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.