eldub's Profile
subtle, wonderful Cafe Campesino in Santa Cruz
Actually, it's closer to New Leaf Market. It's in front of Eco Goods.
I've since tried the mole, which was about as good as mole gets.
CHOW Tour Oakland, Your Thoughts On Where To Go?
Oops, well I typed this before realizing the tour is done. I shall post it anyway.
In addition to its many small, ethnic eateries, Oakland has come to be known for good restaurants that serve sustainable, local foods.
I've had many good burgers in Oakland, but my favorite, with a caramelized onion add-on, was at Hudson.
Boot and Shoe Service, an offshoot of Pizzaiolo but with a limited menu, is a new institution, with a cozy, inviting bar in the back and a wonderful margherita pizza and garden lettuces salad.
Simply Greek on Piedmont has the best falafel sandwich in town.
La Calaca Loca has my favorite (breaded, sustainable) fish taco and fish burrito.
Bittersweet has delicious fresh baked sweets (mostly chocolate).
Grace Baking Co. has irresistible focaccia, lovely sweet treats and a great location in Market Hall.
For casual fine dining, you can't beat Wood Tavern and Camino.
Cupcakes in Santa Cruz
Might be too late now, but there's a stand called Cupcake Corner cat-a-corner from Natural Bridges Park on West Cliff. She's there on weekend afternoons. She has a lot of good flavored cupcakes. Looks like she does affordable catering. http://www.mycupcakecorner.com
Need a really good vegetarian restaurant
Though it is high-end, Millennium is what I consider an exceptional vegetarian restaurant. Their menu changes often. Cafe Gratitude is hit and miss. I usually enjoy the enchiladas.
My favorite raw vegan is Juliano's Raw down in Santa Monica. If you ever go, I recommend ordering the Harem (middle eastern plate).
In Santa Cruz there's a place called Dharma's. It's better than average, and definitely affordable.
What I
subtle, wonderful Cafe Campesino in Santa Cruz
I've been wanting to try this little spot in downtown Santa Cruz because of its good reputation. Cafe Campesino did not disappoint.
The ingredients are organic and sustainable. They advertise as 'farmhouse' Mexican food. No rice, not a lot of grease. And though they serve meat (hormone free), all sauces including the mole are made without any meat or broth. What a treat for vegetarians.
I ordered a build-your-own taco with spicy guacamole, potatoes, roasted poblano peppers, and beans. I asked for the mild red salsa on the side. The tortilla was fresh, just the right thickness, and slightly crispy on the edges. The flavors were subtle, roasty, slightly tangy, and had the perfect amount of salt. This was a very satisfying lunch for $6-$7.
To top off a great experience, the people who run it are friendly and patient. It's a kiosk, so seating is in the fresh air. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in Santa Cruz during the day - they don't serve dinner.
I would love to hear about others' experiences at Campesino, because I only tried the one thing.
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Cafe Campesino
1130 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Reposado - Palo Alto
My experience has been consistently quite positive. They incorporate fruit flavors such as mango, which I love, as well as corn in all its tasty forms. For the price I wish they were serving sustainable seafood/meat and organic vegetables. I also prefer to have a lot of non-fried vegetarian options. These are often factors in my restaurant choices.
I wouldn't recommend the variation on caesar salad, which lacks interesting flavor. I wish they would add some other meatless salads to their menu.
The tortilla chips are from a package and include the red-dyed ones, which turns me off at a high-end restaurant.
My favorite dish there has been a salmon special with chipotle sauce and -yum!- coconut rice.
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Reposado
236 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Ozumo in Oakland last Friday night
My friend and I had a pretty good experience tonight at Ozumo. We were in a mostly empty dining room and didn't have to combat noise, which admittedly can ruin a meal. I suggest this place on a weeknight.
From the robata grill, we enjoyed the mushrooms, though the portion was small even for a $5 plate, and the asparagus.
The miso soup was fresh tasting.
