Recent Food Reviews
Our Top 12 Restaurants in California
1. Mediterraneo, Westlake Village
2. Celestino, Pasadena
3. Ristorante Allegria, Napa
4. Alessio Ristorante, West Hills & Northridge
5. Tango Restaurant & Bar, Escondido
6. Il Tiramisu, Sherman Oaks
7. When In Rome, Encinitas
8. Bayleaf Restaurant, Napa
9. Amore Ristorante Italiano, La Quinta
10. BluEmber, Rancho Mirage
11. Profile Wine & Bar, Woodland Hills
12. Vercelli Ristorante, St. Helena
You may observe that 9 of the restaurants are Italian or Mediterranean - coincidence? Perhaps.... try them and let us know what you think.
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Mediterraneo, Westlake Village, CA
9 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
Ranked as the #1 restaurant in California!
Rarely do you find a restaurant where the entire staff is friendly and knowledgeable where the food is great - this one has it all. I was impressed the first time we dined there when I received a confirmation call the day of the reservations AND a follow-up call the day after. That has never happened anywhere else. Mediterraneo has now become our favorite Southern california restaurant.
The food is spectacular from appetizer to dessert. It is said that the quality of the bread determines the quality of the food to follow. Theirs is outstanding with olive tapenade for dipping.
Twice I have ordered the Braised Beef Rosso, a slow-roasted beef short rib entree in a red wine reduction sauce served with fregola, mushrooms and root vegetables and topped with a horseradish gremolata. One of the best beef short rib dishes on earth!
For starters, the Pan Plano Mediterraneo is a thin flat bread with a Mediterrean salad on top - truly unique and refreshing. I could not resist the Florentine Art, which is white chocolate-laced Chantilly cream in a caramelized almond bowl topped with fresh seasonal berries. It seems as though there are no calories!
Overall, competent and friendly staff, great food and warm atmosphere. I give it my highest recommendation - It's Mediterraneo!
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Il Tiramisu, Sherman Oaks, CA
8 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
You will be warmly greeted at the door, usually by owners Ivo or Peter, and escorted to a cozy table where you will enjoy a quiet evening with abeautiful Northern Italian ambiance.
For starters I recommend the Portobello al Forno con Gorgonzola, a portobello mushroom filled with vegetables & gorgonzola cheese. The Caprese is a cut above most with fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinaigrette.
All of the entrees are outstanding and I had the Osso Buco di Agnello, a lamb shank, braised in chianti & red onions. Truly superb!
The wine list is simple and very reasonably priced. This is a fine dining experience at reasonable prices.
That is why we rank it as #6 in all of California!
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Ristorante Allegria, Napa, CA
9 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
Being #3 in all of California says much about this restaurant which is truly a neighborhood gem located in a converted 1920's bank in Downtown Napa. The brothers who own and run this upscale Italian restaurant really understand great customer service and perfectly prepared food!
The bar scene is lively and the dining in the main dining room is a wonderful experience. However, it gets better with the rare opportunity to book a small private dinner in "The Vault" or a larger group on the second floor in "The Chardonnay Room." Second floor dining also features balcony tables overlooking the seating below. It is amazing how the service can be so great with so much activity going on throughout the restaurant!
My favorite pasta has always been the Penne con Pollo with marinated Chicken Breast Sauteed, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Sweet Corn Chipotle-Basil Sauce. Wow!
I recently tried the Grilled Lamb Tenderloin made with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, oven Roasted Tomatoes , Wild Mushrooms, in a Whole-Grain Mustard Wine Reduction Sauce. Wonderful!
This is truly a fine dining experience in an upbeat setting that will bring you back time and again. No wonder it is ranked as the #3 best restaurant in California!
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Bayleaf Restaurant, Napa, CA
8 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommendation)
I classify this as one of the best restaurants in the Napa Valley based on ambiance, food, service, value, and overall dining experience. We rank it in the Top 10 restaurants in California.
