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.