Restaurants
Bay City Bar & Grill
747 3rd St.
San Francisco, CA 94107-1903
Phone: (415) 495-4002
Melinda and I went here for one of our bi-weekly dinners.
We both had the fixed price menu, which is a real deal. For $17.95 you
get: Melon and Prociutio, Salad with Vinaigrette or Manhattan Clam Chowder,
a main course of Clams and Shrimp in a Creamy Parmesan sauce with noodles
or Scaloppini with spinach in a red sauce or (didn't pay much attention
cause I don't like fish) fish or steak with a red wine sauce, and a desert
of Crème Brulee or Chocolate Mousse.
The melon was light and refreshing and complemented the Prociutio slices.
We both had the Salad with Vinaigrette, which used spring lettuce. The
vinaigrette was fairly light. I had the clams and shrimp. It was rich and
creamy without
being too heavy. The Parmesan served as just a touch of sharpness which
contrasted nicely with the cream dressing.
Melinda had the Scaloppini which was rich, flavorful, and tender. For
desert I had the Crème Brulee and Melinda had
the Chocolate Mousse. Our deserts were mini and cute and just the right
amuse bouche (amuse the mouth) for the end of an excellent meal. My Crème
Brulee was delightfully crispy and caramel creamy. Melinda's Chocolate
Mousse came in the
shape of a mouse with chocolate shaving ears. It was fairly light and
creamy.
The servers were both attentive and friendly.
The dining area is small and has a dark wood beamed charm. There is
a full bar at the other end of the restaurant and the place is obviously
hopping after a game at 3-Com park.
Il Fornaio
1265 Battery St
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 986-0100
On Valentine's Day, Crystal and I, having no guys to take us out, decided
to treat ourselves to a fine meal. We dressed up in fancy suits in our
Catwoman and Harley personas (which is kind of hard to tell just by looking
at us since it means that our suits followed the color scheme of our characters
- Crystal's was a light creamy brown with some leopard print accessories
and mine was black and red). Anyway, Crystal suggested Il Fornaio from
previous experience and I heartily commend her choice. This cozy Italian
restaurant had atmosphere, fine wine, excellent food, and prompt service.
We sat on the patio surrounded by a pretty plaza, potted plants, and a
fountain. With the heat lamps on, we were toasty warm on a cold night and
shed our jackets for dining.
We started off with some amazing bread, baked at the adjoining bakery,
with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. We chose an Italian
wine - Verdicchi dei Castelli di Jesi, Villa Beatrice, 1999 - which was
a crisp, dry white with a floral bouquet, clean finish, and hints of citrus
(orange peel) and green apple that warmed in your mouth with each swallow.
We mixed and matched plates from the regular menu and the special regional
menu which changes each week and focuses on the cuisine from a specific
region of Italy.
Crystal had a green salad with crab meat, a vinaigrette dressing, and
lemon - light and fresh tasting. I had a warm spinach salad with bacon,
tomato, onions, mushrooms, an unidentified but yummy cheese, and warm vinaigrette
dressing. For the main course, Crystal had venison ravioli in a tomato
sauce with artichoke hearts and mushrooms. I had lobster ravioli in a lobster
cream sauce with shrimp and a touch of lemon. Dessert was also amazing.
Crystal had a chocolate mouse with raspberry sauce (very chocolaty but
not too rich). I had a pumpkin Creme Brulee with burnt sugar crust, cinnamon,
and lemon peel which was sinfully rich and delicious.
Our waiter faithfully filled our wine glasses whenever they got low
and nicely timed the arrival of each course. The total bill came to just
under $100 including wine and tip. I'd highly recommend this restaurant
for a special night out.
Ginger Island
1820 4th Street
Berkeley, CA
Phone: (510) 644-0444
I love Ginger Island. They have tasty food and a nice, open, clean atmosphere.
Also the 4th street area has been wonderfully revitalized and there are
plenty of shops for the casual and kitchy browse.
Anyway, Karen, Alex, and I went to Ginger Island for dinner, before
Gaskell's.
Well, actually Alex took us out to dinner since we let him sleep on our
couch. I'm not sure it was a fair exchange. Dinner was incredible and it
is just a couch. But, whatever.
Karen had duck and both Alex and I had the lamb shank with spinach,
rosemary potatoes and gorgonzola cheese. (Both plates roughly $18.)
The lamb was so tender, I practically didn't need a steak knife. The
meat was rich and flavorful without being gamy. The flavor of the gorgonzola
cheese was a tangy complement to the smoky savor of the meat.
Karen's duck was also delicious and tasted like it had been soaked in
honey. Sweet, but not cloying.
Both Karen and I had a glass of the House Cabernet, which was smooth
and round in the mouth with just a hint of black cherry.
Karen and I shared a Crème Brulee. It was as smooth and creamy
as a crème should be.
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