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.