San Francisco : The List

Celeb Chefs Cover the Market

BuzzEditor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:32:00 GMT

Jardinière

© 2008 Frankie Frankeny, FrankenyImages.com

Though fine dining may have cooled off a little as a result of the past year’s economic turmoil, celeb chefs remain as popular as ever. Fortunately, many of them have opened more casual concepts, allowing diners with tighter budgets to get a taste of their culinary vision. But how do these budget-minded sibs stack up against their high-end counterparts? Read up, and then add your own votes and opinions.

Traci Des Jardins

One of the top toques in town, Traci Des Jardins is comfortable cooking both high-end Cal-French and wallet-friendly Mexican.

Jardinière

300 Grove St.
(Franklin St.)
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-861-5555; reserve online

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
26	26	25	$74

“The best thing to happen to Tristan und Isolde in many years” sing “cultured” customers who “float across the street post-opera or -symphony” to this Civic Center “celebration” place where Pat Kuleto’s “glitzy” “supper-club” decor sets the stage for Traci Des Jardins’ “exquisite” “artistry” with sustainable Cal-French cuisine, matched by “sublime” wines and “stellar” service; the “bar menu is perfect” for a “quick” nibble “without reservations”, but many prefer to “stay for hours and savor an entire experience” as “rich as the price tag.”

Key to Zagat Ratings

Mijita

1 Ferry Bldg.
(Market St.)
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-399-0814;

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
20	12	13	$17

Mjita

© 2008 Frankie Frankeny, FrankenyImages.com

Traci Des Jardins (Jardinière) “nails the perfect taco” and other “terrific Mexican basics” made from “local, sustainable ingredients” at her “upscale” taqueria in the Ferry Building, where the “amazing” comida is “worth waiting in line for (even cutting a few tourists)”; “it’s impossible to get a seat on weekend” market days, but since there’s “no atmosphere” inside anyway, amigos advise taking it “outside to soak in the sunshine and views of the Bay.”

Charles Phan

After dazzling with his high-end Vietnamese at The Slanted Door, Charles Phan foresaw the current street-food trend way back in 2004 when he launched his first Out the Door location.

The Slanted Door

1 Ferry Bldg.
(Market St.)
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-861-8032; reserve online

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
26	22	21	$49

Charles Phan’s “justly famous” Ferry Plaza “juggernaut” “dazzles” with “remarkable”, “high-end” Vietnamese (“the shaking beef still shakes me to the core”) and “off-the-main-path” wines served in a “minimalist” “glassed-in” waterfront setting with “gorgeous” views; since it’s a “tough reservation”, customers “congratulate themselves for even getting a seat” in the “roaring” room, tended by a “ruthlessly efficient and competent” staff.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Out the Door

Multiple locations

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
22	14	16	$23

For “the best of Slanted Door without the crowds, wait or attitude”, the “lunch and shopping” set is glad to “take a table now and skip the pretty views” at these “Phan-tastic” “second label” venues that “elevate humble” Vietnamese street food; while they’re “cheaper” than the “mothership”, some find them “expensive” for the “fast-food” setting.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Alice Waters

Chez Panisse's Alice Waters has always made the argument that eating sustainably doesn't necessarily mean breaking the bank, a point she proves at her affordable breakfast and lunch spot Café Fanny.

Chez Panisse

1517 Shattuck Ave.
(bet. Cedar & Vine Sts.)
Berkeley, CA 94709
510-548-5525; reserve online

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
28	23	27	$85

“Still ‘keeping it fresh’ after lo these many years”, “Alice and her crew” continue to “enchant” “foodies” who “come to worship” at her Berkeley “altar”, where the “ultimate” Cal-Med prix fixe dinners are prepared with “unadorned” ingredients “right off the boat and garden”; “not everyone loves the Craftsman decor” or “being locked into the menu of the day”, but most are “thrilled” to “walk through the kitchen” “where it all started” – “a philosophy and a movement, and it tastes so damn good” too; P.S. “reserve ahead.”

Key to Zagat Ratings

Café Fanny

1603 San Pablo Ave.
(Cedar St.)
Berkeley, CA 94702
510-524-5447

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
23	12	15	$18

“Gourmet ghetto heaven on a budget” awaits at Alice Waters’ “tiny”, “so Berkeley” French stand-up bar (with some “parking-lot” tables), serving “Chez Panisse–style” breakfasts and lunches, replete with “cloudlike” eggs, “dreamy, creamy lattes” and “granola taken to another level”; expect to “pay through the nose” for the pleasure and to “wait” awhile (the “pretentious” staff “adds a new dimension to ‘Slow Food’”), but fans agree “this little nothing place is something.”

