Yelena Tsurkan
Kosher
Christmas isn’t the only time Jews like Chinese food — Shangri-La, a kosher, vegetarian Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, is a consistent favorite among j. readers. Although there is no mezuzah on the door, it is the only Chinese restaurant in the Bay Area that is certified kosher.
Oakland recently welcomed Amba, a new kosher eatery that serves up tasty Middle Eastern treats in its hopping Montclair District locale. Having only opened its doors a few months ago, the owners of Amba are hoping to gain the reputation of serving the best hummus in California.
The Kitchen Table in Mountain View serves up kosher contemporary California cuisine with dairy-free — and peanut-free — meals. Along with the usual lunch and dinner menu, it offers special meals commemorating holidays such as Purim, and even has a menu for the nine days leading up to Tisha B’Av, when observant Jews don’t eat meat.
In second place were Sabra Grill in San Francisco, Holy Land in Oakland and Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in Palo Alto.
1st Place
San Francisco
Shangri-La
(415) 731-2548
East Bay
Amba
Oakland
(510) 339-8000
www.ambafalafel.com
South Bay/Peninsula
The Kitchen Table
Mountain View
(650) 390-9388
www.thekitchentablerestaurant.com
2nd Place
San Francisco
Sabra Grill
(415) 982-3656
www.sabragrill.com
East Bay
Holy Land
Oakland
(510) 272-0535
www.holylandrestaurant.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels
Palo Alto
(650) 329-0700
www.izzysbrooklynbagels.com
Jewish-style deli
Although pretty much everyone would agree that the best of the best Jewish delis are in New York, the Bay Area doesn’t fall too far behind. Delicious Reuben sandwiches and matzah balls can be found all around the Bay.
This year, Max’s was the readers’ choice for San Francisco, Peninsula and the North Bay. Max’s prides itself on its authenticity: “Some of our sauces are even flown from New York,” says general manager Michael Adams. It must be working, because for 25 years Max’s has been serving sandwiches in the same way — and j. readers still think it’s tops. “You get what you pay for. You get a big sandwich,” Adams says.
A recent hot spot for watching World Cup soccer games, Saul’s Restaurant and Deli in Berkeley doesn’t try to replicate other delis, but rather offers its own spin on the Jewish kitchen. With a dedication to the environment (including serving humanely raised meat and cage-free organic eggs) and a cozy atmosphere, it’s not hard to see why Saul’s is a favorite.
In second place were Miller’s East Coast Deli in San Francisco, Oakland Kosher Foods and Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in Palo Alto.
1st Place
San Francisco/Peninsula/North Bay
Max’s World
Various locations
www.maxsworld.org
East Bay
Saul’s Restaurant & Deli
Berkeley
(510) 848-3354
www.saulsdeli.com
2nd Place
San Francisco
Miller’s East Coast Deli
(415) 563-3542
www.millersdelisf.com
East Bay
Oakland Kosher Foods
Oakland
(510) 272-0535
www.oaklandkosherfoods.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels
Palo Alto
(650) 329-0700
www.izzysbrooklynbagels.com
Italian and Pizza
Sometimes it’s impossible to resist pasta, meatballs, extra cheese and deep-dish. So why is it that Italian food appeals to Jews? Maybe it’s because Jews and Italians share a common American capital — New York.
Delfina in San Francisco is “always changing things up,” says owner Craig Stoll. Inspired by trattorias all over Italy, the menu changes daily. With an open kitchen, guests can see the pastas being made by hand, which brings a taste of Tuscany to San Francisco. “We cure many of our own meats and fish and make our own sausages, pastas and gelato,” Stoll says.
Zachary’s Chicago Pizza in Berkeley has been a Reader’s Choice favorite for quite some time. You can’t rush a masterpiece — at Zachary’s, the pizzas are slow-cooked and take up to 40 minutes to bake. This employee-owned pizzeria has been a favorite not only among j. readers, but has made its way onto many lists of top spots to eat.
Did you know that Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria in the South Bay allows its pizza dough to rise for 48 hours? Maybe that’s why Google chose Amici’s to deliver 1,000 pizzas to its Mountain View offices — the local pizza chain’s largest single order to date. Amici’s maintains its ovens at 700 degrees — around 200 degrees hotter than most other pizzerias — while still offering half-baked pizzas that can be finished at home.
Gaspare’s Pizza House in San Rafael offers a taste of Sicily in the Bay Area, serving pasta, calamari, pizza and cheesecake under one roof. And when they say thin crust pizza, they really mean it — sometimes, just like in Italy, you have to eat your pizza with a fork.
In second place were Giorgio’s Pizzeria in San Francisco, Pizzaiolo in Oakland, and Pizza My Heart in San Mateo.
