Bistro AIX

City: Jacksonville, Florida

Food type: Mediterranean/ French

Restaurant link: http://bistrox.com/

Price range/person: $30-50/dinner

Wait time: 15 - 30 mins

Service: Classy, professional, polite.

Ambiance: Chic, romantic, modern. Dimly lit with modern decor and furniture. Beautiful lamps and scattered artistic pieces enhance romantic mood.

Dish Focus on:

Crispy Calamari served with red pepper-feta dip


















Crispy outside and tender calamari inside. Dip is deliciously creamy with a distinct cheesy flavor. A great appetizer choice.

Crispy Chips house-made potato chips with warm blue cheese


















Unique and tasty appetizer. Blue cheese is not too pungent. Must eat quickly, as warm cheese topping tends to make the chips soggy.

Mixed Green Salad with dried tomatoes & shaved cheese, tossed in a walnut vinaigrette


















Typical salad - not too exciting. Dried tomato pieces are too hard and walnut vinaigrette is a bit on the oily side.

Grilled Tuna over whipped potatoes, baby spinach, lemon-garlic butter & chive oil


















Tuna is thick, hearty, and meaty, with an almost steak-like consistency. Outside is nicely flavored while the inside remains tender. Spinach and potatoes accompany the fish well. Fish was prepared medium - would probably order medium-rare next time. Beautiful and creative presentation.

Classic Creme Brulee a Bistro Aix favorite


















Fresh berries accompany a creamy delectable dessert. Crunchy sugar top coats the chilled custard below. Yumm.

Flourless Chocolate Espresso Torte
dense chocolate cake with just a hint of coffee flavor

A VERY dense slice of chocolate cake. Slightly too rich, possibly even for chocolate lovers. Almost like thick chocolate pudding.

Yummmy factor: 3.5/5

YummmyRambles: Exquisite food presentation and service. Warm interior that creates a fun and classy atmosphere. Love the fiery lamps that decorate the rooms. Large selection of wine to enhance your meal. Riesling (Saint M Riesling, 2004, Pfalz, Germany) was fantastic. Able to accommodate parties of all sizes. Great dining experience.

The Palace Grill

City: Santa Barbara

Food type: Cajun, Creole

Restaurant link: http://www.palacegrill.com/

Price range/person: $18-25/dinner

Wait time: 15 - 30 mins

Service: Friendly, accommodating, personable. Servers go out of their way to make your dining experience pleasant - one even brought me extra muffins because I loved them so much!

Ambiance: Fun, lively, entertaining. Colorful decor and Marti Gras atmosphere makes your visit exciting and memorable.

Dish Focus on:

PENNE PASTA PONTALBA Penne Pasta, with Bronzed Diced Chicken Breast, Onions, and Red Bell Peppers in a delicious Creole-Seasoned Sauce with a touch of Cream.

Flavorful pasta with large chunks of chicken. A hearty portion able to satisfy a mighty appetite. A touch too salty for my personal taste.

Yummmy factor: 4.5/5


















YummmyRambles: Atmosphere is fun and exciting. Servers are genuinely friendly and want you to enjoy your dining experience, not ONLY the food. The BEST thing about this place are their muffins, which come with the dinner. Freshly baked, scrumptious bites of delight - muffin types include: corn, walnut, orange-cranberry, bran, and one more?? can't remember. Would go back to this place for the muffins exclusively, but the food is great as well. The CAJUN CRAWFISH POPCORN (a twist to your typical calamari) and the GUMBO YA YA are fantastic as well. Located by beach side, near tons of other fun stores and restaurants. Perfect place for dinner after a day of shopping!

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe

City: Morro Bay

Food type: Seafood, American.

Restaurant link: http://www.dornscafe.com/

Price range/person: $25-40/dinner

Wait time: 30 mins - 1+ hour

Service: Friendly, professional.

Ambiance: Elegant, inviting, classy.

Dish Focus on:

Clam Chowder award-winning recipe enjoyed for over 50 years, Served with homebaked sourdough bread & butter













Creamy and fulfilling chowder, with plenty of fresh clams. Bread is deliciously fresh and warm.

Petrale Sole delicate filets lightly floured & sauteed in butter & wine.













Fish is definitely fresh, but "poached" option leaves the filet slightly tasteless. Side of veges and rice are flavorful.

Scallop Saute butter, parsley, garlic, & a splash of white wine.













