Papa's Taverna - Greek, Petaluma

5688 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma CA 94954

(707) 769-8545

Hours: Closed Mon and Tues, Wed and Thurs 11:30am-2pm, Fri-Sun 11:30am-10pm

http://www.papastaverna.com/

Last Visited: July 9, 2011

Food: 3 stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Service: 2 to 3 stars

Price: $ to $$

It's been more than a few years since I've been to Papa's Taverna.  I had a craving for Greek food and met a friend out here for dinner one evening.

Their website says that they're under new ownership.  Maybe that's part of the reason I felt the place had changed.  I had come here many moons ago for a family dinner and had found the place rather charming for our table of many guests, but now it seems like it could use a renovation and remodel.

Enter the restaurant in the evening and you'll be given the option to be seated near the band or in the other dining area.  I chose the area away from the band because the sun was about to set and this room offers views of the water, boats, and other scenery.  The decor seems a bit dated and less than wow.

The service to start the evening right from the start could have used some improvement.  The server was abrupt and trying to be both host and server with plates in her hand.  I wouldn't have minded waiting for her to finish serving first before coming over to seat us.  Once seated, the order process was fine, but her timing for checking on us was a bit off.

- Fried Calamari - Although the frying oil was fresh and the color on the calamari was good, the batter was too soft and it seemed like frozen calamari that had been breaded versus breading done in house.  The cucumber slices and pieces of tomato addded a nice freshness, but I still found it lackluster.  $10

- Mousaka - Greek vegetable, meat lasagna.  Served with a half Papa's horiatiki salad.  The salad is served first and comes with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta chunks.  I really liked how this feta wasn't too salty.  The presentation of the mousaka could be more pleasing - the darkened edges make the pasta look dry.  The flavor was ok.  The vegetables were alright, but nothing to write home about. $18

- Pork Gyro with French Fries - The gyro was tasty with the toasted pita bread and fresh vegetables with the grilled meat.  The pita is grilled until warm and slightly crisp.  The amount of thick cut french fries are good and they were fried to an acceptable crispness. I would have liked them to be even a little crispier.  Of the dishes tried, the gyro was probably one of the better dishes of the evening.  $14

While the server was pleasant, her overall demeanor could use some polishing.  The atmosphere is old and outdated.  Pricing on their menu is a bit high for dinner entrees.  If prices were lowered $2 to $3 per dish, I would find it more palatable for my wallet considering the overall ambiance.

Papa's Taverna might be a good place to go to watch the belly dancing or hear live music, but it's a bit expensive considering the service and atmosphere.  The gyro is a good choice.

Sunrise Deli - Middle Eastern, San Francisco

2115 Irving St, San Francisco CA 94122
(415) 664-8210
Parking: street parking

Last Visited: September 2, 2006

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

Located amidst many Chinese restaurants and markets, Sunrise Deli may be overlooked initially, but stand outside and smell the fresh falafel and kabobs, and you’re sure to take notice. Opened in 1984, you’ll see the meat roasting in the front window. Sunrise Deli is part store, part restaurant. The rear side of the right wall contains many canned items and the refrigerator in the rear contains cold drinks. The counter on the right sits in front of a menu on the wall and you can choose between multiple combination selections and other items. Sunrise also offers baked goods.

The young man behind the counter is knowledgeable and friendly. There seemed to be many that were regulars, but also a lot of new people like myself, and he was very amiable about explaining what items contained.

- Lamb Schwarma Sandwich - Lamb seemed to be a popular item on the menu so I selected this sandwich. A pita shell is lightly smeared with hummus on the inside and filled with warm lamb that has been cut from the roast and lightly fried. Lettuce and other goodies are added to create a melt in your mouth sandwich. Very good. It’s a great bargain and has great flavor. $5.99

- Vegetarian Combo – The vegetarian combo came with hummus, babaganoush, dolmas, two pieces of pita bread, falafel, and taboulleh (tomato, bulgar, cucumber salad). There’s also a mixture of something with a lot of parsley and garlic. It’s all piled high on a plate, but I noticed myself getting a little weary after half the plate was eaten. The falafel was warm and crisp on the outside, and just the right texture on the inside – not soggy, but just the right softness. The dolma was nicely flavored. The babaganoush had a mild flavor and so did the hummus. The taboulleh had a lot of parsley. I would recommend this plate to share. There’s too much for one person. $4.99

