If you want to try something different than the sushi, visit this homestyle Japanese restaurant. The place itself consists of just a few tables adjacent to a tiny kitchen, giving it a homey feel to complement the meal. The way the menu works is you pick 2 main dishes for just $10. It also comes with soup, salad, and appetizer. All-in-all, very filling a very reasonably priced. Come with friends and it really would be like eating at home, family style!

the sushi at goemon is very fresh, delicious, and reasonably priced. it’s got the ambience of a traditional japanese restaurant (in contrast to many of the hipster sushi joints around these days), including a beautiful garden in the back. what’s even more amazing about this place is that it’s easy to get a seat—which means delicious japanese food is just minutes away!

i’ve been going to goemon for over 10 years, and have never been disappointed.

Great place to share tasty tapas with your friends. It was quite busy when we went but we got a seat at the bar which worked out just fine for us.

Lots of selection, delicious, and affordable place to go for a great classic shanghai breakfast. I typically order the sweet soy milk, onion pancakes (thick), sticky rice, and juicy dumplings. Also a great place to order for pick-up and enjoy the feast at home!

Here’s another favorite spot among my coworkers and me. It’s a great place for large groups too. As with most other mexican places, you’ll get chips and salsa to start off with. What’s notable here is that you’ll get a choice of 3 different salsas—all quite delicious. All dishes will leave you quite satisfied (if not completely stuffed), but one of them (see below) will knock your socks off!

This is one of my all-time favorite places to go. I work in Palo Alto and whenever we’re heading off campus for lunch, this is the first place that springs to mind. Keep in mind that this place is small though and popular! So stick with small groups and arrive early! If you have to wait, i guarantee it’ll be worth it! I’ve been about a dozen times now. See below for my top picks. Tip: you don’t actually have to choose between salad or french fries—you can ask for half/half!

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here but what I found especially memorable and what i’d highly recommend here are the desserts. That’s what tips the scale over to 4-star rating. Circolo also transforms itself into bar/lounge later in the evening, which you’ll notice in its layout and decor.

i had a unique experience at nua in that i ordered a special menu for 8 friends. it’s a really small restaurant so that was their recommendation to make sure there was going to be enough food for everyone. it took a little extra planning up front but the staff was excellent and it was well worth it. they even had a nice touch of printing out a custom menu for us. the food was delicious and everyone had a great time.

we discovered a relatively new italian dinner spot in the mission area. i thought the food was good but not quite worth the price we paid for it (hence the 3-star rating). my personal highlights:

• service was very excellent; most impressive was that we got a dish by mistake which the waiter let us keep at no charge!
• fresh baked bread that the waiter would bring around both at the beginning and middle of the meal. in the second round, we warm cheesy foccacia. mmmm good!

this was the first upscale greek restaurant i had been to and was absolutely impressed with the dishes. the ambiance and service was also excellent. My only caution is to make sure you balance out the rich dishes with the lighter dishes so you don’t end up feeling too full (like we did!)