I was there last Friday evening. And I had an OMG experience…read more My chicken pesto with polenta was absolutely insane!!! I took a picture of it to prove how cool it looked, but it tastes better than it actually looked. I want to be clear. The service is always top-notch as I go there for lunch mostly but rarely for dinner since I live in a different town. And of course, I love sitting outdoors there because it's a great spot to be.

Had a fantastic dinner at Johnston's last night. I thought it was a new restaurant, but it's been…read morehere since 2014! My friend had the Sonoma Salad and I had the fried chicken sandwich. We completely devoured our meals--superb food. The wine list was excellent, and we loved our choices. Our waiter was friendly and solicitous. The only drawback, hence the loss of one star, is the dining room's hard wood chairs. So uncomfortable! If we're paying close to $100 for a night out, I expect great food and total comfort. I hope they invest in some pillows. A cheap way to enhance customer comfort.

Had a lovely dinner at Stella on Friday evening. Made reservations and though there were none…read moreavailable from 6 - 7 PM, the restaurant actually seemed to have plenty of tables open. It was large and inviting and seems like a lot of people enjoy eating in the bar area. Service was really great the entire time and enjoyed all the dishes we ordered. Their house made focaccia was perfectly fluffy and warm. The burrata caprese was fantastic, loved it with the fresh arugula. For my entree I had the rigatoni salsiccia calabrese. It was a very large portion, I was able to eat two more meals with the leftovers! Pasta was cooked perfectly, lots of sausage and peas, and the creamy sauce was fantastic. Also had a side of the brussels with pancetta and balsamic and that was cooked and seasoned very well too. Ended the meal with their bourbon bread pudding. Not typically a fan of bourbon flavored desserts, but this was not overwhelming with bourbon and the bread pudding was moist and flavorful. The creme on top was perfect. Would definitely come back!

Food was fine, service was fine, if a little pretentious, but just can't get over five dollars a…read moreshrimp making my Caesar salad $37. Weirdly, some portions like the chicken parm and the sole were huge, but this entrée salad and the special risotto were tiny. Service was decent, but could have been nice if they'd fix a few things - mostly small things that either make you feel like they care or you are just another average customer. We had the burrata, which was excellent, and I asked, can we get some bread, and he basically said "you want more bread?" When there was no bread or anything on the table. Turns out that it comes with a couple slices of bread, which he just could have told us without making us feel stupid.

Once again, Barrel Bistro did not disappoint. Figen was an outstanding server. The food is always…read moreon point. This place is my go to place in San Mateo when I want to take someone to celebrate a special occasion.

Natalia was super super sweet and very attentive to us, and also gave us a dessert on my birthday!…read moreI think she said it was her first day so she did great!!

Decent spot for drinks…read more Pretty solid place with a good selection of drinks. The bar staff were great and made the experience enjoyable. They have a lot of options to choose from, and the cocktails were definitely the highlight. Well-made, flavorful, and easy to enjoy. I also tried the wine. It was just okay to me, but honestly, I'm probably not the best person to judge wine since I don't really know how to appreciate it properly. Overall, a good spot for drinks, especially if cocktails are more your thing.

I honestly don't understand all the glowing reviews for B Street & Vine. Our experience was…read moredisappointing from start to finish. We sat outside, and the atmosphere felt tired and uninspired. There was nothing particularly inviting or memorable about the space. We ordered the bruschetta sampler ($24), choosing the mango, salmon, mushroom with prosciutto, and tomato mozzarella varieties. Surprisingly, they all tasted almost exactly the same. Nothing tasted fresh or vibrant. The bread was especially disappointing--bland, lacking texture, and seemingly devoid of flavor. The mango wasn't sweet, the tomatoes tasted like nothing, and even the mozzarella lacked freshness and character. The wine was equally underwhelming. My husband ordered the Tempranillo and I had the Albariño. Neither was enjoyable; both tasted harsh and overly alcoholic rather than balanced or flavorful. Even the presentation missed the mark. The glassware felt dated and unattractive, which only added to the overall feeling that the restaurant is past its prime. Unfortunately, this was not a memorable meal for the right reasons. With so many great dining options available, we won't be returning.

How could I not know about Crystal Springs Tavern? This place is absolutely fabulous!…read more Not only do you get a magnificent burger they highlight on their menu with their own special caramelized onion aïoli - they have an amazing menu to choose from. It is kid friendly, however also offers an ambience that feels very adult date like with the decor. The co-owners, Max and Matthew, welcome you whether it is from back of the house, from the chef's kitchen, front of the house with excellent service, or a quiet respite at the bar, you know you are going to be well taken care of. Besides that amazing Tavern burger-if you wanna top off the night with an "adult dessert" I highly recommend the espresso martini. Support your neighborhood restaurants! This one is totally worth it! Definitely worth your time, food cravings and attention!

