SAN FRANCISCO — As one of the most recent members of the Les Clefs d’Or organization, Teri Ching, a concierge at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport – Burlingame for the last six years, introduces “Teri’s Top Ten,” lists of her personal, favorite things to do and places to eat in the San Francisco Peninsula area that she shares with her guests.

Teri’s Top 10 activities

CuriOdyssey/Coyote Point Museum in San Mateo

1. CuriOdyssey, Coyote Point Museum – San Mateo

2. Pez Museum – Burlingame

3. Crystal Springs Golf Course – Burlingame

4. Filoli Gardens – Woodside

5. LaNebbia Winery – Half Moon Bay

6. Thomas Fogarty Winery – Woodside

7. Mavericks – famous for big wave surfing competition – Half Moon Bay

8. Stanford University & Stanford Shopping Center – Palo Alto

9. NASA Ames Research Center – Moffett Field

10.HP Garage- birthplace of Silicon Valley – in 1939 Palo Alto

Teri’s Top Ten Restaurants

Ristorante Rocca in Burlingame

1. Ristorante Rocca – Burlingame

2. Trapeze – Burlingame

3. Stella Alpina – Burlingame

4. Kabul Afghan Cuisine – Burlingame

5. LaBoheme – Burlingame

6. Roti Indian Bistro – Burlingame

7. Broadway Grill – Burlingame

8. Broadway Prime – Burlingame

9. Zen Bistro – Millbrae

10 Ramen Club – Burlingame

For more information on these and more activities in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Les Clefs d’Or Concierge Teri Ching at 650-347-1234 x51 or email her at teri.ching@hyatt.com. For hotel and restaurant reservations and additional information, call 650-347-1234 or visit sanfranciscoairport.hyatt.com.

3 out of 4 stars

MIAMI — Dino Pirola is the longtime owner here. There are only a few tables, and getting one away from his long list of regulars is a task not to be taken lightly.

A trifle on the expensive side, but oh so worth it. Any pasta dish here will be among the best to be had in Miami. And it’s well worth your time to order the Veal Piccata if only to see how it ought to be done. Veal Piccata is the one dish that is ruined in most Italian eateries: here, each succulent, moist mouthful rises to the level of a masterpiece. That and a side dish of pasta with a nice Barolo will make a lovely meal to remember.

1443 Washington Ave.

osteriadelteatromiami.com

Tiffany Lee of Brooklyn enjoyed sampling the flavors from the festival. (Nancy Kim for Blast)

NEW YORK — It turns out that eating 10 different kinds of dumplings in one sitting can give you a bit of stomach ache, but that didn’t stop hundreds of New Yorkers from trying on Saturday at the 2nd annual NYC Dumpling Festival.

The 85-degree weather and blaring top-40 tunes brought a summer atmosphere back to Sara D. Roosevelt Park as lines of people crisscrossed the basketball courts waiting to sample the various doughy pockets.

“Today, New York is the capital of the dumpling-eating world,” said New York City Comptroller John Liu during the “dumpling- cutting” ceremony that officially started the festivities. “Every single imaginable food can be ground and rolled up into a bite-sized morsel. Dumplings are just an incredible food.”

From Italian Ravioli to Chinese Pot Stickers, Polish Pierogi to Malaysian Lemongrass, the festival featured flavors from around the world.

Polish cheddar cheese and potato Pierogi were sautéed to perfection. (Nancy Kim for Blast)

“Every culture has a dumpling, so at an event like this you can eat your way around the world,” said Mitchell Davis, vice president of the James Beard Foundation and author of “Kitchen Sense.” Davis attended the festival as one of the judges for the 7th annual Dumpling Eating contest.

Reigning five-time champ Joe “Gentlemen” Menchetti retained his title by eating 55 dumplings in a two-minute span. He holds the all-time record of downing 66 dumplings in two minutes — talk about a stomach ache.

TMI Food Group, Tang’s Natural, Chef One, Twin Marquis, H-Mart and Bruce Cost provided dumplings for the festival, all of which were packaged products available in local supermarkets. All of the proceeds from the festival went to the Food Bank of New York City.