Key to Zagat Ratings

Noodling Around

BuzzEditor — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:22:00 GMT

Quince

Photo: Nory Ezo Suzuki

In an effort to combat pasta's bad post-Atkins rap, the World Pasta Congress of Rome (yes, there is such a thing) has deemed October 25 to be World Pasta Day. In its honor, we thought we’d take this opportunity to highlight some primo pastafarians around town.

San Francisco

East Bay

North Bay

South

Splashy Spots

BuzzEditor — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:22:00 GMT

The Slanted Door

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

The pleasure of dining by the water is something only an aquaphobe could deny. Yet too often the food quality at waterside restaurants is a washout. To give you a leg up, here are five such spots that please with their cuisine as well.

Want more aqua-adjacent options? Check out our full list of waterside restaurants.

Eating Au Naturel

BuzzEditor — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:20:00 GMT

ad hoc

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

After pigging out this past weekend on ribs, burgers and beer to celebrate our nation's birthday, perhaps you'd like to continue your patriotic eating, albeit the healthy way. To help you out, we've compiled a list of area restaurants that serve American cuisine with a focus on natural and organic ingredients.

Sky's the Limit on Memorial Day

BuzzEditor — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:17:00 GMT

The Cliff House

Memorial Day, May 25, is almost here, which means it’s time for barbecues and trips to scenic vistas. But if you’re the kind who’d rather have someone else do the grilling, or aren’t looking to travel too far out of town, we’ve got some suggestions for you. Celebrate the long weekend with lip-smacking, bib-staining ’cue and escapes to restaurants and bars with stunning views.

Top Barbecue

Great Views

Do It Outdoors

BuzzEditor — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:44:00 GMT

Patio at the Tipsy Pig

Photo: Kevin Bond

Check out the list below for some of the season's newest alfresco options.

Tax Recovery

BuzzEditor — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:33:00 GMT

photo: courtesy of Churl

No matter how much you try to forget, your taxes are still due on April 15. But that doesn't mean you can't afford a solid meal – after this rough couple of months, you deserve it! We've pulled out a few cheap eats from our list of Best Buys, where you can reward yourself for tangling with the taxman.

Toasty Tables

BuzzEditor — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:59:00 GMT

Swig

Photo: courtesy Swig

“A fireside is a great opiate," said Leigh Hunt, the poet and journalist. It’s also a great mood-setter, and, of course a good way to warm up your toes. Here are a few choice restaurants with fireplaces:

Camino: The massive open fireplace dominating this brick-lined Oakland trattoria not only provides the inspiration for its name and ambiance, it’s also where much of the Cal-Med menu is prepared (1517 Shattuck Ave.; 510-548-5525).

Ducca: At night falls, guests at this Venetian-inspired hideaway in SoMa’s Westin hotel huddle around the lounge’s fire pits to keep the foggy weather at bay (50 Third St.; 415-977-0271; reserve online).

EPIC Roasthouse: Fire’s the thing at chef Jan Birnbaum’s waterside New American, where an epic-sized fireplace serves as a focal point for the dining room (369 Embarcadero; 415-369-9955; reserve online).

Kokkari Estiatorio: At this modern Grecian hang near San Francisco’s Jackson Square, you can dine like Zeus at the rough-hewn table set in front of the massive fireplace where everything from whole lamb to pigs are spit-roasted (200 Jackson St.; 415-981-0983; reserve online).

MatrixFillmore: This trendy reinvented Cow Hollow nightspot boasts a funky, Jenga-esque gas fireplace (open on both sides) that casts perfect lighting on its fashionable clientele (3138 Fillmore St.; 415-563-4180).

St. Regis Lobby Bar: Mingle with the jet set, conventioneers and other SoMa swells at this swank hotel’s lobby bar graced with a mod, 16-ft.-long, two-sided open gas fireplace (125 Third St.; 415-284-4000).

Swig: Although this Tenderloin bar is known for its booty-shaking dance floor, sedentary types enjoy strawberry basil cocktails and fireside chats in front of its cozy gas fireplace (561 Geary St.; 415-931-7292).

Have an Ox-some New Year

BuzzEditor — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:57:00 GMT

Celebrate the Year of the Ox.

