casalbore spirit's Profile
Affordable steakhouse in East Bay for tonight
I think their fried chicken is good if like any,you eat it right away.I order it with the white country gravy instead of their usual offering and mashed potatoes and just for the pure indulgence of a comforting rich meal,the dungeness crab,avocado and butter lettuce salad.Once or twice a year this meal really hits the spot!
Affordable steakhouse in East Bay for tonight
On Prime Spot...Casual? yes!...Tasty?yes,yes!Outshines an Outback,especially for the price point?yes,yes,YES!
Affordable steakhouse in East Bay for tonight
I do have a future suggestion for you that your Mom will be happy with the price point,food is tasty and friendly family run in Oakland...Prime Spot on Grand Ave.
Gajalee - the real deal for Goan food [SF Bay Area board]
I have not been to the one in SF.Was wonderingi if this was an offshoot of the Gajelee in Mumbai known for it's coastal seafood.My favorites for coastal seafood are Melting Pot in Juhu and Trishna in Fort!
Gajalee - the real deal for Goan food [SF Bay Area board]
There is a Gajalee in Mumbai specializing in coastal seafood.Anyone know if this restaurant has a connection to the Bombay location?
A Coté: A Flashlight on the Side? [Oakland]
It's funny.I ate there at the bar last month and had the same problem reading the menu and bill with my low light challenged eyes.The bar tender pulled out a small flashlight from behind the bar that helped.Evidently others have been challenged by the super low lights.The food as usual was as good as always.
Day Trip to San Fran - tell me your Must-Trys!
Cha Cha Cha ...no no no!Not "can't miss" as you requested.
King Cake in San Jose
Although Consentino's has closed,it is now a Lunardi's that has decided to keep the same products and employees to maintain Cosentino's customer base.I was able to get all the same Italian cold cuts,imported cheeses and pastries at Christmas time.My guess is they will still be making the King Cake.
Do old-fashioned egg rolls still exist?
Okay,I'm in Newark NJ today.The Chinese delivery places make egg rolls with the thicker won ton skin that blisters,not the thin spring roll wrappers.They are either BBQ'd pork with cabbage or shrimp rolls with cabbage.Having grown up in NYC these were the norm but only remember egg to seal the roll not washed in it.
Do old-fashioned egg rolls still exist?
Lee's Cafe in the Woodminister Shopping Center at the top of Lincoln Rd off Highway 13 has them.It's a simple,family run place with fresh ingredients.
2852 Mountain Blvd
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 482-4910
Pearl onion sightings?
Trader Joes has cleaned,fresh,ready to cooked ones that are a convienent,nice size for say a pot pie,creamed or in soup,etc.The whole fresh ones in peels I've seen all over the Bay Area in various stores in the onion section.
RIP Trattoria Corso [Restaurant is not closed; this is about service issues - CH Team]
"...a passive aggressive hostess from hell"...might be the same one who screamed at me last month,a half hour before closing,as I entered the door"Did you call?",mixing me up with another party.I thought maybe it was only me who thought she was having an off night as she stomped around the room with her sourpuss expression.However,the food was great and the bartender treated me to several wine tastings and was a gem of an employee as far as service,warmth and personality.
Any razor/bamboo clam sightings in the Bay Area in restaurants or markets?
New love for razor/bamboo clams while working in Hong Kong.Love the simple,steamed with garlic and cilantro prep.Looking for the long thin bamboo shaped,not the oval shaped clams,also called razor,available in the Pacific Northwest.Thanks
David Sedaris on China and Chinese food
Sorry,have to agree with the author.Work in the country and area monthly(Mainland,Hong Kong and Macau).Different cultural standards concerning hygiene.The most public nose picking,phlegm spewing culture I have seen and I have been world wide.Agree that Japanese culture has different hygienic and aesthetic standardsAlthough there is much great food especially seafood,fish and greens,much of the organs,innards and other preparations are a turn off to me.Was bit last week by something(spider maybe) in a Hong Kong restaurant that resulted in severe allergic reaction and doctor visit.However that could happen anywhere in the world.
Soft Shell Crab cravings
Boot and Shoe Service in Oakland has had them on their menu lately from time to time.They are fresh,plump,fried with a light batter,with an aioli and delicious.Check daily specials.
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Boot and Shoe Service
3308 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Best Menu Options at Bellanico in Oakland?
Very underwhelmed by Bellanico and the owners lack of making any attempt to rectify a take out order I had brought home that the kitchen had made errors on two dishes(omitting major ingredients).Dining at the restaurant I've found attempts at good recipes,however that lacked flavor and tastiness.
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Bellanico
4238 Park Blvd, Oakland, CA 94602
Semolina: can't track down semolina meal (not flour) [Oregon Coast]
That's unfortunate it's not carried at your Whole Foods.It is carried at all WFs in the SF Bay Area in the bulk section.Maybe they would order it for you.
