1403 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa CA
(707) 544-3141
Parking: in parking lot
Last Visited: December 28, 2006
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
I had never heard of a pupusa until recently. Working in a company with a lot of folks with Hispanic origin has allowed me to enjoy a number or new feasts for the eyes when it comes to the cafeteria and watching what everyone eats for lunch. It’s especially fun watching what everyone brings for potluck days. As you drive on Highway 12 from Farmers Lane towards Sebastopol, you’ll see the business off to the right side next to 7-Eleven. I knew I needed to stop in there one of these days, and having my coworker tell me what a pupusa is really made it that much more appealing.
A pupusa is often described as two corn tortillas sandwiched together and stuffed with pork, cheese, squash, beans, or the like. It has a comfort food feeling about it with the warm dough reminding me a lot of Chinese green onion pancakes, though less fried and not as glutinous.
When I arrived, I seated myself and was quickly brought a menu. The place is painted a bright blue with three booths with red benches on both sides of the restaurant. Tables fill in the center. Around the room, you see pictures of El Salvador. It’s a casual place, and from what I’ve heard, the owner used to make the same pupusas for her friends to eat and decided to start her own business. It’s great to know you’re supporting small business owners.
The waitress was friendly and asked me if I was ready to order and wanted anything to drink. Since I was waiting for friends, I told her I would have some water and wait to order. She was very kind, checking in on me until friends got there, and when we had questions about how we should order, she made recommendations about how many pupusas to get and that we should consider our empanada as dessert rather than a main dish.
Each item is plated separately, and she announced the food upon arrival. We were given salsa (in a container that you would normally see containing maple syrup) and a bowl of curtido to share. The curtido is pickled cabbage, carrots, and some chili flakes. It’s fairly mild in flavor. I started to think about how the curtido seems like a less spicy version of kim chee, though for the curtido, the cabbage is sliced thin.
- Pupusa Revuelta – Pork – This pupusa is filled with ground pork. It’s juicy on the inside, though not bursting, and is lightly grilled on the outside. Very good. $1.75
- Pupusas de Ayote con Queso – My coworker suggested I try this one out. It contains squash (zucchini perhaps?) which provides a nice texture contrast compared to the cheese with which it is paired. It’s got a slightly more al dente mouth feel than the pupusa revuelta. $1.75
I had originally ordered a pupusa containing rice and beans, but when I made the switch to the squash and cheese pupusa, the waitress smiled told me that this one was a better choice.
- Empanada Plantanos con Leche – This is a fried plantain with cream inside. It’s an interesting texture since the outside is crispy, then it’s softer, and the center is even softer. The cream was different than what I expected, but it wasn’t too sweet. Good. $1.50
The salsa helps flavor the pupusa and the curtido gives it a nice balance so that the grilled food is balanced with something vinegar in flavor. This is common in Asian cooking as well, not to mention German with their sauerkraut.
Prices at Pupusa Salvadorena are outrageously low. You can hear the making of the pupusas in the back from the sound of the dough being slapped between someone’s hands as it is formed. It’s home style cooking in a low key environment, and it’s comfort food. The simple menu provides some great treats. Check this place out.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Bottega - Italian, Yountville
Best: Creamy Polenta Under Glass
6525 Washington Street, Yountville CA 94599
(707) 945-1050
Parking: in parking lot
Lunch: Tues - Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, Dinner: Sun-Thurs 5pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm
http://www.botteganapavalley.com/
Last Visited: December 17, 2011
Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 4 to 5 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$
After recent experiences at Food Network chef restaurants (Morimoto Napa and Tyler Florence's Rotisserie and Wine), I was starting to think that I should stop going to these pricy restaurants because I just wasn't happy with what I was getting. When I shared these experiences with friends, my coworker Brent said that Michael Chiarellos' was different because Chiarello is actually there and able to maintain the quality of his restaurant's food while the others tend to leave their name on the restaurant, but are rarely seen. Since Brent's a fellow foodie, I trusted his suggestion and decided to make the trip to Bottega. While I enjoy watching all three programs that feature these chefs, I have a weak spot for Italian food, so it was a fairly easy decision to make.
When you enter the shopping complex, you can visit Chiarello's shop, Napa Style, featuring some of his own products as well as some of his fellow Food Network chef's products too. Located across from Bottega, you can easily stock up on gray salt, a prominently featured item on his show, or marinated olives. If you arrive early, you might even consider picking up some bread from the Bouchon Bakery, located across the street.
We arrived a little early for our reservation and were quickly seated. The hostess staff could be a little warmer, but they were efficient. We were seated in the room immediately behind the hostess station. The bench seat on one side is lined with tables for two that are a bit too close together. One can hear your neighbor's conversation without even straining, but aside from this, the brick walls, and warm earth tones of the decor are inviting and not at all stuffy. The copper water cups are unique and add a uniqueness to the place setting.
When we had completed our order, we were given hot bread and a parmesan olive oil dipping sauce. The parmesan chunks are plentiful and acts more like a spread for the crusty bread. While we were waiting for the food to arrive, I even saw Chiarello bustling around, but he soon left the building for another engagement.
- Pesce Crudo - The fish special changes daily. Three squares of yellowfin tuna are topped with a little marinated garnish and microgreens. These are then placed on a brushed sauce of black trumpet mushrooms. A drizzle of olive oil tops the entire plate. Each piece of tuna were incredibly fresh and had a really delicate flavor. While the black trumpet sauce had a very strong mushroom flavor when eaten on its own, I found the overall flavor to be missing when eaten with the fish. While visually appealing, I think the tuna would have been just perfect even without the black trumpet sauce. Very good. $15
- Polenta Under Glass - A mason jar arrives on a plate along with a small earthenware pitcher containing balsamic game sauce. Inside the mason jar is creamy polenta topped with a cheese topping that has been crisped/baked. Caramelized mushrooms top the cheese. We followed the chef's suggestion to mix all of the ingredients together and serve the mixture on the plate, then pour the balsamic game sauce on top. The server shared that pouring all of the sauce into the glass would result in the sauce overpowering the polenta. I've eaten quite a bit of polenta, and usually, I walk away from it disappointed. However, this time, I found it amazingly exceptional. The polenta is so fine-grained that you can barely taste the grains anymore. The polenta has a pudding-like texture and the pieces of broken cheese crisp and mushrooms add a great textural element to each bite. The mushrooms are full-flavored, and each bite is really delicious. This is a must try dish. $12
- Pan Roasted Gnocchi - The gnocchi is browned on its side and cooked with autumn root vegetables. It's placed next to a sauce of beautiful orange heirloom squash pesto and topped with grated Valley Ford Montasio. A light coating of creamy sauce brings them all together. The pan roasting really changes the texture of the gnocchi from puffy to slightly crisp on one side of the gnocchi. The pan roasting adds a depth of flavor that I didn't know gnocchi could have. While the first impression of the plate is colorful, but small in quantity, the richness of the dish reveals that the quantity is just right after all. The root vegetables are petite and sweet, complementing the gnocchi well. The pesto of butternut squash is also sweet, but not overpowering. I played with eating the gnocchi in its light cream sauce as well as with combining the gnocchi with the squash sauce. This was a fun to eat dish that I enjoyed a lot. $17
- Smoked & Braised Natural Short Ribs whole grain mustard spaetzle, Sicilian pickles, quince paste & smokey horseradish jus - One good-sized short rib has meat that is super tender and really does fall off the bone. Each bite is delectable and juicy. The Sicilian pickles were alright, but I didn't care for the spaetzle. If you like crunchy spaetzle, you will enjoy it a lot, but I found that the crunch made it sort of dry. The short rib is delicious. $28
6525 Washington Street, Yountville CA 94599
(707) 945-1050
Parking: in parking lot
Lunch: Tues - Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, Dinner: Sun-Thurs 5pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm
http://www.botteganapavalley.com/
Last Visited: December 17, 2011
Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 4 to 5 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$
After recent experiences at Food Network chef restaurants (Morimoto Napa and Tyler Florence's Rotisserie and Wine), I was starting to think that I should stop going to these pricy restaurants because I just wasn't happy with what I was getting. When I shared these experiences with friends, my coworker Brent said that Michael Chiarellos' was different because Chiarello is actually there and able to maintain the quality of his restaurant's food while the others tend to leave their name on the restaurant, but are rarely seen. Since Brent's a fellow foodie, I trusted his suggestion and decided to make the trip to Bottega. While I enjoy watching all three programs that feature these chefs, I have a weak spot for Italian food, so it was a fairly easy decision to make.
When you enter the shopping complex, you can visit Chiarello's shop, Napa Style, featuring some of his own products as well as some of his fellow Food Network chef's products too. Located across from Bottega, you can easily stock up on gray salt, a prominently featured item on his show, or marinated olives. If you arrive early, you might even consider picking up some bread from the Bouchon Bakery, located across the street.
We arrived a little early for our reservation and were quickly seated. The hostess staff could be a little warmer, but they were efficient. We were seated in the room immediately behind the hostess station. The bench seat on one side is lined with tables for two that are a bit too close together. One can hear your neighbor's conversation without even straining, but aside from this, the brick walls, and warm earth tones of the decor are inviting and not at all stuffy. The copper water cups are unique and add a uniqueness to the place setting.
When we had completed our order, we were given hot bread and a parmesan olive oil dipping sauce. The parmesan chunks are plentiful and acts more like a spread for the crusty bread. While we were waiting for the food to arrive, I even saw Chiarello bustling around, but he soon left the building for another engagement.Our server, James, was very impressive. Watching his demeanor with not only our table, but those around us, showed he was incredibly seasoned as a server, completely aware of the wine list and its offerings, as well as providing guidance for food selection to those whom asked. It's been a long time since I've been served by someone as good as James. He noticed I was taking pictures and even thanked me for enjoying my dishes both visually and taking our time to savor every bite. Love that!