1st Place
San Francisco
Delfina
(415) 552-4055
www.delfinasf.com
East Bay
Zachary’s Chicago Pizza
Berkeley
(510) 525-5950
www.zacharys.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria
Various locations
www.amicis.com
North Bay
Gaspare’s Pizza House
San Rafael
(415) 472-7100
www.gasparespizza.com
2nd Place
San Francisco
Giorgio’s Pizzeria
(415) 668-1266
www.giorgiospizza.com
East Bay
Pizzaiolo
Oakland
(510) 652-4888
www.pizzaiolooakland.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Pizza My Heart
San Mateo
(650) 344-9800
www.pizzamyheart.com
Hamburgers
Hamburgers may not be kosher — or healthy — but they sure are tasty! When j. readers crave a hunk of meat, they know where to go.
BurgerMeister in San Francisco offers not only whopping half-pound ranch beef patties, but also the famous Mitchell’s ice cream. Each hamburger is cooked to order, which may take longer, but customers (including j. readers) can taste the difference.
On a less meaty path, Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers in Berkeley serves over 20 varieties of vegetarian burgers (in addition to plenty of meat.) Diners can take a trip across the world with Barney’s specialties, ranging from Greek (feta cheese, cucumbers and avocado, to Hawaiian.
Serge Karanov, owner of Jeffrey’s Hamburgers in San Mateo and Menlo Park, came to America from the Soviet Union at age 19 with only $100 in his pocket — and although a lot has changed for him, his handmade burgers are a blast from the past. “Big and juicy is the key,” Karanov says.
Tying with Jeffrey’s Hamburgers, the Counter in San Jose and Palo Alto transforms a classic burger joint into an entire burger culture. A clipboard with an extensive list of burger fillings includes herb goat cheese and Bermuda red onions. With 315,000 possible combinations, the Counter rarely makes the same burger twice.
The giant cheese and bacon burger is a favorite among regulars at Phyllis’ Giant Burgers, with three locations in Marin. But if the mere thought has you calling your cardiologist, rest easy: A low-carb wrap with lettuce can be made out of any Phyllis burger.
In second place were Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers in San Francisco, and Fat Apple’s Restaurant and Bakery in Berkeley and El Cerrito.
1st Place
San Francisco
BurgerMeister
Various locations
www.burgermeistersf.com
East Bay
Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers
Berkeley
(510) 849-2827
www.barneyshamburgers.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Jeffrey’s Hamburgers
San Mateo and Menlo Park
www.jeffreyshamburgers.com
The Counter
San Jose and Palo Alto
www.thecounterburger.com
North Bay
Phyllis’ Giant Burgers
Various locations
www.phyllisgiantburgers.com
2nd Place
San Francisco
Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers
Various locations
www.barneyshamburgers.com
East Bay
Fat Apple’s Restaurant
and Bakery
Berkeley and El Cerrito
(510) 526-2260
(510) 528 3433
Vegetarian
Closer than cheese and a bacon burger to a kosher kitchen, vegetarian eateries run the gamut from straight vegetable fare to the cutting edge of faux meat fashion.
Shangri-La on Irving Street in San Francisco blends Chinese fare with vegetarian flavor. Along with spicy cucumber and golden corn and mushroom soup, Shangri-La specializes in plates like Mongolian beef and goose — all fake meat, of course!
Amba in Oakland strives to offer the best hummus in the region. Offering Middle Eastern “pitzas” of the day, the menu does not stay the same for long. And that signature hummus? It’s made in small batches several times a day, so it’s always fresh.
Garden Fresh, with locations in Mountain View and Palo Alto, makes its dishes works of art. With choices such as veggie prawns with walnuts, scallion pancakes and vegan chocolate cake, j. readers don’t miss the meat.
Second-place winners were Millennium in San Francisco and Herbivore in Berkeley.
1st Place
San Francisco
Shangri-La
(415) 731-2548
East Bay
Amba
Oakland
(510) 339-8000
www.ambafalafel.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Garden Fresh
Mountain View and Palo Alto
www.gardenfresh.us
2nd Place
San Francisco
Millennium
(415) 345-3900
www.millenniumrestaurant.com
East Bay
Herbivore
Berkeley
(510) 665-1675
www.herbivorerestaurant.com
Specialty/gourmet market
Want a wide array of kosher products, and not just around the holidays? Head to Mollie Stone’s, j. readers’ favorite gourmet market in San Francisco and the North Bay. Year-round, Mollie Stone’s stocks frozen kosher foods, dairy, poultry and wine. It also can order and deliver any product sold in the U.S. to its customers.
Rockridge Market Hall in Oakland is the first European-style marketplace in the Bay Area, housing eight merchants under one roof. With a caterer, flower shop, butcher, pasta shop, fish shop, produce market, wine assortment and bakery, it’s no surprise why it’s j. readers’ favorite — a one-stop shop in a bustling neighborhood.
Draeger’s Supermarket in San Mateo is more than just a gourmet market — it also houses a cooking school and a deli, and sells custom-designed gift baskets for special occasions. Draegers’ catering menu is the ultimate in eclectic, with Japanese cucumber cups, tandoori salmon, olive mashed potatoes and other high-end dishes.
