Farmer's Kitchen - Hawaiian/Fusion - Hilo, Hawaii

91 Punahoa St, Hilo Hawaii 96720
(808) 933-8009
Parking: street parking

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 stars
Price: $

Located across the street from the Hilo Farmer's Market, Farmer's Kitchen is just a window with outdoor table seating, but the call for free samples will certainly catch your attention and it worked - it got us to buy. 

- Egg Rolls - Even though it was only about 10am, I couldn't resist their fresh egg rolls.  The oil is fresh as can be seen by the coloring on the fried wrapper.  Fresh and yummy with a slight crunch in the filling and a crisp crunch from the wrapper, this is a good treat.   $1 each

- Turnovers - Pork and Taro or Curry Beef - Available in two flavors, the turnover are reminiscent of a fresh version of a hot pocket.  The pork and taro is a lot like pork and potato in texture with sweet onion to add flavor and texture.  The curry beef is ground beef cooked with curry, much like Chinese curry beef turnovers.  The outside is cooked until slightly crisp and golden brown.  This is a great taste of comfort food - delicious.  $2

Farmer's Kitchen is a great addition to the Farmer's market scene.  I could eat these treats any time of day.  If you need breakfast or lunch, they also offer burgers,corned beef hash, sandwiches, and more.

HRD Coffee Shop - Cafe/Korean, San Francisco

521 #A 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 543-2355
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 3pm, Sat: 8:30am - 2pm

Last Visited: December 8, 2012

Food: 2 to 3 stars ( could have been 4 stars - see details below)
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

I first heard about HRD while watching Guy Fieri's television show - Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.  HRD is known for serving breakfast and lunch with a blend of both American and Korean flare.  Their tagline is: Good Eats. Nice Peeps. Grab a Seat. 

A couple of the items featured on the show were the Kim Chee burrito and the Sloppy JoJo.  These sounded quite yummy, but when I saw the menu for myself, there were just too many choices.  And if Korean food isn't your thing, no worries - they have sandwiches and burgers on the menu too.  For those that are adventurous, there are items like Japanese Curry Kimchee Loco Moco and Spicy Chicken Pineapple too. 

When we walked up to the storefront, one of the owners and one of the employees were out front getting ready to take a break, and I give them four stars for service primarily for their greeting and then for their service once inside.  The guys were super friendly, warm, and welcoming.  By far, they gave the friendliest greeting I have ever received or a close second.  They definitely lived up to their tagline. 

Walk inside and it reminds you of a diner.  There is seating facing the outside window and some tables in the back.  The decor is super simple, but clean.

- Korean Pork Chop special - This isn't a regular menu item (at least not anymore).  Two slabs of pork are marinated and cooked on the grill.  The juicy meat is then topped with a fried egg and served with broccoli and white rice.  The flavor of the pork was slightly sweet and salty.  The cut is medium in thickness and each bite of meat was delightful.  While the broccoli is plain, it works fine with the pork.  The unfortunate part of the dish was the white rice.  While abundant, it wasn't cooked through.  I decided not to waste it and took it home - as I put it in the box, one could hear it dropping in to the to go box like raindrops.  The meat is delicious though and the fried egg is a nice touch.   $7.75

- Kim Chee Fried Rice with Fried Egg - Rice is cooked with shredded pork (think of carnitas), green onions, and kim chee.  The dish is topped with a fried egg and more green onions.  The flavor is well-seasoned.  They make their own kim chee after all.  The rice soaks up all of the kim chee juices and the hot sauce that tops the fried egg gives it extra spice.  Once you break the egg, the yolk runs all over the rice, adding yet another flavor and texture to the dish.  I really enjoyed this dish, but again, the rice was not completely cooked through.  Since the dish was comprised of a lot of sauce, the rice managed to be a little softer, but still not quite enough.  $7.75

Both of the dishes would have been a solid four stars if the rice had been cooked through.  I'm fairly particular about my rice however - it's such a basic ingredient and foundational in both of these dishes that if it's not cooked through, there is no way to rescue it, so for that reason, I gave them a two to three star food rating.  I still have faith that they can make a great dish with some more attention to detail since their flavor profiles are so good. 

During this visit, I also heard that they're opening up another shop in the North Beach area.  All the best to HRD - if their service is any indication of how they'll do in the new space, they'll be great. 

Big Island Candies - Candies, Hilo, Hawaii

Best: Shortbread cookies

585 Hinano St, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 935-8890
Parking: in parking lot
http://bigislandcandies.com/BIC

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 5 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$

While this isn't a restaurant or cafe, Big Island Candies is definitely worth writing about!

