Eugene Park's Profile
Wine "mark ups" in restaurants
It's amusing that the same folks who think a 300% markup on wine is egregious, but hardly bat an eyelash at ordering a beer that's been marked up 500% or more.
I do admit I enjoy the challenge of plowing through a wine list to figure out which wines have the lowest markup, would be tempting to my palate AND a reasonable match to pair with what's being ordered. I even get a perverse thrill when the server returns to say the wine I ordered is out of stock. Call me a glutton for punishment.
Hog Island Oyster Farm **OR** Tomales Bay Oyster Co?
The HI website notes they sell all of the above now. Smart move.
Homebound: Need delivery and take out options
Triplets?? Wow. Congratulations!! And yikes......... =-)
Hog Island Oyster Farm **OR** Tomales Bay Oyster Co?
I'd given up on HI years ago when the reservation fee was $10pp, and have been going exclusively to TBOC since. Good to know the pricing has changed. $5pp is manageable for small groups based on what they provide.
Sushi Sho to Reopen in El Cerrito
Ohhhhhhh yes!!
To co-opt a former national retailer's advertising - - - OPEN OPEN OPEN!!!
Affordable steakhouse in East Bay for tonight
Though it's after the fact, another possibility (especially if Mom is fine with somewhere more casual) is Grand Oaks on Grand Avenue in Oakland. I can attest their prime rib on Fri and Sat is a solid choice, and they have a number of other steak options:
http://www.grandoaksrestaurant.com/grand_oaks_dinner_menu.pdf
Scarpetta, Jaleo, The Palm, Secret Pizza, Mesa Grill, Carnegie Deli
Not sure what kind of service you were expecting from Carnegie. You go for the food, not the atmosphere, decor or service. Glad the food was up to snuff - - - I have to get my pastrami fix there everytime I'm in Vegas.
Casa Jimenez (former El Taco Zamorano Taqueria) - - my beloved carnitas are back in Oakland!!
Adding the address and phone number:
4345 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 842-8936
The Richmond Review [San Francisco]
Ate here once about 6 years ago. Thought it was a fine meal, and was particularly struck by the older, first growth Bordeaux they were offering at the time (the owner is an oenophile from what I'd been told). Took a look at their website now and saw a section of California cult cabs, but little in the way of premium Bordeaux. Anyone know if there's a "secret" menu of reserve wines?
Casa Jimenez (former El Taco Zamorano Taqueria) - - my beloved carnitas are back in Oakland!!
I've no idea if ETZ had any sort of connection with ETZT. I did get carnitas to go once from ETZ for an impromptu and unplanned side-by-side comparison, which I discussed in the first thread I linked to above.
Never been to the taco truck.
Casa Jimenez (former El Taco Zamorano Taqueria) - - my beloved carnitas are back in Oakland!!
Guacamole. Decadence on top of decadence.
Casa Jimenez (former El Taco Zamorano Taqueria) - - my beloved carnitas are back in Oakland!!
I was on Hwy 880 in Oakland at lunch time yesterday, and had a hankering for carnitas. Not just any version of roast pork, but IMO the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All-time) version at El Taco Zamorano Taqueria at the corner of High Street & International. Alas, ETZT had been shuttered a couple years ago, which I memorialized in a few CH threads:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/42388
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/45172
I took the familiar High St. exit off of 880 and made my way towards International. My intention was to stop by Casa Jimenez and check out their menu, on the off chance they might have some of the kitchen personnel from ETZT (or were able to replicate their recipes). I parked in the large parking lot, which they share with the Los Mexicanos Market, and walked into Casa Jimenez.
The interior (and exterior) is fairly similar to the prior ETZT incarnation, though I noticed a couple of large benches were in the space where ETZT had their takeaway area. I didn't investigate it further, as I headed to the right and the sitdown area. Grabbed a menu, and hoped that there was carnitas listed somewhere. Found the listing, which I didn't recall exactly (Carnitas something something) as I was focused more on the description. It made mention of "with sauces" and my heart sank. I asked the female server standing nearby if they had some type of roasted carnitas, and she said the listing I was looking at was definitely roasted, and the sauces were served on the side. Hooray!! I ordered it on the spot from her, asked for corn tortillas and also ordered a glass of Stella Artois when I noticed they had it on draft (didn't notice any of the other taps, except for a Samuel Adams).
