Generous, robust, and bold.

The restaurant is tastefully decorated and the service was superb. First impression: the restaurant is beautiful, very modern, lots of nice small touches and details. You don't feel like you're sitting in the converted corner of a Bloomingdale's. Second impression: this restaurant has a humongous staff. I couldn't really identify who our waiter was because we were served by a "team" of 4-5 men (awesome!).

I started out with the blue cheese stuffed dates (hold the bacon) and roasted bone marrow in a raisin marmalade. Both were fantastic. Dinner was a thyme roasted wild striped bass that I paired with creamy truffled polenta that was equal parts awesome and awesome.  The cocktails were perfectly served, and the wine list was impressive but also had a good selection of wines by the glass. PDA-style wine concept is very cool, and sommelier was very helpful.

Now for my favorite part: dessert. And, the only thing better than crème brulee is a trio of crème brulee. Espresso (yum!), vanilla (yuuuum!), and pumpkin (festive and heavenly).

We're going to go back to get the sliders because seriously, I would say at least 2/5 of the people there ordered some version of the sliders. You get three very cute sliders in one order and the fries are served in a little silver trough separately with dipping sauces. So adorable!

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza

3333 South Bristol Street

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714) 352-2525

It’s no wonder why this Spanish tapas restaurant is rated the No. 1 restaurant in all of Shanghai.  Sure, going to Shanghai for tapas may seem a little odd, but I stumbled upon this cozy little joint on my recent trip to Southeast Asia and I haven’t been the same since.  

Located in an old mansion in the French Concession, this restaurant is quiet and intimate but also whimsically fun. And, the staff makes you feel immediately welcome.

Among my favorites was the foie gras.  Let me try to paint the picture… seared foie gras on a crispy toast wedge, a thin slice of persimmon, and a tangy, spicy yoghurt.  It was heavenly!  The best foie gras I have had to date.  Full discloser: if foie gras is ever on a menu, I order it.  Next in line was paella with porcini mushrooms and hazelnuts (out of this world good). 

Willy bounces from kitchen to dining room, making sure everything is perfect--and it is!  Garden seating was a special treat since the weather was so nice.  And, wine is clearly a passion for Willy, so a visit to the cellar is a must.

El Willy

No. 20 Donghu Road

200031, Shanghai, CHINA

(+86.21) 5404.5757

Contemporary chic, sexy, and elegant.  I recently had dinner here for the first time with a friend and really enjoyed it.  All of it.  While it’s a great place for a date, the eclectic ambiance would make it a cool spot to enjoy with friends as well. 

Our appetizer selections were French toast foie gras (melt-in-your-mouth good!), shrimp rice crispies (nice presentation, but a tad over-cooked), and a lump crab salad (winner!). 

Let me get to the point here... the meat.  I ordered the filet with a blue cheese topping.  It was fantastic; not the best, but delicious and tender nonetheless.  In hindsight, it may have been the topping I chose--the blue cheese was a little dry.  When you’re expecting a nice, creamy-velvety texture and you’re not given just that… it’s not cool.  Knew I should’ve gone with the black truffles.  Yep, I said it.  Black truffles.  Shaved black truffles to be exact.  I also preferred the creamy horseradish sauce to the toasted peppercorn.  Crème fraiche and horseradish is my new found favorite dipping sauce for steak.  Ah-mazing.  I strongly recommend the mixed mushrooms as a side.  The broccolini was okay; just not very buttery and moist.

Dessert was an iced tiramisu (best I’ve had) and frozen berry, (tasted like frozen Yoplait or Go-gurt) but the vodka-infused berries were yummy. 

All in all, the service, ambiance, and food are what will bring me back out to STK for seconds. 

STK

755 North La Cienega

Los Angeles, CA 90069

(310) 659-3535

This place is solid. A group of us stopped in for a nightcap after dinner before making our way back to the hotel. My drink of choice is red wine, though I'm no wine connoisseur. The flights are great and pretty heavy.  Mellow atmosphere - warm, comfortable, and dark. The noise level is ambient so conversation is easy. No unst unst here.

The Hidden Vine

620 Post St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 674-3567

1550 Hyde is one of those instant favorites.  I have to say thanks 1550 for the perfect setting for our reunion -- a group of us recently enjoyed dinner at this cozy, intimate venue.   It is a small restaurant, the atmosphere is comfortable, unpretentious but refined, the service was quite good, local/organic, and great for dates.  What the candlelit restaurant lacks in floor space, it makes up for in outsize wine bargains.  Our waiter was a perfect blend of sarcasm and knowledgeable.  We all made it a point to order different starters so we could sample as much of the menu as possible.  The roasted beet salad was excellent (I eat beets like they're going out of style, mind you).  Bruschetta with glazed figs and cheese (winner!).  Salmon Tartar with crostini (fresh!).   Sea-bass was a tad bit overcooked, but the fingerling potatoes and broccolini were perfect perfect perfect.  Dessert was a rich scharfenberger pot de crème (aka: sexual chocolate!).  Keep in mind:  they change the menu every so often so that it is in line with the season and the availability of the ingredients.  Also, if you can get a window seat, you'll be treated to a great view of the cable cars as they pass (such an out-of-towner, I know).  

1550 Hyde Cafe & Wine Bar

1550 Hyde Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 775-1550