THE GROVE HAS ITS GROOVE ON...AND POT PIE

There's a cute little place around the corner from where I work called The Grove.  They don't have a website but here's link to their menu.  It's one of four locations around the city and each gives off the same kind of woodsy, cabin, lodge feel which I actually kind of like.  They are comfy, homey places to eat and hang out with just a glass of tea and a cookie (which is really huge).  But I really like going here for the pot pie. 

BAY AREA TOP 100 RESTAURANTS--MORE OF THE LIST

Continuing my adventure down La Bauer's list of best of the bay area far-flung to 'round the corner here are my short little reviews of the last 10 on the list I've actually managed to dine at.  

House of Prime Rib: Old school steak house specializing in prime rib cooked perfectly and creamed spinach and yorkshire pudding and waiters in vests and wood paneling and if you like meat even in the least you really need to try this San Francisco institution.

Marlowe: another south of Market gem that you probably want to avoid on game days.  It's a great neighborhood restaurant.  Many folks say it's all about the burger here, which was decent, but the deep fried brussel sprouts and the bone marrow appetizers are must haves.  Plus the service was friendly and spot on without being annoying.  

Nopa: this place has been crowded since it opened several years ago.  We sat at the bar and watched them cook in the kitchen, which to me makes it the best seat in the house.  Flatbreads and pork chops--get them.  Another great neighborhood casual place to eat.

Pesce: the one thing I remember about this place--loud.  Here it was all about the appetizers and drinks.  Okay place, very Marina crowd.

Piperade: Basque cooking at it's best with a California flair.  Seafood, duck, braised pork shank--you can't go wrong with any choice from the menu.  Great homey, comfortable atmosphere.  An intimate special occasion kind of place. 

Slanted Door: modern Vietnamese cooking in a trendy setting at Ferry Plaza.  This place can be difficult to get in to so make a reservation and you will see the food is well worth it.  This isn't your local take-out joint unless you are in a hurry they do have a to go window around the corner from the main entrance.  You could just get it then sit out and watch the ferry's come and go.  

SPQR: another one of those places that isn't big on reservations for parties less than six.  We managed to snag two seats at the bar.  This is a small plates kind of place which I'm always iffy on considering my appetite.  The food was tasty but alas I didn't find it quite as memorable as Le Bauer.  However, the bartender was very helpful in finding us a glass of wine that paired well with the food, so some props for that at least.

Swan Oyster Depot: if you live in San Francisco just skip this place, it's more of a tourist stop due to the national coverage it has gotten, hence the reason there is always a line to get in.  There is only a bar to sit at and you just wait for an empty seat to eat oysters, crab or cold shrimp that you could pretty much get anywhere else in town.  I just don't get the fascination for this place.

Town Hall: good though expensive.  If you can try it for lunch you could save a bundle.  It's sort of a Texas, southern twist on California cuisine, if that makes any sense.  Buttermilk biscuits and pork chops with fancy trimmings.  Check out the menu and decide for yourself.  Did I mention it's pricey?

Zuni Cafe: kind of an institution in San Francisco now.  Mussels, pom frites or whole chopped chicken, the most popular menu items and stuff they are known for.  It is a place to see and be seen for Sunday brunch.  I would recommend it for anyone visiting town or if you need a place to eat before the opera, ballet or symphony (which are all just around the corner).

There are a lot of good places on this list so make your reservations now and happy dining!

BAY AREA TOP 100 RESTAURANTS--WHAT'S IN A LIST

The Chronicle, or more specifically food critic Michael Bauer, released their list of the Bay Area Top 100 restaurants.  And by Bay Area they include such far flung places as Yountville, Walnut Creek and Paolo Alto.  I took a perusal of the list and most of these places are either A) difficult to get into (see French Laundry) or B) way above my pay grade (again see French Laundry and Mina).  But surprisingly to me I had actually been to 20 of the places which is more than I thought, less then I probably should have yet still enough to get a sense of Bay Area dining.  Herewith I decided to run down the places I've been to in short to the point reviews in case you are wondering what the everyday eater thinks of them, so here we go.

Acquerello: quite possibly the best meal I've ever had.  From the food to the wine pairings to the service to the black napkins that don't leave lint to the little stool my friends got to put their purses on.  This is a high-end special occasion kind of place and if you have a birthday coming--get someone to take asap.  

AQ: in a sketchy area of SOMA part of the new organic-sustainable-local restaurant movement.  I reviewed this a few months ago--see here--and wasn't overwhelmed but hipsters out there with disposable income will love it.  

Bar Agricole: another SOMA restaurant in a fancy architectural building.  The foods was good, the desserts not so much, they put a lot of emphasis on the cocktail (probably because of the mark-up).  It's a trendy night out for those who want to see and be seen.  

Chez Panisse: mostly ok, though I don't remember being overwhelmed by it considering how much ink Alice Waters gets.  You will have to make reservations months in advance and it's fine if you just want to say you've eaten there, like I did.  

Coco500: about the only thing I remember liking here was the fried green bean appetizer.  Everything else seemed kind of the same thing you see on every other San Francisco menu--a steak dish, a fish dish, a  chicken dish, a veggie dish (pasta or rice) a handful of appetizers/salads and a couple desserts.  It's another SOMA place but there are so many others to choose from.  

Delfina: I wasn't as in awe of this place as many people are, again another standard menu (see above) the half chicken plate was fine.  I do give props to the waitress as she really new her wines and tried really hard to find something I'd like--she didn't--but it was a great effort and I left a big tip.  

Dosa: good South Indian fare done upscale.  Can be a little pricey for what you get but I still enjoyed what I had and would go back--if someone else was paying.  

Farallon: the decor alone is pretty spectacular and worth sneaking in to see.  They are none for seafood but I have to say I had one of the best steaks in the city here--to me it out-shined the fish, go figure.  This place will set you back a few clams also.  

Foreign Cinema: I had fun here.  Enjoyed the food, an amazing dessert though I can't quite remember what movie was playing.  It is worth a trip to the bowels of the Mission to try out at least once.  

Gialina/Ragazza: for some reason Bauer lumps these 2 places together, probably because they are owned by the same folks and they both serve pizza.  Though Gialina is mostly just pizza and Ragazza does offer other menu items but as I reviewed a week or so ago--it is all about the pizza.  Go to one or both, totally worth it.  

That's the first ten, check back in a few days and I'll cover the rest.