I got to chat with a bartender and discovered a fantastic, Japanese whiskey. (( Hakushu 12 year )) The place was a tad loud, but I blame a good crowd and hard flooring, walls and ceiling. They even had a smoking section for those who are inclined to smoke. It’s enclosed and part of the bar.
Looking to WOW out of town guests or business clients? Something special for an anniversary or birthday? amore eroma recommends RYE if you prefer hip bar over speakeasy bar (Bourbon and Branch).

Check it!

Ziryab Mediterranean Restaurant and Hookah Garden
528 Divisadero St. San Francisco CA 94117
http://ziryabgrill.com/
- RESERVATIONS -
ziryab415@sbcglobal.net
(415) 522 – 0800

One cold and rainy night, my wife and I found ourselves in need of food. Our initial plan of action was foiled by closure. We were hungry, cold, and grumpy. ZIRYAB happened to be in the same area. We knew nothing about it, but our hunger and the rain managed to convince us that it was worth trying.

The place was warm and the staff friendly. We warmed up and took in the ambiance and the place grew dear to us immediately. The friendly and comfortable atmosphere made it easy to relax. They had a great wine list and bar options, a full menu with a nice selection to choose from, and even offered a hookah garden if we were so inclined.

The food was fantastic and we laughed after we realized that our conversation came to a complete stop as we devoured it, only taking time out to grunt and moan about how good it tasted.

ZIRYAB is a grand place for a quiet date or a group gathering.

Mama’s Royal Cafe
393 Miller Ave
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-3261

I’m usually not a breakfast guy. On average, my day starts with toast and a cup of coffee – NOT in that order. If I don’t make it to the toast so be it. I’ll just make sure I get lunch earlier. However, when I do make it out for breakfast, I know what I like and how I like it and need it to be presented in a certain way. MAMA’S CAFE in Mill Valley manages to hit the mark every time.

As usual, we’re not talking about a Denny’s or IHOP chain here. We’re talking about a unique and fun food experience. MAMA’S special vibe is obvious from the time you enter. Items adorn the walls. Each table has it’s own look and feel, but the arrangement isn’t jarring or disjointed. It’s as fun and playful as their menu that’s laid out like a wacky newspaper with food items listed side by side with fantastic artwork and fun writing. My personal favorite is the Casablanca booth adorned with images and a private feel.

The food itself is amazing. It has a homestyle feel to it and always manages to please. They create fantastic breakfasts that range from the standard pancakes and fruit to the wonders of special omelette dishes. They also cook up a mean burger and other lunch fair and have live piano music from time to time.

MAMA’S is perfect for a family breakfast on the weekend, entertaining guests, or just going somewhere to eat and read the paper. Delicious.

HEROES CLUB: The Art of Toys
http://www.artoftoy.com
840 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 387-4552

HEROES CLUB is the best figure shop in San Francisco. Actually, the best in the Bay Area.  The shop is stocked with both recent scale figures and some cool figures from a while back. HEROES CLUB packs quite a punch when it comes to selection.

The layout of the store is comfortable as well. Far too many places I’ve ventured into have the stock crammed into corners and up the the ceiling in tiny shops – an arrangement nightmare that makes it painful to browse. Heroes is grand. Well lit and spacious, a collector can not only see the boxes clearly, but can also browse the store length glass case that houses many of the figures that are for sale in the shop. Fantastic if you’re shopping or just browsing.

The owner also has a vast array of kit-bashed and custom figures that are amazing! He painstakingly creates figures and has them up for viewing so that others can get ideas and enjoyment out of them. Time and time again I roam the glass wall taking in th workmanship. He even makes items that you can purchase. Fantastic workmanship. Well worth checking out.

If it sounds like I’m gushing over this shop, it’s only because I am! The shop is pleasant, the owner friendly, and the prices are comparable to fair market.

