The Librarian's Profile
North Bay Biscuits & Gravy: Novato to Hopland (N=16)
Saw this old thread and thought I'd add to it. My husband really liked the biscuits and sausage gravy he had recently at the Soscol Cafe in Napa. They're ridiculously cheap ( around $4.50 as I recall). I didn't taste them since b and g are the foods of his people, not mine, but my cheeseburger was excellent as well. Super nice people too.
Uses for fig jam
I just tried it on a bagel with cream cheese - really, really good! Now I see what I've been missing. The one I have is from The Girl and the Fig in Sonoma. Thanks for all your suggestions.
Uses for fig jam
Just was given a jar and would like to use it on something other than toast. There are some recipes online, but I thought I'd ask the experts. Any special recipes?
Dinner in Novato
What about Boca Pizzeria? I had lunch there once and enjoyed the pizza. Also recently had a good lunch at Finnegan's pub on Grant.
tall order from my Japanese client: "typical" san francisco seafood restaurant, not terribly inconvenient from SFO, maybe Pacifica?
I was intially going to say Tadich Grill, but that's probably not casual enough. But what about the Old Port Lobster Shack in Redwood City? More New England than California, but good fresh seafood, near the airport, and very casual.
Mistake in Anne Burrell's Cook Like a Rock Star
I was given a copy of this cookbook recently and decided to make the Sweet & Spicy Sausage Ragu on p. 109. I've never made any of her recipes before, and some of her techniques are a little different than I'm used to, so I decided to follow her steps at least for the first time I made it.
You puree and slowly brown a mixture of onions, celery, fennel, and garlic in olive oil. After about 30 minutes, when you've built up a good amount of fond (or as Anne calls it - crud), you are told to add tomoato paste, brown it a little, then add red wine and reduce it. Then you're supposed to add in the Italian sausage and brown it. What? How can you brown meat while it's in a sauce???
I knew that something was screwy, so I watched a video on the Food Network of Anne making a Bolognese sauce that used a very similar series of steps. And - duh! - you brown the meat BEFORE you add the tomato paste and wine. I feel like such an idiot - I know better, but, as they say, I was just following orders.
Anyway, if you happen to make this recipe, which smells incredible as it's cooking, you should reverse steps 3 and 4 as listed in the cookbook. I'm sure it won't make a huge difference in the finished product, but still...And yes, I had read it through several times before starting to make it, and didn't pick up on the mistake.
Chinese Deli, Mill Valley: RIP
Yesterday I went to the Chinese Deli for some steam table Chinese food. I work near there, and go occasionally for a quick lunch.. I drove up, and - it was gone! The windows were papered over, and there were signs announcing a new place called Second Breakfast. I'm sad. The food wasn't great, but it was cheap and quick. One less dive in Southern Marin.
Coffe Crunch Cake at the Woodlands Market in Kentfield
I did try it. I enjoyed it - not super sweet, and the coffee crunch on top was nice. But since I don't remember what the original tasted like, I can't compare it!
Cheeseburgers at Red's Java House [SF]
I agree! The food is not the point at Red's. It's a dive with great atmosphere, mediocre food, and incredible views. I did once win an order of fries there by answering the day's trivia question correctly (although one of the cooks mouthed the right answer to me when I hesitated)...
Dim Sum in the City
If you go on a Saturday or Sunday, ask to sit outside the restaurant by the fountain. Less noisy and really pretty with the water falling from the ceiling.
Ngoc Thanh - New Vietnamese in North Petaluma
I've been to Thang Long several times. The food is good, but not great. On the other hand, I don't have much to compare it to. I did try the new Pho Viet in San Rafael last week, and the food seemed more delicate and lighter than at TH. I'm not very knowledgeable about Vietnamese food - I just like to eat it, especially bun.
Ngoc Thanh - New Vietnamese in North Petaluma
How would you say it compares with Thang Long in Petaluma? I've never been to Mai, but I can see I need to go!
Coffe Crunch Cake at the Woodlands Market in Kentfield
I don't usually shop at this market (not in my neighborhood), but I was there today and saw Coffee Crunch Cake in their bakery case. I'm assuming this is similar to the one at Blum's in San Francisco. I'm sure I had that many years ago, but don't really remember the taste. Has anyone tried this one? I know many people are on the hunt for it. And no, I didn't try it. Just wasn't up for it today, although you can buy it by the slice as well as a whole cake. Depending on your responses, I might have to trek up there and try a piece!
Sausalito lunch on a Monday - which restaurant of these 5 would you pick?
