haven't been to Sparks yet unfortunately

Can onlyl speak to Boulevard in SF. Overall, one of my top 3 in SF. Great wine list - chock full of new, hard-to-find gems if that's your thing. Its different every time and worth a visit

http://www.bouchonsantabarbara.com/

bouchon santa barbara = wine country cuisine

the concept

They created bouchon to reflect their image of fine dining� the freshest ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambience, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace.

the food

They source all of their ingredients using an �as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible� approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel, produce from the surrounding countryside and meats and poultry from local micro-ranches.

the wine

Santa Barbara is producing some of the finest California Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Other locally produced varietals will surprise you with their quality, variety and approachability. On the last page of the wine list you will find a page of forty or so Central Coast wines that we feature by the glass.

Bon App�tit!

I love this place!!!!

For SEA, my favorite is a little french-asian place in Kirkland called Lynn's Bistro. There's no view and the interior is calmly decorated in pistaschio green but the food is excellent. The owner/chef, Lynn, was trained in France but has mixed in much of her chinese/vietnamese roots. Try her prime rib, filet, prawns, lobster bisque, french onion soup, and spinch salad to name a few. The place is better than Fish Cafe and not as expensive either.

For all out stuff yourself on good seafood, try the weekend brunch at Salty's in Alki.

For SFO/OAK, there's a small Japanese place in Berkeley called Kirala which you won't be disappointed with. The sushi and other dishes are fresh and very visually attractive.

Can't miss Blondies pizza either - $2.00 Cheese slice/coke - kept me going thru crazy times at Cal.

best place in sf is delfina--perfect italian in the mission, but unfortunately it's such good value that it's impossible to get a reservation other than 530 or 10pm--book well in advance if you want a better time.

La Pergola at the Cavalieri Hilton is indeed the best restaurant in Rome, awared it's 3rd Michlein star.

If you're looking for something a bit less intense and more in the city center, Agata e Romeo and Il Convivo have very fresh menus, more modern Italian.

You forgot, "Worth every penny!"

Zuni, as mentioned above as someone else's top 10 world-fave also ranks the same in my book. A trip to SFO is never complete without at least one meal at Zuni.

I keep hearing from SFO natives and frequent visitors alike about Tong Kiang. Can't wait to try it myself.

Yeah, but a different sensibility, too. El Gaucho has specialities that Sparks doesn't, and visa versa. Definitely a top steakhouse. Of course, everyone has an opinion ... :l)

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the Dahlia Lounge in Seattle.

I will second the Cinnamon Club. I was there last week for dinner with my wife and son. It is in the old Westminster Library on Great Smith Street just off of Victoria St. It is easy to miss at nite. We walked past it before following our way there by the great smells coming out of the kitchen. The Tanjore Prawn Masala - king prawn stir fried with fresh coriander and garlic was one of the best meals I have eaten. The Saffron Pear with Cinnamon Ice cream was the hit of the meal for my son.

Here is the website: http://www.cinnamonclub.com

For an Indian meal in London, also consider Tamarind and Rasoi Vineet Bhatia. Both have a Michelin star and I prefer the latter for its modern take on Indian food, e.g. see this review.

In Tokyo, the best beef dining experience is Serina, in Rupongi. Order "stone steak" and they will bring out really hot stones (rocks) on which you (yes, you) cook the thinly sliced Kobi beef to your own liking. Very expensive, but well worth it.

How much?

I ask because I don't know what "very expensive" is to you.

I have not eaten at Ton Kiang myself but my brother lives in SFO and he has rated it very highly. Now I want to eat some Dim Sum!!

Yen 15000 (and up), so not too bad (I suppose this counts as only moderately expensive for kobe beef restaurants in Tokyo).