New York Times by Mark Bittman:

The dining scene in Los Angeles is dominated by two categories of restaurant. The first is a group of glitzy establishments serving fusion food of a sort known as California cuisine. A few practitioners of this style have made names for themselves, Wolfgang Puck and Michael McCarty most notably -- and justifiably. But most cannot compare to them, and their food, beginning with tuna tartare and ending with warm, undercooked chocolate cake, exhibits the forced, bland hipness for which so many American restaurants are derided.

The second camp, which makes Los Angeles a paradise for the adventurous diner, is made up of what are called, often with a patronizing wave, ethnic restaurants. The preponderance of them specialize in the foods of Central and South America and Asia. The excellence and diversity of this group is unrivaled in North America, if not the world.

There is also a third, smaller segment, harder to classify. In it are the few impressive, upscale restaurants that are true destinations, a handful of French and Italian establishments that have not been California-ized, and an even smaller number of mostly Asian places that have put some work and money into differentiating their menus and improving their décor.

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Discover Peace & Quiet In The San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Chronicle by Tom Stienstra:

This is what makes the Bay Area great, with countless hidden spots amid 1.2 million acres of greenbelt, 1,000 miles of waterways, 100 miles of coast, 125 major parks and 43 lakes. You can create your own private spot -- and feel the power of place - - any day of the year, no matter what the weather.

You don't need to go far to experience the beauty of San Francisco. The photo above is the sunrise from our front door -- in the middle of the city.

-Tim

P.S. Please click the thumbnail of the photo to enjoy a larger version.
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