California eating recommendations! Please :)

[big4000]

Helloooo!

I hope everyone has recovered from their christmas food comas

I was hoping for some recommendations from your kind selves, food related of course.

I am travelling to California at the end of January, and will be visiting:

San Diego
Las Vegas
Lake Tahoe/Reno
San Francisco
Santa Barbara
Los Angeles

and all places in between due to driving.

Is there any must go places that you can recommend?

I have obviously seen so many places and have an idea of my own, but would like your opinion as well!

It doesn't have to be within a certain budget, as i know some of you like the finer food in life

Many thanks in advance!

 

[big4000]

We honeymooned all along the West coast; some highlights:

San Fran: http://joescablecarrestaurant.com/ - Best burger on the trip. This place has been voted best burger in the US a few times.

Santa Barbara: http://cielitorestaurant.com/ - very trendy, hip, lots of good looking people...you get the picture. Food was very fresh and clean. Great cocktails.
http://opalrestaurantandbar.com/ - More relaxed, busy, good atmosphere.

San Luis Obispo - http://www.ribline.com/ - Quality Tri-Tip. Stay at the Avila Beach Inn and get it delivered. Excellent hotel made even better by Tri-Tip delivery!

San Diego - http://www.philsbbq.net/ - For the love of God, go early or get takeout!
http://hodadies.com/home/ - 2nd best burger on the trip. Quality atmosphere, relaxed.
http://carnitassnackshack.com/ - we missed these guys, but really wanted to go. Looks & sounds amazing, and they are highly rated. Great value
www.cafechloe.com/ - Had a fantastic meal here on our last night. Traditional French, good value wine list. They can cook a good steak. Nice service.

Monterey: http://hulastiki.com/mry_video.htm - Hula's Island Grill. I got absolutely smashed here. Had an amazing time with some quality locals. The starter was awesome. I cannot remember anything after this. My wife said it was a quality experience.

Wow! Thanks for all the recommendations. Joe's in on my list, as is ribline! I've been told to go to Monterey so will definitely check Hula's out

Does Phil's BBQ is San Diego always have a queue then or something? Seen it on MvF and have to go

If.. and if is a BIG if.. you can get into the French Laundry, go. I had a nightmare trying to make a reservation for a friend recently and ended up having to give up despite 3 of us trying - I made around 500 calls over 2 evenings!

There are some other very good options in Napa Valley though - I'm assuming you'll be stopping by as it's one of the hot spots for food/wine. Meadowood is the other 3* in the area, we ended up booking my friends in there (it was for a honeymoon) and they had a wonderful time. Quite laid back for a 3* too:
http://www.meadowood.com/dining/

There's also Bouchon, Thomas Keller's bistro in Yountville, LA and also Vegas:
http://bouchonbistro.com/

Supposed to be worth a trip - the cookbook is v good anyway!

Just outside of San Fransisco, Manresa has a v good reputation:
http://www.manresarestaurant.com/

As does Saison:
http://www.saisonsf.com/splash.html

All those are a bit expensive though, I've not visited the area but if I were to go they would all be on my list! Chuck Eats' blog is v good for this area and is worth checking out:
http://www.chuckeats.com

Hope that's of some help

I tried to get reservations at the French Laundry!! But as you suspected, i couldn't - have emailed and everything

Meadowood is on my list, will try and fit it in..again, if i can get a reservation!

Will be doing Bouchon in Vegas - heard great things about it

Thanks!!

You need to add Yosemite to your trip. You can't go all that way and not see it. Might be a bit cold mind and the Tioga pass will be shut! Stay in Oakhurst and eat at Todds BBQ.

Monterey has amazing restaurants. Fish hopper as I already said and Sardine Factory. Also check out 17 mile drive and eat at Pebble Beach. Cafe Nepenthe on highway 1 also has a stunning view and good food to break up a journey.

Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo is worth a look/ stay

Vegas...well you could stay there for weeks and not eat the same place twice. I suggest:

Society Cafe at Encore for the bone in cowboy ribeye steak. I had my wedding reception here and it's stunning.

Cut in the palazzo also does great steak as do the steakhouse in circus circus.

Memphis Championship BBQ for great BBQ

Holsteins or Strip Burger for great burgers.

Wynn buffet for a good old fashioned pig out but great food

Tableau at Wynn for a sublime breakfast

Cold Stone Creamery in Excalibur for a lush ice cream

I could go on and on about places in Vegas...

Enjoy!

I will be driving through Yosemite or as close to as possible, i'm driving from LV --> Lake Tahoe one day, and then Tahoe to SF the next so will hopefully be able to fit in as much of the route as possible.

My sister said i have to go to Monterey, and so have you guys - so now i'm definitely going there!

I know what you mean regarding Vegas! It's the only place where there is clearly to much to eat and not enough time! I'm actually staying at the Palazzo so will be going to CUT, Bouchon and Carnevino. Also the person i'm going with says we have to go to the Wynn Buffet, so that will be ticked off as well, but will definitely check out Tableau as per your recommendation

Will check out Madonna, as i'll be going to San Luis Obispo for Ribline!

Thanks so much guys!! Any more recommendations are more than appreciated

 

[big4000]

I've actually got a few places on my list for lunch (edit: or breakfast it seems) - mainly from my obsession with the food network channel (i only ever watch food programmes if i watch TV):

Lark Creek - San Fran
Hash House A Go Go - San Diego
Ike's Place - San Fran
Umami Burger
Nortons Pastrami - Santa Barbara

Anyone had any experience with these?

Then i also saw this place which looked quite nice, 'Sierra Mar' - on the drive from San Fran:

http://www.postranchinn.com/dining/

 

[big4000]

Stone BRewing Company & Sierra Nevada Company both have restaurants attached to their breweries. Stone make the best beer in the World, and Sierra Nevada aren't far behind. Worth a trip if you're into hoppy beers and good 'bar' food.

Stone Brew looks good, and i'll be driving right past

I've gotta make an eating itinerary - so much to fit in

Thanks!