Zuzu, you have my heart…read more Zuzu is my go to spot in Napa for excellent service, cocktails, and bites. My large feline dentistry colleagues and I visited Zuzu recently. Each time I visit I am more and more impressed! I hate to say I have a favorite because each dish is equally incredible. However, I specifically visit Zuzu for the delicious boquerones and luxurious steak. The boquerone toast is flavorful, herby, balanced, and a perfect summery dish. This is the best steak I have ever had. Ever. The cook is perfect and melts like butter in your mouth. The chimichurri is the perfect amount of salty, acidic, herby, and tangy. Truly the best steak I have ever had. I'll be back, Phil H.

Zuzu exceeded my expectations. The tapas were excellent, the cocktail menu was creative with plenty…read moreof interesting options, and the paella was some of the best I've ever had--perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. The prices were very reasonable for the quality, and the central location makes it an easy stop while exploring Napa. The only reason I'm not giving five stars is that a couple of small details kept it from being a flawless experience, but overall it's a great spot that I'd happily recommend and will definitely visit again.

We discovered this fun little Izakaya (Japanese social eatery) when coming into town for the…read moreLadytron show at the UC Theater on busy Saturday night on University Avenue and we are glad that we decided to give it a try. It was conveniently located across the street from the venue, and the unassuming outside of the restaurant did not hint at the amount of fun, ambiance, good food, and warm hospitality contained inside. First, there is the name. Not sure if it's some sort of play on words, secret joke, or if it's someone's actual name, but it works, kinda. It's kinda a restaurant, kinda a bar, kinda of a hangout, and kinda fun. The tiny entrance and plain facade reveals a bustling world of delicious food, tasty beverage, and lots of decorative eye candy to keep you looking around the space while you are hanging out with friends, on a date, or just relaxing after a long day. The decorations there are very upbeat, eclectic, fun, and distinctly Japanese pop culture. Posters, banners, flags, lanterns, toys, and trinkets can be found all over the restaurant, and made it fun to keep looking around and discover new novel things to look at. I did feel like I was in an authentic Izakaya somewhere in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ebisu in Tokyo. The place had a lot of personality & personal flair in an otherwise, tiny & industrial small warehouse type space. Service was excellent. The host was the cute & personable Mina, who couldn't have been more accommodating, patient, friendly, and engaging. It was very busy, and even though it was our first time there, Mina made us feel welcome into their home and was also very helpful to guide us around their experience. The other staff were less engaging, but still professional, efficient, and polite. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly on all accounts, and they as a team, managed to serve an entire full house of hungry & happy patrons during the entire Saturday night dinner rush. Fun place with a good staff. We opted for Izakaya-type, shared small plates to satisfy our hunger cravings without getting too full and weighed down on big portions of heavy, rich foods. Everything on the long & expansive menu looked great, but we mostly stuck with small appetizers to sample & savor. It was nice that there were plenty of lighter, fresh vegetarian options as neither of us were really in the mood for seafood, fried food, or big heavy entrees. We ordered the Kinda Tofu, Kyuri sliced fresh cucumber salad, and Kinoko butter-grilled mushroom hot platter and washed it down with some green grape Jinro soju. Everything was pretty good! Not overly fried, greasy, salty, or seasoned. Lightly cooked, delicately glazed, with just enough seasoning & oil/sauce to make it taste good, but not end up too complicated or messy. The taste really came through using these minimal cooking & seasoning techniques. The taste of the original vegetables & tofu came through perfectly, and were only complimented by their light hints of adding flavor. Portion sizes were ample for two people, and presentation was appetizing and organized. The bill for 3 apps + 1 bottle of Soju was less than $50, so it was a good value for the fun experience & good food. Wait times during the dinner rush are long, and there isn't really anywhere to sit or stand, so reservations are recommended. You can also enter and go straight to the 10-seat bar if there are openings, but we got a table for two after around a 20-30 minute wait. After that, everything moves pretty quickly, from ordering, getting food & drinks, to wrapping up and getting your check. Perfect system if you're trying to get to a concert, movie, or appointment with a specific start time. I really liked this place, not Kinda, not Sorta, but Definitely, or Absolutely! Kinda Izakaya will always be our destination to eat & hang out next time we come back to Berkeley, it is a true gem of a Japanese Izakaya/light meal fare right in the heart of downtown Berkeley. It's fun, tasty, busy, and friendly. Small & cozy, yet also airy & comfortable.

