She was definitely right about the decor; it’s a gorgeous spot. At the front of the restaurant is a communal table with a cool glass-bottle chandelier above it. Parallel to the bar seating is a handful of small tables. Go down the hallway and you’ll come to another haven within this haven: an outdoor patio, perfect for weekend brunches.

On a recent visit, my dining companions and I ordered: the salumi plate (a must!), grilled asparagus, sausage panini, pork shoulder (slow braised in milk with sage and lemon — yum!), and boiled fresh sausage with lentils. Everything was delicious.

Somehow, we managed to squeeze in a little dessert as well: a platter of cookies (the cranberry/chocolate biscotti was my favorite) and the olive oil cake with grilled peaches. Good stuff.

I came into Bar Bambino not really expecting much, but I was totally impressed by the place. It has the trifecta going for it: excellent ambiance, food and service. Our water glasses were never empty (they carbonate their only sparkling water here!) and the entire staff was always so friendly.

Bar Bambino definitely warrants a repeat visit. Maybe next time I’ll bump into you at the communal table?

Bar Bambino
2931 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 738-VINO (0444)

What makes the banana bread so superior? The honey and, perhaps more importantly, the cinnamon crumb topping (it’s not just for coffeecake anymore!). You may think you can’t possibly eat an entire loaf, but you can. It’s that good.

My husband, a big scone fan, loves their seasonal options. And the lemon bars are deliciously tart. Oh! And the sticky date pudding, and the brownies … I could go on and on here. But really, get yourself to Betty’s and sample the treats for yourself. Just don’t try to visit the bakery on a Sunday or Monday (they’re closed both days). On Sundays, you can find Betty’s represented at the Temescal Farmers’ Market in Oakland, as well as the Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market.

Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA
(510) 985-1213

And these people — as well as those of us who plan ahead and book a reservation — will be well-rewarded. Even though I’ve dined here dozens of times, there’s always something fresh/new on the menu that impresses me. During my most recent visit, I loved the manila clams and the abalone appetizers.

And perhaps the restaurant’s most popular dish, the shaking beef, is a must-order. The lamb rack is also delicious. And the claypot chicken and caramelized shrimp remind me of my mom’s Vietnamese cooking, so I recommend these entrees as well. (Psst … There are a good number of tasty, veggie options if you’re not big on meat.)

With everything served family-style, that means you get to sample plenty of dishes. But do save room for dessert. I usually favor the ice cream or sorbet trios; they were recently offering mint, ginger and chocolate scoops of ice cream and peach, mango and strawberry sorbets. If you do fill up on other menu items, you can still order a pot of Blue Bottle coffee or — my personal preference — a Vietnamese iced coffee. Then sit back and enjoy the view of the bay, with the sailboats and ferries passing by.

The Slanted Door
1 Ferry Building, #3
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 861-8032

Brought to you by the folks behind the popular Bi-Rite Market (just across the street), the creamery specializes in small-batch, artisanal ice creams, sorbets and baked goods. In addition to a cone (or bowl), you can order up an ice-cream sandwich (mmmm … ginger snap cookies with pumpkin ice cream), sundaes, popsicles, banana splits, brownies, ice-cream pies and cakes, cookies and even cupcakes.

With flavors like Double Ginger, Chai-Spiced Milk Chocolate and Honey Lavender, there simply is no substitute for this place when an ice-cream craving hits you. My favorites: Roasted Banana and Salted Caramel. Since Bi-Rite uses seasonal ingredients, the menu does change — but don’t worry, it’ll never disappoint.

Tip: The creamery is closed on Wednesdays.

Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 626-5600

From the moment I walked into O Chame for a recent lunch stop, I felt relaxed. The warm terra cotta walls and dimly lit dining room has a peaceful vibe to it. There’s a large communal table at the entrance, as well as booths and several smaller tables; in total, about 40 seats.

While there are quite a few good starters to choose from (I love the tuna sashimi), you may want to save your appetite for the udon — which is really the main attraction here. I can’t resist the version with smoked trout, mustard greens and enoki mushrooms. The pork tenderloin is also fantastic. (You can replace the silky udon noodles with soba, but I wouldn’t.)

