La Villa Delicatessen (Italian), San Jose, CA

Located in the heart of Willow Glen, there resides a small, confined Italian shop. This family owned fixture has been a part of Willow Glen's diverse food scene for years. Many a Willow Glen resident has gorged themselves on La Villa's succulent sandwiches. These are not the feared breadwich by any means. Delicious deli meats and artisanal sausages are piled on any type of bread from French to rye.


La Villa's charm doesn't end there, of course. After all, each post should be at least a few hundred words. This restaurant/market has a wide array of heated dishes, including Italian favorites such as Ravioli, Lasagna, and Herbed Chicken. Then, to round off the prepared goods, anyone can purchase a homemade dessert from their rotating cooler and displays. Everything is reasonably priced, adding to the diner's attraction.


I did mention the market part, though, as well. In addition to a crack service team and hundreds of traditional, gourmet meal options, there is a fully stocked market just a foot or two away from the service counter. Anything your Mediterranean heart desires can be found on their shelves. Olives, wines, cheeses, crackers, pastas, candies and sodas grace the walls. Then, there's a high class deli that rivals the best independent meat factories around, containing dried and aged carnivorous delights.


I bet you thought La Villa's attractions ended there. Well, you were sadly mistaken. Shark's fans, wake up. This market/restaurant/deli doubles as a showcase for memorabilia dating from the HP team's first days to present. Autographed pucks, photographs, jerseys - yeah, they've got it all. The windows are covered in sticks, posters, and signs for Bay Area teams from the Sharks to the Giants. Yeah, La Villa really does have it all.

Com Tam Thanh (Vietnamese), San Jose, CA

Amazing is a simple, yet effective word used to describe my first visit to Com Tam Thanh. The restaurant's simplicity and almost fast food feel had me head over heels - not to mention the food. The Pho made my mind numb. It was so good that it defied reasonable logic. The broth was light and flavorful, and the ingredients stuffed inside were high quality and beautifully prepared. It did not end there, though, as Com Tam Thanh shocked all with not only an amazing Egg Roll, but with a delectable Mango Smoothie to boot.


My Com Tam Thanh Adventure: Part Two was not nearly as successful as the first. The service was still good and fast, but the soup was not as big of a home run as the first time. The mango smoothie fell miles. I know, it is not something that really should influence the rating, but the first time, it was one of the best things I've ever tasted. This one was mushy, and was made with overripe mangoes, hence the brown coloration. Still, the excellent spring rolls and great atmosphere saved Com Tam Thanh for taking a huge rating hit. It is still better than average for Vietnamese, but a trip to Khan's should be taken on those days when you're looking for a treat, not a dive.

Cafe Artemis (Middle Eastern/Greek), Campbell, CA

All I've got to say is "wow". The Pruneyard has found it's Greek. You no longer have to take the long, grueling three minute drive to Yiassoo, because a new souvlaki shop has rolled into town. It's Cafe Artemis, in my opinion the best ALL AROUND Mediterranean stop in the region. It is not a one trick pony, as many seem to be. This particular one has a groomed menu with every pertinent dish possibly found in the Eastern Mediterranean, from Gyros to Baba Ghanoush. 

The souvlaki, for example, was full of flavor, as it was pretty perfectly cooked and seasoned. As for the rice pilaf, well, it was delicious, though a little tough (maybe slightly underdone).Then, the desserts carved a perfect finishing impression of the restaurant with a cascade of cocoa power and ice cream wrapped around a sweet ball of authentic cream. Pinch me, please. If this isn't the epitome of great Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine in the South Bay, someone, would you give me a taste of something better?

Curry Up Now Food Truck (Indian), San Francisco, CA

Um, how does a restaurant get this good? Curry Up Now shocks and amazes each customer with an array of Indian fare that, when stacked up against other Bay Area competitors, stands head and shoulders above the rest. Each dish is prepared with care and a sheer love for food, a combination that must go with each and every restaurant in order to guarantee it's success. Curry Up Now shows just how good a food truck can be, and exemplifies how Indian street fare still has it's place in every person's modern tuned palate.

The example I choose to use is the Tikka Masala burrito, a strange yet quite effective method which combines traditional Indian cooking techniques and spices with the ever-popular Mexican fusion spin. Stuffed inside a delicious, warm tortilla rests piles of white rice turned curry yellow from the meat resting overtop. The juices and sauces seep into the rice, turning it into a medley of flavors that explode inside your mouth before ever tasting a bite of the meat itself. Once the meat is added to the mix, though, the level is turned up with the textures and added flavors of the protein melding with the already present rice and curry slurry.