It is a charming setting that begs you to come inside after seeing the quaintness of its rose garden and flower-lined walkways. Inside you will find 5 dining rooms including private rooms and patio. But, you haven't seen anything until you experience the food. The choices are wide and the wine list is fairly priced.
On my last visit I had the Dungeness Cake Cakes with Saffron Aioli with Caramelized Fennel, Meyer Lemon Preserve, Lobster Demi-Glace. Delicious! Next I tried the Chicken Mattone, a brick-oven Roasted Chicken with Savory Bread Pudding, Seasonal Vegetables, and Herb Veloute. I experienced flavors that I had not previous encountered and was delighted.
The service was attentive and impeccable. Owner Mounir Fahmy treated us to a tour of the kitchen and facilities after dinner making it a totally enjoybale evening. This is a restaurant that I will visit every time I am in the Napa Valley.
I look forward to my next visit to taste the fine art of creative dining under the leadership of the new Executive Chef, Steve. Hope you will visit and see firsthand what a great restaurant can be.
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Amore Ristorante Italiano, La Quinta, CA
8
on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
Rated as the best restaurant in the Palm Springs area, the food and service combine to make this restaurant a sure favorite of anyone who gives it a try. The exterior design is ultra modern and the decor has a warm charm once inside. A warm greeting is guaranteed by hostess, waiter and waiter's assistant.
The menu is filled with great Italian dishes from starter to dessert. Some of the tasty salads include Portofino, Caesar, Mozzarella Caprese. Appetizers that are highly recommended include Warm Portabella Mushrooms, Eggplant Rotillini, and the Baked Asparagus wrapped Prosciutto Ham. There are many homemade pastas and sauces to create your own dish. I especially enjoyed the "Michaelangelo," Fettuccini, Prosciutto, Mushrooms & Peas in a Light Cream Asiago Sauce. Their house specialties linclude Osso Bucco, Veal Parmesan, and Lobster Gnocchi. The homemade Meat Lasagna was highly recommended by other guests. All of the desserts are homemade, including the Cheesecake, Cannolli's and Tiramisu.
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Giovanni Ristorante, Woodland Hills, CA
8 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
If you like authentic Italian food in the Valley, this is it! They've been in business for years but recently moved to a larger location acroos the street and the venue if ideal.
I like it when you are warmly greeted at the door by the owner and they do just that. You can tell right away that they are geniunely interested in creating a memorable dining experience. Expect to have a leisurely meal as the waiters do not rush anything.
The Caprese appetizer was prepare just right. I found one of the absolutely best versions of Chicken Marsala ever. The pasta that accompanied it was a bit large in size but no harm. The flavors of the chicken were robust and pleasing on the palate. There was no room for dessert as the meal was filling and justly rewarding.
The casual atmosphere is great for groups or romantic couples. I highly recommend it!
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Vercelli Ristorante, St. Helena, CA
8 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
Chef and Proprietor, Israel Perez, has created a hidden gem along Main Street in St. Helena with beautiful Italian dishes that shout the word "fresh!" in every aspect.
It is a non-pretentious place with table top linens that send a clear message of "welcome." The menu is simple but with so many great choices including Eggplant Parmigiana (my favorite), Cioppino, Roasted Pork Chops, Grilled Salmon, Pizza, and much more.
Their "no corkage" policy is hard to resist and the wine list is well constructed.
This cozy restaurant is highly recommended for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I look forward to going back whenever I am in town. Simply put: Great food and service!
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BluEmber, Rancho Mirage, CA
8 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
This is a dining experience that you will remember for years! The restaurant is located in the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and offers a unique dining experience in an energetic atmosphere. It features an elegant, vibrant interior that will excite your senses with its unique textures and lighting. The expansive outdoor plaza is accentuated by an incredible fire and water feature and surrounded by a variety of casual outdoor seating options, complementing the breathtaking panoramic views.