- Sesame Bread Ring – A bread ring is topped with sesame – it makes for a delicious bun or roll. Very soft and fresh. $1.25

- Orangina – Well, this is bottled. They only offered large bottles, and it was good. $1.75

The restroom is in the rear of the kitchen. What was interesting this day was that nothing was taking place in the kitchen, or so it seemed. It was void of any cooking. There was lots of fresh parsley on the counter, but nothing else was happening around it. It appears most of the preparation takes place earlier in the day, and the cooking is handled outside.

Sunrise is a great place to get food on the go that’s fresh and delicious. The falafel is a treat, and the lamb schwarma sandwich is delicious. They also have many dishes available not in a sandwich so you’re bound to find something you like. A great place to have reasonably priced Middle Eastern food.

Napa Valley Restaurant Month - January 2012

There is still about a week left to enjoy some of the values offered by Napa Valley Restaurant Month.

Bottega is offering a short rib burger with Bottega chips for only $19. 
Brix has a three course prix fixe dinner for $38.

Auberge du Soleil, Angele, Meadowood, Mustards, La Toque, and many more are also participating.  Be sure to keep an eye out for the dates that each special is valid.

Hogan's Cafe - American, South San Francisco

125 Terminal Ct, Suite 44, S. San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 583-2293
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.hoganscafe.com/

Last Visited: December 21, 2011

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

Tiannah told me about Hogan's when we were talking about hole in the wall type places.  She spoke highly of their French Dip, so of course, I had to get it. 

Hogan's is located just off Produce Avenue on Terminal Court.  The street is aptly named because there are a number of produce warehouses here, and if you didn't see the huge sign for Hogan's just before the produce kiosk that checks in the big trucks, you might wonder if you're in the right place.  Just drive to the end of the terminal and Hogan's will be on your left side.  It's definitely one of those places where you only know about it if a local tells you where it is. 

Amidst the giant produce trucks and pallets of goods, you'll find this diner is open for breakfast and lunch.  I arrived a little before noon and the place was pretty full - it looked like a lot of local senior citizens, business folks, and truck drivers, some in large groups of six or more.  The menu offers lots of salads and sandwiches, and typical diner and dinner fare - plates of steak, burgers, and the like.

When we arrived, we saw lots of sports memorabilia and the place had a dive bar type of atmosphere.  The waitress called us 'hun' and showed us the specials.  Yes, she showed us an index card with hand-written specials. 

- French Dip - The french dip is filled with tender roast beef and the bun is soft on the inside and slightly hard on the outside.  Everything tasted really fresh, and I especially appreciated how the meat didn't have any tendons are gristle which I so often find when I order a french dip.  The sandwich is cut a little wide because when you get to the bottom of the dipping bowl near the end of the meal, it's hard to dip.  A wider bowl would have been better.  The fries were crispy on the outside, but I prefer them to be cooked until they're a little more golden. Overall, the sandwich was quite good.  I would definitely get it again.  $8.50

My dining companion ordered a salad instead of fries with her french dip.  The salad looked pretty fresh and it was nice that she had the option to order it. 

If you like dive bar type atmospheres, or just want to surprise your friends, Hogan's has a wide selection and a seemingly steady clientele - otherwise it would be easy to miss if they were depending on those passing by.

Sam's For Play Cafe - American, Santa Rosa

2630 Cleveland Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95403
(707) 528-2929
Parking: in parking lot
http://samsforplaycafe.com/
Last Visited: April 17, 2004

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

Sam’s For Play Café is located in front of the Comfort Inn. It’s a little hard to find the entrance, but enter as though you’re heading for the Comfort Inn. Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll see the glass case displaying a variety of shirts and apparel proudly displaying the Sam’s logo. Also directly in front of you will be the specials board and the counter seating.