- Pesce Crudo - The fish special changes daily. Three squares of yellowfin tuna are topped with a little marinated garnish and microgreens. These are then placed on a brushed sauce of black trumpet mushrooms. A drizzle of olive oil tops the entire plate. Each piece of tuna were incredibly fresh and had a really delicate flavor. While the black trumpet sauce had a very strong mushroom flavor when eaten on its own, I found the overall flavor to be missing when eaten with the fish. While visually appealing, I think the tuna would have been just perfect even without the black trumpet sauce. Very good. $15
- Monterey Calamari - Calamari is lightly coated with arborio rice flour and served with a grilled lemon half and an aioli nero. While the calamari was tender and lightly crisped and the black aioli was an interesting twist on the typical aiolis you see served with this dish, I found the quantity of calamari to be too small for the price. Another 50% more would have seemed more reasonable for the price. This is the right amount for one person, but not quite enough to share. $10
- Polenta Under Glass - A mason jar arrives on a plate along with a small earthenware pitcher containing balsamic game sauce. Inside the mason jar is creamy polenta topped with a cheese topping that has been crisped/baked. Caramelized mushrooms top the cheese. We followed the chef's suggestion to mix all of the ingredients together and serve the mixture on the plate, then pour the balsamic game sauce on top. The server shared that pouring all of the sauce into the glass would result in the sauce overpowering the polenta. I've eaten quite a bit of polenta, and usually, I walk away from it disappointed. However, this time, I found it amazingly exceptional. The polenta is so fine-grained that you can barely taste the grains anymore. The polenta has a pudding-like texture and the pieces of broken cheese crisp and mushrooms add a great textural element to each bite. The mushrooms are full-flavored, and each bite is really delicious. This is a must try dish. $12
- Pan Roasted Gnocchi - The gnocchi is browned on its side and cooked with autumn root vegetables. It's placed next to a sauce of beautiful orange heirloom squash pesto and topped with grated Valley Ford Montasio. A light coating of creamy sauce brings them all together. The pan roasting really changes the texture of the gnocchi from puffy to slightly crisp on one side of the gnocchi. The pan roasting adds a depth of flavor that I didn't know gnocchi could have. While the first impression of the plate is colorful, but small in quantity, the richness of the dish reveals that the quantity is just right after all. The root vegetables are petite and sweet, complementing the gnocchi well. The pesto of butternut squash is also sweet, but not overpowering. I played with eating the gnocchi in its light cream sauce as well as with combining the gnocchi with the squash sauce. This was a fun to eat dish that I enjoyed a lot. $17
- Smoked & Braised Natural Short Ribs whole grain mustard spaetzle, Sicilian pickles, quince paste & smokey horseradish jus - One good-sized short rib has meat that is super tender and really does fall off the bone. Each bite is delectable and juicy. The Sicilian pickles were alright, but I didn't care for the spaetzle. If you like crunchy spaetzle, you will enjoy it a lot, but I found that the crunch made it sort of dry. The short rib is delicious. $28I had a great overall impression of Bottega. The food is well done, though the portions tend to be on the smaller side. The short rib should come with a vegetable and the calamari quantity could be increased at least by 50% more at these prices. The pesce crudo, though wonderful, reads more Japanese than Italian in preparation and presentation. The truffle parmesan fries, ordered by the table next to us, looked extremely inviting and is on my list to get the next time I come. Service is really exceptional and you never feel rushed. Most of the wait times between courses were short, but the wait time for the main entree was a bit longer than I would have liked. Indeed, Bottega is worth a visit, and I hope to be back soon.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Pizzeria Capri - Sonoma
1266 Broadway, Sonoma CA 95476
(707) 935-6085
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Last Visited: November 1, 2006
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
I haven’t been to Pizzeria Capri for more than ten years. The last time I went, they had just opened in Sonoma. We had brought a coupon – yes, those things really do get you in the door – and the staff’s reaction was so poor that we never went back despite its convenient location just a few miles from downtown.
Upon walking in the door, we were immediately directed to a seat. There isn’t a host, so it’s bit of a frantic hustle and bustle, but the lead waitress seems to have things under control. The rest of the staff is a bit flighty in comparison. More about this below.
The décor is simple. Older wooden tables, some with the finish rubbed off, simple chairs, and two televisions – the larger television is in the rear room and a smaller televisions is above the counter. A wall with openings separates the rooms. The large windows make the restaurant feel slightly bigger, and the yellow walls with brown trim gives the place a fresher look. However, the floor and the tables show the wear of the establishment, and the overall look is a bit dated. Pizzeria Capri is a great candidate for Restaurant Makeover, but it has its charm. Posters of past local events line the walls. After ordering the pizza, we saw the calamari and were tempted to try it.
- Fried Calamari – A plate comprised primarily of fried calamari rings and few tentacles is placed on top of a larger plate and served with two ramekins. One ramekin contains marinara sauce. The other contains ranch with a dollop of pesto sauce. The calamari is deep fried until the light batter is just golden and placed on a plate that has been lightly covered in chunky marinara sauce. Coarsely chopped parsley tops the dish. The calamari was tender and the coating was light and flaky. The sauces were more than ample, and we appreciated that since many places tend to skimp on dipping sauce. The pesto adds color and flavor to the ranch dressing. Very good. $8
- Pizza: Capri Special – There are a number of choices in pizza topping combinations. The Capri special didn’t list the specific toppings, but I figured it would be a combination of meat and vegetables. Our medium crust pizza (not thick, not thin) was topped with red sauce, cheese, bell peppers, green onions, mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni, salami, and olives. Great. The crust was crispy on bottom and the pizza had a nice flavor. It wasn’t too soggy nor too dry. It had just the right texture and dipping the crust in the ranch sauce from the calamari made it even better. $18 for medium
- Milk $2
As for the service, the young bus boy was a bit inexperienced. Although he took our individual plates when we had finished with our calamari, he didn’t take the main dish despite it being empty. He’s polite in asking if he may take your plate, but not quite experienced enough. Also, when he answered the phone when I initially called, he could have been more professional.
If you’re a local, look for coupons in the advertising mailer. There were many locals there, and the food is pretty good. Other entrees include standard pasta fare which is available a la carte or with choice of salad or soup.
(707) 935-6085
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Last Visited: November 1, 2006
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
I haven’t been to Pizzeria Capri for more than ten years. The last time I went, they had just opened in Sonoma. We had brought a coupon – yes, those things really do get you in the door – and the staff’s reaction was so poor that we never went back despite its convenient location just a few miles from downtown.
Upon walking in the door, we were immediately directed to a seat. There isn’t a host, so it’s bit of a frantic hustle and bustle, but the lead waitress seems to have things under control. The rest of the staff is a bit flighty in comparison. More about this below.
The décor is simple. Older wooden tables, some with the finish rubbed off, simple chairs, and two televisions – the larger television is in the rear room and a smaller televisions is above the counter. A wall with openings separates the rooms. The large windows make the restaurant feel slightly bigger, and the yellow walls with brown trim gives the place a fresher look. However, the floor and the tables show the wear of the establishment, and the overall look is a bit dated. Pizzeria Capri is a great candidate for Restaurant Makeover, but it has its charm. Posters of past local events line the walls. After ordering the pizza, we saw the calamari and were tempted to try it.
- Fried Calamari – A plate comprised primarily of fried calamari rings and few tentacles is placed on top of a larger plate and served with two ramekins. One ramekin contains marinara sauce. The other contains ranch with a dollop of pesto sauce. The calamari is deep fried until the light batter is just golden and placed on a plate that has been lightly covered in chunky marinara sauce. Coarsely chopped parsley tops the dish. The calamari was tender and the coating was light and flaky. The sauces were more than ample, and we appreciated that since many places tend to skimp on dipping sauce. The pesto adds color and flavor to the ranch dressing. Very good. $8
- Pizza: Capri Special – There are a number of choices in pizza topping combinations. The Capri special didn’t list the specific toppings, but I figured it would be a combination of meat and vegetables. Our medium crust pizza (not thick, not thin) was topped with red sauce, cheese, bell peppers, green onions, mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni, salami, and olives. Great. The crust was crispy on bottom and the pizza had a nice flavor. It wasn’t too soggy nor too dry. It had just the right texture and dipping the crust in the ranch sauce from the calamari made it even better. $18 for medium
- Milk $2
As for the service, the young bus boy was a bit inexperienced. Although he took our individual plates when we had finished with our calamari, he didn’t take the main dish despite it being empty. He’s polite in asking if he may take your plate, but not quite experienced enough. Also, when he answered the phone when I initially called, he could have been more professional.
If you’re a local, look for coupons in the advertising mailer. There were many locals there, and the food is pretty good. Other entrees include standard pasta fare which is available a la carte or with choice of salad or soup.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Red Grape - Pizza, Californian, Sonoma
529 First Street West, Sonoma CA 95476
(707) 996-4103
Parking: small parking lot adjacent to the building complex and street parking
Hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner at 11:30am
Last Visited: November 13, 2011
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 starsPrice: $$ to $$$
It's been a while since I've been to The Red Grape. Touting itself as New Haven Pizza, I remember going there when it first opened about a decade ago and thinking what a different type of pizza it was offering compared to what you normally find in Sonoma.
While the first visit was good, my second and third visits revealed a lot of pizzas with a burnt bottom or more burnt dough than I enjoy. After not going for a number of years, we decided to see what new things they might have to offer.
It's minimalistic with painted ceiling ducts, bare floor, and wood tables and chairs. There is lots of natural lighting as two sides of the restaurant are comprised of a wall of windows.
It's minimalistic with painted ceiling ducts, bare floor, and wood tables and chairs. There is lots of natural lighting as two sides of the restaurant are comprised of a wall of windows.
The menu offers red pizzas and white pizzas as well as monthly specials. You'll also find sandwiches and appetizers such as arancini and polenta sticks. While there are a number of Italian items, the menu seems very Californian offering items such as Southwestern chicken salad, pears and gorgonzola pizza, and the beach club, esssentially a BLT with turkey. For today's lunch visit, we opted to try a pizza and sandwich.