If this has not convinced you of Curry Up Now's prowess, just give them a try for yourself. Their San Francisco based truck and fixed San Mateo location are waiting for your visit - and for your approval. I mean, after all, how could you fail such promising company. Each item on their menu will earn your bill of support, and will be sure to leave you coming back for more.

Hog Island Oyster Company (Seafood), San Francisco, California

Hog Island Oyster Company is a pure juggernaut of the seafood world. The oyster bar in San Francisco is the absolute essence of beauty from the deep. Each dish is perfectly prepared and heaped onto your ceramic plate in masses seemingly impossible for the price. At this wonderland, anyone can belly up to the bar and order up a bowl of the most succulent, most flavorful oysters in the world. Here, you can choose from Kumimoto's to the shell's of San Francisco Bay. Oysters at Hog Island are segmented into varieties and species from around the world, adding to the diversity and attraction.

And Hog Island's oysters don't wrap up the story. Whole Chilled Dungeness Crab lurks on this amazing menu that also includes clam chowder and many other local delicacies. Also, when you throw in amazing service, great decorations, beautiful views and a fun atmosphere, the food world is forced to bow to you, giving restaurants such as this the title and the aura of one of San Francisco's greatest restaurants.

Original Joe's (American/Italian), San Jose, CA

O.J.'s and The Hi-Life are two of San Jose's oldest and most famous restaurants. This restaurant in particular has been a symbol of the higher end of South Bay fare for generations. I've dined at this restaurant since I was a little kid, and my parents ate here long before that. Heck, even my grandparents have tried it out. This restaurant runs in the family! The steaks and cuts of meat, such as the Prime Rib, are perfectly done. The salads are killer too, and the ravioli is the star of the meal.

Speaking of the ravioli, I think the plate deserves some special attention. Each Italian dumpling is crafted out of the finest dough and stuffed with delicious ground beef. Then it is coated in a succulent and beautifully made tomato sauce and sold as a side or as an entree. At Joe's, you see it at every table. But, of course, the five star dining experience doesn't end there. The pluses of this restaurant go straight down to the beautiful decor and the top class waiting service. What more could you ask for?

Original Joe's is a fixture in the often skimpy and watered down San Jose restaurant scene. Here, the short list of star eateries is just that - short. But for fifty plus years, Joe's has been near the top of that coveted list, maintaining it's spot on the peak of the South Bay restaurant scene with tasteful decorations, stellar service staff and great food.

Chow! (American/Italian), San Francisco, CA

Chow! is a gem of the Castro, and one of the hotspots of San Francisco. It serves plate after plate of delicious food made with local, sustainable ingredients and inspirations ranging from The City to south of the border. At Chow, the world is on your plate, as you can choose from succulent regional fare such as the Tuna Melt or Crab Cakes, or the tastes of Italy including omelets, spaghettis and pizzas. Anything you get is assured to be delicious and wallet friendly, for a sandwich and cup of soup shouldn't cost more than $15 after tax and tip. Chow's around the clock hours and excellent service are two extra pluses, and the beautiful outdoor patio stands as a third. It's a restaurant definitely worth your while, to be sure. Who knows, maybe it'll end up as one of your favorites, too.

OmiNinjaSJ (Vietnamese), San Jose, CA

My first gourmet food truck experience: part three. Yeah, I love this truck. Bahn Mi makes me shudder with delight. A ninja Bahn Mi, well, I think I just lost consciousness. I'm not sure I have ever tasted something so muddled in such a good way. Can you say crazy? Lemongrass chicken, beef, and tofu, just to name a few. Just a few toppings, that is. If one was to list everything in this heavenly sandwich, one's list would go out the door and around the corner. As for the truck besides the Bahn Mi? Well, it's pretty spectacular, too. The prices are surprisingly affordable, and the sheer amount of food they serve is off the charts. It's really a great deal, and a great restaurant on wheels.