Bruce Cost, cookbook author and expert on Asian cuisine, was proud to share his product at the festival.

“Dumplings are a food that’s universal,” said Cost. But unlike in Asian countries, Cost said frozen or refrigerated dumplings haven’t yet become mainstream in American households. This is something he said he expects to change soon, with dumplings rivaling the likes of frozen pizza by offering a healthier alternative.

Judging by the lines at the festival, Cost may be on to something as the line for his BBQ Pork Bao, a steamed Chinese bun, was by far the longest throughout the day.

Tiffany Lee of Brooklyn raved about the Bao. “Whether that was fried, soft or baked, I don’t care; it’s good,” she said.

Other highlights of the festival included the refreshing crunch of the fried Malaysian Lemon Grass Dumpling, the sesame stickiness of the Sweet Rice Tangyuan, and the spicy burn of the Korean Kimchi and Pork Mandoo.

In line for the Korean dumplings, Manhattan resident Tom Burke was eager to satisfy his dumpling cravings.

“I’m obsessed with dumplings,” Burke proclaimed. His obsession once took him on an adventure to nine different restaurants in one evening to try and find the best dumpling in the city.

“The key to the perfect dumpling is the texture. A little crunchy, but not too hard, juicy meat, a little fat, but not too much fat.” But what really makes it perfect is a little pop of extra flavor, he said.

His favorite: Lan Zhou on East Broadway (a little hole-in-the-wall on the Lower East Side). “It’s got this ginger spice flavor; it just nails it,” he said.

MIAMI — There’s no question that when this dowager hotel reopened after a renovation that costs tens of millions of dollars, this was the prize jewel of all the well-hyped restaurants. When you arrive at the hotel, they will have to tell you how to get there, it’s so far away from where a cab will drop you. (And I had to stop twice to ask directions.)

When you get to the space, you’ll find it’s just the opposite of what you expected: instead of some dumb hotel restaurant, you enter a small, intimate, charmingly decorated room that feels like it’s anywhere but here. The food is nothing short of spectacular. You’ve never had pasta that was this delicate, unless you’ve been to Chef Scott Conant’s eatery in New York. It’s the same great food.

Favorite starters are the crispy fritto misto and the creamy polenta. There’s also a Japanese mackerel tartar that jumps right out at you.

On your first trip, I insist you bypass the steaks, chops and seafood and focus on his pasta dishes as your entree, especially the scialatelli and the agnolotti dal plin (a delicate pasta filled with chopped meats, fonduta, mushrooms and parmigiano). You’ll go nuts.

(OK, I confess: I did go for the braised short ribs as a starter and I wanted to eat half a dozen portions more of what they gave me, it was SO good.)

Despite a brief yet powerful downpour, the Taste of the North End partied hard and heavy throughout last Friday’s fundraiser event at the New England Aquarium. This year’s 16th annual event was brimming with supporters, approximately 700 attendees danced, sipped wine and feasted on delicious foods and pastries from dozens of North End vendors and restaurants. Not to mention raising $100,000 to benefit the North End Community Health Center, founded in 1971.

More than 30 North End restaurants and vendors provided delectable and sizable portions of hearty Italian appetizers, foods and pastries. With tables set up around the spiral walkway surrounding the penguins in an indoor courtyard at the entrance of the Aquarium, guests mingled and meandered enjoying the aquatic life on display and the vivacious and charitable hospitality of the volunteers serving up delicious meatballs, pizza, ground tuna chili, calamari, roasted pork, sliced to order prosciutto and freshly cut bread among so many other treats.

Upon entering the outdoor tent set up on the Boston Harbor, guests were treated to mountains of desserts on either side of the entrance and dancing to the fun tunes of the band Double Vision. The dance floor filled with men, women and children of all ages clad in their finest wear when hits like Aretha Franklin’s "Respect" and ABBA’s "Dancing Queen," were performed with gusto. Standout foods include the gargantuan arancini from Antico Forno and freshly sliced prosciutto from Perkins, Inc which was the perfect thickness and had the best balance of salt I’ve ever tasted.