Photo: Bernard Oh

If you didn't get your fill of New Year's festivities a few weeks ago, take heart, because the Year of the Ox begins on January 26th. The celebrations continue for 15 days, including the annual parade, the largest outside of Asia, through Chinatown on February 7th. To get you in the mood, here's where to find the Top Chinese from our San Francisco/Bay Area Restaurants guide:

Lunch Prix Fixes for $25 or Less

BuzzEditor — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:57:00 GMT

Waterbar offers a $24 lunch prix fixe.

photo: Kevin Bond

Having a multicourse lunch at an affordable price is always a welcome treat, and never more so than in these turbulent economic times. We've compiled a list of some of the best deals in the Bay Area – all of these prix fixe lunches are $25 or less, and some are a lot less. So the next time you're thinking of going out for lunch, you might want to try some of these bargains.

B44

44 Belden Pl.; 415-986-6287

At this festive Catalan Downtown, an appetizer, a main course and a dessert will run you $22 for lunch.

Bistro Liasion

1849 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; 510-849-2155

Have an afternoon liaison at this Berkeley bistro, where a soup, a main and a beverage costs $16.95, or $20.95 if you add dessert.

BIX

56 Gold St.; 415-433-6300

A three-course lunch will only run you $25 at this Downtown "speakeasy."

Chez Panisse Café

1517 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; 510-548-5049

At the house that Alice Waters built a lunch prix fixe will cost you $25.

Citron

5484 College Ave., Oakland; 510-653-5484

Hungry Oaklanders can get a soup or salad, an entree and a dessert for $21 at this Cal-French.

Garibaldis

347 Presidio Ave.; 415-563-8841

5356 College Ave., Oakland; 510-595-4000

At either location of this upscale Cal-Med spot, an appetizer, entree and dessert at lunch will cost you around $15.

Market

1347 Main St., St. Helena; 707-963-3799

This St. Helena comfort-fooder offers two deals: $12.95 for soup, sandwich of the day and a cookie and $22 for an appetizer, a main course and dessert.

Maya

303 Second St.; 415-543-2928

For a bill with Andrew Jackson on its face, diners at this SoMa Mexican can have an appetizer, an entree and a sorbet along with a beverage; N.B. some of the more expensive items on the menu are not included in this deal.

Sanraku Four Seasons

704 Sutter St.; 415-771-0803

A lunch box that includes a daily special, miso soup, fried rice, steamed broccoli and three pieces of California roll will only run you $9.95 at this Downtown sushi spot.

Straits Restaurant

333 Santana Row, San Jose; 408-246-6320

At Chris Yeo's San Jose Pan-Asian, a starter, entree with rice and sorbet costs $14.95.

231 Ellsworth

231 S. Ellsworth Ave., San Mateo; 650-347-7231

Treat yourself to an affordable lunch at this San Mateo "fine-dining champ"; a main course along with a choice of soup or salad runs $20.

Vik's Chaat Corner

724 Allston Way, Berkeley; 510-644-4412

This Berkeley Indian offers heaping lunch plates with sides that vary in price depending on your choice of protein: $5.75 for vegetarian, $6.25 for chicken and $6.35 for seafood.

Waterbar

399 The Embarcadero; 415-284-9922

The actual lunch special varies everyday at this Embarcadero seafood hot spot but it always includes an appetizer, an entree and a dessert and costs $24.

Yankee Pier

San Francisco Int'l Airport, Terminal 3; 650-821-8938

If you're looking for a filling lunch before your flight, it's hard to beat the deal at Bradley Ogden's seafood spot where a cup of chowder or a half Yankee salad with the daily fish sandwich and fries costs only $13.50.

The Best Pizza in the Bay Area

BuzzEditor — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:18:00 GMT

When looking for an affordable and filling meal, not much tops the simple pizza (though good dim sum comes close). And the Bay Area, along with its great Italian restaurants, is home to some fabulous pies. If you're in the mood for a casual taste of The Boot, might we suggest these Top Pizza restaurants, fresh from our 2009 San Francisco/ Bay Area Restaurants guide:

Gioia Pizzeria

1586 Hopkins St., Berkeley; 510-528-4692

“A slice of New York meets Berkeley organics” at this “tiny take-out pizza joint” in the East Bay whose “real-deal” thin-crust slices and pies with “blistering” crusts and “fresh” toppings cause homesick “East Coast expats to weep”; its “personal” service and “local” feel are additional assets, so who cares if there’s “virtually no seating or atmosphere”?

Little Star Pizza

400 Valencia St.; 415-551-7827

846 Divisadero St.; 415-441-1118

The pies “deserve a big star, not a little” one at this pair of pizzerias in the Mission and Western Addition where “you can get your pizzas thick or thin” – though most pop for the “decadently bad-for-you deep-dish” variety with its “preternaturally perfect” “crunchy cornmeal” crust; you’ll “feel like an instant local” in the “dimly lit” room, but those who cringe over the “loud”, “chaotic” atmosphere and the “humongous wait” say “hold the onions and the hipsters” and “make it to go”; P.S. bring some bucks since “they don’t take credit.”

