mousse's Profile
Novo in San Luis Obispo
Stopped enroute to the south and found Novo. What a nice little restaurant with tables outside in the back overlooking a creek. Great chile verde. Chowhub had nachos. Simple food buy well done. Loved the setting, the service, the food.
Santa Barbara Report
Had some great meals here recently. Loved, loved, loved Julienne. What a deal. The food is creative and delicious and the price for the wine pairings is scandalously low for generous pours. They are super flexible (3, 5, or 7 courses and can come from the same course on the menu--so if you want 2 of the 2 offered salads for 2 of your courses, no problem). Husband is the chef, wife the front of the house wine person, server, etc. Great food. Can't say enough.
Jeanine for breakfast on 2 mornings. Crowded, but host always found a place for us to sit. Saturday brunch was a lobster omelet. Also tried a the quesadillas and the breakfast burrito. Only complaint was that they didn't have fresh orange juice on a weekday. Apparently only the weekend. Great way to start the day.
Wine cask for lunch. Fantastic dungeness crab salad with red pepper coulis and corn puree that made the plate really pretty. Yummy Cobb Salad. Nice courtyard with fountain.
Bouchon was mostly wonderful. Started with a scallop trio that had one U6 scallop in asian style; one as a bruschetta; and one on risotto. Delish. One main of duck duo that was good and one of pork shank. The shank was huge, which I found really unappealing and it was sitting on black beans and greens. It was pretty monochromatic and one of those dishes that gets worse the more you think of it afterwards. There was no restraint or variety in color. Rest of meal, service, and atmosphere very good.
Stonehouse (at San Ysidro Ranch). Fantastically romantic on the covered patio with twinkle lights above and our server, Marcus Baker, was really knowledgeable about food and wine and really made the evening. The food was good, but should be better. The chef isn't stretching at all and it seemed like well-prepared, safe food. So, fine, but not good enough for the atmosphere. That being said, I'd go back for the atmosphere.
Healdsburg
Quick weekend for a fun event so didn't hit many restaurants, but Scopa was as great as usual. Pasta w/ ragu, burrata, little meatballs...all great. Also continue to be so impressed with Dry Creek Kitchen. Food is very good and reliable. No hiccups anytime we've been there. Staff is also very well trained thanks to general manager Dan Prentice. Charcuterie Restaurant is also good, although for all the pig logos, there are only a couple of pork dishes. Good sandwich/salad place.
Cannot go to Healdsburg without going in Oakville Grocery for their wonderful Chicken & Gruyere sandwich. Warm and toasty, carmelized onlons...
Carmel/Monterey area
Just back and had some wonderful meals. Cantinetta Luca (Carmel) was so much better than expected. Started with burrata and prosciutto, followed with pappardelle w/ bolognese, then skirt steak and tiramisu (all shared with hubby). Liked the atmosphere, the service, the food.
La Bicyclette (Carmel). Lunched here. One pizza, one hamburger. Pizza good, but the hamburger was incredible. Homemade bun, great toppings, addictive flavor in hamburger. Really. Best I've ever had. Wonderfully rustic atmosphere. Wine. Didn't want to leave.
Passionfish (Pacific Grove). Liked this place a couple of years ago so we went back. The dungeness crab cake starter is great as the fresh tomato sauce has a hint of lime. Unusual--in a good way. Other starter was pork belly tortellini. Big portion and yummy. Spoonable 12 hour lamb breast was amazing. Duck Confit very good. One of the great things about this place is that their wine prices are only 150% of retail. Great bargains.
Anton & Michel.(Carmel). Nice, but. The setting is nice with full wall of windows. The service is refined. The food was very good, but not excellent for the price. Wild mushroom struedel, english pea risotto, short rib, duck breast w/ cherries. All very nice, but not as good as it could be.
Hogs Breath Inn (Carmel)-Great place to kick back by one of the outdoor fireplaces for a glass of beer or wine.
Nepenthe (Big Sur) Great view over the Pacific. Good hamburger, good shrimp BLT. Nice to sit near the inside huge fireplace on a cold day.
3 Nights in Carmel in May--Need Restaurant Suggestions
Just back from Calif, including Carmel and was just about to post reports. Cantinetta Luca was great. Shared a number of courses with hubby . Exceeded my expectations. Had a lunch at La Bicyclette and didn't want to leave. Hubby's hamburger was hands down the best I've ever had. Truly. With a nice glass of rose wine....Also ate at Anton & Michel. I thought it was good, but not top tier for fine dining. I'd skip it. See report for details
Heading to San Francisco in Mid April from Boston
Well, I don't think you can get better roast chicken that at Zuni Cafe. Plus they have a great oyster bar. If you're into a Belgian restaurant for mussels, Plouf is fantastic. Nice little European-feeling area where you can sit outside or in by the fire.