The décor of the place is homey. There are old knick knacks on shelves above the windows ranging from bottles to cans with old labels from probably 25 to 30 years back. The windows have short curtains that have a blue checkered design. There are colorful posters displayed and there is an old black wood stove in the restaurant which now serves as the napkin and utensil bar.

Service is friendly and the atmosphere is warm. I have been to Sam’s several times before, but it’s been a while since my last visit. For my tastes, I find there are better places to eat in the area. One thing I do like is that entrees come with soup or salad and toast, but aside from the bargain pricing, food quality is average, and well, keep reading.

- Clam chowder – Creamy clam chowder is served with crackers. The soup was too salty this evening.

- Salad – Green salad with a slice of cucumber served with your choice of dressing. Most of the greens were fresh, though the cucumber had probably been sitting all day. The croutons are great though.

- Prime Rib Dinner – A cut of prime rib is served with your choice of potato (baked or mashed or French fries) and seasonal vegetables. Salad or soup and toast are also included. The vegetables consisted of a mix of zucchini, onions, and bell peppers this evening. The prime rib was okay. It wasn’t the best cut of meat, but the flavor was okay. Just keep your expectations in line with the restaurant that you’re in. We had asked for medium, but it turned out to be more of a medium well. The baked potato was fine, and the vegetables were seasoned lightly. $10.95

- Chicken Strips – Four large chicken strips are fried and served with honey mustard dipping sauce. You can also ask for ranch dressing. Again, salad or soup and toast are included along with potato and vegetables. We got French fries with this dish and they tasted great. The oil was fresh, so the chicken strips and the fries were excellent. $9.95

Although service was fine, the first glass of water I asked for had a piece of bread in it. When I told the waitress, she eagerly replaced it, but my second glass of water also had bread in it, albeit this was a much smaller piece. What kind of water does this place have? Or maybe the question is what’s in the pitchers holding the water? Anyhow, this was not impressive, and made me feel uneasy. Stick to typical food and I think you’ll be fine. Keep your expectations in check, and check your water. Everything else should go fine after that.

New England Lobster - Seafood, South San Francisco

170 Mitchell Ave, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 873-9000
Parking: street parking
Food Truck Hours: Weekdays 11am - 3pm
http://newenglandlobster.net/

Last Visited: January 6, 2012

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

My coworker, Audrey, had been raving about the yummy lobster roll at New England Lobster.  If you live or work near the airport or South San Francisco area, this convenient spot offers a market for fresh raw and cooked lobster, crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams, but it also offers a food truck open weekdays that serves up crab sandwiches, lobster rolls, and lobster corn chowder. 

The food truck is parked just outside the shop and its fire engine red exterior is hard to miss.  The board shows the offerings for the day, and you place your order with the person standing outside the truck who punches it into the iPad.  A few minutes later, your name is called, and voila - goodness awaits you. 

- Lobster Roll - The lobster roll is buttered and toasted and is authentic in true New England style.  The lobster meat is lightly dressed with mayonnaise and comes without toppings.  Toppings such as diced red onion, diced celery, and jalapenos are available at a side table for you to dress your roll the way you wish.  Old Bay and other seasonings are also available.  Along with the roll comes a wedge of lemon, a bag of kettle style chips, and a small container of coleslaw.  The coleslaw was ok - nothing profound either good or bad.  The length of the roll is longer than what you find at other places in the area.  I found the meat to be  sweet and succulent. If you're a purist, you'll really enjoy this one.  Good - I give it four stars.  $15.50 (includes tax)

While I prefer my lobster to be dressed with a few scallions and a thicker dressing, this is no shabby roll.  The location is convenient, and I wouldn't mind trying their other menu items next time.

If you're concerned about the wait, you can also call in your orders ahead of time and pick up at your leisure.  Two large picnic tables and benches are set on the grass, but seating is fairly limited. 

Also note that they'll be opening up a cafe in Burlingame that will be open on weekends, so keep an eye out for it.

