This is the cutest little lane in San Francisco near Union Square. I found it on Yelp…read more There are several restaurants in this closed street that just put their tables and chairs out into the lane. The tall buildings block most of the sun. The lane is quite narrow. It has an air of mystery and feels clandestine. Seek out this little gem if you're nearby and looking for a drink or a bite. It's worth it.

It feels like you have stepped out of California and into a little alley in Europe. The noise of…read morethe city fades and you are transported to fine French dining. Who knew this was here? Skip the crappy food and lines at cheesecake factory and burger bar, walk four or five blocks from union square, and enter a charming and unique spot in the city.

Ha! I'm glad that someone added this to yelp. I hate that all these "hipsters" sit on the median…read more"in defiance" of the sign that clearly says do not. As if sitting in the middle of a bunch of car exhaust while eating pizza is somehow going to enhance the flavor... Its even more sad when they all stand around the median blocking traffic so they can pose with the sign whilst holding their greasy slab of pizza up and doing that peace sign thing for photos for their cyworlds or myspace or facebook or what have you... Grow up. It's dangerous, gross, annoying and most of all EMBARRASSING!

The day when people stop eating Cheeseboard on the median is the day I mourn the a great…read morecooperative-owned pizzeria and everything it stands for. It's a testament to how good the pizza is--as if the line down the street didn't already say enough. It's a testament to how good food can create impromptu community spaces, even if there's a sign that says it's not allowed. When the sun is out, the patches of shade on the grassy median are ideal, and even sometimes preferred over the tight space that the restaurant has to offer. You can still here the live music that they have at lunch and dinnertime. Just--pay attention when crossing the street. And if you're driving, beware jaywalkers with slices of pizza in their hands!

What a lovely evening in The Creek. How different it is there than i the streets I more…read morecustomarily travel. So pale. So placid. Not in a bad way. A passel of patriots plied the portals of perfection for a handful of hours last night, passing from place to place, pleasing our palate with the plenty poured ... Stop. Sorry. It was a lot of fun. A dozen or so eateries and shops and a piano store to visit, each with a small sample of their fare or something they brought to get us in the door. The crowd wasn't huge, the beneficiary of the gate a lovely organization about which I'd like to learn more. I think I liked those little sausages in a taco proffered at Stelle Bistro the best of all. While my big hands made the sausages look so small once I wrapped my lips around them there was no turning back. I had two. They were so good. Nique, Jayzee, 'Nessa and I tripped those lights fantastically. The evening's end on the couches at Residual Sugar sipping the bubbles thank you very much for the bubbles, my dear, was as pleasant a group together as I've had in a very long time. We didn't Gallop. We strolled. We're from Oakland, after all.

Now this was one nice little fun walking adventure I must say! A self-paced guided tour of Walnut…read moreCreek, in which it was created to raise funds and help students of the Diablo Ballet. I can't say I've ever been to an actual ballet performance, but after meeting the staff and supporters that put this event together; I wouldn't mind checking out one of their shows in the future. Just to show my support. The great thing about this event was that it began at one of my favorite places, Massimo! We checked in, started out with a serving of Cesar salad, pasta, and garlic bread. A good starting location, as you explored that map and scheduled your adventure. I've already done over half of the places listed, like: Massimo, Walnut Creek Yacht Club, Lark Creek, Hamachi, SF Creamery Company, Lottie's Creamery, Silk Road, The Counter, and Peet's Coffee. But I would have to highlight where I stopped: ~Massimo's soft penne pasta bolognese! Perfect! ~WC Yacht Club's watermelon gazpacho with shrimp and pine nuts! Delish! ~Lottie's served up some floats! Loved the root beer and orange flavored soda! ~Silk Road had some fresh hummus and flatbread with chicken pomegranate. This was some serious stuff! I should've asked for a second serving. ~The Counter: Sweet potato, onion strings, and parmesan garlic fries. Ok, but not a fan. Highlights of new places I've never stepped foot in, until now: ~Steinway Piano Gallery - Served up some wine from Las Positas Vineyards. Sorry, didn't like the wine, but loved the background music from the pianist. ~SkinSpirit - Serving Laughing Glass Cocktails and L'Artisan Gourmet Parisian Macarons. Unfortunately I gave up drinking, but gave the drink a sip and knew it was too good for me to finish. As for the macarons, they were OK only a little too soft for me. ~54 Mint Forno - Wow, my third favorite stop. A new WC bakery discovery. Loved the samples, but recommend everyone to take home one of their quiche's. Egg buttery goodness! ~Opa! - My second favorite stop. Why? Because everyone should try their spanakopita. Super flaky and made just right. As was their dolmas. It wasn't overly lemony like most places make it. Damn near perfect! ~We Olive - MY FAV! Enjoyed the ladies that helped me out. I sampled everything and very much plan to come back. This place gets its own personal highlights because of the variety of balsamic and olive oils. Ellen displaying her Chubtastic Wine Bottle Art as well. I wish I knew of this place long ago. Oh, and the brownie/wine combo...mmm!!! Overall, if you haven't really explored Walnut Creek, then this would have been a great opportunity to do so. And also a great way of showing your support for the hard working ballet students. If this continues next year, I shall plan to gallop once again. My only negative star would be because, I didn't see fellow yelpers flaunting any Elite name badges :(

For once in my Mission, I won't let habaneros burn me,…read moreNot like they've burnt me before. For once I have some place, I know will dessert me, I'm not hangry anymore. For once I can say, iEsto es mío, no se puede tomar! As long as I know I have restos, I can make it. For once in my Mission, I have some place that feeds me!

