Wife bought the Rising moon wild mushroom and cheese ravioli I cannot recommend. simply awful, fair warning.

Help! Celebratory splurge Oak/berk next sat for 6, and we have dietary issues, 2 are kosher ( so eat pescatarian/vegetarian.)
Here's a list from opentable that I've come up with:
Flora
Camino
Olivetos
Revival

Any great fish restaurants?
Comments please

Yes we are driving from EWR to Larchmont I-95 , anybody know of a good kosher deli? Open at night? Or diner for eggs or??? We keep California kosher. It should be closer to EWR as we'll be hungry after flight. Thanks

I have made crockpot brisket 2x recently with very good results. I agree almost 1 lb per person. Also I don't brown meat. I use mirepoix with 1 head of garlic sliced in 1/2 on bottom of pot and then do a spice rub on the meat add catsup , place flat side up. Cook on low 8 hours. I refrigerate, remove fat, slice replace meat in crock pot and boil sauce andpourover meat, heats in 1 hr. you get a lot of jus from brisket, you can use any preferred method to thicken sauce - I added a potato and whizzed up sauce in blender 1x. This is now my go to method- so ez, so good.

I just made this recipe and followed it pretty closely except I used regular sized muffin tin and no schmaltz- they were salty and too eggy for me. This is essentially a latke with extra egg in a muffin tin. How does one cup of potatoes make 24 mini muffins? How do 1 cup potatoes and two eggs feed 6- improbable. I don't want to say impossible...

Should have reported back sooner but...we used Insalata's take out Fabulous. They even gave us a server who brought the food , set up , broke it down. Wonderful!

I just had a taste of the Piazza Siciliana Nero D'avola merlot blend, nothing remarkable here. Hope the Pinot is better.

I didn't find Jack's Cab but picked up Nero d'davola merlot
Blend $2.99 and a NZ Pinot ($4.99) can't wait to try. And it seems that they have some really nice stuff in Oak. I wish moreWould Post posthaste about their finds but I understand the problem, by the time you drink it's gone!

I live across the bay in Oakland, the 2nd floor place is Sabra & I guess they survive on tourists. Reading this board affirmed my attitude towards kosher and they aren't very kind. We have a kosher market oakland kosher, not far from where I live and I am suspicious of two tier pricing as meat is never priced in the case. In any case the Bad attitude of owner & staff, the high prices and too many unsatisfactory products just keep me away. There is a trader joes down the block which reliably has chicken, ground beef & turkey, 2 cuts of beef ( rib eye & stew meat- they no longer carry brisket due to too many returns.). Here in nor Cal we have locally farm
raised beef ( non kosher) but a movement is afoot to have eco kosher. My only q is will I be able to afford it? In short, I don't patronize my local kosher store because of bad attitude, bad product & bad pricing, isn't it a shame. I truly wish it were different.

i have been tasked with finding a caterer or restaurant catering operation to do a dinner for 16 in mill valley. My 1st thought is Insalata's does anybody have any ideas? TIA

I too have been overcharged @ WF Oakland- they corrected the error but not until you notice the offense, wait for some relief, and then they took my name & number saying I would receive a call back but never have. I would like ot know what governmental agency I can report overcharging to?

ATK has a new recipe for BB bread out can somebody please post is they have tried it and also post recipe if you liked results. Thk

Just went to Zatis and it was a fine experience- not particularly for the food though- and that is unfortunate. I am kosher so that limits our choices. I was really looking forward to Turkish food and thought there might be more vegetarian choices. I really liked the imam biyaldi, which is eggplant ,tomato stew and either canned or frozen artichoke hearts. What I thought about the menu is that they don't buy specialty lettuces, or specialty produce as evidenced by the artichokes. Too bad. We also had beets w/ yogurt- fine, a turkish spantikopita, a salad - just typical mixed greens, the king salmon which you couldn't tell that it was this special creature. Highlight was the turkish coffee custard, and most awful was the summer fruit crisp- not very summery with the inclusion of dried fruits (figs and?) aren't there enough plum, peach,nectarine in the market? Anyway it was a comfortable restaurant (awful stemware) with low noise so you could hear (although the kitchen is open) wwe sat in the back and had the room to lurselves. I would go back. non trendy on Piedmont Ave.

-----
Zatis
4029 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

I just posted a review of Circolo- I went at dinner and noted that the portions were very skimpy- is this the new recession beater?- I cannot imagine lunch being a smaller portion size than dinner.

My friends who recommended the place were lamenting the fact that the ceviche bar - was gone from the menu- it's not something that would particularly appeal to me- but probably recession driven or new chef driven anyway they only have I think 2 kinds of ceviche on the menu - we ordered both and the white one we had 2 of - only because we were still hungry after getting & eating entrees- we actually ordered 2 apps (raw fish) to share for 4, then entrees, then went back to the main menu and ordered salad, raw fish, frites (comment from the table was that they are like McDonald's), and asparagus. A telling sign was our waiter asked whether we wanted sides with our entrees, then I guess you know it's going to be a skimpy entree. PS the fish did not come with a badge- however when we left there were about 5 heavy duty security guys and they had badges (and guns;) I think. It appears that they a re either getting ready for an assault or are preemptively deterring an assault from taking place- either way not a place I want to be.

