The Dive's Profile
Refuge Kid Friendly?
I've wanting to trying the beer and pastrami at the Refuge for some time and it looks we'll be in the area on Saturday. Would it be reasonably kid-friendly (1 and 3) for lunch? Yelp says "no for kids", but can't always trust yelp. These are good pub kids, for what it is worth.
State Bird Provisions takes a gimmick and makes it work [San Francisco]
We ate at State Bird Provisions last Friday, as a walk-in. No tables available, but we were able to stand at the "chef's counter," where the chef served as our waiter. Wonderful experience and great food. Will definitely return, especially before a Fillmore show.
Gourmet Chicharrones
Not quite within the area, but I think i remember that the chicharrones at el Salchichero in Santa Cruz are not quite as spicy as 4505 -- they might ship? Also, like the crazy beef ones at Plum Bar -- not spicy if you don't dip in the hot sauce. Although very salty.
Decent Rye Bread in the east bay?
On a related note, does anyone know where I can get a round rye bread?
Two Wineries and a Meal
I rather loathe to do such a generic request, but I need some brainstorming ideas for a quick daytrip for a couple of wineries and a nice late lunch/early dinner nearby. In the past, we’ve done something like Wellington and Audelssa, followed Girl and the Fig in Sonoma, which is fine. I was thinking of maybe Patz & Hall and some other place in Napa, then hitting some restaurant in the City of Napa (always like Bounty Hunter, although I was hoping for something more of a splurge), but not sure. Will be driving from Oakland, so as much as I would like to drive out to Littoria and Merry Edwards, not sure I can make that happen and have a meal. So, I guess I am really looking at southern Napa and Sonoma – any ideas? My varietal preference is for spare, French-style wines. Quality wine is more important than pretty location, etc. -- I am looking to buy some wine and then eat.
Dry Aged Rib Eye Roast - okay to convert to steaks? Or is that nuts?
I cut the roast into three thick steaks and seared on the stove. Then I placed them on a hot pan preheated in a 375 oven (that happened to have some bacon fat), removed when reached 120. Rested for about 15 minutes, sliced and served with anchovy butter and argula/parmaggio. End result - perfect. Thanks again for the advice.
Haven - Oakland
We went last Friday and the meal was very good. The family style option is a good deal for the amount of the food. Highlights were the brussel sprouts, smoked pasta, the roasted potatoes with seaweed, the unusual sheppard's pie and a special hamachi collar. Loved the "Baked California" for dessert too. We had them match some wines by the glass for each course, which worked great.
Dry Aged Rib Eye Roast - okay to convert to steaks? Or is that nuts?
So, no searing, just broiler? that would be easier.
Dry Aged Rib Eye Roast - okay to convert to steaks? Or is that nuts?
Yeah, bisteca fiorentina is what I want, but I don't really want to grill tonight. So I was planning to sear on the stove and then place in a low oven until medium rare. You suggest a different method?
Dry Aged Rib Eye Roast - okay to convert to steaks? Or is that nuts?
I was thinking of making big steaks and slice them for people to serve themselves.
Dry Aged Rib Eye Roast - okay to convert to steaks? Or is that nuts?
I have a 4.5 pound dry aged rib eye roast. I know I can sear it and cook it slow and low in the oven for prime rib, but I am more wanting a great steak for NYE (with arugula and anchovy butter). Would it be crazy for me to break it down into three thick steaks and do the same prep (sear on stove and slow roast in oven for med-rare), or am I risking ruining $100 worth of beef? Any advice either way? It is to serve 7 people as part of a bigger, pretty rich meal. Thanks
"Higher-End" Takeout -- Oakland/Berkeley?
I ended up at Gregoire's -- it was a hit, especially this months calamari and oxtails. Thanks for reminding me about the option.
Le Bendaine is my favorite as well, but would have been too far out of the way.
"Higher-End" Takeout -- Oakland/Berkeley?
I need to bring home "restaurant" food for dinner tonight and was planning on hitting Boot and Shoe Service for salads, pastas and pizzas, but it is closed on Monday. Any other ideas of Oakland/Berkeley restaurants that are conducive to take-out? My fall-back is Southie, but I wanted a slightly bigger menu if possible. Is PIzzaiola as good with take-out as B&S?
