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.

Le Petit Marchet -- San Francisco, CA

A Restaurant to Meet Everyone's Hunger - Le Petit Marchet

One of the few restaurants located in San Francisco, that offers free delivery, is Le Petit Marchet. One great feature about Le Petit Marchet is that they make deliveries until 3am. However, the best feature of all is the delicious food they offer. If you have a family of 'picky' eaters then this is the place to go. They have something for everyone. Their extensive selection includes a huge variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, Mediterranean fare, pizzas, snacks, desserts, candies and that is just the beginning!

Le Petit Marchet is located in the Nob Hill area at 1732 Polk Street, between Clay and Washington Street. This restaurant offers other interesting and tasty foods including dolmas. These are grape leaves filled with a mixture of rice and onions. Unlike other restaurants their mozzarella sticks are oven baked instead of being fried. Newbies really need to try the falafel which is a fried ball of patty made from ground chickpeas, sesame seeds and parsley. Burek is another favorite. It is a baked roll of thin flaky dough filled with ground beef and cheese.

You can choose from a wide variety of salads. These include everything from tuna salad to chicken Caesar. There are other unique salads such as Salata. This includes parsley, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions,lemon juice and olive oil; the Tabouli is a delicious salad offering fresh mint, burgol, cucumber, celery, tomatoes, green onions, lemon juice, olive oil and salt.

Many people go to Le Petit Marchet for the Shawerma. This is a great meal which is wrapped with Lavash break, Babaghanoush, Salata, and Tahini sauce. You can also select from the menu such delicacies as boar's head meat, and a variety of Panini. If you want a cold or hot sandwich there is a great number of choices. The variety of pizzas will meet anyone's desire. The fruits, juices, and snacks are great for those not wanting a complete meal. There is no doubt that Le Petit Marchet has something to satisfy your hunger.

The Treehouse -- Stanford, CA

The Treehouse is located at 459 Lagunita Drive in Stanford, CA 94305, right on the grounds of Sanford University. It is located in the Tresidder Memorial (Student) Union between the Faculty Club and Dinkelspiel Auditorium. This is a fun place for students to grab a bite to eat and/or socialize. It is also a place where you get great value for your money. They serve giant-sized portions of yummy food.

The Treehouse has huge listing of great-tasting food items to pick up, take out, eat in, have delivered (on-campus delivery of any large pizza until midnight) or catered. Beer can be ordered by the pitcher or pint, and there is a Happy Hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

The chicken wings at The Treehouse are scrumptious and served with your choice of Sweet Tequila Sauce, Angry Habanero, Garlic Parmesan or Lemon Pepper sauces. 

They have delicious Fococcia-style pizzas that have a thick crust and are made with olive oil and herbs. You can order a full or half sheet. There are also round pizzas with a medium crust in three different sizes. 

There are many Tex-Mex foods to choose from with a wide selection of burritos and burrito bowls, tostadas, salads, quesadillas, specialty fries, nachos, teriyaki bowls and tacos. 

The juicy burgers are made from 7 ounces of a tri-tip meat blend that is ground right there in-house. The Treehouse did not forget about the vegetarians and vegans that frequent their establishment. There are quite a few options available for the vegetarian or vegan such as Veggie Patties and Cal Veggie Mix Quesadillas. 

You will delight at the specials that are not listed on The Treehouse menu. For instance, Indian cuisine that has a different spin: Butter Chicken with basmati rice rolled in a tomato chili tortilla or Spicy Tikka Masala with basmati rice rolled in a whole wheat tortilla. 

The Treehouse is open on Monday through Sunday, year-round, from 10:00 a.m. to midnight.

Don Pisto's -- San Francisco, CA

Do you have a taste for some great delicious Mexican street food? If so, we have the answer for you and your friends and family.

Don Pisto's is located out around North Beach. Their address is 510 Union Street(at Grant), San Francisco CA., 94133. Their phone number is 1-415-395-0939.

