Bigshadetree's Profile
Outdoor dining in Walnut Creek/Concord?
Link to Walnut Creek free shuttle:
http://www.walnut-creek.org/about/qualitylife/transit.asp
Bland Oysters... What's up?
Could this be an after effect of the BP spill? Parkway has not had the oyster po'boy on their menu for well over a year - I thought the reason was because of the residue in the oil after deep frying the oysters - can't be changing the oil every 20 minutes ( result of
the spill?)
Sweetbreads
Not form New Orleans, just a tourist who has visited often - one of my many favorite things to eat in New Orleans is the Sweet Breads at Bayona - "one of the best things I have eaten". They are available as an appetizer or main course.
Best tamales in Concord
I have not bought tamales in Concord for awhile but I remember Mercado del Sol on Monument - about 1/4 mile from 680 on the south side of the street and Las Montanas Market on Willow Pass (near Fry's Electronics) having good tamales.
Lately I have been buying Tamales on Sat./Sun mornings from the lady who sells them out of her car in the parking lot of La Tapatia Market in Vallejo. (I live on the Vallejo side of the Bridge)
Good Japanese/Asian Store in Berkeley, San Jose or Santa Clara?
It sounds like your time will be limited and since you will be in Berkeley, another vote for Tokyo Fish - the gift shop located in the smaller building in front of the market has a lot of Japanese dishes, bento bako's etc. It is very easy to find - on San Pablo a block north of Gilman which is one of the main streets leading back to Interstate 80. Also check out the market - they have a prepared food section - very good bento lunches for $7.25 - cook is Ken-san, the original owner/chef of Yokohama restaurant in Richmond. I believe the sushi they sell is made on site by Mifune restaurant.
Where's the best muffaletta now?
Here is my "typical tourist" two cents - I have had muffaletta's at Central, Progressive (RIP), Napolean House (heated) Bouchon and NorCal - all are a little different - liked them all. Of course I usually go to Central because when I visit I'm in the Quarter and have to rely on public transportation. Had a car last September so I tried NorCal; probably the largest of all the muffalettas I have tried and loaded with meat and cheese - almost needed help carrying it to the car :-) - plus the lady behind the counter was a lot nicer than the guys at Central.
Tamales in Vallejo - parking lot of La Tapatia Market
If you are in Vallejo on Saturday or Sunday morning there is a lady who sells homemade tamales from her car in the parking lot of La Tapatia Market on Broadway and Illinois in Vallejo. The tamales are not huge like La Borinquina, small but quite good - especially right out of the pot. The masa has a lot of flavor, moist not dry. I believe 4 types of tamales are available, pork, chicken, beef and chile/cheese. The Senora usually arrives about 8:15 am - I have gone there on Saturday at 10 am and have found she may only have beef or pork tamales left. Tamales are $1.50 each or $15.00 per dozen. This is my go to tamale place - I think they are better than the tortilla factory on Sonoma St. near Georgia St. and Mi Pueblo market that opened last year on Springs Road and Las Montanas in Concord.
La Tapatia market has take out food which I have not tried, and a carnicero - very good chicken, marinated chicken and chorizo which is made at the market.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-tapatia-market-vallejo
Rosanna's European Delights - princess cake [Benicia]
I have only had the Danish and a cookie at Rosanna's. Sorry to say I was not impressed with either. The cookie was a macaroon - under baked. The custard and blueberry topping on the Danish seemed like from a can - was just OK. I have not tried any of their cakes but having grown up in the East Bay I usually buy my "special ocassion" cakes at Masse's, Toot Sweet, or Crixa. Like you said this is the only bakery in town but I prefer to get my Danish up the street at Safeways. There isn't even a donut shop in Benicia so its Safeways or Raleys for donuts unless you want to head over to Vallejo. Forgot to mention Starbucks (three in town) does also sell pastries.
candy cups/casing
Sugar and Spice in Daily City - 2 blocks from the Colma BART station
http://sugarnspicesf.com/
St. Charles Streetcar line - can I get to restaurants past the Riverbend or is still being repaired?
