Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate: Läderach. You can’t go to Zurich and not try the chocolate, even if you don’t like it…..which I can’t image…shops of the incredible stuff abound...

A ballet and Xiaolongbao: Paradise Dynasty. We were visiting to see a performance by the American Ballet Theater and their principal ballerina Skylar Brandt. Since the restaurant was a short...

Always need more chocolate: Recchiuti Confections. Having bumped into this place more than once while in the Ferry Building and being amazed by the unique selections and wanting to give...

Airport food: Cat Cora’s Kitchen. Located in terminal 2 at SFO near the Alaska Airline gates. The seafood paella needed some salt but considering it was airport food; not bad....

Classic waterfront spot: Scoma’s. There’s been a building on this site since the late 1800s and this second site of the San Francisco restaurant by the same name has been...

Beautiful spot: Farley Bar. Nice option versus the more formal restaurant across the hall….and much less “stuffy”. Started with the oysters…..made by the shallot mignonette; followed by the burrata with...

It’s about the view: The View. Typical bar food which was quite good but, it’s all about the view….not to be missed on your next visit to SFO! Located at...

A view to die for: Hog Island Oyster Co. This is the original location and it’s right on SFO Bay so, eat outside if you can. Oysters are the thing...

It’s all about the bread: Tartine Manufactory. A well known bakery in SFO with several locations, we visited the original in the Mission District which also has an associated restaurant...

Unique experience: Sheba Piano Lounge. Think Ethiopian, lounge, piano and jazz and you should have a clear picture of this place. No you say. Read on. Visiting the city for...

A favorite spot: Tartine Bakery. Gotta look for this place….between the Mission District and The Castro. It’s a small place so be prepared to wait…to order and find a seat…but...

Went to see the glass beach: North Coast Brewing Co. The beer is great and the food…..bar food….with huge portions. No way to eat the whole jumbo shrimp platter. All the...

Nice spot for breakfast and some Joe: Black Oak Coffee Roasters. They roast their own beans onsite and have a nice choice of breakfast items including bagels and burritos. Extensive...

Interesting place: The Golden Pig. Just south of Ukiah and yes, the name is correctly spelled and…..yes, the town’s claim to fame was hops. But, no longer…production was halted in...

Passing through: Bird and The Bottle. We were on the way to a wedding and needed something before our road trip north. Nice space with a deck overlooking a busy...

Unique venue: Hilltop 1892. I was drawn to the space….a hilltop home built in 1892 but one that has been a restaurant for several decades. When I arrive things were...

Carbo load: La Toscana. Getting ready for a bike ride and pasta is always a good pre ride choice.  The restaurant is quite “local”…..Google Maps will have you turn the wrong way...

Needed breakfast: Toast. Getting ready for a long bike ride so looking for calories and protein before the ride. Nice space located in a small outdoor mall which made access...

Breakfast in the Gaslamp Quarter: Cafe 222. It’s been a few years since my last visit to this small, unique place near the convention center. They have the usual staples...

Tocos: Lola 55. Looking for a new place and this fit the bill…..open for about a month. The space is on the ground floor of a multi use building which...

New American Fusion: Kettner Exchange. It’s a bit hard to find…in a nondescript building on a corner, it’s easy to miss. Walk down the outside hallway and you enter a very interesting...

Italian with a twist: Herb & Wood. Located in the Little Italy area of San Diego, don’t be fooled by the Uber drop off at Herb & Eatery….the entry to...

French in SoCal: Parc Bistro. In the Banker’s Hill area of the city….basically just east of the airport. Thought we should go in a French direction rather than Italian……..although this...

Dinner for 20: Top of the Market. Back in SD for a meeting and this was the choice for the group. I always hesitate a bit in reviewing spots where...

Animals anyone: The Lion’s Share. One of those places that would be off most people’s radar unless you are a local. I’ve walked by in the past without realizing exactly...

Coffee fix: Blue Bottle Coffee. One of several locations in the Bay Area this one is in the Ferry Building. They have espresso down to an art but also offer, not only...

Frenetic Mexican: La Taqueria. You need to visit this place just to watch what goes on at lunch or dinner. The line is out the door and the seating is...

In the Ferry Building: Fog Hollow Farm. Need a quick fix…..pastry, soup, sandwich, coffee or farm to table fruits?…..then this is a good option. It’s basically a take away place...

