Have a Nosh
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 | byKosher Restaurant
If you want to keep it all in the family — the Jewish family, that is — then these local kosher establishments are just the places to go, with S.F. New York Deli as our readers’ pick in San Francisco, Holy Land Restaurant in the East Bay, and Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in the South Bay.
S.F. New York Deli is a newbie to this competition, yet managed to win a spot in readers’ hearts in under a year of being in business. The deli uses kosher products shipped in to the city, and some products from local markets in San Francisco. Their most popular sandwich is, of course, the classic corned beef pastrami sandwich.
Holy Land Restaurant in Oakland also won for favorite Middle Eastern food. Information on the restaurant can be found under the award for favorite Middle Eastern food.
Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels, winner in the South Bay, has made its mark in the Bay Area in its tenure of just over a decade. Izzy’s serves absolutely no meat — and offers many options besides bagels, from soups and pastries to lasagnas. “We make our products with great care, ” says Manager Israel Rind.
Second-place winners are Shangri-La Chinese Vegetarian in San Francisco and Oakland Kosher Foods in the East Bay.
(In the East Bay, Ristorante Raphael was originally voted favorite kosher restaurant, but recently closed its doors.)
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
S.F. New York Deli
(415) 788-0422
http://www.sfnewyorkdeli.com
East Bay
Holy Land Restaurant
Oakland
(510) 272-0535
http://www.holylandrestaurant.com
South Bay/Peninsula
zzy’s Brooklyn Bagels
Palo Alto
(650) 329-0700
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
Shangri-La Chinese
Vegetarian
(415) 731-2548
East Bay
Oakland Kosher Foods
(510) 839-0170
Jewish-Style Deli
If you want a bit of New York in NorCal — minus the accent — consider grabbing a nice meaty sandwich from these local delis. This year, readers picked Max’s in San Francisco, the South Bay/Peninsula and Marin/Sonoma, and Saul’s Deli and Restaurant in the East Bay, as favorite Jewish deli.
Twenty-eight-year-old Max’s almost made it a sweep. Located in nearly every part of the Bay Area, Max’s prides itself on selling a host of sandwiches, soups and other menu items, and is vegetarian-friendly, too. From their Philly cheesesteak and grilled cheese sandwiches to their matzah ball soup, Max’s has something for everyone.
At Saul’s Deli in the East Bay, you can get “melt-in-your-mouth goodness” with such signature items as Reuben sandwiches and freshly prepared brisket. General Manager Benjamin Beck notes that Saul’s tries hard to use sustainable products and vendors who believe in sustainable practices. “We try to make sure we’re not a part of the problem, and [are] looking for solutions,” Beck says.
Second-place winners are East Coast West Delicatessen in San Francisco, Max’s in the East Bay and Izzy’s Brooklyn Deli in the South Bay/Peninsula.
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
Max’s
Various locations
(650) 873-MAXS
http://www.maxsworld.com
East Bay
Saul’s Deli
and Restaurant
Berkeley
(510) 848-3354
http://www.saulsdeli.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Max’s
Various locations
(650) 873-MAXS
http://www.maxsworld.com
Marin/Sonoma
Max’s
Corte Madera
(650) 873-MAXS
http://www.maxsworld.com
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
East Coast West
Delicatessen
(415) 563-3542
East Bay
Max’s
Various locations
(650) 873-MAXS
http://www.maxsworld.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Izzy’s Brooklyn Deli
Sunnyvale
(650) 520-7450
Middle Eastern Restaurant
If you’re looking for a falafel as good as the one you had in Israel, these restaurants and delis are sure to bring back good memories. This year j readers voted three old favorites as the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the Bay Area: Sunrise Deli & Café in San Francisco, Holy Land Restaurant in the East Bay and DishDash in the South Bay/Peninsula.
In the San Francisco area, Sunrise Deli is the signature place for falafels. “The secret to the falafel and the salad is the freshness of the product and the freshness of the merchandise,” said manager of Sunrise Deli, Khaldoun Ramadan. The deli, which opened in 1982, recently opened its second restaurant in Berkeley.
