BERKELEY, OAKLAND, AND SAN FRANCISCO RESTAURANTS

STEVE SUGARMAN'S

BOALT HALL DINING GUIDE

Please send comments/additions to:
sugarman@law.berkeley.edu

In the table of contents, click on the blue links to skip to the section of the guide that you're interested in.

Click here to view Drink, Eat, and Be Merry, a special supplement to the guide featuring East Bay restaurants with full liquor licenses where you can sit at the bar and eat

Table of Contents

I. East Bay Dining

Alphabetical List

A. Good Choices

B. Options By Neighborhood

1. College Avenue and Telegraph Avenue

2. Oakland Hills

3. Downtown Oakland/Jack London Square/Chinatown

4. Piedmont Avenue/Grand Avenue

5. Solano Avenue Area

6. Emeryville/West Berkeley

7. Downtown Berkeley

C. Reader/Viewer Recommendations

II. San Francisco Dining

A. Top Places
B. Other Good Places
C. Reader/Viewer Recommendations

III. Palo Alto Dining

Steve Sugarman's Boalt Hall Dining Guide

I. East Bay Dining (area code 510)

Alphabetical List

Adesso -- 4395 Piedmont, Oakland (601-0305)

A Coté -- 5478 College, Oakland (655-6469)

Adagia -- 2700 Bancroft, Berkeley (647-2300)

Ajanta -- 1888 Solano, Berkeley (526-4373)

B Restaurant -- 499 9th Street, Oakland (251-8770)

Barlata -- 4901 Telegraph, Oakland (450-0678)

Barney's -- 5819 College, Oakland (601-0444)

Ba Vo -- 416 13th Street, Oakland (832-1429)

Bay Wolf -- 3853 Piedmont, Oakland (655-6004)

Bellanico -- 4236 Park Blvd, Oakland (336-1180)

Breads of India -- 2448 Sacramento, Berkeley (848-7684); and 948 Clay, Oakland (834-7684)

Bucci's -- 6121 Hollis, Emeryville (547-4725)

Cafe Bistro Rendez Vous --1111 Solano, Albany 527-4111

Café Fanny -- 1603 San Pablo, Berkeley (524-5447)

Café Rouge -- 1782 Fourth St., Berkeley (525-1440)

Café Rustica -- 5422 College, Oakland (654-1601)

Caffe 817 -- on Washington Oakland (271-7965)

Cesar -- 1515 Shattuck, Berkeley (883-0222); and 4039 Piedmont, Oakland (985-1200)

Cha Am Thai -- 1543 Shattuck, Berkeley (848-9664)

Chez Panisse Café -- 1517 Shattuck, Berkeley (548-5049); the Restaurant (548-5525)

Citron -- 5484 College, Oakland (653-5484)

Corso Trattoria -- 1786 Shattuck, Berkeley (704-8004)

Digs Bistro -- 1453 Dwight, Berkeley (548-2322)

Dona Tomas -- 5004 Telegraph, Oakland(450-0522)

Dopo -- 4293 Piedmont, Oakland (652-3676)

Downtown -- 2102 Shattuck, Berkeley (649-3810)

Eccolo -- 1820 Fourth St., Berkeley (644-0444)

Filippo's Pastaria -- 5400 College, Oakland (601-8646); 2930 College (644-3848)

Flora -- 1900 Telegraph, Oakland (286-0100)

Fonda -- 1501 Solano, Albany (559-9006)

Franklin Square Wine Bar -- 2212 Broadway, Oakland (251-0100)

900 Grayson -- 900 Grayson, Berkeley (704-9900)

Garibaldis -- 5356 College, Oakland (595-4000)

Gordo Taqueria -- 2989 College, Berkeley (204-9027)

Great China -- 2115 Kittredge, Berkeley (843-7996)

Gregoire -- 2109 Cedar, Berkeley (883-1893)

Hong Kong East Ocean -- 3199 Powell, Emeryville (655-3388)

Ichiro -- 412 15th Street, Oakland (452-1994)

Il Porcellino -- 6111 LaSalle, Oakland (339-2149)

Italian Colors -- 2220 Mountain Blvd, Oakland (482-8094)

Kabana Restaurant -- 1106 University, Berkeley (845-3355)

Khana Peena --5326 College, Oakland (658-2300) Plus other locales

King Yen -- 2995 College, Berkeley (845-1286)

Kirala -- 2100 Ward, Berkeley (549-3486)

Lalime's -- 1329 Gilman, Berkeley (527-9838)

La Méditerranée -- 2936 College, Berkeley (540-7773)

