Burrito Basket

This taqueria distinguishes itself with what we consider to be the best chilaquiles this side of the Texas Panhandle. The perfect blend of tortilla chips, salsa, eggs, cheese, onions and peppers, this dish works as a hangover helper or just a filling dinner. Entrees include spicy shrimp and snapper or platters like the chile rellenos served with rice, beans and a salad. Of course, you can grab budget-friendly tortas, tacos, tostadas, tamales, fajitas, enchiladas and of course burritos. Choose from fillings like chicken breast, marinated steak, ground turkey, or vegetarian. Other non-Mexican fare includes fried chicken, hot dogs, Polish, gyros and burgers.

Not a restaurant to visit if you are looking for an intimate atmosphere, but the bright lights, tile floor, real cacti and gurgling fountain help set an energetic mood. 

The Greenhouse

I first visited The Greenhouse last year and enjoyed the atmosphere there, although the quality of food can at best be described as average. It passed into the hands of Donald Maclay Jr recently and he has spared no expense in the renovation, the restaurant is now larger and more stylish with the use of blond wood. The menu typifies all that is best about Pacific fusion cooking — ingredients from all over the world are brought together with panache. Eating the food assemblies feels as if you had helped yourself to a plateful of goodies from a well-stocked fridge. Imagine this as an appetizer — Garroxta cheese with chorizo, Serrano ham, piquillo peppers, chillies, almonds and caper berries. Or tuna sashimi salad with avocado, sea kale and roast peanut-ginger dressing.

For main course we tried grilled scallops with sweet chilli sauce and crème fraîche, duck breast on braised hijiki and buckwheat noodle salad. The vegetarian in our party declared that the baked globe artichoke, buffalo mozzarella and wild mushrooms with honey-braised blackbeans and wilted spinach simply divine.

For dessert don’t miss their dark ice cream platter (chocolate, coffee and caramel) with cardomom and cherry sauce. It’s not cheap, but if you’re looking for to impress a date of a client you can do no worse.

The Bear Hug

Amusingly named family-styled pub/restaurant. Sports paraphrenalia, dark wood and booths serve as an apt reminder of the pub’s history — it had been in the family since the 1930s.

Nowadays its patrons lean more toward the 2-car, 2.4-children variety. Finger-licking good ribs, juicy burgers and all sorts of comfort food are the mainstay of their menu. There is also a famous “mountain of ice cream” sundae that will quieten down the most hyperactive of children.

Relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and good prices too. A place I can bring a date, out-of-town visitors, and my mom.

Old Amalfi

This is one of Sunnydale’s more difficult-to-find restaurants, situated at a quiet street at the top end of Main. Nevertheless, tracking it down is worth the effort. When you do find it, you’ll be confronted with a bright, airy restaurant, glass-fronted and with tall ceilings. The restaurant is surprisingly busy, full of foodies who have discovered the place and wanting to keep it to themselves.

For appetizers I had the marinated organic tomatoes with broad beans, sautéed onions and Parmesan croutons dressed in extra virgin oive oil; my date had beef carpaccio that was meltingly good. For mains I had saltimbocca with spinach, Gorgonzola and sultanas; she had spaghetti vongole that was simple yet spendid. For dessert we shared a lime sorbet accompanied by strawberries marinated in spumante and balsamic vinegar.

We’ll absolutely be going back.

Mike’s diner

Thick malt shakes, thick fries, thick burgers, big chicken salads … Mike’s is an empty stomach’s dream. Save up on calories before going because there is so much temptation. Staff are cheerful and the jukebox stuffed with fifties classic.

Did I mention the shakes already? If you need any reason to visit Mike’s, the shakes does it. Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, banana … plus fillings like oreos, maltesers, marshmallows, peanut butter or anything you can think of.

If you’re not already filled up with shakes, you have a choice of burgers, ribs, hot dogs, grilled chicken, chicken salad and roasts. Everything is cooked with size in mind, it’s great. 

Bones

I visited Bones on two occasions and both occasions were bad experiences. The first time I was there with a party of 13/14 and the service was simply slow. It took 30 mins for the order to be taken, the soup was served scaldingly hot, the pig’s belly was raw and the wine was corked. The waitresses seemed too overworked and harrassed to listen to what we were saying. No replacement was offered and there was no offer to deduct the faulty items off the bill.

The second time was also in a group, this time of 6 people. I ordered rare steak and was astounded to be presented with one that was chilled (verging on frozen) inside. I brought it to the attention of the waitress who took it back to the kitchen. Shortly after she took the dish back out to me again and told me that according to the chef it was “normal” for a rare steak to be chilled inside. That’s news to me! What do I know, I only eat rare steak at restaurants quite often.

If I have a choice I will not return to this restaurant, the staff are not helpful and seem to lack the most basic understanding of how food in a restaurant should be served.

Dino’s Family Grill

Dino’s serves hot, crisp falafel; silky hummos and huge tasty meat kebabs on beds of perfectly cooked rice in an inviting atmosphere. You can even order a whole roasted suckling pig (feeds 12; call ahead) and lamb’s head, perfect for those “Sunnydale special eats” moments or if your guests’ tastes run to the slightly exotic.

