Featured Post

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Hillstone- "Tuesday Lunch With Linda"

In a quest to visit all 3000 San Francisco restaurants (500 and counting), Linda and Mike L. Mc Colgan's culinary journey recently stopped at Hillstone on the Embarcadero across from Pier 33.

Hillstone features an open kitchen that welcomes you with a rich aroma of their famous pork ribs slowing cooking when you enter the restaurant.  It also has a patio with an outside fireplace and also one inside creating a very warm and friendly atmosphere. Live jazz playing on a stage near the fireplace every night adds to the ambience and immediately soothes your soul from the rigors of the daily grind...

General Manager Cameron Shaw brought us their special appetizer that is very popular with patrons. Oak grilled artichokes with a savory perfectly seasoned sauce that was fun to eat and very good. The wine and beer menu offers some great selections at reasonable prices such as Trefethen Chardonnay from Napa for $9.00 and Anchor Steam Beer for $6.00.

At this lunch, our son MJ (3 time National Special Olympics Golf Champion, Hall Of Famer and Rib specialist) joined us for lunch. We have been to the Rutherford Grill in Napa part of the Hillstone family and love their ribs and corn bread. The corn bread was not available but we spilt an order of their fall off the bone barbeque ribs, cole slaw, and fries and were not disappointed.   It is a hearty proportion and easily satisfy's the best of appetites.  MJ and I think these are the best ribs we have ever had and the same high quality as Rutherford Grill.

Linda ordered the grilled chicken salad with honey- lime vinaigrette and peanut sauce that was very fresh and tasty. We also saw a person next to us that ordered the Famous French Dip that looked fantastic.

For desert, we shared their famous Ice Cream Hot Fudge Sunday served with a generous portion of rich fudge on the side to perfectly flavor the vanilla ice cream that was a great ending to a sensational lunch.


For more information and to make reservations go to:


From the web site. 

"Hillstone was founded by current owner George Biel. The first restaurant Houstons was opened in 1977 paying homage to George's home state of Texas.  There is a boutique collection of restaurants which includes Houstons, Gulfstream, Palm Beach Grille, and Rutherford Grill in Napa among others.  Hillstone, the newest addition to the group is a tribute to the name of the parent company. It is also a name which is derived from a hillside vineyard in Napa Valley which produces cabernet sauvignon grapes."

Sens Restaurant -"Tuesday Lunch with Linda"

Sens Restaurant "Tuesday Lunch With Linda In The City By The Bay" 


In a quest to visit all 3000 San Francisco restaurants (500 and counting), Danville residents Linda and Mike L. Mc Colgan added Sens Restaurant to their list which is located at 4 Embarcadero and open for lunch and dinner Monday thru Friday.
  

At Sens Resutaurant, we had a great table with a scintillating view of the Oakland Bay Bridge and famed foodie heaven Ferry building on a crystal clear day in the city by the bay. Executive Chef Michel Adams prepared us two of his specialties to begin our lunch. The first was crispy stuffed olives with natural ground beef, almonds and Moorish spices that were awakening to our tastebuds.


He also prepared us Poached Turkish Apricots with chicken tagine filling, spicy yogurt, and pistachios from the extensive happy hour menu from 3-8 that includes discounts on various libations, music on the patio and a variety of tasty treats to satisfy any appetite.  It is a great place to unwind from a busy day with peaceful, panoramic views of the Bay.


For our entree, Linda ordered the Seared Tombo Tuna with pole bean salad, heirloom tomato, black olives, roasted red pepper-caper relish and basil aioli that was cooked perfectly. I ordered a menu favorite the California Lamb Burger with manchego cheese, tomato-sesame jam, tzatziki, grilled onions, and spiced fries that was cooked medium well, excellent and enough food for two people.


We passed on the desert menus but there were some very tempting selections as well as a variety of teas and expresso drinks.

There is also a business lunch that includes soup, entree and dessert for $20.00. 

The restaurant offers plenty of room for private parties and weddings as its ambience and environment would be perfect for either one.

For more information and to make reservations, go to:



From the website:


” Sens invites you to experience a culinary adventure through the sun-drenched Southern Mediterranean! Executive Chef Michel Adams infuses the exotic spices, lush flavors and traditional techniques indigenous to these lands with a modern sensibility and the freshest local ingredients. Seasonally… inspired desserts, created by Pastry Chef Logan Wales, compliment our Farmer’s Market driven menu. Our extensive wine list, featuring many of California’s most popular vineyards, is also a continuation of our menu and includes the Southern Mediterranean regions of Italy, Spain, Greece and North Africa.
Ambience abounds at Sens with beautiful stonework, exposed wooden beams, oversized leather chairs and exquisite tableware. Our Biada Lounge & Patio offer the perfect setting to meet & mingle over cocktails. Overlooking the historic Ferry Building, Justin Herman Plaza and the Bay Bridge, Sens’ rich interior textures are juxtaposed by some of the most spectacular views in San Francisco."