Scoma's (Seafood, Californian), San Francisco, CA

There are few restaurants in the Bay Area as fabled and adored as Scoma's. At nearly fifty years old, it is a San Francisco landmark, as steeped in history as the rocks it sits upon. As for the food, well, as the website says, let it "speak for itself". Every offering this institution doles out is delectable. For one, there's the whole crab, heated or chilled. Then, there's a delicious offering of various ravioli that would make anyone's mouth water (with types including crab and lobster). Other plates of mouth watering seafood are abound on the menu, and the haters of the sea's bounty still have options, too. Scoma's serves Lamb, Steaks, and even two types of burger. But, the beauty of Scoma's doesn't end with the food. Sweeping panoramic views of the San Francisco area greet you once inside. From your perch a mere twenty feet above the water, you can view everything from Coit Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid to Ghiradelli Square and the high-rises on the Northern tip of the peninsula. With great service, an amazing meal and even better views, how could anyone go wrong at Scoma's?

Bibo's New York Pizza (San Jose, CA)

OK, Bibo's is as goos as it gets. As good as it gets for pizza, I mean. New York style, of course. On the West Coast, as well. Basically, there's a lot of factors, but they are still as good as it gets when it comes to New York style pizza on the West Coast. Yeah, for that, they're top notch. The crust is thin - not a Cali thin, but thin nonetheless - and the tomato sauce and cheese is killer. But even these attractively tasty features don't come close to matching the prowess of the toppings, whose sole mission in life is to make you go "What the-" and then, one bite later, have you saying "Well, who knew that went together?" Think I'm crazy. Clearly you have not tried Bibo's BBQ Chicken pizza. It takes insanity to the next level by combining chicken, BBQ sauce, pineapples and bacon (yeah people, bacon) on top of what is a surprisingly delicious pizza pie. If you still think I'm insane, what about their Slice of Heaven, a strange yet effective combination of bacon, fire roasted tomatoes, and basil? I tell you, this place is so crazy - and so delicious - that it's a crime not to stop by for a slice. Or two. Or three.

Rating: 8.4/10

Pizza Bocca Lupo

 

Pizza Bocca Lupo, you have won my love. I have been to many pizza restaurants up and down the California coast, and you, by far, claim victory. To this stellar restaurant I went with an army of friends and family. No one left unhappy. Sj Eats was fun, for sure, but your delicious circular pieces of heaven took top prize. Each slice seemed more delicious than the last. Your imported ingredients, ovens, and chefs make you a stellar copy of Naples. The Margherita pizza ordered by my group and I had a crispy crust, and a perfectly enjoyed spreading of ingredients that encompassed Proschiutto, Italian olives, Mushrooms, and Mozzerella. What a pizza, and what a restaurant. I can only hope that every meal I eat from this day forward consisting of pizza comes from your ovens.

Cafe Beaujolais (French)

Cafe Beaujolais symbolizes the Mendocino Coast in more ways than I can count. It is situated in a charming, quaint, former home located in the Mendocino "Business District". It has natural beauty surrounding it (an amazing garden), and a very high price tag per person, per meal. Also, the restaurant plates up stellar, and very traditional, dishes. All the above traits scream Mendocino. A high Zagat rating and shining Urbanspoon reviews also follow this restaurant around, making it appealing to even the biggest  penny pinchers. For starters, there's the Duck Leg Confit. It's basically a plate loaded with tender, slightly dry, but still quite appealing duck, Brie and fresh, house made Sourdough Bread. Also, Cafe Beaujolais' first course (appetizer) section of the menu includes crab cakes, a personal favorite. The cakes are more crab than filling (always a plus), and are nice and crisp on the outside, allowing you to begin each bite with a satisfying crunch or crackle. The next course brings a delicious Bouillabaisse to the table. Bouillabaisse is a rich, Cioppino-like seafood and chicken stew. The tomato broth is surprisingly lighter and more savory than that found in a tasty Cioppino. At Cafe Beaujolais, they seem to know how to prepare their seafood. This particular example included nicely cooked fish and mussels, leaving each person at the table satisfied and quite absolutely stuffed. You have to love a restaurant that can do seemingly anything well (within their respective cuisine).

Okayama Japanese

">Okayama Japanese has, for as long as I can remember, been great. The restaurant has been around for some 44 years, attracting a large following of South Bay foodies. It is so steeped in Japantown history that three generations of my family have dined at the restaurant. Now, as of Friday, August 19th, the ownership of the shop has changed. The old owner and his mother were the original creators of the dynasty. It's really a terrible loss for Japantown (with the selling of the restaurant), but many of the family's secret recipes have been passed down to the new restaurant's ownership. Hopefully, that symbolizes little change on the horizon. One can only hope. If that isn't the case, hopefully they'll at least retain the Chicken Udon and Beef Teriyaki, two of my favorite dishes. The Chicken Udon has a savory, delicious broth and pieces of tasty chicken packed together with noodles in a giant bowl of drool-worthy soup. The beef teriyaki has a magical sauce and a nice cooking technique, as it seems to come out perfectly done every time I order it. Another change I would despise would be a departure from the current decorations. A move of this sort would choke out much of the restaurant's immeasurable amount of charm. This restaurant has always felt like a home away from home to me, and hopefully that feeling's presence will be extended even without some of the kind people that worked there previously.