Some of their food inspirations are brought from  sunny Baja, California to the Yucata peninsula, California. They only use the freshest and best ingredients and their menu changes with all four of the seasons. This is one of the reasons that this restaurant is unique and so tasty to your taste buds.

Don Pisto's restaurant look is a rustic nature. The dining design is beautiful brick walls with heavy wood furniture. The restaurant scene is relaxing yet mouth watering all at the same time. Just the smell of the food will bring you into the establishment for a "look-see."

Their menu ranges from Taco Trays to House Specialties.
Some of their tacos are Carne Asada. They are made of the best mesquite grilled steak and arbol salsa. The price range is about $9.00 plus tax and tip. One of their small plates is zesty Monterey Calamari. This dish is made of charcoal grilled orange, lime and radish dish plus all of the trimmings. The price is about $15.00 plus tax and tip. One of the House Specials is Puerto Niren Lobster/ A.Q. This dish is whole main lobster, homemade tortillas, beans, rice, arbol salsa and of course, cilanto butter. Absolutely Yummy! The price is about $20.00 plus tax and tip. Their side dishes actually speak for themselves. One of their magnificent dishes is their chips and salsa. The price is about $3.00 plus tax and tip.

Don Pisto's also provides Catering for your small luncheons or other events you made need assistance for. If you would like to schedule a catered party or luncheon, please call our Event Director. They will be happy to assist you.

So if you and your friends or family members are searching for a new and fresh restaurant that serves great mexican food that will make your mouth water, go and check Don Pisto's out for yourselves. You will be glad that you did. The food is delicious and affordable!

Primo Patio Cafe -- San Francisco, CA

Hong Kong Lounge in San Francisco is deceptively casual for a restaurant featuring a top-notch Chinese menu. The dining room is housed in a spacious area to accommodate the incredible number of loyal patrons. An immensely popular eatery, Hong Kong Lounge specializes in large portions that appease big appetites. 

Hong Kong Lounge has perfected the art of the steamed bun. Available in a variety of different fillings, the buns are the restaurant's hottest item, but that is hardly all they are known for. Their cuisine extends from traditional Peking Duck to Shark Fin Soup and everything in between including authentic dim sum fare. 

Fat prawns, roasted duck, and savory ribs are just a few highlights from their jam-packed menu of delicious goodies. The adventurous diner may wish to sample the exotic Shark Fin Soup or the frog clay pot rice (also available with chicken or squab). If traditional is your goal, try the pork Siu mai, shrimp dumplings, and sticky rice. The restaurant also offers dishes using taro and tofu as the main ingredient. The impressively oversized prawns are a main attraction to diners and are the rock stars of the Hong Kong Lounge. 

Don't miss out on the unique spin the Hong Kong Lounge has put on dessert. The koi-shaped mango pudding is a work of art both aesthetically and as a culinary treat. The steamed custard bun is another delightful ending to a wonderful meal but on a more understated level. 

This busy restaurant is frequented by locals and visitors to the city alike. Hong Kong Lounge has built a strong word-of-mouth business by producing superbly prepared dishes both traditionally and distinctively to separate them from the pack. Reservations are not required but are recommended when trying to dine at peak business hours. 

Be sure to come hungry and bring friends because it is almost guaranteed that you will have plenty of food to share. You may come hungry, but you won't leave that way.

Primo Patio Cafe is a very unique restaurant in the San Francisco area. They serve multiple dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner to make their customers happy. They definitely bring some of the Caribbean to the United States. Some of their dishes truly put the "u" in unique.

