R&G Lounge - Chinese, San Francisco

Best: Deep-Fried Crab

631 Kearny St, San Francisco CA 94108
(415) 982-7877
Parking: limited street parking, validated pay parking lot - Portsmouth Square - about a block away
http://www.rnglounge.com/

Last Visited: February 23, 2012
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$$$

R&G Lounge has been at this location since 1985.  I remember going as a kid and enjoying two of their now signature dishes - deep fried crab and steak cubes with bell peppers and onions.  When you mention crab prepared Asian-style and San Francisco, R&G always comes up in conversation.

Known for their crab, they offer nine preparations: salt and pepper (signature), fried with garlic and hot peppers (one of my personal favorites), black bean sauce, steamed, steamed with wine and egg whites, steamed with garlic, spicy garlic sauce, salted egg yolk, and ginger & scallions.
They also four preparations of lobster: supreme broth, salt and pepper, black bean sauce, and ginger & scallions.
When we arrived, we headed downstairs and were seated at a back room.  Decor in this section leaves something to be desired, but is considered above average for Chinatown restaurants.  Although the prices would make one think you're going to a fancy restaurant, it's not fancy in this section.  It's also pretty noisy as a whole. 

We ordered a table full of dishes to enjoy R&G's crab and other seafood.

- Live Crab with Salt and Pepper - A rather large crab is battered, deep-fried, and seasoned with salt and pepper seasoning (Chinese style).  It's hot and super fresh tasting.  We shared it amongst five people.  Prices are seasonal.  $38

- Crispy Chicken - Described as deep fried chicken with a crispy outside finish.  The skin was a beautiful brown and the meat was juicy.  This was also enjoyable.  The shrimp chips were large and very fresh  The photo shows a half of a chicken.  Half $15, Whole $28

- Garlic Noodles with Seafood (special) - The description conjures up an image like Vietnamese garlic noodles, but this definitely has more sauce.  Fresh tomatoes are cooked with fresh seafood and a lot of garlic.  While it tasted fine and the seafood was not overcooked, I thought the presentation left something to be desired.  I would also rename it so that there is less confusion with its Vietnamese sibling.  I can't remember the exact price, but it was just under $20. 

- Steak Cubes and Scallops with Macadamia Nuts - This has been one of my longtime favorites.  Macadamia nuts were asked to be placed on the side for this order because one of our dining companions has a nut allergy.  The steak cubes are super tender and the scallops are jumbo-sized and fresh.  The bell peppers and celery are still a little crunchy which gives a nice textural contrast.  This is a must try dish (or you can get the version without scallops) when you visit R&G.  I only wish there was more.  $20

- Minced Seafood in Lettuce Cups - Minced scallops, prawns, Chinese sausage, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots are stir-fried and served with fresh iceberg lettuce leaves.  While the photo displays a gorgeous looking lettuce cup, it looked pretty bland when it arrived - it was pretty much brown in color, making it less appetizing.  The flavor was okay.  While seafood is minced to make the dish, I found that the rusted edges of the lettuce and lack of presentation made the dish less worthy of its price. $18

- Eggplant with Garlic Sauce - Eggplant is sauteed with bamboo shoots, shredded pork, black fungus, and scallions in a spicy garlic sauce.  While they warned us that this would be spicy, I found the flavor to be more sweet than spicy.  This was a hit at our table, but the quantity was a little on the small side.  The flavor was great. $14

Our server was friendly and checked in on us during the meal.   Plates were changed after we ate the crab, but there could be greater attention to detail.  We didn't all get crab crackers and when plates were finished, they didn't remove them as quickly as one would have liked. 

While the steak cube dish and crab continue to steal the show, R&G lounge has fancy prices that are a little high for the atmosphere and level of service provided.  Reducing prices by 10 to 20% would feel more in line with what they are offering.

Phyllis' Giant Hamburgers - American, Santa Rosa

4910 Sonoma Hwy, Suite B, Santa Rosa CA 95409, (707) 538-4000
924 Diablo Ave, Novato CA 94947, (415) 898-8294
Parking: parking in front
Hours: 11am to 9pm daily
http://www.phyllisgiantburgers.com/
Last Visited: October 19, 2010

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$ (prices shown are from 2007)

Phyllis’ in Santa Rosa came with quite a bit of fanfare from the local newspaper anticipating its arrival. The fact that it’s on Highway 12 where everyone can see it probably helps too. It replaced the once popular Heavenly Hamburgers. Phyllis’ made a name for itself in San Rafael as being the Best Burgers in Marin. It then opened up a store in Novato, and now Santa Rosa.