- Red Pizza: Sonoma - Pepperoni, sausage, sautéed mushrooms, red onion, and jalapeno jack cheese top a thin crust pizza. The pizza was good - not overpowered by the toppings themselves or the weight of the toppings. The crust was done nicely without the burnt areas that I had encountered during past experiences. I would give the pizza three to four stars. $14.75 
- Cheesesteak Sandwich - Slow roasted thinly sliced steak, cheddar cheese, and red and yellow peppers, are placed on a traditional toasted sub roll with a horseradish aioli. I appreciated the juiciness of the meat, but this isn't exactly a traditional cheesesteak. The combination of the peppers with the meat make each bite a bit sweet. The horseradish aioli gives moisture, but the spiciness of the horseradish is lost because the peppers overpower the flavor. The salad was fresh with cherry tomatoes, but I found the balsamic dressing to be too sweet. Okay. If it was given a different name, I wouldn't have had the same expectation as that of a cheesesteak and probably would have rated it higher. The other weird thing was that there was chicken on this plate, and chicken isn't part of the sandwich. $11.95
Service is attentive, but not exactly warm. The staff came back to check on you during the middle and end of the meal. Finding chicken on the plate was not significant, but if someone had a food allergy, it could be a problem and indicates that the kitchen has an opportunity for improvement. Since the floors are bare and there isn't much insulation, the noise level increases significantly as more people enter the restaurant.
I also noticed that the floor, particularly the hallway to the restroom, had water on the floor, a danger to guests. Overall, I would recommend the pizzas over the sandwiches, unless you know going in that you're having a Californian interpretation of the sandwiches.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Mosaic - California Cuisine, Forestville
6675 Front St, Forestville CA 95436
(707) 887-7503
Parking: in the front
http://www.mosaiceats.com/
Last Visited: March 9, 2007
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$
Both Jim and Jeff gave Mosaic high praise when we talked about outstanding restaurants in the North Bay, so when I was driving through Forestville, I decided to stop on by. I had heard through the grapevine that the food quality was excellent and it would be a worthwhile place to check out. I walked in with little expectation, but hoped for fantastic food.
It was a little after 5pm on the Friday evening I visited, and I was surprised at the very cool reception we received. Most hostesses are ready to greet you with a friendly smile and perhaps engage in some small talk about your day. Although I don’t expect this at your local chain locations, for these higher end restaurants, it’s expected. This was definitely lacking. There was not even a ‘how are you?’ but we gave the hostess the benefit of the doubt figuring it was a bad day or that she needed some time to warm up. She brought us to our table and asked if we wanted Fiji still water, sparkling, or regular water flavored with cucumber slices. When we answered that we wanted regular water, she said okay. My dining companion then proceeded to the restroom, and upon returning, she told me that our hostess told the busser to bring us regular water in a not too happy tone. When I received the water, it had a refreshing cucumber flavor.
Few customers came into the facility during my time there. One was a regular so the hostess greeted him with a smile, but the other couple that arrived near the end of our meal was greeted with extremely friendly tones by the same hostess. She not only made small talk, but she spent some time at their table and chatted for a while. This all made me wonder – what was going on when we arrived? Why didn’t she do the same for us? Don’t get me wrong. With the number of restaurants I have visited, this was not the only point of service that dropped their rating, but it was certainly one that made me feel uneasy. I would say she spent a good 15 minutes with these strangers, and though I personally didn’t want to spend that much time on small talk this evening, a few of the same questions about the weather and general conversation would have been fine.
Mosaic is a pleasant orange peach color on the outside, and the planter boxes are studded with colorful flowers. Walking inside is like taking a vacation from Forestville’s small town feel and entering a warm room filled with earth tones. From the dark copper floors, the wood tables, and the muted colorful plates, the room seems to silently exclaim the warmth of fall etched by the onset of winter. Smooth lyrics in a soothing jazz plays on the sound system. From the main dining room, you can see a little into the kitchen, but the faces of the chefs are hidden by the opaque glass.
At each table, the planked table tops were topped with one tealight candle in a small container. Each place setting contained one large colored plate along with a black cloth napkin folded into a rectangle. The knife was placed between the tines of the fork laid in the middle of the napkin. A butter knife sits on top of the small square black plate to the left of each of these.
When our server arrived at our table, she greeted us with a friendly, “How are you guys tonight?” Although this was fine at first, she proceeded to ask if “us guys” needed anything. The continued use of this phrase was exhausted, considering there were no guys at the table at all. When paying a higher price at a nicer establishment, the use of “guys” really isn’t appropriate anymore, since we’re not at a local burger joint or the like. Her demeanor was also just fair, lacking the excellent qualities of a great server.
After ordering, we were given warm French bread. I love that. Warm bread is always good. The bread arrived covered in a napkin and a small black ceramic container held the soft butter. As we conversed, we found the table was wobbly and asked one of the staff members to fix it. This gentleman was probably the kindest during our whole visit. After almost half an hour, we had eaten all the bread and our meal had still not arrived. So that’s where another point of lacking service was noted. When there aren’t any starters ordered and there is a long wait for food (which was inexplicable considering we were the only people in the restaurant), then the server should check to see if the diners would like more bread. Unfortunately, during our wait, we could hear the loud conversation from the kitchen, studded with cuss words here and there. What is talked about in the kitchen should stay there. You should never hear an expletive from the kitchen while seated across the room. Mind you, it wasn’t a situation where they dropped a plate or another disaster occurred. The expletives wandered around the general kitchen conversation.
As our food arrived, we noticed the beautiful presentation. It’s bordering being over the top though.
- Beef Short Ribs – Slow braised short ribs are served over saffron-parmesan risotto and grilled asparagus on a square green plate. The short ribs were cooked in a red wine reduction and had a lot of flavor. The meat was tender and fell off the bone. This was placed on top of grilled baby asparagus and part of the saffron-parmesan risotto which had been placed vertically on the plate (parallel to the short ribs). On top of the items was a single chive that was diagonally placed over everything. The spears of the asparagus were aimed toward the corner of the plate and fanned out. Although presentation was elegant, and the flavor of each item was nice, the combination of the flavors was a bit overwhelming, and I found that with each bite, everything seemed to get saltier. It’s unfortunate that the asparagus and risotto weren’t seasoned less heavily because that would have accented the short ribs even further. $29
- Halibut with raspberry sauce, gratin, baked baby yams, were plated on a round yellow plate. I’m not sure if it was a gratin, but the potato side item had good flavor and was not overwhelming. Of all the items on this plate, I enjoyed it the best. The three baby yams were placed on the side, with one opened up to reveal the gorgeous orange flesh. The halibut had been seared until golden brown on both sides and drizzled with raspberry sauce. Edible decoration was placed on top to add height. Although the fish was beautifully golden, the inside was a bit dry, especially as the meal continued. Even the raspberry sauce was not enough to counteract the gradual lack of moisture. Okay. $26
Unfortunately, I didn’t know until after my visit, that Mosaic’s signature dish is the Coffee Encrusted Filet Mignon. However, after my experience, I don’t think I’ll be going back to try it.
Mosaic’s motto is “Everything generously seasoned with passion and pride!” and certainly, I would agree that everything is generously seasoned – a little too much so for my palate. Individually, the items tasted good, but together, it became overwhelming rather than harmonious. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the service lacked friendliness and as we exited, though two people stood near the hostess station, nobody thanked us or greeted us as we left. An A for presentation, but only a fair experience overall.
(707) 887-7503
Parking: in the front
http://www.mosaiceats.com/
Last Visited: March 9, 2007
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$
Both Jim and Jeff gave Mosaic high praise when we talked about outstanding restaurants in the North Bay, so when I was driving through Forestville, I decided to stop on by. I had heard through the grapevine that the food quality was excellent and it would be a worthwhile place to check out. I walked in with little expectation, but hoped for fantastic food.
It was a little after 5pm on the Friday evening I visited, and I was surprised at the very cool reception we received. Most hostesses are ready to greet you with a friendly smile and perhaps engage in some small talk about your day. Although I don’t expect this at your local chain locations, for these higher end restaurants, it’s expected. This was definitely lacking. There was not even a ‘how are you?’ but we gave the hostess the benefit of the doubt figuring it was a bad day or that she needed some time to warm up. She brought us to our table and asked if we wanted Fiji still water, sparkling, or regular water flavored with cucumber slices. When we answered that we wanted regular water, she said okay. My dining companion then proceeded to the restroom, and upon returning, she told me that our hostess told the busser to bring us regular water in a not too happy tone. When I received the water, it had a refreshing cucumber flavor.
Few customers came into the facility during my time there. One was a regular so the hostess greeted him with a smile, but the other couple that arrived near the end of our meal was greeted with extremely friendly tones by the same hostess. She not only made small talk, but she spent some time at their table and chatted for a while. This all made me wonder – what was going on when we arrived? Why didn’t she do the same for us? Don’t get me wrong. With the number of restaurants I have visited, this was not the only point of service that dropped their rating, but it was certainly one that made me feel uneasy. I would say she spent a good 15 minutes with these strangers, and though I personally didn’t want to spend that much time on small talk this evening, a few of the same questions about the weather and general conversation would have been fine.
Mosaic is a pleasant orange peach color on the outside, and the planter boxes are studded with colorful flowers. Walking inside is like taking a vacation from Forestville’s small town feel and entering a warm room filled with earth tones. From the dark copper floors, the wood tables, and the muted colorful plates, the room seems to silently exclaim the warmth of fall etched by the onset of winter. Smooth lyrics in a soothing jazz plays on the sound system. From the main dining room, you can see a little into the kitchen, but the faces of the chefs are hidden by the opaque glass.
At each table, the planked table tops were topped with one tealight candle in a small container. Each place setting contained one large colored plate along with a black cloth napkin folded into a rectangle. The knife was placed between the tines of the fork laid in the middle of the napkin. A butter knife sits on top of the small square black plate to the left of each of these.
When our server arrived at our table, she greeted us with a friendly, “How are you guys tonight?” Although this was fine at first, she proceeded to ask if “us guys” needed anything. The continued use of this phrase was exhausted, considering there were no guys at the table at all. When paying a higher price at a nicer establishment, the use of “guys” really isn’t appropriate anymore, since we’re not at a local burger joint or the like. Her demeanor was also just fair, lacking the excellent qualities of a great server.
