Zagat Survey Discussions

Where do you go that's currently not Zagat-Rated?

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Schnitzelhaus is one I noticed missing from both Zagat and the Zagat yellow pages.

Schroeder's is a personal favorite, albeit no gourmet destination, that I found in the yellow pages and reviewed so it will be a Member Added property.

Yak & Yeti on College Ave, Berkeley

Bursa on West Portal in San Francisco. Great Turkish food. Kitchen is always on, attentive service, reasonable wine list. Entertainment on Saturday evening. Great dining value.

Namu in the Richmond. Very unique and fresh. Also, sake menu is awesome.

Cajun Pacific at 4542 Irving @47th Ave. They're not open all the time. Contact them and ask to put on the email list. Great Cajun food, and the occasional "specialty night". They recently had Hawiaan Pacific night. 

Where do you go that's currently not Zagat-Rated?

San Francisco used to have lots of lunch joints that were basically bars with upscale pub food.

Gio's on Commercial Street is one of the last. A short menu - sandwiches, salads and pasta - supported by a half dozen of daily specials (the Linguine Puttanesca is worth waiting for) make it worth a try.

Rub shoulders with lawyers, architects and advertising types, and eat at the very companionable bar if you feel like it.

Great food plus beer, wine and a full bar. Live a little and order a Negroni, the "martini" of men about town in Italy.

A not-yet rated zagat restaurant in the East Bay is 'Nibblers Eatery Wine & Bar' on Oak Park in Pleasant Hill, CA. Based on a tip, I ventured over there and found the tip RIGHT ON. It is truly tuck away in a small shopping center. Though the outside seating was appealing, I wanted to experience what was going on inside. Like a European Bistro. Service was 5 star, Food was 5 star, Wine choices were 5 star. Why? The minute you walk in, attention to your party is noticed and never dropped during your visit. I allowed the knowleable waiter to make all the food and wine recommendations. The wine recommendation and presentation and delivery of the small tapas was well timed. At $50 a person, well worth it. Next time, I will need to leave room for dessert. - Steve

Big Water Grille in Incline Village, Nevada.
Il Pescatore in Jack London Square in Oakland
Harry's Hof Brau in Redwood City
Beard Papa Sweets Café in both Redwood City and San Francisco
Memi's in Redwood City
City Pub in Redwood City
New Kapadokia in Redwood City
Piacere in San Carlos
A Tavola in San Carlos
Tarboosh in Redwood City

These are ALL places I've enjoyed and none of them are Zagat Rated. The Zagat ratings have gone way downhill in my opinion. your don't have local employees on the scene checking out new places. Then again, most of these places have been open for years, so they are clearly popular even without your rating.
Vic's Restaurant in San Carlos
Creola in San Carlos
Santorini in San Carlos
Kabul Afgan in San Carlos
Thai Time in San Carlos, CA
Town Restaurant in San Carlos
Mandaloun Restaurant in Redwood City

Angelino Restaurant in Sausalito continually get overlooked by every review guide that comments on the food scene of the Bay area. They are a local gem, the best pasta and fish in Marin.

Kazaan's Sushi in Vacaville...always fresh made to order sushi. The many times we have gone there over the last three years, the service as well as the food has been great. They are a gem hidden in a strip mall, but what a find! Prices are very reasonable and while they close at 9:30 p.m. we have walked in often a bit after 9, have eaten until we are filled and then some with all tables full and they are still generous and pleasant while we get our late night sushi fix!

Boca Steak in Novato (340 Ignacio Boulevard) http://www.bocasteak.com/ ... a little known hidden gem!?! I LOVED this place! The food was AMAZING and the staff were VERY attentive ... Argentine influenced cuisne with fresh sea food and homemade pickles!

Pho Tudo on 10th and Clement is one of the best contemporary Vietnamese restaurants that I've been to in SF. The garlic noodles with crab are simply FABULOUS!!! The staff is polite and friendly, and the ambiance is unlike the dirty traditional Vietnamese restaurants in the area. The SHAKING BEEF that uses FILET MIGNON is also a total winner. I haven't had a dish that I haven't totally loved.

Yo's Sushi Club in the mission area of San Francisco. This place is for lovers of authentic sushi, purists.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/yos-sushi-club-san-francisco