The interior is reminiscent of an old diner (black and white checkered floor) with a big plasma television in the back playing recent DVDs. Outdoor seating is available also. I had a hard time deciding what to select from their menu since there were so many choices, but found service to be okay, though not spectacular. Considering nobody else was in line, I think service overall could have been a touch friendlier, especially since one could tell it was our first time coming to the restaurant. Menus are displayed on large signs behind the counter. There are six signs each with different information, so it can be a bit overwhelming. A Dreyer’s ice cream display sits next to the counter.

- Giant Burger (1/2 pound) – I chose the classic giant burger which was grilled and served on a sesame bun with mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Ground chuck is used. I thought it was good and the size was generous for the price. It had a grilled flavor, but had potential to be even better. $4.95

- Chicken Club – All of their chicken burgers are served on a French roll with cheese. We selected jack cheese to go with our club which included mayo, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. I have to admit this was nothing special and I probably could have made the exact same thing at home with less grease. Okay. $6.95

- Curly Fries – Of all the food we had, this was the most surprising. We ordered a large curly fries and the quantity was enough to render us unconscious. For those with a large appetite, you probably could have shared the large curly fries amongst three people, and for small appetites, even four people. The fries are a terrific deal and very fresh too. Very good. Regular $2.50, Large $3.75

I didn’t know it until I got home and read the menu, but grilled onions are available at no charge. You just have to know to ask for it since they don’t offer it. The other note on service is that I saw others being offered a pickle with their burger. I wasn’t offered a pickle with my burger so I was disappointed about that.
It wasn’t the best burger I’ve ever had, but it was far from the worst. It’s definitely a few steps above fast food. It’s good for a beef burger, and if you’re looking for a fries fix, this would be an excellent choice.  Since my visit to Santa Rosa in 2007, I went to the Novato shop in 2010 and found the quality to be consistent.  The place is a little bigger in Novato and still good.

Tov Tofu - Korean, Santa Rosa

1169 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa Ca 95405(707) 566-9469
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: Tues-Sun 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm-9pm, Closed Mondays

Last Visited: August 13, 2011

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

Shirley had suggested I try Tov Tofu and specifically, she noted that the seafood pancake was a must have item.  With that, it was a no brainer when Alice said we should check it out.  We arrived this warm evening and were a bit surprised that there didn't seem to be a cooling system of any type in place.  I'm not sure if there is central air conditioning or if they own a fan, but the doors were wide open and as a result, the flies had joined us.  This made the atmosphere slightly less appetizing, but we stayed nonetheless.

The decorations are fairly simple.  There is a lot of newer style wood paneling and burgundy vinyl chairs.  The large windows bring in good light.I noticed a Bible verse on the wall in Korean.  Located in the Whole Foods shopping center, it's a convenient spot with lots of easy parking.  The waiter was very friendly and happy to answer questions, but seemed to disappear for long periods of time since he was the only one that seemed to be serving this evening. 

We received seven small plates including side dishes such as kimchee, preseved tofu strips, pickled cucumber, preserved beans, seaweed, and other items.  These side dishes are known as banchan and I always find them fun since nobody seems to make them the same way. 

- Glass Noodles with Sauteed Vegetables - Glass noodles are stir-fried with beef, carrots, spinach, and soy sauce.  This was a well flavored dish and colorful too, but I still feel it was priced a tad too high.  $8.50

- Seafood and Green Onion Pancake - Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the green onion gives this savory pancake a good contrast in texture and flavor in combination with the seafood inside.  I think grated potato is what is creating the crispy texture.   It comes with a soy sauce based dipping sauce.  This is definitely unique and an enjoyable and filling treat. Very good.  $13.50

- BBQ Beef and Vegetable Bibimbab - Rice is cooked and topped with with barbecued beef, kimchi, egg, and vegetables (spinach, mushrooms, carrots, daikon radish, and bean sprouts in sizzling stoneware.  This was very colorful and tastedfine, but fairly average in the world of bibimbab.  If you haven't had it before, think of a very hot in temperature rice dish.  When mixed thoroughly with the spicy red sauce, it will warm your insides.  $13.50

While the food is authentic and has good flavor, I found the dishes to be a little on the small side or rather, that the prices were higher than what I would expect to pay considering the portions we received.  The glass noodle dish was probably the most expensive when it comes to value.  Tov Tofu is nice for a change of pace in Sonoma County and offers a flavorful selection, but the service and pricing have opportunities for improvement.  Small adjustments to these would draw a larger following of both regulars and visitors.