2nd Visit. I'm smitten with the menu and vibes. $6 Kyuri:…read morerefreshing vinegary counter to the fried and grilled items. $12 Crispy Chicken Knees: very karage like. Excellent. $6 Bacon+Oyster: Least surprising. Tasty at least. $4.50 Chkn Skin: kinda sweet! In a good way, charred, and fatty. Delicious. $31 Ika Yaki: delicious

The number of times I've gone to Limón…read more... I've tried lomo saltado dishes at other restaurants (because I have found the need to always get this dish at a Peruvian restaurant ever since my first time at Limón), but nothing compares. I've tried a couple that have come close though! Came here on a Tuesday evening (made a reservation online for three). Lomo Saltado: always my go-to dish. I very rarely venture away from this dish (will usually get ceviche in addition). Flavorful and filling. Miscellaneous: - If you're going with a larger group or during peak meal times, recommend making a reservation - Parking is available via street parking - Good for small and large groups - The restaurant is loud

We are big fans of Limon and have visited the Walnut Creek location on multiple occasions. We were…read morein Oakland and decided to give this location a try. It is in a good location and had a nice vibe. We sat at the bar for drinks, appetizers and to watch the game. The food and drinks were just as good as the Walnut Creek location. Are server Alisha had a great vibrant personality. She provided excellent service for my wife and I. She stated this was the fun location. We did have a fun time and will definitely come back.

Great date night or girls dinner spot! When the food, decor, and vibes all match each other... it's…read morejust sooo *chef's kiss* for me. I'll always come back to places like this. Services was notable great as well! We went ahead and ordered everything our server recommended and the spread did not disappoint: Tumaco ceviche w/plantain chips- delicious cod ceviche in coconut milk, tasty and refreshing Arepa de las Monas- a very elevated cheese & mushroom arepa, super creamy and savory! Empanada de ajiaco- chicken empanada with a jalapeño-cilantro aioli, I don't know how something so simple could be so delicious and packed with flavor (my husband loved this one) Corte Andino- ribeye steak with mashed potatoe/plantains and a salad, perfect large plate to share We also ordered two drinks and I forgot the name but mine had two white gummy bears in it and it was bomb. I can't wait to come to try the Santa Maria ceviche, tostones, and branzino!

Parche has a lot going for it. The service was excellent, the cocktails were outstanding, and the…read moreambiance and location make it a great spot for a night out. The food was decent overall. The ceviche was good, and the steak was cooked properly, though it's hard to mess up a steak. The Brussels sprouts were underwhelming, and the chicharrones portion was pretty skimpy. Overall, it was perfectly acceptable, but I probably would not go out of my way to come back. The service, drinks, and setting were the strongest parts of the experience.

Everything I had at this restaurant was fantastic! I'd definitely go back…read more Cocktail - Beso de Sandía (Watermelon Kiss) - Vodka, fresh watermelon, mint, lime Starter - Piquillo Peppers with Goat Cheese Paella - Valenciana (rabbit & chicken)

Cute interior for a date! Service was attentive and kind. Came here saturday for lunch and was…read moreseated immediately However, food was not memorable and had cheap portions. Seafood Paella had a great flavor but was not crunchy and skimpy overall. For $46 dollars, Id expect there to be way more and cooked perfectly. Wine pour was even more skimpy. The fried cod was good with the aioli but nothing revolutionary

Went with a friend to check the place out, I'm not normally a fan of Spanish food. However this…read moreplace has entirely changed my mind everything was absolutely amazing and so flavorful! Highly recommend patatas bravas and the goat cheese toast! I also loved that they had multiple flavored gin and tonic options perfect for summer. The service was phenomenal, our server Brenda was so thoughtful and had perfect recommendations!! Will definitely be coming back soon!!!

What a delight to find this place on a rainy afternoon. The restaurant is in a comfortable old…read morehouse, and the welcoming staff seated me at a high-top next to a warm fire. I started with the creamy chicken croquetas, what a pity there were only three. I could have eaten a dozen. I also had the crispy asparagus and jamon "cigarillos" with manchego and a harissa aioli. Pure bliss. The roasted beets with walnuts and idazabal cheese were delicious and very generous, a reminder that one shouldn't go to a tapas restaurant alone! So take a friend or two and go.

