Check please

As a tribute to the "foodie" lifestyle of my soon-to-be former home, I present a recap of some of what I consider to be the best of, as well as a few goodies I never mentioned.

· Best seafood restaurant that's hardly open: God knows there's a wealth of quality seafood restaurants which populate the area in and around Half Moon Bay. One of those is a tiny grill called Ship to Shore, located at the end of the line of restaurants and markets in the Pillar Point Harbor parking lot. Attached to a fresh fish market of the same name, Ship to Shore is run at odd early evening hours during just a few days of the week. The grill master behind this spot is one man who whips up the most amazing catch of the day on his open flame. He uses a teriyaki base to constantly moisten the seafood and accompanying fresh veggies as they grill. Don't ask for fried fish here - you'll just get back a blank stare.

· Best (and only) microbrewery in the county: I first visited the Devil's Canyon Brewing Company in late February, and it hits my final column because I just can't get their handcrafted brews off my mind. Though I haven't found the time to make it back for a last Friday of the month open house, their warehouse location at 111 Industrial Road, #7 in Belmont is on my last call list before I hit the road. While interviewing majority owner Chris Garrett, I enjoyed the Thomas Morgan Amber Ale for "research purposes." I found that the rich amber flavor continues to haunt me.

· Best North Beach cafe outside of North Beach: Ahh North Beach - your cafes have nothing on little Il Piccolo on Burlingame's Broadway. This hip Italian coffee shop, the brainchild of David Armanino, is a locals' hangout which found me lingering on more then one occasion writing Food Finds with a cappuccino. Coffee empire Starbucks opened directly across the street, but that seems to have little effect on business. When I return, my first time as a tourist, I will make sure to swing by to say "Buon giorno" and grab a coveted patio seat.

· Best meat (and turkey) burgers around: Downtown San Mateo has changed somewhat since Century Theatre opened. One thing I noticed: It takes longer to get a burger from my favorite burger haunt. Jeffrey's Hamburgers, located at the intersection of First Avenue and B Street, is packed come Friday night. Not that I'm complaining - I have no qualms about hanging in line and fighting for a seat to get one of their fresh turkey cheeseburgers, a basket of fries to share with my wife and a luscious vanilla shake. The patio seating I've found to be nice when available, but the counter works great as well since I can watch the staff move through burger after burger with amazing efficiency.

· Best bakery case viewing experience: I, as evidenced by my waistline, have a sweet tooth. One way I've found to satisfy that is through an occasional jaunt to Copenhagen's on Burlingame Avenue. This local Danish bakery institution has one of the most amazing display cases around. When I covered them as part of a story I did on local holiday baked goodies in December, gingerbread men, honey dough cookies and butter cookies made me drool. Standing next to me with much the same look was a small child who couldn't decide what he wanted. That fits me every time I walk in there.

· Best cannolis made by a true Sicilian couple: On the subject of decadent sweets, no final food column of mine could be written without a tip of the hat to Romolo's. Situated at 81 37th Ave. along a shopping street that time forgot, this small ice cream shop puts out the most amazing cannolis this side of Sicily. Run by the Cappellos, I've spent many an afternoon after writing a story swinging by to watch Angela hand-prepare me a fresh ricotta cheese cannoli as her husband Romolo sits and talks in Italian to his old time Sicilian buddies. Being of Sicilian descent myself, it doesn't get much better than that.

· Best coastal spot for a culinary afternoon: Pescadero to me is the hands-down winner in this department. My wife and I, sometimes joined by friends, have visited on several weekend afternoons, hitting up favorite culinary hotspots in this rustic village off Highway 1. There are two ways for foodies to enjoy their time here. One involves diving into the century old flair and charm, not to mention awesome food, of Duarte's Tavern, which I covered last month. If you want to picnic instead, stop first at Arcangeli Grocery on Stage Road. They have the most amazing, fresh, piping hot garlic herb French and artichoke garlic herb breads you will ever taste. Get one of the breads and some fresh local produce. Next, if during the weekends between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., swing down North Street until you see the goat herds and gift shop of Harley Farms. Tell Dee hello as you buy one of her farm's amazing goat cheese tortes - my favorites are the Monet and Cranberry Walnut (they are also sold at Arcangeli's, but it doesn't get better then buying from the source). Take your treasures to one of the many beautiful state beaches back along the highway, secure a picnic table with a view if you can and enjoy.

That's about it folks. Thanks for reading about my food adventures along the streets and back roads of San Mateo County. Thanks to my editor Jon Mays for story ideas and lots of good editing. Thanks to my barber Lash for story ideas and lots of good haircuts. Thanks to the crew (you know who you are) for teasing me about being "Mr. Food Finds." And, most importantly, thank you to my lovely wife and muse Patricia for more ways of support than I can put here. I look forward to our adventures together in our new home in Portland, Ore. I hear there's a great little cafe there that ...