After ordering, we were given warm French bread. I love that. Warm bread is always good. The bread arrived covered in a napkin and a small black ceramic container held the soft butter. As we conversed, we found the table was wobbly and asked one of the staff members to fix it. This gentleman was probably the kindest during our whole visit. After almost half an hour, we had eaten all the bread and our meal had still not arrived. So that’s where another point of lacking service was noted. When there aren’t any starters ordered and there is a long wait for food (which was inexplicable considering we were the only people in the restaurant), then the server should check to see if the diners would like more bread. Unfortunately, during our wait, we could hear the loud conversation from the kitchen, studded with cuss words here and there. What is talked about in the kitchen should stay there. You should never hear an expletive from the kitchen while seated across the room. Mind you, it wasn’t a situation where they dropped a plate or another disaster occurred. The expletives wandered around the general kitchen conversation.
As our food arrived, we noticed the beautiful presentation. It’s bordering being over the top though.
- Beef Short Ribs – Slow braised short ribs are served over saffron-parmesan risotto and grilled asparagus on a square green plate. The short ribs were cooked in a red wine reduction and had a lot of flavor. The meat was tender and fell off the bone. This was placed on top of grilled baby asparagus and part of the saffron-parmesan risotto which had been placed vertically on the plate (parallel to the short ribs). On top of the items was a single chive that was diagonally placed over everything. The spears of the asparagus were aimed toward the corner of the plate and fanned out. Although presentation was elegant, and the flavor of each item was nice, the combination of the flavors was a bit overwhelming, and I found that with each bite, everything seemed to get saltier. It’s unfortunate that the asparagus and risotto weren’t seasoned less heavily because that would have accented the short ribs even further. $29
- Halibut with raspberry sauce, gratin, baked baby yams, were plated on a round yellow plate. I’m not sure if it was a gratin, but the potato side item had good flavor and was not overwhelming. Of all the items on this plate, I enjoyed it the best. The three baby yams were placed on the side, with one opened up to reveal the gorgeous orange flesh. The halibut had been seared until golden brown on both sides and drizzled with raspberry sauce. Edible decoration was placed on top to add height. Although the fish was beautifully golden, the inside was a bit dry, especially as the meal continued. Even the raspberry sauce was not enough to counteract the gradual lack of moisture. Okay. $26
Unfortunately, I didn’t know until after my visit, that Mosaic’s signature dish is the Coffee Encrusted Filet Mignon. However, after my experience, I don’t think I’ll be going back to try it.
Mosaic’s motto is “Everything generously seasoned with passion and pride!” and certainly, I would agree that everything is generously seasoned – a little too much so for my palate. Individually, the items tasted good, but together, it became overwhelming rather than harmonious. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the service lacked friendliness and as we exited, though two people stood near the hostess station, nobody thanked us or greeted us as we left. An A for presentation, but only a fair experience overall.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sift - Bakery, Cupcakes, Santa Rosa
(707) 703-4228
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mo-Th 10am-8pm, Fr-Sa 10am-9pm, Su 12pm-6pm
http://www.siftcupcakes.com/
Last Visited: July 17, 2011
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $Walk into Sift and smell the sweet scent of sugar throughout the shop. The case displaying sweet treats is very inviting and calls you to peruse it. Cupcakes at Sift Cupcake and Dessert Bar go for $3 each or $30 per dozen. They also offer cupcake chocolates for $2 and frosting shots (the thought of that just scares me) for $1.50 a piece. 
French macaroons, ice cream sammys, whoopie cookies, and profiteroles are available too.
I opted to try one of their Sonoma County famous cupcakes - Peach Me I'm Dreaming - It's a vanilla cake with a graham cracker crust, filled with peach jam, and topped with peach mousse and white chocolate shavings. I found the cupcake to be good. I would have liked the cake to have a lighter texture and not to fall apart quite so much, but that's just my preference for cake. I appreciated how the filling and frosting weren't overly sweet, but a nice balance of quantities as well as the attention to detail.
It's hard to judge a place by one cupcake alone, so I'm definitely willing to go back, but would look to trying one of the chocolate or red velvet versions.
French macaroons, ice cream sammys, whoopie cookies, and profiteroles are available too. I opted to try one of their Sonoma County famous cupcakes - Peach Me I'm Dreaming - It's a vanilla cake with a graham cracker crust, filled with peach jam, and topped with peach mousse and white chocolate shavings. I found the cupcake to be good. I would have liked the cake to have a lighter texture and not to fall apart quite so much, but that's just my preference for cake. I appreciated how the filling and frosting weren't overly sweet, but a nice balance of quantities as well as the attention to detail.
It's hard to judge a place by one cupcake alone, so I'm definitely willing to go back, but would look to trying one of the chocolate or red velvet versions.
Chinese food to-go boxes make this an easy treat to pick up and share with a friend.
There are also now locations in Cotati, Napa, and there's even a cupcake truck.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Lo Coco - Italian, Berkeley
1400 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley CA 94709
(510) 843-3745
Parking: street parking
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 5pm to 10pm
http://www.lococospizzeria.com/index1.htm
Last Visited: July 15, 2007
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$
We entered Lo Coco and found that the restaurant temperature was extremely warm this summer evening. They must not have air conditioning, and there is little ventilation despite the door being open. This evening, the restaurant was fairly crowded and in general, the tables are spaced fairly close together. The distance is such that if you reach your arm out, you’ll hit another table.
The room is painted a warm light yellow and the small halogen lights above only add to the temperature. One wall has a large advertisement showing a photo of a hotel against an ocean background with lettering showing contact information for the hotel located in Palermo. The windows line the other side of the restaurant. The kitchen is located in the rear, and each table is covered with a tablecloth as well as a large sheet of white paper. Columns and part of one wall have mirrors to create the illusion of a larger room.
Each place was set with a fork and knife wrapped in a cloth napkin placed on top of a dish. Parmesan in a glass container and olive oil are also placed on the table. The wait staff is dressed in black shirts or tank tops with an apron around their waist.
Upon entering the restaurant, it took a while for anyone to pay attention to us. After the waitress had come back to the hostess station to retrieve items for setting up the table several times, she finally told me she would be back in a moment (this occurred after about three trips to the station before I was acknowledged). Most of the wait staff members are in their twenties, and though they seemed to know what they were doing, they weren’t very good at hosting or greeting. Hardly a smile could be found except when the check was brought to a table. The menu consists of a variety of pizza, a list of pasta dishes, specials, appetizers, salads, and a few seafood plates.
Once seated, we were given menus and asked what we wanted to drink. Once she had finished taking our order, we were given our drinks and she returned a few moments later with the flatbread that came with the meal. As she brought our four pieces of flatbread, she dropped one onto the table and then used her hand to pick it up. First, what are you doing? Why not use a bigger plate? Second, a bunch of crumbs landed in my drink. Considering I was drinking water, she should have offered me another glass. Third, using your hand? What? This is gross. Who knows what you have touched? Pens, menus, dishes? Tongs would have been more appropriate, or a paper napkin. She did apologize, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place and was hardly handled appropriately for a food establishment.
The bread was hot out of the oven, but that leaves no excuse. Shaped like a large stick, also known as pizza dough, the bread is browned and has a crusty taste. I would have loved to have some marinara sauce with it.
- Linguine with Clams – Served in a lemon butter white wine sauce, al dente linguine is mixed with manila clams for a rich tasting pasta dish. The quantity was good and there is tons of garlic slices to add to the flavor. Good. $12.95
Overall, I found the service to be fair. It took a while before anyone came to refill the water. After serving the food, they did come to check on us, but the overall demeanor was not friendly. The one good thing is that you aren’t rushed to complete your meal quickly and vacate the table, but there is a lot of room for improvement on how to treat the customer. When the check was brought, the dish used to hold the bill was colorful, but chipped. Small items like this are not huge cause for concern, but it leaves the customer with just one more ding on their list for Lo Coco. When we left the restaurant, two of the wait staff was standing near the door, but they continued to chat and did not thank us for coming in. The lack of attention to detail keeps their service rating at two stars. Although the food is good, I think there are better places with a complete package elsewhere and I would likely try those first before returning. Not to mention, considering the amount of garlic in the sauces, mints or candy would have been a nice touch – another missing item.
(510) 843-3745
Parking: street parking
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 5pm to 10pm
http://www.lococospizzeria.com/index1.htm
Last Visited: July 15, 2007
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$
We entered Lo Coco and found that the restaurant temperature was extremely warm this summer evening. They must not have air conditioning, and there is little ventilation despite the door being open. This evening, the restaurant was fairly crowded and in general, the tables are spaced fairly close together. The distance is such that if you reach your arm out, you’ll hit another table.
The room is painted a warm light yellow and the small halogen lights above only add to the temperature. One wall has a large advertisement showing a photo of a hotel against an ocean background with lettering showing contact information for the hotel located in Palermo. The windows line the other side of the restaurant. The kitchen is located in the rear, and each table is covered with a tablecloth as well as a large sheet of white paper. Columns and part of one wall have mirrors to create the illusion of a larger room.
Each place was set with a fork and knife wrapped in a cloth napkin placed on top of a dish. Parmesan in a glass container and olive oil are also placed on the table. The wait staff is dressed in black shirts or tank tops with an apron around their waist.
Upon entering the restaurant, it took a while for anyone to pay attention to us. After the waitress had come back to the hostess station to retrieve items for setting up the table several times, she finally told me she would be back in a moment (this occurred after about three trips to the station before I was acknowledged). Most of the wait staff members are in their twenties, and though they seemed to know what they were doing, they weren’t very good at hosting or greeting. Hardly a smile could be found except when the check was brought to a table. The menu consists of a variety of pizza, a list of pasta dishes, specials, appetizers, salads, and a few seafood plates.
