141 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 763-0161
Parking: street parking Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays 7am to 3pm, Fridays 7am to 9pm, Sundays 9am to 3pm, Closed Mondays
http://www.dellafattoria.com/
Last Visited: May 12, 2007
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 1 star
Price: $$ to $$$
Della Fattoria’s new bakery had been mentioned in the local newspaper several times, so I thought Mother’s Day would be the perfect day to take mom to try some sandwiches made with wonderful bread and possibly enjoy a few scrumptious pastries.
Just outside Della Fattoria, there are a few tables by the window so you can enjoy the nice weather and watch the people going by.
Upon entering the building, a glass case is on the right featuring lots of delightful treats. Just above the counter are the menus, and apparently, you can order there and pay or you can order and then pay later. The procedure is unclear since the person in front of me had the latter experience while I had the former. This lack of process and procedure seemed to be an underlying theme of our visit. After ordering, you seat yourself. I don’t know why, but some tables received bread, while ours did not. I thought perhaps they had ordered it, but it didn’t appear that way since the table next to me had not ordered any bread. I was disappointed by this first lack of an equal experience. We sat at the table closest to the glass case. Unfortunately, one of the members of the waitstaff continually bumped into her chair without apology.
I was expecting a treat – if not for service, at least for the food. Unfortunately, my Della Fattoria left me disappointed, not so much with the food, but with the entire experience.
- Provencal Picnic Plate – The provencal plate is comprised of marinated Skyhill fresh chevre, Fra’Mani Nostrano salame, Barnier olives, and a large field greens salad and baguette. Perhaps this was not the best choice to try the bread, but I thought from the description that I would get at least half a baguette or thereabouts. However, it turned out that there were only three slices of baguette. Although the plate was full of tender leafy greens that were fresh and delicious, I found the quantity of bread a bit disappointing. The olives were wonderful – especially the green olives which had a delicious texture about them – with slight crunch. The cured black olives were okay. However, more bread could have made this plate fabulous. The quality of ingredients was nice, but just not enough bread. $13.50
- Fattoria Sandwich: Spring Lamb – This sandwich was listed on the blackboard outside, so it seemed to be the best choice for the day. Grilled Sonoma Direct leg of lamb is braised with Dijonnaise, shredded, and served with a mix of grilled baby artichokes, sweet peppers, onions, and fennel. The contents are served on toasted Meyer lemon-rosemary bread. A small green salad made of mixed greens is dressed with a citronette. The bread is cut thick and the contents are chopped small. The bread was toasted very lightly, and I prefer my bread to be toasted more if it is toasted. The sandwich halves were difficult to pick up without all of the contents dropping through, especially as one is taking a bite. Although the flavor was nice, and the salad greens were extremely tender, I found the whole dish to be just okay. $14.50
- Almond Financier – This sweet cornmeal cake is shaped into a small rectangle and has an almond slice or two placed in the center. It’s baked in its own mold, and dusted with powdered sugar. It’s a scrumptious dessert or snack – both light and not too sweet. I only wished it were bigger. $3
Primarily, my disappointment stemmed from service. We noticed that the owner/manager or whoever she may be continually talked to the tables around us, particularly the one adjacent to us. They did not seem to have met before, and she was quite pleasant towards them. However, although she appeared to exchange a pleasantry or two with our table, it seemed to be less sincere, or perhaps just less detailed than that of the table next to ours. Somehow, the treatment of our table did not equal that of those around us, and for that, I felt discomfort. Likely, I would not return to Della Fattoria for the food. For the cost of the food in this type of atmosphere, well, you pay elegant prices for an experience that to me, wasn’t worthy of the cost. At most, I would drop in for bread.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Cricklewood - American, Santa Rosa
4618 Old Redwood Hwy, Santa Rosa CA 95403
(707) 527-7768
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.cricklewoodrestaurant.com
Last Visited: July 29, 2005
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$
Cricklewood’s sign says that it’s an ‘eating and drinking place.’ It’s been established at that spot for quite some time. The outside is dark brown wood. Inside is similar, with a large bar and dim lighting. Cricklewood also has a large patio in the back which is great for dining on a nice day. The patio has some sun protection while letting in the light, so it’s quite comfortable.
One nice thing about the entrees is that they are all accompanied by salad or soup, available during lunch and dinner. You can make one trip to the salad bar and fill your plate with either choice of soup or salad. It seems rare to find this available in restaurants nowadays. The salad bar isn’t huge, but offers enough variety with the basic fixings for a salad and offerings of premade pasta salad too. The freshness of vegetables ranges from slightly below average to average. It has a lot to do with preparation – lettuce being cut more than likely the night before or at minimum, hours before, causes some of it to dry out wilt or rust. It’s not severe, but you’re bound to find a few pieces in this state.
- Clubhouse sandwich – The bread for all the sandwiches were the same – some variety of multigrain. The bread was cut into thick slices, but I found it to be a bit dry. My sandwich was made with turkey (like that in a roll, not fresh turkey slices) and bacon, lettuce, and tomato. It was served with a pickle. Overall, I found it to be a bit dry and lacking in flavor.
- French Dip sandwich – Thinly sliced pieces of roast beef are layered in a soft French roll and served with au jus. This sandwich came with garnish and a very small slice of honeydew. Some at the table found the meat to be on the rare side, but mine was okay. The roll was slightly crusty on the outside, and soft on the inside. I was satisfied with this dish. After having this sandwich, I upgraded the food rating to 3 stars from the 2 to 3 range. Good. $7.50
This experience was in line with my past experiences at Cricklewood. It’s interesting to go for its atmosphere as it’s been around for a while, but it’s not a place that I choose to go to. For me, it’s more of a place that other people select, and I’ll go to be part of the group. Depending on what you’re looking for, you may find it to be your new hangout or just another place to go. That’s why the atmosphere is in the 3 to 4 star range.
Note that the staff was extremely good at attending to the drinks, and since our party was rather large, this in itself was quite a task. In past visits where larger parties (greater than fifteen or more), if you call ahead, the service is typically very good, although drinks may not get refilled. This alone brought service to a 4 star level. As always, try it for yourself and decide.
(707) 527-7768
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.cricklewoodrestaurant.com
Last Visited: July 29, 2005
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$
Cricklewood’s sign says that it’s an ‘eating and drinking place.’ It’s been established at that spot for quite some time. The outside is dark brown wood. Inside is similar, with a large bar and dim lighting. Cricklewood also has a large patio in the back which is great for dining on a nice day. The patio has some sun protection while letting in the light, so it’s quite comfortable.
One nice thing about the entrees is that they are all accompanied by salad or soup, available during lunch and dinner. You can make one trip to the salad bar and fill your plate with either choice of soup or salad. It seems rare to find this available in restaurants nowadays. The salad bar isn’t huge, but offers enough variety with the basic fixings for a salad and offerings of premade pasta salad too. The freshness of vegetables ranges from slightly below average to average. It has a lot to do with preparation – lettuce being cut more than likely the night before or at minimum, hours before, causes some of it to dry out wilt or rust. It’s not severe, but you’re bound to find a few pieces in this state.
- Clubhouse sandwich – The bread for all the sandwiches were the same – some variety of multigrain. The bread was cut into thick slices, but I found it to be a bit dry. My sandwich was made with turkey (like that in a roll, not fresh turkey slices) and bacon, lettuce, and tomato. It was served with a pickle. Overall, I found it to be a bit dry and lacking in flavor.
- French Dip sandwich – Thinly sliced pieces of roast beef are layered in a soft French roll and served with au jus. This sandwich came with garnish and a very small slice of honeydew. Some at the table found the meat to be on the rare side, but mine was okay. The roll was slightly crusty on the outside, and soft on the inside. I was satisfied with this dish. After having this sandwich, I upgraded the food rating to 3 stars from the 2 to 3 range. Good. $7.50
This experience was in line with my past experiences at Cricklewood. It’s interesting to go for its atmosphere as it’s been around for a while, but it’s not a place that I choose to go to. For me, it’s more of a place that other people select, and I’ll go to be part of the group. Depending on what you’re looking for, you may find it to be your new hangout or just another place to go. That’s why the atmosphere is in the 3 to 4 star range.
Note that the staff was extremely good at attending to the drinks, and since our party was rather large, this in itself was quite a task. In past visits where larger parties (greater than fifteen or more), if you call ahead, the service is typically very good, although drinks may not get refilled. This alone brought service to a 4 star level. As always, try it for yourself and decide.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong
Last Visited: 2008 Cheung Chau is an island southwest of Hong Kong and accessible by ferry from the Central District. It looks a bit like a dumbbell in its shape and has acquired the nickname 'dumbbell island.' The photo here shows only a portion of the island, specifically, the area where this restaurant was found.
Visiting these islands off the coast of Hong Kong is always fun.
Every time I go back, I try to go to an island that I haven't visited before. The islands typically feature a more rural lifestyle, a slower pace, and exceptional seafood - both fresh and dried. Many local Hong Kong residents come for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of busy life in Central.Youths visit to get a taste for what camping, hiking, and beach life are like. I remember telling my cousins that one of my chores was to prune the tree in our backyard, and my cousin was shocked that we had our own tree. Here, trees are abundant, and so is sand - and with that, comes 
tourists. The shoreline is often lined with restaurants featuring open seafood tanks. These pictures show clams and fish drying on baskets. The shrimp paste in fried rice here is delicious. 
Unlike the salty dishes you might find in a restaurant at home or in a bottle back in the states, this is so full flavored without tasting fishy. While most of the restaurants don’t have an English name listed outside, you can look for the building based on the photo. You pretty much can’t go wrong – the island is so small that any place with a bad reputation probably won’t last very long, so more than likely, the only thing to take into consideration is the price of seafood – since it’s so incredibly fresh, and usually quite large in size, it may be somewhat more expensive than what you would find in Hong Kong itself.
tourists. The shoreline is often lined with restaurants featuring open seafood tanks. These pictures show clams and fish drying on baskets. The shrimp paste in fried rice here is delicious. 
Unlike the salty dishes you might find in a restaurant at home or in a bottle back in the states, this is so full flavored without tasting fishy. While most of the restaurants don’t have an English name listed outside, you can look for the building based on the photo. You pretty much can’t go wrong – the island is so small that any place with a bad reputation probably won’t last very long, so more than likely, the only thing to take into consideration is the price of seafood – since it’s so incredibly fresh, and usually quite large in size, it may be somewhat more expensive than what you would find in Hong Kong itself. We tried several dishes for our lunch visit. It was a pretty substantial meal for five people. The sizes are not enormous, but we were also saving room for dessert.
- Fried Rice with Shrimp Paste – This dish is absolutely delicious. It might sound odd, and if you were to try to make it at home with the shrimp paste that you find in the United States, you’ll probably say it’s much too salty. However, on the islands, this dish is fabulous – so full flavored, tasting of shrimp, and yet, you don’t see the shrimp at all. I would liken it to an Asian version of dirty rice, where it’s the shrimp paste that gives the dirty appearance and the flavor. Go to any of the nearby islands in Hong Kong and order this. You’ll be pleased. 
- Fresh Shrimp Boiled in its shell – Super fresh, you don’t do much with the shrimp except boil it and serve with a sweetened soy sauce that contains jalapeno and pepper slices. And yes, the head stays on the body during the cooking process to preserve the juices. Yummy! Plus, some people like to suck on the shrimp brains. - Salted Chicken with Ginger and Green Onion dipping sauce – This is a fairly standard dish no matter where you are. I thought it was good, but nothing special.
