Alchemy offers diners what they’ve aptly dubbed “culture fare”, a unique mix of food, wine and art. The restaurant glows with warmly colored walls and honey toned wood. Artwork adorns the walls, and benefits additional lighting to highlights some of the more unique pieces.

The menu is a diversion from the ordinary. Small plates like the calamari and oysters make up about half of the menu, while larger “seasonal” and “standard” choices compile the remaining portion. Choices like sea bass and a delightful vegetarian lasagna can be found here, as well as chicken and steak entrees.

The sweets menu finds a fan favorite with the cranberry bread pudding, which is topped with a decadent scoop of buttermilk gelato. With a full plate of cultural events – from art shows to poetry readings, a meal at Alchemy is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and tastes of the local art scene.

1515 is the newest addition to Walnut Creek’s hip dining scene. This sleek and modern restaurant has rapidly become popular with locals as a place to see and be seen, and with the trendy interior and vibrant crowd it’s no surprise. However, 1515 is not just a pretty face. This lively restaurant has substance as well as style, which includes a stellar menu and attentive and polished wait staff. The cuisine trends towards eclectic Californian, with an emphasis on fresh flavors and clean presentation. Choices like Seared Sea Bass, served with bay shrimp, scallops and fresh vegetables atop pesto gnocchi or the savory Veal Piccata with tangy lemon sauce and grilled polenta pancakes are examples of traditional dishes that have been re-imagined with more progressive accompaniments. The outdoor patio is a top destination during the summer months, with a street side vantage point that makes for the perfect location to people watch while enjoying an after dinner drink or a selection from the dessert menu.

Bienvenue to Provence! Chef and owner Philippe Chevalier’s vision for a warm and inviting dining experience comes to life at his Lafayette restaurant, Chevalier.

Chef Chevalier boasts an impressive resume. He has cooked at prestigious restaurants in Paris, St. Tropez, St. Barthelemy, French West Indies and San Francisco. Diablo Magazine named Chef Chevalier the top chef in the East Bay, and Chevalier Restaurant as one of “The Top 10 Restaurants in the East Bay.”Chevalier itself has also won countless awards, including a selection in the Bib Gourmand section of the 2010 Michelin Guide and the “Diner’s Choice” award from Open Table in 2009 and 2010.

Chevalier’s menu offers classic French fare, served in warm and inviting surroundings by an enthusiastic and talented staff. A meal at Chevalier is truly a celebration of the finest things in life!

Preservation Kitchen invites you to enjoy a memorable lunch at their new Cafe. At the Café, the restaurant has taken simple salads, sandwiches and favorite comfort foods and given them a uniquely Northwest flavor.

Whether you dine in the Café or in the traditional dining room, Preservation Kitchen believes that sharing a great meal is one of the best ways to spend time with family and friends. The menu makes the most of all the Northwest has to offer by incorporating fresh, seasonal, local ingredients.

Escape into the exotic world of the Far East at Seattle’s Dragonfish. You’ll be dazzled by the inventive Pan Asian cuisine, flashy red shutters and soothing tropical fans surround the exhibition kitchen, which features hand-crafted sushi rolls, fiery woks, and sizzling grills. Dragonfish Asian Café's Pan Asian cuisine encompasses food spanning from Bangkok to Seoul, from Manila to Beijing. Dishes are crafted using a broad palate of tastes and styles from a variety of Asian sources, blending and fashioning a unique Pan-Asian cuisine. Menu favorites include Dragonfire Chicken, featuring grilled chicken breast with chili sambal, served over spicy peanut noodles and Grilled Miso Beef Ribeye, miso marinated and served with tempura yams and onions. Dragonfish welcomes you for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sophie’s Bistro just might be the best kept secret in Phoenix. This quaint French eatery makes a picturesque spot for a meal, but the authentic French cuisine is what truly sets it apart. The décor is simple and understated, with gleaming hardwood floors and walls full of interesting art collections that rotate with frequency. The authenticity of the menu will make to feel as if you’ve just stepped into an eatery in a small town in France. Start with a selection from the cheese menu, which includes favorites like Camembert, White Stilton bleu cheese and brie, all served on a crispy baguette with fresh and dried fruit. From the starter menu, select the Escargot, served in a butter sauce or the classic Pate, with grainy mustard and a toasted baguette. Entrees are equally as traditional, including Coq au Vin, Beef Bourguignon and Coquilles. Sophie’s Bistro welcomes you for lunch and dinner.