Modern Pastry served up mounds of soft and fresh pistachio macaroons and the best chocolate-dipped hazelnut biscotti I can remember having, despite growing up in Brooklyn. Volunteers from Modern always gave four pieces when you asked for one, the way any good Italian mother or hostess would and should. Mike’s Pastry’s infamous lobster tails and cannolis ceased to deplete as crowds gobbled up the goodies. It was a night of Pellegrino, cappuccinos and smiling faces.

Throughout the 16 year history of the event, more than $1,000,000 has been raised to benefit children’s and seniors’ programs in the North End, including the North End Athletic Association, North End Music Center, ABC Program for the Elderly, the Nazzaro Center and St. John’s School.  This year the North End Community Health Center, an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital, will receive financial contribution to support it’s numerous neighborhood programs and services.

Event founder and coordinator Donato Frattaroli explains, "With the addition of the Community Health Center as a beneficiary, now of all monies raised at ‘Taste of the North End’ stay in the neighborhood." Restaurant and vendor owners and members of the committee were treated to a sponsor’s thank you event a few weeks prior to the big fundraiser at Lucia Ristorante. They were treated to a delicious meal and an inspirational and hilariously uplifting speech from former SNL star Joe Piscopo, friend of Frattaroli and supporter of the North End Community Health Center.

Jim Luisi, CEO if the North End Community Health Center, chatted in detail and with enthusiasm about the true value that this center is for North End residents. "(North End Community Health Center) is the largest employer in the community without it, most of the seniors here wouldn’t be able to live here. We keep them in their homes, we keep restaurant workers insured and we provide children’s activities." The thing Luisi is most proud of is the center’s role as "the life of the community." Luisi further explained 1100 people residing in the North End do not have health insurance and the center provides necessary healthcare, benefits and services to all.

The North End Community Health Center provides primary and specialty services to more than 10,000 residents annually. Always striving to meet financial challenges, proceeds from fundraising efforts like the Taste of the North End help to underwrite the costs of programs such as services to senior citizens who do not qualify for public assistance.  These services assist North End elders so that they may maintain their independence and remain in their own neighborhood.  Fundraising monies also allow the Center to provide assistance on a sliding-fee-scale basis so that high-quality care is affordable to all.  Services at the Health Center, including specialties, outreach, transportation, and affordable childcare, are provided to patients at all stages from infants to elders.

KISS-108 and NECN’s TV Diner host, Billy Costa, emceed the evening.  Special guests Mayor Thomas Menino and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz were on hand to present event founder, Donato Frattaroli with the Teammates Community Service Award

for his dedication to the North End neighborhood.

Participating restaurants and wine distributors included:  Accardi & Son, Al Dente, Antico Forno, Antinori/St. Michelle Wine Estates, Artº Rosticceria & Trattoria, AV Imports, Bricco, Cantina-Italiana, Don Sebastiani & Sons, Espresso Plus, Filippo Ristorante, Fiore, Il Panino, La Summa Ristorante, The Living Room, Lucca, Lucia Ristorante, Mamma Maria, Massimino¹s Cucina

Italiana, Mike¹s Pastry, Modern Pastry, Neptune Oyster, J. Pace & Son, Pagliuca¹s Restaurant, Paul W. Marks Co., Inc., Perkins, Piantedosi Baking, Piccola Venezia, Prestige Imports, Taranta, Terramia, Tresca, Vin Divino and Vias Import.

This event gives meaning to the word community and represents the benefits of people banding together for a good cause to benefit your neighbors and the community as a whole. A little dessert and dancing never hurt anyone either, and it certainly will be a major catalyst in helping the North End Community Center maintain its services.

To learn more about the event visit www.TasteOfTheNorthEnd.org and the North End Community Health Center head to www.northendchc.org

Now thats Italian! -- Joe Piantedosi of Piantedosi Baking takes a taste from Jose Duarte, chef/owner, Taranta at 2008s Taste of the North End.

Where will the Boston foodie elite be congregating on Friday May 14 7 p.m. to Midnight? The 16th Annual Taste of the North End Celebration at the Boston Aquarium, that’s where! After a one-year hiatus due to aquarium construction, this year’s food and wine event is sure to be better than ever.

