SanMateoFoodie's Profile
Looking for family-friendly restaurants in Kauai
Hi Folks,
I read the Kauai threads and am looking for family-friendly places to eat in Kauai this coming weekend/week. We have a 4 year old and 7 year old and also two vegetarians in the group. We're staying at the Outrigger Waipuli Resort in Kaapa so places near there will be helpful - we will have a car too. Thanks in advance!
Szechuan/Hunan in Palo Alto?
I am looking for a really good Szechuan/Human place in Palo Alto. Any suggestions?
New Restaurants in Half Moon Bay
It's Italia, Half Moon Bay, CA
Where do I start?!! I guess this is my third or fourth visit to the restaurant and the first time to the new location on Main Street. Things started off well when the friendly staff seated up at a window today. However, I ordered the carbonara for lunch and then things started going downhill....The carbonara was basically pasta, pancetta, and SCRAMBLED EGGS. I called the waiter over to tell him that the dish had been overcooked and that the eggs had not properly incorporated into the dish. He looked at it and said it looked okay but he would take it to the chef. There was a lot of discussion in the open kitchen area but they made me another plate and brought it back. If anything, it was worse this time - big pieces of scrambled eggs. I told the waiter that there was still a problem and that I should probably order something else. I also asked to speak to the manager, who frankly should have rushed to the table. The waiter came back to the table to remove my plate and give me the menu again. He said the manager would come to the table later. I told him that I wanted her to see the dish so she came over. She said it looked fine. She said she was sorry that I did not like it but she checked with the chef and that is how he makes carbonara (with chunks of scrambled eggs instead of smooth sauce of cream and egg). At that point, I told her that I particularly disappointed because I actually had a previous bad experience with the restaurant and this was suppose to be their chance to redeem themselves. I had ordered several pizzas for my son's birthday party at Lemos Farm on March 8th and when I called a few days ahead to confirm the number of pizzas, I ended up speaking to the owner, Betsy, who told my order had never been placed (I gave her the name of the person I had placed my order with) and that March 8th was in fact the day they were moving to their new location. She apologized and said that she would try to make it up to us if we ever came to restaurant. Frankly, it was a huge pain to find another pizza place at the last minute but that is another story.
The waiter returned to our table a couple of times after that to question me on how I made carbonara! Enough already! I am a decent cook and I know carbonara does not come out with chunks of scrambled egg in it! The staff and management just needed to be professional, apologize and move on.
On a positive note, the panino burger was very good and 1.5 hours into our visit there I was happy to eat it without being challenged by the staff. My friend's spinich salad was very good as well. The strawberry short cake dessert was okay but seemed to be missing its advertised triple sec sauce or any sauce for that matter. The cappuchino was excellent.
At the end, I found the experience just trying and exhausting. There was not even a price adjustment for the hassle of it all! I guess I can be grateful that I was not charged for the carbonara. I do not think we will be returning there. I chalk it up to lack of professional service. Pasta Moon is far more professional with consistent quality in food. That is where you'll find us!
Just Lunch - New Lunch Spot at University Ave. (1950 Univ. Circle) in East Palo Alto
Thanks for the tip. I had no idea...I will check it out.
Just Lunch - New Lunch Spot at University Ave. (1950 Univ. Circle) in East Palo Alto
A new lunch place opened this week at 1950 University Ave next to the Four Seasons (University Circle) replacing the spot left empty by Petite Lulu. Their menu includes 4 salads (Harvest, Ceasar, Latin, Chinese Chicken) (chicken, beef and shrimp as add ins), sandwiches using homemade breads, and 4 types of pizza (Spring with Latin Pesto, Classic Margarita, Pepperoni, and BBQ Chicken). I suspect they will increase their menu items as time progresses. I ordered the Ceasar Salad with Chicken today and it was amazing! Tons of slices of chicken breast and fresh baked crutons. It tasted super fresh and the dressing was spot on. The pizza's are thin crust and looked really good too. Prices are quite reasonable too. Sandwiches and Salads were around $6. Add in were $2. Pizzas were $5-$6. Portions were quite substantial.
Half Moon Bay, CA
On October 15th, Michael Bauer of the Chronicle gave Cetrella a lukewarm reivew. Food still around 2.5 stars but service was around 1 star - it seems the new chef just hired in August has recently left.
Sadly no more Mixt Greens for me!
Have you tried Seller's Market on Second & Market? Also, Sentinel usually does one or two salads every day.
Half Moon Bay, CA
We like Pasta Moon on Main Street in Half Moon Bay - Cal/Med and use of a lot of regional/seasonal items and always good seafood. Chez Shea is good for brunch too. Sushi on Main is excellent as well.
Best places to eat in downtown San Mateo
Lure has gotten great reviews. A young asian woman chef. Fresh, creative seafood but a bit pricey. I also hear that a new Brazilian restaurant (one location already in Hayes Valley) called Espetus Churrascaria is is shortly opening in San Mateo at the corner of B and 9th.
Sprinkles Cupcakes in Palo Alto
Granted Sibby's doesn't have storefront, but the cupcakes are soo good! I actually think that Sibby's taste better than Kara's cupcakes and I love the cream cheese frosting. I haven't tried Sprinkes yet.
Any decent restaurants in Foster City?
Thank you all for your suggestions! I currently live in San Mateo and agree with the comments about San Mateo. Foster City does kind of seem like a food wasteland hence my initial post.
And BBulkow, amusing comment about renting and global warming...we're actually buying!