Pizzaiolo

5008 Telegraph Ave., Oakland; 510-652-4888

“Toques off” to Chez Panisse alum Charlie Hallowell for bringing “killer”, “creative thin-crust pizzas” and “absolutely fantastic” Southern Italian fare to the “hip” “new Temescal gourmet ghetto” in Oakland; the “well-trained staff” provides service that “varies from good to excellent”, but some warn the “rustic, noisy” space “tends to get packed and stay packed”, so “make reservations” or prepare for an “interminable” wait.

Pizzeria Delfina

3611 18th St.; 415-437-6800

“Spectacular” thin-crust pizzas with “tip-top toppings” and “extraordinary” antipasti attract “young hipsters” to this “Mission institution” next door to its “mother ship, Delfina”, where you can “sit outside and people-watch” with some vino from the “varied” list or vie for one of the “very few seats” in the “cramped” interior; either way, bring “a measure of patience”, because the “wait can get ridiculous”; P.S. pie-zani are “looking forward” to the new Pac Heights location due to open in 2008.

Pizzeria Picco

316 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur; 415-945-8900

“Marin hikers and bikers” “satisfy their pizza jones” at this “teeny-tiny” “Neapolitan paradise” (offspring of chef Bruce Hill’s Picco) in “leafy Larkspur”, where “beautifully blistered” “microthin” pies with “inventive toppings” from the wood-burning oven are joined on the menu by “fantastic fresh local salads” and “organic ice cream”; since servers are “friendly”, the “only downside is the lack of seating”, especially “if it’s not warm enough to sit outside.”

For more Bay Area Top Lists, click here.

The Best Dim Sum in the Bay Area

BuzzEditor — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:14:00 GMT

Dim Sum

Photo: Courtesy of Yank Sing

While you can always find reliable Chinese specialties in the city's Chinatown (reportedly one of North America's oldest and largest), votes in the 2009 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants guide indicate that great dim sum can be found all over the Bay Area. For your next brunch outing, instead of sticking to your usual bacon-and-eggs routine, try one of these Top Dim Sum restaurants:

Yank Sing

49 Stevenson St.; 415-541-4949

101 Spear St.; 415-957-9300

“Bring on the carts, baby!” sing veterans and “virgins” of this Chinese duo of lunch-only “white-tablecloth” Downtown and SoMa “dim sum meccas” “reminiscent of Hong Kong”, where a “whirlwind” of “smiling ladies” roll trolleys “laden with a dazzling variety of choices” including “amazing” “broth-filled dumplings”; “prices aren’t Chinatown” and some “swear they must work on commission”, but the place keeps packing in everyone from “expense-accounters” to “tourists.”

Ton Kiang

5821 Geary Blvd.; 415-387-8273

“Bring a posse, because you’ll need help” sampling the “bounty” of “succulent” dumplings “constantly passing by” at this Outer Richmond all-day “dim sum heaven” where you’re practically “guaranteed” to “wait in the cold” on weekends (but are rewarded with “instant food gratification as soon as you’re seated”); “it costs a pretty penny” and the space is “long overdo for redecorating”, but the consensus is it’s well “worth the schlep.”

Koi Palace

365 Gellert Blvd., Daly City; 650-992-9000

“Divine” dim sum awaits devotees at this “busy Hong Kong–style” eatery in Daly City – even if they have to “set their alarm clocks on weekends” to beat the “Disneyland-during-spring-break crowds”; a “waiting area as crowded as the fish tanks” “filled with the day’s meal” (including “exotic seafood” that “gets expensive”) is part of the deal, as are “abrupt” service and “noise”, but for most “it’s still one of the best [of its kind] in the area.”

Mayflower

6255 Geary Blvd.; 415-387-8338

Expect “all the classics” at this “lively” Hong Kong–style seafooder in the Richmond where the “kitschy decor” and “hustle bustle add to the fun”, but don’t overlook the “wildly interesting dim sum” “not regularly found elsewhere”; “it isn’t your average Chinese” chime madams and misters who sail over for “delicious” dishes “prepared expertly” and crustaceans plucked “straight out of their fish tanks”, declaring we’d “certainly come back.”