Some of the breakfast dishes on the menu include: Scooters, Primo Pitas; South Beach; Seasonal Scrambles and Omelettes. Some luncheon dishes include: Cerviche; Hummus; Grilled Spicy Chicken; Shrimp Cakes; and Snapper and Shrimp Tostadas. They have several unique salads to choose from to make eating out fun and healthy. Their tossed green salad is a mixture of fresh greens. Their tender chicken salad is a mixture of sliced jerk chicken and seasonal greens. The tropical spinach salad includes smoked pepper bacon, mushrooms, and almonds. They also have several other options for salads and they are as follows: Bay Shrimp Salads;Grilled Lamb Salads with Feta; Grilled Marinated Steak Salads; Ensalada de Mar;and the Grilled Snapper Salads. Their signature dish is the Jamaican Grilled Jerk Chicken.  It's unreal. Other entrees include: Upside-Down Chicken sautéed with wine and garlic garlic, served with creamy garlic yogurt sauce; Grilled Spicy Chicken Wings with a sweet and spicy chile peanut sauce and much more. On their Caribbean Menu there are unique Caribbean Quesadillas and some of these include: Vegetarian(served with fresh spinach);Chicken;Steak; and Shrimp. Some of their sandwiches include: A spicy grilled chicken pita;Grilled Jerk Chicken Sandwich;Grilled Lamb Pita;Roasted Eggplant in a Pita;and Bliss Burgers for all of those who may be strictly vegetarians. Some of the side items are as follows: eggs; Pita Breads; vegetables or oven-roasted potatoes; and spinach with garlic. They serve the best selection of refreshing beverages that can be found at few places in San Francisco like fresh-squeezed lemonade; yummy mango juice; Soy milk smoothies; and Ginger beers.  You can also wash your food down with a cold beer. 

These are just some of the reasons you should visit Primo Patio Cafe in the San Francisco area. They are definitely as unique as their food. Try them and you'll love them.

Skool -- San Francisco,CA

Skool Restaurant

There are dozens of Japanese restaurants all over the Bay area, but if you have grown tired of run of the mill sushi, tempura and teriyaki, come and try Chef Moto’s seafood-centric cuisine. 

School is literally defined as a group of fish that choose to swim together in order to increase the overall defense, success and efficiency of their families. Skool was built on those same principles. 

The husband and wife teams of Hiroko and Toshihoro Nagano, and Olia and Andy Mirabell opened Skool in order to source local and sustainable ingredients. The team of local designers utilized refurbished and recycled materials to create a comfortable atmosphere that is the perfect spot to indulge in inventive dishes and artisan cocktails. 

Every season Skool introduces a new menu that is sure to intrigue and entice even the most particular diners. These new seasonal selections include signature favorites like Squid Ink Spaghettina, Uni Flan and Eryngii Mushroom Fries, while adding new vegan and gluten free menus. 

Brunch is popular at Skool and includes unique dishes like Washu Steak, Ichibo and Eggs, Waffles, Langoustine Omelettes and much more. Saturday and Sunday brunch also offers diners $4.00 Bubble Creations and $1.00 Oysters.

Skool is ready for the warmer weather and if you want to enjoy the great outdoors come and enjoy the rest of the diners on the patio. Even if it is a bit chili, Skool has the answer with pillows, heaters, and fleece blankets to keep you toasty and warm. 

Come swim with the Skool and spoil yourself in the Detention Hall. Served every weekday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the bar area, patrons will enjoy discounted beer, wine, sake and cocktails along with a specially priced bar food menu. 

Come swim with the Skool and enjoy lunch, brunch and dinner with the most fun and inventive Japanese style restaurant in San Francisco. 

Sultana--Menlo Park, CA

Lunch and dinner is served at the finest Turkish and Mediterranean family owned and operated restaurant, Sultana. Great food served with the freshest ingredients is what has kept this authentic restaurant in business for well over a decade. Sultana is a quaint dining experience that you cannot help but share. During the spring and summer months you can sit on the back patio and soak up the sunshine while you indulge in healthy alternatives to fast food 7 days a week. 

The lunch menu has a huge selection of classic dishes like Lamb and Falafel Wraps and Seafood Kebab Salad. Regulars cannot stop talking about the Pomagranated Kebab. I had to try it myself a. This ground beef and lamb dish is stuffed with spinach and served over garlic yogurt. Topped with a pomegranate sauce with rice, you will order this dish more than once. 

