Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, San Carlos, CA

AIRPORT - SQL. With a combination of French Quarter posters, jazzy music, super friendly service, and traditional Gulf...

AIRPORT - SQL. With a combination of French Quarter posters, jazzy music, super friendly service, and traditional Gulf Coast ingredients, Creola has created a little bit of New Orleans in sunny California. Jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried catfish, and blackened redfish are the stars here, but the crawfish etouffee and the Mardi Gras Pasta with shrimp and crawfish in a sherry-tomato-cream sauce are delightful as well. Down home desserts include a fluffy peanut butter pie that's so good you may never be satisfied with another.

Hours: Sun-Tue, Thu 5pm-9pm; Wed 5pm-9pm, 11:30am-2pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-9:30pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

SAN CARLOS. An outpost of the San Francisco original, Izzy's pays tribute to a colorful, much-loved North Beach bar...

SAN CARLOS. An outpost of the San Francisco original, Izzy's pays tribute to a colorful, much-loved North Beach bar owner. The generous place serves well-prepared steaks and comfortable atmosphere, not to mention delicious starters like roasted mussels and cold asparagus with mustard sauce. They're an apt prelude to prime rib, loin lamb chops, a double-thick pork chop, and an aged NY strip steak. Cajun-fried oysters and drunken shrimp add character from the menu's seafood section. Plus, a large brass bar makes for good socializing.

Hours: Restaurant Sun-Thu 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm
Lounge Daily 4:30pm-Close

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

REDWOOD CITY. A warm space, simultaneously rustic and upscale, sets the scene for A Tavola's wonderful seasonal fare....

REDWOOD CITY. A warm space, simultaneously rustic and upscale, sets the scene for A Tavola's wonderful seasonal fare. Beneath beamed ceilings, patrons snack on parmesan polenta fries and pepperoni and cheese-stuffed risotto fritters as they agonize over whether to try braised short ribs, fresh rigatoni with slow-roasted pork, or teriyaki-marinated skirt steak. Free-range fried chicken and butternut squash ravioli only complicate matters in a most delicious way. Great wines are an added highlight.

Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Sat 5:30pm-10pm; Sun 5pm-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

REDWOOD CITY. Chef/owner John Bentley established himself in a location where people know and appreciate great food....

REDWOOD CITY. Chef/owner John Bentley established himself in a location where people know and appreciate great food. Both fish and meat are cooked with verve, and it's obvious that the chef loves what he does. The restaurant is so popular that reservations for weekend nights must be made in advance.

Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2pm, 5pm-9pm; Fri 11:30am-2pm, 5pm-9:30pm; Sat 5pm-9:30pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

REDWOOD CITY. Within an elegant, high-ceilinged space complete with damask-covered walls, a fireplace, and white linens,...

REDWOOD CITY. Within an elegant, high-ceilinged space complete with damask-covered walls, a fireplace, and white linens, patrons come for classic meals and romantic ambience. They include corporate folks meeting clients and residents celebrating special occasions. Whet your appetite with pan-seared foie gras with madeira and truffles before shifting to lamb medallions, Dover sole, a flame-grilled veal chop, or roast duck. Desserts range from the light (assorted cheeses or seasonal berries) to the decadent (chocolate truffle cake with a molten center). For extra cosseting, women are presented a long-stem rose.

Hours: Daily 5:30pm-Close

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

SAN MATEO. This esteemed restaurant resides over a grocery store, but not just any grocery. Draeger's Marketplace is a...

SAN MATEO. This esteemed restaurant resides over a grocery store, but not just any grocery. Draeger's Marketplace is a culinary mecca in the area, and Viognier is a worthy companion. Start with charred red pepper soup and progress to rotisserie spice-rubbed leg of lamb ­ you'll be planning a return visit almost immediately. Original chef, Gary Danko, now has his own establishment in San Francisco, but his inventive, French-inspired cooking lives on here.

Hours: Daily 5:30pm-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , American Express , Diner's Club

SAN MATEO. Upon entering 231 Ellsworth, guests seem to sense that this will be an unforgettable experience. Dramatic...

SAN MATEO. Upon entering 231 Ellsworth, guests seem to sense that this will be an unforgettable experience. Dramatic décor makes a stunning and romantic first impression that lingers well into the evening ­ midnight blue barrel-vaulted ceiling, copper-colored walls, deco-style light fixtures. Beautifully presented food induces blissful silence as guests savor each taste of foie gras torchon, baby abalone with summer bean salad, and seared duck breast with roasted apricots and caramelized onions. The superlative wine list will satisfy every taste. Multi-course tasting menus $45-89; with wine $70-155.

Hours: Mon 5:30pm-9pm; Tue-Thu 11:30am-1:30pm, 5:30pm-9pm; Fri 11:30am-1:30pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm; Sat 5:30pm-9:30pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

WOODSIDE. At Buck's, the Wild, Wild West meets High Tech, and they duke it out over omelets, burgers, and country fried...

WOODSIDE. At Buck's, the Wild, Wild West meets High Tech, and they duke it out over omelets, burgers, and country fried steak. Known as a power meeting place for local venture capitalists, the eatery welcomes VCs with Gucci loafers to sit at plain wooden tables and devour the three square meals offered daily. Buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup and ham and cheese omelets are local breakfast favorites. A fun, interesting place with eclectic decor, Buck's tantalizes your eyes as much as it does your taste buds!

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-9pm; Sat-Sun 8am-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

WOODSIDE. A rustic, elegant, and romantic place to get excellent, imaginative food, The Mountain House first opened in...

WOODSIDE. A rustic, elegant, and romantic place to get excellent, imaginative food, The Mountain House first opened in the 1930s. Situated among redwoods, the restaurant is a good place to take visitors, and for good reason. Treat them to steamed clams served in a smoky broth, and follow up with New Zealand venison with blackberry brandy sauce or wild boar stuffed with local mushrooms. Tiramisu is the most popular dessert, but apple walnut cake with pale ale sabayon is a strong contender. The wine list offers selections from local vintners.

Hours: Dining room Wed-Sat 5:30pm-10pm; Sun 2pm-9pm Bar Wed-Sun 5pm-close

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

MENLO PARK. Ann's Coffee Shop has been a fixture on Santa Cruz Avenue for more than 50 years. With all the conversation...

MENLO PARK. Ann's Coffee Shop has been a fixture on Santa Cruz Avenue for more than 50 years. With all the conversation taking place, folks can catch up on town goings-on while enjoying an omelet, pancakes, or some of the best bacon in town. Many customers make return trips in the afternoon for pie and coffee. Soups at lunch are also a real treat, so folks with nothing better to do should just plan to stay all day long!

Hours: Mon-Sat 6:30am-4pm; Sun 7am-2pm

Payment Methods: Cash Only