California Cravings – Five Restaurants to Visit in California

Lo & Behold in beautiful Healdsburg is “just what you’ve been looking for!” A warm and inviting space to gather any time of day to enjoy the simple pleasures of comfort food, tasty cocktails, and welcoming hospitality.

With many dining and drinking options to choose from in this neck of Sonoma County, Lo & Behold is one of the standouts. Situated only one block from Healdsburg Square, this is a welcoming oasis from a day of wine tasting. The backyard patio is our favorite seating option – best described as vintage chic with lots of greenery, market umbrellas, and strings of lights. Inside is the fabulous bar (a great spot to chat and watch your bartender make a craft cocktail) and dining room, with a cozy lounge.

And speaking of cocktails, they include such inventive drinks as the Birds & The Beez (Charbay vodka, elderberry, hibiscus, lavender, yuzu, Carpano Bianco); and the Afternoon Delight (mardarin tea infused bourbon, Bianco vermouth, fino sherry, Suze, saffron bitters). Of course, a full wine list is in play as well, but these drinks really fit the bill on a warm afternoon. They even have shareable cocktail pitchers (Aperol Sprtiz, Sangria, Punch, Eff Me Pumps) that serve a group of six.

At Lo & Behold you can choose your own adventure – we especially love the large variety of small plates, including the Crispy Mushroom Eggrolls (truffle hot mustard, duck sauce); Fried Chickpeas (chipotle and lime); and Poutine Dream (curry gravy, white cheese, shiso, tater tots). Larger plates include the Almost Famous Chicken Tendies – these ARE famous in our book – (hot or not, Lo & Behold-made ranch, mason’s pickles); the Confit Beef Brisket Tacos (chile negra, refried white beans, asada onions, consommé); and the Mezze Salad (griddled eggplant, marinated vegetables, spinach, smoky yogurt sauce, sumac vinaigrette).

If you still have a little room, the Chocolate Coconut Crème Pie with a salt cracker crust, is a decadent way to end the meal.  

The staff is as friendly as the food is delicious. A stop at Lo & Behold is a must while in Healdsburg. Open Thursday through Monday, 11:30am to midnight.  

Lo & Behold Bar and Kitchen 

214 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

707-756-5021

www.loandbeholdca.com

[Photos courtesy of Lo & Behold]

This is the restaurant jewel of Hillcrest. Situated in the eye-catching Eitol Towers, and adjoined by the new Harvey Hillcrest apartments, insideOUT is a casual elegant restaurant where you walk inside to be out. The venue includes a main dining room that leads to an outdoor open-air atrium with walkways, seating nooks, and a striking water feature.  Throughout the year, insideOUT is known for its elevated pop-up installations for guests to experience.

Currently, through November 5^th, they are presenting the Enchanted Oasis Experience. The ambiance is unlike anything you have experienced before – a colorful fantasy of giant butterflies, flowers, vines, and whimsical mushrooms, all served up with specialty crafted cocktails (like the Saucy Little Tart – Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, Grapefruit Juice, Lemon Juice, Sprite) and an exciting seasonal menu.

The menu, curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran, reflects his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by local purveyors. Starters include a Strawberry, Argula, and Tajin Salad (fresh pickled local strawberries, Sicilian lemon balsamic, Persian cucumbers, mint, tarragon, buttermilk creme fraiche – add chicken or prawns to make it even tastier); and the BBQ Garlic Prawns (jumbo prawns, patatas brava, basil, confit cherry tomatoes, chili oil). Entrees are thoughtfully created fresh fare, including my personal favorite – the Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop (caramelized local peaches, brown butter, caramelized onion, green bean almondine); and the Braised Beef Birria (corn & black-eyed pea succotash, smoked chili crema, queso fresco).

Brunch is also an experience with their signature Australian Hot Stone 8 oz. aged angus filet mignon, served rare and cooked to your liking at your table, and eggs with chimmichurri butter, smoked salt, and either crispy baby reds or grits. And you cannot go wrong with a Monte Cristo sandwich (country ham, swiss cheese, smoked turkey on artisan levain bread, dipped in french toast batter, dusted with powdered sugar, served with strawberry preserves). Add a bottle of house bubbles or the Peach Blossom Pitcher (Ketel One Botanicals peach orange blossom, St. Germain, peach nectar, prosecco) and you’ve got a party!

With attentive and friendly service, insideOUT in Hillcrest, is San Diego’s premier LGBTQ-owned and operated restaurant – sexy and chic, for fine dining, craft cocktails, and a unique dining experience in the heart of Hillcrest. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are recommended.

insideOUT

1642 University Avenue

San Diego, CA 92103

619-888-8623

www.insideoutsd.com

[Photos by GED Magazine]

Boozehounds – “Where Dogs Bring Their Humans” – was started by three friends for one simple reason… they loved dogs and dreamed of owning a place where people could take their pups, enjoy a cocktail or a meal, and socialize in style. Both the Atrium and Patio are dog-friendly zones and offer water bowls and a special pup-friendly menu. (Indoor spaces are human only.)

This stylish venue, a tropical Miami Beach meets Palm Springs motive, is located on the corner of Palm Canyon Drive as you enter the City of Palm Springs. Once there, you can choose from the sexy and stylish dining room and lounge facing the gorgeous San Jacinto mountains, dine in the open-air atrium, or enjoy the picturesque vacation vibes at the cabana bar and patio.

