Kosher Restaurant

If you want to keep it all in the family — the Jewish family, that is — then these local kosher establishments are just the places to go, with S.F. New York Deli as our readers’ pick in San Francisco, Holy Land Restaurant in the East Bay, and Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in the South Bay.

S.F. New York Deli is a newbie to this competition, yet managed to win a spot in readers’ hearts in under a year of being in business. The deli uses kosher products shipped in to the city, and some products from local markets in San Francisco. Their most popular sandwich is, of course, the classic corned beef pastrami sandwich.

Holy Land Restaurant in Oakland also won for favorite Middle Eastern food. Information on the restaurant can be found under the award for favorite Middle Eastern food.

Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels, winner in the South Bay, has made its mark in the Bay Area in its tenure of just over a decade. Izzy’s serves absolutely no meat — and offers many options besides bagels, from soups and pastries to lasagnas. “We make our products with great care, ” says Manager Israel Rind.

Second-place winners are Shangri-La Chinese Vegetarian in San Francisco and Oakland Kosher Foods in the East Bay.

(In the East Bay, Ristorante Raphael was originally voted favorite kosher restaurant, but recently closed its doors.)

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

S.F. New York Deli

(415) 788-0422

www.sfnewyorkdeli.com

East Bay

Holy Land Restaurant

Oakland

(510) 272-0535

www.holylandrestaurant.com

South Bay/Peninsula

zzy’s Brooklyn Bagels

Palo Alto

(650) 329-0700

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

Shangri-La Chinese

Vegetarian

(415) 731-2548

East Bay

Oakland Kosher Foods

(510) 839-0170

Jewish-Style Deli

If you want a bit of New York in NorCal — minus the accent — consider grabbing a nice meaty sandwich from these local delis. This year, readers picked Max’s in San Francisco, the South Bay/Peninsula and Marin/Sonoma, and Saul’s Deli and Restaurant in the East Bay, as favorite Jewish deli.

Twenty-eight-year-old Max’s almost made it a sweep. Located in nearly every part of the Bay Area, Max’s prides itself on selling a host of sandwiches, soups and other menu items, and is vegetarian-friendly, too. From their Philly cheesesteak and grilled cheese sandwiches to their matzah ball soup, Max’s has something for everyone.

At Saul’s Deli in the East Bay, you can get “melt-in-your-mouth goodness” with such signature items as Reuben sandwiches and freshly prepared brisket. General Manager Benjamin Beck notes that Saul’s tries hard to use sustainable products and vendors who believe in sustainable practices. “We try to make sure we’re not a part of the problem, and [are] looking for solutions,” Beck says.

Second-place winners are East Coast West Delicatessen in San Francisco, Max’s in the East Bay and Izzy’s Brooklyn Deli in the South Bay/Peninsula.

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

Max’s

Various locations

(650) 873-MAXS

www.maxsworld.com

East Bay

Saul’s Deli

and Restaurant

Berkeley

(510) 848-3354

www.saulsdeli.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Max’s

Various locations

(650) 873-MAXS

www.maxsworld.com

Marin/Sonoma

Max’s

Corte Madera

(650) 873-MAXS

www.maxsworld.com

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

East Coast West

Delicatessen

(415) 563-3542

East Bay

Max’s

Various locations

(650) 873-MAXS

www.maxsworld.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Izzy’s Brooklyn Deli

Sunnyvale

(650) 520-7450

Middle Eastern Restaurant

If you’re looking for a falafel as good as the one you had in Israel, these restaurants and delis are sure to bring back good memories. This year j readers voted three old favorites as the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the Bay Area: Sunrise Deli & Café in San Francisco, Holy Land Restaurant in the East Bay and DishDash in the South Bay/Peninsula.

In the San Francisco area, Sunrise Deli is the signature place for falafels. “The secret to the falafel and the salad is the freshness of the product and the freshness of the merchandise,” said manager of Sunrise Deli, Khaldoun Ramadan. The deli, which opened in 1982, recently opened its second restaurant in Berkeley.