Restaurant Peony

388 Ninth St., Oakland; 510-286-8866

“It’s sometimes hard to understand what they are offering” at this “behemoth Hong Kong–style dim-sum palace” in Oakland, but “all you need to know is that everything is great” say devotees who praise the “generously filled” dumplings, “fresh seafood from the tanks” and some of the “best Peking duck outside China”; a “brusque staff” and “extremely noisy” dining room are no deterrent to fans who are willing to “take a number and wait” on weekends when it’s “a zoo.”

To see more Bay Area Top Lists, click here.

Paul Newman's Legacy

BuzzEditor — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:22:00 GMT

Legendary actor Paul Newman passed away over the weekend. Although best known as a movie star, he was also renowned as an entrepreneur/philanthropist thanks to his Newman’s Own brand of food products, which began as a line of salad dressing and grew to encompass everything from popcorn to lemonade to spaghetti sauce. All profits from this enterprise were donated to various charities, allowing him to harness his global fame for the common good. Not incidentally, he was also a racecar driver and even a restaurateur (Dressing Room in Westport, CT).

Ultimately, his legacy lies in his movies. As a tribute to his wide-ranging body of work, here is a list of 20 notable Newman films, rated and reviewed by our voters. It is excerpted from the 2009 Zagat Movie Guide.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Absence of Malice

1981 | Directed by Sydney Pollack | With Paul Newman, Sally Field, Bob Balaban | 116 minutes | Rated PG

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
21	25	21	20

"Newman and Field ignite the screen" in this "textured" "hard-hitting" courtroom drama demonstrating how "guilt by association" causes a "newspaper to ruin a man's career"; most say that the "irresponsible press" is a topic made for the movies, but some feel this "slight" effort "should have been better" – starting with the "not-believable ending."

Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid

1969 | Directed by George Roy Hill | With Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross | 110 minutes | Rated PG

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
26	26	25	25

"Compulsive charmers" Newman and Redford play a pair of wisecracking, "magnetic" "antiheroes" trying to stay ahead of the law in this "outstanding" Western "buddy movie", loaded with "adventure and humor"; it fuses a "snappy" script, Burt Bacharach soundtrack and "too many classic scenes to count" into a "sentimental favorite" that's "never boring" from start to "unforgettable" finish.

Cars

2006 | Directed by John Lasseter, Joe Ranft | Animated | 116 minutes | Rated G

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
24	-	23	27

Disney/Pixar's "well-oiled" animation outfit rigs a "familiar fish-out-of- water story" ("Doc Hollywood", anyone?) to "talking cars" and rolls out this "delightful" joyride featuring "exceptional" renderings and "adorable" vocal characterizations by Owen Wilson, Paul Newman and comic Larry The Cable Guy; parents appreciate the "great" soundtrack and "offbeat" cultural references – real lifesavers when the young 'uns "watch it for the 30th time."

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

1958 | Directed by Richard Brooks | With Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives | 108 minutes | Not Rated

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
25	27	24	23

"Man, these people have problems": "steamy Liz" "in that white slip" and a "dynamite" Newman "couldn't possibly look better" as they "burn up the screen" in this "sex-soaked" Tennessee Williams drama of "love, rejection" and "Southern family politics"; the "towering" Ives presides as the ragin' Big Daddy, adding an "incredibly interesting" Lear-like thread to all that "eye candy."

Color of Money, The

1986 | Directed by Martin Scorsese | With Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio | 119 minutes | Rated R

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
16	21	16	17

Something different from Martin Scorsese, this "generation-later" "follow-up to The Hustler" details how a washed-up billiards baron molds an up-and-comer into his protégé; though somewhat "predictable", "excellent acting" from the "powerhouse Cruise" and the "finely tuned", Oscar-winning Newman "saves it."

Cool Hand Luke

1967 | Directed by Stuart Rosenberg | With Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin | 126 minutes | Not Rated

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
26	27	24	22

"One of the best movie lines ever" ('what we have here is a failure to communicate') and that "famous hard-boiled egg scene" make this "damn great" Deep South prison drama memorable – not to mention the efforts of "consummate pro" Newman playing one cool con on a "chain gang", abetted by a "strong" Kennedy, who grabbed an Oscar for his supporting work.

Exodus

1960 | Directed by Otto Preminger | With Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint, Sal Mineo | 210 minutes | Not Rated

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
23	23	26	25

An "all-star cast" drives this story of the "founding of modern Israel", a "stunning", "satisfying" Preminger epic "faithfully" adapted from Leon Uris' best-seller; fans single out the star turn from a "too-gorgeous-for-words" Newman "in his prime", and if the plot has some "bathos" mixed into its "high drama", it's ultimately a "moving" moving picture.

