Located at the Vineyard Shopping Center, Fiore offers Italian fare with a twist. Moroccan chef Habib El Jacifi's formative influences came from all over the Mediterranean, and it is these flavors that are celebrated in the food at Fiore; you get to feast on mouthwatering preparations like coq au vin, braised lamb shank, pumpkin-stuffed ravioli, Moroccan tagine and more. Desserts like chocolate fondant and tiramisu end the meal perfectly.

The fact that it is located in close proximity to other Italian restaurants takes nothing away from Ristorante La Toscana's appeal, and there are some truly mouthwatering delicacies on offer. Starters like burrata, fritto misto, beef carpaccio and arancini are just the beginning of a wonderful meal, and there are many scrumptious mains to follow. Grilled skirt steak, chicken marsala and spinach and ricotta ravioli are a few of the entrées to gorge on. The bar features specialty cocktails and wines, and you can enjoy some good deals during Happy Hour from 3p to 6p, Monday through Friday.

Gaspare's is a family-style restaurant that has loads of Italian treats for you to savor. Although best known for the numerous delicious pizzas it offers, this eatery also has other Italian preparations you are sure to enjoy. Gnocchi alla bolognese, veal piccata with lemon and capers, chicken parmigiana panini and ground sirloin steak are just a few of the scrumptious dishes. Specialty cocktails and beers on tap are also available.

Basque cuisine, hugely popular in Spain and France, is what Le Chalet Basque brings to San Rafael. A quaint restaurant with picturesque outdoor seating, it is one you can visit and enjoy with the whole family. There is a new special to be enjoyed every day, and even the regular lunch and dinner menus feature mouthwatering delicacies. You could indulge yourself with scrumptious Basque preparations like salmon with champagne sauce, scampi a la plancha, sirloin of lamb bordelaise and much more. There is also a full bar.

Located across the Yacht Club Drive, Terrapin Crossroads is a multi-art venue. It prides itself in being more than just a restaurant or a plain venue. The fact that art is a celebration and not just an event draws patrons from all over to this space. With no restrictions on the art forms to be presented, it stages concerts, dances, shows, literary events and even hosts art exhibitions. Intellectuals, experts from different fields, renowned artists are invited here to share their thoughts and different topics are discussed here. That's not it; Terrapin Crossroads also has an on-site library-cum-reading room that features books and other stuff related to music and art. For more details, check website.

The Marin Center features the impressive Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, the smaller Showcase Theatre, and expansive fairgrounds. 

Located on the ground floor of the French Hotel, this is not your typical hotel coffee shop. This is Berkeley coffee-house culture, with brick walls, periodically changing artwork and an atrium in the back for those who want a little sun. The cafe is always bustling with students, artists, tourists and those just seeking a coffee break. Find all the usual coffee and espresso drinks like mochas, lattes, cappuccinos and house roasts, as well as a small selection of pastries and muffins. It features Torani Italian soda syrups as well as fresh juices.

You're sure to fall in love with this place if you are a party animal. Vinnie's comes alive at night with DJs spinning the latest tracks. It's better to reach the bar early and reserve your seats as the place starts getting crowded later. Enjoy a wide variety of well concocted cocktails with chicken wings and Thai sauce. Every night the bar has a different theme like karaoke, salsa dancing and blues night. There are dartboards and pool tables to try your hands at while sipping your drink. The bar opens daily at 11a.

La Pena Cultural Center and the adjacent Café Valparaíso offer a taste of a faraway home for some and a window into different cultures and heritages for others. The concept of La Pena comes from Latin America, where in the 1960s artists and musicians created a space for collaboration. Now the tradition is being carried on in Berkeley by a multi-cultural group concerned with international and local social issues. Operating since 1975 and begun in response to the military coup of 1973 in Chile, the club hosts musical guests and community events and can boast annual visits by the internationally renown Chilean group Inti-Illimani. Sample tasty Chilean fare such as empanadas at Café Valparaíso before enjoying a show.

A lovely shade of pink adorns the walls of this baked ware shop. And yes the Teacake Bake Shop looks and tastes good. Try the famous cup cakes, Snickerdoodles, Lemon Pouts or the Tuxedo Brownies. The ingredients used in most of the recipes are Belgian chocolate and sweet cream butter. Furthermore, they churn out small batches of goodies all through the day, so it is all oven fresh! Reserve your Sundays for the divine Chai Latte White Chocolates.