Teiko gave me a piece of Big Island Candies shortbread when she came back from a trip to Hawaii.  Apparently, their products were originally only sold in stores on the Big Island, but it's now available in stores on the other islands as well.  Of course, they're also available online. 

I tried shortbread at a number of specialty shops during this trip to Hawaii.  Nothing comes close to the delicious Big Island Candies shortbread.  The address above is for the factory where you can watch the shortbread cookie manufacturing area.  The chocolate dipping stations are closest to the window and there are samples throughout the retail store for you to try their delectable treats.  They have everything from plain shortbread to chocolate dipped shortbread to  brownies to coffee.  There is even ice cream available for sale.  Unfortunately, the smallest serving is three scoops, so I had to pass - there was no way I would be able to eat it all.

While they have beautifully packaged individually wrapped cookies, at the store, you can get bulk packaged short bread which is a great deal.  Big Island Candies is known for their higher prices, but the cookies are so buttery and super crispy/flaky that they're completely worth it.  The photos just don't do them justice.  I would rank these first out of all the shortbread I tried for sure!  You can't miss this when you are on the Big Island. 

Taqueria El Farolito - Mexican, South San Francisco

394 Grand Ave, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 737-0138
Parking: street parking
http://www.elfarolitoinc.com/

Last Visited: July 11, 2012

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

I didn't realize this when I was eating here, but it turns out this place is a chain restaurant with locations in Rohnert Park, San Francisco, Concord, Santa Rosa, Oakland, San Jose, as well as in South San Francisco.

I noticed that the taqueria had gotten good ratings in South San Francisco and decided to check it out.  While it's certainly not a fancy place, it has seating available so I went to check it out for dinner one night. 

You order off the menu above the counter and the guy behind the register was very friendly and patient.   Everything comes in a red plastic basket and all of the utensils are plastic.  There is also a salsa bar and you'll pretty much need salsa since some of the meat is dry.

- Regular Taco Carne Asada  - While there is a lot of meat, this is a bit high in price for a taco.  However you might be almost full if you have a small appetite if you were to eat just one of these.  A lime wedge accompanies the taco.   I found the sauce to be insufficient and needed to get more salsa.  The flavor was okay. $ 6.25

- Super Burrito - The size of the burrito is reasonable, but I found the meat to be dry.  After a few bites, if you don't eat evenly around the burrito, or even if you do, it just lacks moisture and there is a need for salsa.  Be sure to stock up.  $5.80

- Tostada de Ceviche - I liked the fresh avocado on top of the very fresh tasting ceviche.  Of the three dishes I tried, this one was definitely the best.  The contrast between the crunchy tostada shell, the refreshing seafood, and the creamy avocado was great.  I would get this one again.  $4.50

Overall, the tostada was pretty good, but when it comes to the taco and burrito, I thought they were just okay.  The tostada kept the food rating at 2 to 3 stars.  Considering the great competition in this area for Mexican food, I expected more. 

Two Ladies Kitchen - Mochi, Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

Best: Strawberry Mochi
274 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-4766
Parking: street parking
Hours: Wed to Sat 11am -5pm

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 stars
Price: $

Two Ladies Kitchen was highly recommended by Jay and Brent, and as someone whom has always loved Chinese style mochi, I was excited about trying something I enjoy so much in a new way. 

It's rather unassuming from the outside, and when I went into the small shop, there was nobody out front.  This family who owns this business can be seen hard at work in the kitchen.  The women who came to the register took our orders and let us know there would be a short wait - it was definitely made fresh for our order. 

I had recently tried a kaiseki style meal which is a multi-course traditional Japanese meal.  For dessert, they had a grape wrapped with mochi.  That was my first introduction to fresh fruit and mochi. 

- Strawberry Mochi - Jay had mentioned that I needed to go early to make sure that they didn't run out of their strawberry mochi, so I got there right before they opened.  A whole sweet fresh strawberry is covered with tsubashi-an (sweetened red bean paste) and wrapped in mochi.  If you have never eaten mochi before, it's made with sweet rice flour (aka sticky rice flour).  The glutinous texture is a little chewy and very soft - it makes for a delightful experience whether flavored or filled.  The addition of fresh fruit gives an amazing freshness and juiciness to each bite.  It's no wonder Two Ladies is known for this in particular.  Note that these don't last long because of the fruit, but once you've had a bite, it's hard not to be addicted.  $2.75 each

- Lilikoi Mochi - The same sweet rice flour as described above is flavored with lilikoi and cut into squares.  Lilikoi is similar to passion fruit in its flavor - they're from the same family.  The pulp of lilikoi is more tart than passion fruit.   Each square was super soft and delicate. 

