Tokyo House: Great Sushi, Great Prices

Located in Daly City, the Tokyo House proves that you don’t have to hit the big city to find big taste. Tokyo House is open every day for lunch and dinner. Lunch is a great time to come to Tokyo House, where the lunch specials really shine. How about a California roll, tempura, and teriyaki combo for just $6.50, which includes miso soup, salad, and rice? That’s a great deal! Dinner is also a great time to come to the Tokyo House for excellent teriyaki and sashimi. And, of course, there’s the sushi, made and served fresh all day. Try a Makimono roll, Nigiri sushi, or temaki hand-rolled delights. Make sure that you also check out the chef’s specials and bento boxes.

Tokyo House
83 Skyline Plaza
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 756-360
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tokyo-house-daly-city

Nick’s Restaurant: The Freshest Seafood in Town

Diners on the hunt for fresh seafood with an amazing view of the ocean have been flocking to Nick’s in Pacifica for almost a century. Opened in 1927 by Greek immigrant Stalios Karagianis, the restaurant has remained in the family since then, establishing a history of service to the community that is hard to beat. Regulars return over and over again for the famous crab and tomato sandwich—a massive pile of lump crab, mayonnaise, and fresh tomatoes that has become a local icon. It comes with awesome thick-cut spicy fries, and getting through this meal will tax even the most huge-stomached eaters. The clam chowder is some of the best in the area. For dinner, the steaks are cooked to tender perfection, but opt for mashed potatoes instead of the baked, as they’re far better. Nick’s is a spectacular throwback, bursting with local history, and it’s a place anyone in Pacifica would be wise to go to at least once.

Nick’s Restaurant
100 Rockaway Beach Avenue
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 359-3900
www.nicksrestaurant.net

Andalu: Tapas Bar with a Lot on its Plate

A great place for a gathering of coworkers, family, or friends, Andalu brings people together with a wide variety of dishes. Aiming to create a unique dining and social experience, Andalu features a smattering of small plates meant for tasting and sharing. Ranging from Duck Confit Dumplings to Coca-Cola Braised Short Ribs, their small plates reflect a multitude of cuisine from around the world. Specials like Taco Tuesdays (featuring $1 ahi tuna tacos) and a $15 Bottomless Mimosa brunch makes dining affordable. Andalu boasts one of the most expansive wine lists in the city, with a wide selection of half-bottles as well as unique flights. The dining room is sure to impress with an open kitchen and high ceiling, and the tall tables add to the fun and relaxed atmosphere. Delicious small plates and a variety of spirits make Andalu a destination for a night on the town.

Andalu
3198 16th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 621-2211
www.andalusf.com

Foreign Cinema: For Both the Food and Film Connoisseur

Dinner and a movie, the two aspects of the perfect date, can be found in one location: Foreign Cinema. A staple of the San Francisco dining scene for over ten years, Foreign Cinema combines delicious California-style cuisine and seafood with nightly foreign and indie film screenings. Housed in a converted industrial building, the large dining area circles around a giant screen that shows films such as Monsoon Wedding and I'm Not There. The scrumptious dinner menu includes an oyster bar (which is also available in their popular weekend brunch), alongside the restaurant’s famous Organic Fruit Pop Tarts. Foreign Cinema has several locations for large parties, like a semi-private mezzanine that overlooks the dining room and an art gallery. The adjacent bar Laszlo is a great place for after-dinner drinks. An ideal combination of bar, restaurant, art house theater, and gallery, Foreign Cinema makes for a totally unique dining experience.

Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-7600
www.foreigncinema.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

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

Patio Filipino: A Harmonious Blend of Filipino and Spanish Cuisines

Filipino food is one of the few Asian cuisines that hasn’t made much of an impact in the United States—many of the ingredients aren’t particularly suited to Western palates, for one. San Bruno’s Patio Filipino is aiming to change that, with an upscale take on the nation’s cuisine that will appeal to less adventurous diners. Presenting a fusion of high-class Filipino food with Spanish influences, Patio Filipino has made a fairly large group of converts since opening in 2005. If you’re going with a group, spring for the appetizer platter, which features lumpia (Filipino eggrolls), fried shrimp, and the tender fried pork known as bulaklak. Pan-fried milkfish is also a raved-about favorite. The three-course lunch special, only served on weekdays, will fill your stomach for just ten bucks. Show up early, as Patio Filipino is often jammed to the rafters most nights with both expats and locals who have come to love this challenging and delicious cuisine.

Patio Filipino
1770 El Camino Real
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 872-9888
www.patiofilipino.com

Nation’s Giant Hamburgers: We Hope You’re Hungry

Bring your appetite, because these burgers are jaw-dropping. And we mean it literally; they’re the biggest we’ve seen in California, and we don't think anyone serves tender, juicy burger perfection like this. For sixty years, Nation’s has been a Tri-Valley landmark perched atop a mountain of glorious (and cheap!) American comfort food: fries, shakes, grilled chicken, French toast, omelettes, heaping strawberry tarts and pies … this 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

EOS: Delicious and Daring Asian Fusion

As one of the first restaurants in the U.S. for Asian fusion, EOS Restaurant and Wine Bar fulfills and exceeds all expectations. Named the 1996 Rising Star Chef by Gourmet, founding chef Arnold Eric Wong has created a spectacular menu of small plates as well as award-winning dessert and cheese samplers. Mushroom Dumplings and Hanger Steak are standout entrees, while the Chocolate Lava Cake and Salted Carmel Ice Cream are the perfect finale to any meal. With an adjoining wine salon and bar, EOS hosts a wide variety of wines and spirits that deliciously complement their cuisine. The Asian-inspired aesthetic of clean lines, angular windows, and earth tones inspires contemplation and focus on cuisine flavors. EOS is a great place to bring people together with three separate areas available to rent, including their wine bar. For bold and distinct meals meant for sharing with friends, EOS remains one of the country’s top Asian fusion restaurants.

EOS
901 Cole St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 566-3063
www.eossf.com

Sugar Cafe: Unique Space for Coffee and Cocktails

Coffeehouse by day, lounge by night, the Sugar Café has two distinct personalities combined in one stylish space. In the morning, the menu is made up of pastries, breakfast sandwiches, house-made granola, and roasted coffee, while salads and wraps are made to-order for lunch. Wi-Fi terminals are available for guests, as well as cozy leather couches perfect for lounging the day away. Once the evening rolls around, Sugar Café transforms into a chic lounge, offering tasty drinks with delightful names like Pop Rocks and Bee my Man(hattan) and small plates like Crisp Watermelon and Mint Salad.

Weekly events like "My Heart Beats For . . ." bring together local artists and art lovers to meet and mingle, and often include shopping, networking, and dancing. Attracting a diverse crowd because of its multi-faceted appeal, the Sugar Café offers tasty treats and a relaxed atmosphere any time of day.

Sugar Cafe
679 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 441-5678
www.sugarcafesf.com