Carmel trip
I trust chowhound so much more than yelp or tripadvisor. Was hoping, since we're staying at the Tickle Pink Inn, to not drive up to Pac Grove or Monterrey for dinner on a couple of the nights and just go into Carmel. Also cuz I like the village so much at night. Piano bar would be big turnoff for chowhub, but how is the food? Thinking Sun-Tues nights, when we're there, will not be that lively.
Carmel trip
No, not first trip. We've eaten at Passionfish before and loved it. Think we'll do lunch in Big Sur after Carmel as we head down the coast.
We want a day in Carmel to visit galleries and walk on the beach and then we were thinking of a partial wine tasting day in Carmel Valley, thus the lunch choices
Does this info help?
Santa Barbara
Trying to get dinner reservations set for March trip. Am thinking Julienne, Stonehouse, and maybe Stella Mare. Should I sub in Bouchon for any of these?
I notice that the Biltmore is mentioned only for drinks at sunset or brunch. Are the dinners disappointing? The views are great and the photos of the terrace look fantastic.
What do you think?
Carmel trip
It's been awhile for some reviews/opinions, so thought I'd check my dining itinerary for feedback.
2 Days/3 nights
Thinking for lunch Casanova and Corkscrew
Dinner: Passionfish, Cantinetta Luca, and Pacific's Edge (don't want to drive as far as Marinus)
What do y'all think?
Trip from Carmel to Santa Barbara
Looking for some great wineries to visit on a road trip down the coast. We belong to a ton of wine clubs from wineries in Sonoma and the Willamette for Pinots. Would like to add some other great varietals from the Central Coast wine areas.
Interested in Rhone blends, Merlots, more great Pinots (to compare with the north), etc.
Don't know if it helps, but some of our favorite wineries in Northern Sonoma County are Papapietro Perry, Lynmar, Hartford, De la Montanya, Porter Creek, Woodenhead, Williams Selyem, Gary Farrell. In the Willamette, we like Beaux Freres, Domaine Serene, Sokol Blosser, Soter.
We will probably just have one day each around Carmel, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara for winery tours/tastings. Could use help narrowing down the choices.
fennel substitute
When I see fresh fennel called for in a recipe, is there a suitable substitute that doesn't taste like fennel? It's the flavor that I don't like, not that I can't find it
cold ham appetizers
Making about 200 ham appetizers for a charity event. They will have to be room temp as no oven and should be 1 or 2 small bite pieces. Am going to order a honey baked ham, but would like to dress it up. If I can't find tiny sandwich rolls, what kind of cracker would be the best option? Also, what about a dressing or sauce? I am already using a mustard sauce on another dish.
honey baked ham sauce/carrier
This is at a fundraiser where we're trying to keep each appetizer to maybe one bite that people can just snatch off the tray. Not sure where I'd get tiny rolls otherwise that sounds wonderful
honey baked ham sauce/carrier
I'm doing a cold appetizer for 100s of people with honey baked ham. Any suggestions for a sauce (I'm already doing a honey/mustard/dill sauce with a smoked salmon crostini)? Also, besides crostini, any other easy carrier?
A sunday night in November in San Francisco
Looking for a restaurant that's somewhat near Market & 3rd (or within 10 minute cab ride) for a great dinner on a Sunday. Last year ate at SPQR which was very good. Wondering whether there's a new option this year.
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SPQR
1911 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Wine pairing w/contemp american
Looking for a restaurant in downtown to north shore that has a wine pairing menu. Not looking for a "Tru" experience for this one. Just 3 or 4 courses, great food and wine, not horribly (Tru) expensive. Contemp American, French, Italian....
cooking grass fed meat
Got some grass fed meats from a friend. Grilled the rib eye and although it had a great flavor, it was SO tough. Am left with pork tenderloin, pork shoulder, and baby back ribs and have no idea how to get the tenderness we want. Do I use different cooking techniques than I would with grain fed? Do I have to marinade or brine? Is there a secret to preparing this type of meat?
