Elephant Bar: A Place You’ll Never Forget

The Nancarrow family has made their chain of Elephant Bar restaurants a mammoth success story throughout California and the Southwest with a simple formula. They rely on excellent, innovative food, cooked well, at great prices – it's as simple as that. By offering a dynamic menu of American food tinged with fusion influences from all over the world, Elephant Bar has become a popular hangout for locals and visitors alike. The menu is astoundingly vast, with regulars recommending the sweet potato fries, baby back pork ribs, as well as the Ahi tuna appetizer. In addition, there are plenty of options available for vegetarian diners too. Those looking for a deal flock to the bar area during happy hour for price-reduced appetizers, which are very easy to fill up on. The service is competent, and overall, Elephant Bar is a dependable place to go for a quick bite and a tasty drink any day of the week.

Elephant Bar
75 Serramonte Center
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 985-5665
www.elephantbar.com

Joe’s of Westlake: Italian Classics

Head to Joe's of Westlake for exceptional Italian comfort food served at moderate prices. Since 1956, this family-owned restaurant has been preparing dishes with both heart and skill. Highlights of their menu include succulent charcoal broiled steaks, richly flavored seafood entrees, and pasta dishes made from the finest ingredients. Joe's top-notch wine list offers many tasty options for complementing any meal – no matter you wind up ordering from their delicious selection. This little gem has earned a national reputation for its delectable cuisine, which ranges from perfectly-prepared classics like Chicken Parmigiana to innovative twists on traditional Italian fare, like the restaurant’s delicately sautéed Sweetbreads with Mushrooms. If you don’t have time to sit and savor, they also offer to-go service for both lunch and dinner. Stop in Wednesday through Sunday, and enjoy live evening entertainment in their cocktail lounge. Before you venture out, check the website to learn more about Joe’s of Westlake, and its many notable features.

 

Joe’s of Westlake

11 Glenwood Avenue

Daly City, CA 94015

650-755-7400

http://joesofwestlake.com/

Banana Island: A Taste of Asia

If it's authentic, they will come – and Banana Island knows that. Crowds regularly pack into Banana Island for lunch and dinner daily, happily waiting for top-notch food. With influences fromThailand, Malaysia and Singapore, Banana Island does not disappoint. Try the roti canal, a fried, flat-grilled flour pancake served with curry, and the pineapple fried rice and mango chicken are famous across the Tri-Valley area. Be sure not to miss the Sarang Chicken, the mango prawns, or the pad thai – all three dishes nail the difficult balance between tangy and spicy. The service is attentive, if a bit slow during the rush, and the faux-tropical motif is fun without being too tacky. Banana Island is a great place for a casual business meeting or date. Also, takeout is available, and parking is free. Check their website for hours and specials.

Banana Island

416 Westlake Ctr

Daly City, CA 94015

(650) 756-6868

www.bananaislanddalycity.com

Nation’s Giant Hamburgers: Come Hungry!

Nation's Giant Hamburgers are truly jaw-dropping. And we mean it literally; they’re the biggest we’ve seen in California. Not only are these burgers gigantic, we don't think anyone serves up more tender or juicy patties. For six decades, Nation’s has been a Tri-Valley landmark. Perched atop a mountain of glorious (and cheap!) American comfort food, Nation's offers up fries, shakes, grilled chicken, French toast, omelettes, heaping strawberry tarts and pies like nobody's business. This historic gem is the taste of Golden State, made with love and open 24 hours a day!

Note: some locations do close, and all offer takeout. Check the website for details and specials.

 

Nation’s Giant Hamburger

301 S Mayfair Ave

Westlake Shopping Center

Daly City, CA 94015

(650) 755-8880

www.nationsrestaurants.com

E & O Trading Co.: Southeast Asian Flavors

San Jose’s E&O Trading Company uses inspiration from Asia's "spice route" to create a fusion restaurant that can stand up with just about any in the country. The innovative, delicious dishes have locals returning time and again. Keep in mind, these are not dishes for people with delicate palates—E&O Trading’s kitchen only puts out food that’s positively bursting with flavor. For a true taste sensation, try the spectacular Firecracker Chicken, which regulars rave over. The must-have small plate is the corn fritters, delicately fried and not too greasy, paired with a simply addictive dipping sauce. E & O's cocktails are also not to be missed. They're made with a crisp blend of Asian-inspired ingredients to perfectly complement your meal. The atmosphere is spacious and unpretentious and doesn’t fall prey to the cliché ultra-Asian style that sometimes plagues fusion joints.

