In downtown Redwood City, I really enjoy Amelia's pupusas (Salvadorean/Mexican restaurant, my favorite pupusas out of the 4-5 pupusa places I have tried in the South Bay), the croissants at Pamplemousse (French patisserie/cafe), and most of the food at Donato Enoteca (Italian like I am not used to having here in the States). I don't go to Amelia's for anything else but their tasty and cheap pupusas. Pamplemousse is a very pleasant place to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. I don't know how to describe the vibe at Donato Enoteca (modern but rustic?) but I like it, including nice patio, dining room and bar seating - plus I understand they try to source a lot of their food locally and sustainably.

I don't know if downtown Redwood City meets your neighborhood criteria (despite a lot of effort and progress in remaking downtown, I still find it a little stale and lacking in defining character), but I imagine might be close to what you're looking for.

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Pamplemousse Cafe
2401 Broadway St, Redwood City, CA

Donato Enoteca
1041 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063

Since most of the links focus on SF and Berkeley/Oakland, I will add a suggestion of downtown Mountain View. I don't know if you have any interest in staying in the South Bay/Peninsula area, but It is a very walkable neighborhood with a great farmers' market, dozens of ethnic restaurants, and a couple good cafes. Restaurants range from cheap taquerias to the Michelin star Chez TJ, with good dim sum, ramen, microbreweries and Indian buffet in between.

I've lived down here for 5+ years and here are some my favorite spots are:
Fu Lam Mum for very good dim sum (hands down the best between Cupertino and Millbrae)
Taqueria Los Charros for good, cheap tacos (carbides are especially good)
Ryowa for good Japanese ramen
Xanh for fancy Vietnamese (weekday lunch buffet is a good deal)
Shivas for fancy Indian lunch buffet
Rose Int'l Market for cheap kabobs
Shana Thai for moderately priced modern Thai
Shabuway for very good Japanese shabu shabu (my recommendation: regular with a side imagine bowl)
Verde Tea for my favorite boba in the Bay Area

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Chez TJ
938 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041

Ryowa
859 Villa St, Mountain View, CA 94041

Verde Tea Cafe
19929 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA

Xanh Restaurant
110 Castro St, Mountain View, CA

Shana Thai Restaurant
311 Moffett Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

Fu Lam Mum
155 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041

Taqueria Los Charros
854 W Dana St, Mountain View, CA 94041

Shabuway
145 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401

Need help w/ an odd question/request: Going to Vegas for 3 days starting on Monday, staying on the strip, and my family has a bunch of dining credit at the Harrah's family of casinos (Caesar's, Bally's Paris, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, etc.) that we want to spend before they expire soon. I know a lot of the good eats on the strip are not at these hotels, but looking for the best that they have to offer.

What I know:
Probably going to Payard (Caesar's) and Hash House A Go Go (Imperial Palace) for brunch. Been to Bradley Ogden for sit down dinner and was not that impressed even though we like his Parcel 104 restaurant in the SF Bay Area (but we may try the $29 prix fixe menu in the lounge). I'd be interested in Mesa Grill but my wife isn't a fan of the menu. Guy Savoy sounds great but we don't have that much restaurant credit. =)

What I need help with:
We're looking more for casual than fine dining, and don't really care about atmosphere, just good food. Anywhere else in Caesar's for a decent meal? (Beijing Noodle #9?) Anything in Paris? Or Planet Hollywood? I know I'm stretching to find some good meals at these places, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Mesa Grill
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Hash House
2605 S Decatur Blvd Ste 103, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Bradley Ogden
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Planet Hollywood
3667 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

I am thinking of taking my wife out on a date this Friday in downtown PA and instead of just going to one restaurant for a sit down meal, I am thinking of going Spanish tapas bar style and stopping in for a small bite at a few different places. I think that we might enjoy hopping from place to place - and I'm hoping that I can identify a reliable dish or two from each restaurant and string together a "best of" type dinner experience.

So I'm looking for restaurant (and dish) suggestions that fit the following:
- In downtown PA (we're taking the train to University Ave and will be walking)
- Has a bar where we can order food or otherwise comfortable and low-key dining area where it won't matter that we are just going to eat an appetizer, salad, or snack
- Will not require a long wait to eat as I just want to meander from place to place without having to wait too long for food
- I am thinking that we will prefer getting an appetizer / small plate or two from each place as opposed to an entree

Here are some of the options that I already have in mind:
- bar at Zibibbo for an appetizer
- Bistro Maxine for a savory or sweet crepe
- Satura Cakes or Coupa Cafe for coffee & dessert

I am curious about:
- Three Seasons or Tamarine: Do either of these places have a bar?

Thanks!

I second Coupa Cafe. Good selection of salads, crepes, sandwiches and arepas - plus a bunch of really good looking desserts.

Next door, Bistro Maxine, http://bistromaxine.com/main.html is supposed to be a good little creperie (I haven't been there yet). The Mountain View Voice recently gave it a decent review.

I agree that there isn't that much good ethnic food in downtown PA, but there are some decent non-ethnic cheap(er) spots:

- Pluto's: good salads
- Pasta?: decently priced Italian
- The Old Pro: great sports bar with $7 lunch specials

And for dessert, Satura Cakes and Prolific Oven are both great.

And if you're up for a short drive, I definitely second Back-A-Yard in Menlo Park and suggest Applewood Pizza and Cafe Borrone as well.