Possibly the best scallops ever. Succulent, fresh, and meaty chunks that slowly melt in your mouth. A true seafood winner.

Yummmy factor: 4/5

YummmyRambles: Wait is long, but the food is delicious, especially the scallops. Gorgeous views of the bay and Morro rock from the restaurant. A bit pricey, but nice for a romantic evening out.

Taylor's Refresher

City: St. Helena

Food type: Burgers

Restaurant link: http://www.taylorsrefresher.com/

Price range/person: $8-15

Wait time: 5-30 mins

Service: Casual, self-service.

Ambiance: Relaxed, chill.

Dish Focus on:

CHEESEBURGER - Topped with sliced American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles & secret sauce on a toasted egg bun.



























The ultimate place for the perfect burger. A soft bun with crispy edges sandwich a plump and hearty patty. Generously stuffed with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles. Cheese is smothered over the thick patty. Not your dainty afternoon snack. Available with chicken, ahi tuna, and gardenburger patties for those not crazy for beef. A wide selection of fine wines for the wine lover.














Yummmy factor: 4.5/5

YummmyRambles: As seating is outdoors, it may get quite hot on a sunny afternoon. A relaxing food stop that contrasts the more prim and proper wineries in the Napa Valley. Bring a hearty appetite. Fries make a great side. Cups are made from biodegradable material - corn!

Neecha Thai Cuisine

City: San Francisco

Food type: Thai

Restaurant link: Unavailable

Address: 2100 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115

Price range/person: $10 - 15/dinner

Wait time: 0 - 10 mins

Service: Polite, timely, professional.

Ambiance: Warm, inviting, cozy.

Dish Focus on:

Special Eggplant - eggplant, prawns, pork, chicken, Thai basil, and chili stir-fried in special sauce.













Colorful and tasty dish. Eggplant is plump and well seasoned. Meats and prawns add texture and variety to the platter.

Pad Thai - Traditional stir-fried rice noodles with prawns, chicken, tofu, eggs, green onions, and bean sprouts. Sprinkled with roasted peanuts.













A delicious noodle dish, generously tossed with tofu, chicken, and prawns. Slightly spicy. Shredded carrots, raw cabbage, and peanuts line the platter and can be mixed in with the noodles. Large carrot shreds do not mesh well with the soft texture of the noodles.

Yummmy factor: 4/5

YummmyRambles: A lovely place for a quiet and intimate meal. Food is authentic and very tasty. Plenty of stores to explore in surrounding neighborhood.

The Carême Room

City: San Francisco, California Culinary Academy

Food type: International

Restaurant link: http://www.baychef.com/about_restaurants_catering.asp

Price range/person: $15-25/dinner

Wait time: 10-20 mins

Service: Slow, disorganized, disconnected.

Ambiance: Spacious, crisp, grand. Large dining room with a high ceiling.

Dish Focus on:

Fish on a bed of mashed potatoes, topped with seafood sauce; served with a side of assorted mushrooms.













Taste does not match exquisite presentation of the dish. Mushrooms are too salty, and the fish is overcooked and dry. Would not order this entree again.

Assorted Desserts
Once again, platters are beautifully presented, but the food fails to tickle your taste buds. Unique toppings, such as the crunchy spaghetti sticks and the glazed root, give height and artistic appeal, but the desserts do not have distinct flavors. The same strawberry sauce and fruit assortment are used in several dishes and flavors are redundant. Ordering more than one dessert seems almost unneccessary.

Fig pastry puff













Cheesecake with chocolate chips and fruit

















Fresh Fruit Crepe













Yummmy factor: 2.5/5

YummmyRambles: As this is a culinary art school, students prepare and serve the meals. Therefore, your experience may vary depending on the students present. Service is slow, as appetizers, bread/butter, and drinks are all served by different students. Meals come out slowly as well. However, you may stroll around the restaurant to chat with current students and watch your food being prepared in the kitchen through large glass windows - a very "hands on" experience. Desserts are prepared in the dining room so that you may observe the cooking process. Student projects may be on display in the lobby. Not the place for a quick and satisfying meal. Fun experience if you have the time or a special interest in culinary arts.

Le Soleil

City: San Francisco

Food type: Vietnamese

Restaurant link: Unavailable

Address: 133 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94118

Price range/person: $10-20/dinner; $8-12/lunch

Wait time: 5 - 30 mins

Service: Courteous, efficient.