Two Ladies has a very large variety of flavored mochi including sweet potato, peach, brownie, and much more.  If I were a local, I would definitely be back to try the other flavors.  If you're in the area, the strawberry mochi is a must try.

Kailua Candy Company - Candy, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Corner of Kamanu Street & Kauholo Street, Kailua Kona, HI 96745
(800) 622-2461
http://kailua-candy.com

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$$

While this isn't a cafe or restaurant, Jay recommended the Kailua Candy Company for handmade chocolates and cheesecake so it was easy to make it my first stop upon arriving to Kona. 

When we entered the store, we were a bit surprised to see that the setup was like a general store - there was a mail center (which explains why they can so easily ship their goods), tall shelves with somewhat random Asian items, a freezer full of cheesecake and some ice cream, and the back window that gives you a view of their kitchen.

Kathy came up to us and immediately began to offer us samples of the honus and swirls and of course, it worked - we were munching away as she sweetly described her products and how they are homemade. 

- Macadamia Nut Honus (Turtles) - All of the chocolates and candies are available for purchase by the pound or boxed.  The turtles are available in both dark or milk chocolate. While the macadamia nuts aren't super fancy, they still make the turtle taste really good - the caramel, chocolate, and macadamia nuts are a great combination - how could you go wrong?  Good. 

- Kona Coffee Swirls - Kathy describes these swirls as melting away in your mouth with a rich flavor and aftertaste of Kona coffee and great for after dinner, or breakfast.  I could definitely taste the coffee at the end even after it had melted away.  For me, these are better at the store than once at home.  I would choose the turtles over these because the milk solids appear very quickly, a testimony to their freshness, and since they're like half-domes, they easily fused together because they are packed stacked.  Okay.

- Shortbread - A bag of a dozen shortbread squares, some plain, some dipped in white chocolate, some in milk chocolate, and some in dark chocolate are good and super buttery, but not as crispy as some of their competition.  I would skip the shortbread unless it's your only option.  $4.50

- Cheesecake - Oh My Goodness - There are a number of options for cheesecake flavors available for purchase by the slice or whole.  These slices are marketed as good for two people.  I personally think they're closer to one and a half servings, but very good nonetheless.  Kathy says that they're not super sweet.  I found the chocolate covering to still be fairly sweet, but the tropical flavors added to the cheesecake are a nice balance.  The chocolate cookie crust is pretty thick, but holds up well.  If you want to enjoy your cheesecake right in the store, there are a couple of tables and chairs, and Kathy will put it in the microwave to soften it up for you. ~$4/slice

My favorite item was the honus, but be aware that prices are premium to match the handmade product.  Cheesecake was a close second in my book. 

Kathy is great at selling her product, but you may also notice that she has a sales voice and a regular voice. Either way, you'll find her very hospitable.  Look at the bottom of one of the shelves to find reduced prices for imperfect candies and chocolates.  These are typically at least 20% off and a great deal for candies and chocolates you plan to purchase for yourself.

Merriman's Market Cafe - Mediterranean, Waikoloa, Hawaii

250 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Suite J106, Waikoloa, HI 96738
(808)886-1700
Parking: shopping center parking lot
Hours: Open daily; Lunch 11:30 am - 3:30 pm, Happy Hour 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 9pm, Light Fare & Bar 9pm - 9:30 pm
http://merrimanshawaii.com/market_cafe.htm

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 1 to 2 stars
Price: $ to $$$

I had heard that Merriman's is rather expensive, but offers a fine dining experience.  Peter Merriman has a strong culinary background and this cafe was described as follows on the restaurant website: "His culinary innovation remains the predominant creative force here as well, but the menu is rooted in Mediterranean flavors in a Tapas style."

It seemed like the market cafe would give me a taste of what the restaurant was all about and it was conveniently located near the hotel I was staying at.  The casual bar, tables, and outdoor dining facing the mall offer a relaxed atmosphere.

When we arrived at the restaurant, there were two hostesses just outside, but both seemed occupied as they were having a conversation with one another.  When we were close enough that there was no denying the fact that we wanted to dine there, one greeted us and walked us to our table.  After looking at the menus, a staff member came to pour water into our glasses, but was unable to answer questions about the menu.  She told us that she would have the server come to our table.  About ten minutes later, our server, Barry, arrived and apologized for not coming over sooner and asked if we had any questions.  This was the beginning of the mish mash of varied service that we experienced throughout our time dining there. 

At first glance, I thought the menu offerings was more Italian than Mediterranean.  However, there is often a crossover between both styles of dishes, so I ordered some light fare.  I arrived during happy hour and tried a few items.