Buttery, delicate pastries from the bakery next door are great ways to finish the meal at this popular suburban dining spot.

Willy’s Bar

Willy’s is a Sunnydale institution, and this is about all that can be said about the place. From the moment you enter the dark and dingy basement, your senses are overwhelmed by the smell of rot and the sight of possibly the entire underbelly of Sunnydale. I have nothing against basement bars (Cheers anyone?) but Willy’s give me the willies.

Willy works the bar — it doesn’t matter who it is, the name tag always say Willy. These Willys have one thing in common: ratty slimeballs, gossipmongers and someone who would sell their grandmother for a fag.

The beers taste watered down, the peanuts were stale and the food menu was a joke. The only item that was available was fries, and these were microwaved, cold and soggy.

There are “special” drinks one can’t get anywhere, which is why Willy’s is able to survive. Once in a while you see a person who looks a bit unusual, be it extra ears or wrinkly skin or bumpy foreheads, and Willy gives them something from those “special” vats behind the bar. It is at that moment that you are grateful for the dim lighting and that you are sitting near the exit.

Bam Bou

I’ve never tried Vietnamese food before and had expected something similar to Thai. It’s quite similar but I’m not sure how authentic because of the Americanization of the food.

This restaurant came highly recommended, and we were instantly impressed with the relaxed atmosphere and polite wait staff. The food was delicious and well prepared, the chef seems to have made a real effort in presentation. We ordered beef rolls, frog legs in lime juice (surprisingly good!) and fish cake for appetizer. For main course we shared mekong catfish claypot, breaded soft-shell crab and a hotly named beef-on-the-fire for main course. Everything was served with jasmine rice and an assortment of chilli, fish sauce and fresh lime.

We had several bottles of icy cool Chang beer, which later I found out is from Thailand. For dessert we had the small sago rice puddings wrapped in lotus leaves. Excellent!

L’Eszo

No one could tell us what the name means, the suspicion is that it’s a made-up word that is supposed to sound exotic. But alas, it is nowhere near exotic.

We went there expecting Italian food, considering the price and location. When my friend commented that she wasn’t happy with her veal, the waiter offered to cook another dish for her, after the restaurant closed. My salmon was lukewarm and dry. We asked for Sardinian wine and were told that they can’t be expected to stock something that isn’t on the wine list can they.

The waiters seemed more interested in ogling every woman in sight. When they’re not doing that, they were cocky and brash and unpleasant. Appalling service. Lousy food. Don’t waste your time.

Mr Kong

I went there for dim sum lunch with 4 friends. The service is to be expected from a bunch of surly old men! But that’s not why we go. We go there for the food — the prawn dumplings were freshly prepared, the spring rolls deep-fried to crunchiness and to watch the steam ooze out of a char siu bun when you open it is a slice of heaven Plus lashings of tea to wash down the msg. As with Chinese food, the price is always reasonable. Don’t go there with expectations of attentive service or relaxing atmosphere, you will be disappointed. But go there for the experience and to have a good time, then you’ll enjoy yourself.

L’Orangery

An oasis of calm amongst the drab, functional office buildings surrounding it, L’Orangery gives new meaning to dining al fresco. The décor is subtle and blends in with the flower garden just outside, inside were comfortable chairs, ceiling fans and trellises. Popular with office workers, lunch reservation is a must, and the place can get a little noisy at those hours.

My friend ordered Crab Louie salad — the Dungeness crab tasted as fresh as it was caught that morning, the avocado melt-in-your-mouth and the asparagus crisp and tangy. The dressing had the right mixture of eggs, olives and relish. I ordered a hot club sandwich, which was perfection in itself.

Service was charming too. Two thumbs up but only 4 stars because it is on the pricey side.

Espresso Pump

Is it possible to think of Sunnydale without Espresso Pump? Impossible.

Mrs George’s special brew is as essential to the growing up process as your first skateboard or date. Whether it’s mochas, cappuccinos or just plain black coffee, it’s where UCS students and alumni gather to relax, chat and hang out.

Lately Mrs George has started giving opportunities for local artists to showcase their work. Expect an interesting rotation of paintings and photographs in the special ‘gallery’ section.

green paradise

This place offers delicious and healthy food, if you don’t mind the low ceiling and coziness. The day I decided to visit they had a special called “Shepherdess pie” which was just like a regular shepherd’s pie but with aduki beans instead of lamb. Very different, but tasted nice. My friend had jamacian curry which was quite spicy. Other options we could have tried were quiches and all sorts of noodles and soups. We shared a strawberry and banana scrunch dessert that was so nice that we bought extra portions for home. They have an extensive juice list — the usual carrot, celery, orange juice but some more unusual choices like bitter melon and asparagus. For what they served and considering the homely / cafeteria feel, the food is overpriced.

Delaney’s

This, according to some reviewers, is “the place to be seen in.” Loud music, beautiful people, stylish but expensive. Two floors, the upper floor was full of people gyrating to a very enthusiastic DJ type. Lower floor catered more for yuppies and their dates. Cocktails are priced for yuppies too.