This evening featuring exclusively North End restaurants and vendors benefits The North End Community Health Center, as well as the schools and recreation centers of the North End providing services to children and neighborhood senior programs.

Participating restaurants and wine distributors include: Accardi & Son, Al Dente, Antico Forno, Antinori/St. Michelle Wine Estates, Artº Rosticceria & Trattoria, AV Imports, Bricco, Cantina-Italiana, Don Sebastiani & Sons, Espresso Plus, Filippo Ristorante, Fiore, Il Panino, La Summa Ristorante, The Living Room, Lucca, Lucia Ristorante, Mamma Maria, Massimino¹s Cucina Italiana, Mike¹s Pastry, Modern Pastry, Neptune Oyster, J. Pace & Son, Pagliuca¹s Restaurant, Paul W. Marks Co., Inc., Perkins, Piantedosi Baking, Piccola Venezia, Prestige Imports, Taranta, Terramia, Tresca, Vin Divino and Vias Import.

Food stations will line the center tank at the aquarium with dancing and dessert in the tent for the rest of the night. KISS-108 and NECN¹s TV Diner host Billy Costa will emcee the evening. Tickets now on sale: $99 per person. Please call 617-643-8106 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              617-643-8106      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit TasteOfTheNorthEnd.org.

WESTWOOD, Calif. — It’s easy for a Bostonian to lose himself in Westwood Village. After all, it looks like a combination of Newbury Street and Tremont Street, complete with shopping, moviegoing and eating.

Tanino, on Westwood Boulevard, is a beautifully designed Italian restaurant and top-shelf bar. It’s perfect for dinner for two, dinner for the family or in this case, a quick escape while my co-worker goes shopping for a new outfit across the street.

I recommend a nice Italian drink like lemoncello or espresso with sambocca. I had a Scotch, but that’s because I was in a Scotch mood. And they have a very good selection of Scotch, Irish Whisley, Bourbon and much more.

Tanino doesn’t miss in the food department either. The Burrata caprese salad ($13.50), was an excellent mixture of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, basil and olive oil — one of my top 10 favorite dishes, and they didn’t disappoint.

I’d also recommend the lombatina di vitello ($36), a 16-ounce veal chop with raosted potatoes and sauteed spinach.

There are also more than an dozen pasta dishes including four-cheese gnocchi ($17) and three kinds of risotto.

I was impressed with the old country feel of the restaurant, it’s knowledgeable and attentive staff and most of all its deep variety of fresh food.

I sat at the bar and made chit-chat with a new, veal-ordering friend and the bartender, both also from Boston. I came away from Tanino with a great experience that will bear repeating on future trips westward.

LOS ANGELES — La Bella Cucina, conveniently located near the convention center, is an inexpensive Italian option when you’re craving carbs after a long day at E3.

The casual restaurant and bar features a diverse menu of appetizers, soups/salads, pasta, pizza and seafood. But several of the offerings are marred by either over or under flavoring.

The Pizza Bianco ($5.95) is their take on garlic bread. It’s a personal-sized pizza crust topped with what appears to be jarred, minced garlic. Fresh garlic would be a much better option, as the scoops of jarred garlic tend to overpower.

I was hoping to try their gnocchi ($11.95), but they were out when we went, at 6 p.m. Monday.

The farfalle botega ($9.95) was my final answer — bow tie pasta in cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, chicken and fresh spinach. Somehow, this dish was bland. I don’t know how you can make a tomato, spinach, chicken, cream sauce dish bland, but I was unscrewing the cap off the pepper to add some flavor.

The rigatoni quatro formaggi ($8.95) was also a bit bland and off tasting. Would not order again.

The restaurant offers dozens more pasta options ($7.95-$13.95), 14 specialty pizzas ($7.95-$14.95) and even a seabass with capers dish (market price).

La Bella Cucina has excellent, attentive service, a good variety of food and drink, and a very casual atmosphere in a neighborhood that can easily break the bank.

The food isn’t that great, let’s be honest. But it was filling and fairly fresh and wicked cheap. If you’re hankering for Italian, you could do worse.