- Steamed Scallops in the shell with Garlic – This is another one of my favorites! Chopped garlic (usually the type you find in a jar) is spooned on top of fresh scallops and steamed with some glass noodles. The glass noodles absorb the moisture and sauce from the scallops during the steaming process. The scallop shell acts as a natural holder for all of the juices. While you may not be kissing anyone after eating this, it’s fantastic!
When visiting the island of Cheung Chau, you’ll appreciate seeing the contrast of life in Hong Kong from ages past right next to modern technology (cell phones, televisions, laptops). However, the food and the fresh air are great things to be enjoyed here. Be sure to try some delicious shrimp paste fried rice and steamed seafood. Also, enjoy some of the scenery. A lot of people enjoy a swim or go for a bike ride along the waterfront. It's a great place for a relaxing holiday. Lastly, look for the little shops that sell sweet tofu and black sesame dessert. They're a nice treat to balance out your savory meal.Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Chunky's Taqueria and Grill - Petaluma
701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, CA 95954
(707) 775-3325
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Last Visited: April 9, 2005
Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 stars
Service: 2 stars
Price: $ to $$
Chunky’s, located in the same shopping center as G&G Market, was recommended to me by cywang. Enter Chunky’s and find that it’s bright from natural lighting coming in through the windows. The establishment contains about ten tables. The menu contains combination plates, tortas, tacos, burritos, and a grill menu. So if you don’t like Mexican food, you can also opt for burgers and fries.
There are two refrigerators with bottled drinks, and two stands, one for silverware and water, and the other for chips and salsa. Both of the stands are self serve. The chips are in a big tub under two heat lamps. The salsa – pico de gallo, green chile salsa, and red salsa are in a stainless steel counter.
The environment wasn’t very impressive when we walked in because the tables had not been bussed. Almost every vacated table contained dirty dishes, chip baskets and the like. While we were ordering, most of these tables were cleared, but there were still remnants of salsa and crumbs. This dropped the otherwise friendly service from three to two stars. An additional reason for the two star rating on service was that I had ordered a drink, but they forgot to bring it.
The chips and salsa were also not particularly good. The salsa lacked flavor, and although you can get as much as you like, this pico de gallo didn’t leave me wanting for more. The chips were also fair. I’m not sure what the chips that come with the nachos are like, but if they’re anything like these, I would rather pass. The other food items that were ordered were much better.
- Shrimp Burrito (regular) – The shrimp burrito at Chunky’s is filled with the makings of a fajita dish. The hot burrito is wrapped in foil, whether ordered to go or for dine in. It’s steaming with about ten whole shrimp, choice of beans, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, onions, salsa, and rice. The burrito is made with a soft flour tortilla, and I selected refried beans and mild salsa. This was a great combination. The rice is moist and the shrimp is fresh. The flavor combination is terrific. I was pleasantly surprised by the quantity of shrimp that they generously give. A great burrito to try out. $6.95
- Taco (regular) – The regular taco comes with two flour tortillas, choice of meat, shredded lettuce, and choice of salsa. I selected carnitas and spicy salsa. The quantity of meat was quite surprising. Instead of the usual small spoonful, I found a mound of meat on top of the tortillas. The meat was topped with the lettuce and salsa, and served with an eighth of a lime. The carnitas was moist and tender and the quantity was impressive. There was enough meat that it couldn’t be held together by the tortillas. At this price, it was a great bargain. $2.25
- Agua Fresca – Today’s flavors were strawberry and horchata. What I found most interesting was that the sign said that you can get free refills. Rarely do you see agua frescas offered with free refills; in fact, I would say I haven’t seen it until now. I had a strawberry agua fresca, and it wasn’t the best that I’ve had, but since strawberries aren’t quite in season anyway, it’s alright. Small $1.60, Regular $2
Chunky’s lives up to its name. If it weren’t for the chips and salsa, they would have gotten a solid three star food rating. They offer a large quantity at a very reasonable price – great value. The quality is not the best I’ve tried, but it certainly ranks as pretty good for Sonoma County. The shrimp burrito is great. Check it out some time.
(707) 775-3325
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Last Visited: April 9, 2005
Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 stars
Service: 2 stars
Price: $ to $$
Chunky’s, located in the same shopping center as G&G Market, was recommended to me by cywang. Enter Chunky’s and find that it’s bright from natural lighting coming in through the windows. The establishment contains about ten tables. The menu contains combination plates, tortas, tacos, burritos, and a grill menu. So if you don’t like Mexican food, you can also opt for burgers and fries.
There are two refrigerators with bottled drinks, and two stands, one for silverware and water, and the other for chips and salsa. Both of the stands are self serve. The chips are in a big tub under two heat lamps. The salsa – pico de gallo, green chile salsa, and red salsa are in a stainless steel counter.
The environment wasn’t very impressive when we walked in because the tables had not been bussed. Almost every vacated table contained dirty dishes, chip baskets and the like. While we were ordering, most of these tables were cleared, but there were still remnants of salsa and crumbs. This dropped the otherwise friendly service from three to two stars. An additional reason for the two star rating on service was that I had ordered a drink, but they forgot to bring it.
The chips and salsa were also not particularly good. The salsa lacked flavor, and although you can get as much as you like, this pico de gallo didn’t leave me wanting for more. The chips were also fair. I’m not sure what the chips that come with the nachos are like, but if they’re anything like these, I would rather pass. The other food items that were ordered were much better.
- Shrimp Burrito (regular) – The shrimp burrito at Chunky’s is filled with the makings of a fajita dish. The hot burrito is wrapped in foil, whether ordered to go or for dine in. It’s steaming with about ten whole shrimp, choice of beans, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, onions, salsa, and rice. The burrito is made with a soft flour tortilla, and I selected refried beans and mild salsa. This was a great combination. The rice is moist and the shrimp is fresh. The flavor combination is terrific. I was pleasantly surprised by the quantity of shrimp that they generously give. A great burrito to try out. $6.95
- Taco (regular) – The regular taco comes with two flour tortillas, choice of meat, shredded lettuce, and choice of salsa. I selected carnitas and spicy salsa. The quantity of meat was quite surprising. Instead of the usual small spoonful, I found a mound of meat on top of the tortillas. The meat was topped with the lettuce and salsa, and served with an eighth of a lime. The carnitas was moist and tender and the quantity was impressive. There was enough meat that it couldn’t be held together by the tortillas. At this price, it was a great bargain. $2.25
- Agua Fresca – Today’s flavors were strawberry and horchata. What I found most interesting was that the sign said that you can get free refills. Rarely do you see agua frescas offered with free refills; in fact, I would say I haven’t seen it until now. I had a strawberry agua fresca, and it wasn’t the best that I’ve had, but since strawberries aren’t quite in season anyway, it’s alright. Small $1.60, Regular $2
Chunky’s lives up to its name. If it weren’t for the chips and salsa, they would have gotten a solid three star food rating. They offer a large quantity at a very reasonable price – great value. The quality is not the best I’ve tried, but it certainly ranks as pretty good for Sonoma County. The shrimp burrito is great. Check it out some time.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Bocadillos - Tapas, San Francisco
710 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111-2104
(415) 982-2622
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Wed 7am-10pm, Thurs-Fri 7am-10:30pm, Sat 5pm-10:30pm; No Reservations
http://www.bocasf.com/
Last Visited: June 13, 2009
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$$$
My buddy Chi and I had just wandered around a festival at North Beach and enjoyed a break at the Holiday Inn next to Chinatown. The concierge gave us a list of restaurants nearby that we might try and after finding a few of our first choices booked until 9pm, we opted instead to walk to Bocadillos. We didn't know much about it except that it served tapas and was within walking distance, so off we went.
We were early for dinner this evening, but we were seated at a high table with stools. This was a little uncomfortable because there wasn’t any place to put our stuff - and since the stools didn't have seatbacks, we weren't completely comfortable, but it was okay. It would have been nice to have an extra stool or a hook to hold our purses. I don’t know what they do in winter to manager coats and jackets.
Service this evening was okay. Nothing particularly impressive or memorable. The food was good, but the portions were pretty small, and at that price, we expected to eat a little more. Most of the photos are half eaten, but you'll still get a sense of the dishes that were served. Tonight was spent enjoying the company of a good friend more than enjoying the food, although we were amused by what we got.
- Ahi Tuna with avocado wasabi sauce – Three cubes of tender and fresh cooked ahi were served with a dab of avocado wasabi sauce. If you’ve had ahi poke, you already know what this was like. The center was still a gorgeous red. A touch of chili spice was sprinkled on the plate and a piece of parsley garnished the wasabi sauce. While good, we would have liked another piece. It felt like less than what you get ordering a good nigiri sushi or sashimi. $13
- Roasted beets, ras al hanout, harissa vinaigrette – When we ordered this, we weren’t thinking about ras al hanout. And quite frankly, when we ate it, we weren’t thinking about it either. Chi loves beets. So a beet salad sounded really yummy. Ras al hanout is a blend of spices used in North Africa. While there isn’t an exact blend, there are three types and the spices usually found are include cumin, nutmeg, cardamom, crushed chili peppers, coriander, clove, peppercorn, cinnamon, and turmeric. What we tasted here was mostly chili pepper. I am not accustomed to this blend, and I would have preferred some comment from the waiter mentioning that it is spiced. It seemed like the spice blend really took away from the sweetness of the beets. Our main disappointment with this dish was the size. Although it’s hard to get a sense of the scale of the photo, the plate was not much larger than the size of a tea saucer, and there really wasn’t that much in the way of beets present. The apple slices below and the few slivers of onion were nice accents, but I’m not one for chive garnishes and frisee pieces if it means that there isn’t much of the main item present. Perhaps cubes rather than slices also make it seem like less. $8
- Fried green beans in panko bread crumbs – This was a really nice dish – the panko was evenly coated and when deep fried, the coating had turned a beautiful golden brown. Still crunchy, these were good, but with only four green beans, one wonders why they give you so much sauce. Green beans aren’t pricy. We’re not talking about seafood here. Double the amount would have been more appropriate. $8
- Lamb burger, aioli, tomato - Of all the dishes we ordered, this was probably the best bargain. A mini burger made with lamb is served with a small side salad of fresh greens. While the salad is fairly standard, the burger had a nice flavor and the skewer holding it together gave it extra flare. The tomato was fresh and the flavor combinations were good. If we had known the portions of the other dishes, we could have been full just eating a couple of these each. $6
(415) 982-2622
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Wed 7am-10pm, Thurs-Fri 7am-10:30pm, Sat 5pm-10:30pm; No Reservations
http://www.bocasf.com/
Last Visited: June 13, 2009
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$$$
My buddy Chi and I had just wandered around a festival at North Beach and enjoyed a break at the Holiday Inn next to Chinatown. The concierge gave us a list of restaurants nearby that we might try and after finding a few of our first choices booked until 9pm, we opted instead to walk to Bocadillos. We didn't know much about it except that it served tapas and was within walking distance, so off we went.
We were early for dinner this evening, but we were seated at a high table with stools. This was a little uncomfortable because there wasn’t any place to put our stuff - and since the stools didn't have seatbacks, we weren't completely comfortable, but it was okay. It would have been nice to have an extra stool or a hook to hold our purses. I don’t know what they do in winter to manager coats and jackets.
Service this evening was okay. Nothing particularly impressive or memorable. The food was good, but the portions were pretty small, and at that price, we expected to eat a little more. Most of the photos are half eaten, but you'll still get a sense of the dishes that were served. Tonight was spent enjoying the company of a good friend more than enjoying the food, although we were amused by what we got.