Once seated, we were given menus and asked what we wanted to drink. Once she had finished taking our order, we were given our drinks and she returned a few moments later with the flatbread that came with the meal. As she brought our four pieces of flatbread, she dropped one onto the table and then used her hand to pick it up. First, what are you doing? Why not use a bigger plate? Second, a bunch of crumbs landed in my drink. Considering I was drinking water, she should have offered me another glass. Third, using your hand? What? This is gross. Who knows what you have touched? Pens, menus, dishes? Tongs would have been more appropriate, or a paper napkin. She did apologize, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place and was hardly handled appropriately for a food establishment.
The bread was hot out of the oven, but that leaves no excuse. Shaped like a large stick, also known as pizza dough, the bread is browned and has a crusty taste. I would have loved to have some marinara sauce with it.
- Linguine with Clams – Served in a lemon butter white wine sauce, al dente linguine is mixed with manila clams for a rich tasting pasta dish. The quantity was good and there is tons of garlic slices to add to the flavor. Good. $12.95
Overall, I found the service to be fair. It took a while before anyone came to refill the water. After serving the food, they did come to check on us, but the overall demeanor was not friendly. The one good thing is that you aren’t rushed to complete your meal quickly and vacate the table, but there is a lot of room for improvement on how to treat the customer. When the check was brought, the dish used to hold the bill was colorful, but chipped. Small items like this are not huge cause for concern, but it leaves the customer with just one more ding on their list for Lo Coco. When we left the restaurant, two of the wait staff was standing near the door, but they continued to chat and did not thank us for coming in. The lack of attention to detail keeps their service rating at two stars. Although the food is good, I think there are better places with a complete package elsewhere and I would likely try those first before returning. Not to mention, considering the amount of garlic in the sauces, mints or candy would have been a nice touch – another missing item.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Tim Ho Wan - Chinese/Dim Sum, Hong Kong
Best: Dim Sum, Hong Kong 2, 2-20 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok, Ph: 2332 2896
G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Ph: 2788 1226
Shop 12A, Hong Kong Station (Podium Level 1, IFC Mall), Central, Ph: 2332 3078
Last Visited: November 26, 2010
Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $
Our first visit was an hour and a half wait. Our second visit was over a two hour wait, but one should take into account that I arrived before opening time. With only about 32 seats available in this location, our second visit waited through an entire round of people (completely packed full house) before we were able to be seated. And there were a ton of people in line after us too.
You'll find the crowd is fairly international. Known as the least expensive restaurant in the world with a Michelin star, Tim Ho Wan has been featured in a number of guide books and listed as a must-try in many restaurant guides as well. While I knew I was in for a treat, I had no idea that dim sum could be this fresh and this good. The owner and chef, Mak Pui Gor, was the former chef of the three star restaurant at the Four Seasons in Hong Kong. Impressive credentials and I think it's awesome he decided to open a place that is accessible to those on a budget.
The atmosphere is one of hustle and bustle - you get a piece of paper to indicate your order quantity for each item, and your order is plugged into the computer. Then little dishes and baskets arrive at your table in no particular order. Unlike other restaurants in Hong Kong, there is something really unique here. When the food arrives, the restaurant goes almost completely quiet. Everyone is eating, savoring, taking photos, and just enjoying. It was one of the quietest restaurants I have ever visited in Hong Kong. 
Another unusual thing is that it's very social. The interest in food between patrons, both strangers, and those at your table, generates conversation about where you come from and how you learned about the restaurant. While other restaurants and cafes have similarly close seating arrangements and shared tables, at other places, people tend to focus on their phones and don't talk. I heard that the chef formerly worked at a very large restaurant and decided to open his own place, much to our delight.
Prices for most items range from $1.25 to $5 USD, extremely reasonable for such a delightful variety of food that is high quality too. Most of the dishes could be model dim sum - the way it should be. - Rice Roll with Shrimp - Perfect texture and consistency with soy sauce that is not too salty. It's hard to find rice rolls that are made so thin.
- Deep Fried Puff with Pork - Another light and delicious item. The filling quantity is just right, but what is so hard to find is an outer shell that isn't too thick. As one might expect, they do it just right, and not too greasy either. Just about all of their fried stuff fits this description - not greasy, wonderfully fresh.- Braised Chicken Feet - The flavors of the chicken feet are great. A larger number of restaurants are good at this dish, so it was not quite as outstanding, but still very good.
- Har Gao - These shrimp dumplings are the size of authentic har gao. In the US, they often super size the shrimp dumplings which inevitably reduces quality in most of those versions. This one is a single bite of loveliness. Thin skinned, you can really taste the shrimp.- Sweet Pumpkin Dessert - Sweet soups are very popular as a dessert in Asian cuisine. We enjoyed this smooth pumpkin pureed soup with hints of coconut milk. So delicious and unique to Tim Ho Wan.
- Steamed Pork Spareribs - I liked how the spareribs had a hint of heat from the red chili pepper to balance the richness of the fermented black beans. I appreciated that the meat was tender without having a starchy sauce around it. 
- Osmanthus Flower Jello (Kuei Fa Gao) - While you won't find it written in English as Osmanthus flower, you'll see a number of patrons eating this dish - you can ask for it by the Chinese name. This was probably my favorite item because I was delighted by its super refreshing flavor. It's so light and sweet with a light, flowery flavor. It's the perfect way to end a meal. You can actually see the flower petals in it still. The light consistency of the jello is offset by sweet goji berries, to give it a little chew. You've absolutely got to try it!
- Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun - Yes, you read that right. BBQ pork buns are topped with what makes a pineapple bun a pineapple bun. The thin sweet topping is super light. Some people around me ordered this dish once and had to order another two servings because they loved them so much. While I enjoyed them for their light texture, they were good for me, but not worth another order. This may be just your thing though.- Steamed Beef Ball - These are tender and flavored with a little cilantro. Fairly standard and many places do get this one right, so not that much to say.
- Pan Fried Turnip Cake - These were good and had more grated turnip than you find at other restaurants. You can actually see the grated pieces when you bite into it and of course, the outside texture was just a touch crispy. Good stuff. - Egg Rolls - These are a must try! The super crunchy egg roll wrapper is fried to perfection. The shrimp and sweet fruit inside makes this a scrumptious bite. Loved it! If only everyone made an egg roll as good as this.
- Siu Mai (pork dumpling) - Good in its texture and how it stayed together. At some places, the filling is too dense or too loose - here, it's just right. The flavor was good too.- Lotus Leaf Wrapped Chicken and Rice - Super flavorful, the lotus leaf fragrance has infused the rice and the center contains juicy meat with rice.
- Sweet cloud fungus with herbs - This sweet dessert is really light and very good for soothing your throat because of its sweet rock sugar soup which is almost like a syrup, but not overly sweet. The cloud fungus has been cooked until tender. This is great to have as an offset to your fried dishes. This is another specialty that you won't find at other dim sum houses.
- Brown Sugar Cake - The literal translation from Chinese to English is something along the lines of fluffy cake or light cake. It's made with real Chinese brown sugar (which is actually translated literally as yellow sugar). Unlike places in the U.S., the cake has a really strong brown sugar taste - this is a must try if you want to see what authentic cake should taste like. This steamed cake is super light and fluffy. Again, you won't find it anywhere else - and even the dim sum houses in Hong Kong don't seem to make it as good as this version right here. Even the color seems to be a richer brown.
- Chinese Sausage and Spareribs with Rice - While this isn't a real dim sum dish, local tea houses in Hong Kong have turned it into one, so now I think it's just made available because people expect it. A little soy sauce is served with this to moisten the steamed pot of meat and rice. All the meat is tender and good.
- Pan Fried Shrimp Stuffed Tofu Wrapper - Another must try, the combination of a little cilantro and celery with the shrimp and the just crispy tofu skin make this a really delectable treat. Love this one too.
While you'll have an advantage if you can read and speak Chinese, if you can't, don't let that deter you. There is plenty of other diners whom can help you out, or you can just point. Just be brave and eat what you can. It's unlikely you'll be disappointed. For those that are familiar with dim sum menus, Tim Ho Wan offers all of the standards at least as good as what is offered at the best dim sum places. They have an amazing way of standing out in many of their dishes. You will definitely leave satisfied and you won't feel like you left a huge dent in your wallet when you're done.
- Sweet cloud fungus with herbs - This sweet dessert is really light and very good for soothing your throat because of its sweet rock sugar soup which is almost like a syrup, but not overly sweet. The cloud fungus has been cooked until tender. This is great to have as an offset to your fried dishes. This is another specialty that you won't find at other dim sum houses.
- Brown Sugar Cake - The literal translation from Chinese to English is something along the lines of fluffy cake or light cake. It's made with real Chinese brown sugar (which is actually translated literally as yellow sugar). Unlike places in the U.S., the cake has a really strong brown sugar taste - this is a must try if you want to see what authentic cake should taste like. This steamed cake is super light and fluffy. Again, you won't find it anywhere else - and even the dim sum houses in Hong Kong don't seem to make it as good as this version right here. Even the color seems to be a richer brown. 
- Chinese Sausage and Spareribs with Rice - While this isn't a real dim sum dish, local tea houses in Hong Kong have turned it into one, so now I think it's just made available because people expect it. A little soy sauce is served with this to moisten the steamed pot of meat and rice. All the meat is tender and good. 
- Pan Fried Shrimp Stuffed Tofu Wrapper - Another must try, the combination of a little cilantro and celery with the shrimp and the just crispy tofu skin make this a really delectable treat. Love this one too. - Steamed Buns - A few choices of steamed buns are available - meat and vegetable, BBQ pork, and others. I thought they were good - though you can find them as good as this elsewhere.
While you'll have an advantage if you can read and speak Chinese, if you can't, don't let that deter you. There is plenty of other diners whom can help you out, or you can just point. Just be brave and eat what you can. It's unlikely you'll be disappointed. For those that are familiar with dim sum menus, Tim Ho Wan offers all of the standards at least as good as what is offered at the best dim sum places. They have an amazing way of standing out in many of their dishes. You will definitely leave satisfied and you won't feel like you left a huge dent in your wallet when you're done. 