At Hotel Griffon: Perry’s. One of 2 locations in the city, this one fronts the Embarcadero. The alfresco area on a nice day would be a show stopper. Just had...

Vietnamese in the Ferry Terminal: The Slanted Door. I tried this place a few years ago and don’t remember coming away impressed despite its renown. This visit was more to...

Drinks anyone? Wayfare Tavern. Stopped by for a drink and some light appetizers before dinner. This is a very popular spot for…….you didn’t guess it…..fried chicken! We’ll have to try...

Captive audience: Urban Crave. Located at the Alaska gates in terminal 1 of the San Diego airport this is an option…especially if your flight is delayed an hour…..due to the...

A pleasant surprise: Puesto. One of several locations of this small chain; this location was across the street from the Grand Hyatt and therefore very convenient for a quick lunch....

Dinner for 30: Salvatore’s. Always hard to evaluate a restaurant when it is a large party experience with a limited, a fixed menu. I think that may be the case...

Eclectic: Juniper & Ivy. The space is very modern and the crowd is on the younger side. It’s high ceiling and a bit loud but the experience was very good....

Coffee anyone? Kreuzberg Coffee Company. Nice small shop….you guessed it….on 13th Street. Space is rustic but comfortable. Give the Mexican Mocha a try…. Visit website  ...

Northern Italian: Buona Tavola. A choice not in the13th Street restaurant core but worth worth a few blocks walk. The space is relatively small and intimate with a small area...

Lunch option not on 13th Street: Niner Wine Estates. Decided to take a day off from riding and noticed this place as I was driving others to the ride start...

Breakfast to start a new day: Cowgirl Cafe. One of many dining options in the downtown area near 13th Street. Specializes in breakfast with a western theme…..with portion sizes to...

Looking for a place to eat: Thomas Hill Organics. We thought we had our dining experience all picked out…..but it wasn’t quite what we thought it was, so we started...

Another breakfast: Vic’s Cafe. It has been around since 1942 and we needed fueling for our ride so this seemed like a good choice. Classic options of eggs, scrambles, omelets...

Wines on tap: The Hatch. Located in the downtown 13th Street area of the city which has multiple options to choose from, this option looked interesting: offering wines, whiskeys…….extensive offerings….and...

Hyatt Centric: Marbella. Quick bite before we were off to our next bike ride up the coast. The space is nice and the views, basically located on the beach, are...

Finally found one open: Los Agaves. One of 3 locations in the area…..and the first one we tried was closed for renovations. But never give up….the location in Da La Vina...

Since 1958: Farmer Boy. Diner like space with a breakfast made to be had before a long bike ride. They serve large portions…and lunch as well. The Santa Barbara Local...

Carbo loading, again: Via Maestra 42. Located nearby the hotel and known for regional Italian fare so off we went. It’s located in a strip mall….but most everything seems that...

Gotta try: Bouchon Bakery. There isn’t anything in the bakery that isn’t excellent as evidenced by the line that forms daily, and all day long! It’s a small place but there...

Another excellent option: Redd Wood Pizza. Had the white anchovy pizza with an affogato to finish.               Visit website @theeatingplaces #seattlefoodies...

Nice lunch on our way to wine country: Outerlands. Visiting friends who live in the area. You have to have local knowledge to know of this place. Chicken salad with...

Simply put….incredible: Bouchon. Visit website...

A Napa classic: Auberge du Soleil This is another one of those places that needs to be on your bucket list. The space is outstanding and as expected the service...

Nice spot for a quick bite: Hog Island Oyster Co. This is an outpost of the original in San Francisco and is all about seafood, particularly the bivalve variety, sustainably...

Great French bistro in a town with great restaurants: Bistro Jeanty Typical French style green salad and French Onion soup followed by perfectly done lamb. Excellent and with great service....

A bit of Vietnam in the heart of Santa Rosa: Kettles Noodle bowl with a glass of Miraval Rosé. Not your typical cuisine in this part of California but worth...

Highly recommend by Suzan….who would live in SFO given the opportunity: Perbacco. Started with a crudo of halibut followed by lamb pappardelle ending with a chocolate bonet and all washed...

Great place for Bruschetta in St. Helena: Clif Family Winery Yes it’s true…brought to you by the same people as Clif Bars. This is from the food truck parked beside...