Fort Apache, The Bronx

1981 | Directed by Daniel Petrie | With Paul Newman, Ken Wahl, Rachel Ticotin, Ed Asner | 125 minutes | Rated R

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
21	23	21	20

Considered "shocking in its day", this "gritty" snapshot of a "city overtaken by crime" set a "new standard for cop dramas" with its "tell-it- like-it-is" depiction of hookers, junkies and the NYPD; "not-bad-on-the- eyes" Newman is "at his acting best" as the veteran "good guy" on the force, with strong backup from a "wonderful ensemble."

Harper

1966 | Directed by Jack Smight | With Paul Newman, Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Arthur Hill, Janet Leigh, Pamela Tiffin, Robert Wagner, Shelley Winters | 121 minutes | Not Rated

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
21	23	20	21

Renowned for its all-star, scenery-shredding cast, this "fun" private *** flick features a "vintage Paul" hot on the trail of a missing husband; if the "plot is entirely predictable", "none of the actors are", with special kudos to an "entertaining" Bacall as a witchy wife and a "classic" Winters as a blousy, boozy starlet.

Hud

1963 | Directed by Martin Ritt | With Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal, Brandon De Wilde | 112 minutes | Not Rated

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
26	28	24	24

"Stud muffin" Newman is at his "bad boy best" playing an "alienated", "black-hearted" cowboy in this "truly adult" "modern Western" about a "struggle between a father and son"; sure, "Neal got the Oscar" (as did "heartbreaker Douglas" and that "gorgeous black-and-white cinematography"), but in the end, Paul's "heartbreakingly cool" anti-hero gets the most reaction.

Hudsucker Proxy, The

1994 | Directed by Joel Coen | With Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Newman | 111 minutes | Rated PG

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
22	22	21	23

"Big business" and the "bootstrappy American dream" are satirized in this "sly satire" via the Coen brothers about a "plucky mailroom clerk" who "invents the hula hoop" ("ya know, for kids") and becomes president of the company; despite a "refreshingly cynical" script peppered with "dialogue so crisp you can hear the gum smacking", a few find it a bit "odd", though it's certainly "never dull."

Hustler, The

1961 | Directed by Robert Rossen | With Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie | 134 minutes | Not Rated

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
25	26	24	22

"Dark, tense and beautifully delivered", this "ultimate movie about winning" is also a "love poem to the game of pool", featuring "Newman on a roll" opposite Gleason in a rare dramatic turn that nearly "steals the picture"; it's "convincing", "gripping" stuff, and though Paul reprised the character of Eddie Felson in The Color of Money, connoisseurs claim this first take is so "much better."

Road to Perdition

2002 | Directed by Sam Mendes | With Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Daniel Craig, Jude Law | 117 minutes | Rated R

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
23	26	22	25

"Hanks proves his versatility" in this "evocative period piece", playing a "cold-blooded hit man" for the Irish mafia during the Depression; the "intense journey" is "impeccably done", with Newman in "stellar form", Oscar-winning cinematography that will "take your breath away" (notably that "tommy gun scene in the rain") and "top-notch screenwriting" that "stays true to the novel."

Silent Movie

1976 | Directed by Mel Brooks | With Mel Brooks, Marty Feldman, Dom DeLuise, Sid Caesar | 87 minutes | Rated PG

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
20	20	19	20

"Kudos" to Brooks for ditching dialogue and scoring "audience roars" with "clever" sight gags in this "entertaining" send-up of silent films; expect a parade of "star" cameos (Burt Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, Paul Newman), though the "best moment" belongs to mime Marcel Marceau, who utters the picture's "only spoken word."

Slap Shot

1977 | Directed by George Roy Hill | With Paul Newman, Michael Ontkean, Strother Martin | 122 minutes | Rated R

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
22	18	19	17

Right up there with the "funniest sports flicks", this puckish comedy finds "Newman on skates" as the "foul-mouthed coach" of a "dark horse" minor-league hockey team with a "strange way" of turning every face-off into a riot on ice; it "epitomizes the goonery" of the high-sticking '70s, resulting in "crazy", "profane" and "fairly violent" fare that hardcore fans "cannot live without."

Sting, The

1973 | Directed by George Roy Hill | With Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw | 129 minutes | Rated PG

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
27	26	27	26

"Deftly" charming its way to Best Picture honors, this "classy" comedy "caper" "succeeds in spades" as a "likable", "fast-paced" vehicle for Newman and Redford, radiating "great rapport" as a pair of grifters playing a gangster for a sucker in Depression-era Chicago; a "funny, intriguing" "period piece" set to "elegant" Joplin rags, it raises the "suspense" stakes with "masterful" plotting and a final "zinger" that saves the sharpest sting for last.