Holy Land Restaurant in Oakland, founded in 1989, is a staple Bay Area spot for Middle Eastern food. It serves a variety of Moroccan, Yemenite and Israeli foods, from malawa to tahini. Holy Land boasts restaurants in Oakland and Berkeley, as well as a catering service.

At DishDash in the South Bay, dish dash, a piece of traditional Middle Eastern clothing, is grandly displayed on the wall of the restaurant. “Dish dash symbolizes warmth, comfort and relaxation. [It is a] beautiful representation displayed as the centerpiece of a restaurant, ” said manager Amit Raj.

Second-place winners are La Mediterranee in San Francisco and the East Bay, and Kabul Afghan Cuisine in the South Bay/Peninsula.

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

Sunrise Deli & Café

(415) 664-8210

www.gosunrisedeli.com

East Bay

Holy Land Restaurant

Oakland

(510) 272-0535

www.holylandrestaurant.com

South Bay

DishDash

Sunnyvale

(408) 774-1889

www.dishdash.net

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

La Mediterranee

(415) 921-2956

www.cafelamed.com

East Bay

La Mediterranee

Berkeley

(510) 540-7773

www.cafelamed.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Kabul Afghan Cuisine

Sunnyvale

(408) 245-4350

www.kabulrestaurant.net

Seafood

Pop quiz: Which j. Readers’ Choice pick was recently featured in an iPhone commercial?

That would be Pacific Catch, readers’ pick for best seafood in San Francisco. In the East Bay the favorite was Scott’s Seafood Restaurant, in the South Bay/Peninsula, Fish Market, and in the Marin/Sonoma area, the simply named Fish.

Pacific Catch is in the heart of San Francisco and has clientele that includes a crowded group of “residents, tourists and families,” says General Manager Rob Schechtman. Its most popular fish is poki, and its goal according to Schechtman, is to be consistent in their quality.

Scott’s, with restaurants in Oakland and Walnut Creek, counts herb-encrusted halibut and seared ahi tuna among its most popular dishes. Dining room manager Carl Moren says the “seafood stands on its own,” and the staff as a team makes sure to “step outside the box and help each other all the time.”

You may not know this, but the Fish Market, with several locations in the South Bay and Peninsula, has been around for 30 years, with its flagship location in San Diego. The restaurant serves swordfish, salmon and shark, along with its trademark cheesy garlic bread. “We are your local fishmonger,” says General Manager Thomas Fisher. “We created a whole fishery just for the Fish Market restaurant.”

The unofficial winner in the environmental category is Fish, in Sausalito. Fish’s mission is to “serve sustainably caught seafood,” and the kitchen only uses organic produce. Some days, says to General Manager Kenny Belov, you can see fish going “right from the boat into the kitchen.”

Second-place winners are Pacific Café in San Francisco, Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto in the East Bay, and Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in the South Bay/Peninsula.

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

Pacific Catch

(415) 440-1950

www.pacificcatch.com

East Bay

Scott’s Seafood

Restaurant

Various locations

www.scottseastbay.com

South Bay/Peninsula

The Fish Market

Various locations

(650) 349-3474

www.thefishmarket.com

Marin/Sonoma

Fish

Sausalito

(415) 331-FISH (3474)

www.331fish.com

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

Pacific Café

(415) 387-7091

East Bay

Spenger’s Fresh

Fish Grotto

Berkeley

(510) 845-7771

www.spengers.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Scott’s Seafood

Restaurant

Palo Alto

(650) 323-1555

www.scottsseafood.com

California Cuisine,

The “green” initiative applies to more than just your transportation and energy use — it also applies to food. With sustainability on the rise, California cuisine is more popular than ever — and j. readers gave a green thumb’s up to four Bay Area establishments: Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, Chez Panisse in the East Bay, Mike’s Café in the South Bay/Peninsula and Buckeye Roadhouse in Marin/Sonoma.

Greens Restaurant in the city just celebrated its 28th anniversary. Director of Operations Jake Kenyon believes Greens “blends the best of both worlds” as both a neighborhood and destination restaurant. Greens is focused on providing “organic and sustainable agriculture products,” Kenyon says,

Chez Panisse has been in the East Bay for 36 years as of this month, and has a fluctuating menu that depends on seasonal produce from local farms and recent seafood catches. The most popular menu item, according to owner Alice Waters, is the baked goat cheese with garden salad. “The philosophy of the restaurant has to do with the way one purchases ingredients,” Waters says. “I think people know that we don’t compromise with what we put there.”