They feature small plates for sharing with such choices as Tempura Asparagus, Crispy Blue Prawns, and Chipotle Chicken and Potato Empanada for starters. Great entrees include the Pan Seared Salmon Steak and Slow Braised "Osso Bucco" Short Ribs. The desserts are unique and show off the creastive spirit of the resturant.
It will be your lucky evening if you are fortunate to get Amanda as your server. She is extremely knowledgeable and helpful with personality plus!
Again, a delighful dining experience.
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The Social, Valencia, CA
7 of the 10 Star Scale (Recommended)
The ambiance is non-descript from the outside and even upon entry but that is quickly put aside as the service and food overcome any deficiencies in the appearance of the restaurant.
Although the prices are a bit high for the Santa Clarita Valley, the quality of the food is excellent. The house salad was as good as any of rect memory. I had the Osso Bucco which was made to perfection and the accompanying vetables were equally enticing.
The mark of a good restaurant is: I would go back and look forward to the experience.
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Profile Wine & Bar, Woodland Hills, CA
8 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
A relaxing and warm atmosphere with food and service to match. The bar is a great place to enjoy a cocktail or wine by-the-glass in a casual atmosphere before dinner. When you adjourn to the dining room you will find a wine list and menu that is hard to top. I have dined there at least 20 times over the years (when it was Toast) and the menu is basically the same, just better.
The private dining room seats 12-14 comfortably and is a great place for a business meeting or small gather with friends.
It is ranked #11 in all of California!
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Angele Restaurant, Napa, CA
7 on the 10 Star Scale (recommended)
Nice place for lunch if you enjoy outdoor dining. It gets a bit cool on the riverbank after dark so beware. The Parisien Ham & Guyere open-faced sandwich with fresh greens reminded me of France. The wine list is a bit weak but by-the-glass choices were sufficient.
It was nice to see some of Napa's winery owners enjoying a lunch on the patio.
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Tango Restaurant & Wine Bar, Escondido, CA
8
on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
This is a dining experience worth the drive if you are anywhere in the San Diego area. It was absolutely a fantastic expereince from beginning to end. We made reservations and indicated that it was our anniversary. Upon arrival, the hostess greeted my wife and I warmly and congratulated us on our anniversary. The waitress, Dolli, was very pleasant and hospitalible throughout the evening. The server and water boy were gratious and took care of every detail.
The food is out-of-this-world! We both ordered the 3-course prix-fixe menu and we chose the three cheese souffle for a starter. It was unbelieveable! The two small souffles were accompanied by a beet sauce, fresh greens, and candied walnuts. The entrée was a braised rib that was more than a human could comfortably consume. It was probably the best I have had. The finale was a pumpkin suffle topped with caramel sause and fresh cream. Yummm!
My compliments to Executive Chef Russell Hawkins for creating such a dynamic and pleasing dining experience. This is truly an experience that you must enjoy if you are in the Southern California area.
This restaurant ranks #5 on our California list!
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The Grille at Meadowood, Napa CA 5 on the 10 Star Scale (not recommended)
What a disappointment. One of the most reputable culinary enterprises in California let me down as my 3 guests and I were subjected to... all I can call "a bad night." It started with the bottle of Viognier that we ordered that was luke warm. We accepted the first glass that was poured but requested that the remainder of the bottle be chilled. The result: the waiter failed to come back until we were almost finished with our salad and by that time the wine was overchillled. To compound matters, the red wine we had brought was still in the bottle after three requests to open it. The manager tried to make it alright by offering free dessert but it was too late. I will chalk it up to a bad night based on the reputation of the restaurant.
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Bellavino Wine Bar (and Restaurant), Westlake Village, CA
8 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
If you are looking for unique wines by-the-glass and first-class cuisine, you must visit Bellavino Wine Bar. The bar itself is beautifully lit and an enjoyable place to sip on a glass of ecclectic wine or your favorite martini. Jessie Cassanova and owner Richard Belloff have put together a tremendous wine list that will impress even the top sommelier. Richard has created an ambiance that is inviting, elegant and relaxing. Live entertainment is the norm most nights of the week and always on weekends with smooth and mellow music.
