Thanks guys! I will definitely have to give a go to one of the three places. I did try the foie gras & duck prosciutto sandwich at naked lunch....and it was delicious. Really really rich (i could only finish 1/2), and to top it off, they sprinkle black truffle salt. YES!

Randomly, some co-workers and I want to get Foie Gras for lunch..hopefully today, but if reservations are required, we can wait =) The thing is...we don't really know where there's a place that serves foie gras at lunch....any thoughts?

I saw Naked Lunch has a foie gras sando - http://www.nakedlunchsf.com/ ....has anyone tried it?

I'm planning a wedding in June, but need to do some preliminary research. One of the options is to have it at a park in Lafayette with an afternoon picnic. The park closes after sunset, so we're trying to figure out where people can go in the evening and still hang out together. Do you have any suggestions? Here are the best scenario criteria:

1. Lafayette/Walnut Creek Area
2. Lounge area that isn't "clubby", but has a nice relaxing vibe.
3. Good food if people are still hungry and want nibbles or dinner
4. Yummy drinks
5. Preferably no large group fee, but I don't imagine it would be a lot if there was a reservation fee.
6. Fits 30 people or so

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks!
~Kay

Hi!

My cousins are coming into town from Hong Kong and will be staying in Monterey for a night. Any good restaurant suggestions? I would go with - not super touristy (unless there's a MUST GO), nice but not too expensive. For dinners, I would say places w/ entrees in the $high teens, $low 20s). Lunch in the $low to mid teens.

I also recommended they drive down to Carmel and have picnic at a beach somewhere along 17 mile drive. Any good places to pick up some delicious picnic food in Monterey?

I know I haven't provided much detail, but I don't know the area too well.

Thanks!

if only my 15 min work breaks could take me to BSB's and back!

So I've been searching for a perfect lemon bar in my work neighborhood and I'm hoping to get your help. I work in FiDi on Montgomery between Sacramento and Commercial and have been on the hunt for 2 months now. I can't possibly walk into every place that might potentially have lemon bars and try everyone...as much as I'd like to.

a "Perfect" lemon bar to me is:
1. not too eggy,
2. not too much crust
3. excitingly tart and lemony
4. soft and gooey to the touch where your fingers get all sticky from having to break off the crust

I haven't tried to many places, and I haven't been impressed with the ones that I tried:

1. Manhattan Hub - their lemon bars were ok, but I wish they more lemony
2. Cafe Madeleine - I had REALLY high hopes for this one since their pastries are so delicious. TO dense and eggy, the crust was too thick

Anyone know of a place?

-----
Cafe Madeleine
149 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Manhattan Hub
343 Sansome St Ste 140, San Francisco, CA 94104

I'm having a birthday gathering this friday (i know...kind of last minute) and my original plan was to have everyone meet up for dinner at B Restaurant in Old Oakland, and then mosey on over to The Trappist for drinks. HOWEVER..i called yesterday, and B Restaurant is completely booked up on Friday! =(....so that plan went sour. Anyone have some ideas? I was also thinking Tamarindo Antojeria...(never been) but yelp says it's not good for groups. I was also thinking Boca Nova, but it's a little farther away from the drinking Here's the criteria:

1. Prefer to stay in Oakland: Downtown? Rockridge?...some other neighborhood?..not sure
2. Want 2 places that are close together, first dinner then drinks
3. Need a place that is good for groups: Have about 15-20 guests
4. Needs to stay in the low/mid price range.
5. Want to keep it fun/casual

Thanks so much!

-----
Tamarindo
468 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607

YAY! Thanks guys for all the input! I think Costco it will be, but I'll definitely stop by the Bowl to check out their smoked salmon. LOVE that place to death. =)

Thanks!

Hey Guys!

I'm catering an hors d'oeuvres party next weekend (~100 people) and the only thing I'm missing for my menu so far is smoked salmon. I need a decent amount of it - think bite sized potato latkes topped with smoked salmon and some dill sour cream with a sprinkling of chives.

Anyone know of where I can get some good smoked salmon on the cheap? Maybe..'cheap' is a poor choice of words....but more like...."at wholesale-ish prices?"

Any thoughts on smoked salmon purchasable from Costco? As for where I can pick up...anywhere around Oakland/SF.

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

Can anyone suggest a good korean place for lunch? My friend is in town from London and totally craving Korean food... I love it, but not sure if I want to do the BBQ thing, so I'm not sure where to go. Oakland/Berkeley area preferred!

Thanks so much!!!

~Kay

Heyo!

I'm hosting a sushi party next week, and I have some friends who don't eat nori and I need to find the mame nori (http://www.soywraps.com/) as a substitute. I frequent the 99 Ranch's, and local korean markets, but I don't think I've ever seen it. Either that, or I just have ever looked for it because I've never needed it.

Does anyone know for sure where there's a place to get it?