I know - everyone else loves Kitti's! Must be me (even though I'm thought of as a nice person). Maybe I'll give it another try...
Sausalito lunch on a Monday - which restaurant of these 5 would you pick?
Le Garage: good food, can sit outside by the water, harder to get to by public transporation, not close to downtown Sausalito
Fish: Same as Le Garage - pricey and only takes cash, but food is great
The Spinnaker: Haven't been there since I was in high school - get the impression it's a throwback - right near the ferry landing downtown though
Horizons: tourist trap on the water downtown
Kitti's Place - food is supposed to be good Thai-inspired - I always get a weird vibe in there so I never stay - furthest from downtown
What about Poggio? It's right downtown - you can sit outside - food is good but a little pricey - very pleasant though
Good luck!
Looking for food and drink in Santa Fe
Too bad about Cafe Pasqual's. I never really paid attention to the prices, but it looks like I should have! But it's fine since there are plenty of other good cheaper restaurants in the area to try. We definitely will have to try The Compound the next time we're there - it sounds really good. Makes me wish I were there now...
Wed-Sun Sonoma trip in Sept 2012- Looking for Itinerary Ideas
I believe it's Domaine Carneros that's across the road from DiRosa. And, in my opinion, you'll need/want a drink after looking at the art at DiRosa!
Domaine Chandon is in Yountville.
Where to find fresh (non-processed) dates in SF?
I've bought them at the Friday Old Oakland Farmers Market. Don't know the name of the vendor, but he only was selling dates the times I was there. I'd never had fresh ones before - really good!
Trader Joe's soups
My husband likes having soup for lunch, but has given up his beloved Progresso because of concerns about BPA in the cans. I was just reading TJ's Fearless Flyer which mentions several soups, and I was wondering if they're any good. There's frozen Chicken and Vegetable Wonton, and refrigerated Chicken, Barley, and Vegetable, Lentil with ancient Grains, and Hearty Minestrone.
So what do you all think? Thanks!
Southwest Road Trip - Off-the-beaten-path Chow Suggestions?
Here'a link to the New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail: http://www.newmexico.org/greenchilecheeseburger/
Need the name of a restaurant in Albuquerque
I really like Duran's Central Pharmacy. We have lunch there sometimes after we've flown into Albuquerque. The food isn't incredible, but the atmosphere and people there are wonderful. It's a combination of pharmacy and restaurant, and it kind of reminds me of Woolworth's lunch counters when I was a kid.
Looking for food and drink in Santa Fe
We visit Santa Fe as often as we can. Always stay at La Fonda on the Plaza. Favorite place for breakfast is Tia Sophia's, and we always go to The Shed for our first night there. Bobcat Bite is fantastic - best for lunch because it closes fairly early in the evening. Cafe Pasqual is good for dinner too.
Super Bowl menu?
The person who's hosting the SB party we're going to likes to serve food from the city where the game's being played. What foods are popular in and unique to Indianapolis? I've never been there and live near San Francisco so I'm totally clueless. Any thoughts? If I can't come up with anything, I'm thinking pigs in blankets and deviled eggs, but I thought I'd check with the experts first!
Boca Steak: An incompetent, expensive wannabe.
Izzy's has been closed for quite a while. It's now Brick and Bottle. Haven't been, so I can't comment.
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Brick and Bottle
55 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Lunch in Lodi?
We ended up at Moo Moo's on School St. downtown. Tasty juicy hamburgers and decent fries. My husband liked his chocolate milkshake. Excellent service and super nice people. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.
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Moo Moo's Burger Barn
113 N School St, Lodi, CA 95240
Lunch in Lodi?
We'll be there tomorrow. Any good places for lunch? We like almost everything and especially enjoy a good hamburger dive. Thanks!
Best Burger & Fries in Sacramento
Thanks to all who recommended the burgers at Nationwide. We had lunch there yesterday after seeing the hilarious and witty Clayton Bailey retrospective at the Crocker Museum. The burgers were great, although next time I'm going to get a small one since I cpuldn't finish mine. My husband asked me to mention that they were the juiciest/messiest burger he's ever had. We probably went through 12 napkins. Super nice people on both sides of the counter - we will defintiely be back!
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Nationwide Freezer Meats
1930 H St, Sacramento, CA 95811
Where can I buy smoked sturgeon in San Francisco or Marin?
Oooooh - I am so excited to have a good deli in Marin. It's such a wasteland!
Brunch at Nopa
We're going soon. Anything especially great that you can recommend? I've never eaten there before, but my cousins who we're going with love it. I like savory rather than sweet. Thanks!