- Ahi Tuna with avocado wasabi sauce – Three cubes of tender and fresh cooked ahi were served with a dab of avocado wasabi sauce. If you’ve had ahi poke, you already know what this was like. The center was still a gorgeous red. A touch of chili spice was sprinkled on the plate and a piece of parsley garnished the wasabi sauce. While good, we would have liked another piece. It felt like less than what you get ordering a good nigiri sushi or sashimi. $13 - Roasted beets, ras al hanout, harissa vinaigrette – When we ordered this, we weren’t thinking about ras al hanout. And quite frankly, when we ate it, we weren’t thinking about it either. Chi loves beets. So a beet salad sounded really yummy. Ras al hanout is a blend of spices used in North Africa. While there isn’t an exact blend, there are three types and the spices usually found are include cumin, nutmeg, cardamom, crushed chili peppers, coriander, clove, peppercorn, cinnamon, and turmeric. What we tasted here was mostly chili pepper. I am not accustomed to this blend, and I would have preferred some comment from the waiter mentioning that it is spiced. It seemed like the spice blend really took away from the sweetness of the beets. Our main disappointment with this dish was the size. Although it’s hard to get a sense of the scale of the photo, the plate was not much larger than the size of a tea saucer, and there really wasn’t that much in the way of beets present. The apple slices below and the few slivers of onion were nice accents, but I’m not one for chive garnishes and frisee pieces if it means that there isn’t much of the main item present. Perhaps cubes rather than slices also make it seem like less. $8 
- Fried green beans in panko bread crumbs – This was a really nice dish – the panko was evenly coated and when deep fried, the coating had turned a beautiful golden brown. Still crunchy, these were good, but with only four green beans, one wonders why they give you so much sauce. Green beans aren’t pricy. We’re not talking about seafood here. Double the amount would have been more appropriate. $8 - Lamb burger, aioli, tomato - Of all the dishes we ordered, this was probably the best bargain. A mini burger made with lamb is served with a small side salad of fresh greens. While the salad is fairly standard, the burger had a nice flavor and the skewer holding it together gave it extra flare. The tomato was fresh and the flavor combinations were good. If we had known the portions of the other dishes, we could have been full just eating a couple of these each. $6
- Niman ranch flatiron steak, chimichurri, black pepper – This sounds so good. The meat was okay – the temperature was not hot enough to soak up the chimichurri flavors although the meat was well rested. The chimicurri itself was just okay – although it had a lot of fresh herbs and onions, it seemed a bit too dry – I expect to see oil in a chimichurri, but the contents should emulsified and well-mixed. This was more of a chunky salsa verde than a chimichurri, at least in my opinion. Good, but maybe better on a sandwich with some aioli or dressing. $13
Monday, March 21, 2011
China Room - Santa Rosa
500 Mission Blvd #E, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
(707) 539-5570
Parking: in parking lot
Last Visited: August 15, 2005
Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
There is a small entranceway that immediately shows the dining room. The ceiling has molding that is highlighted by some teal trim. The creamy color of the wall pairs well with the teal and natural wood molding. All of the plates are from a matching set featuring blue and pink flowers on a white background. The large windows in front bring in natural light.
The lunch specials are a bargain. The lunch special menu is divided by pork, chicken, beef, vegetable, and seafood. Included with each meal is a choice of hot and sour soup or wonton soup, one egg roll, and choice of steamed white rice, fried rice, or chow mein.
For this meal, I dined with a large group of people and was pleasantly surprised at their speed and attentiveness.
- Orange Sesame Beef – With this lunch special, I selected hot and sour soup and chow mein. The hot and sour soup was hot in temperature, but too strong with sesame oil flavoring to be close to authentic hot and sour soup. Not bad for Sonoma County, but not authentic. The egg roll was served on a plate with sweet and sour sauce and a small amount of hot mustard. It was nice to have the egg roll served on its own plate, but it certainly made for a large number of dishes on the table. The egg roll was crispy on the outside and there was an average amount of filling on the inside. The egg roll was average to above average and would get a higher rating if it had more filling inside. The orange sesame beef was served with the chow mein. The beef is first lightly battered and deep fried. Then it is cooked in a dark sauce made with some onion and orange rind. This concoction is then topped with sesame. The flavor was light with orange, but what was surprising was the level of spiciness. The menu had a pepper next to the dish, indicating that it would be spicy, but I didn’t find it spicy at all. Overall, the flavor of the orange sesame beef was fine, but I would have liked it better had it not been battered and fried. The chow mein was served plain with only a light soy sauce flavoring. The noodles were soft and not overcooked. For the quantity of food, the price was extremely reasonable. $6.95
- Kung Pao Chicken – Free range chicken is cooked in a spicy sauce and served with the choices listed above. The portion was again large, but I didn’t find it to be particularly impressive. The flavor was okay, but I believe they use MSG since I was quite thirsty afterwards. Okay for Sonoma County. $8
Fortune cookies are served after the meal. During my second visit, we also received cut oranges. My overall impression of China Room was okay. It’s not bad for Sonoma County Chinese food, but certainly not up to par with San Francisco Chinese food. The service was attentive throughout the meal. The staff came to fill water glasses and remove dishes frequently.
After talking with another member of the dining party, I found his experience to be quite different despite us dining at the table at the same time. In his teacup, he found a piece of corn, and as his water glass was being filled, he noticed that the staff touched the top portion of the cup which he found to be inappropriate. The dish he selected was not made authentically either. Fortunately, during my second visit, the dishware seemed to be cleaner.
Based on my own experience and the comments above about cleanliness, the three stars for food became two to three stars. The service which was originally three to four stars dropped to three stars despite the very quick arrival of food. Quick food arrival remains a consistent feature of China Room.
China Room still offers a great bargain, but check your dishes and teacups before using them and you may want to watch your water being filled to see where your cup is being held.
(707) 539-5570
Parking: in parking lot
Last Visited: August 15, 2005
Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
There is a small entranceway that immediately shows the dining room. The ceiling has molding that is highlighted by some teal trim. The creamy color of the wall pairs well with the teal and natural wood molding. All of the plates are from a matching set featuring blue and pink flowers on a white background. The large windows in front bring in natural light.
The lunch specials are a bargain. The lunch special menu is divided by pork, chicken, beef, vegetable, and seafood. Included with each meal is a choice of hot and sour soup or wonton soup, one egg roll, and choice of steamed white rice, fried rice, or chow mein.
For this meal, I dined with a large group of people and was pleasantly surprised at their speed and attentiveness.
- Orange Sesame Beef – With this lunch special, I selected hot and sour soup and chow mein. The hot and sour soup was hot in temperature, but too strong with sesame oil flavoring to be close to authentic hot and sour soup. Not bad for Sonoma County, but not authentic. The egg roll was served on a plate with sweet and sour sauce and a small amount of hot mustard. It was nice to have the egg roll served on its own plate, but it certainly made for a large number of dishes on the table. The egg roll was crispy on the outside and there was an average amount of filling on the inside. The egg roll was average to above average and would get a higher rating if it had more filling inside. The orange sesame beef was served with the chow mein. The beef is first lightly battered and deep fried. Then it is cooked in a dark sauce made with some onion and orange rind. This concoction is then topped with sesame. The flavor was light with orange, but what was surprising was the level of spiciness. The menu had a pepper next to the dish, indicating that it would be spicy, but I didn’t find it spicy at all. Overall, the flavor of the orange sesame beef was fine, but I would have liked it better had it not been battered and fried. The chow mein was served plain with only a light soy sauce flavoring. The noodles were soft and not overcooked. For the quantity of food, the price was extremely reasonable. $6.95
- Kung Pao Chicken – Free range chicken is cooked in a spicy sauce and served with the choices listed above. The portion was again large, but I didn’t find it to be particularly impressive. The flavor was okay, but I believe they use MSG since I was quite thirsty afterwards. Okay for Sonoma County. $8
Fortune cookies are served after the meal. During my second visit, we also received cut oranges. My overall impression of China Room was okay. It’s not bad for Sonoma County Chinese food, but certainly not up to par with San Francisco Chinese food. The service was attentive throughout the meal. The staff came to fill water glasses and remove dishes frequently.
After talking with another member of the dining party, I found his experience to be quite different despite us dining at the table at the same time. In his teacup, he found a piece of corn, and as his water glass was being filled, he noticed that the staff touched the top portion of the cup which he found to be inappropriate. The dish he selected was not made authentically either. Fortunately, during my second visit, the dishware seemed to be cleaner.
Based on my own experience and the comments above about cleanliness, the three stars for food became two to three stars. The service which was originally three to four stars dropped to three stars despite the very quick arrival of food. Quick food arrival remains a consistent feature of China Room.
China Room still offers a great bargain, but check your dishes and teacups before using them and you may want to watch your water being filled to see where your cup is being held.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Thai Taste - Santa Rosa
170 Farmer Lane #8, Santa Rosa CA 95405 (707) 526-3888
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: Mon through Fri 11am to 3pm, 4:30 to 9pm, Sat 4 to 9pm, Closed Sundays
Last Visited: March 19, 2010
Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Thai Taste was a small, but quaint establishment located inside a small shopping center. In 2009, the restaurant expanded into the adjacent store and has become much more spacious and elegant. While the original restaurant (now the main entry) had textured walls that are sponged a light yellow and ivory, and there is a lot of darker wood around the room, the new expanded area looks modern with light boxes displaying unique Thai art and figures, maple dividers to lighten up the room, while the tables are still made with a dark wood and are covered by maroon tablecloths.
Some of the better known dishes (which were also ones I have tried before) include their fresh roll, pumpkin curry, and papaya salad. Although I have been here multiple times, it has certainly been a while since my last visit. During my most recent lunch here (a visit made in November of 2004), a number of specials were offered and served with rice and choice of soup or salad.
- Salad – This salad accompanied the lunch special. A small portion that included a mix of iceberg and romaine lettuce is topped with a peanut dressing. The salad didn’t contain much variety, but the dressing was creamy and light. The salad would have been better topped with some shredded carrots to add color to the dish.
- Pumpkin Curry – Red curry paste is cooked with coconut milk, diced pumpkin, carrot slices, bell pepper slices, peas, bamboo shoots, zucchini, and Thai basil. For the lunch special, this is served with a scoop of rice. The curry is slightly sweet and very mild. The sauce as a whole is creamy and great over rice. The pumpkin is soft and melts in your mouth. Excellent. $7.95 for the lunch special in 2004. Price is dependent on veggie or meat variations for dinner. With beef, chicken, or pork, this dish during dinner is $9.25.
- Thai Iced Tea – Thai Iced Tea is a red/orange colored tea served with ice and evaporated milk giving the tea a sweet taste. Good. $1.95
During lunch in 2004, there were many patrons, and only one server to accommodate all of the tables. This dropped their three star service down to two stars. Although I had ordered my Thai Iced Tea at the beginning of the meal, I didn’t receive it until I had completely finished my meal and my dish was taken away. This was completely disappointing. With only one server for the entire room, it’s understandable that the drink order would be delayed, but being delayed to the end of the meal left a bad impression. Thai Taste serves good food, but try to get there early for lunch to avoid the crowd.
During my March 2010 visit, we were celebrating a friend’s birthday dinner. We were pleasantly surprised by the expansion and delighted by the attentive service. This brought their service back up to 3 to 4 stars. The menu has remained much the same as before, but with a number of new specials featured. Also, they have changed many of the plates and the presentation of each dish was quite lovely.
