DeLuxe

The Citrus Club doesn’t really have much to do with citrus and it really isn’t a club either (even though it does have a bar). The first couple times I passed by this place while shopping at Amoeba in SF, it didn’t really register on me that this was a restaurant.

In fact, this place is actually a very nice noodle house with a casual and somewhat funky vibe. The prices here are very reasonable, the portions are large, and we’ve never had to wait long for a table even though it’s often packed. I really like their garlic-soy sauce edamame. I don’t go over to this part of SF too often but I can’t think of another place in the upper Haight I want to eat at (except maybe Cha Cha Cha).

Citrus Club
1790 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
415.387.6366

Tacubaya is one of the best tacquerias in the Bay Area. Situated on Berkeley’s 4th Street it’s the sister restaurant to Oakland’s Doña Tomas in the Temescal district. What makes the tacqueria so special are the rich flavors and fresh ingredients in every bite. The tacos al pastor are made with Niman Ranch pork and served on freshly made tortillas. If you go early you can also get fine desayuno items such as chilaquiles. On weekends, there’s often a line but it’s worth the wait if you want something special you can’t easily find at other places.

Tacubaya
1788 4th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
510.525.5160

The newest frozen yogurt concept allows you to blend your own flavors and add your own toppings and then pay for the snack by weight. The new Icebee store near my office in San Francisco is a lot of fun. They’ve got all the usual toppings you’d expect as well as some nice suprises such as fruity pebbles. The flavors were actually quite good including green tea and peanut butter/banana. Frozen yogurt seems to be making a comeback — it was really big in the late eighties.

Icebee
829 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
415.882.7800

Officially called G.B. Ratto & Co. International Grocers, Ratto’s has been in Oakland at the same location for generations. The neighborhood is now called Old Oakland. Most people go there for the great deli and sandwich selection. The place still operates like an old fashioned grocery with lots of bulk items and specialty products. I particularly like the cheese selection and the little greek soaps they carry. This is also a good place to find imported wines such as Lambrusco.

Rattos
821 Washington Street, Oakland, CA 94607
510.832.6503

Many in Rockridge were sad to see the Asian tapas place, Grasshopper, close. I liked the place and it was always crowded but not so much I went there often. Wood Tavern, the restaurant that took its place is great. We went there one night after 9 and it was still packed but were hungry and so decided to dine at the bar. The soft lighting and dark tones of the decor in the restaurant are a good indication of what you’ll find on the menu. Lots of hearty meat dishes prepared very well. Try the crispy pork belly or the fusilli with pork sugo and you can’t go wrong. The critics rave about this place and so it’s a good idea to make a reservation if you go. Go late and you might get a seat right away.

Wood Tavern
6317 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
510.654.6607

For my birthday this year, I decided I wanted to dine at Eccolo on 4th Street in Berkeley. I’ve always liked the italian food served here and the decor inside but I’d only eaten lunch here in the past. The pork belly with beans appetizer was great as are all the salads which are made with locally sourced ingredients when possible. One special thing they make that I love are the Tuscan fries which are like little potato sticks instead of the usual fry cut. They also cure their own salumi so be sure to order some of that to start your meal. We took my parents here for lunch when they visited and it was a memorable meal for everyone. Dinner didn’t disappoint either and I look forward to my next meal here — it’s a great combination of food and atmosphere with lots of class.

Eccolo
1820 4th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
510.644.0444

I discovered the Slow Club when my office used to be in the Potrero Hill/Design Center part of San Francisco. It’s on the ground floor of the same building that houses the SF Bay Guardian. For a little place that’s out of the way they sure have good food. Though they do serve dinner I’ve never been there for anything but lunch and, on the weekends, brunch. They serve a variety of sandwiches and salads that are always made with fresh seasonal ingredients. Also, I really like the music they play — since I seem to have the same CDs in my own collection.

Slow Club
2510 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
415.241.9390

The Kilohana Grill is in Emeryville is the best place I can think of (outside of Hawaii) to get a delicious ‘plate lunch.’ They make awesome Kalua pork (as well as chicken and BBQ beef) served with scoops of rice, sauce, and macaroni salad. On the weekends you can go there for breakfast to satisfy your Spam and egg desires. Sometimes they also make malasadas — the Portugese version of a donut covered in sugar. It’s too bad you can only get them on the weekend. Often, I see workers from the nearby Oaks Card Club stopping in for a quick bite to go. This little slice of Hawaii is great to have around. Mahalo.

Kilohana Grill
4115 San Pablo Avenue, Emeryville, CA 94608
510.654.1144

Tiny little Restaurant Furenzu is a hidden gem in Emeryville. Situated on the last little piece of Adeline Street, Furenzu is housed in the same space that for many years was Moon’s Chinese Kitchen. Furenzu is a small plates Asian restaurant with no more than 15 seats. Try their rib dish which has been on the menu from day one. The owner, Cynthia, is always trying out different combinations of flavors, textures, and ingredients. Order up a bunch of stuff for the table and fill up on your favorites.

Restaurant Furenzu
3986 Adeline Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
510.601.1882

Townhouse Bar & Grill looks like a shack from the outside. And at some point the entire neighborhood did too. But the neighborhood’s been renovated over the past twenty years and the inside of this hidden gem has been too. The Townhouse is a great place to eat as well. Serving a continental menu, there’s something there for everyone.

Townhouse Bar & Grill
5862 Doyle Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
510.652.6151