Post #237417 by AquaZombie on Mon, Jun 12, 2006 10:53 AM

Dean pretty much has it covered but just my two cents when it comes to prioritizing: LA PINATA is my #1 favorite restaurant on "the island" (love saying that, landfill and all). Monica and I both LOVE THE FOOD (and she's actually Mexican! well, by way of Union City....), way better than Acapulco (which does have a nice homey atmosphere) and I also recommend OTAEZ, which opened recently on Lincoln and Webster (a close second to LP but no dice.) Best of all, the tequila bar at LP is OUTSTANDING. Absolutely the BEST margaritas we've EVER had! Never thad a bad meal there either, and we've been there a lot - the cool, copious shrimp cocktail, super-tasty grilled veggie burrito and the scrumptious chicken quesadillas are my favorites, while Monica swears by both the meatball and chicken soups - all portions are really generous, too). Sushi House is our other favorite restaurant (but it's everyone's), perfect location with a view of SF and they recently added live jazz too. High five to Mai Tai on Jim's though I also dig Tillie's right near us for that good old fashioned Hopperesque Americana experience. And there's that new L&L BBQ in the Marina Village where both Martin and Mike have been dining before heading to FI - they even have malasadas though they're not on par of course with Leonard's on Oahu, which is an impossible standard. Still, friendly service and authentic Hawaiian meals -with two scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad on the side! - enfuse it with suitable aloha atmosphere.

For sushi I also recommend KAMAKURA on Santa Clara, good food but I really just dig the friendly vibe. TOOMIE'S is no doubt the best for Thai.

For walking distance from FI, you can't beat the Italian deli BACCHI, which is getting ready to expand from a little hole in the wall to a full fledged cafe. It's run by young guys who do it old school - terrific sandwiches and soups and a wide variety of meats etc. A little bit of Jersey in Alameda. Just down the block from FI next door to Pagano's hardware.

As for Chinese food, totally disagree with the Jab once again - THE ARK on Park (can you remember that?) is an excellent place, sort of Chinese fusion but what the hell. Plus we recently went to the new CHING HUA restaurnt in the ALAMEDA MARKETPLACE on Park - really good food, especially the dumplings, and even surprisingly strong and decent Mai Tai to wash it down. There's a little takeout hole in the wall joint right near me on Webster near Lincoln I really like too, can't recall the name though.

THE BEST PIZZA ON THE ISLAND IS NEW YORK PIZZA ON PARK ST. Absolutely hands down fuggetaboutit. Of course I was raised in Jersey so I like my slices big, juicy and THIN. The Flatbush Fold, baby. I probably eat there more than anywhere else, for a quick bite anyway. Also love the sandwiches at the this little hole in the wall burger stand right next to ALAMEDA BYCYCLE (which had a tiki logo before they renovated!)on Park, can't remember the name of it but the best turkey burgers w/fries combo I've probably ever had.

Of course, you could head straight to FI and eat the fries, wings and spring rolls for cheap...

[ Edited by: AquaZombie 2006-06-12 11:05 ]

[ Edited by: AquaZombie 2006-06-12 11:07 ]