The atmosphere isn't fancy. You get paper placemats, plastic plates, and somewhat crowded conditions, but it's well worth it. To avoid the lines, try to go during afternoon tea time (3 to 5pm). Otherwise, get there early. Lines can be a bit deceiving as sometimes a person is waiting in line for a party of 20 (someone in front of me did that), but the fact that I returned again during such a short stay should tell you something. If only they had a place like this in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tim Ho Wan deserves their Michelin star. I am definitely going to try to go back during my next Hong Kong visit!Sunday, November 13, 2011
El Gallo Taqueria - Mexican, Petaluma
1367 North McDowell, Suite 140, Petaluma CA 95954
(707) 763-7111
Parking: in shopping center
Last Visited: June 3, 2006
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$$
El Gallo Taqueria just opened up in the new Kohl’s shopping center in Petaluma. It’s bright orange and sunny décor is inviting. The large panes of glass in the front of the shop stream in lots of light. In the rear is a large flat screen tv. This evening and during my second visit, it was showing the soccer game. There are rooster figures on the wall and a large glass rooster containing garlic and other decorative foods. The open kitchen allows the aroma to come to your nose. There’s a salsa bar in the middle of the restaurant with lime pieces, various salsas, and vegetables.
The local radio station was raving about El Gallo Taqueria, so I thought I would give it a try. Upon our arrival, we received warm chips and were told to help ourselves to the salsa bar. Service was friendly.
- Super Burrito – I selected chicken, but other meats are available. A good sized burrito comes in a soft flour tortilla. Inside were sour cream, guacamole, rice, beans, and salsa. The overall flavor was good. The chicken strips inside my burrito were freshly grilled. Good. I wouldn’t expect anymore for the price. $5.95
- Fajitas – Shrimp – The fajitas are available with shrimp, chicken, or steak. They’re served with pico de gallo, guacamole, rice, refried beans, and three tortillas. The shrimp is grilled with green peppers and onion strips. It’s grilled after ordering and comes out steaming hot. The rice is perfectly moist, and the refried beans have a fine consistency. All was very good. There were only seven shrimp, which was a bit disappointing that there weren’t more, but overall, the flavor was terrific. The only point of improvement is being a little more generous with the shrimp. $10.95
Most items range from $4.50 to $11.95 in price. The typical item menus are included – enchiladas, burritos, tortas, tacos, and even burgers. They also have kid’s plates available. I will probably try one of their combination plates in the future (prices for those range from $5.95 to $6.95).
During my second experience, the service was not quite as friendly, though close. The place is somewhat empty for a Saturday evening, so the location may not be so good for drumming up clientele. The lack of signage from a side view is likely hurting them, but the food is still good. This time, there wasn’t any pico de gallo in the salsa bar which was a little disappointing, but some came with my dish.
- Enchilada and taco combination plate – Choice of meat for both items is available. The shredded beef enchilada came in a very soft tortilla topped with sauce and cheese. Great sauce. The taco is available with a crispy shell or soft. The crispy shell is drizzled with a little enchilada sauce and lightly sprinkled with cheese over the center. The taco comes with lettuce and pico de gallo. Since breast meat is used, it can be a little dry. This combo plate also came with rice and refried beans. Since the items are not made to order, it’s more like hot plate, warm food, but still good flavor. $6.96
- Taco Salad – With a choice of meat, you receive a tostada shell (very light and flaky) containing refried beans, rice, lettuce, meat (I selected shredded beef), pico de gallo, two dollops of sour cream, and two dollops of guacamole. There’s a light sprinkling of cheese on top (dried, not fresh). The meat is fresh and warm and the salad is good. The only thing I would improve is adding more lettuce and using fresh cheese. Great flavor though. $6.95
The chef was very sanitary – he took our order, and visibly washed his hands before beginning to cook. Not every place does this. The only thing I would change is the air circulation. Since the kitchen is open, it’s hard for the fresh air to be circulated. They try to accomplish this by keeping the door open, but I don’t know what they do on a cold or rainy day. Nevertheless, it’s a great place to try out. The ingredients were fresh, the service, friendly, and the chips warm. If you’re interested, they have tamales that are Central American style that are wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks. So far, all of the dishes I’ve tried have been fresh and good. Need I say more?
(707) 763-7111
Parking: in shopping center
Last Visited: June 3, 2006
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$$
El Gallo Taqueria just opened up in the new Kohl’s shopping center in Petaluma. It’s bright orange and sunny décor is inviting. The large panes of glass in the front of the shop stream in lots of light. In the rear is a large flat screen tv. This evening and during my second visit, it was showing the soccer game. There are rooster figures on the wall and a large glass rooster containing garlic and other decorative foods. The open kitchen allows the aroma to come to your nose. There’s a salsa bar in the middle of the restaurant with lime pieces, various salsas, and vegetables.
The local radio station was raving about El Gallo Taqueria, so I thought I would give it a try. Upon our arrival, we received warm chips and were told to help ourselves to the salsa bar. Service was friendly.
- Super Burrito – I selected chicken, but other meats are available. A good sized burrito comes in a soft flour tortilla. Inside were sour cream, guacamole, rice, beans, and salsa. The overall flavor was good. The chicken strips inside my burrito were freshly grilled. Good. I wouldn’t expect anymore for the price. $5.95
- Fajitas – Shrimp – The fajitas are available with shrimp, chicken, or steak. They’re served with pico de gallo, guacamole, rice, refried beans, and three tortillas. The shrimp is grilled with green peppers and onion strips. It’s grilled after ordering and comes out steaming hot. The rice is perfectly moist, and the refried beans have a fine consistency. All was very good. There were only seven shrimp, which was a bit disappointing that there weren’t more, but overall, the flavor was terrific. The only point of improvement is being a little more generous with the shrimp. $10.95
Most items range from $4.50 to $11.95 in price. The typical item menus are included – enchiladas, burritos, tortas, tacos, and even burgers. They also have kid’s plates available. I will probably try one of their combination plates in the future (prices for those range from $5.95 to $6.95).
During my second experience, the service was not quite as friendly, though close. The place is somewhat empty for a Saturday evening, so the location may not be so good for drumming up clientele. The lack of signage from a side view is likely hurting them, but the food is still good. This time, there wasn’t any pico de gallo in the salsa bar which was a little disappointing, but some came with my dish.
- Enchilada and taco combination plate – Choice of meat for both items is available. The shredded beef enchilada came in a very soft tortilla topped with sauce and cheese. Great sauce. The taco is available with a crispy shell or soft. The crispy shell is drizzled with a little enchilada sauce and lightly sprinkled with cheese over the center. The taco comes with lettuce and pico de gallo. Since breast meat is used, it can be a little dry. This combo plate also came with rice and refried beans. Since the items are not made to order, it’s more like hot plate, warm food, but still good flavor. $6.96
- Taco Salad – With a choice of meat, you receive a tostada shell (very light and flaky) containing refried beans, rice, lettuce, meat (I selected shredded beef), pico de gallo, two dollops of sour cream, and two dollops of guacamole. There’s a light sprinkling of cheese on top (dried, not fresh). The meat is fresh and warm and the salad is good. The only thing I would improve is adding more lettuce and using fresh cheese. Great flavor though. $6.95
The chef was very sanitary – he took our order, and visibly washed his hands before beginning to cook. Not every place does this. The only thing I would change is the air circulation. Since the kitchen is open, it’s hard for the fresh air to be circulated. They try to accomplish this by keeping the door open, but I don’t know what they do on a cold or rainy day. Nevertheless, it’s a great place to try out. The ingredients were fresh, the service, friendly, and the chips warm. If you’re interested, they have tamales that are Central American style that are wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks. So far, all of the dishes I’ve tried have been fresh and good. Need I say more?
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Broadway Bistro - Chinese Cafe, Millbrae
349 Broadway, Millbrae, CA 94030(650) 692-3378
Parking: street parking, parking lot in rear
Last Visited: September 4, 2011
Food: 2 to 3 starsAtmosphere: 2 stars
Service: 2 to 3 starsPrice: $ to $$
A family friend had recommended Broadway Bistro as a decent place for breakfast. While I didn't know what to expect, I was somewhat surprised that it came so highly recommended when I stepped in the door and saw it was like a Hong Kong style cafe. The decor is a bit cheesy with the fake plants and bright pink and overall, it's a little worn around the edges, but they seemed to have steady clientele coming in for breakfast. It's no comparison to what you find in real Hong Kong cafes, but maybe because it's in Millbrae without competition that it thrives.
The menu offered several sets such as those we ordered. Other options included macaroni in soup with ham, a typical breakfast dish in Hong Kong. All of these sets were available for $5 to $6 each.
- Green Onion Pancake and Soy Milk - At first glance, the dish seemed very disappointing. The pancake was thin, limp, and greasy. The soy milk, available sweet or savory, came with dried shrimp, small pieces of preserved mustard green, and an abundance of green onions, since I had ordered the savory version. In Hong Kong, you find that the soy milk consistency is really thick, and this very diluted version lacked the desired texture. The flavor of the soy milk was ok. Surprisingly, the green onion pancake had a really good flavor and consistency. Less oil would have helped it quite a bit though. Okay. 
- Rice Congee with Fried Donut - The rice congee consistency was good and it came with fried peanuts and fried donut pieces. While the fried donut was just okay, the congee was decent.
Service was fair during this visit. The staff was friendly when they were with us, but it was about midway through the meal before we received tea. We overheard another waiter telling our waiter to bring us tea. The lack of service was a bit disappointing, even though these places are not known for service.
There is no comparison with real Hong Kong style cafes, but if you're in Millbrae with a craving, I suppose it will do. Lunch and dinner menus offer a variety of Cantonese style dishes. At least parking is accessible.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Lotus - Indian, San Rafael
704 Fourth St, San Rafael CA 94901
(415) 465-5808
Parking: street parking
Hours: Buffet Lunch – Mon to Sat 11:30am to 2:30 pm, Dinner – Mon to Sat 5pm to 9:30pm, Sun 5pm to 9pm
http://www.lotusrestaurant.com/
Last Visited: June 11, 2006
Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 to 5 stars
Service: 4 to 5 stars
Price: $$$
Lotus is located in the heart of downtown San Rafael. After coming off the freeway and onto Fourth Street, it’s one of the first restaurants you’ll see. The beautiful decorative door is eye catching as you walk up to the restaurant. You might also pass by the Lotus home furnishings store just a few doors down. Gautum recommended this place, so it’s officially Indian approved for authenticity and flavor.