Holy Land Restaurant in Oakland, founded in 1989, is a staple Bay Area spot for Middle Eastern food. It serves a variety of Moroccan, Yemenite and Israeli foods, from malawa to tahini. Holy Land boasts restaurants in Oakland and Berkeley, as well as a catering service.
At DishDash in the South Bay, dish dash, a piece of traditional Middle Eastern clothing, is grandly displayed on the wall of the restaurant. “Dish dash symbolizes warmth, comfort and relaxation. [It is a] beautiful representation displayed as the centerpiece of a restaurant, ” said manager Amit Raj.
Second-place winners are La Mediterranee in San Francisco and the East Bay, and Kabul Afghan Cuisine in the South Bay/Peninsula.
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
Sunrise Deli & Café
(415) 664-8210
http://www.gosunrisedeli.com
East Bay
Holy Land Restaurant
Oakland
(510) 272-0535
http://www.holylandrestaurant.com
South Bay
DishDash
Sunnyvale
(408) 774-1889
http://www.dishdash.net
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
La Mediterranee
(415) 921-2956
http://www.cafelamed.com
East Bay
La Mediterranee
Berkeley
(510) 540-7773
http://www.cafelamed.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Kabul Afghan Cuisine
Sunnyvale
(408) 245-4350
http://www.kabulrestaurant.net
Seafood
Pop quiz: Which j. Readers’ Choice pick was recently featured in an iPhone commercial?
That would be Pacific Catch, readers’ pick for best seafood in San Francisco. In the East Bay the favorite was Scott’s Seafood Restaurant, in the South Bay/Peninsula, Fish Market, and in the Marin/Sonoma area, the simply named Fish.
Pacific Catch is in the heart of San Francisco and has clientele that includes a crowded group of “residents, tourists and families,” says General Manager Rob Schechtman. Its most popular fish is poki, and its goal according to Schechtman, is to be consistent in their quality.
Scott’s, with restaurants in Oakland and Walnut Creek, counts herb-encrusted halibut and seared ahi tuna among its most popular dishes. Dining room manager Carl Moren says the “seafood stands on its own,” and the staff as a team makes sure to “step outside the box and help each other all the time.”
You may not know this, but the Fish Market, with several locations in the South Bay and Peninsula, has been around for 30 years, with its flagship location in San Diego. The restaurant serves swordfish, salmon and shark, along with its trademark cheesy garlic bread. “We are your local fishmonger,” says General Manager Thomas Fisher. “We created a whole fishery just for the Fish Market restaurant.”
The unofficial winner in the environmental category is Fish, in Sausalito. Fish’s mission is to “serve sustainably caught seafood,” and the kitchen only uses organic produce. Some days, says to General Manager Kenny Belov, you can see fish going “right from the boat into the kitchen.”
Second-place winners are Pacific Café in San Francisco, Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto in the East Bay, and Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in the South Bay/Peninsula.
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
Pacific Catch
(415) 440-1950
http://www.pacificcatch.com
East Bay
Scott’s Seafood
Restaurant
Various locations
http://www.scottseastbay.com
South Bay/Peninsula
The Fish Market
Various locations
(650) 349-3474
http://www.thefishmarket.com
Marin/Sonoma
Fish
Sausalito
(415) 331-FISH (3474)
http://www.331fish.com
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
Pacific Café
(415) 387-7091
East Bay
Spenger’s Fresh
Fish Grotto
Berkeley
(510) 845-7771
http://www.spengers.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Scott’s Seafood
Restaurant
Palo Alto
(650) 323-1555
http://www.scottsseafood.com
California Cuisine,
The “green” initiative applies to more than just your transportation and energy use — it also applies to food. With sustainability on the rise, California cuisine is more popular than ever — and j. readers gave a green thumb’s up to four Bay Area establishments: Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, Chez Panisse in the East Bay, Mike’s Café in the South Bay/Peninsula and Buckeye Roadhouse in Marin/Sonoma.
Greens Restaurant in the city just celebrated its 28th anniversary. Director of Operations Jake Kenyon believes Greens “blends the best of both worlds” as both a neighborhood and destination restaurant. Greens is focused on providing “organic and sustainable agriculture products,” Kenyon says,
Chez Panisse has been in the East Bay for 36 years as of this month, and has a fluctuating menu that depends on seasonal produce from local farms and recent seafood catches. The most popular menu item, according to owner Alice Waters, is the baked goat cheese with garden salad. “The philosophy of the restaurant has to do with the way one purchases ingredients,” Waters says. “I think people know that we don’t compromise with what we put there.”