La Note -- 2377 Shattuck, Berkeley (843-1535)

Le Cheval -- 1007 Clay Street, Oakland (763-8495)

Liaison -- 1849 Shattuck, Berkeley (849-2155)

Lo Coco's -- 4270 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland(652-6222)

Luka's Tap Room and Lounge -- 2221 Broadway (Grand), Oakland (451-4677)

Marica Seafood -- 5301 College Avenue, Oakland (985-8388)

Marzano -- 4214 Park Blvd., Oakland (531-4500)

Mezze -- 3407 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (663-2500)

Milano Restaurant -- 3425 Grand, Oakland (763-0300)

Montclair Bistro -- 6118 Medau Place, Oakland (482-8282)

Mua -- 2442 Webster, Oakland (238-1100)

Nan Yang -- 6048 College, Oakland (655-3298)

Ninna -- 4066 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland (601-6441)

Nizza La Bella -- 825 San Pablo, Albany (526-2552)

O Chamé -- 1830 Fourth St., Berkeley (841-8783)

Oliveto -- 5655 College, Oakland (547-5356)

Ozumo -- 2251 Broadway, Oakland (286-9866)

Pappo -- 2320 Central, Alameda (337-9100)

Pho 84 --354 17th, Oakland (832-1338)

Paragon Bar and Cafe -- in the Claremont Hotel (549-8585)

Pizzaiola -- 5008 Telegraph, Oakland (652-4888)

Plearn Thai -- 2050 University, Berkeley (841-2148)

Post Meridian -- 1568 Oakview, Kensington (525-1350)

Riva Cucina -- 800 Heinz, Berkeley (841-7482)

Rivoli -- 1539 Solano, Berkeley (526-2542)

Scott's -- 2 Broadway, Oakland (444-3456)

Sea Salt -- 2512 San Pablo, Berkeley (883-1720)

Shen Hua -- 2914 College, Berkeley (883-1777)

Sidebar -- 542 Grand, Oakland (452-9500)

Six Degrees on Solano -- 1403 Solano, Albany (528-1237)

Skates -- 100 Seawall Drive, Berkeley (549-1900)

Soi4 Bangkok Eatery -- 5421 College, Oakland (655-0889)

Soizic Bistro-Café -- 300 Broadway, Oakland (251-8100)

Somerset – 5912 College, Oakland (428-1823)

Spengers -- 4th and Hearst, Berkeley (845-7771)

Spettro -- 3355 Lakeshore, Oakland (465-8320)

Tachibana -- 5812 College, Oakland (654-3668)

Tamarindo -- 468 8th St., Oakland (444-1944)

Townhouse Bar & Grill -- 5862 Doyle, Emeryville (652-6151)

T-Rex -- 1300 10th St, Berkeley (527-0099)

Trattoria La Siciliana -- 2993 College, Berkeley (704-1474)

Unicorn -- 2533 Telegraph, Berkeley (841-8098)

Uzen -- 5415 College, Oakland (654-7753)

Vanessa's -- 1715 Solano, Berkeley (525-8300)

Venezia -- 1799 University, Berkeley (849-4681)

Venus -- 2327 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (540-5950)

Verbena -- 14th and Broadway, Oakland (465-9300)

Vien Huong -- 712 Franklin, Oakland (465-5938)

Vik's -- 726 Allston, Berkeley (644-4412)

Viva Voce Cafe -- 5761 Thornhill, Oakland (339-0990)

Water Lounge -- 5634 College, Oakland (654-5426)

Wood Tavern -- 6317 College, Oakland (654-6607)

Yoshi's -- 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland (238-9200)

Zachary's -- 5801 College, Oakland (655-6385); 1853 Solano, Berkeley (525-5950)

A. Good Choices

Chez Panisse Café -- 1517 Shattuck (Cedar), Berkeley (548-5049) Chez Panisse's regular restaurant downstairs is marvelous, but it has long become a "destination" place where we rarely eat anymore. But upstairs in the cafe remains one of our East Bay favorites.

A Cote -- 5478 College (Lawton), Oakland (655-6469) Lively French/American tapas place. Full Bar. Very tasty. Festive. Charming outdoor back patio.

Wood Tavern 6317 College (Alcatraz), Oakland (654-6607) Lively local with a nicely varied menu. Very popular. Very tasty food. Very welcoming hosts. Excellent bar, if you can get a seat.

Garibaldis -- 5356 College (Hudson), Oakland (595-4000) (next to the Rockridge Library) Some fine dishes. NY-style lively atmosphere. Great martinis.