E & O Trading Co.
314 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 693-0303
www.eotrading.com

Bertolucci’s: Old-School Italian Delights

San Francisco Italian food has a well-earned reputation as the finest of the red sauce palaces—traditional dishes are served with little regard for food trends of the day. We’re talking Chianti bottles on the tables, big piles of pasta, and sizable steaks. Bertolucci’s has been one of the foundations of the scene since opening in 1928. Originally a boardinghouse for steelworkers, the meals made by Mama Bertolucci started to get attention from more than just the residents, and it became a destination for diners from all over the city. Start with the antipasti platter to prepare your palate for what’s to come, and then proceed with Bertolucci’s excellent polenta, pillowy gnocchi, expertly-cooked steaks or whatever else on the menu strikes your fancy. The décor is straight out of Goodfellas, with the spacious dining room giving a serious Italian family-style vibe. This is an institution for a very good reason.

Bertolucci’s
421 Cypress Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 588-1625
www.sodinisbertoluccis.com

Barolo: A True Gem in Pacifica

If you’re looking for one of the most romantic Italian restaurants in the Bay Area, Pacifica’s Barolo is your go-to spot. Executive chef Jason Yeafoli is a graduate of the famed Johnson & Wales University, and he brings a tremendous passion for Italian cuisine to Barolo, which he also owns. The atmosphere is fantastically inviting from the minute you walk in the door—dark wood perfectly complements a blazing fire and flat-screen televisions playing classic black & white movies (without sound, of course). Once you’re seated, take a moment to notice the effortless quality of the service—regulars have nothing but praise for the staff. The menu is excellent from top to bottom, with regulars recommending the chef’s three-course special as an excellent, affordable introduction to what the place can do—before 6:30, it’s an incredible $24 for this spectacular meal. Diners also rave about the generously stuffed lobster ravioli, perfectly seared flatiron steak, and rich, juicy pot roast.

Barolo
404 San Pedro Avenue
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 355-5980
www.barolopacifica.com

Sam’s Grill: An Oyster Institution

Fresh seafood has been one of the biggest draws of the Bay Area for over a century, and if you want to sample the classic style of San Francisco oysters, Sam’s is the place to be. With a history stretching back to an open-air oyster market in 1867, Sam’s has grown over the years into one of the area’s most respected seafood joints. Regulars claim that the grilled fish is some of the best in town—the Cajun grilled swordfish receives a huge amount of praise. The Petrale sole is also raved about, as is the Frank’s special salad, an off-the-menu delight of a mammoth wedge of romaine lettuce and crab meat. The décor and service is resolutely old-school—some nights it’s difficult to find a single patron under 50—but if you’re looking for a totally unique Bay Area experience that sends you back in time, Sam’s is a can’t-miss.

Sam’s Grill
374 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 421-0594
www.belden-place.com/samsgrill

Mama’s: A North Beach Institution for Breakfast

If you're looking for a breakfast spot that will fill you up with comfort food, stop in to Mama’s and let the Sanchez family, who have run this unassuming café for over fifty years, treat you right. This North Beach institution often has lines snaking out the door because the food is just that good. The Northwest Omelet is a local favorite – amazing smoked salmon and savory grilled leeks are coupled with sour cream and served with the restaurant’s trademark red potatoes. The benedicts are also out of this world – try the fresh spinach & Dungeness crab variant. French toast is a major draw for Mama’s diners—chef Michael Sanchez has eleven varieties under his belt, each better than the last. You can order a sampler if you can’t make up your mind. Or incorporate it into an incredible, decadent Monte Cristo sandwich. It’s one of the city’s best.

Mama’s
1701 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 362-6421 ‎
www.mamas-sf.com

Gary Danko: Elegant, Decadent Dining for Special Evenings

For the finest dining experience San Francisco has to offer, look no further than the award-winning, five-star rated Gary Danko. Wowing food critics and locals alike, Gary Danko combines a relaxed California vibe with New York style and sensibility. The cuisine, with specialties like roast lobster, foie gras, and lamb loin, is sure to delight and impress any food lover. Guests are encouraged to experience everything Gary Danko’s has to offer with the prix-fixe menu offering three, four, or five-course meals that can be made up of whatever combination of entrées, appetizers, and desserts one desires. The service is outstanding, with head chef Gary Danko taking special care to give ongoing classes and tastings to the staff to keep them up-to-date with the menu and well-versed in the culinary arts. This combination of attentive staff, luxurious décor, and one-of-a-kind cuisine makes Gary Danko a forerunner in the San Francisco dining scene.

Gary Danko
800 N Point St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 749-2060
www.garydanko.com

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