KathyM's Profile
Ideas for kid-friendly Monday lunch options in South Bay?
Sorry I meant to say I've only been to the Willow Glen location of San Jose on Lincoln Ave.
Ideas for kid-friendly Monday lunch options in South Bay?
You might want to try Aqui Cal-Mex. There are a several locations but I've only been to the original one on Willow Street, San Jose. Very good cal-mex food and they have a kid's menu.
http://www.aquicalmex.com/
"Old" comments about Chowhound posters on the "Losing Interest" thread are OK?
In real life.
"Old" comments about Chowhound posters on the "Losing Interest" thread are OK?
EM23, I apologize if the following will offend you. I don't think the "old" comments refer to actually old people or old-time posters. I think they're referring to old school of thoughts. But in a way, I agree with some of the posters from the "Losing Interest" and "LOLOLOL" threads. Seems like a lot of people here are just so serious. If I had to rate this site in terms of offensiveness, I'd give it a G-rating. I don't post here much but those 2 threads sucked me in. In particular, the "LOLOLOL" thread reminds me of the current meme on the internet about people over-correcting other people's mis-usage of there, their and they're. And I have to say, I actually laughed out loud when I read that thread.
I think some people on this board are hyper-sensitive and very easily offended, at times a lot more than IRL. And I think because we're somewhat Anonymous, people are less shy to call other people out for over really innocent and non-issue issues. Full disclosure, I'm over 40 but I do work for an internet company so let's just say I've seen it all. As a site grows, it will attract lots of people of all ages and backgrounds and communication styles. With this, you will see a lot of one upmanships. For this site right now I'm seeing lots of English majors and psycho-therapists battling each other out. Thank God they like food, which is what's important.
wd-50 - any recent reports, ideally from those who've been to other modernist spots.
I went to WD-50 about 2 months ago and went to Alinea about 2 years ago. I didn't dislike Alinea but I thought it was just ok. Perhaps it's too intellectual, too deep for me. Really enjoyed WD-50. Like others have mentioned, the food is actually pretty accessible and everything makes sense. Service was great too. I wanted the tasting menu but got too full 2/3rd in. They reduced the bill.
What's missing in SF?
Perhaps Michelin is the wrong way approach things but why aren't there more 3-star Michelin restaurants in proper SF. Of course there are the French Laundry, Meadowood and Manresa. But why isn't there one in SF itself? Would also love to have more great Jewish delis in the Bay Area too.
Rice & Beans in Burritos in the US vs. Mexico - Why?
I've only been to Mexico via Club Med (please don't make fun of me) so I've never tasted real street food there. Can someone explain to me the real differences between a burrito in the US versus a burrito in Mexico? I live in northern California and the burritos here come with rice and beans. Not my style. I love rice and beans, but not in a burrito. Whenever I go to a semi-authentic Mexican place and order a burrito, it never includes rice and beans within the burrito; but yet this seems to be the norm. I heard that this is a California anomaly. But can I get some insight as to why this happens? I don't even think Mexicans in Mexico eat burritos that much and that's it's more of an Mexican-American thing, is this true?
Pliny the Younger sightings, 2011
Melanie, you seem to always know their whereabouts. Is it just as simple as calling them up to find out where they will be releasing? Or, is there someone we need to follow on twitter to know?I'm hoping they will be releasing somewhere in the peninsula or south bay...
Pliny the Younger sightings, 2011
I'm not a beer person in the winter, but I would like to taste this. Does anyone know the availability for the next day or so? Thanks.
Lunch near 280 between Palo Alto and Cupertino
House of Falafel in Cupertino if you're interested in Med/Middle Eastern food. The huge Whole Foods on Stevens Creek, blocks away from 280/85, has a great dining counter area. I like Buck's in Woodside too but it could get a tad crowded. Also, check out Rick's Cafe in Los Altos, it has a great variety. Hobee's gets very, very crowded.
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House of Falafel
19590 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014
New Yorkers come to San Fran…Girls only getaway!
For fun places with good food, I would check out the following place:
-Slanted Door, Vietnamese fusion, excellent wine list & awesome view
-Limon, Peruvian
-Nopa, New/Twisted Old American
-Foreign Cinema is excellent as well
-Delfina for Cal Italian for comparison & contrast w/ NY's Italian
Although I have to say that I have not been to any of the above places for over a year and more.