Did you go? I hope so. I didn't see you, though maybe I didn't see that much after the buzz got…read moreinto my vein. Almost every eatery, drinkery and craftwerk was open and inviting last night, from 43rd Street to 51st along and nearby Telegraph Avenue in the really hitting its stride Temescal District. When I moved here a few years ago Temescal was still a pigment in my imagination, but I had a feeling it would turn. I had no idea by what degree. Last night's inventory of food and people variety was pretty incredible. You can choose from like 30 different restaurants, from cheeseboards to tapas, from kimchi to curry, from pulled pork made out of a vegetable to pulled pork made from Mr. Puerco himself. Top shelf cocktails at Dona and Barlata, PBR at The Avenue or Kingfish. Arts and crafts in the alley off 49th that takes you to Pizzaiolo. In this alley last night I procured a belt made of a snake. Buddy C., L, thanks for making all this happen. Thanks Marisa of the small shoppe for the snake.

My friends M, L and Buddy C finally were able to find an open date on the calendar and invade M's…read more'hood. The night started in one of his local haunts where M flirted with the bartender right in front of me. I'm sure Buddy C would have a few choice words, but I will keep him in his cage for a while longer and hope that he calms down. Taste of Temescal 2011 was an well organized event to help introduce us folk from Redwood City to one of Oakland's hipster neighborhoods. For $30 you given a passport to several local eateries and given the opportunity to sample some of the area's more tasty bites. There were plenty of event organizers on hand to help you navigate your way up and down the street and answer your questions. My only complaint was towards the end of the night M asked one of the local pizza places if he could take a taste of two different pizzas but was denied. Sick 'em Buddy!

Excellent Gourmet Ghetto Tour for my family visiting from Europe. They had fun discovering the…read moreBerkeley food extravaganza while I was at work. They loved lunch at Cesars. Naomi is funny and a great culinary guide. Great for houseguests and other friends you want to inspire.

We went to Spice of Life Festival our first time on Sunday 10/17/10. It was forecast rain, but we…read moredidn't think it would be too bad. We did get pretty wet though. Walking from Downtown Berkeley Bart to Gourmet Ghetto is not very far, maybe 1 mile (15-20 min). FREE Black re-usable bag from Thornwall Properties - nice & some candy. FREE wooden spoon from GOURMETghetto.org FREE Tribe Origins Classic Hummus FREE Zipcar.com pen - best pen so smooth - I love it. FREE DVD of YES MAN starring Jim Carrey from KOFY TV 20 - Cable 13. FREE sample Oren's Kitchen slow roasted artisan nuts FREE sample of soup from cooking demo - ok. FREE samples Scream Sorbet - tried Seascape Strawberry & Peanut Brittle. Fine. Lady told me they will have a shop at 51st & Telegraph near Bakesale Betty - not sure when. Bought to eat: Chairman Bao - tofu steamed bun (B. tried & liked it) + Pineapple Salted Caramel drink (I got no pearl, fine). Cheeseboard Pizza was Open! It's normally Closed on Sun so happy to get some slices. $2.50 a slice. Cash or check only. Paella - $7 tried it, still hate Paellas. Crunchy rice, hate it. Lush Gelato - tried all the flavors. Got 1 scoop $2.95 of Banana Basil Gelato - Card given - Buy1 get 1 FREE scoop! Good 10/18-11/17. Cioccolata di Vino Chocolate chip cookie $1.5 - just ok & small. Not that good. John's Street Eats - mac & cheese cake w/ salad $3. Just ok. Pork taco $3 - ok. I should have tried the Duck Rillette - foie gras on toast looked good 2pcs. Tiny Farmer's Market. Apples, Three Twins, Moonlite Bakery - looked good cookie $2 should have bought one: chocolate chunk or chewy ginger. Plants for sale. Kid games/rides near CVS. Recommended. I'll go back next yr.

My son and I stopped by at the Spice of Life Festival on the early side of the morning to avoid the…read morehordes. Parking was also easy, which in this neighbourhood is no small thing. My son got his face painted, won a t-shirt at the KOFY booth, looked at crystals, and repeatedly (and unsuccessfully) asked for money for this and that. But I think he knew that I wasn't about to spend $60 on an amber ring (with no magical powers) that he'd end up losing! I basically wandered around and chatted with folks at their booths. I did nibble on some tasty samples at the "Kitchen on Fire" area, stocked up on some scones at Cheeseboard, and received some good information from Going Places Travel on honeymoon options. The Spice of Life Festival has a safe, comfortable and relaxed feel and is just large enough. And since you're in the Gourmet Ghetto, the food selection and options were second to none.

What a fun night market on a Friday night in FiDi to unwind after work. Happening only twice…read morethis year, the next one closer to Dewali in October. Perfect location right outside of the Embarcadero Center that offered $10 validated parking after 5pm for the event, there are food trucks, popup food booths, vendors, entertainment and family friendly hula hoops and sidewalk chalk to draw to your hearts content. Food first for us before the lines get long, pani puri, masala chai, jollof, rose chai, thai empanadas, lamb kebobs, agua frisco, then off to their dance performances, before the music starts and the audience dances away.

Fantastic event! The live music was so much fun, the drum circle near the vendors and the bands on…read morethe main stage were fire! There were lots of booths selling jewelry, clothes and candles. The food trucks looked great, but even the shorter lines didn't seem to move much. We wanted to support the food vendors, but after waiting almost 15 minutes, it seemed like a waste of time. Suggestion for next time, more diverse food options There were at least 3-4 momo trucks, better to have less duplication Overall wonderful experience!