Mua -- 2442 Webster, Oakland (238-1100) terrific new trendy lounge, terrific food and more. From the Soizic people. In what looks like a former car body shop, very Brooklyn. Although my wife and I loved it, our daugher and son in law were less keen.

Oliveto -- 5655 College (Rockridge BART), Oakland (547-5356) Our local has become a "destination" restaurant. The downstairs cafe is very good with a fine, but small, bar.

Cesar -- 4039 Piedmont Avenue (40th), Oakland (883-0222) Terrific Oakland sister to well established Berkeley boite. Great tapas. Great ambience. Immediately a hit.

Townhouse Bar & Grill -- 5862 Doyle, Emeryville (652-6151) Go for a good time, good food, good drinks, maybe even sit outside in warm weather. Good bar. Not pretentious.

Citron -- 5484 College (Lawton), Oakland (653-5484) They also have a charming inside/outside heated room in the back. The food is excellent. Aattentive service.

Bay Wolf -- 3853 Piedmont, Oakland (655-6004) Almost always delicious. Nice heated patio, especially in warmer weather.

O Chamé -- 1830 Fourth St., Berkeley (841-8783) An East Bay treasure; unusual Japanese food in charming setting.

Soizic Bistro-Café -- 300 Broadway (3rd St.), Oakland (251-8100) Comfortable, tasty and an appealing menu, and I like the fact that downtown Oakland has such a good place.

B. Options By Neighborhood

College Avenue and Telegraph Avenue

A Cote - see above

Adagia -- at the UC Campus, 2700 Bancroft at College (in Westminster House)(647-2300). Very attractive venture of the Caffe Strada team. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Inventive menu. Very lively at lunch; calmer in the evening.

Barlata -- 4901 Telegraph, Oakland (450-0678) Spanish Tapas in a lively setting. Tasty food, nice service. Try it.

Barney's Hamburgers -- 5819 College (OceanView), Oakland (601-0444) Popular chain, but not my favorite.

Café Rustica -- 5422 College (Hudson), Oakland (654-1601) Pretty good pizza.

Citron -- see above

Dona Tomas 5004 Telegraph (51st), Oakland(450-0522), a very pleasant Mexican restaurant with a good bar and wonderful outside seating, especially in warm weather.-

Filippo's Pastaria -- 5400 College (Taft), Oakland (601-8646) Cheap, casual, Italian. Another Filippo's is in the Elmwood at 2930College (644-3848)-- nicer looking; similar menu.

Garibaldis -- see above

Gordo Taqueria -- 2989 College (Ashby), Berkeley (204-9027) Great take out burritos.

Khana Peena --5326 College (near Broadway), Oakland (658-2300) Good enough Indian food (mixed reviews) in attractive surroundings. (Other East Bay branch at 1889 Solano)

King Yen -- 2995 College (Ashby), Berkeley (845-1286) Old reliable Chinese.

La Méditerranée -- 2936 College (Ashby), Berkeley (540-7773) Informal, Middle-Eastern(ish).

Marica -- 5301 College Avenue (near Broadway), Oakland (985-8388). Seafood restaurant. Attractive setting. Some excellent dishes.

Nan Yang -- 6048 College (Claremont), Oakland (655-3298) Pleasing Burmese.

Oliveto - see above

Paragon Bar and Cafe -- not on College, but in the Claremont Hotel (549-8585) Great views, an outdoor patio where you can eat, slick bar, so-so food.

Pizzaiola -- 5008 Telegraph (51st), Oakland (652-4888) Hot pizza and more place. No reservations. Very crowded. Lots of fun, but very noisy.

Shen Hua -- 2914 College (Ashby), Berkeley (883-1777). Large attractive Chinese in the Elmwood. Noisy

Somerset -- 5912 College (Chabot), Oakland (428-1823). Oakland Neighborhood place. So-so service. Mixed quality, but some tasty items.

Soi4 Bangkok Eatery -- 5421 College (Hudson/Manila), Oakland (655-0889). Nice Thai food in Rockridge. Quite popular.

Tachibana -- 5812 College (Chabot), Oakland (654-3668) Very good sushi indeed. Friendly service. Sit at the sushi bar for the most fun and ask the main chef to prepare what he likes best: "omakase shimas"

Trattoria La Siciliana -- 2993 College (Ashby), Berkeley (704-1474) Home style fairly simple food, nicely prepared. Informal.

