20 Los Angeles Food Experiences Every First-Time Visitor Should Try
”People ask me what Los Angeles tastes like, expecting one answer. I never give them one, because the honest answer is that it tastes like Oaxaca on one block and Seoul three blocks later, and that contradiction is the actual food scene here.” — Elliot Kallen Every first-time visitor to LA lands with the same […]
Michelin-Star Restaurants vs Local Favorites: Which One Fits Your Night?
“I’ve had the seven-course tasting menu. I’ve also eaten standing up at a counter with three stools. Both nights ended up on my list of the year’s best meals — for completely different reasons.” — Elliot Kallen, A star on the door changes everything before you even sit down. You stand up straighter. You expect […]
Restaurants Worth the Wait: Places That Truly Live Up to the Hype
“San Francisco has no shortage of restaurants people tell you to try. What it lacks is honesty about which of those tips actually hold up once you’re at the table.” — Elliot Kallen, Type “best restaurants in San Francisco” into a search bar. You’ll get more confident, contradicting answers than almost any other city gives […]
Best Restaurants by Occasion: Date Night, Family, Brunch, Solo & Business Dining
People ask me where to eat in San Francisco the way they ask their doctor about symptoms — they want a straight answer, and they want it from someone who actually knows. I’ve been eating my way through this city for over forty years. I’ve taken clients to the wrong places and learned the hard […]
The 10 Best Restaurants in San Francisco You Need to Try
“I’m also a foodie. My tolerance for average is low. Food, ambiance, noise level, and service all need to be right. If one of those is off, the whole experience drops.” — Elliot Kallen, EatSipGo.com People ask me for a San Francisco restaurant list more than almost any other city, and I understand why — […]
12 Hidden Los Angeles Restaurants Most Visitors Never Discover
You already know the type of place I mean — cash only, five tables, a mini-mall sign you’d drive past without a second look, quietly serving some of the best khao soi in this city. I stopped trusting my own “best of LA” instincts a while back and went and read what Angelenos actually tell […]
25 Los Angeles Dining Experiences Worth Planning an Entire Evening Around
“Cooking has always been part of my life.“ — Elliot Kallen, Founder of Eat Sip Go That’s how I answer most questions about why I do this, and it’s exactly why I can’t just eat when I’m hungry. I plan entire evenings around it. A friend called me last month, right before a trip to […]
Romanian Food: What to Eat and Where to Go in NorCal
When I think of Eastern European food, my first notion is large portions, family everywhere, and not understanding a word being spoken at dinner unless you speak Latin. I was wrong. For some reason, my wife and I have befriended this wonderful Romanian community, and the people couldn’t be warmer or more welcoming. But I […]
Best Jewish Delis in Wine Country
I miss a great corned beef and pastrami sandwich in Wine Country. Yes, I miss my family from New Jersey. I miss my friends. But I really miss the ethnic food, especially a great Jewish deli, with large, overstuffed sandwiches, Russian dressing, half-sour pickles, and mouthwatering coleslaw. I’ve seen “New York-style” or “Jewish-style” delis come […]
Best Restaurants in Danville and San Ramon for Business Meals
If you’re planning a business lunch or dinner in Danville or San Ramon, you should look for very good food, an atmosphere that encourages conversation, and a thoughtful menu that doesn’t get in the way of the meeting. My office is in San Ramon. I spend a lot of time in downtown Danville, and I […]