The food "is to die for..." said a customer at the next table as we were being seated. She was right! The Hand-Gathered Wild Mushrooms in a Tempranillo Sherry, Lavender and Gruyere Gratin starter was perfectly pleasing to the palate. My entrée was a "Bowl of Soul", a blend of Prawns, Scallops, Oysters, Andouille Sausage and tuna, served in a Roasted Tomato, Fennel Pollen and Sassafras Broth with Saffron Jasmine Rice. All selections on the menu are creative and elegant with flavors from around the world.
The dining options are numerous with a choice of outdoor seating (fireplace on chilly evenings), at the bar, in the lounge, or in the dining room. Bellavino Wine Bar offers periodic wine tastings and special events.
Conveniently located next door is Bellavino Wines with a great selection of premium and hard-to-find wines at reasonable prices.
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Alessio Ristorante Italiano, West Hills, CA (and Northridge)9 on the 10 Star Scale (highly recommended)
This is great, great food in an upscale atmosphere with outstanding service. Need I say more? The ambiance is inviting with fresco ceilings and nouveau lighting with comfortable seating.
The menu is Northern Italian served in a classical style. The prices are reasonable for an upscale restaurant of this quality.
I began with a creative version of Prosciutto and Melon which was served on a bed of baby greens and the Prosciutto placed over the melon instead of wrapped around it. My entrée was Pollo Marsala, the absolute best I have had in years. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the Fetticcini Bellagio. There was no room for dessert after this great dining experience.
This is a place for an outstanding dining experience.
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Ciao Bella, Riverside, CA
8 on the 10 Star Scale (recommended)
What a find! Bob & Julie de Korne have created a culinary experience that locals rave about...and they're right. The setting is modern and the menu is a great blend of nouveau and traditional Italian.
I had a bowl of New England Clam Chowder as a starter and it was rich and creamy which I enjoyed. My entrée was the Chicken Marsala that was among the best I have had anywhere. It was loaded with mushrooms and just the right blend of flavors in the sauce.
Owner Bob treated every table to a glass of coffee liqueur that was a nice finishing treat.
The overall dining experience was a very pleasant one with excellent service and great food. This is a model of how a restaurant should be run. __________________________________________________________________
Ponte Family Winery, Temecula, CA
7 on the 10 Star Scale (recommended)
We have enjoyed the food at the restaurant at Ponte Family Winery for several years. This lunch visit was no exception.
Executive Chef Steve Stawinski continues to produce top-notch California cuisine that is a perfect fit for the casual outdoor dining at the winery.
I ordered the BBQ Chicken Pizza that was among the best I've had in years. My wife's Melted Chicken Sandwich (open-faced) was outstanding.
Our hat's off the Chef Steve and the management of Ponte Family Winery.
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Firenze Trattoria, Encinitas, CA
7 on the 10 Star Scale (recommended)
We dined on Monday night and the place was packed! Thought it might be great food but it was "Half-Price Wine Night." Actually, the food was quite good. The traditional Caesar Salad was enjoyable followed by the Butternut Squash Ravioli, with a sage and butter sauce over a bed of sautéed spinach. The Tiramisu was a nice finish to a very enjoyable meal.
I noticed a private dining room and an outdoor area that look ideal for warm summer evenings.
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Celestino, Pasadena, CA
9 on the 10 Star scale (Highly recommended)
I will begin by saying the food was the best authentic Tuscan-style Italian food I have had in America. More on that later.
We were warmly greeted by the hostess, the owner, and several waiters offered a pleasant greeting before we were seated. The quality of service was outstanding, thanks to our waiter, Mario. Back to the food, we split the Insalata Primaverile e Formaggio di Capra (mixed greens with grilled eggplant, peppers and goat cheese) which was very small after split but delicious. My wife ordered the Black and White Tagliolini with Scallops and Saffron Sauce which she found appetizing. I ordered the Parpadelle with Pheasant and Mushroom Sauce. It was out of this world; the best pasta dish I have had outside of Tuscany. I would highly recommend it to anyone who visits Celestino.