Unicorn -- 2533 Telegraph (near Dwight Way), Berkeley (841-8098) Unusual and enjoyable Asian-fusion food; attentive service, friendly host, attractive for a modest Telegraph Ave place.

Uzen -- 5415 College (Hudson), Oakland (654-7753) Can be fine sushi. Simple.

Water Lounge -- 5634 College (Rockridge BART), Oakland (654-5426) Formerly Pearl, untried by us in its new roll-out.

Wood Tavern - see above

Zachary's -- 5801 College (OceanView), Oakland (655-6385) Midwest-style deep dish pizza (but not as good as the original). A second Zach's is located on Solano Ave.

Oakland Hills

Bellanico -- 4236 Park Blvd, Oakland (336-1180) Italian, no reservations, so far untried by us.

Il Porcellino -- 6111 LaSalle, Oakland (339-2149) Animated Montclair Italian place. Fairly ordinary and somewhat disappointing food.

Italian Colors -- 2220 Mountain Blvd (Montclair) (482-8094). Ok Italian. Good enough food.

Marzano -- 4214 Park Blvd., Oakland (531-4500) Pizza, small plates, and good ambience from the Girabaldi team.

Montclair Bistro -- 6118 Medau Place, Oakland (482-8282) Welcome addition to Montclair. Nice bar. Good food. Friendly service.

Piedmont Ave/Grand Ave

Adesso -- 4395 Piedmont, Oakland (601-0305). More Italian treats from the Dopo crew. Drinks and tapas are great; wonderfully lively scene.

BayWolf -- see above

Cesar -- see above

Dopo -- 4293 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland (652-3676). Very tasty pizza and other Italian items. Attractive place with some outside seating. Very popular and expect long waits for a table.

Lo Coco's -- 4270 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland (652-6222). Friendly pasta place.

Mezze -- 3407 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland (663-2500) Appealing Mediterranean place. Attractive. Ambitous and tasty food. Very friendly service. Nice bar.

Milano Restaurant -- 3425 Grand, Oakland (763-0300) Pleasant Italian.

Ninna -- 4066 Piedmont Avenue (near the cinema), Oakland (601-6441). Semi-fusion, new American food with Thai overtones. Friendly service. Good food. Quiet.

Sidebar -- 542 Grand, Oakland (452-9500). Comfortable food in a nice Lake Merritt locale by the former Zax people. Good bar scene.

Spettro -- 3355 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland (465-8320) A very popular, somewhat zany, casual Italian place with OK food.

Downtown Oakland/Jack London Square/Chinatown

B Restaurant -- 499 9th Street (Washington) in Old Oakland (251-8770) Yet another venture (this time with some ambitious cooking) in a very nice space.

Ba Vo -- 416 13th Street, Oakland (832-1429) Trendy Vientnamese untried by us.

Breads of India -- 948 Clay Oakland (834-7684) Good indian food. Said to be (even) better than the original Berkeley locale.

Caffe 817 Washington Oakland (271-7965) Friendly Italian cafe for breakfast and lunch in Old Oakland.

Flora -- 1900 Telegraph (19th), Oakland (286-0100) Jazzy-look place from the Dona Tomas folks. Lively and noisy. Good food.

Franklin Square Wine Bar -- 2212 Broadway (22nd), Oakland (251-0100) Very small and reasonably attractive wine bar with a modest menu of tasty items. Crowded for lunch. Try this "uptown" Oakland for dinner.

Ichiro -- 412 15th Street (Franklin),Oakland (452-1994 ). Terrific and low priced Japanese food (sushi, sashimi and more) in the heard of downtown Oakland. Friendly host,some unusual dishes, & good sake list.

Le Cheval -- 1007 Clay Street, Oakland (763-8495) Good Vietnamese, but noisy.

Luka's Tap Room and Lounge -- 2221 Broadway (Grand), Oakland (451-4677). Revitalized, even hip place in Oakland's "updown" district. Very lively at lunch. Try it for dinner. Good enough food.

Mua -- see above -- 2442 Webster, Oakland (238-1100) terrific new trendy lounge, food and more. From the Soizic people.

Ozumo -- 2251 Broadway, Oakland (286-9866). Hot bar scene with mixed views of the the Japanese food, a SF spin-off.

Pho 84 -- Good Vietnamese food.  Occasionally you have to wait for a table. (354 17th St, Downtown Oakland)

Scott's -- 2 Broadway (Jack London Square), Oakland (444-3456), and other locations. Nice for a drink and view; pretty good fish.

Soizic -- see above

Tamarindo -- 468 8th St in Old Oakland (444-1944). Terrific family run, Mexican tapas place. Charming and popular. No reservations.