Service is friendly and efficient — which was perfect for my visit, as I had to get back on Interstate 80 and continue my drive home. But my meal at O Chame proved good for my belly as well as my soul.

O Chame
1830 Fourth Street
Berkeley, CA
(510) 841-8783

Then weekend brunch is the time to check out this restaurant. Especially a sunny weekend, when the natural light just pours into the space and you can see the Bay outside the many windows. Although sleek, the restaurant has an earthiness to it as well — in part because of all the beautiful wood tables and counters. (There’s a lounge area just outside the dining room that is great for catching up on some reading or hanging out with friends.)

On a recent visit here, I couldn’t resist the plate of doughnut. Five doughnuts, about the size of my palm, arrived at the table — filled with lemon curd, coated in powdered sugar, and fried to order. What? You’re running out to Americano right now to order up a batch? You should. They were divine.

Next up, I tried the Americano Benedict, which the waiter implied was an excellent choice. And I know they usually say that, but he really seemed sincere about it. For good reason, too. The dish was spectacular; possibly the best eggs benedict I’ve had. There were the usual eggs and hollandaise sauce. Plus, Americano’s version includes prosciutto and tomato conserva, served on a Portuguese muffin. So good! (The dish comes with a tasty side of home fries, too.)

Yes, this write-up is making me seriously hungry. Must. Go. Eat. Now. Possibly at Americano again.

Americano
8 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 278-3777

And you know what? I fell in love with La Mediterranee all over again.

The popular little eatery offers friendly and fast service, as well as affordable and delicious fare. I am a sucker for the fillo dishes here (mmm … meat tart!). And if you’ve got any vegetarian pals, this is the place to take them; the offerings are tasty and extensive.

On a street filled with fancy-schmancy boutiques and other businesses, La Mediterranee is a warm and cozy respite. Yes, it’s a small space where tables are often tight, but that just adds to the charm. As does the mint tea, which is refilled for free.

La Mediterranee
2210 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-2956

Who needs a golden ticket when this sweet shop is more pleasing on the eyes and tummy than anything Willy Wonka could dream up. (That’s no surprise, considering the Miette Patisserie folks are behind this place.)

Miette Confiserie
449 Octavia Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 626-6221

Tucked away in Carmel Valley is Bernadus Lodge, which is its own little oasis in this already heavenly region of Northern California. The Lodge features just under 60 rooms, a small spa, a heated outdoor pool, and two restaurants. The Bernadus Winery is just a few miles up the road, and a stay at the Lodge includes complimentary wine-tasting.

The rooms feature fireplaces, soaking tubs and patios. The decor is simple and comfortable. Service is stellar here — and I like that there’s a flat-rate service charge included in the room rate, so I don’t have to worry about scrounging for dollars to tip the bellhop or valet.

Perhaps one of the best reasons to visit Bernardus is the on-site dining. A small group of us recently gathered at Marinus Restaurant for an amazing dining experience at the Chef’s Table. The booth in the kitchen offered such insight into the behind-the-scenes restaurant action. The chef was a pleasure — friendly and always taking the time to answer our questions or just explain random things to us.

As long as you’re not opposed to relaxing and maybe being pampered just a bit, there’s something for everyone here. Even a croquet lawn.

Bernardus Lodge
415 Carmel Valley Road,
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 658-3400

The third, and most important thing: Farmer Brown is fantastic. I recently visited the restaurant with three dining companions — and not a single one of us had a negative thing to say after our meal here. I cannot give enough praise to the fried chicken, which came with a side of mac’n'cheese. The chicken managed to be deliciously crispy on the outside, yet moist and juicy on the inside. The mac’n'cheese, made with Tillamook cheddar, was such creamy, slightly tangy goodness.

Aside from the comfort-food menu and dish towel napkins, there isn’t much that screams country about the restaurant. There’s a DJ spinning in the front of the dining room; a bar that is almost always crowded; and metal tables that there is surely a long wait for … Unless you heed my first point: Call for a reservation.

Farmer Brown
25 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 409-FARM (3276)