- Crispy Calamari - Buttermilk fried calamari with house tomato herb marinara and cilantro aioli - This is one of the items listed on the regular menu.  Large calamari, much larger than usual, is lightly breaded and served with a wedge of lemon and the other sauces.  The meat was tender and the breading was crispy. $12.95

- Garlic Truffle Fries - This is a very full plate of fries.  When you pay regular price, you can expect that you'll be full.  The fries come with a mustard based aioli that I didn't particularly care for - I preferred to accompany the fries with the aioli from the calamari.  At happy hour prices, this is a generous portion.  If you have tried Gordon Biersch fries in San Francisco, you'll find that these are a lot crispier, but the truffle garlic butter isn't mild in comparison.  I thought it tasted good, but could have a stronger garlic flavor.  $4.95 Happy Hour, $6.95 Dinner

- Romaine Caesar Salad - White anchovy and handcrafted crostini are served atop dressed romaine leaves.  Compared to romaine in California, I thought these greens had a texture more like a combination of butter lettuce/red leaf lettuce.  I would have preferred to swap the size of the fries with that of the fries - this is an extremely small plate (though hard to tell from the photo) - probably just enough to fit on the saucer of your tea cup.  The dressing also tasted more like ranch than caesar. If I had paid regular price, I would have expected a lot more, but it turns out that the portions are the same no matter when you order. $4.95 Happy Hour, $6.95 Dinner

While waiting for food, we heard another server share the specials with her table - this was the first we had heard of any specials being available.

The server had asked if everything could be served at once, and we answered yes.  However, the food came in spurts - the calamari and fries first and the server (perhaps a junion one) that served them told us to enjoy the food.  Then five minutes later, he came back with the salads and told us to enjoy them again. 

The same server that took our order came back to check on us one time and his kindest words came wiht the check.  As we left, the hostesses again ignored us and the only person that said thank you as we departed was another server (she was the one we had seen earlier that had shared the specials) despite us passing a number of staff members who looked at us and would look rapidly away.  

Merrimen's offers good food and happy hour dishes are very reasonable.  Service is lacking from Barry and from the hostesses whom are so pre-occupied with their own conversation that patrons get neglected.  The one server who is on top of things kept the range up to 2 stars for service.  If you are staying in Waikoloa, considering ordering to go to avoid the service issues, but still enjoy good food.

Tropical Dreams - ice cream, Hawi, Hawaii

174 Kamehameha Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 935-9109

Parking: street parking

 

Last Visited: October 2012

 

Food: 3 stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Service: 3 stars

Price: $ to $$

 

All of my tour books for the Big Island kept talking about Tropical Dreams.  The sense that it was available on a limited basis (only at their stores and certain stores or restaurants throughout the Big Island) somehow added to the exclusivity of the product.  How could you go wrong with locally made ice cream?  I was determined to get it at their shop rather than at another carrier. 

 

I thought it sounded familiar, and when I saw the flavors being offered, I realized that I get this stuff at home in the SF Bay Area fairly easily - just go to an Asian market.  Unfortunately, when I saw what was in the case, I didn't find the super exotic flavors that I was hoping for - there was green tea, strawberry, and tahitian vanilla, but I didn't see any macadamia nut or ginger flavors. 

Tropical Dreams is known for super premium ice cream.  I ended up trying the coconut cream and it was ok, but not as creamy or rich as I was hoping for.  If you happen to be driving through Hawi, it's worth a stop, but if you make it your destination, and you have access to tropical flavors elsewhere, you might not be as enamored by it.  Sizes available include Keiki, Single, and Double.

Service was ok - nothing too special and salads are other options are available in case you are hungry.  For me, it was just alright.  Having a scoop of Mitchell's or Magnolia at home or even a quart of Tropical Dreams from my local Asian market is sometimes more satisfying. 

Tex Drive In - Hawaiian/American, Honokaa

Best: Malisadas

45-690 Pakalana St, Honokaa HI 96727
(808) 775-0598
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.texdriveinhawaii.com

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

Brent recommended checking out Tex Drive In.  Their world famous malisadas are definitely worth trying.  Although they offer a menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and plate lunches, no matter the time of day, you'll find them offering malisadas, both plain and filled with fruit and cream fillings.

The sign on the Hawaii Belt Road is easy to see, and at first, you might wonder why the sign on the building is so shabby, but drive to the front entrance and you'll see that it's a bustling roadside diner.  Even the local police were hanging out there (kind of stereotypical to find them near the donuts or in this case, the malisadas, but I figure they know where to get the best food locally). 