Went to Circolo on a Sat night, not the greatest night to judge a rest. We went early, and at the early part at least we could hear and it was easy parking, as the night wore on the restaurant which bills itself as an "ultra lounge" got extremely loud. We were sandwiched in on the lower lever between 1 party of 20 and one party of 40. The food seems of reasonable quality- the portions are skimpy. We ordered the tuna ceviche and ahi tartare- they seemed like pretty common dishes, nicely presented- I didn't taste every element that was listed on the menu. For entrees we ordered Pacific wild salmon ($23), and signature miso glazed chilean sea bass ($27) (is it ok to eat that fish on the sustainability level)- the portions were small- I would estimate a 4-5 oz piece of fish, the salmon came with the leaves of what I would estimate to be 2-3 brussel sprouts if that. We had 4 apps, 4 entrees, 1 btl wine about $60 per person including tip. I would take a pass on going there again.

Stay away from the cutlery shop on telegraph near pizzaolo & bakesale betty- not a good job for knife sharpening.

This is definitely upscale Greek. When I wanted Greek food when I was living in NY I would head to Astoria- the food was excellent and very reasonable.

Hello Chers,
I've moved out of SF and am now kosher (or as I like to put it CA kosher which means I'll eat out but only kosher type seafood and vegetarian.) I'm looking for a restaurant on Sat. night in the south part of SF (meeting friends from peninsula) so restaurant should be somewhat of an event place, personally I prefer cal/med mid east and particular pet peeves are excessivly loud places. mid/ex priced $17-25 entrees.

They have suggested Circolo which doesn't look good in reviews/boards.

Any help? anything on Noe? Church?

Thanks in advance

I don't even know what the neighborhood is called but does anyone know of good eats out there (Mission & Silver Ave)? It's for some 60-70 y/o foodies who will be visiting a friend at night at the Jewish Home for the Aged. They are upscale foodies. Good/easy parking is a consideration.

They are fairly familiar with Bernal. I

I'm going to suggest La Ciccia- which I've wanted to go to read reviews on Chow.

Blue Plate, which I think they already know

Anything you can do to help is appreciated.

Just visited NYC and was taken to Kalustyan's http://www.kalustyans.com/- floor to ceiling spices, dried ingredients- am wondering if we have a Bay Area equivalent?

I don't know why this place is so popular but it is. The fish isn't of the highest quality is the 1st item that bothers me in a sushi bar in addition service is poor (tea cold). However it is mitigated because they do serve you free edamame, it's quick and inexpensive. I would say take a pass but I don't have another place to send you to.

PS how do Japanese restaurants get away with the iceberg lettuce salad- nobody but Japanese restaurants serve it- coated with usually gloppy dressing & we eat it up with chopsticks.

Went to Dopo on Sat night, I guess it was late because after being offered and refusing two seats at the bar and asking how long the wait for a table would be one miraculously opened up.

The table was cramped but we didn't mind the lighting dim and again did not mind.

We received prompt, courteous service but didn't get any bread so don't know if this is what it is or an oversight.

Had a Dopo pizza, only $10, I would try the fresh mozzarella pizza next time.

We shared a generous arugula salad - it was way too bitter and plain for me - only garnished by shallots and olive oil & vinegar- it could have used something else like cheese.

Had a side of rapini, a pretty small portion, but nicely done in olive oil and garlic, it was room temp.

Since I don't eat meat and I do get it a lot of their thing is house made salami.

It's probably not as veg friendly as many Italian restaurants, gee I wish they'd focus on that - does anybody have a rec in the east bay or SF where vegetarian italian is spoken?

Little report from a pescatarian- CA kosher style.

Went to Cafe Claude last night looking for a light dinner outside on a beautiful evening and were seated at one of the outdoor tables in Claude Alley. I must say the alley was very clean. I don't know why Cafe Claude has the umbrellas up on a beautiful evening, perhaps the pigeons but they made me feel claustrophobic. We ordered two salads, an endive and fried squash blossom. The endive salad was very attractive looking, a teepee shaped mound of belgian endive dressed with a blue cheese dressing, candied nuts, a few dried fruits- the portion was good sized and you need all those goodies because endives are boring. In fact we didn't finish the salad because they are so boring and ran out of goodies. personally, it was a better looking salad than tasting. The fried squash blossoms were filled with feta and they surrounded a mound of fresh arugloa with a roasted red pepper coulis rining the plate- this was the better choice. I think they were both around $10/ ea. We then shared a trout amandine. I am no fan of trout but the only other fish on the menu was tuna and due to health concerns we're not eating it. The trout (+/-20) was a red fleshed fish with slivered almonds and mushrooms on top. I would not order it again- not that it was offensive or anything it is a marginal tasting fish in my opinion and with a whole butterflied trout I'd say there is about maybe 4 oz of flesh. We shared a glass of Ramsay pinot (+/-$10). Good bread & butter is served. The bill was $75 tax and tip included. Make your own decisions but $75 to eat light in an alley ...It is not vegetarian or pescatarian friendly in my opinion.