Walk into Lotus through the waiting area and you’ll see the bar. We were promptly greeted and brought to our table which was alongside the bench seating against one wall. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with colorful and brilliant Indian wall hangings and statues including gold elephants, gold vases, and large statues of women in a prayer position. On the right side of the restaurant is the buffet table (which is not in use during dinner). The tables are spaciously placed and covered with pink tablecloths. The dishes are all printed with a pink and green flower pattern. The light yellow columns softly stand out amidst the white and pink in the room. A peek at their very professional website will show you what they’re all about. The best part of the atmosphere was the skylight, which they opened up so that the blue sky could be seen and if you desired, you could watch the clouds float by. It was perfect for our summer evening visit.
As we were seated, we were brought menus and our tealight candle was lit using a match. Our server promptly filled our glasses with ice water.
- Vegetable Samosas – Two samosas, triangular shaped pastry, are stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas and served with two sauces – one tamarind and one mint. The pastry is deep fried until golden brown and crispy. This is a healthy serving. One person per samosa is perfect for an appetizer, or one person can eat both samosas for a hearty meal. The spices are strong, but can be tempered with the sweet red tamarind sauce or by the cool mint sauce. Very good. $4.50
- Chicken Biriyani – The chicken biriyani is comprised of Basmati rice cooked with zucchini, carrots, green beans, green peas, cashews, golden raisins, and spices. The menu states that cauliflower is in the mix, but today, it was broccoli. The ingredients are combined for a strongly flavored combination of spices and vegetables. All of the meat is dark meat, which is perfect for me. It was served with raita, a homemade yogurt with spices and fresh cucumber shreds. The raita cools down the spices for a nice balance. I would liken it to chicken fried rice, but in a smaller portion and more intense flavors. Good. $13.95
- Rogan Josh – I wanted to select a lamb dish and asked the waiter for a suggestion. Rogan Josh is lamb cooked until tender in a spicy curry sauce. The dish itself is small, but it’s packed with flavor. The lamb was perfectly done until fork tender and infused with the flavor of the curry packed into each bite. Very good. $13.45
- Naan – This flatbread is available stuffed, but we selected it plain. Warm and served in a bread basket, it’s a nice accompaniment to the dishes above or any full flavored dish. $2.50
The environment is nice and the level of service and professionalism is superb. The only area of improvement for service is to have the general waitstaff smile – in general, they all looked very serious. When we left, the staff thanked us – a nice touch, as the farewell greeting at restaurant seems to have disappeared with so many other things. Lotus is a great place for authentic and delicious cuisine, and even better when you can watch the sky as you dine under the stars.
(415) 465-5808
Parking: street parking
Hours: Buffet Lunch – Mon to Sat 11:30am to 2:30 pm, Dinner – Mon to Sat 5pm to 9:30pm, Sun 5pm to 9pm
http://www.lotusrestaurant.com/
Last Visited: June 11, 2006
Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 to 5 stars
Service: 4 to 5 stars
Price: $$$
Lotus is located in the heart of downtown San Rafael. After coming off the freeway and onto Fourth Street, it’s one of the first restaurants you’ll see. The beautiful decorative door is eye catching as you walk up to the restaurant. You might also pass by the Lotus home furnishings store just a few doors down. Gautum recommended this place, so it’s officially Indian approved for authenticity and flavor.
Walk into Lotus through the waiting area and you’ll see the bar. We were promptly greeted and brought to our table which was alongside the bench seating against one wall. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with colorful and brilliant Indian wall hangings and statues including gold elephants, gold vases, and large statues of women in a prayer position. On the right side of the restaurant is the buffet table (which is not in use during dinner). The tables are spaciously placed and covered with pink tablecloths. The dishes are all printed with a pink and green flower pattern. The light yellow columns softly stand out amidst the white and pink in the room. A peek at their very professional website will show you what they’re all about. The best part of the atmosphere was the skylight, which they opened up so that the blue sky could be seen and if you desired, you could watch the clouds float by. It was perfect for our summer evening visit.
As we were seated, we were brought menus and our tealight candle was lit using a match. Our server promptly filled our glasses with ice water.
- Vegetable Samosas – Two samosas, triangular shaped pastry, are stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas and served with two sauces – one tamarind and one mint. The pastry is deep fried until golden brown and crispy. This is a healthy serving. One person per samosa is perfect for an appetizer, or one person can eat both samosas for a hearty meal. The spices are strong, but can be tempered with the sweet red tamarind sauce or by the cool mint sauce. Very good. $4.50
- Chicken Biriyani – The chicken biriyani is comprised of Basmati rice cooked with zucchini, carrots, green beans, green peas, cashews, golden raisins, and spices. The menu states that cauliflower is in the mix, but today, it was broccoli. The ingredients are combined for a strongly flavored combination of spices and vegetables. All of the meat is dark meat, which is perfect for me. It was served with raita, a homemade yogurt with spices and fresh cucumber shreds. The raita cools down the spices for a nice balance. I would liken it to chicken fried rice, but in a smaller portion and more intense flavors. Good. $13.95
- Rogan Josh – I wanted to select a lamb dish and asked the waiter for a suggestion. Rogan Josh is lamb cooked until tender in a spicy curry sauce. The dish itself is small, but it’s packed with flavor. The lamb was perfectly done until fork tender and infused with the flavor of the curry packed into each bite. Very good. $13.45
- Naan – This flatbread is available stuffed, but we selected it plain. Warm and served in a bread basket, it’s a nice accompaniment to the dishes above or any full flavored dish. $2.50
The environment is nice and the level of service and professionalism is superb. The only area of improvement for service is to have the general waitstaff smile – in general, they all looked very serious. When we left, the staff thanked us – a nice touch, as the farewell greeting at restaurant seems to have disappeared with so many other things. Lotus is a great place for authentic and delicious cuisine, and even better when you can watch the sky as you dine under the stars.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Boca Pizzeria - Novato
454 Ignacio Blvd, Novato CA 94949
(415) 883-2302
Parking: in shopping center
http://bocapizzeria.com/
Last Visited: September 22, 2010
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Boca Pizzeria is opened up by the same owners as Boca (the steakhouse) in Novato. While their pizzas are done Neapolitan style and certified by “Verace Pizza Napolitana, ” I found the pizza to be just okay. According to their webiste, each pizza is cooked for no more than two minutes in a 900 degree Italian wood burning oven. Also, the flour is double milled 00 Caputo flour; the sauce is made from San Marzano tomatoes imported from Italy, and the mozzarella cheese is house made daily.
Maybe I didn't order something simple enough, but since I've been going to a number of pizzerias in San Francisco and around the Bay Area, in comparison to those, I found Boca's to be good, but not wow enough that I've started taking people there. That's probably my best gage on food at a restaurant - if I start telling my friends and coworkers and inviting them to go with me, that's how you know they're spectactular places.
The dining area is open with lots of light from the large windows. The kitchen is open too and you can watch the hustle and bustle, or on a nice day, you can enjoy outdoor seating on the patio.
So far, I've been to Boca Pizzeria twice. While I don't avoid going there, I haven't found it stellar enough to make more visits. The open kitchen and high ceilings create a comfortable and open atmosphere. Outside seating also provides options for those whom enjoy the sun.
- Anson Mills Soft Organic Polenta - Mushroom, Thyme, Balsamic Reduction - The polenta was okay with a creamy texture and nice balsamic reduction. Since it's presented on a plate without anything to really eat it with, it's kind of like sharing a pudding. It's difficult to share and would be better as a side dish rather than starter - interestingly, the location on the menu actually seemed to make a difference in this case. I also thought it was a little pricier than it should have been considering the portion. $7.95
- Prosciutto de Parma Pizza - Prosciutto, arugula, San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella top a thin crust pizza. The flavors were fresh and very Californian in flavor, but not your authentic Italian style pizza. While that wasn't a bad thing, the combination of ingredients didn't have a wow factor. Just okay. $14.50
- Farmers Pizza - Pancetta, Yukon gold potatoes, burrata cheese, and egg top a pizza. I expected the egg to be cooked on the pizza, but instead, it appeared to be an egg that was fried and placed on top of a pizza. It didn't seem incorporated until I broke the yolk. The pizza seemed slightly overcooked as some of the cheese had dried a bit or had been sliced too thin. Another just okay pizza. $13.95
I found service to be just alright as well. During my first visit, while she was polite, the server paid more attention to my dining companion and pretty much spoke with him throughout the meal. During my second visit, the server was more even in speaking with each of us, but I didn't have a particularly memorable experience either way, so I've given them three stars for now.
Boca Pizzeria serves up decent pizza and is good for a change of pace compared to local Novato fare, offering California style pizza creations. They're also opening a new location in Corte Madera at The Village.
(415) 883-2302
Parking: in shopping center
http://bocapizzeria.com/
Last Visited: September 22, 2010
Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Boca Pizzeria is opened up by the same owners as Boca (the steakhouse) in Novato. While their pizzas are done Neapolitan style and certified by “Verace Pizza Napolitana, ” I found the pizza to be just okay. According to their webiste, each pizza is cooked for no more than two minutes in a 900 degree Italian wood burning oven. Also, the flour is double milled 00 Caputo flour; the sauce is made from San Marzano tomatoes imported from Italy, and the mozzarella cheese is house made daily.
Maybe I didn't order something simple enough, but since I've been going to a number of pizzerias in San Francisco and around the Bay Area, in comparison to those, I found Boca's to be good, but not wow enough that I've started taking people there. That's probably my best gage on food at a restaurant - if I start telling my friends and coworkers and inviting them to go with me, that's how you know they're spectactular places.
The dining area is open with lots of light from the large windows. The kitchen is open too and you can watch the hustle and bustle, or on a nice day, you can enjoy outdoor seating on the patio.