Verbena In the APL building at 14th and Broadway (465-9300), very handsome downtown Oakland place to eat with good Italian cooking.

Vien Huong 712 Franklin (Chinatown), Oakland (465-5938) Authentic, casual, Vietnamese place

Yoshi's -- 510 Embarcadero West (Jack London Square), Oakland (238-9200) Said to be now first rate Japanese food with great music.

Solano Avenue Area

Ajanta -- 1888 Solano, Berkeley (526-4373) Good Indian food.

Cafe Bistro Rendez-Vous -- 1111 Solano (527-4111). Casual. French New to me.

Fonda 1501 Solano Avenue, Albany (559-9006). Tapas and bar scene. Much praised by locals.

Lalime's -- 1329 Gilman, Berkeley (527-9838) Very popular. Many readers claim it is their very favorite in the East Bay.

Nizza La Bella -- 825 San Pablo (just North of Solano), Albany (526-2552). French/italian riveria bistro sort of place (think Nice, France). Attractive appearance; some pretty good dishes.

Rivoli -- 1539 Solano Ave. (Nielson & Peralta), Berkeley (526-2542) Physically attractive, Rivoli is uneven in my opinion. Many praise it very highly and my last meal there was excellent.

Vanessa's -- 1715 Solano, Berkeley(525-8300). Small, lively, Vietnamese tapas place with a French twist offers a huge number of mouth-watering small plate options.

Zachary's -- 1853 Solano, Berkeley (525-5950) See College Avenue.

Emeryville/West Berkeley

Breads of India -- 2448 Sacramento (Dwight), Berkeley (848-7684)Nice Indian cuisine, but often a long wait for a table.

Bucci's -- 6121 Hollis, Emeryville (547-4725) Hip Italian, sometimes with an attitude.

Café Fanny -- 1603 San Pablo (Cedar), Berkeley (524-5447) Fabulous egg salad sandwiches, charming, breakfast/lunch

Café Rouge -- 1782 Fourth St., Berkeley(525-1440) We find that sitting at the bar for burgers and fries can be marvelous.

Digs Bistro -- 1453 Dwight, Berkeley (548-2322) A nice replacement for the much enjoyed Olivia. Very good food. Trying hard. Try it please.

Eccolo -- 1820 Fourth St. (Hearst), Berkeley (644-0444). An attrative and ambitious restaurant run by former Chez Panisse people.

Hong Kong East Ocean -- 3199 Powell, Emeryville (655-3388) On the Emeryville spit, some great views, some great food, huge.

Kabana Restaurant, 1106 University (San Pablo), Berkeley (845-3355). Very unassuming Pakistani eatery with friendly host and good food (also take-away).

O Chame -- see above

Riva Cucina -- 800 Heinz, Berkeley (841-7482) Hidden away Italian place. Attractive. Tasty. Noisy. Very friendly service.

Sea Salt 2512 San Pablo (Dwight Way),Berkeley (883-1720). Seafood in a suddenly hip block. Tasty food. Mixed service. A venture of the Lalime folks.

Skates -- 100 Seawall Drive (Berkeley Marina), Berkeley (549-1900) Good views and drinks, mixed food, great variety.

Spengers -- 4th and Hearst, Berkeley (845-7771). Huge. Famous. Mixed reviews.

Townhouse -- see above

T-Rex 1300 10th St (Gilman) Berkeley(527-0099). Bar-b-que (ribs, etc.) place by the LaLime group. Goregous space. Uneven food quality. Many have been disappointed.

Vik's 726 Allston, Berkeley (644-4412). New Locale. Casual Indian food, best for lunch, lots more choices (and crowds) on weekends.

Downtown Berkeley

Bar César -- 1515 Shattuck, Berkeley (883-0222) Very animated tapas and bar scene next to Chez Panisse. Lots of fun. Noisy. The newer Piedmont Avenue version is even better.

Cha Am Thai -- 1543 Shattuck, Berkeley (848-9664) Good Thai, but disappointing to some.

Chez Panisse -- see above

Downtown -- 2102 Shattuck (Addison), Berkeley (649-3810). Ambitious restaurant near "theatre row." Live music. Recent mixed reviews.

Great China -- 2115 Kittredge St (Oxford), Berkeley (843-7996). A modestly unassuming place with terrific Peking Duck, plus some marvelous specials (like mung bean noodles or fresh crab sandwiches chinese style)

Gregoire -- 2109 Cedar (Shattuck), Berkeley (883-1893). Take way (or two outside tables) of terrific french-inspired snack food at lunch; also dinner take-away (Now a second Gregoire on Piedmont Avenue which is not nearly as good).