Mike’s Café in the South Bay is a new addition to the winners list this year. Mike’s has a variety of salads, sandwiches, pastas and crab cakes on its menu. The café says one of its most exotic items is linguini with tiger prawns.

Local Marin establishment Buckeye Roadhouse, on the other hand, is much older than you would think: The restaurant has been around since 1937, but changed ownership in 1991, and in the process changed from a traditional German menu to one full of local produce, meats and fish. Says executive chef Robert Price, “It feels like you’re eating in a Swiss lodge in Europe.”

Second-place winners are Town’s End Restaurant & Bakery in San Francisco, BayWolf Restaurant in the East Bay and John Bentley’s Restaurant in the South Bay.

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

Greens Restaurant

(415) 771-6222

www.greensrestaurant.com

East Bay

Chez Panisse

Berkeley

(510) 548-5525

www.chezpanisse.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Mike’s Café

Palo Alto

(650) 473-6453

Marin/Sonoma

Buckeye Roadhouse

Mill Valley

(415) 331-2600

www.buckeyeroadhouse.com

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

Town’s End

Restaurant & Bakery

(415) 512-0749

www.townsend-restaurant.com

East Bay

BayWolf Restaurant

Oakland

(510) 655-6004

www.baywolf.com

South Bay/Peninsula

ohn Bentley’s

Restaurant

Various locations

www.johnbentleys.com

Hamburgers

If you’re looking for something a little fancier than McDonalds, you’re sure to find your perfect match at one of these restaurants serving up j. readers’ favorite hamburgers: Mel’s Diner in San Francisco, Barney’s Gourmet Hamburger in the East Bay, Jeffrey’s Hamburgers in the South Bay and Phyllis’ Giant Burgers in Marin.

Mel’s Drive-In in San Francisco was reopened in a “reincarnated” form in 1985, and since has been a staple of San Francisco, even offering up its four locations for movie shoots. Be prepared, though — Mels’ menu warns diners to “watch out for the juice” in their hamburgers.

At Barney’s, its more than the just the burgers — the curly fries are also a big draw. Barney’s has eight locations in the Bay Area, and even has an array of vegetarian options.

Jeffrey’s in San Mateo prides itself on the fact that it is not owned by a corporation. Along with its variety of beef and turkey burgers, Jeffrey’s also offers sandwiches, seafood and homemade chili.

Phyllis’ Giant Burgers serves up quite a hearty hamburger. There are three locations in Marin, with its flagship location in San Rafael. “It’s more like a diner of the ’50s and ’60s,” says owner James Cho. The diner serves such treats as mushroom burgers and cheese-and-bacon burgers.

Second place winners are Bill’s Place in San Francisco, Nation’s Giant Hamburgers in the East Bay, The Counter in the South Bay, and Marin Joe’s Restaurant in Marin.

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

Mel’s Drive-In

Various locations

www.melsdrive-in.com

East Bay

Barney’s Gourmet

Hamburger

Berkeley

(510) 558-0528

www.barneyshamburgers.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Jeffrey’s Hamburgers

San Mateo

(650) 348-8698

www.jeffreyshamburgers.com

Marin/Sonoma

Phyllis’ Giant Burgers

Various locations

www.phyllisgiantburgers.com

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

Bill’s Place

(415) 221-5262

http://billsplace.qpg.com

East Bay

Nation’s Giant

Hamburgers

Various locations

www.nationsrestaurants.com

South Bay/Peninsula

The Counter

Palo Alto and San Jose

(650) 321-3900

www.thecounterburger.com

Marin/Sonoma

Marin Joe’s Restaurant

Corte Madera

(415) 924-2081

www.marinjoesrestaurant.com

Italian Food and Pizza

If you’re looking for that pizza straight out of Second City or Italian food that makes your boca water, these local restaurants and pizza places — Incanto in San Francisco, Zachary’s Pizza in the East Bay, Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria in the South Bay/Peninsula and Pizzeria Picco in Marin/Sonoma — will have you running to their doors.