- Fish cake – To start the meal, we tried the fish cake which we were warned is a bit spicy. Indeed, it is. There is a little bit of chili oil coating each individual cake – there are five in all. A bright orange color, the cakes also contain some green and red – my guess is that they have chilis and green onion. Served with a green salad that has been tossed in a refreshing and light vinaigrette, this was a good dish - not the best fish cake I've had, but a good one. The salad also had purple cabbage, carrots, chopped cucumbers. Sprinkled with sesame, it was very lovely. $6.50
- Pad Thai with Pork – The pad thai noodles had just the right texture and the tamarind sauce, although sweet, was not too sweet. The crushed peanuts are plated on the side to serve as a garnish and also allow folks the option of choosing to combine them with the noodles or not. I really enjoyed the crunchiness from the carrots and bean sprouts, and again, red cabbage garnished the plate. This ranks as one of the best pad thai dishes I’ve had in Sonoma County and probably one of the best anywhere. $8.95
- Eggplants with Vegetables – Eggplant is cooked with tofu, red bell peppers, broccoli, and cabbage. Cooked in a nice sauce with a little bit of natto, the
flavors were distinct and delicious. The amount is a little smaller than what I would prefer, but still good. The plate shape was also unique and added to the presentation and made the colorful vegetable combination look even more lovely. $8.50 - Pineapple Fried Rice with Prawns and Chicken – Served on a light green dish textured like pineapple, this fried rice contained a lot of breast meat and two prawns. There was just the right amount of pineapple – not too little and not overwhelming, but it would have been nice to add another prawn or two. They make sure the prawns are featured prominently on top of the dish. $10
- Jasmine rice is served on a plate versus a bowl. This reminds me that I’m not in a Chine
se restaurant. The rice was pretty standard. In combination with the pumpkin curry (photo shown above), we had a wonderfully balanced and delicious meal. The staff checked on us often throughout the meal and readily refilled our water glasses. The staff also gave us appetizer plates to share the fish cake dish and then changed our plates for the main meal. I upgraded their Atmosphere rating from 3 to 4 stars to a solid 4 stars. Thai Taste is a great place for delicious Thai food. With their recent expansion, the room is much more elegant and would be great to have a dinner party or to take a date. I’m glad to see they are doing well and plan to make more return visits.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
China Dragon - Petaluma
127 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
(707) 763-6699
Parking: shopping center parking lot
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am to 9:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am to 10pm, Sun Noon to 9pm
Last Visited: October 29, 2006
Food: 2 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$
The food rating was once 3 to 4 stars and has since dropped down to two stars due to my recent visit. I really used to enjoy their food a lot. I have joked about China Dragon’s healing power to many of my friends. It’s a strange coincidence, but I have gone to China Dragon when I happened to be feeling sick. After every visit where I ate their buffet when sick, I have always gotten better very quickly. I joked that it was something to do with their hot and sour soup. I couldn’t explain it. Unfortunately, during my last visit, I got an enormous MSG headache. I called the establishment to tell them this when the headache came on, and they told me that next time, they wouldn’t use MSG. This is hard to believe considering that first, their menu says “NO MSG” on it. Why would there need to be a ‘next time?’ Second, how do you not do it next time when it was used on buffet items for which the patrons don’t specify that they don’t want MSG. For those that don’t know, MSG is short for monosodium glutamate. It’s a flavor enhancer. When used in small quantities, it can be very effective, but when used in large quantities, it tends to create dry mouth, thirst, and sometimes, headaches or stomach aches. I had a headache. I think MSG was used in the salad. You can often see it in spice mixes when it hasn’t fully dissolved.
- Lunch Buffet – The lunch buffet is a steal at this price. There have many customers which means a very fresh buffet. Some of my favorite items included the hot and sour soup, beef with broccoli, tofu with fresh vegetables, fried squid, salty/spicy shrimp, and on and on. The usual pot stickers and egg rolls are available too. They also offer seasonal fruit in abundance – orange wedges, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and the like. $7.30
Service is always good with servers clearing plates frequently and checking to see if you need anything. Tables are available without long waits and the servers are efficient getting everybody in and out in a quick, but not hurried fashion. Too bad that they don’t live up to their claims about not using MSG.
(707) 763-6699
Parking: shopping center parking lot
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am to 9:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am to 10pm, Sun Noon to 9pm
Last Visited: October 29, 2006
Food: 2 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$
The food rating was once 3 to 4 stars and has since dropped down to two stars due to my recent visit. I really used to enjoy their food a lot. I have joked about China Dragon’s healing power to many of my friends. It’s a strange coincidence, but I have gone to China Dragon when I happened to be feeling sick. After every visit where I ate their buffet when sick, I have always gotten better very quickly. I joked that it was something to do with their hot and sour soup. I couldn’t explain it. Unfortunately, during my last visit, I got an enormous MSG headache. I called the establishment to tell them this when the headache came on, and they told me that next time, they wouldn’t use MSG. This is hard to believe considering that first, their menu says “NO MSG” on it. Why would there need to be a ‘next time?’ Second, how do you not do it next time when it was used on buffet items for which the patrons don’t specify that they don’t want MSG. For those that don’t know, MSG is short for monosodium glutamate. It’s a flavor enhancer. When used in small quantities, it can be very effective, but when used in large quantities, it tends to create dry mouth, thirst, and sometimes, headaches or stomach aches. I had a headache. I think MSG was used in the salad. You can often see it in spice mixes when it hasn’t fully dissolved.
- Lunch Buffet – The lunch buffet is a steal at this price. There have many customers which means a very fresh buffet. Some of my favorite items included the hot and sour soup, beef with broccoli, tofu with fresh vegetables, fried squid, salty/spicy shrimp, and on and on. The usual pot stickers and egg rolls are available too. They also offer seasonal fruit in abundance – orange wedges, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and the like. $7.30
Service is always good with servers clearing plates frequently and checking to see if you need anything. Tables are available without long waits and the servers are efficient getting everybody in and out in a quick, but not hurried fashion. Too bad that they don’t live up to their claims about not using MSG.
Friday, March 18, 2011
California Grill - American,Novato
1531 S. Novato Blvd, Novato, CA 94947
(415) 893-1540
Parking: shopping center parking lot
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm
Last Visited: January 20, 2011
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
Owned and operated by the Steffen family, the California Grill is a nice local restaurant with an enclosed outdoor patio. Along with burgers and sandwiches, California Grill also serves an Asian chicken salad, Chinese chicken salad (lettuce and cabbage), iceberg wedge salad, hot turkey sandwich, chicken and rib combos, tri-tip steak, and a surf and turf combo. They also offer smaller portions for kids.
I've been to California Grill twice now. During hot weather, the enclosed patio area can become very warm and there isn't air-conditioning. Aside from that, it's a pleasant experience. It feels almost like you're at a friend's backyard barbecue in the patio area because of the plastic tables and chairs. The restroom is also accessed from the patio and there is a hand sink and water station outside too.
Upon entering the restaurant, you'll see the menus next to the entrance above the counter. The kitchen is open and you can hear the grilling and sizzling. After ordering and paying at the counter, you are given a buzzer that will go off when your order is ready. When the staff isn't busy, they'll bring the food to you.
- 1/3 lb Burger - A choice of ground chuck, turkey or a garden burger is offered. The patty is served on a toasted bun with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. You then have a choice of sides which I have listed below. I selected a ground chuck burger with french fries. The lighting in the photo is a little strange because of the plastic sheeting used to create the patio windows, but you can still see that the french fries are golden and they were crispy. In fact, I think the fries were even better than the juicy burger. Great! $7.95
- Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich - Tri-tip sliced thin is served with grilled onions, bell peppers and Mozzarella. All are served on a toasted roll and I selected sweet potato fries for the side dish. While the flavor of the sandwich was good, the bread was a little more thick than I would prefer. If I were to make this at home, I would have removed more of the inside of the bread and probably added mayonnaise so that it would be more moist. The sweet potato fries were okay, but I prefer their french fries. I would have liked a dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries since they're cut somewhat thin and therefore are more crispy and less meaty. Okay. $9.45
The choice of sides is pretty extensive. You can select from french fries, roasted red potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, garlic fries, potato salad, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob, coleslaw, side salad, baked beans, rice, fruit medley, and grilled veggies. I appreciated these options because you have a lot of options.
California Grill is a taste of good down home food that is reminiscent of your neighbor's barbecue. It's one of the places in my regular lunch rotation and I can count it to provide a good burger, fresh food, and decent portions.
(415) 893-1540
Parking: shopping center parking lot
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm
Last Visited: January 20, 2011
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
Owned and operated by the Steffen family, the California Grill is a nice local restaurant with an enclosed outdoor patio. Along with burgers and sandwiches, California Grill also serves an Asian chicken salad, Chinese chicken salad (lettuce and cabbage), iceberg wedge salad, hot turkey sandwich, chicken and rib combos, tri-tip steak, and a surf and turf combo. They also offer smaller portions for kids.
I've been to California Grill twice now. During hot weather, the enclosed patio area can become very warm and there isn't air-conditioning. Aside from that, it's a pleasant experience. It feels almost like you're at a friend's backyard barbecue in the patio area because of the plastic tables and chairs. The restroom is also accessed from the patio and there is a hand sink and water station outside too.
Upon entering the restaurant, you'll see the menus next to the entrance above the counter. The kitchen is open and you can hear the grilling and sizzling. After ordering and paying at the counter, you are given a buzzer that will go off when your order is ready. When the staff isn't busy, they'll bring the food to you.
- 1/3 lb Burger - A choice of ground chuck, turkey or a garden burger is offered. The patty is served on a toasted bun with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. You then have a choice of sides which I have listed below. I selected a ground chuck burger with french fries. The lighting in the photo is a little strange because of the plastic sheeting used to create the patio windows, but you can still see that the french fries are golden and they were crispy. In fact, I think the fries were even better than the juicy burger. Great! $7.95
- Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich - Tri-tip sliced thin is served with grilled onions, bell peppers and Mozzarella. All are served on a toasted roll and I selected sweet potato fries for the side dish. While the flavor of the sandwich was good, the bread was a little more thick than I would prefer. If I were to make this at home, I would have removed more of the inside of the bread and probably added mayonnaise so that it would be more moist. The sweet potato fries were okay, but I prefer their french fries. I would have liked a dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries since they're cut somewhat thin and therefore are more crispy and less meaty. Okay. $9.45The choice of sides is pretty extensive. You can select from french fries, roasted red potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, garlic fries, potato salad, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob, coleslaw, side salad, baked beans, rice, fruit medley, and grilled veggies. I appreciated these options because you have a lot of options.
California Grill is a taste of good down home food that is reminiscent of your neighbor's barbecue. It's one of the places in my regular lunch rotation and I can count it to provide a good burger, fresh food, and decent portions.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Boathouse Sushi - Rohnert Park
6278 Redwood Dr, Rohnert Park CA 94928
(707) 588-9440
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.boathousesushi.com/
Last Visited: September 25, 2005
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$
Boathouse Sushi is self-described as serving innovative Japanese cuisine California style in a modern bistro setting
Boathouse Sushi definitely has a modern feel. The ceiling which shows the painted ducts, the burgundy color, and the black give the room a romantic elegance. The light fixtures look like cones of crinkled paper. The silver beads that hang from the ceiling covering the hall to the restroom add to the look. The room is separated by a divider painted black. On one side, the windows bring in natural light. On the other side are the bar and the sushi bar. The sushi bar is decorated with an area for sushi boats to pass. Six boats traveled the waterway, curved and winding. The island is decorated with metal sculptures. The boats are empty and only filled when a dish is ordered.
When we arrived, we were asked if we would like to sit at the sushi bar or a table. We decided to sit at the sushi bar this evening, although from the height we were sitting at, we couldn’t actually see any of the sushi preparation. The glass display case is lined with green plastic bamboo which blocks the view, so you only see the finished plated product placed on top of the case. The setting is serene, but since I’ve been to restaurants where the boats are full and you can endlessly select dishes from the boats, something just felt like it was missing. Blank boats. No dishes. It looked like empty ships. On each table is a bottle of soy sauce in a modern bottle and the cocktail/dessert menu featuring their specials.