Sonoma County Restaurant Week - Feb 27-Mar 4, 2012

It's that time of year again, but there's not much time left. Sonoma County Restaurant Week offers prix fixe meals for $19, $29, and $39, at selected restaurants from February 27, 2012 to March 4,2012. Look for more details at: http://www.sonomacountyrestaurantweek.org/

Plouf - French/Seafood, San Francisco

40 Belden Place San Francisco CA 94104
(415) 986-6491
Parking: street parking
http://www.ploufsf.com/

Last Visited: February 22, 2012

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

Plouf is the sound a stone makes when it drops into a stream (a French one that is).

Amy brought me to Plouf and immediately, I was quite delighted by how Belden Alley had such a European feel about it despite its location in the city.  For those who have never been to the street, it's a narrow street with storefronts opening up to the alley and filled with tables.  The open air tables, with standing heaters which is much needed for outdoor dining in the city, are very quaint and the lovely hostesses of each restaurant invite you to come peruse their menus.

The name Plouf is what drew Amy to this place during her visit since the restaurant has the same name as her mother's maiden name.  We arrived early this evening and had our choice of seats.  Specializing in seafood, especially mussels, you'll find a variety of mussel dishes (seven in total) available along with plenty of fresh fish.  Coq au vin, duck and hamburgers are available too for main dishes.

The decor reflects the type of items served on the menu - large creatures of the sea along with deep red colors that add contrast to the dining area.  The servers where black and white horizontal striped shirts which seem to add to the French feel.

Upon our arrival, we were seated and served a baguette of french bread at room temperature.  With Amy's recommendation to try a mussel dish, I went ahead and got it as a main course.

- Plouf Mussels - Pastis, cream, shallots, roasted garlic, chili flakes, and herbs go into this mussel dish.  The mussels come in a rather large pot and there are plenty to share amongst your tablemates or to eat as a main dish.  They're not the baby mussels either - they're very good sized.  It comes super hot in temperature and the broth is very well-flavored.  The pastis has an anise flavor that was present without being overbearing.  If you love roasted garlic, you'll find tons of it in the broth.  Super rich and creamy, the broth was a great dipping sauce for the crusty bread. I did find a little bit of sand in a couple of the mussels, but overall, very good.  $15.50

- Pommes Frites - While the pomme frites had a great potato flavor and were certainly very fresh, the pieces were cut a little too small. The ones on top were fine, but those on the bottom were getting too tiny.   The photo on the website shows them a little more light in color and holding up on their own better.  Ours were slightly limp and the smaller size made them hard to handle.  $5

While we hadn't intended to get pommes frites, the server had accidentally ordered them for us.  He realized his error when he saw them at our table and kindly took the item off the bill.  I appreciated that response since you so often find servers whom don't take the time to notice or plain don't care.

With the sand in the shellfish, I think there is room for improvement, but in general, I was impressed by the food and would definitely return.  If you're seeking a bargain, I learned that Plouf has a happy hour menu - on weekdays, the bar serves happy hour all night and the terrameze serves it from 2:30 to 5:30pm.  Items such as the oysters and mussels come in smaller portions and are available at a lower price (personally, I enjoy the smaller portions because then it means I get to try more items).  Plouf is a fun treat for seafood lovers, especially those whom enjoy mussels.

2012 James Beard Award Semifinalists

Check out this article on the 2012 James Beard Award Semifinalists - it's wonderful to see so many Bay Area chefs on the list and know that they're so accessible!

Sushi Hana - Japanese, Sebastopol

6930 Burnett Street, Sebastopol CA 95472
(707) 823-3778
Parking: Street parking or parking lot across the street
Open Daily

Last Visited: August 19, 2006

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

Walk into Sushi Hana and find that its layout is slightly awkward. The area directly facing the doorway has some seating, and then to your left is the register and the sushi bar. Making a slight U-turn leads you to the main dining area. During my first visit on a Friday evening when I sat at the sushi bar, I found the restaurant to be fairly empty. During my most recent visit on a Saturday night when I sat at a table, the place was packed. Wednesdays and Saturdays are special because they serve discounted sushi starting at $1 a piece and rolls starting at $3 each.