I stopped into Crystal Springs Tavern for what was supposed to be a quick bite and to watch some…read morecollege football. Nothing fancy. Sit at the bar, eat something, watch 20-year-olds destroy their ACLs for my entertainment, and go home. Then I ordered the pork chop. I don't know what they're doing to this thing back there, but it was quite possibly the best pork chop I've ever had. At minimum, it's the best one I can remember, and frankly that's the only version of me qualified to write this review. Perfectly cooked, ridiculous flavor, and one of those meals where halfway through you stop watching the game and start paying attention to what you're eating. I came in for football and somehow ended up having a private moment with a pork chop. The bartender was great--friendly, attentive, but also understood the sacred relationship between a man, his dinner, and a television showing college football. The atmosphere was equally good. Relaxed, comfortable, upscale without making you feel like you need to know what fork to use. Meanwhile, behind me were two real estate guys splitting a bottle of wine that looked expensive enough that I briefly considered asking if interest rates had dropped. They ordered a couple of chicken dishes that also looked incredible. I didn't try them because apparently society still has rules about reaching over and eating food off a stranger's plate, even when you've been staring at it for several minutes. That's probably my only regret. I came in looking for a quick meal and ended up finding a place I'll absolutely come back to. Great atmosphere, excellent bartender, and a pork chop good enough that I'm now suspicious of every pork chop I've eaten before it. Definitely found my new watering hole after moving to the area.

patatas bravas, spicy sauce was very tasty portobello…read moremushroom, sub garlic butter with olive oil vegetable paella, rice was more cooked but i liked it! easier to digest than other paellas i've tried where the rice is more al dente. some of the vegetables were very fibrousy since it was cooked for a while? intimate and popular for date nights/girls night. it gets loud inside and difficult to hear clearly since the tables are placed really close to each other make a reservation! gets packed and the wait time is long for the paella and other roasted items. friendly staff, kitchen is very accommodating to vegetarian and no onion, no garlic

Food-4.5/5: 4.5/5: spanish black paella--this was yum, a…read morelittle dry could use more sauce. potatoes: i like mashed potatoes lol i mash them myself at home so i expect them to serve these but thats just the tapas european style i guess. 5/5: charcuterie was excellent! felt like i was in barcelona! i highly recommend ! 5/5: caprese salad was mmmm....mmmm hmmmm! mmmmm hit the spot ! 4/5: paela was okay not anything special, maybe utilize premium jasmine milagros rice but maybe this was european rice again, something im not used too! Service- 5/5: the servers were so kind and patient ! fast service too ! never rude or mismatched orders! Ambiance-6/5: 6 out of 5 stars ! my friend is fabulouso ! it was her birthday and she goes all out ! Nicest and fanciest little small restaurant but mighty! there is conveniently located after 6:00pm (free) parking lot outside in front of the restaurant and outside seating as well. if youre going to plan for a big party i wouldnt do so here only under for a party of 10.

All Spice is a hidden gem that delivers an unforgettable fine dining experience. Every dish is…read morebeautifully presented and thoughtfully crafted, blending global flavors with creative techniques and premium ingredients. Each course is unique, balanced, and full of flavor, making the tasting menu an exciting culinary journey from beginning to end. The service was exceptional--warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. The staff took the time to explain each course and made the evening feel personal and relaxed without ever feeling rushed. The intimate setting creates the perfect atmosphere for a romantic date night, anniversary, or special celebration. If you're looking for an innovative dining experience that goes beyond the ordinary, All Spice is absolutely worth the visit. The food, service, and attention to detail make it one of the Bay Area's true hidden treasures.

I last visited All Spice years ago when they had 1 Michelin star and I honestly don't remember the…read moreexperience other than I'm pretty sure we had a good time. We frequently pass by since we're in the area and have been considering returning for a visit, which we finally just did! We were also on the hunt for a local restaurant that could accommodate a wedding dinner celebration, but realized too late that they are closed on the day we were eyeing. They offer a 3, 4 or 5 course choose-your-own menu starting at $90 for the 3 course, $110 for the 4, and $120 for the 5. There's some dishes with a supplemental fee, but it's noted on the menu. Also, wine pairing is available for $12/course and if you choose to bring your own wine, corkage is $15/bottle. The ambience is really lovely and cute. It looks like a house and the restaurant is separated into 3 rooms. I love the first room to the right with the fireplace. Very intimate and cozy! When we went, one of the larger groups in another room was a bit rowdier, and it definitely did not match the vibes. Although that's not the restaurant's fault, I did feel much more at ease once that party packed up and left. Service was great! Our servers changed mid-meal, and although our first one was fine, we thought the second one was more personable. They graciously packed up any dishes I was unable to finish (eyes bigger than my stomach) and the wine pours got more generous as the night progressed. Maybe they noticed me stealing sips? The food was also really good. I really enjoyed the sunchoke tikka and salmon courses, as well as their version of a miso soup. The portions are also quite large, hence me being unable to finish 5 courses. I will definitely have to come back in the future once the menu changes. There's also something to accommodate all dietary restrictions! I'm glad they're not closing down or moving locations anymore. Overhead the owner stating they are planning to stay put for the time being, yay!

Good service. The branzino is alright Ambiance is…read morespectacular- crowded though. I would recommend to friends who are visiting town.

The foods are very nice and with big portions. We ordered…read moreseafood and lamb chops. Servers are also very friendly and welcoming!