Kirala -- 2100 Ward (Shattuck), Berkeley (549-3486). Some call this the best Japanese restaurant outside of Japan (not me). Long lines all the time.

La Note -- 2377 Shattuck, Downtown Berkeley (843-1535) Charming outdoor back garden. Tasty lunches.

Liaison -- 1849 Shattuck (Hearst) Berkeley (849-2155). Another pleasing option near campus. Bistro food in a nice setting.

Plearn Thai -- 2050 University, Berkeley (841-2148) Good Thai

Venezia -- 1799 University, Berkeley (849-4681) Enjoyable Italian, amusing interior.

Venus -- 2327 Shattuck Avenue (near Durant), Downtown Berkeley, (540-5950) So-so for a quick, simple meal before the movies or theater or for lunch.

C. Reader/Viewer Recommendations

Udupi Palace -- Said to have excellent South Indian food on University Ave at MLK

Indus Village -- Modest but very good Pakistani food near University and San Pablo

II. San Francisco (area code 415)

A. Some Top Places

Warning: Karen and I have largely stopped going to these sorts of places, so this list and my comments are increasingly getting out of date.

Boulevard -- 1 Misson (Steuart) 543-6084 Continues to be marvelous. My S F. favorite, and a favorite place of voters in the Zagat guide.

Gary Danko -- 800 N Point (Hyde) 749-2060. Fine tasting menu. Beautiful presentation. Modern elegant place. Delicious. Karen's favorite. Zagat top rated.

Fleur de Lys -- 777 Sutter (Jones & Taylor) 673-7779 Divine food. Possibly a bit too formal and fussy for me.

Aqua -- 252 California (Battery) 956-9662. I have had some splendid and extravagant meals there. Some find it over-rated.

Jardinière -- 300 Grove (Franklin) 861-5555 A tasting menu was sublime. Eating off the regular menu was less good.

Masa -- Hotel Vintage Court, 648 Bush St. (Powell & Stockton) 989-7154. Some say it is still among San Francisco's best.

B. Other SF Places I Enjoy (vaguely in order of preference):

Warning: Karen and I increasingly dine in the East Bay and so many of these reports are increasingly out of date.

Delfina -- 3621 18th Street (between Guererro and Delores) 552-4055 Named after my favorite place in Italy. Charming neighborhood place. Splendid food. Very popular and deservedly so, but noisy.

Maki -- on the second floor of the Kinokuniya Building off Post Street in Japantown (921-5215) This is a charming and tiny (15 seats) authentic Japanese restaurant. Quite refined food, especially the off menu appetizers. Classy place with welcoming service.

Foreign Cinema -- 2534 Mission St. (21st & 22nd) 648-7600 Very hip, lively, terrific food.

Plouf -- 40 Belden Pl. (Bush & Pine) 986-6491 Casual alley place. Very French. Seafood. Wonderfully lively for lunch.

South Park Café -- 108 South Park (near 3rd and Bryant) 495-7275 As always, a wonderful feeling, good food, and a bit noisy.

Chez Papa, 1401 18th St (Missouri) 255-0387. Lively Portrero Hill neighborhood gem, wonderful small plates.

Bocadillos 710 Montgomery (at Washington) Very lively tapas place (from the owner of Piperade). Not really like being in San Sabastian, but still terrific tastes. Friendly service. Not expensive. Definitely worth trying.

Aperto -- 1434 18th ( Connecticut) 252-1625. In the Portrero, a charming little neighborhood trattoria. Tasty food.

Hayes Street Grill -- 320 Hayes St. (Franklin) 863-5545 A favorite (for fish) near the Opera house.

Quince 1701 Octavia (Bush) 775-8500. An immediate hit. Our one visit was good, not great. Very nice food and helpful service.

Rubicon -- 558 Sacramento (Montgomery) 434-4100. Marvelous wine list. A classy place with fine food. Expensive. Not too noisy.

Farallon -- 450 Post Street (Mason and Powell) 956-6969. Dazzling (over the top) decor, pricey. A private dining room meal there was terrific.

Postrio -- 545 Post (Mason) 776-7825. Mixed reviews; be sure to sit in the main room.

Jeanty at Jack's 615 Sacramento (Montgomery) 693-0941. The old Jack's has been taken over by the Jeanty folks from Yountville. Stylish, appealing french food. Mixed service.

