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.