-----
Boot and Shoe Service
3308 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Southie
6311 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
List of Baby Friendly East Bay Spots
More to add:
Brown Sugar Kitchen - excellent for lunch, highchairs confirmed. No changing area. Fantastic waffles and ribs.
Henry's - high chairs confirmed. Lots of small plates make it a good option for kids.
-----
Brown Sugar Kitchen
2534 Mandela Pkwy, Oakland, CA 94607
Drinks before Benu?
We ended parking twice so that we could go to the newly expanded City Beer. The space is great -- nice division between the bar and the bottle section so that you don't have to ask people to move to scan the shelves and make selections. More taps and a nice long bar. They still had some of their anniversary beers available.
Pumpking-shaped princess cake in Berkely Area?
I saw pumpkin-shaped princess cakes at the Pasta Shop in Oakland the Friday before Halloween.
Chicken Pot Pie/ Berkeley or Oakland Area
BB isn't offering its chicken pot pie any more? A friend just bought two of them on October 28 or 29. The little chicken pot pies at Pasta Shop are good.
Want to treat my wife to special dinner in Bay Area - both vegetarian
I think Coi or Manressa would be perfect.
Drinks before Benu?
Any thoughts on a place to grab a drink or a glass of wine before Benu on Saturday? I would prefer to not have to park twice.
-----
Benu
22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Food options near the Trappist
I finally got to try the Trappist's "new" (well, new for me) food offerings. The olives are very good and a good deal given the large amount. The sausages with the cabbage salad were excellent, as was the grilled cheese (not quite Hog Island level, but close). All went great with the beer ... and the Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch was great for dessert.
Best Burger in the wine country
Different part of "wine country," but the grilled boar burger at Zazu is quite tasty.
-----
Zazu Restaurant
3535 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Best burgers in the Bay Area 2011
I am big fan of the usual East Bay places mentioned (Sidebar, 900 Grayson, Cafe Rouge, Mua), but I have been really enjoying the burger at Triple Rock lately. Despite just being a bar burger, it is now my current go-to when I am craving a burger.
Disappointed to hear that Luka's burger has gone downhill...
-----
Cafe Rouge
1782 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
900 Grayson
900 Grayson St, Berkeley, CA 94710
Mua
2442A Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Help finding Bell's Hopslam beer in San Francisco
City Beer is your best bet, but it is long shot. However, they have been known to make some road trips to pick up some beers that are not normally available in the Bay Area, so it might be possible. I tend to get my Bell's fix when I am in Arizona, as mentioned.
Pliny the Younger sightings, 2011
I have to agree that I can't recommend anything to eat at RRBC. Sad, really. But the beer is so good!
Pliny the Younger sightings, 2011
And it was great!! When is the second keg to be tapped?
Are there any good real spanish tapas bars in the SF area.
Ditto - Barlata feels very authentic to me. It's also my current favorite.
-----
Barlata
4901 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
Pliny the Younger sightings, 2011
Didn't know that anyone was tapping it this week. I heard BobbyGs will be tapping its key on Feb 18th at 3pm, same day as Toronado.
Dinner before Fox Tomorrow Night - Bored with the Usuals
Thanks - I've been just drawing a blank. Hibuscus was booked too. How does Nex compare to Mua? I wasn't blown away by Mua, but the burger was good. I thought about Punchdown, but wasn't sure if the food setup would be as robust as Franklin Square was.
-----
Mua
2442A Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Nex
2442 Webster St, Oakland, CA 94612
Punchdown
2212 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Dinner before Fox Tomorrow Night - Bored with the Usuals
Going to a show tomorrow at the Fox in Oakland, and I can’t seem to come up with any place to go beforehand for dinner. We’ve been to all the usuals in Uptown (Luka’s, Flora, Pican, Mua) and Old Town (Trappist, etc.). Wanted to go to Plum, but wasn’t on the ball with reservations. I keep thinking there is some place new that I have forgotten, but can’t seem to come up with anything.
I’m okay with long-ish walk or even parking twice, but I am thinking of more uptown/downtown/etc. (in other words, not piedmont ave, rockridge, grand lake, temescal, etc.)
What am I forgetting?
-----
Mua
2442A Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Pican Restaurant
2295 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
