Thanks @robert!
Yah, given that I’m coming from L.A., not sure how many Chinese restaurants might be worth trying (given the abundance here).
If I’m trying to head to Downtown SF for dinner on a weeknight (say, 5 - 6 p.m.) from San Mateo, how bad would it be by Uber / Lyft? Vs. CalTrain?
Just trying to see if it’s worth the traffic and for scheduling. 
Thanks.
It takes me about 1 hr 15 minutes to drive from Campbell to AT&T Park, leaving 4:00 pm, Friday evening.
Probably 40-45 minutes to San Mateo, then 30 minutes to SF.
Cal Train can be slow, there are express and local trains. The SF Caltrain station is 2-3 miles from downtown. As robert suggested, take Caltrain from San Mateo to Milbrae, then take BART to SF.
Traffic is highly variable. San Mateo to SF, best case at rush hour is 35-40 minutes. Add in a Giants game or a major accident on the Bay Bridge and it can be an hour or more.
Not sure how you define “downtown” but from the Caltrain station to Union Square is 1.4 miles and easily busable. I’ve walked farther than that with a suitcase. Just an fyi.
How many days (nights rather) are you here and how far out is your trip?
I agree, skip regional Chinese.
Hi @beefnoguy,
I’m still finalizing details (it’s for work), but it might be 2 - 3 nights. So not a lot of time.
If it seems like besides the one @ipsedixit @PorkyBelly recommended (Wakuriya) which could be 1 dinner (if I can get reservations), then the rest might be better spent with the previous recommendations you all kindly gave in the Downtown SF thread?
Thanks.
What kinds of restaurants do you care about?
I suggest you focus on and attempt Sushi Yoshizumi for downtown San Mateo, and skip Wakuriya entirely. If your coming up here is 60 days out (from a reservation standpoint), it’s a touch bit easier to plan the dinner (similar to planning for n/Naka but maybe different). Otherwise check their reservation system for availability from cancellations.
As an alternative to Wakuriya, and if you cannot book Sushi Yoshizumi, you can think about Ozaoza as a backup in SF Japantown for kaiseki that’s closer to Kyoto/Kansai style, although to be fair you have already experienced the cooked food greatness that is Mori and Shunji which honestly are both superior in taste/overall experience. But otherwise it’s perfectly fine to focus entirely on maximizing the best of your NorCal dining experience in SF (and restaurants that do things better than LA) which is a wiser choice.
Second Izakaya Ginji (as a solid neighborhood izakaya) for a San Mateo dining choice/backup if getting into the city is more of a hassle. They are closed Tuesdays. Solid sake lineup (very well thought out for the Honjozo, Junmai, Junmai Ginjo bottles) and great yakitori, many of them excellent with the food they offer.
I’m curious. Is OP only interested in Asian food? I only ask cause that seems what s/he is getting recs for mostly.
Hi @robert, @catholiver,
No, actually, just good food. 
That’s why I originally posted this in the previous “Downtown SF recs” thread (which highlighted more of what I was interested in).
Really it’s just about great food in the general SF area; what are the can’t miss spots (hole-in-the-wall, or fine dining is fine).
From the last thread and last visit, thanks to everyone’s suggestions we were able to try Saison (amazing!), In Situ (also awesome!), and try out Arsicault Bakery for Croissants (which were really really good).
This time we’re in San Mateo and only briefly, so I’m just wondering if there are “FTC worthy” restaurants in the area, or just continue to follow down the long list of great recs from everyone in the Downtown SF thread (i.e., the best food is in Downtown SF proper, just plan on a long commute for Dinner and skip San Mateo)?
Thanks!
I live in SF, but when I think of San Mateo and food, I think of RAMEN. Believe it or not, the ramen offerings in SF suck. San Mateo seems to have cornered the market.
I liked Ramen Dojo a lot (very spicy options)… also Santa Ramen and Himawari. Good luck.
Much of the best food in the Bay Area is not in SF, and many of the best places in SF are not downtown.
You might consider Little Yangon or Burmese Kitchen. That’s one cuisine we have that LA pretty much doesn’t.
Hi @robert,
Thanks! Yah, I guess what you’re saying above is what I’m trying to get recommendations on (outside of Chinese and some Japanese food). 
I have La Ciccia for example, bookmarked from the last thread I was asking about SF recommendations (one of your favorites). 
And many other eateries were given out that all seem to reside in Downtown SF area.
If I take out the Chinese and Japanese recs you mentioned a few posts up, are the remaining ones the “must visit” best food spots that you’re referring to that’s outside of Downtown SF?
Thanks!
Huh?
One other question for everyone:
Any recommendations on Breakfast in the San Mateo area?
Thanks!
The other topic was specifically asking about downtown.
Breakfast in San Mateo area:
Nini’s Coffee Shop (large American breakfast plates)
Neal’s (close to Wakuriya) and the next location is in Millbrae (two freeway exits north) - good fluffy pancakes
Though these are further away from downtown.
If in the downtown area, there’s Three near one of the hotels. You can also consider something a bit easier, like Philz Coffee and grab a breakfast burrito, quiche, or English muffin egg turkey sausage sandwich (the non burrito pastries are from Starter Bakery, very tasty…and the quiche/burrito/English muffin sandwiches taste really good with the Palo Alto Fireman’s hot sauce, of which they give little packets of them).
Thanks again.
Any suggestions for Lunch in the San Mateo / Foster City area?
For Breakfast or lunch, maybe try Kitchentown. It’s in Burlingame, but right next door and a hidden one. Good, seasonal. Good coffee too.
Or, also in Burlingame, Alana’s Cafe. Swedish oatmeal pancakes for the win. Walk to Peet’s for the coffee.
I’d second the recommendation for ramen. I’d go to Santa Ramen. Either lunch or dinner. Pork cheek meat with black garlic. Yum.
For higher end, I like Wakuriya for modern kaiseki. For omakase, Yoshizumi or Sakae (close by in Burlingame) are both good. Easier to get into Sakae.
An almost literally hidden gem is Allspice. Modern Indian with a Michelin star. Just off el Camino near 92. I’m also a fan of Rasa in Burlingame. Also Indian with a star.
And if you’re in downtown San Mateo at lunch time and car-less, take out sushi from the Suruki Japanese market, “street” Indian from Curry Up Now, ramen at Ramen Parlor (lighter) or Ramen dojo (spicy).
Have a good trip.
Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone has additional / new recommendations for Lunch in the San Mateo area (or nearby surroundings)?
Thanks!