Incanto, in San Francisco’s Noe Valley, prides itself on using organic products and local produce. One of the most interesting things about Incanto is that it has a private “Dante” room for 20 that has the text of Dante’s Divine Comedy hanging on the wall, and a special night devoted to meat (“Whole Beast”) where they serve pig, lamb and goat.

Zachary’s Pizza, approaching its 25th year of business, is by far one of the East Bay’s most popular establishments for pizza. The “high-energy” Zachary’s prides itself on selling Chicago-style deep dish pizza, and catering to every age group and demographic. “We’re really just pizza and salad. That’s all we do,” Zachary’s Vice President J.P. Laroussa says.

In the South Bay, Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria takes the slice. The pizza place opened in 1987 and now has nine locations across the Bay Area. Said co-owner Peter Cooperstein, “We’re very upscale for pizza but are still very comfortable and affordable.”

In Larkspur, Picco is the pick. From oysters and risotto to a New York steak, Pizzeria Picco has a sleek menu with an array of foods.

Second-place winners are Dino’s in San Francisco, Zza’s Trattoria in the East Bay, Pizza My Heart in the South Bay/Peninsula, and Il Davide in Marin/Sonoma.

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

Incanto

(415) 641-4500

www.incanto.biz

East Bay

Zachary’s Pizza

Various locations

www.zacharys.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Amici’s East Coast

Pizzeria

Various locations

(650) 342-9392

www.amicis.com

Marin/Sonoma

Pizzeria Picco

Larkspur

(415) 924-0300

www.restaurantpico.com

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

Dino’s

(415) 922-4700

www.dinos-sf.com

East Bay

Zza’s

Trattoria

Oakland

(510) 839-9124

www.zzasonline.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Pizza

My Heart

Various locations

www.pizzamyheart.com

Marin/Sonoma

Il Davide

San Rafael

(415) 454-8080

www.ildavide.net

Bagels

If you’re looking for the perfectly crafted bagel, j. readers know that House of Bagels in San Francisco, Noah’s in the East Bay, Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in the South Bay and Marin Bagels in Marin/Sonoma will satisfy your appetite for the bread with the hole.

House of Bagels has been in San Francisco since 1962, and they’ve stayed true to their bagel-making method: Boil before baking. They recently opened up a deli at their San Francisco location.

The formidable Noah’s in the East Bay is a shoe-in, having graced the Bay Area since the 1960s. They’re your one-stop shop for bagels, pastries and coffee in the morning, and challah for Shabbat dinners.

At Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in Palo Alto, the customer is always right. Owner Israel Rind says whenever they run out of or stop making any type of bagel, customers “holler” — and “rightfully so.”

If you’re looking for a bagel in the North Bay, Marin Bagel Company in San Rafael is your spot, according to j. readers.

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

House of Bagels

(415) 752-6000

www.houseofbagels.com

East Bay

Noah’s Bagels

Various locations

(800) 931-NOAH (6624)

www.noahs.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels

Palo Alto

(650) 329-0700

www.izzysbrooklynbagels.com

Marin/Sonoma

Marin Bagel Company

San Rafael

(415) 457-8127

Bakery

If you’re looking for that perfect after-coffee treat or delicious bread to wow your guests, these first-place local bakeries are sure to have what you need: Irving’s Premium Challah in San Francisco, Grand Bakery in the East Bay, Copenhagen Bakery & Café in the South Bay/Peninsula, and Alexis Baking Company in Marin/Sonoma.

Irving’s Premium Challah in San Francisco is the place for your Shabbos bread. Irving’s sells to nearby delis and markets, and among the distributors of their challah are other j. readers picks: Mollie Stone’s, S.F. New York Deli and the Dayenu Judaica shop at the JCC of San Francisco.

Grand Bakery in Oakland is a favorite of those in the Lakeshore area and the greater East Bay. It is the home of the ultimate black and white cookie in the Bay Area, which was practically the reason for its establishment. Along with its typical menu of baked goods, Grand also cater desserts for local congregations.