Mike’s Café in the South Bay is a new addition to the winners list this year. Mike’s has a variety of salads, sandwiches, pastas and crab cakes on its menu. The café says one of its most exotic items is linguini with tiger prawns.
Local Marin establishment Buckeye Roadhouse, on the other hand, is much older than you would think: The restaurant has been around since 1937, but changed ownership in 1991, and in the process changed from a traditional German menu to one full of local produce, meats and fish. Says executive chef Robert Price, “It feels like you’re eating in a Swiss lodge in Europe.”
Second-place winners are Town’s End Restaurant & Bakery in San Francisco, BayWolf Restaurant in the East Bay and John Bentley’s Restaurant in the South Bay.
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
Greens Restaurant
(415) 771-6222
http://www.greensrestaurant.com
East Bay
Chez Panisse
Berkeley
(510) 548-5525
http://www.chezpanisse.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Mike’s Café
Palo Alto
(650) 473-6453
Marin/Sonoma
Buckeye Roadhouse
Mill Valley
(415) 331-2600
http://www.buckeyeroadhouse.com
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
Town’s End
Restaurant & Bakery
(415) 512-0749
http://www.townsend-restaurant.com
East Bay
BayWolf Restaurant
Oakland
(510) 655-6004
http://www.baywolf.com
South Bay/Peninsula
ohn Bentley’s
Restaurant
Various locations
http://www.johnbentleys.com
Hamburgers
If you’re looking for something a little fancier than McDonalds, you’re sure to find your perfect match at one of these restaurants serving up j. readers’ favorite hamburgers: Mel’s Diner in San Francisco, Barney’s Gourmet Hamburger in the East Bay, Jeffrey’s Hamburgers in the South Bay and Phyllis’ Giant Burgers in Marin.
Mel’s Drive-In in San Francisco was reopened in a “reincarnated” form in 1985, and since has been a staple of San Francisco, even offering up its four locations for movie shoots. Be prepared, though — Mels’ menu warns diners to “watch out for the juice” in their hamburgers.
At Barney’s, its more than the just the burgers — the curly fries are also a big draw. Barney’s has eight locations in the Bay Area, and even has an array of vegetarian options.
Jeffrey’s in San Mateo prides itself on the fact that it is not owned by a corporation. Along with its variety of beef and turkey burgers, Jeffrey’s also offers sandwiches, seafood and homemade chili.
Phyllis’ Giant Burgers serves up quite a hearty hamburger. There are three locations in Marin, with its flagship location in San Rafael. “It’s more like a diner of the ‘50s and ‘60s,” says owner James Cho. The diner serves such treats as mushroom burgers and cheese-and-bacon burgers.
Second place winners are Bill’s Place in San Francisco, Nation’s Giant Hamburgers in the East Bay, The Counter in the South Bay, and Marin Joe’s Restaurant in Marin.
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
Mel’s Drive-In
Various locations
http://www.melsdrive-in.com
East Bay
Barney’s Gourmet
Hamburger
Berkeley
(510) 558-0528
http://www.barneyshamburgers.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Jeffrey’s Hamburgers
San Mateo
(650) 348-8698
http://www.jeffreyshamburgers.com
Marin/Sonoma
Phyllis’ Giant Burgers
Various locations
http://www.phyllisgiantburgers.com
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
Bill’s Place
(415) 221-5262
http://billsplace.qpg.com
East Bay
Nation’s Giant
Hamburgers
Various locations
http://www.nationsrestaurants.com
South Bay/Peninsula
The Counter
Palo Alto and San Jose
(650) 321-3900
http://www.thecounterburger.com
Marin/Sonoma
Marin Joe’s Restaurant
Corte Madera
(415) 924-2081
http://www.marinjoesrestaurant.com
Italian Food and Pizza
If you’re looking for that pizza straight out of Second City or Italian food that makes your boca water, these local restaurants and pizza places — Incanto in San Francisco, Zachary’s Pizza in the East Bay, Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria in the South Bay/Peninsula and Pizzeria Picco in Marin/Sonoma — will have you running to their doors.