Sweet Bird of Youth

1962 | Directed by Richard Brooks | With Paul Newman, Geraldine Page, Ed Begley, Shirley Knight | 120 minutes | Not Rated

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
24	28	24	23

A "young, gorgeous" Newman and "brilliant" Page ("what a combo!") reprise their stage roles in this cinematic adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play about a wannabe actor/gigolo and a faded, Sunset Boulevard–esque movie queen; sure, the story has been somewhat sanitized for the big screen, but most birdies still tweet "how sweet it is . . ."

Torn Curtain

1966 | Directed by Alfred Hitchcock | With Paul Newman, Julie Andrews, Lila Kedrova, Wolfgang Kieling | 128 minutes | Rated PG

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
23	24	23	22

This "compelling" Cold War spy thriller via Alfred Hitchcock concerns an American physicist who defects to East Germany, bent on espionage; while it "isn't the greatest Newman or Andrews" effort, it still "has is moments", notably the 'silent murder' sequence and Lila Kedrova's "compelling" supporting role as a down-and-out countess.

Towering Inferno, The

1974 | Directed by John Guillermin, Irwin Allen | With Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden | 165 minutes | Rated PG

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
18	17	18	22

"Make sure you know where all the exits are" before settling into this "big, bad '70s disaster" flick starring a skyscraper, a fire and a "rogues' gallery of great actors"; although the "passable" "special effects were top-drawer for its time", cynical sorts snort it's more of a "made-for- TV movie" by modern standards.

Verdict, The

1982 | Directed by Sidney Lumet | With Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden | 129 minutes | Rated R

Overall	Acting	Story	Prod.
23	25	23	20

A "David-vs.-Goliath" legal struggle is the underpinning of this "underrated" courtroom drama about a "burned-out lawyer trying one last case to keep from going under"; Newman's "intense", "tour-de-force" turn is one of his "greatest" roles (leaving many "stunned" that the Oscar eluded him), while the "mesmerizing" Rampling "excels" as the love interest.

The Best Italian in the Bay Area

BuzzEditor — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:35:00 GMT

Quince

photo: Quince

The 2009 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants guide is out, and 8,755 avid diners like you have spoken. With 23% of those surveyed listing it as their favorite, Italian is easily the most popular cuisine – distantly trailed by Japanese (15%). With over 200 Zagat-Rated Italian spots to choose from, the Bay certainly isn't lacking in options. But where to go when only the best will do? Here are the five Top Italian restaurants in the Bay Area.

Quince

1701 Octavia St.; 415-775-8500

“A tough table to get” and even “tougher to leave” swoon “true foodies” over this “sublime” “craftmanlike” New French–Italian Pacific Heights “jewel”; it’s fast “gaining status” thanks to a menu of “glorious”, daily changing fare that includes “pasta as you have never experienced it before” proffered by an “über-attentive staff” in an “intimate” setting that’s “just shy of stuffy”; the “only drawback” is a “lack of space” – though an eventual move is planned.

Acquerello

1722 Sacramento St.; 415-567-5432

When you want to be “pampered and catered to, to your heart’s content” take thee to this “saintly” “special-occasion” Italian set in a “charming old church” in Polk Gulch; “soft lights”, a “hushed”, “old-world atmosphere”, namesake watercolors on the walls and “tuxedoed waiters” that proffer “exemplary” service and decant “perfect wine pairings” to complement “sublime” prix fixe menus (featuring “ephemeral pastas”) prompt “society-page” types to “count their blessings”; but a devilish few quip that the “somewhat fussy” setting “might feel more comfortable if I were in my 60s.”

Delfina

3621 18th St.; 415-552-4055

“There are two kinds of people: those of us lucky enough” to score “rezzies” for Craig and Annie Stoll’s “jam-packed” Mission trattoria that dishes up “simple”-yet-“edgy” “undeniably right-on” Italian food and the “adoring hordes” at the bar; “it’s a neighborhood joint at heart” “abuzz with happy people” and staffed by “foxy” but “friendly” servers that “just get it”; “bring your earplugs” to handle the “din”, though the “always fantasic” chow “at prices that make [the competition] look crazy” is “worth every decibel.”