- Malisadas - I couldn't find the malisadas on the menu, but I knew I was in the right place because you can see them making malisadas behind the glass.  Available with a variety of fillings including raspberry, guava, apricot, and more, I ordered a bavarian creme and a plain malisada.  Oh that sweet goodness. These are pillows of warm, soft, fried dough filled with delightful lusciousness.  Even when you enjoy one the next day, it's still good - more like eating bread, but still delicious. $1.06 plain, $1.56 filled

And the service was good - the person who took my order was very friendly and my malisadas were promptly given to me.

If you like a plain krispy kreme or fried dough in general, you'll enjoy these for sure.  You've gotta try these if you're on the Big Island!

Shanghai Bistro - Chinese, Millbrae

1055 El Camino Real, Millbrae CA 94030
(650) 692-8858
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, 5pm-11pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am - 11pm
http://www.shanghaibistrousa.com
Parking: in shopping center parking lot

Last Visited: September 16, 2012

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 1 to 2 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

I've been driving by this place for a while and decided to finally check it out.  When we went it, it was packed with just one table free which we ended up taking.  They set up the table as we were sitting and after giving us menus, it took them about ten minutes to come back and check on us. 

After ordering, it had to be another ten to fifteen minutes before the first dish arrived.  Like many other Asian places, items that are typically thought of as appetizers don't necessarily come first. 

- Beef Tendons Noodle Soup - Large chunks of beef with tendons are served with a few spinach leaves and noodles in a five-spice flavored broth.  The beef was good and the noodles were al dente.  I would have liked a few more spinach leaves to balance soak up the flavor. Good - on par with what I would expect elsewhere. $7.50

- Pork Potstickers (6) - The potstickers are filled with pork filling and fried until golden brown on the bottom.  I thought the wrapper texture had a little more chewiness than usual probably due to rice flour.  Other than that, it was fine.  $5.50

- Steamed Dumpling (8) - These steamed dumplings had seemingly the same filling as the potstickers.  With a decent amount of soup inside and a dumpling wrapper that wasn't too thick, these were also good.  $6.50

While the food as a whole was fine, the experience was not an enjoyable one due to the service.  The servers are so busy trying to get tables in and out that they forget that we're not cattle.  When our bill was almost ready to come, they pointed to the people waiting that they could have our table.  The staff started to clean up the table and even took the tea away before the bill arrived.  To add insult to injury, before I had even finished paying our check, while my dining companion had stepped away, one of the patrons waiting for a table headed to my table and sat down.  The staff should have stopped this from happening.  Saving two to three minutes isn't worth it when you rush people out and leave them stunned by the lack of service - we're not in a communal table setting so this was completely inappropriate.  Lastly, they told me the credit card machine ran out of tape, so they couldn't produce a copy for me - huh?  I've seen people put in a new tape and make a copy - this was just a sad customer service experience and the food just isn't superb enough to draw me back again. 

JoAnn's Cafe - Diner, American, Breakfast, South San Francisco

1131 El Camino Real, South San Francisco 94080
(650) 872-2810
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-2:30pm, Wed-Sat 5pm-9pm, Sun 8am-2:30pm

Last Visited: September 1, 2012

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

I was looking for a place to meet a friend for brunch and stumbled upon JoAnn's Cafe.  Located near my local KFC, this place can be easily missed if you are driving by with so many restaurant signs that stand out more next to it.

I arrived mid-morning and the place was packed.  I waited about ten minutes to sit at a table.  Counter seating is also available.  I was promptly greeted when I walked in and had a seat on the bench outside until my name was called.  Once in the diner, the open kitchen is busy and you can hear the food on the grill.  The waitress that came by was somewhat friendly, but there is opportunity for improvement here.

The glass case just inside the door showed all of the muffins available, but none had labels, so you play a bit of a guessing game.

- Apple Walnut Muffin - A lot of folks seemed to like the muffins so I tried one and I would agree - the muffin top is like eating a cookie.  A little crisp on the edges, it's like eating dessert for breakfast.  $2

- Spinach and mushroom side - They don't give you that much spinach, and they make it seem like more by not cooking it down all the way.  I guess I would prefer to get the same amount cooked just right rather than this half uncooked/half cooked way. The mushrooms could be a lot more caramelized - instead, they're pretty soft.  $3.95

- Home fries potatoes side - The quantity of potatoes is good, but lacks both browning on the potatoes and salt.  A touch more salt makes them a lot more flavorful.  I cooked my leftovers at home for another meal and got them brown and crispy, so it could be improved. $2.95

The food is okay, but lacks flavor - my items could use more salt and more browning.  The portions for regular combinations seem to be a bit small for the price that you pay - most breakfast combos are around $10 to $12.  I actually thought that my sides were better portioned. 