Incanto, in San Francisco’s Noe Valley, prides itself on using organic products and local produce. One of the most interesting things about Incanto is that it has a private “Dante” room for 20 that has the text of Dante’s Divine Comedy hanging on the wall, and a special night devoted to meat (“Whole Beast”) where they serve pig, lamb and goat.
Zachary’s Pizza, approaching its 25th year of business, is by far one of the East Bay’s most popular establishments for pizza. The “high-energy” Zachary’s prides itself on selling Chicago-style deep dish pizza, and catering to every age group and demographic. “We’re really just pizza and salad. That’s all we do,” Zachary’s Vice President J.P. Laroussa says.
In the South Bay, Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria takes the slice. The pizza place opened in 1987 and now has nine locations across the Bay Area. Said co-owner Peter Cooperstein, “We’re very upscale for pizza but are still very comfortable and affordable.”
In Larkspur, Picco is the pick. From oysters and risotto to a New York steak, Pizzeria Picco has a sleek menu with an array of foods.
Second-place winners are Dino’s in San Francisco, Zza’s Trattoria in the East Bay, Pizza My Heart in the South Bay/Peninsula, and Il Davide in Marin/Sonoma.
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
Incanto
(415) 641-4500
http://www.incanto.biz
East Bay
Zachary’s Pizza
Various locations
http://www.zacharys.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Amici’s East Coast
Pizzeria
Various locations
(650) 342-9392
http://www.amicis.com
Marin/Sonoma
Pizzeria Picco
Larkspur
(415) 924-0300
http://www.restaurantpico.com
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
Dino’s
(415) 922-4700
http://www.dinos-sf.com
East Bay
Zza’s
Trattoria
Oakland
(510) 839-9124
http://www.zzasonline.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Pizza
My Heart
Various locations
http://www.pizzamyheart.com
Marin/Sonoma
Il Davide
San Rafael
(415) 454-8080
http://www.ildavide.net
Bagels
If you’re looking for the perfectly crafted bagel, j. readers know that House of Bagels in San Francisco, Noah’s in the East Bay, Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in the South Bay and Marin Bagels in Marin/Sonoma will satisfy your appetite for the bread with the hole.
House of Bagels has been in San Francisco since 1962, and they’ve stayed true to their bagel-making method: Boil before baking. They recently opened up a deli at their San Francisco location.
The formidable Noah’s in the East Bay is a shoe-in, having graced the Bay Area since the 1960s. They’re your one-stop shop for bagels, pastries and coffee in the morning, and challah for Shabbat dinners.
At Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in Palo Alto, the customer is always right. Owner Israel Rind says whenever they run out of or stop making any type of bagel, customers “holler” — and “rightfully so.”
If you’re looking for a bagel in the North Bay, Marin Bagel Company in San Rafael is your spot, according to j. readers.
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
House of Bagels
(415) 752-6000
http://www.houseofbagels.com
East Bay
Noah’s Bagels
Various locations
(800) 931-NOAH (6624)
http://www.noahs.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels
Palo Alto
(650) 329-0700
http://www.izzysbrooklynbagels.com
Marin/Sonoma
Marin Bagel Company
San Rafael
(415) 457-8127
Bakery
If you’re looking for that perfect after-coffee treat or delicious bread to wow your guests, these first-place local bakeries are sure to have what you need: Irving’s Premium Challah in San Francisco, Grand Bakery in the East Bay, Copenhagen Bakery & Café in the South Bay/Peninsula, and Alexis Baking Company in Marin/Sonoma.
Irving’s Premium Challah in San Francisco is the place for your Shabbos bread. Irving’s sells to nearby delis and markets, and among the distributors of their challah are other j. readers picks: Mollie Stone’s, S.F. New York Deli and the Dayenu Judaica shop at the JCC of San Francisco.
Grand Bakery in Oakland is a favorite of those in the Lakeshore area and the greater East Bay. It is the home of the ultimate black and white cookie in the Bay Area, which was practically the reason for its establishment. Along with its typical menu of baked goods, Grand also cater desserts for local congregations.
