Barracuda Sushi

Sushi restaurants are extremely trendy right now; consequently some of the nation’s most popular high end eateries serve sushi. Barracuda Sushi is San Francisco is no exception. Barracuda Sushi is one of the best high class Japanese restaurants in the bay area. They currently have locations in San Francisco, Burlingame and Daily City. The restaurants eventual goal is to be able to expand their business and provide high quality sushi to the entire San Francisco Bay area. 

Barracuda Sushi originally started as a small Japanese restaurant in the Castro area of San Francisco. They later rebranded their restaurant and moved to their current location on Market Street. This prime location combined with the restaurants high quality delicious sushi is what led to the restaurant becoming so popular among San Franciscans and tourists alike. Barracuda Sushi is not your average sushi restaurant in that they are committed to providing the highest quality food, and in that they do this by using only sustainable local products in their dishes. This commitment to using the best ingredients definitely shows in the quality of their food. 

What is possibly the most unique thing about this restaurant is that they are constantly changing their menu. A large number of Barracuda Sushi’s regular customers are local San Franciscans. For this reason they do something that is unique from most other restaurants in that they change their menu every few weeks. They do this to try and keep their menu fresh and exciting for their regular customers so that they can try something completely different every time they come in for sushi. In a city with as many restaurants as San Francisco, it is rare to find a restaurant as unique as Barracuda Sushi. This is a fantastic restaurant that you must try the next time you are in the San Francisco Bay area.

Goat Hill Pizza

Goat Hill Pizza in San Francisco, California is a great place to bring a date or to dine with family. With its beautiful, inviting dining room and top notch service you will be pleased every time you dine there. If you time your visit right, there is a gorgeous view of the sunset from the dining room. Their menu offers so many options that you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for. Goat Hill Pizza is also available for catering, parties and take out. If you’d prefer not to call in your take out order they have the option to order online.

From pizza and sandwiches to beer and wine their products are always mouthwatering and fresh. Their pizza is baked in a brick oven and they make their sauce on the premises. There are over 20 toppings to choose from or you can order one of their specialty pizzas. Also, you can opt for the gluten free Vegan pizza. The sandwiches they serve are baked in the oven and served on a French roll. They also offer pasta dishes that include garlic bread, and your choice of any of their three house made sauces. For a minimal price you can add soup or salad to any sandwich or pasta entree to complete your meal.

Goat Hill Pizza opens at 11:30 AM daily and closes at 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday and 10 PM the rest of the week. Mondays they offer all you can eat pizza and salad. Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can enjoy live jazz piano being played by Harold Bradford from 6 PM until 8 PM. No matter the size of your party or the ages of the guests, they can accommodate you. They are kid friendly and wheelchair accessible, and are the oldest neighborhood restaurant in Potrero Hills.

Helmand Palace -- 2424 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Helmand Palace is by far one of the most unique restaurants you will dine at. Featuring authentic Afghanistan cuisine, it appeals to globe trotting diners. Helmand refers to one of the most beautiful places in Afghanistan, it lies next to the Helmand River. The restaurant is cozy and the staff is attentive. Located off Van Ness Avenue, the restaurant is open daily at 5:30 pm and offers a full menu, sure to please everyone. 

Reviewers rave over the appetizers served here. The Aushak is ravioli is stuffed with scallions and leeks. Served with a mint yogurt dip. The Kaddo is baked pumpkin that is seasoned with sugar and topped with ground beef sauce. It is served with a yogurt garlic sauce. All tables are treated to fresh flatbread and variety of dips. There are also a variety of salads offered, try one with the Pomegranate dressing; a fruit celebrated in Afghanistan.

Lamb is a heavy staple in Afghanistan cuisine and here it is served up with flair. The Lawand is a whole leg of Lamb that is sautéed with tomatoes, garlic, onions, mushrooms, capers, cilantro, hot peppers and yogurt. It is served over a bed of challow rice and spinach. Be sure to try the Chowpan, half rack of lamb that is marinated with a blend of spices and grilled. It is served with challow rice and sautéed eggplant. For Vegetarians there are many entree items to choose from, such as the Kourma Challow. Green beans, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, turnips are sautéed with spices and placed on a bed of spinach rice.

The Helmand Palace also offers a variety of drinks and cocktails. Be sure to save room for dessert. The Bucklawa is a flaky, homemade pastry that is baked with walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon and cloves. It is served with a honey caramel sauce. 

Philly West Bar & Grill -- Los Angeles, CA

Philly West Bar and Grill

If you are in the West L.A. area and are looking for a great little dive bar, stop by the Philly West Bar and Grill.

They are conveniently located at 1870 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca.

They have street parking and the atmosphere is casual. I usually stop by for a quick lunch or happy hour but they are also open late! I enjoy their full bar with great music selection or just set up and watch a little television with some friends. Wifi is also available, and the noise levels are not distracting.

A friend of mine even hired them to cater their home party, and it was amazing!  The spread was diverse and really pleased every palate at the event. 

A QUICK LOOK AT THEIR MENU--portions are large, filling, and flavorful.  I was able to try a lot of what is listed below at the party they catered. I would recommend coming with friends and sharing a bunch of different menu options!

Scrumptious Steak Sandwiches: Steak, Cheese steak, mushroom Steak, Mushroom Cheesesteak, Pepper Steak (bell peppers), Pepper Cheesesteak, Pepper Mushroom Cheesesteak, Pizza steak (mushrooms, mozzarella) and the Hoagie Steak (mushrooms, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled or raw onions, oregano and our delicious vinaigrette).