Ambiance: Casual, modern, asian twist.

Dish Focus on:

Flaming beef and shrimp wraps (name not exact on menu)













Before table side cooking














During table side cooking

A very unique and fun dining experience. The waiter cooks the deliciously seasoned beef and shrimp in a special ceramic bowl on your table. Entree is served with fresh vegetables, authentic fish sauce, and thin rice paper wraps, which are used to wrap everything up (like an asian taco). Inexperienced rice paper wrappers may find this dish a little messy, but it is well worth it!

Yummmy factor: 4.5/5

YummmyRambles: A small, yet delightful restaurant on a busy street. Wait is usually short and food does not disappoint. Lunch menu is also available, with slightly lower prices. While there are a plethora of other restaurants in this area, this place should not be overlooked. Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner - small and large parties can be accommodated. Many interesting shops/bars/bakeries to visit on this street.

Hyde Street Bistro

City: San Francisco

Food type: French

Restaurant link: http://www.themenupage.com/hydestreetbistro.html

Price range/person: $25-35

Wait time: 5 - 30 mins

Service: Friendly, professional, courteous. Chef himself may come out to check on you.

Ambiance: Elegant, romantic, serene.

Dish Focus on:

STEAMED MUSSELS MARINIÈRE - Garlic Shallots White Wine, With Fries


















Plush mussels in tasty broth. Good, but not extraordinary. Fries make a nice side.

COULIBIAC DE SAUMON A LA GENOISE - Layers Of Salmon Filet Divided By Rice And Wrapped In A Brik Pastry Paper, Stuffed With Mushroom Mousse And Spinach















Exquisite presentation, with each entree item able to stand on its own. Very original salmon preparation, with tender fish and veges wrapped in thin pastry paper. Entree looks small, but adequately satisfies hunger. The rice is a little too rich, but still tasty.

SOUFFLÉ AU CHOCOLAT FONDANT - Warm Chocolate Cake Melting Inside With A Scoop Of Vanilla Ice Cream

Decadent artistic masterpiece, able to delight any chocolate lover. Warm cake with heavenly center. All I could ask for would be a little more ice cream.

Yummmy factor: 4.5/5

YummmyRambles: A quaint little restaurant on a busy street. Delicious food with creative food presentation. Reservations recommended. Parking is rough. A bit on the pricey end. Perfect place for a romantic night out.

Marnee Thai

City: San Francisco

Food type: Thai

Restaurant link: http://www.marneethaisf.com/

Price range/person: $12-20

Wait time: 10 mins - 1 hour

Service: Timely, chaotic/rushed at times.

Ambiance: Festive, lively. Colorful art pieces and paintings fill walls. Fresh orchards decorate table tops.

Dish Focus on:

SPICY ANGEL WINGS - Deep fried chicken wings (and some drumsticks) sautéed with chili-garlic sauce and topped with crispy basil.

HOT (but not too spicy) chicken wings and drumsticks, fresh from the grill. A sticky sweet sauce coats the chicken, which remains tender and meaty under the crispy skin. The best part of the dish are the fried basil leaves that garnish the platter. A definite winning appetizer.

PAD SE – EW - Fried rice noodles with soy bean, broccoli and egg. Choice of chicken, beef, pork or prawns

A delicious noodle dish with hearty pieces of meat and broccoli. The sauce is slightly sweeter than normal, making it absolutely perfect. YUMMM!

BASA FILLET - with garlic and black pepper sauce.

Tender fish slightly fried and topped with a thick garlic and black pepper sauce. Fish is cooked perfectly. May be too much garlic for one or even people alone.

Yummmy factor: 5/5

YummmyRambles: Best Thai restaurant around. While the wait may be long outside, since there is minimal waiting space inside, the food is well worth the wait. Very busy restaurant, so arrive early or be prepared to stand around for a bit. Gets hectic inside, especially when the owner herself takes table orders. Take her food recommendations because she won't let you down. Slightly crowded place, so you'll be able to see what everyone else is eating as well. A must try! Not ideal for large parties over 6 people.

Levende Lounge

City: San Francisco

Food type: Asian/International Fusion

Restaurant link: http://www.levendesf.com/

Price range/person: $15-30

Wait time: 5-15 mins

Service: Professional, friendly, timely.

Ambiance: Relaxed, chill, trendy. Walls decorated with intriguing paintings and a flat screen TV plays live nature scenes.