Lark Creek Steak 845 Market Street (5th) 593-4100. In the new Bloomingdale's "Mall" near Powell and Market, a branch of Brad Ogden's very good Marin "Lark Creek Inn." Attractive. Good food.

Grand Cafe -- 501 Geary (Taylor) 292-0101 Large attractive room. Convenient before the theater.

Andalu -- 3198 16th (Guerrero) 621-2323. Very trendy. Good small plate selections.

Bistro Chapeau! -- 1408 Clement St. (15th Ave.) 750-9787 Splendid wines. Tasty, ambitious food. Pleasing ambience.

Azie -- 826 Folsom (Fourth) 538-0918. SoMa trendy. Great looking (ask for a booth). Excellent wine list.

Restaurant LuLu -- 816 Folsom St. (4th & 5th Sts.) 495-5775 Trendy, attractive, and very good food off the rotisserie.

Kokkari Estiatorio -- 200 Jackson (Front) 981-0983 Upscale Greek food. Attractive interior. A huge success. (sister of Evvia in Palo Alto).

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar -- 398 Hayes St. (Gough) 551-1590 Good near the Opera house. Comfy and lots of appealing choices.

Kuleto's -- 221 Powell (Geary and O'Farrell, in the Villa Florence Hotel) 397-7720 Reliable, near the theatre district. Attractive and tasty. Much of the restaurant is noisy.

Piperade - 1015 Battery (Green) 391-2555. Basque food. Pleasant and pleasing. Not too pricey.

Market Bar 1 Ferry Plaza (Market) 434-1100 In the Ferry Building. Pleasant bistro food.

Cortez 550 Geary in the Hotel Adagio (Jones) (292-6360). A sleek place to go for shared plates. I don't get the name, but the food is good and attractive. Near the theaters.

Da Flora -- 701 Columbus Ave (Filbert Street) 981 4664. Beach Italian, Small, casual, authentic, tasty food.

Zuppa -- Italian on Fourth near Brannan. Slick. Friendly. Very good food.

Cafe Claude -- 7 Claude Lane 392-3515. Near Bush and Kearny. Feels like a Paris boite. Great fun for lunch

Hyde Street Bistro -- 1521 Hyde St. (Jackson and Pacific) 292-4415 Charming. Inexpensive. Very good French food.

Baldoria -- 2162 Larkin (Union) 447-04441. Very friendly, neighborhood Italian dining. Nice buzz.

Antica Trattoria -- 2400 Polk (Union) 928-5797 Welcoming host. Good but unassuming food.

Elan Vital -- 1556 Hyde (Jackson & Pacific) 929-7309 Cosy, quiet, neighborhood place with some good food, some so-so.

Yabbies Coastal Kitchen -- 2237 Polk (Green & Vallejo) 474-4088 Good seafood.

Blowfish Sushi -- 2170 Bryant (20th St.) 285-3848 Way cool Japanese place on the edge of the Mission with lots of young hip people eating there.

Universal Cafe -- 2814 19th St 2018 (Florida) 821-4608. Less star-struck than before, now a simpler neighborhood place with appealing food and helpful service, and in a neighborhood without too much competition.

Chaya Brasserie -- 132 Embarcadero (Mission) 777-8688. French/Japanese import from LA. Glittery, good drinks, OK food.

Slanted Door -- 1 Ferry Plaza (Market) 861.8032 A great favorite of many people. In the Ferry Building. To me it is too noisy, but the place has buzz and the food is unusual and attractively presented.

MoMo's -- 760 Second (King) 227-8660 Right across from Pacific Bell SBC ballpark, MoMo's has a large inviting patio for drinking and eating, plus a very attractive interior. OK food. Young lively crowd.

Le Colonial -- 20 Cosmo Place (near Post and Taylor) 931-3600 On the old Trader Vic's location, this new-to-look-old quasi-Vietnamese place has a marvelous bar upstairs, an attractive dining room, and OK food. Good for visitors and before the theater.

Rose Pistola -- 532 Columbus Ave. (Union and Green) 399-0499 Very popular North Beach Italian, fun, some excellent dishes, but I've had poor service.

Ozumo -- 161 Steuart (Mission) 882-1333 Physically attractive Japanese with OK food.

Waterfront -- Pier 7 at The Embarcadero and Broadway 391-2696. Mixed reviews. Fabulous views. Some love the food, others think it has gone downhill (including me). Eat on one of the patios if weather permits.

B-44 -- 44 Belden Place (Bush and Pine) 986-6287. Popular Spanish place in "hot" alley of many restaurants with european feel. OK tapas. Extremely noisy inside.

