OK, I have to say right here at the outset that this post is a bit of a rant.  A buddy of mine told me a week or so ago about a new burger joint that opened in San Mateo on El Camino, in what used to be a hubcap store, called Jacks Prime. I’ve been to this place 3 times now…it’s fabulous! Incredible burgers, real thickly battered onion rings, great fries and shakes. Everything feels like homemade. Every time I’ve been there the place has been packed too. It begs the question in me…why can’t somebody in Foster City do this?  If you want a burger, and want to stay in FC you go to McDonalds, Carl’s Jr or (God forbid!) the IHOP. You used to be able to get one at Portofino Grill…but they went out of business last month!

Of course, it’s not confined to burger joints. In the last couple of years San Carlos has added Town , Absolute, Rumi , Pilita , Saffron , Spasso , Azure , 888 Ristorante Italiano , Refuge and the new wine bar called The Cask plus a remodeled Piacere . Now I’m not including dessert joints like Vanilla Moon , Cowabunga Creamery , Harmony Yogurt and Red Mango . Seriously, these are all fairly recent additions! Why can’t Foster City get one of them?  I’m not even going to mention the new places in downtown Redwood City (formerly a ghost town) or San Mateo. Belmont even has a few exciting new restaurants. That’s right, Belmont. OK, Redwood Shores is worse. 

It’s not that I’m trying to bash the existing restaurants in Foster City either. I LOVE Turtle Bay and I would definitely go out of my way for Sweet Basil , I’d just like to see more of them. Foster City certainly has the demographics to support them. If you want a nice night out, I’ll bet you don’t stay in Foster City…do you? I’m only half joking when I say that Foster City’s real estate values would stand a better chance of maintaining their value if there were more restaurant choices.

The truth is that I’ve been feeling this post coming for a long time and kept avoiding it because I was hoping for good news, but no such luck. Can you tell I’m kind of a foodie? I guess if you saw me you could! Lesley, my wife can sure tell…much to her chagrin!

In my mind at least, Turtle Bay is the best restaurant in Foster City…and it’s also what’s depicted in Friday’s foto contest. It ranks up there with any of the best restaurants in the Peninsula and if you haven’t been there it’ll be worth your while. Lots of folks nailed it, and once again the ineligible Bill Hastings got there first. Coming in very soon after, however, was first time winner Nicole Fabris of Foster City who wins the gift card to Cinemark Theaters. Congratulations Nicole!! Also correctly answering were Erika, Dana, Christine, MJ, Jessica, Doug, Linda, Ken and Vanitha. Thank you all very much for playing!

When the most famous restaurant in your town is Chevy’s, then maybe your town could use some new restaurants. I actually really like that Chevy’s too, and we go there alot. The waterfront location can’t be beat, but can you imagine thinking of a Chevy’s when you think of restaurants in San Mateo or San Carlos? Even Redwood City has a number of new, good restaurants! Turtle Bay, in my opinion is really excellent. I’m crazy about the “Lazy” Dungeness Crab and their Cioppino! I’ve had some great meals at Kobe in Edgewater Place and ABC Seafood too…I just wish there were more like them. How about you? Wouldn’t it be great to see something like San Carlos’ ”Town” or San Mateo’s Kingfish or Ristorante Capellini in Foster City?