The food rating would have been a solid four, but there were a few flaws this evening. Not only is it the more frequent you eat at a place, but the more dishes that you order that you’ll find more room for flaws. So instead of a solid four, Boathouse receives a three to four rating for food with great potential for upgrading their rating in the future.
- Green Tea – Considering the amount I typically pay for tea, I thought this was a little expensive. It probably wasn’t so much the price, but that I paid eight dollars in fluids alone, and that doesn’t fill you up much. What was probably more frustrating was the teapot. It was clear glass with the tea basket inside, but it constantly spilled when I poured it. I thought it was the way the lid was placed on the pot, but after making the adjustment, the teapot was still spilling. I’m surprised the staff wasn’t aware of this. Maybe I just got a bad teapot, but it would have been better for it to have a napkin wrapped around it or under it. Fortunately, there was a clean napkin next to me, but I must have spilled more than 1/3 of the contents simply because of the teapot. Pretty teacups are used to serve the tea. Each of the cups looked different – one was on a pedestal, the other was a larger cup. $2 per person
- Miso Soup – The miso soup is served in a bowl with tofu, seaweed, and green onion. The tofu is diced so tiny that I had a hard time finding it. The size is about ¼ of a sugar cube. It’s not sweet nor overly salty. Just right, but a little more tofu would have been nice. It could also come a little hotter in temperature, but still okay. $2
- Black Cod baked with Shiro Miso – Past experiences with fish cooked with shiro miso have been terrific. The flavor of the miso complimenting the delicate layers of the fish. However, they didn’t have any available this evening. I was disappointed that we didn’t find that out until after the order had been placed. Besides, couldn’t they sacrifice some salmon to replace the cod? Nevertheless, no such luck tonight.
Nigiri Sushi (two pieces each) – All were plated on white rectangular plates.
- Unagi – A large piece of warm unagi is placed on top of the rice. Excellent. Clean fresh flavor, great temperature. Just perfect. $4.75
- Garlic Maguro – The server recommended the garlic maguro as a must try if we liked maguro. This special was described as sushi grade maguro topped with ponzu sauce. The rice was seasoned with a spicy red oil and lightly drizzled on top with a few green onions. I felt the ponzu sauce overwhelmed the fish. It overwhelmed my palate and covered the fresh flavor of the fish. I think true maguro lovers wouldn’t like this one, but if you like to spice up your sushi, it might be a good option. I recommend eating it after you’ve eaten your other sushi and rolls if you’re going to try it. $5.95
- Rainbow Roll – A roll with salmon, shrimp, halibut, tuna, and red snapper over rice. Within the roll was crabmeat. The roll was cut and separated into four groups, two pieces in each group. This was also served on a white rectangular plate. The roll itself is a bit on the small size, but it’s not primarily rice. The fish is delicate in flavor and texture. Good.$11.95
- Vegetable Tempura – Eight pieces of tempura are plated over some salad greens comprised of lettuce, red onion, and carrot curls. The tempura is served with a cup of warm dipping sauce. There were two young corns, two broccoli flowerettes, two pieces of diagonally sliced zucchini, one onion ring, and one slice of pumpkin. Each is lightly breaded and the coating is just the right thickness. I wasn’t too keen on the broccoli since I don’t think that should be a tempura vegetable. To me, it’s a filler vegetable. Even the young corn is borderline. However, the amount of tempura coating was just perfect, so that rescued it. This is one of the reasons for the 3 to 4 star rating. I would have liked another slice of onion at minimum, and another slice of pumpkin would have been great. $4.25
- Panko Fried Tonkatsu – Pork loin cutlet is dipped in panko crumbs, cut into strips, and served over rice. Along side is a salad comprised of lettuce and red onion lightly tossed in a soy sauce/sesame oil dressing. Three mandarin oranges decorate one corner of the plate. A tonkatsu dipping sauce and another lightly spicy orange colored sauce accompany the tonkatsu. The tonkatsu is breaded just right with the panko crumb covering being light and golden brown. The flavor of the sauces are a nice compliment to the pork and though I prefer my tonkatsu sauce to be on the thicker side, this one was fine. I wasn’t as crazy about the orange colored sauce, but it was okay too. Although the tonkatsu would get a rating of very good on its own, the salad had wilted lettuce and not because of the dressing. This is another reason for dropping the rating from four stars to the 3 to 4 range. $12.75
Overall, I was happy with the quality of the sushi and the thickness of batter for both the tempura vegetables and the tonkatsu. All of the food was very fresh with the exception of the salad. Although there’s no filler rice (in my mind that means excess rice) with the sushi, the broccoli in the tempura would be considered an excess vegetable. It’s good quality food in a nice setting, and I would certainly go back for the sushi. Service on the whole was fine, but it would be great to see the sushi chefs smile more. Offering additional dishes via the floating boats would also be a great improvement. Boathouse has a few things to work on, but pretty good for the most part.
After I talked to friends about my visit, several people expressed some discontent with their own visits. One mentioned lack of freshness for the sushi, and another found the rice to be excessively sticky and broken. For now, the rating stands, but be cautioned.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Battle: Indian - Novato
Two Indian Restaurants - Anokha and Batika - Both on Grant Avenue in Novato - Can they both survive? There are a number of restaurants on Grant Avenue already - is there enough business to go around? Sesame Tea Eats does a quick comparison of Anokha and Batika for you to help you decide.
They both have good stuff - which is why I approve both for the lunch buffet. Depending on how many are in your party, it may be difficult to try a variety of items for dinner unless you want to take home leftovers, so the buffet is a great way to try out a greater variety. We'll see how things go in the weeks and months ahead. I hope they both can draw enough Novatoans to stay in business. Good healthy competition usually means better food for all.
 |  | |
| Address | 811 Grant Avenue, Novato | 868 Grant Avenue, Novato |
| Phone | (415) 892-3440 | (415)895-5797 |
| Website | http://www.anokharestaurant.com/ | http://www.batikaindia.com/ |
| Food | North Indian Buffet lunch offers two meat dishes, multiple sides, and two desserts | North Indian Buffet lunch offers three meat dishes, multiple sides, and one dessert |
| Atmosphere | Lighter colors, spacious setting between tables, cushioned banks of seats, L-shaped buffet area which makes self-service slightly awkward. | Darker colors, close proximity between tables, single file line buffet area allowing easy self-service, outdoor patio dining available. |
| Service | Good. Naan comes quickly. Plates are removed quickly. | Good. Naan comes quickly. Plates are removed quickly. I liked how they asked how they are doing (but maybe they only did this because they’re new. |
| Price | Buffet Lunch $8.95 | Buffet Lunch $8.95, Champagne offered on weekends. |
They both have good stuff - which is why I approve both for the lunch buffet. Depending on how many are in your party, it may be difficult to try a variety of items for dinner unless you want to take home leftovers, so the buffet is a great way to try out a greater variety. We'll see how things go in the weeks and months ahead. I hope they both can draw enough Novatoans to stay in business. Good healthy competition usually means better food for all.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Bistro Des Copains - French, Occidental
3782 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental CA 95465
(707) 874-2436
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm
http://bistrodescopains.com
Last Visited: August 5, 2006
Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service:2 to 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
The earthy and friendly colors of their Bistro sign against the forest green building drew me in. Copains means buddies in French, so that was an even more welcoming thought. As you enter the restaurant, you’re greeted by an open bar, fresh flowers, and warmth from the delightful yellow and burgundy reds. The tables have white paper over dark red tablecloths with olives displayed on them. The back wall contains pictures of farmland (photos from Michel Augsburger’s ancestral farm back in France). The open kitchen allows the aromas to permeate into the dining area. White cloth napkins sit between a fork and knife and the bread plate. A bouquet of lavender is tied with a ribbon and each table contains one laid on its side at the center of the table. We received water upon our arrival.
Food from Provence is known for its use of local foods. The food is fresh at Bistro des Copains and quite light. This was a lunch visit, and the windows brought in lots of sunlight and gave us a view of the happenings in Occidental. At first glance, their menu is quite high priced – they were serving the same menu as dinner for lunch, with a few exceptions.
- Souffle au Chevre – Goat Cheese souffle with mixed greens – A goat cheese soufflé is placed on top of a bed of mixed greens. Let’s start with the greens – the vinaigrette was wake you up sour. What does this mean? If you didn’t know it was going to be very sour, you would wake up at first bite. When I took the first bite, I was so surprised. After follow on bites or after being warned, it’s still more on the acidic side, but more than bearable. Fresh greens – I think only one piece had a little rust, but overall, good. The soufflé was white, light, and fluffy. The top had been browned and just lightly crisp, but the center of the soufflé was still a bit cold. Warming closer to room temperature would have made it perfect, but it melted in my mouth. Great dish. $7.50
- Salade de Betteraves – Roasted beet and walnut salad – There were about eight beets – four of regular red beet variety and four of a smaller red beet variety – served on a small white plate. The smaller one was more dense. It was topped with an herb leaf and crushed walnuts were sprinkled around it. A drizzle of olive oil over the beets completed the salad. Sweet, fresh, and simple. Good. $6.75
- La Pissaladiere – Caramelized onions, goat cheese, and black olives pizza (with anchovies optional). Served on a white plate, this thin crusted pizza was topped with anchovies, then caramelized onions acted as the cheese, covering the entire dough, then goat cheese chunks and black olives. The pizza toppings are on the sweet side due to the caramelized onions, but the anchovies really balance out the sweetness well. Good. $10
Other offerings included risotto, roasted chicken, duck, oysters, roasted fish, and raviolis. The general sense of the menu is that the food is simply made, but the essence of each dish is filled with local flavor.
There were a few things that were uncomfortable about my visit. Besides waiting forever to get water (and trying to be subtle by putting the glass near the edge of the table) and then still having to ask for additional water despite being only one of two tables in the dining room for lunch, my glass had lipstick on it. When I looked behind to see if I could find another glass, the table behind me also had a glass with lipstick on it. I noticed that the server was wiping all of the wine glasses. I’m not sure they wipe all of water glasses. I am fairly certain that the silverware doesn’t get a good wiping since mine had spots. The other item was the bread plate. When I have a bread plate that is sitting on the table upon arrival, I make the assumption that bread will be served, but no bread was in sight. I’m not sure why they bother with bread plates if each table doesn’t receive bread. If I hadn’t shared the salad and pizza, I don’t think I would have used the bread plate at all – bizarre.
Overall, the service was friendly, but it wasn’t very good in terms of coming to check on how we were doing with our food, or filling water. There were four people working in the restaurant while I was there, but only one attending to the dining room. However, with only two tables of two each, I felt the server should have been more prompt and alert about water glasses being filled. Good simple and fresh food, but so-so service; however, the food may still get you to go check it out.
(707) 874-2436
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm
http://bistrodescopains.com
Last Visited: August 5, 2006
Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service:2 to 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
The earthy and friendly colors of their Bistro sign against the forest green building drew me in. Copains means buddies in French, so that was an even more welcoming thought. As you enter the restaurant, you’re greeted by an open bar, fresh flowers, and warmth from the delightful yellow and burgundy reds. The tables have white paper over dark red tablecloths with olives displayed on them. The back wall contains pictures of farmland (photos from Michel Augsburger’s ancestral farm back in France). The open kitchen allows the aromas to permeate into the dining area. White cloth napkins sit between a fork and knife and the bread plate. A bouquet of lavender is tied with a ribbon and each table contains one laid on its side at the center of the table. We received water upon our arrival.
Food from Provence is known for its use of local foods. The food is fresh at Bistro des Copains and quite light. This was a lunch visit, and the windows brought in lots of sunlight and gave us a view of the happenings in Occidental. At first glance, their menu is quite high priced – they were serving the same menu as dinner for lunch, with a few exceptions.
