CreoLa: A New Orleans Bistro

I, for one, have never been to New Orleans but I hope to make it out there one day to experience the food and expand the reach of the Bay Area Food Crew. Until then I will happily be frequenting CreoLa. Monday through Thursday they offer the "Mardi Gras Menu," which is a four course meal for $28. The main menu tends to be more pricey so it is the "Mardi Gras Menu" for me. The hush puppies and Cajun Jambalaya are excellent starters and I have always walked away with a full belly and a smile on my face. (wasabi crusted ahi is my entree of choice). I recommend CreoLa for anything from a date, a night out with the family or a random Monday when you are craving a great diner.

Guru's rating: 8.5

√ Fat guy approved

Coming soon: Henry's Hi Life.

Empire Tap Room

In crowded Downtown Palo Alto this comfortable restaurant mixes a fine dining atmosphere with quality food at reasonable prices.

• Menu has a good enough variety to please everyone in your party with out stretching itself to thin.
• Not enough beer selections on tap to be called "Empire Tap Room". (about 8 different beer's on tap)
• Caesar Pizza was just a plain pizza with a Ceasar Salad on top
• Veggie Burger was robust and delicious
• Regular Cheeseburger could of been larger for the $12 you will pay for it
• Knowledgeable Staff have plenty of recommendations if you ask

YELP:

Crew Review: 7/10

Al's Fish and Chips

Good enough to at least try, with a little more effort Al's Fish and Chips could really stand out.

• Fish Burger was good sized and cooked to a nice crispy texture
• Fish dish's served with own bottle of Tartar Sauce.
• Cuban Taco's are not Cuban at all besides the Poca de Gallio
• Decent Prices for Decent food

YELP: 


Crew Review: 6/10

Holas!

If you do not mind paying higher prices because of the "atmosphere" being provided by the garden the resaurant sits over, the food is actually pretty good in this visually pleasing Cantina.

• Seats along window side of restaurant over look a local nursery
• Prices on the expensive side, but not outrageous
• Plenty of Parking (in strip mall)
• Nachos have plenty of cheese on very good chips
• Margherita's are the size of your head

Crew Review: 7/10

Yelp Review

Clay Oven

Clay oven is good for a afternoon buffet or a Saturday night date.

• Chicken Makahni is servered in a mild yogurt sauce, very tasty
• Very affordable for a high class restaurant
• Clean kitchen and attentive staff
• Do not eat the Candy on the way out (black licorice flavor)
• Downtown San Mateo location makes it a nice place for dinner and then a movie

My Review: 8/10

Yelp Review

Little Belmont Cafe

A great place for Breakfast right off the Harbor exit on 101 South in Belmont, cheap prices and tasty meals are always guaranteed.

• The "Specials" menu always has something new worth trying
• Bad Parking
• Waffles are on the thin side
• Classic Breakfast combo's are the way to go
• Great Pancakes

Yelp:


Crew Review: 8/10

Bow Thai Cafe

Good food (but boring aesthetically),  an underwhelming decor, and good prices.

• Basil Chicken was good
• Small sized portions
• Very nice staff
• Street parking
• Baby corn dish comes plentiful with Tofu (if you like Tofu) 

Yelp

Crew Review: 6/10

Isobune

A friendly "Sushi Boat" restaurant with good food and average prices.

• Large "Sushi Bar" area
• Very accommodating staff
• Limited selection of Specialty Rolls
• Downtown Burlingame location and plenty of parking in back of restaurant
• Average prices range for Average Sushi

Yelp:


Crew Review: 7/10

Classic 101 Burgers and Shakes

Any place that sells corn dogs and burgers already has a leg up with me. The food service is fast, but does not taste cheap. They also good for a night ice cream.

• The Teriyaki Steak Sandwich is delicious 
• The Sour Cream and Chive french fries are must try
• Menu is a stretched a little thin
• The Burgers are good, not great 
• Now they take credit cards

Yelp:

Crew Review: 8/10

Bangkok Bay Thai Cuisine

Very friendly staff and Delicious entrees. There is always seating and they are happy to serve you. Right up the street from the cinema, so makes for a good "date night" place.

• Calamari was excellent, very different from what you may be used to, ask for spicy
• Pumpkin Curry was great if you are in the mood for something different
• Brown Rice wasn't very good
• Great staff, more than willing to give you a good recomendation of what to eat
• They will make anything on the menu as spicy as you want your dish

Yelp:

Crew Review: 9/10

Barbara's Fish Trap

The food is worth the wait for a table, especially if you get a seat by the window. Great for a nice hearty lunch on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. Cash only, so come prepared.

• Great Clam Chowder 
• Good bread (important for dipping in chowder)
• Long waits for table 
• Fish and Chips are cooked to a perfect light golden crisp, and you get a good amount of Halibut for about $11 
• The Crab cooked in butter sauce was very good

Yelp:


 Crew Review: 8/10

Whispers Review

Hefty prices for tiny portions, you pay heavily for a garden green salad next to a Denver Omelet. Decent food and a full bar do not pick up the slack for this confused restaurant.

• Large Menu with no stand out items 
• Food always served luke warm  
• Crappy thick cut French Fries
• Go somewhere else for breakfast

Yelp:


CREW REVIEW: 3/10

Bay Area Food Crew

Look, the food blog we talked about. It never ends. Enjoy.