Our maki rolls: a perfect avo/sesame roll (hard to mess up but I've had bad ones) and tempura shrimp, which was tasty.
The only disappointment was the salmon (sake) from the robata grill. It was undercooked in the middle and tasted a bit too fishy. It didn't seem to be the dyed-red farmed salmon, fortunately. They skewered it with a sweet, hot grilled pepper - a rare Japanese pepper, they told us. Next time I'll get the grilled pepper dish.
I won't be running back, but next time I'm in the mood for sushi I'll think of this place.
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Ozumo
2251 Broadway Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Burritos in Oakland?
I third the rec for La Calaca Loca. I usually order the baja fish burrito, a rich burrito with beer-battered sustainable fish, guacamole (included, I think) and a mildly spicy cream sauce, called baja sauce. It's not low fat but it's good. I also enjoy their vegetarian burrito. If you like rice on your burrito, you need to ask them to add it (costs extra).
Cactus on College was my favorite - the flavorful garlic/red wine marinated grilled veg burrito with guacamole add-on or the plato with beans, rice, salsa, guac and grilled veg or shrimp - until I discovered La Calaca.
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La Calaca Loca
5199 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
Oakland - Terrorized by Toddlers? Try Tumble & Tea Café on Telegraph - Phone: 510-601 REST
I have to agree that the food is uninspired, and I don't know any toddler-parents who go here a lot. Last time I was here, almost nothing on the menu was free of white flour. I realize the majority of people, and especially kids, eat flour-based foods, but there are other tasty foods you can offer to kids and parents. I know kids who don't tolerate wheat, so their parents don't go here at all. If I don't want a sandwhich or salad, I can get pretzels, bagels, pastries, or chips. Not even Pirate's Booty or trail mix. Boo.
group, organic ingredients, cocktails in SF
It's late notice on a group outing this Saturday, with up to 10 planning to join. We need to find a place that serves good food and drinks. We'd like something...
--not too small or too loud
--mid to high end
--relatively eco-conscious ingredients
--serves cocktails
--has at least one vegetarian entree or a few small-plate options
--does not require reservations way in advance
Are we dreaming? Here's what I've got so far from reading through the posts:
-Aziza
-Luna Park
-Absinthe
-Town Hall
-Slow Club
Comments or ideas? Thank you!
Intimate, reasonably priced, excellent food
Only been to Town Hall. It's lovely, with brick and high ceilings, and the food is very good. Normally I'm not that big on rich Southern food, and I don't eat meat, but they make it work without being heavy. On the wallet question, well it's not exactly mid-range but it's not quite fine-dining pricing either.
My Berkeley/Oakland faves, tell me yours
thanks, everybody. i will study this, and it will spice up my life.
don't know why I referred to Xyclo as Pan-Asian. i agree with many of the choices here, including Gregoire, LoCoco's, Uzen, Dona Tomas, Bakesale Betty, Crixa Cakes and of course Chez Panisse.
My pizza at Pizzaiola was charred, but I could tell something delicious was under the soot. I'll be back. I was surprised to see Luka's but they do have killer french fries w/ dips.
ciao.
My Berkeley/Oakland faves, tell me yours
Hiya hounds,
Pizza?!
I have a new pizza love and its name is Gioia, on Hopkins. Pizza's three elements - crust, sauce, cheese - rarely work so well together. The formaggio is nomnomnom. Any pizza of similar quality in Oakland? I liked Dopo. Zachary's is great, but I find the crust could be softer, lighter and more flavorful. For me, Rustica lacks excitement though I appreciate their use of quality ingredients. I like Lanesplitter on San Pablo but not as much on Telegraph. Why, I know not. Am I missing anything great?
Sushi!?
There's a lot of mediocrity out there. I love Homma's Brown Rice Sushi in Palo Alto but haven't found anything similar here. Traditionally, I've liked Kamakura in Alameda, Mobo in Santa Cruz and, locally, Tachibana on College. Kirala is pretty good. Anyone try Hiro's in Rockridge? Anywhere else to recommend?