Copenhagen in Burlingame has been serving the South Bay for more than 25 years. Along with selling wedding cakes and baked goods, the bakery also has elegant lunch and dinner menus featuring items such as baked brie, salads and pasta dishes. It also caters to a very exclusive clientele: dogs, offering several kinds of dog treats.

Alexis Baking Company in Napa bakes more than just cakes and cookies —it also has a catering service, a café and a showcase of the work of local artists on the walls. Some of its featured eclectic cakes and bakery items are the apricot pistachio cakes, chocolate caramel cakes and various morning scones.

Second-place winners are Noe Valley Bakery & Bread Company in San Francisco, Katrina Rozelle in the East Bay and Martha’s Pastries in the South Bay/Peninsula.

FIRST PLACE

San Francisco

Irving’s Premium

Challah

(415) 753-5474

www.irvprem.com

East Bay

Grand Bakery

Oakland

(510) 465-1110

South Bay/Peninsula

Copenhagen

Burlingame

(650) 342-1357

www.copenhagenbakery.com

Marin/Sonoma

Alexis Baking Company

Napa

(707) 258-1827

www.alexisbakingcompany.com

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

Noe Valley Bakery

(415) 550-1405

www.noevalleybakery.com

East Bay

Katrina Rozelle

Various locations

www.katrinarozelle.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Martha’s Pastries

Menlo Park

(650) 854-6207

www.marthaspastries.com

Grocery Store for Kosher Food

For those who keep kosher, it’s tough to find all the products you want in the Bay Area. But our readers say they’ve succeeded in doing just that at Mollie Stone’s. This year the chain took the coveted readers’ choice award for favorite grocery store with kosher products in the Bay Area.

The 21-year-old Mollie Stone’s has eight stores in the greater Bay Area, most of them in San Francisco and the South Bay, and is the largest retailer of kosher foods in Northern California, says co-owner David Bennett. At their Palo Alto location they even cut meat and poultry under special supervision.

“We get customers from Monterey all the way to Reno that are coming to Mollie Stone’s to buy kosher products,” Bennett says.

The second-place winner in this category is Trader Joes.

FIRST PLACE

Bay Area

Mollie Stone’s

Various locations

www.molliestones.com

SECOND PLACE

Bay Area

Trader Joe’s

Various locations

www.traderjoes.com

Specialty/Gourmet Market

If you’re a j. reader craving gourmet food, hightail it over to Whole Foods, which won the Readers’ Choice pick in the Bay Area as favorite specialty/ gourmet market.

Whole Foods was established in 1980 in Texas, and today has 196 locations within the United States, Britain and Canada. They advocate for sustainable agriculture and work with local farms to bring in the freshest fruits and produce. Recent developments at Bay Area Whole Foods include the introduction of solar power to the Berkeley location. The San Mateo store holds cooking classes throughout the year for those wanting to expand their palette.

Second-place winners are Bryan’s Market in San Francisco, Draeger’s Market in the South Bay/Peninsula and Woodlands Market in Marin/Sonoma.

FIRST PLACE

Bay Area

Whole Foods

Various locations

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

SECOND PLACE

San Francisco

Bryan’s Market

(415) 752-0179

South Bay/Peninsula

Draeger’s Market

Various locations

www.draegers.com

Marin/Sonoma

Woodlands Market

Kentfield

(415) 457-8160

www.woodlandsmarket.com

California Winery

In California, a meal just isn’t a meal without a little wine. Which is why sharp-palated j. readers voted Hagafen in Napa as Reader’s Choice winner for favorite California winery.

The 28-year-old winery is smaller than many of its Silverado Trail neighbors, but takes pride in its role. “It’s not just a corporation — it’s literally a family winemaking enterprise,” says Josh Stein, Hagafen’s brand manager.

Hagafen’s busiest times of the year are around the Jewish holidays, but Stein notes that they have many non-Jewish customers as well. He adds that the winery uses the “old Napa ways” to produce 8,000 cases of vino per year.

FIRST PLACE

Bay Area

Hagafen

Napa

(888) HAGAFEN (424-2336)

www.hagafen.com