Tropical Dreams - ice cream, Hawi, Hawaii

174 Kamehameha Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 935-9109

Parking: street parking

 

Last Visited: October 2012

 

Food: 3 stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Service: 3 stars

Price: $ to $$

 

All of my tour books for the Big Island kept talking about Tropical Dreams.  The sense that it was available on a limited basis (only at their stores and certain stores or restaurants throughout the Big Island) somehow added to the exclusivity of the product.  How could you go wrong with locally made ice cream?  I was determined to get it at their shop rather than at another carrier. 

 

I thought it sounded familiar, and when I saw the flavors being offered, I realized that I get this stuff at home in the SF Bay Area fairly easily - just go to an Asian market.  Unfortunately, when I saw what was in the case, I didn't find the super exotic flavors that I was hoping for - there was green tea, strawberry, and tahitian vanilla, but I didn't see any macadamia nut or ginger flavors. 

Tropical Dreams is known for super premium ice cream.  I ended up trying the coconut cream and it was ok, but not as creamy or rich as I was hoping for.  If you happen to be driving through Hawi, it's worth a stop, but if you make it your destination, and you have access to tropical flavors elsewhere, you might not be as enamored by it.  Sizes available include Keiki, Single, and Double.

Service was ok - nothing too special and salads are other options are available in case you are hungry.  For me, it was just alright.  Having a scoop of Mitchell's or Magnolia at home or even a quart of Tropical Dreams from my local Asian market is sometimes more satisfying. 

Tex Drive In - Hawaiian/American, Honokaa

Best: Malisadas

45-690 Pakalana St, Honokaa HI 96727
(808) 775-0598
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.texdriveinhawaii.com

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

Brent recommended checking out Tex Drive In.  Their world famous malisadas are definitely worth trying.  Although they offer a menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and plate lunches, no matter the time of day, you'll find them offering malisadas, both plain and filled with fruit and cream fillings.

The sign on the Hawaii Belt Road is easy to see, and at first, you might wonder why the sign on the building is so shabby, but drive to the front entrance and you'll see that it's a bustling roadside diner.  Even the local police were hanging out there (kind of stereotypical to find them near the donuts or in this case, the malisadas, but I figure they know where to get the best food locally). 

- Malisadas - I couldn't find the malisadas on the menu, but I knew I was in the right place because you can see them making malisadas behind the glass.  Available with a variety of fillings including raspberry, guava, apricot, and more, I ordered a bavarian creme and a plain malisada.  Oh that sweet goodness. These are pillows of warm, soft, fried dough filled with delightful lusciousness.  Even when you enjoy one the next day, it's still good - more like eating bread, but still delicious. $1.06 plain, $1.56 filled

And the service was good - the person who took my order was very friendly and my malisadas were promptly given to me.

If you like a plain krispy kreme or fried dough in general, you'll enjoy these for sure.  You've gotta try these if you're on the Big Island!

Shanghai Bistro - Chinese, Millbrae

1055 El Camino Real, Millbrae CA 94030
(650) 692-8858
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, 5pm-11pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am - 11pm
http://www.shanghaibistrousa.com
Parking: in shopping center parking lot

Last Visited: September 16, 2012

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 1 to 2 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

I've been driving by this place for a while and decided to finally check it out.  When we went it, it was packed with just one table free which we ended up taking.  They set up the table as we were sitting and after giving us menus, it took them about ten minutes to come back and check on us. 

After ordering, it had to be another ten to fifteen minutes before the first dish arrived.  Like many other Asian places, items that are typically thought of as appetizers don't necessarily come first. 

- Beef Tendons Noodle Soup - Large chunks of beef with tendons are served with a few spinach leaves and noodles in a five-spice flavored broth.  The beef was good and the noodles were al dente.  I would have liked a few more spinach leaves to balance soak up the flavor. Good - on par with what I would expect elsewhere. $7.50

- Pork Potstickers (6) - The potstickers are filled with pork filling and fried until golden brown on the bottom.  I thought the wrapper texture had a little more chewiness than usual probably due to rice flour.  Other than that, it was fine.  $5.50

- Steamed Dumpling (8) - These steamed dumplings had seemingly the same filling as the potstickers.  With a decent amount of soup inside and a dumpling wrapper that wasn't too thick, these were also good.  $6.50

While the food as a whole was fine, the experience was not an enjoyable one due to the service.  The servers are so busy trying to get tables in and out that they forget that we're not cattle.  When our bill was almost ready to come, they pointed to the people waiting that they could have our table.  The staff started to clean up the table and even took the tea away before the bill arrived.  To add insult to injury, before I had even finished paying our check, while my dining companion had stepped away, one of the patrons waiting for a table headed to my table and sat down.  The staff should have stopped this from happening.  Saving two to three minutes isn't worth it when you rush people out and leave them stunned by the lack of service - we're not in a communal table setting so this was completely inappropriate.  Lastly, they told me the credit card machine ran out of tape, so they couldn't produce a copy for me - huh?  I've seen people put in a new tape and make a copy - this was just a sad customer service experience and the food just isn't superb enough to draw me back again. 