Any day is a perfect day to spend the day with my brother. Overdue, we made our way to Hog Island…read moreOyster Larkspur. First time for us both here. The wait was 20-25 minutes to be seated outside. We provided our cell number to receive a text when our table was ready. Text received. Host was friendly and seated us promptly. There were two outdoor areas for Hog Island - a smaller, narrower seating area that held parties up to 4 and a larger tented, barn style area that accommodated parties exceeding 5. The table we were seated at was small, requiring us to rearrange our setting multiple times to accommodate dishes and drinks received. Even though the space was rather quaint, we avoided being bumped into. Conversations are far from private, we heard a lot. Our order of two drinks - a Manhattan ($17) and Spicy Pineapple margarita ($16) - along with a food order of a dozen half shell oysters ($48), four grilled oysters ($18), a fried fish sandwich ($24) and a rustic seafood stew ($36). Our drinks were perfectly made and perfect for a relaxing day. At $16 for a margarita in a martini glass was devastating to say the least. Highly cheap on the part of Hog Island. The same could be said for my brother's customized drink in a martini glass at $17. The oysters on a half shell were shared between two, enjoyed by both. The oysters were perfectly shucked - free of an unwanted crunch from shell pieces. They were fresh, large and delicious. The grilled oysters were prepared just right, not over grilled with a juicy finish. The chipotle sauce overpowered the oyster and the garlic oil was the ultimate compliment to enhance the natural flavor of the oyster. I am not a fan of cooked oysters, these were prepared to complement the oyster (minus our chipotle selection). There was also a miso butter option, my husband had visited previously and said it was too salty. My brother devoured his fish sandwich, said it was juicy, crunchy and well prepared. The bun was soft and slightly sweet complimenting his fish burger. Hod order came with a side of fries. My rustic seafood stew was slightly disappointing. The mussels, clams, shrimp and lingcod were prepared perfectly but there was not a lot to enjoy at $36. I did not expect a lot, just a little more than the portion received. I fished through the tomato base looking for missed seafood. With these bites there was a lot of crunching from shell bits. This part discouraged me from continuing to look for missed pieces of seafood. I am not a fan of crunchy soup that is not intended to be as such. Overall we had a beautiful experience. Our waiter was comical, the view was beautiful, the weather warm with kisses of breeze and the company shared with my brother couldn't have made it any more perfect. We would definitely return again. Apple Pay is accepted as the payment system is brought to the table. I'm sure other mobile forms of payment are accepted too. Gift cards can be purchased at the register where you check in with a hostess. Hoping my daughter's teacher enjoys our appreciation of her when she visits. The weather is almost always perfect this way. Enjoy good eats, good drinks with good company - solo or with others!

Late lunch at the picnic table in the tented area. The food was good: grilled rockfish on a bed of…read morecouscous sautéed with zucchini, corn kernels and a bit of arugula. My husband had the fish tacos. Our servers were friendly, cheerful and attentive. My objection was the way the initial receptionist/greeter treated my husband. She seated the couple in front of us, holding a finger up to my husband to indicate she would be right back. She came back to her station, did not look up and did not acknowledge my husband who was now first in line. She left and a young man replaced her at the reception. By this time, I was standing beside my husband and asking if we could be seated in the tented area. No problem. We were seated. My husband told me he had been ignored by the young lady receptionist. I asked him how he felt about this. He said he felt badly and it was maybe because he looked disabled with his cane. He said some people can feel uncomfortable with disability. A greeter's job is to greet. Please address this with your receptionist. Hog Island is a favorite in San Francisco and at Larkspur Landing. Reception matters.

What started out as a successful pop-up is now a full-service eatery with a rotating menu of…read moreTaiwanese tapas. Good To Eat is dinner only from Wednesday -Saturday. The inside dining space is minimalistic but chic. You can also eat at the counter by the bar. Outdoor dining is plentiful, and with heat lamps and string lights it is a lively option. The restaurant's philosophy is to be inclusive and many of their staff are from the LGBTQ community. The staff were super friendly and service-focused when we were there, adding to our dining experience. As for the food, the Taiwanese dishes here do not adhere to a traditional recipe, but rather it is Taiwanese cuisine with a modern twist. The Lou Rou Fan, for example, does not feature a stewed egg or mustard greens that would be standard at other Taiwanese eateries. Those looking for stinky tofu would be disappointed in not finding it here. What we did tried, however, were more like upscaled Taiwanese flavor-inspired dishes. We started with the grilled whole squid with house side pickle, and the Dou Bao (layered tofu sheet). The squid was excellent with the smoky grilled taste and we loved the perfectly fermented Chinese kimchee. The Dou Bao was unique in that the tofu sheets were served grilled, rather than the chilled wet version I am used to. Following the server's recommendation, we had the bamboo shoots rice soup claypot, which was homey and large enough for sharing. We loved the Shrimp with Specialty Tofu Sauce Noodle. The tofu sauce was creamy and garlicky. The shrimps were fresh and crisp. Fried chicken is a Taiwanese specialty, and the Pepper Numbing Chicken Culet did not disappoint. The chicken was perfectly fried but the meat remained tender and moist. The Taiwanese sweet pepper numbing sauce was great over the fried chicken, and in fact, it is pretty much good over anything. The Taiwanese Minced-Pork Noodle is like a Dan Dan noodle, with fermented bean paste sourced from Taiwan. We were lucky that on our visit they have the Taiwanese Twins Donuts, which were like beignets, but made from sough naturally cultivated in house for 3 days. This was really yummy. You have to order the soft serves, which was named by SF Chronicle as one of the best soft serves in the Bay Area. We tried the black sesame oil with sea salt flakes, and also the plum sauce version. Both were delicious.

Great little place with flavorful good looking dishes! Easy…read moreseating inside or outside ( could get a bit chilly). Team is welcoming and knowledgeable about the menus and selection of sake! Layered tofu, spicy noodles with eggplant and the house made kimchi with hint of lemon were the highlight of our table. Same as the fried mushrooms ( good variety of mushrooms). Great texture and fun little dish to share. Grilled squid is also a hit. I will go back to try some other items on the menu! It's a casual place that you see locals some young couples with babies and grandparents. You have to try this place. The kitchen looks fun and you can seat at the bar to see the action!