The carpets are dark green and the tables are wood with glass on top. The chairs have a wood back and dark green cushions. Fresh flowers sit in a vase on top of each table along with white paper placemats, chopsticks, and a napkin. Seating is also available at the sushi bar. Upon our arrival, we received a glass of water with a half of a slice of fresh lemon in it. The walls are a combination of brick and mirrors. There is a fish shaped blackboard displaying the specials and another board behind the sushi bar displaying the same information. Photos are hung around the room. The lighting from the windows give the room a slightly brighter feel.

P told us what a great place this was, especially for its Wednesday and Saturday specials which are available all day.

- Miso Soup – During both visits, I tried the miso soup. Flavor was very similar both times, but there were two differences. The temperature of the soup the first time was much hotter – the second time it was steaming, but only lukewarm. The first time, the tofu blocks were not cut as neatly, and the second time, they were cut much cleaner. Finally, the second time, there was an overload of green onions sprinkled into the soup which overwhelmed the miso flavor. I guess it depends on timing and who is putting your soup in the bowl. $1.50

- Maguro – The maguro was good. It was fresh and tender with clean flavors. $4

- Albacore – The albacore wasn’t as good as the maguro. Fair. $4

- Tako (Octopus) – The tako was rubbery. It was like chewing gum – not as fresh as it should have been since a fresh octopus would be crisp in comparison. $3.50

- Inari (Deep Fried Tofu) – This was fairly standard stuff. A sweet and soft tofu shell filled with rice. Good. $3

- Hamaichi (Yellow Tail)/ Hirame (Halibut) – Since both of these came on the same plate, I had a hard time telling one from the other. One was very tender, and the other was more chewy. I ordered another one of the tender ones by indicating where it was on the plate (since I had asked the server to identify which was which for me), but I’m not sure the second plate came back with what I wanted since the texture was right in the middle compared to the first pieces. $4

- Unagi - When I had the unagi during my first visit, it was fine. When I returned for some on the Saturday evening, I found it wasn’t quite as good. Perhaps it was because it was warm when I sat at the bar, and cooled when I sat at the table. Just okay. $4

- Rock and Roll (Eel and Avocado) – The unagi is rolled with avocado and drizzled with sauce. The flavors aren’t clean, so it’s hard to tell if the flavor is better in a roll or better as sushi when both are of good quality. However, it was better in a roll compared to the pieces of unagi I ordered as nigiri sushi this evening. $4

- Sake (Salmon) – The salmon is available smoked or fresh. We selected fresh and it was good. $4

- Toro – The toro had a nice flavor – tender. Not the best toro I’ve had, but good. $9

- Blue Fin Tuna – Same thoughts as the toro – fresh and good. $9

- Pink Lady – The pink lady was described as salmon skin with tobiko, cucumber, gobo, and dried saved bonito. I wouldn’t get this again. Of the dishes I tried during my first visit at the bar, this was my least favorite – lacking texture, lacking flavor. I prefer my salmon skin to have a little meat on it and for the skin to be toasted extra crispy – that’s not the case here. $6

- Lobster Roll #1 – I liked this roll, but you don’t get much lobster. The flavor is nice and does taste of lobster. Fresh, but could be a larger quantity with chunkier pieces of lobster. That would make it better $8

My server during the second visit took time to warm up. When he arrived with the water, he just stood there as though we were going to order. He didn’t greet us or make any statements about taking the order, which I found to be odd. After asking him some questions when our plate arrived, he responded, but it seems odd to have a server so quiet. He also checked back frequently enough when he saw the puzzled look on our faces, but there is much room for improvement.

Overall, the food experience is so-so. My first visit at the bar was better than my second at a table, and the service leaves something to be desired, though as always, it depends on who your server is. Going on Wednesdays and Saturdays is a bit risky. The way I see it – they clear out inventory on these two days which is great, because inventory is being cleared out, but it’s also bad because that means it’s not at the peak of freshness. If you want inexpensive sushi and your palate is not picky, then you might find it fine on Wednesdays and Saturday, but if you’ve had really good sushi, I would say pass. Perhaps Thursdays and Sundays are the best days to go.