- Souffle au Chevre – Goat Cheese souffle with mixed greens – A goat cheese soufflé is placed on top of a bed of mixed greens. Let’s start with the greens – the vinaigrette was wake you up sour. What does this mean? If you didn’t know it was going to be very sour, you would wake up at first bite. When I took the first bite, I was so surprised. After follow on bites or after being warned, it’s still more on the acidic side, but more than bearable. Fresh greens – I think only one piece had a little rust, but overall, good. The soufflé was white, light, and fluffy. The top had been browned and just lightly crisp, but the center of the soufflé was still a bit cold. Warming closer to room temperature would have made it perfect, but it melted in my mouth. Great dish. $7.50
- Salade de Betteraves – Roasted beet and walnut salad – There were about eight beets – four of regular red beet variety and four of a smaller red beet variety – served on a small white plate. The smaller one was more dense. It was topped with an herb leaf and crushed walnuts were sprinkled around it. A drizzle of olive oil over the beets completed the salad. Sweet, fresh, and simple. Good. $6.75
- La Pissaladiere – Caramelized onions, goat cheese, and black olives pizza (with anchovies optional). Served on a white plate, this thin crusted pizza was topped with anchovies, then caramelized onions acted as the cheese, covering the entire dough, then goat cheese chunks and black olives. The pizza toppings are on the sweet side due to the caramelized onions, but the anchovies really balance out the sweetness well. Good. $10
Other offerings included risotto, roasted chicken, duck, oysters, roasted fish, and raviolis. The general sense of the menu is that the food is simply made, but the essence of each dish is filled with local flavor.
There were a few things that were uncomfortable about my visit. Besides waiting forever to get water (and trying to be subtle by putting the glass near the edge of the table) and then still having to ask for additional water despite being only one of two tables in the dining room for lunch, my glass had lipstick on it. When I looked behind to see if I could find another glass, the table behind me also had a glass with lipstick on it. I noticed that the server was wiping all of the wine glasses. I’m not sure they wipe all of water glasses. I am fairly certain that the silverware doesn’t get a good wiping since mine had spots. The other item was the bread plate. When I have a bread plate that is sitting on the table upon arrival, I make the assumption that bread will be served, but no bread was in sight. I’m not sure why they bother with bread plates if each table doesn’t receive bread. If I hadn’t shared the salad and pizza, I don’t think I would have used the bread plate at all – bizarre.
Overall, the service was friendly, but it wasn’t very good in terms of coming to check on how we were doing with our food, or filling water. There were four people working in the restaurant while I was there, but only one attending to the dining room. However, with only two tables of two each, I felt the server should have been more prompt and alert about water glasses being filled. Good simple and fresh food, but so-so service; however, the food may still get you to go check it out.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Kam Do Bakery - Chinese, Vancouver
Best: Wife Cake Pastry8391 Alexandra Road, Richmond, BC, Canada
(604) 231-9216
Last Visited: July 2, 2009
Food: 5 star wife cake
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: N/A
Price: $ to $$
James and Winnie gave us a heads up to try out this bakery while we were visiting the Vancouver area. Apparently, they had spent several days eating at the strip mall next door at McNoodle House enjoying their wonton noodle soup.
It's no wonder that Kam Do Bakery was a must try place. When I was little, my grandpa lived with us and he loved wife cake (also known as sweetheart cake - a nicer translation). Those melon paste centers surrounded by pastry were just okay to me. Kind of dry in fact. I just remember thinking that although the center was soft, it wasn't that exciting. That is, until I tried Kam Do's wife cake. The center melts in your mouth. The flaky pastry on the outside is a beautiful golden brown and the winter melon center has a nice melon flavor without tasting fake. It's scrumptious. Really.For those that are unfamliar with wife cake, consider the center to have a texture such that when you bite into it, it resists a little - like a soft centered chew of a See's candy confection, but not as gooey. You can bite into it cleanly. The pastry is shaped like a disk and about half an inch thick. It's called wife cake because back in the olden days, when a couple was announcing their marriage, these pastries would be shared with friends and accompany the announcement as a gift to those receiving the news. The ceremonial gift included these cakes as well as Chinese barbecued meats.
If you're in the Richmond, Vancouver area, you absolutely must try the Wife Cake at Kam Do. It's the best I've ever had.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Betty's Fish & Chips - Santa Rosa
4046 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa CA 95409
(707) 539-0899
Parking: in parking lot
Last Visited: June 17, 2006
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Enter Betty’s and you’ll see that it’s a cozy family place. There are blue and white colors all around the room along with sea faring decorations. Booths are available as well as regular tables. If you sit at a booth, you’ll receive a placemat with a scene of the sea on it. If you are at a table, the placemat can be seen through the glass on top. The usual items arrive once you order fish – ketchup and tartar sauce. Since they make their own tartar sauce, you might think it’s ranch, but it’s just a non-chunky tartar sauce. Our waitress was extremely efficient with drinks, checking back after our order had come, giving us the check and just keeping an eye on all her tables. She had her system down pat.
- New England Clam Chowder Cup – The clam chowder has great flavor with lots of clams – I think almost every bite had some clams in it. It’s creamy, but not starchy, and it’s accompanied by a package of oyster crackers. Although it’s not the very best clam chowder I’ve ever had, it is good stuff, and would be welcome on a cold day. Cup $3.75, Bowl $4.95
- Icelandic Cod and Chips – The pieces of cod are very lightly breaded and deep fried until dark brown. I was a bit surprised by the color since the chips came out a more golden brown. The chips are fantastic – crunchy on the outside, a little soft and tender on the inside – these fries are very yummy. The fish is fresh and has a mild flavor, but the darker color is a little unusual, and it would be better if the fish were lighter in color (but it’s easy to get past this after you taste it). Good portions and a jumbo could fill up two people. Small (1 piece) $7.25, Medium (2 pieces) $9.95, Large (3 pieces) $12.95, Jumbo (4 pieces) $15.50
- Homemade Coleslaw – The slaw has a natural sweetness about it, given to it by pineapple. Perhaps I just like pineapple, but it made me want to eat more and more. It wasn’t too salty or too sour, but more on the sweet side, and yet, not too sweet. A nice combination of cabbage and the like. Good. Medium $1.25, Large $1.75
Other offerings include Seafood sandwiches, both cold or from the grill, fried seafood, and don’t forget Betty’s Lemon Cloud pie.
The only thing I would improve besides the coloring of the fish is the tartar sauce. The woman at the table next to us brought her own and seemed happy. If you’re accustomed to chunky tartar sauce, you may find this one too smooth for your taste. So perhaps you should bring your own too. It all depends on your preference.
I was most impressed by the gal who handled our section. Despite all the hustle and bustle, she saw us leave and yelled out a thanks and good night. Although some may find yelling inappropriate, this is a casual place and her greeting was most welcome. It shows that Betty’s has that special something. It shows that they’re on top of things. I would definitely go back to Betty’s to try out more of their seafood delights.
(707) 539-0899
Parking: in parking lot
Last Visited: June 17, 2006
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Enter Betty’s and you’ll see that it’s a cozy family place. There are blue and white colors all around the room along with sea faring decorations. Booths are available as well as regular tables. If you sit at a booth, you’ll receive a placemat with a scene of the sea on it. If you are at a table, the placemat can be seen through the glass on top. The usual items arrive once you order fish – ketchup and tartar sauce. Since they make their own tartar sauce, you might think it’s ranch, but it’s just a non-chunky tartar sauce. Our waitress was extremely efficient with drinks, checking back after our order had come, giving us the check and just keeping an eye on all her tables. She had her system down pat.
- New England Clam Chowder Cup – The clam chowder has great flavor with lots of clams – I think almost every bite had some clams in it. It’s creamy, but not starchy, and it’s accompanied by a package of oyster crackers. Although it’s not the very best clam chowder I’ve ever had, it is good stuff, and would be welcome on a cold day. Cup $3.75, Bowl $4.95
- Icelandic Cod and Chips – The pieces of cod are very lightly breaded and deep fried until dark brown. I was a bit surprised by the color since the chips came out a more golden brown. The chips are fantastic – crunchy on the outside, a little soft and tender on the inside – these fries are very yummy. The fish is fresh and has a mild flavor, but the darker color is a little unusual, and it would be better if the fish were lighter in color (but it’s easy to get past this after you taste it). Good portions and a jumbo could fill up two people. Small (1 piece) $7.25, Medium (2 pieces) $9.95, Large (3 pieces) $12.95, Jumbo (4 pieces) $15.50
- Homemade Coleslaw – The slaw has a natural sweetness about it, given to it by pineapple. Perhaps I just like pineapple, but it made me want to eat more and more. It wasn’t too salty or too sour, but more on the sweet side, and yet, not too sweet. A nice combination of cabbage and the like. Good. Medium $1.25, Large $1.75
Other offerings include Seafood sandwiches, both cold or from the grill, fried seafood, and don’t forget Betty’s Lemon Cloud pie.
The only thing I would improve besides the coloring of the fish is the tartar sauce. The woman at the table next to us brought her own and seemed happy. If you’re accustomed to chunky tartar sauce, you may find this one too smooth for your taste. So perhaps you should bring your own too. It all depends on your preference.
I was most impressed by the gal who handled our section. Despite all the hustle and bustle, she saw us leave and yelled out a thanks and good night. Although some may find yelling inappropriate, this is a casual place and her greeting was most welcome. It shows that Betty’s has that special something. It shows that they’re on top of things. I would definitely go back to Betty’s to try out more of their seafood delights.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Kirin - Chinese, Vancouver
7900 Westminster Highway, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
(604) 303-8833
Parking: pay parking lot or mall nearby
http://www.kirinrestaurants.com/
Last Visited: July 1, 2009
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$
We walked into Kirin after driving in from Seattle earlier that morning. While we were unfamiliar with the area, we had no idea that we would be told that the wait would be more than an hour - about an hour and a half. The hostess was insistent that it was impossible to get a seat and that we should have made reservations. With that disappointing news, we went to use their restroom and were about to depart when she let us know that there was a sudden cancellation and now there was space for us. Sounds incredible and I still don't know how it all worked out, but God was blessing us today with some good food.
The setting is nice, but not spectacular. Maroon wallpaper with a large silver flower pattern, white tablecloths, dark brown wood chairs with cushions, and white plates with black chopsticks give a modern feel to the dining room. It was quite crowded today with lots of hustle and bustle.
Kirin is pretty well known in the area as having very good dim sum. Of the dishes we tried, here's the verdict:
The Best:
- Shrimp Dumpling (Har Gao) - Nice wrapper, good flavor, served hot.
- Pork Dumpling (Siu Mai) - With shrimp on top and so steaming when it gets to the table that it fogs your camera lens, this pork dumpling is a greta example of what good pork dumplings should be.
- Deep Fried Egg Crisp - Very flaky, lightly sweetened with a honey syrup drizzle, and topped with sesame and shredded dried coconut. That's the sign of a good egg crisp - flaky without any aftertaste of yeast or baking powder.
The Good:
- Spareribs with Black Bean Sauce - Presented in a square dish (usually you see them in a round dish), these were good spareribs flavored with jalapeno and black beans. The juice from the meat runs clear and the meat had a good texture.
- Braised Chicken Feet - You can see the beautiful brown color of from the braising. The best chicken feet I've had look whole and
then when you serve them on your own plate, they are so tender that they almost fall apart. These were still good though.