I know of 2 places that have chicken and waffles in Oakland:

1. House of Chicken and Waffles (HoCW) in Jack London Square
2. Merritt Bakery by Lake Merritt

I've been to HoCW, and their chicken is great as is their friendly service. I've heard that the C&W at Merritt Bakery is really good, but I can't stand going to that place even when it's late night and I need some grease in my belly. I've been there once..and I don't think I'd go back. The service is just awful, and the their menus items are bleh.

My boss wants to take his daughter out for some good southern fried chicken....anyone have a preference between the 2?.....or perhaps another suggestion?

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I will definitely do some exploring.

Anyone know where I can find Lamb Stock - whether it's in boullion cube form, or concentrate, boxed, canned, frozen, etcc....

I went to a cooking class the other day and made a Pot Roast with the chef - and it came out to be the BEST Pot Roast I had ever made. I swear it wasn't anything different - had all the same veggies, same cut of meat, herbs etc....but I realized that the thing that made INSANELY rich and delicious was that we used Lamb Broth vs. just water or Chicken Broth. So now - I want to find lamb stock or broth.

I'm down to make my own stock too, but that requires getting a hold of lamb bones - and I'm not sure how to go about finding that....any suggestions? I live in Oakland, work in SF - so any suggestions within the immediate SF Bay Area would be ideal.

Thanks!!!

Went to Chowder's! Thanks for the suggestion! I got the red, my sister got the white - both in sourdough bread bowls - $6.95 each. The white was definitely the go to - creamy, good amount of clams in each bite, well seasoned. The flavor of the red pretty much tasted like tomato and italian seasoning - with little bits of chewy chunks. Didn't have the clam flavor that I desired. I think what I'd want to do next time is get a half and half. *Would that be a sin?* I like the lightness of the red - and the tartness from the tomato but breakup the richness of the creamy white.

We also had the fried zucchini w/ ranch sauce which was really yummy. Lightly breaded strips of zucchini, not drenched in grease. The ranch was rich and creamy - tasted like Barney's curly fries ranch.

I also saw someone eating the fried fish sandwich..I might have to try that next time.

Gordon, I heart you right now for posting this. I got fresh crab off a boat in Bodega Bay last weekend for $6.99lb, and now have been craving lobster. It's my Dad's bday today - so lobster for dinner it is! Thank you!

My sister is coming into the city - taking some her pre-school students to Pier 39 for a field trip. She wants to meet up for lunch - and she wants clam chowder....because she's at Pier 39. Oh boy.... I almost feel bad asking this question on here 'cuz Pier 39 is such a tourist trap...and to local SF'ers, not really the best place for fabulous food......BUT: What's the BEST clam chowder you've at at Pier 39. I trust you guys. If there is nothing you can think of - just lay it on me and I will accept defeat.

I'm heading up towards Calistoga this weekend to do some hiking/rock climbing in Mt St Helena. After climbing, we may head back to Calistoga for some grub. Any suggestions? I'm open to anything. Something casual and not too expensive - but fit for foodies! Thanks!

I'm looking for a restaurant that has prviate dining in Downtown Oakland for a professional work/client entertaining function - Any good ideas? I was thinking places on Broadway, Old Oakland, Jack London Square areas.

There's always Yoshi's and Scott's...but I want to see if there are any other more fun ideas out there.

Thanks!

Anyone know of one? A good authentic Pho place in the SF Financial district. Preferably walking distance from Kearny & Sutter?

I'm having dinner/drinks with one of my good girlfriends tomorrow night, and we just want some place different..and still yummy. I'm looking for a place that's similar to Solstice/Andalu - with a bar, has good food, reasonably priced, and fun. Anywhere in San Francisco is fine. Any suggestions? I'm open to any type of cuisine.

A friend just had a baby, and I'm putting together a gift basket that has a ton of cute stuff in it for everyone in the family, but can't think of anything for dad. I thought chocolate cigars, or cookie cigars might be a good idea, but I have no idea where to find it. Does anyone know?

San Franicisco, Oakland, Berekely area works....

If you have other suggestions for gifts, that'd be awesome too. =)

Hi There!
I'm looking for a place with a great brunch menu. Looking specifically in Oakland, Berkeley, Albany... Places that serves poached eggs are a bonus. Any suggestions? Price is not a problem, but great food at reasonable prices are always a plus.

Thanks all in advance!
=)

sorry - my first posting. Okay - so it'll be a Tuesday night for dinner. Price range - $20-$30 per person

Thanks for the suggestion! I just reposted with more info. =)

I'm looking for a restaurant that's reasonably priced for a party of 7-8. Something yummy - but not too greasy...and not chinese food. My uncle and aunt are over from Hong Kong and I'm taking them out along with another aunt, my grandma, and my mom, pops and sister. Any suggestions? Any place that has good food and not too expensive? Any suggestions would be helpful!

Thanks!!!

Upon suggestion..East Bay would be best (Oakland, Berkeley, Albany) but San Francisco would work too. I think they're up for anything...just nothing too greasy.

Two MUST HAVES when i go there: Seafood Lettuce Wraps and Lobster Noodles. BOMB!!!!!!