Upbeat vegetarian graduation dinner for family of drinkers
The Conga Lounge on college in Oakland is a lot of fun.It is Tiki bar/tropical motif with music and a dance floor.There is no rental charge for private parties,can accommodate 15-55 people and has various vegetarian options among others.Your family can stay at the Claremont hotel nearby.
http://congalounge.com/private.html
Semolina: can't track down semolina meal (not flour) [Oregon Coast]
Whole Foods,New Seasons or most any health food store with a bulk section carries coarse semolina.
sandwiches for Angel Island?
Why not a sandwich and picnic fixings from Genova Deli in Oakland Sat evening for your excursion Sunday morning?More time to sleep and be leisurely ready for your adventure.Market Hall could do the same for you.
Cosentinos Market, San Jose- Closing!
Really love your comment 512window.Though pricey(and what isn't for quality ala WholePay Check?)this is the only place in the whole bay area to get everything we need in one stop shopping for my Mom's antipasti,salumi,homemade manicotti etc for Christmas and seafood Christmas Eve dinner.Honestly i don't know where we will get the same quality cold cuts and not even Pasta shop in Rockridge,Oakland compares.The key is in the italian name...Cosentinos...A certain sensibility...Sniff!!
Menu with the best burrata?
Boot and Shoe Service in Oakland has an excellent burrata with toast and maybe radishes,figs,beets and Olio Nuovo on it's menu every few days.Since freshness and newly made is the key,when tasting at Whole Foods,the CA Gioia brand won out over the from Italy brand for sweetness,creaminess and freshness.I got the Di Stephano burrata,wrapped in green ribbons(From So Cal,but Puglia style where burrata comes from)during the holidays at Cosentino's along with the antipasti,salumi and other Christmas dinner ingredients.The buratta was sublime!
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Boot and Shoe Service
3308 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Berkeley BART station to UC campus - best place to stop for food
May I suggest Zatar,a couple owned and run,organic ingredient,mediterranean based charming restaurant that sources it's own garden?Cash only.A few blocks from UC Berkeley.
"With its Moroccan pottery, plump pillows, candelabra full of half burnt candles, and thoroughly organic ingredients, Zatar resembles an opium den for health-minded diners."
(San Francisco Magazine)
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Zatar
1981 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Rome
My sister is in the industry and says everything on TV is staged even reality shows.I doubt that fight happened naturally even though Bourdain claims it did in his blog of the episode.Here is the link to the restaurants featured in the Rome show.All are listed except for Il Timoniere.
http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Anthony_Bourdain/Episodes_Travel_Guides/ci.Episode_Rome.map#listings
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iltimoniere.it%2F%3Fp%3D78
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Rome
His producers were trying to recreate the Fellini films vibe with the B+W.For the colors of the food...use your imagination!Wife added some antagonism that is the passion of Italy as was the scene in the ristorante where the pasta amatriaciana was eaten.Of course all of that is staged for the viewing audience.BTW all the ristoranti and locations were named.Just came from Roma today and can never get enough.Loved the wrap up at the beach with the tutti frutti di mare.
Mumbai Restaurants Needed
Emperor's Court at the Renaissance has some good dishes.I love the Crispy Lobster Balls and the Lobster Balls in Garlic/Butter Sauce.The chef recently returned to Shanghai so some dishes have slipped a bit,but the aforementioned are still solid.Baba Ling,chef and owner of Mainland China has opened a new restaurant in Hiranandani.Fratelli Fresh at the Renaissance has a chef from Italy and as an Italian/American I think his food is good for Mumbai.I stay at the Renaissance,which is isolated,four times a month and really feel it's worth the long cab ride to other neighborhoods for the best restaurants.
best appetizers to bring to a party full of foodies?
Though not in SF...it's Oakland...I've always loved this rec for a quick tasty appetizer to go from the Yelp board.I'm sure you could find the same shrimp ceviche in the Mission district:
A friend and I were invited to a Mexican food themed pot luck. She had volunteered us to make enchiladas, unfortunately, my friend and I had way TOO much to drink the night before and were in no position to cook. Luckily, I am quick on my feet and told her to get dressed, grab a large casserole dish with a lid and the Tapatio hot sauce. I got her in the car and started to drive.
"Where are we going?", she asked.
"To make food for this damn pot luck. Don't worry, I have an idea."
I head off to E. 14th and 37th, pulled into the parking lot of La Costa, grabbed the casserole dish and stood in line. La Costa specializes in in ceviche- shrimp, calamari, fish, if it comes from the sea, they have it and it's GOOD! It has a funny little set up, you walk up to the building and there is a guy that takes orders from the window. Although the building looks like it would have space for seating inside, it doesn't, only an open patio with tables. First come, first serve style.
When I get to the front of the line, I ask him how much it would cost to fill my casserole dish with shrimp ceviche and for a mere $20, I was headed off to the potluck with my "home made" dish in hand. We get there, I pull out my casserole dish, set aside the bag of tostadas that had come with the order and put out the Tapatio. Suffice to say, our dish was the most popular dish that night and I still get request for the recipes--- no prob, the recipes in the mail, yeah right.
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Mariscos La Costa
3625 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601