As we were leaving we did find out that the Highlands Inn has free bikes for loan, it may be fun to take them up on that offer- Point Lobos is just down the road - we walked there and therefore walked less at Pt. Lobos than if wh had had bikes.

Instead of giving 3rd hand information and I know that their schedule is in flux. Here is the phone number: 510.834.8703. Call the Spice Monkey.

Let me just say that after having some good food with mediocre service and then having coffee spilled over me I did send the restaurant the bill and they promptly reimbursed the cleaning and enclosed a $25 gift certificate. So I will give them another shot (no not at spilling.) This is what a restaurant of that caliber should do and I think it's only fair to mention it since i did mention it in my review.

I heard that it is currently open for lunch m-f, dinner on Fri & Sat (no lunch). Also that it is the owners' interpretation of CA cuisine, with some world cuisine in the mix.

I can't wait to try it...(especially after having been to Sabeena and having a disastrous meal.)

Beach chick,

Don't let my review get you down (It's my B'day too that weekend). With the timeshare deal that we stayed it was perfectly fine (even the sales pitch was endurable for $99 room rate- we did have a large townhouse with full on ocean views. I wouldn't eat at Pacific's Edge without the gift certificate. Though if you must I would get there so the meal ends about 30 min. after sunset. they say they've illuminated the outside but really they've lit up 1 tree. It's a dark vastness that you will look out upon. There are better rest. choices in the area. Re the wine- it could have been presented better- the sommelier put down 2 small crystal glasses- had he used the right sized (large) stemware the $15 might not have seemed so outrageous but to put down the inferior stemware when charging a premium- well what am I the bad stepson?

just did the time share thing too. Our deal was $99 nt.(Sa/Su) in a 2 level, full on ocean vu suite. and a $100 gift certificate to use on property. We spent it at Pacific's Edge.
Briefly, the suite was a good deal, though our tenancious bulldog of a salesman kept us 20 min. more than the alloted 1.5 hr presentation and I really didn't understand much of what he said and would never ever buy anything from that guy (michael) especially not a $50k multi yr. commitment.)

Pacific's Edge is a pretentious culinary disaster, only softened by the $100 gift certificate, there is not a chance in hell that I'd return without it. We were started with an amuse bouche of cauliflower soup with herbed oil on top- it was served in an espresso cup and was way too salty so we both did not finish the very small cup full and even told whoever took it away- another amuse did not come out nor a replacement- so much for attention to detail nor the amuse they had hoped for. It was the 1st restaurant after Passover (I wrote that on my request of Maitre D' on opentable- we got bread service after 15 minutes of sitting down another disappointment, and the server brings tongs and "what kind of our 3 kinds of bread would you like? All 3 I reply- get over it and serve the bread already. We ordered wine 2 glasses of a Santa Lucia pinot for an outrageous $15 each probably a $10 bottle and the '"sommelier" brings these cheesy glasses and a small pour when the next table over (that bought a bottle) gets nice big oglasses. I am already disliking this restaurant. We ordered 2 starters @ $12 ea a Lollo Rosso w/ pear and blue cheese salad and a kabocha squash soup. The salad consisted of exactly 4 pieces of letuce (or was it 3), 2 dollops of blue cheese, 4 slices of pear and candied nuts. You know what I like my greens and you failed to give me enough! The soup was listless, bland and I've had better out of a box, blech. Our waitress( why do I know her name to be Sonia- I cannot stand that affectation- has the audacity to say since we finished our food that that is the biggest compliment the kitchen can get- not really- how about return customer that pay full freight? We moved on to our entrees which was the striped bass @$38 with trumpet mushrooms-and Tasmanian salmon ($34) over a bed ( a very thin bed) of pureed cauliflower, and 4 pieces of broccoli rabe that was cold in the middle. The fish were both well cooked. The portion size was 4-5 oz each. I then made the mistake of ordering desert which took forever and it was again the pretense of a ll pretense an a chocolate sphere, my wife liked it, but I thought it really summed up pretense and stupidity in food and brought the night to a close. But they did serve us a4 little sweets which would have been enough to have a sweet ending (only the lemon topped with a blueberry was good though) The bill did come to $150 w/o tip. Btw- the tables surrounding us all had deals- 1 table did not pay at all- I don't know how that happened- hope it wasn't a VIP b/c they forgot to serve them their coffee's and the server said well I'd take it off your bill but "as you know you've been comped." What crappy service. And the couple next to us were going for their timeshare presentation the next day- don't be a sucker.

Actually to move the restaurant up would not take much, more food -the portions were stingy- the food was good, and eliminate the waitstaff pretense and put some bread on the table- don't make a guest go begging for a scrap of bread and some nice wines by the glass- they have this huge wine cellar (at ridiculous prices) but only about 5 whites/5 reds by the glass/5 sparkling all more than $10.

The view was excellent.