citizen cake

Gotta love the name. Then you walk in and see the pastries. They are gorgeous and delicious. I had lunch at CITIZEN CAKE in San Francisco – orechhiette with spicy sausage, broccoli rabe, garlic and bread crumbs, an Arnold Palmer (lemonade with iced tea), strawberry rhubarb tartlet and a café au lait. Everything tasted fresh and natural and the portions were human-sized. Everyone in the restaurant had a sun-kissed glow. All the men in there were hot (but probably gay). Everyone smiled. When I ordered a SOY café au lait, it was all good. The entire restaurant was lit by sunshine pouring through two walls of gi-normous windows. Hmmm…maybe I should move back to San Francisco?

sushi sam’s

This tiny, Japanese place in San Mateo, CA is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. I grew up in San Mateo and have been eating at SUSHI SAM'S for the past 17+ years. The Bay Area has changed a lot since I moved away and, when I come back, I never feel quite at home until I go to Sam’s. There have been a few changes made to the place over the years – it’s expanded, it’s added a specials menu and an omakase – but for the most part, it’s the same. The food is the same awesome, cheap sushi I’ve always counted on; Sam is in the same spot behind the counter; and even the waiters are the same dudes that have always been there. I’m sure the sentimental value has a little to do with why I love Sam’s so much but its sushi is also pretty darn excellent.