The Not So Great:
- Deep Fried Tofu - Oh the tofu - what happened here Kirin? The meal was going so well, until we ordered this dreadful dish. Sure, it was still edible, but if food has been circulating the room for long enough, it gets cold and the outside of the tofu loses its crisp texture. This one should have been removed from dim sum
service. Had it been hot, it could have been delightful, but alas, this dish was blah and dropped the food rating from a solid 4 stars to 3 to 4 stars.
All of these items cost less than $30 before tip. Reasonably priced and fairly comparable to the San Francisco Bay Area in cost. It wasn't the absolute best overall, but many dishes were very good. Considering the wait time, I suggest calling ahead with a reservation to make sure you have a table when you arrive. Service is a bit abrupt at times, so there is room for improvement with that, but you could see from where I was sitting that they have the potential to run like a well-oiled machine.
Note also that Kirin has locations in Vancouver West, Coquitlam, Richmond and New Westminster, in addition to the original in Downtown Vancouver.
(604) 303-8833
Parking: pay parking lot or mall nearby
http://www.kirinrestaurants.com/
Last Visited: July 1, 2009
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$
We walked into Kirin after driving in from Seattle earlier that morning. While we were unfamiliar with the area, we had no idea that we would be told that the wait would be more than an hour - about an hour and a half. The hostess was insistent that it was impossible to get a seat and that we should have made reservations. With that disappointing news, we went to use their restroom and were about to depart when she let us know that there was a sudden cancellation and now there was space for us. Sounds incredible and I still don't know how it all worked out, but God was blessing us today with some good food.
The setting is nice, but not spectacular. Maroon wallpaper with a large silver flower pattern, white tablecloths, dark brown wood chairs with cushions, and white plates with black chopsticks give a modern feel to the dining room. It was quite crowded today with lots of hustle and bustle.
Kirin is pretty well known in the area as having very good dim sum. Of the dishes we tried, here's the verdict:
The Best:- Shrimp Dumpling (Har Gao) - Nice wrapper, good flavor, served hot.
- Pork Dumpling (Siu Mai) - With shrimp on top and so steaming when it gets to the table that it fogs your camera lens, this pork dumpling is a greta example of what good pork dumplings should be.
- Deep Fried Egg Crisp - Very flaky, lightly sweetened with a honey syrup drizzle, and topped with sesame and shredded dried coconut. That's the sign of a good egg crisp - flaky without any aftertaste of yeast or baking powder.
The Good:
- Spareribs with Black Bean Sauce - Presented in a square dish (usually you see them in a round dish), these were good spareribs flavored with jalapeno and black beans. The juice from the meat runs clear and the meat had a good texture.
- Braised Chicken Feet - You can see the beautiful brown color of from the braising. The best chicken feet I've had look whole and
then when you serve them on your own plate, they are so tender that they almost fall apart. These were still good though.The Not So Great:
- Deep Fried Tofu - Oh the tofu - what happened here Kirin? The meal was going so well, until we ordered this dreadful dish. Sure, it was still edible, but if food has been circulating the room for long enough, it gets cold and the outside of the tofu loses its crisp texture. This one should have been removed from dim sum
service. Had it been hot, it could have been delightful, but alas, this dish was blah and dropped the food rating from a solid 4 stars to 3 to 4 stars.All of these items cost less than $30 before tip. Reasonably priced and fairly comparable to the San Francisco Bay Area in cost. It wasn't the absolute best overall, but many dishes were very good. Considering the wait time, I suggest calling ahead with a reservation to make sure you have a table when you arrive. Service is a bit abrupt at times, so there is room for improvement with that, but you could see from where I was sitting that they have the potential to run like a well-oiled machine.
Note also that Kirin has locations in Vancouver West, Coquitlam, Richmond and New Westminster, in addition to the original in Downtown Vancouver.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Bear Korean, Cotati
8577 Gravenstein Hwy, Cotati CA 94931
(707) 794-9828
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: Tues - Sun: 12pm to 9pm
http://www.koreandining.com
Last Visited: May 25, 2007
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$
I first went to Bear Korean when it opened around 2000. People talked about the small plates (panchan) offered, the Korean bul go gi, and how nice it was to have a new cuisine to try in Sonoma County. Since then, I haven’t seen any other Korean restaurants stick around nearly as long.
The walls recently got a new coat of paint. Now it’s a bright rusty orange color. The restroom has some fluorescent green paint on the cabinetry. I’m not sure what happened to their previously muted color scheme, but they have undergone some new decorating even though the ownership remains the same. The photography once on the walls is now replaced with more typical Asian paintings of mountains and hillsides. Yellow silk flowers hang from a basket that hangs on the wall.
The door to the kitchen in the rear is blocked off by curtains although you can still catch a glimpse of the cooking taking place. The tables are wood laminate and the chairs are covered by green cushions. Upon arrival, we were told to sit anywhere. Several of the tables had not been cleared, but most were available. We were asked if we wanted anything to drink, and then left to the menu.
Once you have ordered, the panchan comes out. Panchan varies depending on lunch or dinner. For my recent dinner visit, we received small plates of: marinated daikon (spicy), kim chee (marinated spicy cabbage), potato salad with apples, spicy marinated tofu, marinated cucumbers, mung bean sprouts with sesame oil, spicy shredded turnip, glass noodles (jap chae), and spinach. Depending on what’s in season, you may find some of these dishes a little different. During the spinach scare, the spinach plate no longer appeared. Kim chee is a staple, and the potato salad seems to be a regular also.
The bul go gi has always been the primary dish here, but I once saw hot steaming dumplings and had to try that out.
- Chin Man Du - Originally priced at $6.95 (at least on the most recent menu), the menu has now been marked up and shows a designation of small (4 dumplings) and large (8 dumplings). These little dumplings are filled with pork and vegetable, along with glass noodle, and steamed over a cabbage leaf. They are brought out in a bamboo steamer. The dumplings are tiny, but they taste good. They’re not like those you find in San Francisco, but okay flavor and okay for Cotati. $3.50 small, $5.95 large
- Bul Go Gi – Also known as Korean Style beef, beef is sliced thinly, marinated, and sautéed with onions and some mushrooms. The presence of the vegetables is hardly visible since you get a heaping mound of beef. It’s good stuff, though to an Asian palate that is not familiar with this style of beef, it may seem overcooked. The marinade used tends to be slightly sweet tasting. Good. $13.95
- Tofu Bi Bim Bap – The rice with assorted mixture section is separated into hot and cold. Primarily, the same ingredients are used in these, but there is a very slight variation in meat. The tofu bi bim bap came with a bottle of hot sauce for us to stir in, and the tofu, carrots, spinach, bean sprouts, zucchini, and other items topped rice and all was presented in a little stainless wok. A fried egg is placed on top of the dish contents. Since the vegetables and tofu were cold, the dish quickly became cold too. Very simple combination, but great. It’s a bit pricey for what you’re getting, so opt for a hot bi bim bap for more interesting presentation. $9.95
- Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap – The dol sot version is similar to that above, but it comes in a stone pot. The pot is extremely hot, and this one also had beef. The combination of flavors is accentuated by the heat, and the heat also causes the hot sauce to distribute its flavor more evenly. The fried egg is great too. I like to break up the egg and stir it into the rice and vegetables until everything is coated. Terrific. $10.95
- Jap Chae – Jap chae is glass noodles that have been pan fried with vegetables. The sauce is light in texture, but each noodle is coated with a soy sauce/sesame oil based sauce. The vegetables tend to be spinach, carrots, bean sprouts, and zucchini. Great. $10.95
- Rice – The rice comes in a small stainless steel bowl with a cover. It’s a cute container, but it’s a bit pricy for the amount of rice you are getting. $1.75
During a visit several years ago, there was one woman on staff who explained to us that she was helping out the family. Unfortunately, she ended up spending most of our meal standing over our table stirring the Bi Bim Bap as she talked to us, which left us with a sense of lack of privacy. However, my 2007 visits have been fairly quiet. I have heard that owner sometimes comes and introduces himself – but this hasn’t happened to us yet, although I did see him chatting with a table nearby.
For a recent lunch visit, I received a smaller amount of panchan – kim chee, mung bean sprouts, potato salad, japchae, and one other item.
- Korean Style Beef Lunch Special – See the description for bul go gi above. On a square white plate, one corner is covered with bul go gi. Adjacent to that is a corner containing a large scoop of rice. Two fried dumplings, goon man du, cover one of the remaining corners, and a salad comprised of lettuce and a slightly sour dressing fill the other corner. In the center of the plate is a small little plate for dipping sauce. The lunch special is a bargain, but the quality of the salad was fair. Some of the lettuce was fresh, some had been refrigerated to the point that the lettuce looked translucent, and some of it had rested. The dressing was a bit too sour for my tastes, considering it was a creamy dressing. The goon man du didn’t have as crispy an outer layer as I had hoped either because the dumpling had been fried much earlier or the oil wasn’t as fresh, but the meat was good. I still think it’s a good value and would be even better if everything was up to par. $6.95
It’s hard to find another Korean restaurant in Sonoma County, and I think Bear Korean is a good place to check out. Try the Bul Go Gi, Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap, and the Jap Chae to have a taste of authentic dishes.
(707) 794-9828
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: Tues - Sun: 12pm to 9pm
http://www.koreandining.com
Last Visited: May 25, 2007
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$
I first went to Bear Korean when it opened around 2000. People talked about the small plates (panchan) offered, the Korean bul go gi, and how nice it was to have a new cuisine to try in Sonoma County. Since then, I haven’t seen any other Korean restaurants stick around nearly as long.
The walls recently got a new coat of paint. Now it’s a bright rusty orange color. The restroom has some fluorescent green paint on the cabinetry. I’m not sure what happened to their previously muted color scheme, but they have undergone some new decorating even though the ownership remains the same. The photography once on the walls is now replaced with more typical Asian paintings of mountains and hillsides. Yellow silk flowers hang from a basket that hangs on the wall.
The door to the kitchen in the rear is blocked off by curtains although you can still catch a glimpse of the cooking taking place. The tables are wood laminate and the chairs are covered by green cushions. Upon arrival, we were told to sit anywhere. Several of the tables had not been cleared, but most were available. We were asked if we wanted anything to drink, and then left to the menu.
Once you have ordered, the panchan comes out. Panchan varies depending on lunch or dinner. For my recent dinner visit, we received small plates of: marinated daikon (spicy), kim chee (marinated spicy cabbage), potato salad with apples, spicy marinated tofu, marinated cucumbers, mung bean sprouts with sesame oil, spicy shredded turnip, glass noodles (jap chae), and spinach. Depending on what’s in season, you may find some of these dishes a little different. During the spinach scare, the spinach plate no longer appeared. Kim chee is a staple, and the potato salad seems to be a regular also.
The bul go gi has always been the primary dish here, but I once saw hot steaming dumplings and had to try that out.