Hot Sandwiches: Hot Sandwiches: Italian Sausage (Pork or Turkey), Hot Pastrami, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Turkey Burger, Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast and Chili Con Carne (with-out beans). I am a huge fan of their turkey burger. It's hard to keep the meat moist, but they do it well.

Add an order of Tastykakes!

Hoagies: Hoagie, Roast Beef Hoagie, Turkey Hoagie, Tuna Hoagie, Cheese Hoagie, Egg Salad Hoagie and the ever popular Cold Vegetarian Hoagie.

Sides: French Fries (made with real potatoes with the skin still on).
Cheese Fries (the same great fries topped with dripping, hot cheese).

They do take-out orders but we do not deliver.

Come in to Philly West Bar & Grill and relax. Have a good meal, enjoy a great drink and make some wonderful friends! I would recommend it to anyone looking for hearty fare and a casual setting. 

Arabi -- San Francisco, CA

ARABI

Middle eastern food is a culture in and of itself. There are only two kinds of Middle Eastern food, good and bad. If good Middle Eastern food is what you have in mind, then Arabi Restaurant located at 101 Spear Street in San Francisco, California is where you'll want to head. Here you will find authentic food with the look, smell, and taste of the Old Country right in the Rincon Center. 

Even if you have never eaten Middle Eastern food, the fafalel and the shawarma are good. The food is freshly prepared and gets on the table in ten minutes or less. No one will ever want take out again. Sticking with the hummus and the tabouleh are good choices too. What anyone should hang out for are the Wednesday chef specials that at times have included a wonderfully roasted lamb shank dinner with all the fixings. The prices are always right, and plan to carry home a "doggie bag". The dog will never see it. The food is just that good. Arabi is a place that ten dollars matter for lunch and the portions can easily linger into a light dinner. The spices, and the tasteful way the food is prepared is enough to make this place a date night choice for sure. It might be inexpensive, but a cheap dive it is not. 

The breakfast burritos and bagels are memorable, but the personal favorite are the eggs in pita. These are simply delicious and have something close to pizza toppings with an authentic Old World taste. And then of course, there is the baklava. Someone's sweet and adorable grandmother makes the baklava. You can absolutely taste the love. Really.

If you want to go Middle Eastern, go Arabi's. The only thing you might miss would be the smell of the souk, the beat of the tabla, and a bellydancer, but the food is memorable.

Anatolian Kitchen -- Palo Alto, CA

Delicious and modern Mediterranean cuisine is not something you would usually expect to find in Palo Alto California, yet Anatolian Kitchen is doing a very successful job of doing just that. Anatolian Kitchen is a unique restaurant that offers a wide variety of Kurdish and Turkish dishes. They are a family owned and operated business that strives to serve the freshest and most authentic cuisine inspired by their native land. The family has had over a decade of experience working in the restaurant industry, which definitely shows in their high quality food; including their delicious homemade bread which they bake throughout the day.

Anatolian Kitchen does a great job of not only preparing authentic Turkish food, but also in serving their food in a restaurant that feels as though it has been transplanted straight from Turkey. The great thing about this is that there are many Turkish immigrants who work in Palo Alto; coming to this restaurant brings them the comforts of home, even when they are half a world away. Another great thing about this restaurant is its central location; in fact, it is just a short walk from the California Ave Caltrain station, making it a prime location for commuters.

There are a wide variety of unique delicious foods on the menu at this restaurant; there selection of Mediterranean foods includes: hummus, dolma, falafel, tabouleh, kebabs, mousaka, and many other great options. One of their most popular items is their falafel, which they make fresh to order. Whether you are new to Mediterranean food, or if it has been a staple in your diet for years, this is the best place to go when you are in Palo Alto. They have the widest variety of delicious Mediterranean food in the area; plus, their cheap prices combined with their relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect restaurant for every family to enjoy.

Eat My Sushi -- Santa Monica, CA

Eat My Sushi is a hip and chic sushi bar with the freshest rolls in town, situated comfortably on Main Street. The staff is upbeat and friendly in a warm environment that is fun and welcoming, complete with plenty of music and television for those who want a bit of entertainment.

Instead of finding a simple California roll on the menu, Eat My Sushi takes it up a notch with creative rolls that combine unique and complimentary flavors for an unforgettable meal. There are plenty of selections, both traditional and innovative for the sushi rookie or veteran. For the regulars, a favorite is an item not even on the menu which consists of seared whitefish with dynamite sauce. Try the teriyaki salmon with a cozy bowl of miso soup and the baked lobster roll for an unforgettable experience. The warm and gooey flavor contains the freshest of ingredients with the perfect amount of seasonings and portions. The "Dusk Til Dawn" roll is a favorite for this restaurant's strong following, with the sauce deliciously mouthwatering and tempting enough to order seconds.

For those who enjoy a bit of appetizers before their first bite, the spicy tuna jalapeño poppers are surprisingly delicious and addictive -- refreshingly creative without leaving you too full. 

You'll get plenty of bang for your buck at Eat My Sushi; all of their meals come with plenty of food that is well worth the price and can easily be shared. The Bento Box Special consists of two items and will leave you full and satisfied. 

To top off your meal, try the scrumptious fried tempura ice cream that is plenty sweet and perfect for sharing. 

Whether you're coming in for a small bite to eat or have a hearty appetite, Eat My Sushi continues to win the hearts of foodies for its impressive flavor and creativity in both the design of the establishment, and the menu.