Chefs I recommend

Patrick O'Connell (Washington, VA)

Restaurants I Recommend

Town Hall (San Francisco, CA)

Great atmosphere and wide selection of American fusion cuisines

The Inn at Little Washington (Washington, VA)

Generally rated as one of the 10 best restaurants in the world, this is an insane culinary experience. Nestled in the Virginia horse country, you might run into a head of state, senator, actor, or general cuisine lover at dinner. Chef Patrick O'Connell is world-renowned and specializes in "cuisine de terroir" with local ingredients. Absolutely incredible.

Town (San Carlos, CA)

Young, fun atmosphere with fantastic California cuisine, and some great comfort foods. The drinks are always perfectly made and the Barbeque Prawns appetizer is not to be missed. Fantastic steaks, as well. It can be a little loud so this isn't a place for a quiet, romantic dinner but it is a great spot for an upscale, nice dinner outside the city.

Kingfish (San Mateo, CA)

New Orleans voodoo meets California cuisine. A nice, elegant atmosphere in the middle of San Mateo that features Louisiana and Southern fare, with a heavy dose of New Orleans spices / influence. Prices aren't outrageous and the wine selection is very nice. Perfect for after work on a Thursday or a weekend night out.