Can you find things cheaper online? Maybe. But, supporting local owners and real world, physical shops is something people should do more of. Not to mention the fact that you have a real person behind the counter who is willing to stand behind his merchandise and service. And, you get to walk out with something without waiting weeks for the item and paying shipping costs!

HEROES CLUB is hands down my favorite 1/6th scale figure shop!

Little Baobab

http://littlebaobab.com/

Located at 3388 19th Street in San Francisco in between Mission and Capp Streets.

Phone: (415) 643-3558

LITTLE BAOBAB is a delightful, exotic, and delicious place to hang out and get away to. Unlike it’s larger counterpart, Little Baobab is a cozy little spot to venture to when you are looking to get away from it all, but are not looking to fly all the way to Africa to do it.

Earlier in the eve, one can partake in some wondrous African food like plantano, salads, crevette coco shrimp, and my favorite cari yap – grilled lamb in a curry with veggies. Mmmm.  Take a walk around the block or slip up to the bar while they put the tables away, then dance the night away to some fantastic Afro-beats.

The somewhat minor $5 cover is well worth it. My wife and I dropped in with some friends, dropped our $10, then danced for 45 minutes straight without bothering to hit the bar. Better than a gym membership! The dance floor is small and the place itself is done up in island style cool, so don’t venture in if you are afraid of dancing in a packed, friendly space. There’s a little wiggle room, but it can get a little crowded. There is some outside seating for cooling off and some cozy spots to snuggle up in inside if you’re looking to drink, listen and people watch.

All in all – a great time, fantastic food and a fantastic spot to get your dance on! 

LITTLE BAOBAB VIDEO

Schedule

]]> http://amoreeroma.com/little-baobab/feed/ 0 http://amoreeroma.com/bay-watch-restaurant/ http://amoreeroma.com/bay-watch-restaurant/#comments Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:18:34 +0000 malcolm http://amoreeroma.com/?p=606 Bay Watch Restaurant
http://www.sfbaywatch.com/mainmenu.html
American Style Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch
7:00 AM ~ 2:30 PM – 7 days a week
2150 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
(between Fillmore St. & Steiner St.)
(415) 775-9673

I really don’t enjoy eating. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but it bores me. I find it to be a waste of time more often than not. That’s why it’s amazing when I find a spot I want to eat in once a week, creating some kind of new tradition or somewhere I want to take out of town guest or the Pope if he were ever in town for a visit and gave me a ring.

“Hey, Malco, want to go out for breakfast?” he’d say.

I’d say, “Sure, Pope. I know the perfect place!”

He’d love BAY WATCH RESTAURANT, a little place Shana found on Lombard Street in SF. The place wasn’t too crowded at 10am, but had over 50% of the table filled. Families ate with children, couples sat and chatted as they sipped their coffee and ate at breakfasts, and a massive party of 15 talked away and participated in some sort of Family Breakfast Reunion.

I have to say that I had some of the best pancakes I have every had. Blueberry, home made (not from a mix) and perfect. A side of bacon and coffee topped things off nicely. Shana had a Denver Omelet and said that it was “awesome”. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere bright and happy. The $23 tab for the two of us made ME happy. Usually it can run around $35 for a two person breakfast.

I think this is a must if you’re in the area. It would be a place that I’d travel across the City for for sure. I was making plans to bring my parents in from Marin to go, thinking that they would not regret the trip.

Yeah, the Pope would love it. He’d smile as he sat back in his chair, wiping blueberry compote off his robes and chewing the last bit of bacon, then he’d thank me, saying that it was well worth the trip from the Vatican for such a delicious meal.