Melrose Grill is the best new steakhouse in Seattle – in Renton! The building in which the Melrose Grill resides was established in 1901 and has served as a tavern since the days of the horse and buggy. It also operated as a pool hall, soda shop and card room during prohibition. The current owners have honored the building's historic roots keeping the recently restore, original mirror-backed bar with its rich, dark woods. The walls showcase vintage photos that highlight the transitions this grand building has gone through. With wainscoting on the walls, low-slung lamps and high ceilings the space feels as open as the West was when the Melrose Building was built. The menu features a succulent selection of steakhouse cuts, including Porterhouse, Rib Eye, Filet Mignon and Delmonico. Each steak is served with the choice of mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, crispy parmesan potatoes or basmati rice. Melrose Grill welcomes you for dinner.

Level III offers a stylish, fun and casually elegant experience that is bound to impress the most discerning of foodies. The menu, developed by award-winning Executive Chef Ben Mattman, reflects the abundant agricultural resources found in the Bay Area and surrounding regions. Chef Mattman delivers a new take on modern American cuisine by adding international and regional twists on traditional favorites, which include Seared Jumbo Scallops with Forest Mushrooms, Lobster Meat and Hobb’s Bacon; Fish Tacos with Lime Mango Salsa and Avocado Crush; Slow Braised Ale Short Ribs; Grilled Angus Sliders; and Szechuan Long Beans with Serrano Chilies. Level III also offers a number of larger plates for guests looking for a more traditional dining experience. Level III welcomes you for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As you amble up the sidewalk to this picturesque eatery, it won’t come as any surprise to find out that Sunset magazine proclaimed Gabriella Santa Cruz’ most romantic spot. From the warm stucco exterior to the terra cotta planters full of color flowers that line the street front, you’ll be drawn in by the relaxing and romantic vibe. The exceptional menu features organic produce and products, many procured from the local Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market. In what might be best termed as California comfort food, each dish is a celebration of taste, flavor and freshness. Classic Italian dishes are prepared with the quality ingredients and feature accents that make the preparation unique to Gabriella. Diners might enjoy a skirt steak which arrives accented with a blackberry merlot vinaigrette, or a traditional lasagna, prepared with the bright flavor of summer squash. Don’t miss this enchanting restaurant and the chance to experience a memorable meal in the city of Santa Cruz.

Founded on the best traditions of public houses, The Piper Pub & Grill is a community gathering place that serves wine, spirits, and beer alongside pub food that is fun and casual, but with a twist. The menu offers classic pub fare, in addition to an extensive salad menu, rolls, sandwiches and burgers. Pub favorites include Fresh Citrus Mahi Mahi Tacos, which features Lime-marinated mahi mahi fish wrapped in corn tortillas and covered in pico de gallo, sliced avocados, and shredded, mixed cabbage and finished with a citrus-avocado cream sauce and Louisiana Penne Pasta tossed with Cajun cream sauce mixed with a medley of peppers, red onions and mushrooms topped with grilled, blackened seasoned chicken. Choices from the grill include sirloin or New York steak.

A jewel set in the heart of Lakeview’s North Center neighborhood of Chicago, Sola opened its doors in 2006 in the perfect reflection of its Chef/Owner Carol Wallack – one part comforting, Midwestern hospitality coupled with one part “Surfer Girl” sensibility. Sola has been recognized and warmly praised by local and national critics alike, including winning a coveted spot on Chicago Magazine’s Best New Restaurants 2006 list. Chef Wallack’s menu was inspired by the warmth and importance of community found on the Hawaiian Islands, and embraces the flavors, philosophies and cultures of Hawaii while also using locally raised ingredients and supporting sustainability.