So I took a seat at a table and waited with cautious excitement for my order. Was served a basket of chips (not housemade), some pico de gallo (on the mushy, liquidy side....OK nonetheless) and salsa (roja....fine) along with my Stella (in a proper Stella challice!). Then my carnitas plate shows up (see attachment). Bingo!! Looked almost exactly like what ETZT offered. I took a cautious bite of the carnitas, and was instantly reminded of how long it'd been since I had these. Crispy on the outside, moist (for the most part, as some of the thinner, outer edges were crispy the whole way through) on the inside. CJ's version is slightly less salty, but pretty much commensurate with ETZT's version flavor-wise. The corn tortillas were exactly like I remembered and treasured (although I would ask them to be given slightly more char next time). I can't say with any certainty if the tortillas were freshly made, but they tasted so.
After happily wolfing down nearly the entire spread (couldn't finish all the rice or chips), the bill was presented to me. $10.95 for the carnitas plate. $2.99 for the cerveza. With tax and a 20% tip, I was signing the credit card slip for a total of $18. I'll be back, and soon!!
Outdoor dining in Walnut Creek/Concord?
Sasa has an outdoor seating area. Food is decent.
Anyone have any comments on BJ's Brewhouse and Restaurant
Nice TR. So BJs didn't make the cut?
bahn mi for party
If I'm not eating them right away, I always request my banh mi order have the veggies packed separately. The place I go to doesn't mind, as it's actually a little less work for them during the assembly process. The reduction in moisture keeps the bread "crunchier", which should help the OP's cause.......
Cured meats and wine... what wines do you drink?
Wifey and I had a 2004 Marchesato Brunello Di Montalcino with crackers and prosciutto, several salumis and bresaola. The BdM worked well with everything except the prosciutto.
Cheeseburgers at Red's Java House [SF]
That place is on the corner of Broadway & Columbus, where North Beach and Chinatown converge. It's right next to the New Sun Hong Kong restaurant. I've passed by it a bunch of times late at night to get to the Vietnamese place next door (nothing like pho at 2AM to clear your head from a night of revelry)......
Las Vegas, Japanese, Sushi Off Strip
Indeed. But the OP also mentioned izakaya, which Raku more closely aligns with.
Anyone have any comments on BJ's Brewhouse and Restaurant
If you do end up at BJs, the jambalaya is the only thing I'd consider ordering (especially if you like your food spicy).
Las Vegas, Japanese, Sushi Off Strip
Raku
Raku
Raku
Only place in Vegas that my wife and I must absolutely go to every time we visit.
Chinatown biz dinner
Upstairs at R&G Lounge is well-suited for business lunches and dinners.
Great Breakfast wanted near Mark Hopkins Intercontinental in Nob Hill
I'm assuming you're asking for an American-style breakfast? If not, you could make the walk down the hill to Chinatown for dim sum.
TN: 1985 Dominus Estate, Napa Valley Red Table Wine
Wonderful TN to read. I've got one magnum left of the '94 that always beckons me when I'm down in the cellar..........
Burgers and coffee, that's elf food, apparently -- your thoughts solicited
Surprised no one has mentioned Wayfare Tavern and their Burger "Le Grande"?? It comes on a brioche, which I think falls within the bun specifications. Pricey, but worth it. And the fries are tasty as well. Reservations are a must.
Does your Costco have Screaming Eagle or other exclusive wine?
I've been to most every Costco in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. There are four that stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of their wine selection (in no particular order):
Redwood City
Novato
Danville
San Francisco
No surprise that all 4 are near the most expensive real estate in the area. Novato has the most varied selection IMO, but all 4 are good sources for upper range items like Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Dom Perignon Oenotheque, Salon, Amuse Bouche, Araujo, Gaja, etc.
Another forum devoted to fermented grape juice has noted the North Scottsdale location getting in various vintages of Petrus in the past year.
Remi Martin Louis XIII Cognac
I've heard from bar managers that they can return the empty decanter to their distributor (I think Young's Market has the Remy Martin account IIRC) and get a refill of Louis XIII for less than the usual cost of a brand new bottle. This was more than a few years ago, so that practice may not be in effect anymore.
As for the bucket list, I can attest that everytime I've consumed it, I've never felt it was worth even half the cost. Even when I've had bottles obtained from duty free stores in the sub-$1K range years ago, I still felt the value wasn't there.
Help me fill in the blank: Fleur de Lys, Incanto, ________?
I agree with the previous sentiment that FdL should be swapped out for La Folie. Never thought FdL was worth the time and money the several times I've dined there.
Hooters Comes to San Francisco
I'll see if I can find the Hooters Shanghai shirt that I got years ago during a trip to China......
Hooters Comes to San Francisco
Surprised no one's suggesting a Chowdown before they close their doors.......bwahahaha.
Thanksgiving 2011 - What are you pouring?
Doing a 21 day dry aged ribeye roast this year (no one amongst my family and in-laws cares for turkey), so need to bust out something with a little age to it as well. Leaning towards a '96 Ch Duhart Milon right now.
And bubbles, of course. Got a deal recently on a case of Billecart Salmon rose.