The Ramp -- 855 China Basin (On the Bay at the end of Mariposa) 621-2378. Very casual, outside dining with fine burgers and sometimes live music. Great fun in nice weather.

Kelly's Mission Rock Resort -- 817 China Basin (east of Third St., near Mariposa) 626-5355 So-so food and service, but a large outdoor patio that can be fun in nice weather.

Betelnut Pejiu Wu -- 2030 Union (Buchanan) 929-8855 Very popular Union Street pan-Asian. Ordinary food. Too pretentious for me.

Fringale -- 570 Fourth St. (Brannan & Bryant) 543-0573 Many love this SOMA place, but not me.

Zuni Cafe -- 1658 Market (Franklin) 552-2522. Near the Civic Center, professional critics love it, chefs are said to go there on their time off. I've often been disappointed. Good things frequently offset with bad - whether the food, the staff or something else. Now with a new team at the top.

C. Reader/Viewer Recommendations

Albona -- 545 Francisco Street (441-1040). North Beach Istrian and highly touted.

Ana Mandara -- 891 Beach (Ghiardelli Square) 771-6800. Said to be marvelous Vietnamese food in spectacular setting.

Anjou -- 44 Campton Pl. (392-5373) Cozy traditional French off Union Square within walking distance of the theatre. Haven't been in a long time.

Bacar -- 448 Brannan (Third/Fourth) 904-4100. Much ballyhoo about this trendy wine bar with upscale priced food.

Cafe Kati -- 1963 Sutter (Fillmore) 775-7313. Long popular Asian fusion with vertical food.

Cosmopolitan -- 121 Spear 543-4001. Latest incarnation of much loved Etrusca in the Rincon Center, and may be a financial winner this time.

EOS Restaurant and Wine Bar -- 901 Cole St. (Carl) 566-3063 Thought to be fine Cole Valley place; sounds splendid.

Firefly -- 4288 24th St. (Douglas and Diamond) 821-7652 Nice Noe Valley neighborhood place; we enjoyed some years ago.

Greens -- at Fort Mason 771-6222. Always had a divine water view. Wonderful room. Vegetarian food. Used to be great. Haven't been in a long time.

La Folie -- 2316 Polk St. (Green and Union) 776-5577 Thought great by many, perhaps among the very best; my last visit several years ago was extremely disappointing -- pretentious and not tasty.

Ritz Carlton -- 600 Stockton (Pine and California) 296-7465 Two places: Dining Room (more elegant) and Terrace. Many love, perhaps in the top five in the city.

Scala's Bistro -- 432 Powell (Post and Sutter in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel) 395-8555 Casual and fun for many. I was disappointed. Haven't been in along time.

Town Hall -- 342 Howard St (near the East Bay Bus Terminal) 908-3900 Appealing look. Well recommended.

Washington Sq Bar and Grill -- 1707 Powell (Union) 982-8123. Haven't been in years.

III. Palo Alto Area Dining (area code 650)

In the past, one unattractive thing about Stanford had been the lack of good places to eat in and around Palo Alto. But this is now much changed.

Left Bank -- 635 Santa Cruz Ave. (Doyle) 473-6543 Perhaps my favorite in Palo Alto area. Feels a bit like La Coupole in Paris.

Café Brioche -- 445 California Ave. (El Camino Real) 326-8640 Informal but very charming. Quite tasty food.

Evvia -- 420 Emerson St. (Lytton & University) 326-0983. Greek-American. Good food. Nice ambience.

Zibibbo Restaurant -- 430 Kipling (Lytton & University) 328-6722 Big, attractive place, connected to S.F.'s LuLu. A lot going for it.

Osteria -- 247 Hamilton Ave. (Ramona) 328-5700 Simple Italian. Tasty.

Flea Street Café -- 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas (Avy), Menlo Park 854-1226 Friendly, cosy, place. Surprisingly ambitious.

Straits Café -- 3295 El Camino Real (Lambert) 494-7168 Singapore food. Branch of S.F. place. Unusual. Worth a try. Be wary of the service.

Miyake -- High and University. Large, busy, Japanese spot with ok sushi.

Gordon Biersch Brewery -- 640 Emerson St. (Forest & Hamilton) 323-7723 OK brew pub food. Branch of S.F. place.

Recommendations from readers:

Trattoria Buon Gusto-- 651-H Maloney Lane , (Between Oak Grove & Santa Cruz Av.), Menlo Park ( 650- 328-2778)
Well lighted, small place serves home style good Northern Italian food, not expensive.