The waitress seemed to be rushing us out despite the fact that there wasn't a line and that there were other tables available.  She also missed our request for two leftover boxes and brought us only one. We were unable to flag her down, so we had to go to the counter for asssistance - this isn't a big deal, but it wasn't particularly busy.  Service could be improved in general.  JoAnn's has the standards and would be a good option if you didn't want to cook, but it doesn't have the wow factor.

Sunflower Caffe - California cuisine, Sonoma

421 First St West, Sonoma CA 95476
(707) 996-6645
Parking: street parking
http://www.sonomasunflower.com/

Last Visited: July 28, 2012

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$

I recently saw an episode of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and with this place being in my backyard, I knew I had to check it out.  The sound of housemade harissa and fresh chimichurri sounded interesting and I really enjoy lamb when it is made right.

Sunflower Caffe is located in Sonoma Plaza and is tucked away - one might easily walk by thinking it's just a coffee shop and never notice the quaint back patio which is a bit reminiscent of a tiki bar.  Straw decorates the area, and shady trees offer an escape.  Formerly the Coffee Garden, Sunflower Caffe has maintained the coffee bar offerings, but has added a variety of sandwiches with ethnic flare.  Order at the front counter off the paper menus and then head to the tables with your number. 

- Persian chicken and herbed salad flatbread - Saffron marinated grilled chicken thigh and grilled tomato with a Persian herbed salad is served over a grilled turmeric and coriander flatbread.  The chicken was tender and flavorful, but the flatbread was too thick and was less enjoyable as the meal continued.  I'm not sure what made the salad Persian, but it had some mint in it which had a distinct flavor that paired well with the other seasoning.  I would have preferred this dish with naan or thinner flatbread.  A tortilla might have been a good substitution as well.  $13.95

- Lamb burger - Ground lamb is mixed with feta and rubbed with housemade harissa and black pepper.  A fresh chimichurri tops the burger which is served on a ciabatta roll. Harissa is typically made with piri piri chili peppers.  On Guy's show, the chef was featured making the dish with other peppers and adapting the typical recipe.  I liked the chimichurri, but would have wanted to have double the amount.  The lamb was gamey and the feta only seemed to accentuate the gamey flavor.  More chimichurri would have helped to offset that gaminess.  The shape of the meat patty was also too small for the bread and round shaped while the roll was square, leaving extra bread at the end of the meal.  Nothing comes with the burger except the lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a couple of rings of onion on the side.  For this price, I would have liked a small side or charge slightly more and offer a side.  $13.95

Smoked duckbreast sandwich and goat cheese filled piquillo peppers were also featured on the show, but I didn't get a chance to try them.

Sunflower Caffe offers a bit of spice to the Sonoma scene, and the flavors are interesting, but there is opportunity to improve each of the dishes I tried.  Prices are a bit high for lunch options and there is limited service - mostly young people bringing food to the tables, but nobody checking on you after you have received your food.  The prices seem high for the self-service environment.  Make your way through the hall to the back patio for a great place to enjoy drinks with friends or the nice weather - that's the real treasure here.

SR24 - American, Oakland - CLOSED

5179 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 655-9300
Parking: strip mall parking lot and street parking

Last Visited: February 2011

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

SR24 was praised in the SF Chronicle and a few other magazines for its organic, locally grown ingredients.  Travelzoo had a special deal for two starters, two entrees, and a shared dessert for $35, half the usual price, so I purchased a local deal and gave it a try.  My guess is that the combination of location and price caused the restaurant to close from lack of business - the prices are that of a high-end restaurant, but the bars on the windows don't convey that well. 

Complimentary bread in a paperbag with a block of compound butter made with rosemary and sea salt are served at room temperature was a nice beginning.  The bread was even warm.

- Caesar salad - The romaine hearts were chilled and dressed well.  The shaved parmesan topping the lettuce was also good.  The only thing I didn't care for were the croutons.  While alone they were fine, it was the first of a couple of dishes that seemed to be supplemented with croutons.
- Sweet corn soup, Dungeness crab, and hot chili oil - I liked the sweet corn soup.  Served in a giant bowl, it was definitely what you would expect at a middle to higher end restaurant in terms of presentation.  The sweetness was balanced nicely with the chili oil without it being too spicy.  The crab was present, though not abundant.  A sprig of tarragon is placed on top as garnish.
- Seafood stew with rockfish, mussels and squid - The croutons make their appearance again.  The stew had a nice flavor, but what seafood stew is complete without shrimp?  The shrimp was noticeably absent.  While the portion looked a little small, it was good. 

