I'd like to get recommendations about restaurants in San Francisco & San Jose: funky, neighborhood joints, other personal favorites. Also looking for info on specialty food shops that are creative and well merchandised. Also any stores that might sell interesting buffet props or trays for food presentation. Thanks for any info!!!

we like YaYa From the Fertile Crescent at 663 Clay
street. Part of the place is take out-the other half a great tile accented room. One wall is painted with a mural representing mesopotamia.
The food is grand! Fresh veggies marinated in pomagranite juice plus outstanding chicken & lamb dishes.Enjoy.
No specific restaurants but Grand Ave between Columbus and Pine is filled with funky restaurants
ofvarying quality(Chinese).

Like garlic?

Try "The Stinking Rose" in Italian area.!

One of my favorite San Francisco restaurants is Greens at Fort Mason: elegant, luscious vegetarian cuisine served on the Bay in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge. Wonderful!

On Divisadero at California St. there is a neat little Ethiopian restaurant called Rassela's. They also have live jazz & blues most nights.

On Divisadero at California St. there is a neat little Ethiopian restaurant called Rassela's. They also have live jazz & blues most nights. There is also a very popular South American restaurant "Sol e Luna" (I don't remember the exact location) which has great food and salsa dancing.