When I was visiting last October I was surprised to find the St. Charles Streetcar line stopped at Fern St. just before South Carrollton. The stretch along South Carrollton was all dug up and under repair. I thought I would bring this to the attention of any dinners planning to ride the St. Charles line past the Riverbend.
New Oakland food truck spot - Grand Ave
I think that is the same thing that happened to Fat Apples - they were original called Fat Albert's
New Oakland food truck spot - Grand Ave
Here is a link to an article in the East Bay Express saying the location was shut down by the City of Oakland.
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/WhatTheFork/archives/2012/01/09/oakland-shuts-down-yet-another-food-truck-event-fines-landowner
Where to Buy Inexpensive Steel Bento Box? (preferably East Bay)
I second Tokyo Fish and also would try Korean Plaza on Telegraph in Oakland.
Bowl'D - new Korean in Albany
Not dumb at all - I usually just pick it up and drink from the bowl like misoshiru at a Japanese restaurant. What I am also wondering was what is the real proper way to eat the bibimop - use the spoon for the bibimbop and the chopsticks to grab the different banchans since you are usually sharing the banchan? Its like dimsum - I noticed some of the dimsum places are using green colored chopsticks to use to select items instead of using the chopsticks you are using to eat with - but I'm probably over thinking it - just eat and enjoy the reason they call it "family style". :-)
Bowl'D - new Korean in Albany
I took my aunt to Bowl'd Over today for lunch. Had to have my bibimbop fix - multi grain rice and salmon. My aunt had the Rice cake soup which she has ordered a few times now and really likes. We arrived about 11:30 by the time we left at 1 pm the place was packed. I know you are suppose to mix up the bibimbop but the dish looks so darn "pretty" with all of the vegetables and sunny side egg on top, I always hate to stir it up.
I did ask about the second restaurant that Mr. Lauriston mentioned and the owner confirmed, "Yes" they are taking over a Pizza place or was it Mexican (?) on 9th close to Berkeley Bowl West - slow process as unlike Albany, the City of Berkeley has a lot of "red tape" and permits to get through.
We were given the shopping bags with "BE BOWL'D" and "Bibimbop Spoken Here" written on one side - very nice looking. Food is always great and the folks are always very friendly.
Has anyone tried the Tandoori Chicken USA Mobile (Food Truck)?
I saw a post that they will be at Off the Grid tomorrow for lunch at 5th and Minna.
I did a search and saw a brief post from June 2011 about Off the Grid in Berkeley Wednesday nights but no real info on TC USA. Is this the same TC USA that had the restaurant on the Dam Road in El Sobrante back in 2008 at the converted Foster's Freeze?
Bulk Chocolate Purveyor?
Have you tried Sugar and Spice - http://sugarnspicesf.com/Home_Page.html - about two blocks from the Colma BART station or in the East Bay I buy my chocolate for ganache at Spun Sugar - http://spunsugar.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index - in Berkeley at the intersection of University and California.
East Coast Subs - Where to Find or How to Recreate
Never had an East Coast sub but Morucci's in Walnut Creek (1218 Boulevard Way) makes a great Italian combo - the pesto spread he uses really makes the sandwich. Reuben's and Pastrami are also very good - link below has photos of sandwich and also photos of the menu (if you have good eyes)
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/5W6k2kj3u3L-5OoSRF-eMQ?select=pKsZvfTH1UZ1OMIgcB47pA
One more thing...SF farmers market
If you decide to go to the San Rafael Farmer's Market on Sunday, they do have quite a few prepared food vendors but also not too far away at Larkspur Landing (Marin County Mart) is a Sunday Off the Grid event, 11 am-2pm, with 8 or 9 food trucks.
dreaming of the Treme restaurant
Sweetbreads at Bayona are one of the best things I have ever eaten!