- Chin Man Du - Originally priced at $6.95 (at least on the most recent menu), the menu has now been marked up and shows a designation of small (4 dumplings) and large (8 dumplings). These little dumplings are filled with pork and vegetable, along with glass noodle, and steamed over a cabbage leaf. They are brought out in a bamboo steamer. The dumplings are tiny, but they taste good. They’re not like those you find in San Francisco, but okay flavor and okay for Cotati. $3.50 small, $5.95 large
- Bul Go Gi – Also known as Korean Style beef, beef is sliced thinly, marinated, and sautéed with onions and some mushrooms. The presence of the vegetables is hardly visible since you get a heaping mound of beef. It’s good stuff, though to an Asian palate that is not familiar with this style of beef, it may seem overcooked. The marinade used tends to be slightly sweet tasting. Good. $13.95
- Tofu Bi Bim Bap – The rice with assorted mixture section is separated into hot and cold. Primarily, the same ingredients are used in these, but there is a very slight variation in meat. The tofu bi bim bap came with a bottle of hot sauce for us to stir in, and the tofu, carrots, spinach, bean sprouts, zucchini, and other items topped rice and all was presented in a little stainless wok. A fried egg is placed on top of the dish contents. Since the vegetables and tofu were cold, the dish quickly became cold too. Very simple combination, but great. It’s a bit pricey for what you’re getting, so opt for a hot bi bim bap for more interesting presentation. $9.95
- Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap – The dol sot version is similar to that above, but it comes in a stone pot. The pot is extremely hot, and this one also had beef. The combination of flavors is accentuated by the heat, and the heat also causes the hot sauce to distribute its flavor more evenly. The fried egg is great too. I like to break up the egg and stir it into the rice and vegetables until everything is coated. Terrific. $10.95
- Jap Chae – Jap chae is glass noodles that have been pan fried with vegetables. The sauce is light in texture, but each noodle is coated with a soy sauce/sesame oil based sauce. The vegetables tend to be spinach, carrots, bean sprouts, and zucchini. Great. $10.95
- Rice – The rice comes in a small stainless steel bowl with a cover. It’s a cute container, but it’s a bit pricy for the amount of rice you are getting. $1.75
During a visit several years ago, there was one woman on staff who explained to us that she was helping out the family. Unfortunately, she ended up spending most of our meal standing over our table stirring the Bi Bim Bap as she talked to us, which left us with a sense of lack of privacy. However, my 2007 visits have been fairly quiet. I have heard that owner sometimes comes and introduces himself – but this hasn’t happened to us yet, although I did see him chatting with a table nearby.
For a recent lunch visit, I received a smaller amount of panchan – kim chee, mung bean sprouts, potato salad, japchae, and one other item.
- Korean Style Beef Lunch Special – See the description for bul go gi above. On a square white plate, one corner is covered with bul go gi. Adjacent to that is a corner containing a large scoop of rice. Two fried dumplings, goon man du, cover one of the remaining corners, and a salad comprised of lettuce and a slightly sour dressing fill the other corner. In the center of the plate is a small little plate for dipping sauce. The lunch special is a bargain, but the quality of the salad was fair. Some of the lettuce was fresh, some had been refrigerated to the point that the lettuce looked translucent, and some of it had rested. The dressing was a bit too sour for my tastes, considering it was a creamy dressing. The goon man du didn’t have as crispy an outer layer as I had hoped either because the dumpling had been fried much earlier or the oil wasn’t as fresh, but the meat was good. I still think it’s a good value and would be even better if everything was up to par. $6.95
It’s hard to find another Korean restaurant in Sonoma County, and I think Bear Korean is a good place to check out. Try the Bul Go Gi, Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap, and the Jap Chae to have a taste of authentic dishes.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant - Chinese, Vancouver
Best: Deep Fried Oysters3888 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3N9
(604) 872-8822
102, 4940 No. 3 Road, Richmond, B.C. V6X 3A5
(604) 273-8208
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Lunch 10am-3pm, Dinner 5pm-10:30pm
http://www.sunsuiwah.ca/
Last Visited: July 1, 2009
Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$
Sun Sui Wah came highly recommended. Friends have talked about it, and the foodie boards give it high praise. We parked in their private lot and took the elevator into the restaurant.
From the outside, you can't tell what you're about to get into - the elevator is fairly nondescript, but walk into the dining area and see a ceiling that has been transformed into something elegant and soft with artistic lines. The cushioned chairs, white tablecloths, and modern light fixtures elevate the decor. The room had been divided so that there was a private dining area to the left of the main dining area that remains hidden behind a wall.
Today, they were offering a winter melon soup special. Since only the two of us were dining, it wasn't possible to be able to enjoy the soup without taking home leftovers, and since the hotel room didn't have a refrigerator, we had to pass this time. It was unfortunate because the soup would be cooked in the whole melon itself and steamed with lots of yummy seafood. I smile just thinking about it. If only we had four more people with us to enjoy this delicious soup.- Deep Fried Oysters - My mother has been on a quest for deep fried oysters for years now. There has never been a place that matched the quality of deep fried oysters found in Hong Kong...until now. This plate of plump oysters is lightly battered and deep fried. They are served with several large wedges of fresh lemon and garnished with a beautiful rose carved out of carrots. While it's a large appetizer for two, it was scrumptious and memorable. The oysters were juicy and served right out of the deep fryer - super hot. If you weren't careful, you would have burned your tonge. They were so good that they receive a best rating. Love at first bite.
- Sauteed Geoduck and Prawns with Fresh Vegetables - While we were hoping to order a geoduck served two ways (soup and sauteed), the wait staff told us that it would just be too much food, not to mention that it would have been quite expensive for two people since the geoduck would be ordered by the pound and the smallest one they had was about four pounds. Instead, he recommended we try this sauteed dish. It was a great way to enjoy the slightly crisp mouth feel of the thinly sliced fresh geoduck with large prawns. Yellow chives, carrots, straw mushrooms, and broccoli provide beautiful color and add to the saute. It was a flavorful dish and the quality of seafood was very good.
- Braised Tofu with Vegetables - A clay pot is filled with flavorful braised tofu and large black shiitake mushrooms, sitting on a bed of fresh yau choy. Sauteed with pieces of ginger, each piece of tofu is soft on the inside and has soaked up the braising liquid. The tofu is very fresh and quite good.- Red Bean Dessert - To finish off the meal, Sun Sui Wah provides a complimentary dessert. The color is a bit lighter than usual because of either cream or milk. It's a nice way to leave stuffed.
While I can't recall the cost of the individual dishes, the overall meal was $57 before tip. Although the price is a little high for
dinner for two at an Asian restaurant, once you take into consideration the quality of the seafood and the dishes themselves, I think it was well worth it.Service was okay. The oysters took a little while to come out and sometimes it felt challenging to get the server's attention, but I appreciated the recommendations and their trying to help us decide what to order when they learned we wouldn't have a place to house leftovers.
Sun Sui Wah is definitely worth a stop, especially if you're a seafood lover. Go early to find parking and avoid the dinner crowd. Try their deep fried oysters and be satisfied.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Arrigoni's - Italian Deli, Santa Rosa
701 4th St., Santa Rosa CA 95404
(707) 545-1297
Parking: pay parking in rear, street parking
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 4:30pm, Sat 8am to 3:30pm
http://www.arrigonis.com/
Last Visited: January 26, 2007
Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
Arrigoni’s has been around for quite some time. Located at the corner of 4th Street and D Street, they tend to get a lot of downtown traffic. Walk into Arrigoni’s and notice the deli counter on your right, and the red and white checkered tablecloth covered tables to your left. The dining area is surrounded by windows making for a bright room with lots of plants and greenery. It feels like you’re in a picnic area.
Arrigoni’s is known for serving Mediterranean specialities, salads, sandwiches, omelettes, soup, and dessert. Upon arrival, you go to the start of the line located at the rear of the restaurant.
- The Beef Eater – Roast beef is topped with bacon and tomato. A tart caper sauce is spread on the bread. One thing I like about Arrigoni’s is that the sandwich makers will scrape out the center of the bread to allow for you to have a proper amount of meat and vegetables to bread. However, I found the beef eater a bit bland compared to what I was expecting. Okay. $7.75
They have a variety of sandwiches, and the salads looked like they could feed a large group of rabbits – mounds of lettuce and whatever other accompaniments on a plate. Overall, I found the deli to have a wide variety of drinks, main items, and nicely presented desserts, but based on the one sandwich alone – well, it was an okay experience. I wouldn’t mind returning, but I’m not running back there wanting to try their entire menu either. An okay place to go and a convenient meeting spot for lunch.
(707) 545-1297
Parking: pay parking in rear, street parking
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 4:30pm, Sat 8am to 3:30pm
http://www.arrigonis.com/
Last Visited: January 26, 2007
Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
Arrigoni’s has been around for quite some time. Located at the corner of 4th Street and D Street, they tend to get a lot of downtown traffic. Walk into Arrigoni’s and notice the deli counter on your right, and the red and white checkered tablecloth covered tables to your left. The dining area is surrounded by windows making for a bright room with lots of plants and greenery. It feels like you’re in a picnic area.
Arrigoni’s is known for serving Mediterranean specialities, salads, sandwiches, omelettes, soup, and dessert. Upon arrival, you go to the start of the line located at the rear of the restaurant.
- The Beef Eater – Roast beef is topped with bacon and tomato. A tart caper sauce is spread on the bread. One thing I like about Arrigoni’s is that the sandwich makers will scrape out the center of the bread to allow for you to have a proper amount of meat and vegetables to bread. However, I found the beef eater a bit bland compared to what I was expecting. Okay. $7.75
They have a variety of sandwiches, and the salads looked like they could feed a large group of rabbits – mounds of lettuce and whatever other accompaniments on a plate. Overall, I found the deli to have a wide variety of drinks, main items, and nicely presented desserts, but based on the one sandwich alone – well, it was an okay experience. I wouldn’t mind returning, but I’m not running back there wanting to try their entire menu either. An okay place to go and a convenient meeting spot for lunch.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Ching Yan Lee Chiu Chow Restaurant - Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
10A Hau Fook Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong KongPh: 2366 6556, 2366 1079
Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui, Cameron Road exit
Last Visited: 2008
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$
Chiu Chow (or Chaozhou) is a city in the easternmost part of the
Guandong Province in China. While I have often heard of my parents talking about characteristics of Chiu Chow people, and I have eaten at a few restaurants serving Chiu Chow food, I am definitely not an expert in this cuisine and had no idea what I was about to try.Today, we visited Ching Yan Lee for lunch. It was a weekday, so the place was rather empty and we ended up being the only customers there. This translated into very good service as we felt they catered to our every need.
Upon being seated, we were given small menus (see the picture above) along with two small cups of tea for each one of us. These cups look like tiny bowls more than cups and the tea was both fragrant and strong (almost bitter) despite the lightness of color. I guess this is one way to cleanse the palate for what was to come.
Like other restaurants in Hong Kong, we also received a small plate of salted peanuts. What was different about this plate was that there was also some slightly spicy/sweet preserved turnip.
While most lunch meals are pretty light or medium in heaviness, my uncle decided that this would be a great opportunity to try some more rich food for lunch today.
- Shark Fin Soup - This place is known for serving a very thick shark fin soup. What 'thick' in this sense means is that you can practically fork the shark fin - so an expensive bowl of soup, but very rich in flavor both in the broth and in the shark fin itself for
being cooked in the broth. The bowl isn't particularly large, but there is a lot of this delicacy in there. It's probably the highest quality shark fin soup that I've ever had.- Oyster Pancake - Another popular dish, this is essentially an egg omelette filled with oysters. The consistency of the oysters is just cooked and the egg is solid enough to hold its shape, but soft enough to be like an omelette. They did a nice job with this oyster pancake. As you can see, the color shows that it was pan-fried until golden and the oysters were tender inside.
- Steamed Fish - During this particular trip back to Hong Kong, I had a lot of steamed fish. This one was fairly standard in flavor and texture. It was not under or overcooked and was served in a simple soy sauce-based sauce. Since it was a live fish, it was quite expensive.
- The meal ended with a sweet dessert soup containing yellow beans. This was a nice way to finish off the rather heavy meal. Also, it's complimentary.
I enjoyed the lunch dishes, but would probably skip the fish next time. Hong Kong has many restaurants that will serve an excellent fish that is better in quality even if the price is the same. Also, if you want to try this restaurant, weekdays during lunch is excellent. I experienced exceptional service because there was nobody else there. Plates were removed promptly and we were checked on frequently. I still can't tell you what makes for excellent Chiu Chow food, but this was good, and I would go back.
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