Backflip's the weirdest-sounding place I've heard of in years. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/chronicle/article.cgi?file=FD44175.DTL&directory=/chronicle/archive/1997/08/20 Lynne N. wrote: > > Does anyone know any funky and/or fun (and good) restaurants in either > SF or the East Bay? ... > The more unique (weird?) the better.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Bay area recommendations wanted
Someone wrote: >Does anyone know any funky and/or fun (and good) restaurants in either >SF or the East Bay? My sister-in-law asked us not to give her any >Christmas presents since her place is so small. Instead, we thought of >taking her out to dinner since we'll be up for the holidays. Problem is >we aren't familiar with the local restaurants. We'll be staying in >Oakland, but have a car so the city is fine too. > >Any type of restaurant is ok. The more unique (weird?) the better. She >eats any type of food, not fussy at all. She also appreciates >anything out of the ordinary. Any and all suggestions are welcome, or >if you can point me to other resources that's appreciated too. This is outside of your suggested driving area, but I think La Fondue in Saratoga would be perfect for this. The decor is wierd, with all sorts of starry blue wizardly decor in one room, and odd faux-royal red in another, and I've heard they recently remodeled. Prices there are a worthy substitute for a nice gift. :-) The food also is unique enough to be quite memorable. Not that fondue is a big revelation for most people, but it certainly isn't the same old Rosemary-Rubbed Pork Center Loin with Garlic Mashed Potatoes that you find on every menu nowadays. And besides, the *Chocolate Fondue* dessert alone is worth the drive to Saratoga (1 hour drive from Oakland -- quite easy), if not the flight into the Bay Area too.. Allan ps. I can't stand it, I've given myself such a craving for Chocolate Fondue now that I've just made reservations there this Sunday. pps. From oakland take 880 south towards San Jose. A few miles after passing through San Jose, take Hwy 85 North towards Mountain View. Exit Hwy 85 at the Saratoga Avenue offramp and turn left. Drive about 2 miles to downtown Saratoga; once downtown, Saratoga Ave becomes Big Basin Way, and La Fondue is around the intersection of Big Basin & 4th street, on the left hand side. ppps.i have no affiliation with la fondue. As for the directions, I grew up in saratoga :-)
Try the Gingerbread House in Alameda ( near Oakland ). You must call ahead for reservations ( sometimes up to a month in advance ), and you have to order your food in advance. GREAT New Orleans style food, and a really funky place. Two sittings a night, so make those reservations early. Have them fax you the menu so you can decide. Lynne N. wrote: >Does anyone know any funky and/or fun (and good) restaurants in either >SF or the East Bay? My sister-in-law asked us not to give her any >Christmas presents since her place is so small. Instead, we thought of >taking her out to dinner since we'll be up for the holidays. Problem is >we aren't familiar with the local restaurants. We'll be staying in >Oakland, but have a car so the city is fine too. >Any type of restaurant is ok. The more unique (weird?) the better. She >eats any type of food, not fussy at all. She also appreciates >anything out of the ordinary. Any and all suggestions are welcome, or >if you can point me to other resources that's appreciated too. >Thanks in advance. >-- >Lynne Nishihara ([email removed]) >Computing Services - Calif. State Univ., Northridge, CA 91330-8280 USA >phone: (818) 677-2787 | fax: (818) 677-4770
Lynne N. wrote: > > Does anyone know any funky and/or fun (and good) restaurants in either > SF or the East Bay? My sister-in-law asked us not to give her any > Christmas presents since her place is so small. Instead, we thought of > taking her out to dinner since we'll be up for the holidays. Problem is > we aren't familiar with the local restaurants. We'll be staying in > Oakland, but have a car so the city is fine too. > > Any type of restaurant is ok. The more unique (weird?) the better. She > eats any type of food, not fussy at all. She also appreciates > anything out of the ordinary. Any and all suggestions are welcome, or > if you can point me to other resources that's appreciated too. > > Thanks in advance. > You have some really good suggestions. Thanks for asking the question (I got some new ideas as well). My personal favorite would be the Flying Saucer. I ate at Cha Cha Cha's tonight and just cannot believe how great a meal they can serve for such a good price. Hamburger Mary's isn't my favorite, but it is a fun place. I think that Saratoga is a little far to travel. I'd stick to Oakland or SF (prefer SF). One approach that you might take is to park on Valencia St. near 16th and walk around. You will find no fewer than a dozen great restaurants. You can take your pick. Just wonder around and see what suits you. Have a great time.
Oops, I wrote: > > However, Valencia north from 16th should be avoided, for walking or > parking, particularly the immediate vicinity of the Valencia Gardens > housing project (17th-18th Sts, Valencia-Guerrero). As another poster pointed out, Valencia Gardens is between 14th and 15th streets. My mistake. The advice, however, holds. This is not to recommend against visiting the neighborhood, which was recently annointed the 2nd-hippest in the USA (some would say *the* hippest). It's only to remind people that it's a big-city neighborhood, and you need to know which part is cool and which isn't. LJ