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Bayona
430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112
What to bring back from New Orleans
I have only taken the Open Demo class where you watch and are served lunch. I really had a great time - Kevin was our chef, great personality, a lot of fun. This was about 10 years ago but I hear that things are still jumping - you will have a great time! Of course I sent in pictures and requested a diploma - funny how I display that but not my college degrees :)
What to bring back from New Orleans
I'm also from California and usually bring back a few muffulletas from Central (always bring an ice bag) Zapp's regular and Voo Doo (if "in season") potato chips (Cost Plus will have Zapp's a few times a year but never the regular flavor) pralines from N.O. School of Cooking and Big Kevin's Bayou Blend seasoning also from N.O. School of Cooking - I have warm place in my heart for the New Orleans School of Cooking on St. Louis Street. I also bring back a few boxes of Konriko flavored rices but could not find them on my last trip. (usually pick them up at the Konriko store at Jackson Square but the store is not longer in business)
2011 - Pumpkin please
Although I bake - when I get lazy and it is Fall, Costco's pumpkin pies aren't bad - can't beat the $5.99 price for a huge pie.
Festival Acadiens et Creoles; Bayou Food Festival
I guess I missed this thread before I left for New Orleans (from SF area). Went up to Lafayette for the Festival on Saturday. I think the Cracklin and boudin stand was Charlie T's. I also had a bag of cracklin - mighty tasty. I also give a big thumbs up to the shrimp and grits that Cochon was serving. Music was really great - I caught the Atelier tent set where Bruce Daigrepont was playing with a trio from Canada along with a Louisiana fiddler (female) who was really outstanding - sorry I did not catch her name but it sounded as if she plays a lot with Bruce and other groups.
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Casual Dinner Restaurant for Parents Weekend at Tulane
Thanks for the tip. I will be in town on Oct. 16 for three days - actually coming in on the 13th but heading up to Lafayette for the Festival de Acadiens. Looks like I will be taking a walk uptown along Freret St. from Napolean. You can always count on the New Orleans Hounds for great recommendations!
Crane Melons
Called this morning, Tuesday Sept. 27 - same recording saying season is late and they may be open at the end of September.
Food trucks: which ones are really good and which ones are just fads
I was out in San Ramon yesterday - Bishop Ranch 3 is having 4 to 5 trucks in on
Wednesdays http://www.bishopranch.com/tenant-services/amenities/events/mobile-food-trucks/
Not always the same trucks - caught up with Chairman Bao - had the pork belly with pickled diacon and the red miso chicken with pickled carrots, both on steamed bao - $3.75 each.
Both were very good - pickles remind me of Japanese tsukemono.
Also had two Kara's cupcakes - $3.00 each, Kara's carrot and Meyer Lemon. Meyer lemon had a light lemon genache frosting with a lemon filling/ white cake. Carrot cupcake was a moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting - both were just outstanding, can't wait to try some of
the other cupcakes. I also like the way they are package (not prepackage) - small box has a cardboard stand with holes cut so the cupcakes are stationary and don't get bumped around - of course they were only in the box until the two bao's were gone.
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Chairman Bao
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Metaire good eats
I am flying in from the Left Coast (SF area) in October, heading up to Lafayette for the Festival
Acadiens et Creoles, Bridge City Gumbo Festival on Sunday, then to New Orleans for a few days. Will be in Metairie on Thursday evening - thanks for the great suggestions on where to have Thursday supper and lunch on Friday - Morning Call on Friday morning for sure. I might be in Covington on Friday so maybe Don's for lunch.
Phoenix Pastaficio - Berkeley
I would not hesitate to call them, ask for Eric or Carol (the owners)
Link to their website http://phoenixpasta.com/index.html
I have been buying pasta from them for years, cheese and breads when Eric was
at the Cheese Board and starting Semi Freddi's - they are totally customer oriented -
very nice people!
Sushi Sho to Reopen in El Cerrito
Yes, the El Cerrito - Richmond City limits between Manila Ave. and Lincoln Ave. run along the west side of San Pablo Ave. The restaurants front door is probably in El Cerrito and the
main body of the building is in Richmond. This is about a mile from where I grew
up (on the Richmond side) - ;-)
http://www.el-cerrito.org/public_works/pdf/base%20large%20color.pdf