Eureka
http://www.eurekarestaurant.com/
4063 18th Street, San Francisco 94114
Between Castro & Hartford
415 – 431-6000
Price $16 to $29

Looking for an idea spot for a fine dinning experience? Check out EUREKA in the Castro! We ventured there one Friday night after being very lucky finding parking. (Allow time for a parking search) Half our party had not arrived, but the friendly staff allowed us to sit at our table and wait for them without issue. They were extremely friendly and welcoming.
We started off with cocktails and some delicious fried calamari with red pepper aioli. Bread flowed freely and we relaxed into some good conversation. When the rest of our party arrived, the fantastic service continued. I tried out their amazing Dry Cured Tri-Tip Steak with Buttermilk Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes,Grilled Romano Beans & Red Wine Sauce and was in heaven!
The desert menu hooked a few us as well.
The main dinning area was small, but comfortable. They have a bar upstairs where the majority of traffic is headed. When we arrived at 6:30, it was standing room only, while the dinner spot was empty. I suggest a reservation to be safe. The area filled as the evening progressed.
It’s not cheap, but the amazing food and top notch, friendly service make it well worth it.
An A+ for sure!

Brickhouse Café and Saloon
426 Brannan St  San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 369-0222
http://www.brickhousesf.com/

Looking for an “all green” restaurant that serves a wide variety menu, has a full bar, and even has live music? Give BRICKHOUSE a try. They have delicious salads and pastas that cater to the meat eater and non-meat eater alike. They also have an extensive burger menu with everything from standard cheese to wild mushrooms or avocado . For the carnivore in search of top notch exotic MEAT, they have Wagyu “KOBE” beef burgers that are amazing! ($15)  And no, the fries are not an extra. They actually come WITH the burger.
This is a nice place to go for dinner or just to meet up with friends.
Reservations for groups of five or more.
“The Brickhouse Café is a welcome change of pace from SoMa’s crowded, chic nightspots. Popular for its eclectic decor, generous pours, and Wagyu beef burgers, this warm hideout offers live local music on Thursday and Friday nights.” — San Francisco Magazine (July, 2008)

The Brickhouse Café has been awarded a “Green Leaf” award by Greenopia, an all-green guide for those seeking eco-friendly restaurant establishments.   — Greenopia

Tommy’s Mexican Food
5929 Geary Blvd  San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 387-4747
Noon to 11pm – Closed Tuesday
http://www.tommystequila.com/

Do yourself a favor. If you go to Tommy’s, don’t eat much for lunch and REALLY sink in to enjoy the place. Tommy’s is the place for fine Mexican food and drink. The place is always packed, but if there is a wait for seating, you can roll right into their bar area and enjoy a margarita or two. They offer a wide range of drinks and a friendly bar space to get to know your San Francisco neighbors. And, if you are a tequila drinker, look no further.  Tommy’s claims to have the best selection of tequila…ON EARTH!
Wait over, you can move into the dimly lit, comfortable table area and take in the atmosphere while you look over the menu. My personal favorite is the enchilada and taco combo. The food seems more real than your CHEVY’S, big box-style food. These plates feel like someones mother made it for you.
The portions are not in any way, shape or form small, but the price is very reasonable. As with most SF restaurants, you may find yourself waiting a bit, but it’s worth it. Don’t be in a rush. Sit back and enjoy. So good.

Woodhouse Fish Company
1914 Fillmore St, SF, CA 94115
http://www.woodhousefish.com/

Think Maine. White walls and ship pictures. White wine. VERY friendly and helpful servers. Quite and quaint atmosphere. Woodhouse is a lovely looking place. The menu was – obviously – fish based for the most part. My wife got shrimp stuffed artichokes  and I got sole and both were friggin’ fabulous. I literally kept saying “man, this is really good” in between bites. When my wife could not decide which white wine she wanted, the waitress brought her a sip of her two choices so she could decide. My Arnold Palmer was served with the tea separate from the lemonade and had a small container of simple syrup so I could sweeten it to my liking. The small touches and fine service slid Woodhouse directly onto my favorite places in the Filmore list.
But, there is a downside to Woodhouse Fish Company. If you make it over, avoid the bar for eating. Hell, avoid the bar at all costs. The “stool to footrest” ratio is off and, unless you have REALLY long legs, you’ll be squirming after 20 minutes.