- Kobe pot roast -  I really liked this pot roast.  The meat was tender and had the right ratio of fat to meat.  The demi-glace sauce was rich, and the ciopollini onions and carrots were sweet.  I would have liked a few more potatoes than what I got.  If they were still open, I would get this dish again.
- French toast bread pudding - By the time I got to dessert, I was getting pretty full.  The warm french toast was good.  I wouldn't really call it pudding, but it is soft.  The ice cream quinelle was a nice constrast against the hot sweet cake. 

SR24 was promising in terms of food, but the prices just weren't right for the area.  The environment was also a tad on the cozy side with tables very close together.  The patrons at the table on either side of us were also enjoying a Travelzoo deal, so the deal was successful in the short term.  If  I had had to pay full price, I would have had higher expectations.  Happy hour offerings were decent with a few items for $5, but even that couldn't bring them enough business considering the neighborhood.   

Squeeze Inn - Burgers, Sacramento

Best: Cheese skirt on a burger

1350 Harbor Blvd, West Sacramento CA 95691
(916) 371-6779
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Mon to Sat - 10am to 8pm, Closed Sundays

http://www.thesqueezeinn.com

Last Visited: March 17, 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

After seeing Squeeze Inn on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, I knew that if I was ever in the area, I would have to try one of their burgers.  While the original Squeeze Inn was converted from an entrance way to a waffle house and therefore is very small, the newer locations look like typical fast food joints.  The original location fits 12 patrons, but there are now many locations including Midtown, Roseville, Tracy, Napa, Vacaville, and more.  Homage to the first location is made by showing facade of the original orange house.
A board showing the menu items is on the wall right next to the counter where you order. 

- Squeezecheese - Known as the 'best burger in town,' the squeezecheese is unique.  The skirt is called that for a reason - cheese is melted over 1/3 pound of hamburger and you can see from the photo that the cheese is the size of a dinner plate. Mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion come with the burger which is placed on a sesame seed bun.  I enjoyed how all of the vegetables were very fresh, but the skirt is really impressive - eat it alone or fold it and eat it with the burger.  The chewy cheesy consistency is delicious if you're a cheese lover, just slightly browned on the bottom giving that extra flavor and crispiness on the edges.  One of a kind!  And for those with smaller appetites, one burger is definitely enough for two.  $6.99

- Sweet Potato Fries - I loved these thick cut fries.  At some restaurants, you'll find skinny fries, but these are super meaty and chunky.  A small order is very generous as you can see from the photo.  Served with ranch dressing a green aioli - yum.   Small $3.59, Large $4.29

In case you don't like cheese, a regular squeeze burger is available too.  A 1/4 pound burger is also available, and depending on the day, you'll even find tacos on the specials menu. 

The decor is very local and respects Sacramento's finest - t-shirts of local law enforcement and such.  It's spacious and clean and easily accessible in terms of parking too.

I also appreciated how someone came around to check on us after we had ordered and received our food.

Squeeze Inn is definitely worth checking out if you love cheese or a juicy burger.

Taqueria La Morena - Mexican, South San Francisco

307 Baden Ave, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 589-4447
Parking: street parking and pay parking lot across the street

Last Visited: August 5, 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ 

Audrey told me about the burritos at La Morena, so when a coworker suggested we go there, I knew exactly what I was going to order. 

La Morena is pretty easy to find with it being located in a two story building.  You enter the restaurant and order downstairs at the counter.  The menu is posted above the counter and they offer a lot of typical dishes that you would expect to see at a taqueria - nachos, tortas, enchiladas, tamales, tacos, tostadas, and of course, burritos.  Seating is available both upstairs and downstairs and you're surrounded by colorful murals.

Like so many taquerias in this area, chips and salsa cost extra.  However, if you order chips, there is some blended salsa, both green and red, available at the salsa bars.  Choice of meat available include carne asada, carnitas, lengua, chicken, al pastor, chile verde, and chile colorado. 

- Super Burrito - Choice of meat with rice, beans, tomato, salsa, hot sauce, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.  The hot sauce is made with green tomatillos, but I didn't really taste it.  I got a side of green salsa from the salsa bar and it was definitely a little bit hot.  Nothing to be afraid of though.  The meat was succulent and moist and the contents of the burrito blended very well together.  The tortilla was hot and had just the right texture.  Half of a burrito was filling enough for lunch.  Yum.  $6

- Nachos - The menu claims that there are enough nachos to serve two and I would agree if you're light eaters.  If you can finish a whole burrito, you would probably be able to enjoy the full plate of nachos without an issue.  With a generous amount of meat, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, beans, and melted cheese, you will enjoy this plate.  However, it's more noticable in the nacho plate that the guacamole and sour cream are a bit diluted.  $6.50 Full order, $5.50 half order

While it's not a fancy place, the food portions are large, and the flavors are good. 