JoAnn's Cafe - Diner, American, Breakfast, South San Francisco

1131 El Camino Real, South San Francisco 94080
(650) 872-2810
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-2:30pm, Wed-Sat 5pm-9pm, Sun 8am-2:30pm

Last Visited: September 1, 2012

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

I was looking for a place to meet a friend for brunch and stumbled upon JoAnn's Cafe.  Located near my local KFC, this place can be easily missed if you are driving by with so many restaurant signs that stand out more next to it.

I arrived mid-morning and the place was packed.  I waited about ten minutes to sit at a table.  Counter seating is also available.  I was promptly greeted when I walked in and had a seat on the bench outside until my name was called.  Once in the diner, the open kitchen is busy and you can hear the food on the grill.  The waitress that came by was somewhat friendly, but there is opportunity for improvement here.

The glass case just inside the door showed all of the muffins available, but none had labels, so you play a bit of a guessing game.

- Apple Walnut Muffin - A lot of folks seemed to like the muffins so I tried one and I would agree - the muffin top is like eating a cookie.  A little crisp on the edges, it's like eating dessert for breakfast.  $2

- Spinach and mushroom side - They don't give you that much spinach, and they make it seem like more by not cooking it down all the way.  I guess I would prefer to get the same amount cooked just right rather than this half uncooked/half cooked way. The mushrooms could be a lot more caramelized - instead, they're pretty soft.  $3.95

- Home fries potatoes side - The quantity of potatoes is good, but lacks both browning on the potatoes and salt.  A touch more salt makes them a lot more flavorful.  I cooked my leftovers at home for another meal and got them brown and crispy, so it could be improved. $2.95

The food is okay, but lacks flavor - my items could use more salt and more browning.  The portions for regular combinations seem to be a bit small for the price that you pay - most breakfast combos are around $10 to $12.  I actually thought that my sides were better portioned. 

The waitress seemed to be rushing us out despite the fact that there wasn't a line and that there were other tables available.  She also missed our request for two leftover boxes and brought us only one. We were unable to flag her down, so we had to go to the counter for asssistance - this isn't a big deal, but it wasn't particularly busy.  Service could be improved in general.  JoAnn's has the standards and would be a good option if you didn't want to cook, but it doesn't have the wow factor.

Sunflower Caffe - California cuisine, Sonoma

421 First St West, Sonoma CA 95476
(707) 996-6645
Parking: street parking
http://www.sonomasunflower.com/

Last Visited: July 28, 2012

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

I recently saw an episode of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and with this place being in my backyard, I knew I had to check it out.  The sound of housemade harissa and fresh chimichurri sounded interesting and I really enjoy lamb when it is made right.

Sunflower Caffe is located in Sonoma Plaza and is tucked away - one might easily walk by thinking it's just a coffee shop and never notice the quaint back patio which is a bit reminiscent of a tiki bar.  Straw decorates the area, and shady trees offer an escape.  Formerly the Coffee Garden, Sunflower Caffe has maintained the coffee bar offerings, but has added a variety of sandwiches with ethnic flare.  Order at the front counter off the paper menus and then head to the tables with your number. 

- Persian chicken and herbed salad flatbread - Saffron marinated grilled chicken thigh and grilled tomato with a Persian herbed salad is served over a grilled turmeric and coriander flatbread.  The chicken was tender and flavorful, but the flatbread was too thick and was less enjoyable as the meal continued.  I'm not sure what made the salad Persian, but it had some mint in it which had a distinct flavor that paired well with the other seasoning.  I would have preferred this dish with naan or thinner flatbread.  A tortilla might have been a good substitution as well.  $13.95

- Lamb burger - Ground lamb is mixed with feta and rubbed with housemade harissa and black pepper.  A fresh chimichurri tops the burger which is served on a ciabatta roll. Harissa is typically made with piri piri chili peppers.  On Guy's show, the chef was featured making the dish with other peppers and adapting the typical recipe.  I liked the chimichurri, but would have wanted to have double the amount.  The lamb was gamey and the feta only seemed to accentuate the gamey flavor.  More chimichurri would have helped to offset that gaminess.  The shape of the meat patty was also too small for the bread and round shaped while the roll was square, leaving extra bread at the end of the meal.  Nothing comes with the burger except the lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a couple of rings of onion on the side.  For this price, I would have liked a small side or charge slightly more and offer a side.  $13.95

Smoked duckbreast sandwich and goat cheese filled piquillo peppers were also featured on the show, but I didn't get a chance to try them.

