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.