Sadly no more Mixt Greens for me!
Okay, I think this is it for me going to Mixt Greens. I just got back from Mixt Greens with a Caesar Salad w/Chicken (or should I say half of a salad) which the Salad Chef proceeded to make out of the dregs of the romaine lettuce left over in two baskets! And this after asking me FOUR times during the course of preparation what I wanted. Shouldn't he have asked me if I wanted a different type of lettuce?!! I guess I should have complained, as I did last year, after getting another 1/2 salad for close to $10.00 but just did not feel up to it today. Last year the management reimbursed me and told me that they were working on consistency in terms of quantity. However, my experience at Mixt Greens is that it really depends on your Chef in terms of quantity and quality, and that should not be the case. I generally love the salad there but I never know what I am going to get these days! The management really needs to work on getting their workers to be consistent in terms of quantity and quality!
Any decent restaurants in Foster City?
We're moving to Foster City and I am wondering if there are any decent restaurants in Foster City, including take-out places. Thanks in advance!
Peninsula afternoon tea recs?
The Menlo Park Lisa's Tea Treasures is pretty decent. The space is a lot larger than the old Burlingame location. Ask to sit in the main dining room which is less crowded than the one in the front. The English Rose is in San Carlos. It is a small space and the food is only so so. You might try the Four Seasons in Palo Alto to see if they serve afternoon tea. I've had in Washington, DC and San Francisco, and it is fabulous! The Fairmont in San Jose does afternoon tea but you have to reserve 24 hours ahead of time.
Late Night San Mateo Restaurant?
I know this is a long shot but can you recommend a couple of really good late night San Mateo restaurants that I can go to with a friend after the movies?
Slanted Door
Two adults and a child (who ate well that evening) and it was about $85 not counting drinks, dessert, tax and tip).
Slanted Door
Okay so yesterday was my second visit and it was really great. I am glad I tried it a second time in spite of a not so great first visit a year ago.
The first time I went I thought we were seated in a most horrible section next to a large party room, the kitchen and bathrooms in spite of having made reservations, the service was mediocre and the food just okay. In fact, I was so disappointed that I actually wrote Michael Bauer and asked him why he liked the place so much given my experience there.
To get back to yesterday, we had great service, we were seated by the window, and the food was fabulous. We had the imperial rolls, ribs, noodles with crab, caramel shrimp (THE BEST!), shaking beef, chocolate cake, fresh lemonade, a cocktail and french pressed coffee. For the price, I thought that the quantity of food was substantial. We absolutely stuffed ourselves but could have easily taken a lot of food home. The service was friendly and very attentive. I would definitely go back again!"
San Fran special occasion restaurant?
I definitely second Gary Danko and Boulevard for a special occasion restaurant and can also recommend Jardiniere (Tracy des Jardin's restaurant). In addition to the number of restaurants already mentioned, other restaurants not to be missed while in SF are Khokkari (new Greek), Eliza's on California (fresh/new Chinese), Capannina (Italian) on Union, Yang Sing (Dim Sum - Rincon Center), Dosa (fusion Indian), Chez Papa ( French - Mint Plaza), Le Mistral Rotisserie and Mijita at the Ferry Building, etc..I could go on and on....
San Mateo, Indian / Pak dhaba style and South Indain?
The only Indian food I really like in San Mateo is Nawab on Ellsworth and Main. It is a tiny little place but the quality of the food has been consistently good over the last 12 years. I especially like the chicken kababs (tender white meat and no food color), sheek kabab, saag paneer, samosas, dal makni, and their mixed bread basket.
Sentinel - First look
I went by today for lunch. The menu today is chilled pea soup ($5.00), hot corned beef sandwich, smoked salmon sandwich with horseradish cream, watercress and green tomatoes ($8.00), and Tuna Tartare ($11.00). The smoked salmon sandwhich was very good and accompanied by a pickle. No dessert though... I guess you only get dessert with the special (Tuna today). I got there at 11:30 and they said they were just opening for lunch. A bit disorganized but great food. I guess they're trying to work out the kinks.
Dinner Recommendations in downtown Palo Alto that won't break the bank?
I second Junnoon. I also went to Tamarine (fusion Vietnamese) a few weeks ago and really liked it. For inexpensive and fresh (homemade) pasta check out Osteria. Evvia (Greek fusion) is also very good but more expensive.
Which Naan n Curry is the best?
I think Chutney at the corner of Jones & O'Farrell is really the best. It is the least greasy of all the Indo-Pak restaurants in the area and has a fairly clean and decent dining room. There is a parking garage next door so you don't have to leave your car at the mercy of the rather colorful residents of the local neighborhood.
Kitchen & Cocktails, Half Moon Bay - New Review!
We went to Ktichen & Cocktails for Mother's Day Brunch day before yesterday and was somewhat underwhelmed. Granted the place was busy for Mother's Day but we had to ask for the waiter to come and take our order after being there for about 15 minutes. Although the waiter apologized a few times (hence tyhe two stars) that the kitchen was backed up, we did not get our food for about 45-50 minutes. There was no children's menu on Mother's Day (not even their regular breakfast menu, which was promised in the opentable.com ads) so the kids had to order off a rather limited and expensive brunch menu. Most importanly, the food was not very good. My eggs benedict was cold and the crab on it even colder. My daughter's crab omlet was over-cooked and rubbery and filled with cold crabmeat. I don't intend to go there again and regret that I did not keep my 12:30 Cetrella reservation!