Dish Focus on:

Mini maine lobster & shrimp cakes - roasted corn/jalapeno-lemon vinaigrette/lobster nage

These small cakes are full of seafood flavor and leave you wanting more (like the whole plate). Served with fresh sweet corn and a tasty sauce. Not spicy at all.

Indian spiced mini lamb burgers - onion chutney/cumin yogurt sauce/pickled cuke

A perfectly seasoned lamb patty on a warm and toasty bun. The flavors are distinct and mesh well together.

Bluenose bass ceviche - serrano/yellow tomatoes/fried plantain, lotus, tarro & tortilla chips

A beautifully presented dish that not only pleases the palate, but your eyes as well. The chips are crispy and make a great base for the tangy ceviche. A very fun platter to enjoy.

Stawberry-buttermilk panna cotta - strawberry coulis/crispy cinnamon kataifi

A smooth, creamy and light custard, sprinkled with a crunchy topping and served on a bed of strawberry sauce. The crunchy topping contrasts the soft custard nicely. May be a little too much creaminess for one person alone.

Yummmy factor: 5/5

YummmyRambles: Ice cold water is served with fresh cucumber slices instead of the normal lemon wedge - love it! Beautiful flower arrangements around the restaurant and in the restrooms (the ladies' room at least). Cocktails look and taste good. Large couches and booths enable the restaurant to live up to the name: Levende "Lounge." Food served family style, which works the best so that you can try more dishes. Valet or street parking. Nothing to do in immediate area outside the restaurant.

Sam's Chowder House

City: Half Moon Bay

Food type: Seafood

Restaurant link: http://www.samschowderhouse.com/

Price range/person: $25-35

Wait time: 20 mins-1 hour+

Service: Professional, nice, but slow paced. Waiter assigned to too many tables and was not able to check in regularly.

Ambiance: Casual, elegant. Exquisite beach front views from the restaurant.

Dish Focus on:

Manhattan Clam Chowder - Tomato-based little neck clam chowder with potatoes, vegetables, and herbs.

This is a hearty soup with plenty of thick clams and fresh vegetables. Broth is tasty, but not too thick and filling like typical chowders. Served with your favorite soup crackers. Bowl is large enough for two.

Escolar with herb roasted new potatoes, lemon, fresh herbs, and baby spinach.

Light, healthy selection of fresh, tender fish served on top of tasty potatoes and lightly cooked spinach. The lemon is not too strong and helps to bring out the flavor of the fish. Combination with the "mango salsa sauce" keeps the dish fresh and cool. While escolar is commonly associated with gastrointestinal problems, no problems resulted from this entree.

Sea bass with vegetable medley and chickpeas.

Fish was meatier and tougher than most sea bass selections. The vegetables were tasty, but the chickpeas overwhelmed the entree. Combination with the "black olives, capers and tomato sauce" made the dish too heavy on a hot summer evening. Going with a lighter sauce choice might make the entree more enjoyable.

Yummmy factor: 4/5

YummmyRambles: The estimated hour long wait was less than one hour. The bar and gorgeous beach side views kept customers entertained. Bread served before the meal was flavorful, but not warm. The waiter also forgot to charge us for the clam chowder, so our bill was less $$$ than expected.

Zachary's Pizza

City: Berkeley

Food type: Italian

Restaurant link: http://www.zacharys.com/

Price range/person: $10-15

Wait time: 20 mins - 1 hour+

Service: Friendly, professional

Ambiance: Casual, fun, relaxed. Walls are covered with colorful posters uniquely designed by Zachary pizza lovers.

Dish Focus on: SPINACH & MUSHROOM - Zachary's "Pride and Joy"A blend of cheeses, special spices, fresh spinach and mushrooms.














This is not your average pizza. With a crispy yet hearty crust, lined with mushrooms, spinach and chesse, and all topped off with a thick layer of fresh tomatoes, this Chicago style pizza will be sure to satisfy a hungry stomach. Not only are your tables set with the typical chili flake and parmesan cheese toppings, but a glass jar of oregano is also present for those who want to add a unique flavor to the sprinkle fest. Classic red lollipops for dessert are delivered with the bill.

Yummmy factor: 4.5/5















YummmyRambles: This would be a great place for a first date or weekend outing. While the wait may be long, the atmosphere makes it enjoyable. Street parking may be difficult, so carpool if your party is large. Leftovers make a great next day meal.