Alameda

“Few outsiders are even aware that this little spot on the island of Alameda exists, and its name isn’t do it any favors, either. But Chef’s Wok has the Bay Area’s best Portuguese-style custard tarts in puff pastry, duck chins in Maggi sauce, honeycomb taro-wrapped pork, sesame rollups, herbal guiling jelly, and red bean tapioca balls. It’s a hidden treasure with excellent roast and braised pork and poultry, good service, and reasonable prices. Other than the lovely and huge hand-painted wallpaper of an idyllic Chinese landscape, the décor is barebones and a little tatty. But no one is coming here for anything but the food.” —Carolyn Phillips