Sunflower Caffe offers a bit of spice to the Sonoma scene, and the flavors are interesting, but there is opportunity to improve each of the dishes I tried.  Prices are a bit high for lunch options and there is limited service - mostly young people bringing food to the tables, but nobody checking on you after you have received your food.  The prices seem high for the self-service environment.  Make your way through the hall to the back patio for a great place to enjoy drinks with friends or the nice weather - that's the real treasure here.

SR24 - American, Oakland - CLOSED

5179 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 655-9300
Parking: strip mall parking lot and street parking

Last Visited: February 2011

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

SR24 was praised in the SF Chronicle and a few other magazines for its organic, locally grown ingredients.  Travelzoo had a special deal for two starters, two entrees, and a shared dessert for $35, half the usual price, so I purchased a local deal and gave it a try.  My guess is that the combination of location and price caused the restaurant to close from lack of business - the prices are that of a high-end restaurant, but the bars on the windows don't convey that well. 

Complimentary bread in a paperbag with a block of compound butter made with rosemary and sea salt are served at room temperature was a nice beginning.  The bread was even warm.

- Caesar salad - The romaine hearts were chilled and dressed well.  The shaved parmesan topping the lettuce was also good.  The only thing I didn't care for were the croutons.  While alone they were fine, it was the first of a couple of dishes that seemed to be supplemented with croutons.
- Sweet corn soup, Dungeness crab, and hot chili oil - I liked the sweet corn soup.  Served in a giant bowl, it was definitely what you would expect at a middle to higher end restaurant in terms of presentation.  The sweetness was balanced nicely with the chili oil without it being too spicy.  The crab was present, though not abundant.  A sprig of tarragon is placed on top as garnish.
- Seafood stew with rockfish, mussels and squid - The croutons make their appearance again.  The stew had a nice flavor, but what seafood stew is complete without shrimp?  The shrimp was noticeably absent.  While the portion looked a little small, it was good. 

- Kobe pot roast -  I really liked this pot roast.  The meat was tender and had the right ratio of fat to meat.  The demi-glace sauce was rich, and the ciopollini onions and carrots were sweet.  I would have liked a few more potatoes than what I got.  If they were still open, I would get this dish again.
- French toast bread pudding - By the time I got to dessert, I was getting pretty full.  The warm french toast was good.  I wouldn't really call it pudding, but it is soft.  The ice cream quinelle was a nice constrast against the hot sweet cake. 

SR24 was promising in terms of food, but the prices just weren't right for the area.  The environment was also a tad on the cozy side with tables very close together.  The patrons at the table on either side of us were also enjoying a Travelzoo deal, so the deal was successful in the short term.  If  I had had to pay full price, I would have had higher expectations.  Happy hour offerings were decent with a few items for $5, but even that couldn't bring them enough business considering the neighborhood.   

Squeeze Inn - Burgers, Sacramento

Best: Cheese skirt on a burger

1350 Harbor Blvd, West Sacramento CA 95691
(916) 371-6779
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Mon to Sat - 10am to 8pm, Closed Sundays

http://www.thesqueezeinn.com

Last Visited: March 17, 2012

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

After seeing Squeeze Inn on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, I knew that if I was ever in the area, I would have to try one of their burgers.  While the original Squeeze Inn was converted from an entrance way to a waffle house and therefore is very small, the newer locations look like typical fast food joints.  The original location fits 12 patrons, but there are now many locations including Midtown, Roseville, Tracy, Napa, Vacaville, and more.  Homage to the first location is made by showing facade of the original orange house.
A board showing the menu items is on the wall right next to the counter where you order. 

- Squeezecheese - Known as the 'best burger in town,' the squeezecheese is unique.  The skirt is called that for a reason - cheese is melted over 1/3 pound of hamburger and you can see from the photo that the cheese is the size of a dinner plate. Mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion come with the burger which is placed on a sesame seed bun.  I enjoyed how all of the vegetables were very fresh, but the skirt is really impressive - eat it alone or fold it and eat it with the burger.  The chewy cheesy consistency is delicious if you're a cheese lover, just slightly browned on the bottom giving that extra flavor and crispiness on the edges.  One of a kind!  And for those with smaller appetites, one burger is definitely enough for two.  $6.99

- Sweet Potato Fries - I loved these thick cut fries.  At some restaurants, you'll find skinny fries, but these are super meaty and chunky.  A small order is very generous as you can see from the photo.  Served with ranch dressing a green aioli - yum.   Small $3.59, Large $4.29

In case you don't like cheese, a regular squeeze burger is available too.  A 1/4 pound burger is also available, and depending on the day, you'll even find tacos on the specials menu. 

The decor is very local and respects Sacramento's finest - t-shirts of local law enforcement and such.  It's spacious and clean and easily accessible in terms of parking too.

I also appreciated how someone came around to check on us after we had ordered and received our food.

Squeeze Inn is definitely worth checking out if you love cheese or a juicy burger.