El Pinto - Mexican, Albuquerque, New Mexico

10500 4th St NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico
(505) 898-1771
http://www.elpinto.com
Parking: in parking lot

Last Visited: Summer 2005

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$


Established in 1962, El Pinto's is the place to go to try out New Mexican flavor, especially if you are new to the Anaheim chile.  It's like going to Chevy's with a more New Mexican twist, so if you're comfortable with large restaurants, you'll feel comfortable here.   And the best part of it all was being able to bring home some El Pinto's salsa - you can enjoy mild, medium, or hot.

The restaurant is a little dated in its setup with the Christmas lights hanging in the area during summer.  While one could say it brings a romantic feel, I think that it might not be as modern as it could be.  Nevertheless, the food is solid and probably would be a great backup for when you don't want to cook.

- Taco Salad - Seasoned meat (choice of pork, chicken, or beef) topped with lettuce, sour cream, pinto beans, rice, guacamole, tomato, and your choice of chile.  It's what you would expect of a good taco salad and is definitely filling.

- Taco Plate - Two tacos with your choice of beef, chicken, or cheese and machaca. We chose one with chicken and one with beef.  Served with rice, beans, and a basket of sopapillas (which is common with lots of restaurants in this area), you're very likely to be full.  They also have a number of plates with three tacos.  Good. 

While this was a dinner visit, it's good to know that lunch specials are very reasonable - you'll find a number of them for around $10.   The staff is abundant and they're efficient, and the food portions are large.  You definitely get good value when you come here.  I would be happy to come back or order some more of their salsa.

Fonda - Tapas, Albany

1501 Solano Avenue, Albany CA 94707

(510) 559-9006

Parking: street parking

Hours: Daily Afternoon Siesta 5pm - 7pm, Dinner 5 pm -12:30 am, Late Night Happy Hour 9 pm -Close

Weekend brunch 10:00 am - 3 pm

http://www.fondasolana.com/

Last Visited: September 25, 2011

Food: 3 to 4 stars

Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars

Service: 3 to 4 stars

Price: $$ to $$$$

Beth recommended Fonda for a dinner and drinks event that we were having for a large group.  The casual, but busy atmosphere made for a comfortable environment for the group to chill and hang out. 
After eating our way through the menu that night, I thought it might be fun to take a foodie friend there to try some new dishes. 

Beth loves the duck tacos and I remember enjoying them during my first visit, so I got them again. 

- Duck Tacos - Served with with guacamole and arbol salsa.  I love guacamole.  The quantity of guacamole is abundant and the duck is super tender.  The dish is quite rich, but I could probably eat four of these and not be full.  Good.  $7.50

- Seared sea scallops - Served with frisee, orange segments, and saffron-aji amarillo aioli.  This is a really refreshing and light dish.  The scallops are seared well and flavorful, but it feels like just a bite. I could probably make this at home without too much difficulty.  $13.50

- Grilled Rack of Lamb - Churasco style with chimichurri.  The lamb was tender and not gamey. The chimichurri is flavor. I liked this dish quite a bit, but pricing is on the high side even for tapas.   $15.25

- Sauteed Spinach - with apples, raisins, and pine nuts.  The spinach was a little too salty today.  The last time I had it was more balanced, but even the sweetness of the raisins and apples weren't enough to offset the quantity of salt. $6


- Grilled calamari - with cherry tomatoes and siquil-p'ak.  This was one of the most memorable dishes, and not in the best way.  The calamari was tender and the tomatoes were fresh.  However, the siquil-p'ak was a mystery to us.  Siquil-p'ak is made from pumpkin seeds and roasted tomatoes.  It is typically served as a dip. This mixture was kind of fluffy and didn't have a lot of flavor.  Despite trying it with the calamari and on its own, I just didn't feel like it fit in - most likely because the texture wasn't appropriate for a dip.  Salsa or guacamole would have been a welcome substitute.

After splitting all of this food with my buddy, I was still hungry.  So we ordered the fish tacos. 

- Fish Tacos - The fish is lightly fried and served with radish slaw, coriander, and aioli.  The crema against the crunchy breading of the fish was really good.  Both my dining companion and I agreed that we actually liked the fish tacos more than the duck tacos.  $7.50

So open up your wallets or come when you're not too hungry.   Alternately, there is a late night happy hour when some of these dishes are available at a reduced price.
 
The noise level increased as the evening wore on, so be aware of that when you go.  It might not be the best place if you don't want to be shouting at one another by the end of the meal.

The final word on Fonda - it's good food in a fun atmosphere and is especially ideal for groups, but the prices are a little steep for dinner considering the portions offered.