I also agree with a320 that Sonoma is more interesting than Napa. It's a lot more laid back w/ more freebie wine samples. But if you're looking for a more picturesque Kodak moment of a wine country scene, then Napa is where you should go.
And as a side note, if you do decide to go to Sonoma, check out the Osmosis Day Spa for the cedar enzyme bath, it's very Californian....
Have fun!
One night in San Francisco: Gary Danko or Chez Panisse?
My choices if I were you:
-The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton
-GD, great service, great food
-La Folie but make sure you get a table in the main dining room and not in the back room
-Michael Mina, love it
-Coi, never been but from the comments from everyone here, it's my next destination spot and seems like it will be a great compromise for you
-Ame, love it
CP, not a fan.
food + jazz on the peninsula?
Music is great. Food is just ok, not bad, not great. But service was a little odd, that is if you have to deal with the owner. My boss made reservation for a group of us. On the day of, 3-4 people dropped out. She called to revise the number of people. The owner/manager berated her about why people would not want to come. Uh, because we're trying to give you an extra table...When I and another coworker showed up 10 minutes early to open time. The door was open (we didn't realized we were early), the manager/owner asked to wait outside, weird...
restaurant suggestions in San Carlos, Los Gatos, Cupertino?
Try Le Petit Bistro in Mountain View for traditional, French old school cuisine, the price is great for what you're getting and the setting is only semi stuffy and most of the clientele is of the early-bird dinner types. It's not exciting but the food tastes great for what it is, grand-mere cuisine....
I know you said you're not into Asian but also check out Gochi in Cupertino which is a Japanese fusion tapas place, very crowded and semi hard to get a reservation but I really like the BBQ pork "pizza".
Need Restaurant Recommendations for Graduation Meal near Stanford
So I know it's a semi-chain and food is, well, it is what it is, not horrible. But if you want a fun place that the young ones would like, try Buca di Beppo. I believe they only take reservations for a big group.
Plumed Horse in Saratoga?
Has anyone been here recently? If yes, would you recommend the tasting menu?
Best of DC area chow for first timer?
I'm certainly no expert on the DC eating scene. But this is my impression from someone from the SF Bay Area. Stay clear away from Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. Yes, they're good here, compared to say the US midwest or the south, but Thai and Vietnamese (and Korean) restaurants in the LA and the Bay Area are significantly better. The only Asian Chinese place I would even recommend (w/ reservation, due to the semi schlockish factor) is Peking Duck Inn in Falls Church. Excellent peking duck and and the bullet proof table for the Bushes certainly adds points to the comedy level.
Except for Ethiopian which I still not have fully explored, DC is really great for continental/french and east coast style seafood. My favorites so far have been Hank's Oyster Bar, Marcel's, Proof and Central. I'm still trying to get into the Minibar now, for the last 3 years...
I would not bother looking to Japanese, Chinese or Mexican either if you're coming from LA. Although I hear Oyamel (sp?) is worth looking into?
Looking for great mid-price lunch spot near Int'l Spy Museum
Hi everybody,
Thanks for all the recs. Just wanted to report back. We went Zola after all. This is probably one of the best designed restaurants I've ever been to; love, love the booze carts/islands in all the spaces. I ordered the house cured pastrami & cheese sandwich. At $17 for a sandwich, I was expecting thick slabs of pastrami like Katz'. Alas no, it tastes more like a thinly sliced roast beef sandwich w/ hints of pickling spices. It was good, but not what I had imagined. The accompanied parmesan shoe string fries were addictive. I also tried my sis' pulled pork sandwich, pretty good. Overall I like the space and the attentive service but the pastrami was not to my particular taste. Not bad, just not really pastrami as god intended it to be.
BTW, I forgot to mention I've been to Proof last year so I didn't want to go there again. Great place but I think Hank's and Central are still my favorites so far for mid/upper mid range places.
Looking for great mid-price lunch spot near Int'l Spy Museum
@Rovingfoodie, the menu at Zola looks intriguing. Any specific dish(es) you would recommend?
@hill food, which Ethiopian place(s) would you recommend in the U street area and elaborate if possible?
@steve, thanks for the rec, but I forgot to mention I've been to Zaytinya, which is really great, but I want something new.