Bring your appetite if you are dining at Sultana for dinner. Start with a bowl of Red Lentil Soup, or sample a Hot Trio that consists of Sigara Borgi, Icli Kofte, Falafel, and Spanakopita. The Combo Appetizer is a local favorite and comes with Ezme, Babganush, Humus, Tabuleh, Domas, Garbanzo Salad, and Kizartma. 

The entrees from Sultana are deliciously different and incredibly authentic. The Seafood Kebab is served with rice, salad, and lemon and is a scrumptious plate of marinated prawns and salmon. Go for a Lamb or Falafel Wrap, or try a Rib-Eye Shish. Marinated rib eye is grilled on skewers and served with grilled vegetables and rice making it a must for regulars and newcomers. 

Sultana is more than a restaurant and if you are in the market for a caterer for your next special event check out the menu. You and your guests will be pleasantly surprised at the huge selection of Turkish and Mediterranean items available. 

Drop in and see for yourself why Sultana is an affordable restaurant that has locals and visitors coming back for more.

Bissap Baobab Village -- San Francisco, CA

New Tandoori Cafe, 2135 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA

If you’re looking for South East Asian food in Santa Clara that’s fast and tasty, then you’ll want to try New Tandoori Café. Located on the same street as Santa Clara University, the restaurant’s great Indian and Pakistani cuisine is a great way to start or end your day out on the town. It’s a great option for college students looking for a delicious and quick alternative to fast food or young professionals who looking to grab a bite to eat after attending a San Jose Earthquakes soccer game at Buck Shaw Stadium. Families will also find New Tandoori Café to be a convenient dining choice as it’s located near several parks. Rotary Park and Warburton Park are just two of many parks that are located near New Tandoori Café. Restaurant goers can grab takeout from New Tandoori Café and have a picnic with some of the best Indian and Pakistani takeout in the area or stop by after their day at the park.

Customers can’t get enough of New Tandoori Café’s butter chicken and wraps. The butter chicken and lamb wrap are a regular go-to item for one customer and her husband while another says that New Tandoori Café’s Paneer Tikka Masala keeps her coming back. If you love tea, then you’ll look forward to the restaurant’s complementary masala chai tea. The final verdict? Check out a free art exhibit at The De Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University and share a night of conversation with your date or your family over butter chicken, tea and lamb wraps. 

When Bissap Baobab opened its doors in 1997, the city by the bay began a love affair with South African cuisine thanks to the vision of Marco Senghor. With his appreciation and knowledge of the culture, food, and music of French West Africa, Bissap Baobab has become a favorite among locals and visitors. 

Featuring recipes from the islands of Senegal and the Caribbean, Bissap Baobab Village is famous for its home style cooking featuring deliciously enticing curries and authentic French West Africa dishes. 

The Bienvenus, or appetizers, are incredible. Sample a plate of Aloko, fried plantains served with a homemade tamarind yogurt dipping sauce, or feast on Avocat Creole, which is a half avocado stuffed with a deliciously spicy crab and rice salad. This wonderful dish comes with yucca fries and is a great start to your meal. 

For your main course, try Seafood Coco. This sautéed Tilapia or Prawn dish is served in a spicy coconut curry sauce with rice and roasted potato slices. If you are hungry order Niebe Thies. Black Eyed Peas and vegetables are simmered in a spicy Senegales sauce with rice, and come with your choice of lamb, chicken, or tofu. The signature appetizer dish from Bissap Baobab Village is also available as an entrée. Enjoy Baobab Gambas featuring sautéed prawns that have been marinated in cayenne pepper and garlic. Served in a red curry sauce you will have plenty of pita bread to sop up the goodness of this delectable dish. 

Of course, there are plenty of deserts on offer from Bissap Baobab Village like Warm Chocolate Cake, Banana Flambee, and Seasonal Sorbets. 

Stick around and dance to Reggae, Latin, Congolese, and West African Beats. After 10:00 PM, the Little Baobab Club is in full swing. Even those who, “Don’t Dance,” Will be tapping their toes and shaking their tail feathers until 2:00 AM.