Asian?
I know this is a big category. I'm unadventurous enough to like a lot of Pan-Asian places including Xyclo and Unicorn. I like Vietnamese and finally accepted that Le Cheval is now bleh. I love Thai but don't have a current favorite. Anyone?
Cheap Eats!!??
I love - and have OD'd on - Simply Greek on Piedmont. I also enjoy many Mexican spots including La Calaca Loca (mmm baja fish), Tacubaya, (great salad, guac), and Cactus (mmm grilled veggies - but a little salty). Anyone try Cafe Raj on Solano? Perhaps an alternative to wheat-based meals you can suggest for my wheat-sensitive friends?
I've tried a lot. So, with all due respect, I only want to hear about your favorites, not "pretty good" and not "I've been wanting to try..." Thank you! - Demanding east bay diner
Cheaper eats in Palo Alto area?
I visit often on weekends and want to find affordable meals. My favorite foods are usually Asian, Mexican, and Mediterranean but I'm open to any suggestions.
I enjoy the brown rice sushi place - Homma's, I think.
We got pizza at Ramona's on Birch, and it wasn't great. The topping (mushrooms and onions) covered every inch, so the cheese was soggy, not browned at all. I prefer New York or Italian style pizza, all bubbly with great red sauce, even the limp crust. Any pizza recs?
I enjoyed a salad at Pluto's--not bad for a chain. But the only meat I eat is seafood, so I was stuck for an entree.
Palo Alto Sol was pretty good family-style Mexican food, though a little greasy. But the sangria was not good, and the price wasn't on the menu. We were billed $24 for a smallish pitcher. I would pay that again for decent sangria, but not this.
The Thai noodle place on University was recommended but even empty at around 3pm, they wouldn't let us dine for under $10 per person. I was hungry, but my girlfriend only wanted a drink, so we left rather than order extra to make the $20.
Thanks in advance for anything ya got.
Cake for a Vegan?
Black China Bakery, out of Santa Cruz, makes delicious vegan chocolate cakes (also choc-mint, choc-rasberry). Last I checked, you could buy one frozen from bay area Whole Foods. It thaws quickly and tastes very fresh. They also have it avail. by the slice. Non-vegans will enjoy it too; they don't skimp on sugar. Nummy.
In Search of Breakfast Tacos
I love breakfast at La Calaca Loca in Oakland at 51st and Telegraph. I bet Tacubaya's (4th St. Berkeley) breakfast is good too.
Stella, Maison de Ville & August report
We were just there doing Habitat, and chose August as our one fine dining choice for the trip. I like John Besh on tv, but we had a similar experience...kinda "Eh" for the price. The amuse was impressive. My salad was a bit wilted though not advertised as such. The tuna entree had nice capers and large couscous (perhaps the most creative aspect of the meal) perfectly cooked but was otherwise the usual butter and lemon. I called in advance to say I might want to order vegetarian. They put me on hold and came back to say that they would take care of me, whatever my desires. When I did ask the waiter to have them invent a vegetarian appetizer (specifying that eggs and dairy ingredients were fine), as there were none on the menu, he seemed a bit confused by this and then brought a rather un-inventive plate of tempura'd vegetables. Who knows what that experiment cost me. My friend's fried oysters were delicious, but I can't ignore that panko has hydrogenated oils; using it instead of house-made breadcrumbs at this level of dining seems...wrong. Lovely space, attentive but un-smiling waiter, very friendly drink guy, pretty good food, but nothing to write home about.
Best in the BayArea...Gelato Firenze(Oakland)
I'd be curious to know how they make the stuff and whether it even qualifies as gelato. I don't like too-sweet either, but sorry, I can't imagine it's "genuine." It doesn't remind me of the gelato in Florence at all.
Best in the BayArea...Gelato Firenze(Oakland)
All I can say is EUWW. I agree that Firenze tastes like stale Safeway ice cream. It was not the best but the WORST gelato I've every had...if you want to call it gelato. Try Tango or Naia.