Paige's Diner - American, Santa Rosa

1039 West College Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95401
(707) 579-8479
Parking: in shopping center parking lot

Last Visited: November 21, 2004

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

Paige’s Diner is located in the G&G shopping center. It’s a small place with a lot of windows. The tables are dark brown and the chairs are also dark and cushioned. It’s reminiscent of late 80s décor.

On the walls, you’ll find posters featuring rainbows and multicolored fish. The rear of the room holds the kitchen and a counter strewn with many magazines. I didn’t get a close look, but in general, it seemed disorderly. The front of the room contains a television showing some sports program, and a neon board featuring the specials for the day.

Paige’s is open for breakfast and lunch. We came late into the lunch hour and found the place to be fairly empty and except for two other tables, had the place to ourselves.

For full sandwiches, you can receive a choice of a cup of soup, side salad, fries, and cottage cheese amongst other things is available as your choice of side. They also have half sandwiches with side available for a slightly lower price.

- Clam Chowder – This clam chowder came as a side to a sandwich. I found it too thick. Although there were a lot of potatoes and some clams, and the flavor was good, the texture seemed a bit off. The soup was on the verge of becoming separated. It was rich and creamy, but barely slipped off the spoon. Not quite right for me - fair.

- Roast Beef Melt – Roast beef is placed between white bread spread with lots of mayonnaise. The good thing about this melt was the roast beef is real roast beef, not sliced deli meat. However, to keep the toasted bread from being soggy, there is also a lot of mayonnaise, so much that it will squeeze out of your sandwich. It’s got good flavor and the meat is juicy. Good. $8.25 (full sandwich with side)

- Chicken Strips – Chicken strips are located in the starters section of the menu. Available in buffalo style or crispy, we selected crispy. Five strips of chicken breast meat are served with choice of ranch or barbecue sauce. We selected ranch. The chicken strips were fine, but the ranch was too liquid. It seemed homemade, or at least home mixed, and had the wrong consistency. It barely stuck onto the chicken. Good chicken, bad dip. $6

The service was pretty bad. Although we were promptly greeted, it just didn’t feel very friendly. The cook rang the bell twice, and even after that, it seemed a good five minutes before our dishes came. We knew it was ours because we were the only people who hadn’t received food yet, and had it not been for one of the busboys asking the waitress if an order was up, we may not have ever gotten the food.

Despite the local radio stations recommendation to go to Paige’s, I wouldn’t recommend a trip. The food is okay at best, but there are so many places to try - this one would drop low on my list.

Mangiare - Cafe, Brisbane

1000 Marina Blvd, Brisbane, CA 94005
(650) 872-5050
Parking: in parking lot

Last Visited: November 11, 2011

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

Located in the old Hitachi building at Marina Boulevard, you could easily pass this place and never even know it was there.  For lunch, it's an accessible stop for folks in the nearby office buildings.  Despite the small sitting area, they get quite a few patrons walking in to order the large salads and good-sized sandwiches.

My buddy Sanjay suggested the place.  If you arrive before 11:30am, you're in good shape and will get fast service.  Anything after that leaves a lot to the unknown - wait times varied from five minutes to more than ten minutes.

I walked up to the counter and ordered a sandwich.  A few people were ahead of me and since you don't pay until the food is ready and your name is called, coupled with the fact that only two people are working during lunch, you'll find that it's not as efficient a production as you might find elsewhere.

- The Godfather II Sandwich - My sandwich ingredients (hot coppa, salami, prosciutto, and provolone on a sour roll with Italian dressing) were fresh with an adequate amount of meat for the price.  I wouldn't say that they're particularly generous, but you get what you pay for. Okay.  I would go again if I was in the area, but probably wouldn't make a special trip.  $5.50

Service is friendly, although things do get more chaotic with more orders.  Other items on the menu include hot sandwiches, sushi rolls, and soups.  The fish looked fresh, but I tend to stay away from sushi at places that don't have an official sushi chef.  The salads were good sized and it's easy to get out with lunch for about $7 and be full.

Not bad for a drop in lunch.  Probably not the best place to meet a friend since the space is small, but good if the weather is nice since outdoor seating is available. 

Note that the website printed on their menu is inactive, so don't bother looking for it.