Executive Chef Aric Ianni has incorporated his global influences with seasonally inspired Southern California cuisine through lots of shared plates, including the Crisy Brussel Sprouts (sweet chili, pickled mustard seeds, edamame, crispy onion) are so tasty, you may not want to share them; and the Charcuterie Board (offering a daily selection of cured meats from around the globe with accoutrement, focaccia crostini). Other menu highlights include the Bluefin Tuna Crudo (passionfruit, chive oil, puffed quinoa, white shoyu, green onion); Adobo Chicken (simmered chicken thighs, steamed rice, chile threads, topped with adobo broth, side of spiced coconut vinegar); Miso Chilean Fish and Chips (48 hour miso marinated Chilean sea bass beer batter fried, served with fries); and a Double Burger with Cheese (brioche bun, gochujang vegenaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheddar – you can make it “doggy style” by adding a fried onion ring, fried egg, and beer cheddar sauce).

Weekend Brunch in the desert is a given – and Boozehounds has you covered with an extensive brunch menu. Try two of my favorites – Biscuits and Longanisa Gravy (house made buttermilk biscuit, chicken longanisa sausage gravy – ask to add an egg), or the Sope Benedict (birria, pickled agave onions, poached egg, cilantro hollandaise).

It wouldn’t be Boozehounds if there wasn’t great booze. Their cocktail program is curated by mixologist, Justin Gordon, and includes such fun canine inspired concoctions as the Brown Dog (Appleton Jamaican rum, Woodford Rebel Kentucky straight rye, Carpano Antica, Nonino amaro, Palo Santo bitters), Old Yeller (Sipsmith lemon drizzle gin, dry vermouth, Nonino aperitivo, citrus lavender mist), and the Midnight Zoomies (Hjerte vodka, Hjerte coffee liquor, cold brew, fee foam). A full selection of beer, wine, and sake is also offered.

Open for dinner Thursday through Monday, and weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday.

Boozehounds

2080 N. Palm Canyon Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760-656-0067

www.boozehoundsps.com

A neighborhood gem in the heart of The Castro Starbelly prides itself on cooking with locally sourced ingredients and having “something for everyone.” Starbelly’s menu is forward-thinking California comfort food, supplemented by seasonal craft cocktails.

A local happy hour favorite, where you can enjoy a specialty cocktail such as the Doctor’s Orders (vodka, turmeric, ginger, lemon and cayenne), along with the house-made chicken liver pate (with buttered bread, marmalade, and grain mustard), or a burger and fries AND any happy hour cocktail for only $20.

Starbelly offers small bites and snacks to share with your group, as well are larger plates, including pizzas, salad, and sandwiches. Sweet tooth? Try the Salted Carmel Pot de Crème with cornmeal-rosemary cookies.

Starbelly offers a great location, good vibes, and a lively San Francisco crowd with friendly and professional service. The shaded outdoor patio is a great option for an enjoyable afternoon or evening. Open for brunch and lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday. Weekend brunch is very popular, so you may want to reserve ahead of time.

Starbelly

3583 16th Street

San Francisco, CA 94114

415-252-7500

www.starbellysf.com

[Photos courtesy of Starbelly]

Upon entering this upscale Northern Italian restaurant, you are immediately taken by the alluring scent wafting from the kitchen and the intriguing artwork adorning the walls. While they offer outdoor seating, the sights and smells going on inside are really the ticket. The drinks from the bar are colorful and adorned with fruit and herbs in craft glasses. Try the Amalfi Cooler (Lustau Manzanilla Sherry, Lillet Blanc, Giffard Crème de Pêche De Vigne, Oleo Saccharum, lemon, soda water) or the Coppa d’Oro (400 Conejos Mezcal, Green Chartreuse, roasted bell pepper purée, lemon, black salt rim), to start your meal.

With an extensive menu of antipasti, pizza, pasta, meat and seafood dishes, you won’t know where to begin. Your server is keen to provide recommendations. The Faroe Island Salmon is topped with red onion, pink peppercorn, mint, cucumber and a perfectly sweet, sour and salty ponzu sauce. The Filetto al Pepe Verde – a fancy Italian way of saying prime filet mignon – is topped with the most mouth-watering green peppercorn sauce you may ever taste.

Many sweet options adorn the dessert menu. One Italian favorite is the Panna Cotta. Theirs is made with Tahitian vanilla and topped with a wild berry coulis. It is the perfect last bite to round out your meal.

Executive chef, Michele Lisi, uses the freshest and finest ingredients to create his authentic coastal Italian cuisine. In addition to Southern California, the chef has also crafted incredible dishes in such culinary hotspots as Rome, Tuscany, and Paris.

The menu changes seasonally. Some of the autumn menu offerings available in October include: Crudo Trio and Barbabietole (roasted yellow beets, Sonoma goat cheese, toasted hazelnuts, Tuscan mint); Pizza Fume (smoked provola, Italian sausage, porcini mushroom, fresh rosemary); and Pappardelle alla Genovese with an onion-beef sauce.

The upscale and inviting atmosphere matches the cuisine, and the service is highly attentive. Open for lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner Monday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended.

Nerano

9960 S Santa Monica Blvd

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

310-405-0155

www.neranobh.com

[Photos courtesy of Nerano]