Looking for great mid-price lunch spot near Int'l Spy Museum
Hi,
I will be visiting the Int'l Spy Museum tomorrow. Looking for a great mid-price lunch spot not too far from the museum, something casual but w/ great execution like Hank's Oysters Bar. Coming from the SF Bay Area, I would like something different, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern, french bistro, or regional american. I definitely prefer not eating Asian, Indian or Italian. I love Central but have been there twice already. Is there anything close to it but not quite as pricey? Not into driving too much around DC proper so would prefer something within 5 miles of the museum.
BTW, just had dinner at Marcel's last night, I adore the boudin blanc and the alaskan king crab. The venison tastes great, but I wasn't really into the wild rice (?) side that went with it. The poached pear dessert is to die for, still can't figure out how they do it. Great restaurant w/ great service, albeit a tad fawning. But that's fine by me, fawn away.
Thanks in advance for your help.
moving up that way..trying to decide if we live in the Portola valley would we NEED to go into town for good food
Bbulkow, I think you mean Village Pub instead of Woodside Pub.
To the OP, if you're into Japanese food, you might like Kaygetsu in Menlo Park.
in-n-out?
Thomas Keller prefers his In-N-Out fries well done.
http://www.esquire.com/the-side/feature/top-fast-food-restaurants-0909
Go to 2nd slide for quote from Keller.
And apparently, Daniel Boulud is a big fan as well.
http://www.maxim.com/humor/stupid-fun/83059/welcome-to-burger-heaven.html
Lunch - Downtown San Jose
Go to La Pastaia in the DeAnza Hotel or Paolo's on San Carlos Street. I've always had excellent meals there and the service is great at both. Although I have to say I haven't been at Paolo's for a while.
Yet Another Question About Affordable Restaurants
A friend is visiting from MA and will be near the Golden Gate park area. I will be coming from the Caltrain station so places in between these 2 locations is a bonus. Two other local SF friends will be joining us as well. We're looking for an affordable (less than $20/entree), fun, festive place (meaning there will be alcohol) for this mini-reunion. I'm interested in trying out a new a Mexican, Peruvian or American (soul, creole, BBQ,diner) restaurant. I would love to find a cheaper version of Town Hall which I love but the excellent cocktails will be the demise of my budget. For Mexican, I'm looking for a very authentic, regional sort of place. At the risk of getting boos I have to say I cannot stand places that serve mission style burritos so please, no recommendation for those sort of places. Thanks.
Teach Me How to Go to a Taco Truck (moved from L.A. board)
I like my taco meat/quesadilla crispy. What would be the correct way to ask for it? I've looked up Babel Fish Translation and the word for crispy is curruscante. So, should I ask for my tacos "Muy curruscante?" Please help me say the correct phrase.
Butchery & Belgian Beer: A Recipe for Violence or Heaven?
La Trappe is hosting "An Evening of Butchery & Belgian Beer" on the 23rd. "Dave The Butcher" will lead participants on how to break down a goat. Has anyone taken classes by him? I'm curious.
http://www.askyourbutcher.com/
San Jose dinner recs - ideas?
I've been to Nami Nami several times and the food is great. But I would not consider it to be a "fun" happening place. It's very quiet and there won't be a lot of choices for alcoholic beverages. I think they only serve sake, beer and possibly a few choices of wine.
You can take the light rail (right in front of the Convention Center) to go to downtown Mountain View. You are also minutes away from the Caltrain station so you can easily go to Palo Alto. Pampas is directly across from the Caltrain stop. There are 2 decent modern Indian restaurants in downtown Palo Alto: Junnoon and Mantra. They're both fun places to eat at too.
San Jose dinner recs - ideas?
Oi, I used to be a big proponent of 71 St. Peter and Seven but not anymore, food is not as good and service is sort of a let down. I've only been to Amber India in (original Mountain View branch) which is very good but I wouldn't say it's a happening place compared to the Santana Row branch. I've always had extremely bad service at places in Santana Row. Although if you value "fun" over deliciousness then Santana Row is the place for you.
If you're willing to drive about 15-20 min. north, go to Xanh in downtown Mountain View for fusion Vietnamese or Cascal for tapas/Spanish food. Or go to Pampas in Palo Alto for a slightly pricey but great Brazilian steakhouse meat extravaganza.
Town Hall, Salt House, or Anchor & Hope
I just went to Town Hall too. The starters were incredible. I had the veal meatballs with grits and the fried squash blossoms stuffed with cheese. My main of the pork chop was a little bit of a miss though. It was a little bit dried for my taste, but perhaps that's because I like my pork chop cooked medium rare to medium. The drinks were fantastic.