Quiche Lorraine

Quiche is a traditional French dish that dates as far back as 1550 A.D.. The more modern sense of Quiche Lorraine, though, only has traces to the 19th century. Still, it is one of the oldest and most popular dishes in the world. It is most often found in the South of France, where the hotter climate leans toward lighter fare. Strangely, though, it has become increasingly popular overseas, primarily in the United States and England. Though similar, the foreign versions are often twisted to reflect more popular flavors. In America, cheese is often added to the traditional French recipe. Also, other types of Quiche may contain onions, and in England, vegetables or seafood are often added. This is actually quite common, variation that is. Lorraines vary by family recipes, which are passed down through the generations. No two are said to be exactly the same.

Quiche Lorraine also has a very interesting international history. Over the years, the Lorraine region has flopped between German and French control. For this reason, much of Lorraine’s culture has German influence. This goes straight down to the cuisine. The word Quiche even has a German origin, stemming from the word Kuchen, meaning cake. 

So, to wrap up, Quiche Lorraine is a dish steeped in tradition. It is a major component in the French cuisine, and is quickly gaining popularity with people in America. Well, I suppose I better go now, I've got some Quiche to eat.

Wasabi

You know that sensation you get when you take a bite of a beautiful piece of sushi? Yeah, that burning feeling, associated with a taste similar to horseradish? Well, that's because it is horseradish - Japanese horseradish to be more precise. Or horseradish "twin". Most American sushi restaurants serve the twin variety. In fact, real Japanese wasabi is nearly impossible to find outside of Japan. There it costs a hefty $70 to $100 per pound because of it's relative scarcity. Western wasabi only has a hit of about a buck per pound, so it's widely used as a substitute for the pricey kind. Just add a little mustard and green food coloring, and you have a close (but not at all exact) copy. So now you know a little of wasabi's interesting history.

Breakfast in the South Bay

Breakfast. It is often toted as "the most important meal of the day". It is deceptively simple. For some reason, it's also so easy to do incorrectly. In the South Bay, food is much less ritualistic than in the North and West. It is easy to find ten bad places for every good one. Here are some of the shining stars for the day's first meal:

Stacks, Campbell - Stacks serves delicious plate after delicious plate of amazing food. They cook every dish to perfection, and they dole out quite a bit of food for even the smallest budgets. Pancakes are their specialty, but they do almost anything else you could want for breakfast. The Crab Melt - fresh Dungeness Crab meat loaded onto a piece of French Bread and covered in melted cheese and avocado - is to die for. Also, they have great service and are very good at controlling crowds.

Scramblz, San Jose - Scramblz, with walls covered in yellow and plates covered with food, is a sure stop for a great breakfast. There are plenty of options, and deals are abound. They serve four pieces of bacon, two eggs, french toast and strawberries with whipped cream for a great price. That's all one meal! Adding to that, nothing they make disappoints - it's too good to.

John's, San Jose - John's is much better known for Greek and Italian fare, but they serve a mean "American" breakfast, too. Pancakes, French Toast, Eggs Benedict - they have it all, and at a reasonable price. While not as good as the first two options, John's is still sure to please any restaurant goer.

So there you have it. To my, albeit, limited knowledge, these are some of the best stops in the South Bay for breakfast. Still, I'm sure you can find many, many other places to munch in the morning, even ones that fail to serve a "traditional" American breakfast.

Market Skirmish #1: Nijiya Market vs. Safeway

Nijiya                                                 Safeway

Produce: 5                                          Produce: 7
Price: 5                                              Price: 7
Decorations: 3             vs.                  Decorations: 7
Service: 4                                          Service: 6
Range of Goods: 5                       Range of goods: 8

Total: 22                                          Total: 35

Safeway is the winner. As much as I hate to say it, Safeway wins. While Nijiya specializes in Japanese cuisine, Safeway has food from many places on Earth. Also, Nijiya's white walls can't beat the "charm" of Safeway.