The crowded tables and noisy atmosphere of the main dining room were of concern but the front and back patios are more conducive to an enjoyable evening. We will visit again in the summer months.
This restaurant ranks as #2 on our California list!
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La Toque Restaurant, Napa, CA
4 on the 10 Star scale
My first review of this restaurant is found below. However, in all fairness I recently visited them and offer the following review:
To begin, it is a beautiful restaurant but is extremely overpriced. The waiters have apparently been trained to conceal the true cost of the meal by offering items not on the menu at extremely inflated prices. The food is above average but certainly not worth the overall bill.
Now, you may be thinking that I am a penny pincher - nothing could be farther from the truth. Bring me a great meal, and I will never quibble. Overcharge me, especially using deceipt, and I will tell everyone.
Overall, a good dining experience if you don't mind the ridiculous prices that a few Napa establishments seem to make their reputation on.
Previous review:
In over 40 years of fine dining, I have never had such an unpleasant restaurant experience...never. I made the reservations days in advance and emailed a copy of the "Wine Pairing Menu" to the other 5 guests in our party. I specifically requested the "Wine Pairing Menu". The day before our reservations, I received a phone call from a courteous employee of the restaurant confirming my reservation and I specifically confirmed that we were scheduled for the "Wine Pairing Menu". All was set!
Upon arrival at the restaurant for their "5:30pm seating" (only available time according to reservationist), we noticed that there were only 3 other tables occupied when we arrived 20 minutes late.
The waiter presented us with menus and proceeded to describe the menu. I interrupted politely and advised him that we wished to have the "Wine Pairing Menu" which we found on their website at $62.00/person. He advised me that this was the menu ($98.00 for food and $68.00 for suggested wines). I suggested that he review their website and he walked away. Upon his return in a couple of minutes, he inquired if we wished Champagne; I pursued the inquiry about the discrepancy in price. He again left the room. We arose and headed for the exit, were greeted by the "manager" who tried to defend the mistake. There was no mistake; it was intentional deception.
Trust me when I state that all of the members of our party could easily afford the $400.00+gratuity meal. My question is simply this: Would you have walked out or stayed the course?
Summary: Don't do it under any circumstances unless you like being insulted at a high price - 0 on the10 Star scale
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Osaka Sushi, Chatsworth, CA (San Fernando Valley)
7 on the 10 Star scale (recommended)
The restaurant recently re-opened after remodeling and it was quite a treat. The atmosphere is inviting and lively making you feel comfortable the minute you walk in the door. They enlarged the sushi bar from just a few seats to several in an "L" shape. The rest of the restaurant is pleasantly appointed with padded booths and comfortable chairs at the remaining tables.
Although the name features the word "Sushi," the food is a combination Japanese, Korean, and neo-Asian.
I ordered the Tempura and Spicy Stir-fry Combination. The meal began with a pot of hot tea that was perfectly brewed. The Miso Soup was a far cry better than the last time I dined there, indicating a new chef might be present; I forgot to ask since I had an engagement immediately after dinner. The salad was simple with iceberg lettuce and a take-off on Thousand Island dressing. I was definitely not disappointed with the entrée combination as the Tempura was perfectly fried and with very little residual oil on the plate. The Spicy Stir-fry hit the spot although I do not care for so many peanuts and peppers; still the flavors exploded in a positive way in my mouth. No dessert, just a little more tea to finish the meal.
The owner came to our table to say 'welcome back' even though she was busy helping out with serving other tables.
Summary: Highly recommended if you like sushi or great down-to-earth Asian cuisine in a pleasing setting. Oh yes, did I mention that the bill came to just $22.00 for the two of us? Great meal for the price!
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Best Barbeque Sandwiches in the U.S.
1. Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q, Decatur, AL
2. Jim Neely's Interstate Barbeque, Memphis, TN
3. To be posted soon
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Nelson Tucker
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