So far, I've been to Boca Pizzeria twice. While I don't avoid going there, I haven't found it stellar enough to make more visits. The open kitchen and high ceilings create a comfortable and open atmosphere. Outside seating also provides options for those whom enjoy the sun.
- Anson Mills Soft Organic Polenta - Mushroom, Thyme, Balsamic Reduction - The polenta was okay with a creamy texture and nice balsamic reduction. Since it's presented on a plate without anything to really eat it with, it's kind of like sharing a pudding. It's difficult to share and would be better as a side dish rather than starter - interestingly, the location on the menu actually seemed to make a difference in this case. I also thought it was a little pricier than it should have been considering the portion. $7.95
- Prosciutto de Parma Pizza - Prosciutto, arugula, San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella top a thin crust pizza. The flavors were fresh and very Californian in flavor, but not your authentic Italian style pizza. While that wasn't a bad thing, the combination of ingredients didn't have a wow factor. Just okay. $14.50
I found service to be just alright as well. During my first visit, while she was polite, the server paid more attention to my dining companion and pretty much spoke with him throughout the meal. During my second visit, the server was more even in speaking with each of us, but I didn't have a particularly memorable experience either way, so I've given them three stars for now.
Boca Pizzeria serves up decent pizza and is good for a change of pace compared to local Novato fare, offering California style pizza creations. They're also opening a new location in Corte Madera at The Village.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thai House - Santa Rosa
525 Fourth St, Santa Rosa CA 95401
(707) 526-3939
Parking: street parking or nearby parking lots
Last Visited: February 1, 2007
Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Thai House is located on the second floor, so when you are walking on the street, look for a staircase and a sign – both are a bit obstructed from view by the other nearby restaurants, but be on the lookout and you’ll see it.
Thai House has been in downtown Santa Rosa for quite some time. They’re especially known for their seating and regulars also receive special treatment. The seats are interesting. The main dining area has regular tables and chairs. In the rear, there is a raised area with short tables, creating floor seating. They provide thick cushions, both flat (for you to sit on) and triangular ones (for leaning) that are covered in gold fabric. It definitely creates an authentic feel. The area with the raised seating is decorated with dark walls, dark carpet, and outlines of Thai figures. Guests are required to take off their shoes before entering this section. The tables are situated such that two long tables are on the sides of the room and smaller tables are located at the very rear just behind the small set of stairs.
It’s been about six or seven years since my last visit. Having visited many of the Thai restaurants in Sonoma County, when I compare Thai House with the rest, I found the ambience at Thai House nice, but better food can be found in the area. This recent visit confirmed my previous observations.
This evening, we had a large party of over ten people. The Christmas decorations were still present with Christmas lights on the railing along with a garland of green synthetic material. Upon my arrival, the staff pointed out where to go (my view of the table was blocked by the wall dividing the room with regular tables and chairs and the room with the raised floor. It would have been better service for the waitstaff to actually walk us to the location considering it wasn’t very far away and would have added a personal touch. When we ordered, the waitress stayed at the corner of the table and looked at us as we each stated what we wanted. Surprisingly, the acoustics aren’t bad when everyone is quiet. The wait staff typically wear authentic Thai clothing too.
- Satay – Five skewers of grilled chicken (beef also an available choice) are served with a small cucumber salad and a small dish of peanut sauce. The chicken had noticeable grill marks and were placed on a bed of lettuce. Presentation was nice. The cucumber salad had a nice flavor and there were small pieces of red onion. The peanut sauce was thick and had good flavor also. The chicken was dense and lacked flavor. It took a bit of effort to remove the chicken from the skewer which seemed to indicate that the meat was overcooked. Fair. $6.95
- Yellow Curry – You can select chicken, beef, or tofu curry. I selected chicken. The curry made with coconut milk is smooth and creamy. Chicken breast is cut in pieces and cooked with potatoes, red and green bell peppers, and the curry sauce. All is served in a shallow oval dish. Good flavor, though the portions are small. The curry is served medium, so if you like spicy, be sure to ask for increased heat. I liked how there weren’t too many vegetables stuffed in as filler, but it wasn’t outstanding. $9.95
- Pad Thai – Rice noodles are cooked with your choice of chicken or tofu. I selected tofu. The tofu comes in small cubes and along with the rice noodles, there are bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, and on the side, you’ll see shredded lettuce topped with a wedge of tomato. These side vegetables aren’t particularly traditional, but you often see it as decoration. I found this dish to be okay. The noodles were a little too al dente for me – not quite the way rice noodles should be, so just okay as a dish overall. Flavor was good, although there was also an excess of chopped peanuts. $7.95
- Rice – The quantity of rice was good since the bowl tended to be bigger, but not perfect rice quality and texture. Okay. $1
- Thai Iced Tea – This was a large tea and the flavor was good, but the complaint I have is that at bottom of my cup, there was a small pile of tea leaves, and unfortunately, it wasn’t leaves, but very fine powder which basically ruined the overall drink when I was finishing it off. Good tea, but presentation with fine tea at the bottom isn’t acceptable for a sweet drink. $2
When our fellow dining companion asked for peanut sauce, he was not told he would be charged extra for it, which seems like something you should inform the customer of or just provide it for free. They also add 18% gratuity for large parties.
I felt most dishes could have been served hotter in temperature, and the curry could be hotter in flavor, but considering the large group, it may have cooled down during transport. The food was placed on carts and brought into the room. The seats are not comfortable, especially if you sit on the railing side (as opposed to the wall side) since there is no place to lean. Sitting across from someone at the table also ends up in either very uncomfortable Indian style seating with legs asleep at the end of the meal or a friendly get to know the person across from you all out footsie war. Worse yet, it could be feet in your lap for dinner. Check out the Thai House for atmosphere, but food and service are fair to okay.
(707) 526-3939
Parking: street parking or nearby parking lots
Last Visited: February 1, 2007
Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Thai House is located on the second floor, so when you are walking on the street, look for a staircase and a sign – both are a bit obstructed from view by the other nearby restaurants, but be on the lookout and you’ll see it.
Thai House has been in downtown Santa Rosa for quite some time. They’re especially known for their seating and regulars also receive special treatment. The seats are interesting. The main dining area has regular tables and chairs. In the rear, there is a raised area with short tables, creating floor seating. They provide thick cushions, both flat (for you to sit on) and triangular ones (for leaning) that are covered in gold fabric. It definitely creates an authentic feel. The area with the raised seating is decorated with dark walls, dark carpet, and outlines of Thai figures. Guests are required to take off their shoes before entering this section. The tables are situated such that two long tables are on the sides of the room and smaller tables are located at the very rear just behind the small set of stairs.
It’s been about six or seven years since my last visit. Having visited many of the Thai restaurants in Sonoma County, when I compare Thai House with the rest, I found the ambience at Thai House nice, but better food can be found in the area. This recent visit confirmed my previous observations.
This evening, we had a large party of over ten people. The Christmas decorations were still present with Christmas lights on the railing along with a garland of green synthetic material. Upon my arrival, the staff pointed out where to go (my view of the table was blocked by the wall dividing the room with regular tables and chairs and the room with the raised floor. It would have been better service for the waitstaff to actually walk us to the location considering it wasn’t very far away and would have added a personal touch. When we ordered, the waitress stayed at the corner of the table and looked at us as we each stated what we wanted. Surprisingly, the acoustics aren’t bad when everyone is quiet. The wait staff typically wear authentic Thai clothing too.
- Satay – Five skewers of grilled chicken (beef also an available choice) are served with a small cucumber salad and a small dish of peanut sauce. The chicken had noticeable grill marks and were placed on a bed of lettuce. Presentation was nice. The cucumber salad had a nice flavor and there were small pieces of red onion. The peanut sauce was thick and had good flavor also. The chicken was dense and lacked flavor. It took a bit of effort to remove the chicken from the skewer which seemed to indicate that the meat was overcooked. Fair. $6.95
- Yellow Curry – You can select chicken, beef, or tofu curry. I selected chicken. The curry made with coconut milk is smooth and creamy. Chicken breast is cut in pieces and cooked with potatoes, red and green bell peppers, and the curry sauce. All is served in a shallow oval dish. Good flavor, though the portions are small. The curry is served medium, so if you like spicy, be sure to ask for increased heat. I liked how there weren’t too many vegetables stuffed in as filler, but it wasn’t outstanding. $9.95
- Pad Thai – Rice noodles are cooked with your choice of chicken or tofu. I selected tofu. The tofu comes in small cubes and along with the rice noodles, there are bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, and on the side, you’ll see shredded lettuce topped with a wedge of tomato. These side vegetables aren’t particularly traditional, but you often see it as decoration. I found this dish to be okay. The noodles were a little too al dente for me – not quite the way rice noodles should be, so just okay as a dish overall. Flavor was good, although there was also an excess of chopped peanuts. $7.95
- Rice – The quantity of rice was good since the bowl tended to be bigger, but not perfect rice quality and texture. Okay. $1
- Thai Iced Tea – This was a large tea and the flavor was good, but the complaint I have is that at bottom of my cup, there was a small pile of tea leaves, and unfortunately, it wasn’t leaves, but very fine powder which basically ruined the overall drink when I was finishing it off. Good tea, but presentation with fine tea at the bottom isn’t acceptable for a sweet drink. $2
When our fellow dining companion asked for peanut sauce, he was not told he would be charged extra for it, which seems like something you should inform the customer of or just provide it for free. They also add 18% gratuity for large parties.
I felt most dishes could have been served hotter in temperature, and the curry could be hotter in flavor, but considering the large group, it may have cooled down during transport. The food was placed on carts and brought into the room. The seats are not comfortable, especially if you sit on the railing side (as opposed to the wall side) since there is no place to lean. Sitting across from someone at the table also ends up in either very uncomfortable Indian style seating with legs asleep at the end of the meal or a friendly get to know the person across from you all out footsie war. Worse yet, it could be feet in your lap for dinner. Check out the Thai House for atmosphere, but food and service are fair to okay.
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