Picco

320 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur; 415-924-0300

At his “grown-up, stylish” eatery in “laid-back” Larkspur, chef-owner Bruce Hill displays his “sense of humor” and “creativity” with his “amazing”, “eclectic” Italian cuisine that emphasizes “seasonal”, “locally grown” ingredients, and cognoscenti caution “it’s really easy to go overboard” with the “small plates” and wind up with a “large bill”; a “stellar” wine list and “professional” service add to the “memorable” experience; P.S. some bargain-hunters find Pizzeria Picco next door to be an even “better deal.”

Pizzaiolo

5008 Telegraph Ave., Oakland; 510-652-4888

To see more Bay Area Top Lists, click here.

Wallet-Friendly Eats in Honor of Tax Day

BuzzEditor — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:06:00 GMT

Tax-time and recession talk may have you holding on tightly to your wallet, but, hey, you still gotta eat. And, if you're smart about it, you can eat very well by taking advantage of the great deals out there. Get more tuck for your buck at these spots from our top list of Best Buys:

See All Zagat Top Lists

San Francisco : The List

Celeb Chefs Cover the Market

Jardinière

© 2008 Frankie Frankeny, FrankenyImages.com

Traci Des Jardins

300 Grove St. (Franklin St.) San Francisco, CA 94102 415-861-5555; reserve online

1 Ferry Bldg. (Market St.) San Francisco, CA 94111 415-399-0814;

Mjita

© 2008 Frankie Frankeny, FrankenyImages.com

Charles Phan

1 Ferry Bldg. (Market St.) San Francisco, CA 94111 415-861-8032; reserve online

Alice Waters

1517 Shattuck Ave. (bet. Cedar & Vine Sts.) Berkeley, CA 94709 510-548-5525; reserve online

1603 San Pablo Ave. (Cedar St.) Berkeley, CA 94702 510-524-5447

Noodling Around

Quince

Photo: Nory Ezo Suzuki

San Francisco

East Bay

North Bay

South

Splashy Spots

The Slanted Door

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Eating Au Naturel

ad hoc

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Sky's the Limit on Memorial Day

The Cliff House

Do It Outdoors

Patio at the Tipsy Pig

Photo: Kevin Bond

Tax Recovery

photo: courtesy of Churl

Toasty Tables

Swig

Photo: courtesy Swig

Have an Ox-some New Year

Celebrate the Year of the Ox.

Photo: Bernard Oh

Lunch Prix Fixes for $25 or Less

Waterbar offers a $24 lunch prix fixe.

photo: Kevin Bond

44 Belden Pl.; 415-986-6287

1849 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; 510-849-2155

56 Gold St.; 415-433-6300

1517 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; 510-548-5049

5484 College Ave., Oakland; 510-653-5484

347 Presidio Ave.; 415-563-8841

5356 College Ave., Oakland; 510-595-4000

1347 Main St., St. Helena; 707-963-3799

303 Second St.; 415-543-2928

704 Sutter St.; 415-771-0803

333 Santana Row, San Jose; 408-246-6320

231 S. Ellsworth Ave., San Mateo; 650-347-7231

724 Allston Way, Berkeley; 510-644-4412

399 The Embarcadero; 415-284-9922

San Francisco Int'l Airport, Terminal 3; 650-821-8938

The Best Pizza in the Bay Area

1586 Hopkins St., Berkeley; 510-528-4692

400 Valencia St.; 415-551-7827

846 Divisadero St.; 415-441-1118

5008 Telegraph Ave., Oakland; 510-652-4888

3611 18th St.; 415-437-6800

316 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur; 415-945-8900

The Best Dim Sum in the Bay Area

Dim Sum

Photo: Courtesy of Yank Sing

49 Stevenson St.; 415-541-4949

101 Spear St.; 415-957-9300

5821 Geary Blvd.; 415-387-8273

365 Gellert Blvd., Daly City; 650-992-9000

6255 Geary Blvd.; 415-387-8338

388 Ninth St., Oakland; 510-286-8866

Paul Newman's Legacy

Absence of Malice

1981 | Directed by Sydney Pollack | With Paul Newman, Sally Field, Bob Balaban | 116 minutes | Rated PG

Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid

1969 | Directed by George Roy Hill | With Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross | 110 minutes | Rated PG

Cars

300 Grove St.
(Franklin St.)
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-861-5555; reserve online

1 Ferry Bldg.
(Market St.)
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-399-0814;

1 Ferry Bldg.
(Market St.)
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-861-8032; reserve online

1517 Shattuck Ave.
(bet. Cedar & Vine Sts.)
Berkeley, CA 94709
510-548-5525; reserve online

1603 San Pablo Ave.
(Cedar St.)
Berkeley, CA 94702
510-524-5447