In second place were Oakland Kosher Foods, Whole Foods in San Francisco and San Mateo, and Paradise Foods in Corte Madera.
1st Place
San Francisco/North Bay
Mollie Stone’s Markets
(415) 567-4902
www.molliestones.com
East Bay
Rockridge Market Hall
Oakland
(510) 250-6010
www.rockridgemarkethall.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Draeger’s Supermarket
San Mateo
(650) 685-3700
www.draegers.com
2nd Place
San Francisco/South Bay
Whole Foods Market
Various locations
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
East Bay
Oakland Kosher Foods
Oakland
(510) 839-0177
www.oaklandkosherfoods.com
North Bay
Paradise Foods
Corte Madera
(415) 945-8855
www.foodsofparadise.com
Bakery/bagels
It’s hard to eat a bagel — staple food of the Jewish experience — without comparing it to a genuine New York bagel. But with bakeries serving up round treats around the Bay, you won’t miss the “real” thing.
House of Bagels in San Francisco may have originated on Second and Geary in 1962, but its famous bagel recipe originated in Brooklyn. While the name gives away House of Bagels’ specialty, it also bakes — from scratch — artisan breads, pastries and Russian tea cookies, among other delicacies.
Grand Bakery, the first and only kosher bakery in Oakland, offers more than 100 pastries, sweets, and other goodies. Its black-and-white cookies are what brought the bakery to life nearly 50 years ago, but its menu has expanded to include sandwiches, blintzes, macaroons, challah and more.
The New York Times once called a bagel “an unsweetened doughnut with rigor mortis,” but Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels in Palo Alto thinks you don’t know bagels until you’ve tried theirs. Izzy’s is known for its many varieties of cream cheese, including Mexican salsa, roasted red pepper and cucumber scallion.
Although plain is always a customer favorite, Barton’s Bagels in San Anselmo tantalizes sweet tooths with chocolate and cinnamon sugar bagels. The pizza bagels are a favorite at lunchtime, when they are still steaming from the oven.
In second place were Noe Valley Bakery in San Francisco, House of Bagels in the South Bay and La Farine in Oakland.
1st Place
San Francisco
House of Bagels
(415) 752-6000
www.houseofbagels.com
East Bay
Grand Bakery
Oakland • (510) 465-1110
South Bay/Peninsula
Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels
Palo Alto • (650) 329-0700
www.izzysbrooklynbagels.com
North Bay
Barton’s Bagels
San Anselmo • (415) 458-8818
2nd Place
San Francisco
Noe Valley Bakery
(415) 550-1405
www.noevalleybakery.com
East Bay
La Farine
Oakland • (510) 654-0338
www.lafarine.com
South Bay/Peninsula
House of Bagels
Various locations
www.houseofbagels.com
California winery
It is bad luck to make a toast with an empty glass. So it’s fortunate that j. readers make their l’chaims in the country’s foremost wine-producing region.
At JC Cellars, visitors can see the entire winemaking process while they taste. The warehouse winery in Oakland produces 21 varieties of wine — including the “First Date” wine, which has the aromas of fresh apple pie and apricot blossoms. Jeff Cohn — the “JC” part of JC Cellars — produced over 70 wines while working for Rosenblum Cellars before starting his own winery.
Speaking of Rosenblum Cellars, this Alameda winery tied with JC Cellars. Also known as “mecca for zin-fanatics,” Rosenblum Cellars has also established a reputation for crafting acclaimed Rhône varietals. Honoring the commitment made by his vineyard partners, Kent Rosenblum personally oversees every wine.
Ridge Vineyards in Cupertino began its business in 1964 when its first Zinfandel was produced. Celebrating its 50-year anniversary this year, Ridge is still a hit for wine critics from the San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times — particularly its signature reds.
Located in the heart of wine country, Hagafen Cellars in Napa offers a pairing of Hagafen wines with rich, delicious, milk, dark or white chocolate — all certified kosher. “Fine wine starts in the vineyard with careful vineyard management,” says owner Ernie Weir. “I never seek to change what nature has provided. My goal is to showcase the best that our land has produced.”
In second place were La Honda Winery in Redwood City and Covenant in Napa.
1st Place
East Bay
JC Cellars
Oakland
(510) 465-5900
www.jccellars.com
Rosenblum Cellars
Alameda
(510) 865-7007
www.rosenblumcellars.com
South Bay/Peninsula
Ridge Vineyards
Cupertino
(408) 867-3233
www.ridgewine.com
North Bay
Hagafen Cellars
Napa
(707) 252-0781
www.hagafen.com
2nd Place
South Bay/Peninsula
La Honda Winery
Redwood City
(650) 366-4104
www.lahondawinery.com
North Bay
Covenant
Napa
(707) 963-3887
www.covenantwines.com