Great BBQ with microbrew
Ok, so what I'm getting from the thread is that there is no great bbq place for dinner that also serves microbrews. Really one or the other. Hint--good business opportunity for someone. thanks for everyone's comments. I noticed that the referenced Live Oak opened on Thurs and that was the one question mark. Did anyone go this weekend? Does it have both the Q and the beer?
Great BBQ with microbrew
I think I can find good BBQ with mediocre commercial beer anywhere (Lonestar, Shiner), but looking for the best Cue and microbeer place..........also not drinking 10:30 in the morning. Looking for a place next Monday night :-)
Great BBQ with microbrew
Looking for a great BBQ place in Austin (no road trips) that serves craft beer or microbrews. I guess other resort would be a great BBQ place that lets us BYOB. Any ideas?
transporting wine/beer
I know that wine needs to rest after a plane trip in checked luggage. But does beer? Would like to take some local Goose Island and drink it the next day with a friend.
Sunday San Francisco dinner near SOMA
Need a Sunday dinner rec somewhere within walking distance or 5 min taxi ride of Mission and 3rd. Tired of Zuni and tried Slanted Door in the past, but not a great meal. Looking for Contemporary/American/French/California cuisine for this trip. Thanks in advance.
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Slanted Door
Ferry Slip, San Francisco, CA 94111
Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Santa Fe report
Long weekend in Santa Fe with, as usual, many restaurants.
Absolute favorite dinner was Max's. The service was terrible, but the food was outstanding. Fifteen minutes after being seated, still no waiter. Signaled person behind a counter, as no server would let me catch their eye. Turns out it was Max, who was super apologetic, implied that she has talked to the servers about this very problem and got us water and complimentary wine aperitifs. The amuse was a parsnip puree over chocolate ganache and almonds. Sounds awful, but was heavenly. Starters were 2 hour egg (with 2 kinds of polenta and black truffle) and Mixed green salad with wonderful aged, stinky goat and almonds. Both perfectly done. Mains were venison (elk) 2 ways --sous vide tenderloin and osso bucco style elk in streudel pastry-- and suckling pig taster that was incredible--tenderloin, confit with super crispy crust, and braised shoulder wrapped in chard. Fantastic. So good. Dreaming about it. Dessert was a chocolate globe, that then had warm hazelnut "soup" poured over it which opened up the top and revealed more chocolate and hazelnuts. Great presentation and taste. After dessert was another pair of small white chocolate globes filled with liquid passion fruit inside and apple and lime dusting on top. The meal was wonderful. The waiter was incredibly untrained and the entire staff didn't seem to crack a smile. But the food was so good and Max so gracious (she realizes she has a service issue) that we had a great time anyways.
Other good meals at Santacafe--wonderful pork chop with a marsala/apple cider glaze stood out; Restaurant Martin--chowhub was reluctant to share his delicious risotto with truffles, bay scallops, parmesan. My lump blue crab starter was yummy; Inn at the Anasazi restaurant was good also although the short ribs were missing a little something, some zippiness. Wonderfully tender and no fat in sight.
Lunch outings included the Shed (always like the enchiladas), the Blue Corn Cafe (good carne adovado) and a place in Taos called Graham's Grill that has a sandwich which was fantastic (Southwestern Chicken Club). Heart be still. I think it was the green chile and chipotle mayo that did the trick.
Blending wine class in town of Napa - moved from Wine board
I found a website that showed daily classes in blending your own wine. It wasn't Crushpad. This was a one-time affair, about 3 hours, 3pm everyday. Can't find it now. Does that ring a bell with anyone? Or is there anyplace else in Napa/Sonoma valleys that does a one-off class (I'm an out of towner) where you can do this? (I think Copia did this at one time before they closed)
pairing tapas with red wine
Sorry. Maybe finger food would have been a better description as I'm not looking for just Spanish dishes and no one wants to drag a plate around. There are only 10 of us in a casual evening atmosphere. Just friends getting together so nothing fancy. Was hoping not to do anything hot as people come late and wander around--so no focused eating time. No money or skill restriction---just casual get-together.
pairing tapas with red wine
Having a party and not sure what appetizers/tapas to serve with a California Pinot and Spanish Rioja selection. The white wines will be no problem, but my go-to dishes like shrimp cocktail and goat cheeses don't work well. I need a mix of vegetarian and non-veg. Have a couple of cheese so far and a salami, but then am running out of ideas. Any great suggestions?
Ironman state street route - Madison, Wi
Not sure where we will be between Carroll & N Park