Copenhagen in Burlingame has been serving the South Bay for more than 25 years. Along with selling wedding cakes and baked goods, the bakery also has elegant lunch and dinner menus featuring items such as baked brie, salads and pasta dishes. It also caters to a very exclusive clientele: dogs, offering several kinds of dog treats.
Alexis Baking Company in Napa bakes more than just cakes and cookies —it also has a catering service, a café and a showcase of the work of local artists on the walls. Some of its featured eclectic cakes and bakery items are the apricot pistachio cakes, chocolate caramel cakes and various morning scones.
Second-place winners are Noe Valley Bakery & Bread Company in San Francisco, Katrina Rozelle in the East Bay and Martha’s Pastries in the South Bay/Peninsula.
FIRST PLACE
San Francisco
Irving’s Premium
Challah
(415) 753-5474
http://www.irvprem.com
East Bay
Grand Bakery
Oakland
(510) 465-1110
South Bay/Peninsula
Copenhagen
Burlingame
(650) 342-1357
http://www.copenhagenbakery.com
Marin/Sonoma
Alexis Baking Company
Napa
(707) 258-1827
http://www.alexisbakingcompany.com
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
Noe Valley Bakery
(415) 550-1405
http://www.noevalleybakery.com
East Bay
Katrina Rozelle
Various locations
http://www.katrinarozelle.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Martha’s Pastries
Menlo Park
(650) 854-6207
http://www.marthaspastries.com
Grocery Store for Kosher Food
For those who keep kosher, it’s tough to find all the products you want in the Bay Area. But our readers say they’ve succeeded in doing just that at Mollie Stone’s. This year the chain took the coveted readers’ choice award for favorite grocery store with kosher products in the Bay Area.
The 21-year-old Mollie Stone’s has eight stores in the greater Bay Area, most of them in San Francisco and the South Bay, and is the largest retailer of kosher foods in Northern California, says co-owner David Bennett. At their Palo Alto location they even cut meat and poultry under special supervision.
“We get customers from Monterey all the way to Reno that are coming to Mollie Stone’s to buy kosher products,” Bennett says.
The second-place winner in this category is Trader Joes.
FIRST PLACE
Bay Area
Mollie Stone’s
Various locations
http://www.molliestones.com
SECOND PLACE
Bay Area
Trader Joe’s
Various locations
http://www.traderjoes.com
Specialty/Gourmet Market
If you’re a j. reader craving gourmet food, hightail it over to Whole Foods, which won the Readers’ Choice pick in the Bay Area as favorite specialty/ gourmet market.
Whole Foods was established in 1980 in Texas, and today has 196 locations within the United States, Britain and Canada. They advocate for sustainable agriculture and work with local farms to bring in the freshest fruits and produce. Recent developments at Bay Area Whole Foods include the introduction of solar power to the Berkeley location. The San Mateo store holds cooking classes throughout the year for those wanting to expand their palette.
Second-place winners are Bryan’s Market in San Francisco, Draeger’s Market in the South Bay/Peninsula and Woodlands Market in Marin/Sonoma.
FIRST PLACE
Bay Area
Whole Foods
Various locations
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com
SECOND PLACE
San Francisco
Bryan’s Market
(415) 752-0179
South Bay/Peninsula
Draeger’s Market
Various locations
http://www.draegers.com
Marin/Sonoma
Woodlands Market
Kentfield
(415) 457-8160
http://www.woodlandsmarket.com
California Winery
In California, a meal just isn’t a meal without a little wine. Which is why sharp-palated j. readers voted Hagafen in Napa as Reader’s Choice winner for favorite California winery.
The 28-year-old winery is smaller than many of its Silverado Trail neighbors, but takes pride in its role. “It’s not just a corporation — it’s literally a family winemaking enterprise,” says Josh Stein, Hagafen’s brand manager.
Hagafen’s busiest times of the year are around the Jewish holidays, but Stein notes that they have many non-Jewish customers as well. He adds that the winery uses the “old Napa ways” to produce 8,000 cases of vino per year.
FIRST PLACE
Bay Area
Hagafen
Napa
(888) HAGAFEN (424-2336)
http://www.hagafen.com