The Blue Plate

April 2008
Dinner

Good "new american" restaurant in the Mission. I think it had a Spanish bent at some point, from all of the paintings of bulls on the wall and the chorizo throughout the menu.

The starters were great - baby beet salad, pastrami and bay scallops, duck terrine. I had a good quail dish, and the meatloaf was also great. Huge fan of the macaroni and drunken spanish goat cheese side dish

http://www.blueplatesf.com/

3218 Mission St. at Valencia San Francisco, Ca. 94110
(415) 282-6777

Manta

April 2008
Dinner with Tristen

Manta is on the Woolloomooloo wharf, good seafood with fresh local fare and great wine. Had the pleasure to try the Leeuwin Estate "Art Series" 2006 Chardonnay. Had a great frito misto with john dorry, calamari, and prawns, and a yellow-belly flounder special.

http://www.mantarestaurant.com.au/index.htm

6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011

02 9332 3822

Longrain

April 2008
Dinner with Tristen and Beck

Wonderful Asian restaurant in Surry Hills, Sydney. They don't take reservations so unless you get in at 6:30pm, expect to wait at least an hour at the bar. But they have incredible cocktails and you can be seated (and fed) in the waiting bar area so not a bad deal.

DELICIOUS Thai Bloody Mary, best I have ever had I think -- perfect amount of spicy and vegetable and alcohol. Yummy lychee drink also. Expensive, drinks are about $20 each, though totally worth it.

Definitely get the beetle leaf with shrimp, delicious. As are their speciality egg nets, very light and tasty. Also got a wonderful wagyu beef stir fry.

http://www.longrain.com/

85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, NSW Australia 2010
+61 2 9280 2888

Lavender Blue Cafe/Restaurant

April 2008
Brunch with Tristen and Maggie

Cute cafe that is reminiscent of a Chestnut Street diner in San Francisco. Great brunch.

165 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point NSW 2060
02 9955 7596

Lotus

April 2008
Drinks

Total "scene" with pretty intense bartenders who make incredible cocktails
www.merivale.com

22 Challis Avenue Potts Point Sydney
9326 9000

Almond Bar

April 2008
Dinner

Cute place in Sydney neighborhood called Darlinghurst. Mezes and small plates of Mediterranean/Greek cuisine.

379 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst 2010
02 9380 5318

Cafe Sydney

April 2008
Dinner with Tristen

Cafe Sydney is a lovely place in Circular Quay with a patio that overlooks both the Harbor Bridge and Opera House. Food was wonderful, as was the flight of white Australian wines. Had "bugs", which were super oversized crustaceans, and a lamb rack.

Fifth Floor, Customs House, 31 Alfred St, Sydney, Australia
9251-8683

Pho Vi Hoa

March 2008
Dinner with Jill

Great Vietnamese pho place on corner of San Antonio and El Camino. Under $10 for a yummy and filling dish, yet light enough for after a workout
www.phovihoa.com

4546 El Camino Real Suite A12 Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 947-1290

Hog Island Oyster Company

March 2008

Picnic with Eric, Sandy and Shane

Amazing place -- reserve a picnic table, bring wine and food, and shuck your own oysters! They provide grills for the oysters and smaller food items. Oysters are very reasonable, I think we had four dozen for $50.

Make a reservation, they fill up at least a week in advance! Information at http://www.hogislandoysters.com/

20215 Coast Hwy. 1, Marshall, CA 94940

(415) 663-9218