Back in April this year, the San Francisco Chronicle published the Top 100 Bay Area Restaurantsand guess what. I've only been to six. Looks like I have 94 more to go. Hehehe So here are the restaurants I've been to that made it to Top 100.
Bistro Jeanty (French Cuisine)- Actually I haven't been to Bistro Jeanty but I've been to Jeanty at Jack's which the paper described as equally enticing. It's owned by the same chef Philippe Jeanty. They have a great rendition of sole meuniere, steak tartare, cassoulet and quiche. I had Carpaccio (picture on the right) when I went there. And of course not to be missed is their tomato soup with puff-pastry dome. Prices: $14.50 - $34
La Taqueria (Mexican Cuisine) - I used to work a few blocks from this place although I've always tried to avoid the lunch crowd. It gets so packed and the lines are so looong. It's in the Mission District where there are tons of taquerias but La Taqueria stands out. Their burritos are top-notch. This is a no-frills restaurant. You wait in line to order your food and sit on picnic-style benches. If you ever go, don't forget to try their agua fresca. I am partial to strawberry. Prices: $1.85 - $5.25
Slanted Door (Vietnamese Cuisine) - This one's in the San Francisco ferry building overlooking the bay and the Bay Bridge. Love their shaking beef and creme brulee. The Chronicle suggested cellophane crab noodles, chicken clay pot, pho and other stuff. After lunch or before, whatever suits you, you can browse around the specialty stores in the building for wine and cheese and organic vegetables. There is also a farmers market outside and an artisan market across the street every weekend. Prices: $16 - $32
Ton Kiang (Chinese Cuisine) - If you decide to go here, go early. There's always a line at peak times although it seats 235 people. I love their dim sums. Definitely one of the best in the City. Specialties include steamed dumplings and dim sun, clay pot dishes etc. Prices: $8.50 - $25
Vik's Chaat Corner (Indian Cuisine) - This place doesn't look too inviting from the outside. It looks like a warehouse. Well, it is a warehouse. But as the Chronicle described it, it has developed a cult-like following, from people like Alice Waters who is one of the best-known and most influential American chefs (she is the founder of Chez Panisse which is also on the Top 100 List and where Prince Charles and his wife dined last year) to construction crews and people like me. If you like cooking, they have a store next door where you could buy Indian spices. Don't forget to try their Bhatura cholle, pakori chaat and chicken biryani. Prices: $4 - $6.50
Yank Sing (Chinese Cuisine) - I used to work down the street from this restaurant and had my lunch there quite a few times. I love their dumplings and custard tarts. Their specialties are Peking Duck, honey-glazed sea bass, honey walnut salad, shanghai dumplings and custard tarts. Prices: $3.65-$15
Next on my list are Bay Wolf - a California-Mediterranean restaurant on Piedmont Ave. in Oakland, Chez Panisse - a Mediterrenean restaurant at the Gourmet Ghetto in Berkeley and Zarzuela - a Spanish restaurant in San Francisco that serves paella. Chez Panisse is on the bottom of my list because it's too pricey - about $50 - $85 fixed price.
So there it is. If there's one place I would recommend among these six restaurants I've been to, it's Ton Kiang. Unless you're not in the mood for Chinese cuisine. :)
Have a great week my friends. Now I'm officially hungry.