Special: The San Francisco Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area is a major center for food and art, rivaling even Chicago and New York City. Nearly everywhere you go in the region, you'll find dozens of restaurants close by. From fast to formal, Italian to Japanese, the area has it all. Fresh ingredients created by sustainable farming techniques are huge here. Seafood is also of major importance to the region. The Bay Area also has many famous restaurants, including Chez Panisse, Gary Danko, Scoma's, and the French Laundry. It is a region with culinary depth, as some of the most delicious restaurants are never heard of, such as Zazie in Cole Valley, San Francisco. But you have to be very careful where you go in the Bay Area, as well. In Willow Glen, many of the worst restaurants are highly toted, while the best are rarely visited. The same is true throughout the rest of San Jose and Campbell. In San Francisco, though, I've found it's hard to go wrong, as the last half dozen places I've dined at have been spectacular. In the Bay Area, it's very easy to end up at the wrong place, but when you find a gem here, it shines brighter than any other in the nation.

Special: The Sunshine State

Florida, the Sunshine State, is known for it's tourism industry and it's plethora of flat land. It isn't common knowledge that Florida is a culinary superpower. And, some of the best restaurants in the state are rarely seen. Along the backroads outside Tampa, there is a small shack that is rarely open. When it is, it's packed with people looking for today's catch, grilled and placed on a bun. Many restaurants in Florida resemble this. Tarpon Springs is a little known Greek community just North of Tampa, but it has some of the finest establishments in the region. Sometimes, you have to avoid the big cities to find the best stops. Orlando, with every theme park under the sun, has a tourist driven restaurant industry, and driving through downtown, you have to look very hard to find any restaurants at all. Still, though, if you look just past the surface, just past the high rises, that is, you'll find gold in the most unlikely places.

Special: Chained

People always talk about the issues with obesity in America. And it's true, according to NationMaster.com. By their charts, America has the highest obesity rate of any major country in the world, at nearly 31%. Much of this is a result of America's growing dependence on fast food chains. As parts of everyday life become faster with new trends and new technologies, people rely more heavily on quick meals. This is how restaurants like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, and KFC continuously prosper. But now, it appears a new type of chain is taking form - the healthy kind. Leading the surge is Chipotle and Jamba Juice, both committed to serving quick, fast food that is tasty, yet full of healthier ingredients. And by tasty, I mean tasty. Chipotle serves food on par with many sit down restaurants, and blows dishes produced by the aforementioned unhealthy chains out of the water. Jamba Juice serves healthy, but delicious smoothies and baked goods. Both are popular, and both are examples of the kind of restaurant that needs to be placed ahead of mega chains such as McDonalds and Burger King, who care much more about your money than your jean size.

Restaurant Skirmish #2: Yuki Sushi (Santa Clara) vs. Gombei (San Jose)

Yuki Sushi                                           Gombei

Decorations: 9                                   Decorations: 5
Service: 8                                             Service: 6
Food: 9                         vs.                    Food: 9
Atmosphere: 8                                   Atmosphere: 6
Price: 7                                                 Price: 7

Total: 41                                               Total: 33

Winner is Yuki Sushi. Yuki Sushi in Santa Clara has such a great atmosphere, backing up the awesome food and the great decorations. Gombei, though equal in food, falls apart in the other categories.

Restaurant Skirmish #1: Zazie (SF) Vs. Scoma's (SF)

Zazie                                                  Scoma's
                                                        
Decorations: 9                                 Decorations: 9
Service: 7                                           Service: 7
Food: 8                             vs.             Food: 7
Atmosphere: 9                                    Atmosphere: 7
Price: 6                                               Price: 3

Total: 39                                           Total: 33

Zazie wins here. Scoma's was just too overpriced, and the atmosphere couldn't overcome Zazie's. Otherwise, it was a close battle.

Zazie (French), San Francisco, California

Located in an old schoolhouse in the heart of Cole Valley, Zazie is a restaurant that can compete with any in the city. From traditional French dishes to new-school twists, Zazie is sure to have something you'll enjoy. The decorations are classic, with French movie posters covering the deep yellow walls. Then comes the food. Zazie's Le Canard duck was perfectly cooked - tender and juicy - with Hericot Verts (green beans) and tasty fingerling potatoes in a mustard glaze. The restaurant's succulent Hanger Steak was  delicious, again grilled to perfection. For dessert, the Creme Brulee and Chocolate Mousse were the highlights of the day, each very smooth and creamy. Zazie deserves a try from anyone far and wide. It is a true insight into the sheer depth of the San Francisco culinary scene.