tequilasnotinfresno's Profile
Where to eat near LA Live?
It's interesting how different people like different things :) I feel that Fleming's is much better than either Cut or Maestros (all of them). Maestros is great, I simply perfer Fleming's sides and wet age steaks better. Cut is a WASTE OF Money. After spending close to 300 on drinks and appetizers as we waited for our 7:00 pm reservation (it was 8:30 when we left the bar and we still had not be sat) we left and went to Flemings for dinner. We were unimpressed with their lack of service and and lack of menu knowledge (this was a manager). This is a place to be seen, not to have a great meal.
What is your top pet peeve when going through a chain restaurant drive thru?
Ugh, I too hate to admit to frequently McD's as of late, but my pet peeve is the french fries. I swear there is a corporate policy to not open the fry container all the way and/or not fill them. 9 out of the 10 last times, they have been severely under filled
Fresno's Top 100--Let's make a list!
You can purchase Foie Gras at Bentleys. They sell it pre cooked and rolled in cheese cloth, as well as fresh. A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to get a couple of the Kobe Steaks they had, and topped it with Foie Gras ....mmmmmm
Oyama Report (Fresno)
Sadly, Oyamas is no longer. Well, technically it is but the personality and creativeness that has led to the great reviews is gone. Oyamas has been sold and Sonny is no longer there. Chefs Bo and Lou can be found at Bo's new Sushi restaurant on the Southwest side of town. I'll have to find out the name and update you all. I will also keep tabs on Sonny and see where he ends up. We have talked with him about opening a small American/French Fusion restaurant in the area. He just came back from CB in New York. I wouldn't be suprised if he ended up at Chef's Table or a similar high end place!
Fine Dining Fresno Area
I am sorry, I feel the need to respond as well. If you actually did your research, you would find that Fresno has a lower per-capita crime rate than San Francisco, San Jose, or LA. Ironically, a good portion of our crime is centralized in a 2 mile x 2 mile radius. As you might know from visiting, Fresno is a rather spreadout community. I live on the north end of town. We don't lock our doors unless we are leaving time. You see is 'back country' towns like Fresno, neighbors still take care of neigbors. Additionally, within the Fresno area is Clovis Unified, which is considered one of the premier school districts in the state.
Now, back to my original intent for tonight, trying to decide between Ernas, Max's, Flemings, Slates, Ripe Tomato, Chef's Table and the Palms for dinner. Yeah, Fresno sucks :)
Btw, I ate at Gary Danko's 3 weeks ago. The service was impeccable, the food was average. In my opinion, the menu (and we made a point of ordering a vast selection) does not challenge the palete in the manner that Erna's might. In SF, a better choice would be Fluer de Lys.
Oyama Report (Fresno)
You should try it at night ....but leave the kiddos at home :)
See the picture of above the sushi bar ... that's our volleyball team. See the bottom row of boxes on the right hand side (shared with Quiznos) wall? Those are our empties. Tell any of the Sushi chefs or the manager (Jesse, older asian woman) that I sent you (you can figure out my name by looking at the bottom row of boxes:) Drop me a message through here and maybe we can meet there one night.
As good as the sushi is ... Sonny, the head sushi chef and part owner is an incredible chef ... in fact, our last two visits have included very little sushi. We've had a beautiful Red Snapper Filet, Pork Chops, Tenderloin, etc, etc, etc, etc
If you like food ... this guy can do it.
Sushi in Fresno
I haven't heard of Oka. Interesting, I will have to check it out. We go to Zipangu alot for Teppan because it's so cheap (but good) compared to the other places in town. I always eat sushi, but I don't remember theirs being spectacular. I'll have to go for dinner one night and have sushi and give it a try :)
Sushi in Fresno
I'd like opinions on the best Sushi in Fresno. I obviously have my opinions but would love to hear others as well.
My top two are:
Oyamas
This place is aboslutely the best. It's not just the sushi, it's the staff and the atmosphere!!! It's hidden next to Red Robin in the Riverpark area. The head sushi chef/part owner Sunny is completely insane, in a good way :) If you are sitting at the sushi bar, look at the boxes to your right ..... that's me :) (The bottom row has a common name on all the boxes!! :) Sunny also studied at CIA (Culinary Institute of Art) and makes the most incredible dishes. He recently made a snapper that was amazing!!! On any given night, you might be able to persaude the sushi chefs to share a sip or two (or several) of sake with you.
Edo Ya
Don't know them as well, but always enjoy the sushi tremedously.
Salsa's Bar and Grill, Fresno Report
Yes, it is a small family owned business only in Fresno. I've jokely tried to convince them to franchise, but they just laugh :)
I haven't had the opportunity to go to Mezcal's as of yet, but I do hope to soon. The bummer is that they close at 9, and we don't think about eatting dinner in the summer until about 8.
Salsa's Bar and Grill, Fresno Report
Fajita Fiesta actually has 3 locations. They have one downtown on Divisadero. This is the original location and has mainly a lunch crowd. I believe they only serve beer/wine at this location. The second location is at Cedar/Nees. They have a small corner bar. The third, and new location, is located on Shaw/Cedar next to Black Angus. They have the full bar and large capacity seating. The fajitas are the best I have ever had!!!!
Salsa's Bar and Grill, Fresno Report
My opinion of Salsas ....
First off, the food is absolutely spectacular. They have a smaller location in Clovis tucked away inside one of the buildings off Polasky. They have the absolute best Stuffed Jalapenos in the world. They actually leave the seeds in!!!! The wife primarily runs this location.
As for the Palm/Herndon location. As stated in the earlier review, they have excellent service and are very accomadating. The food is excellent as well.
The down side .....they market themselves as a tequila bar. I was excited when the wife told me they were opening. they have approximately 60 tequilas. The owner claims that he has every tequila available to him, but there are several bottles that other restaurants carry that they do not, so this is obviously not the case.
My other complaint is the pour amount and the pour method. First, let me explain that we have over 100 different tequilas at home. These range from tasty but expensive bottles (20 bucks) to bottles upwards of $600. We have been to Salsa's on three seperate occasions to eat a lite dinner and sample a few tequilas each. Those that have a true appreciation for tequila drink it 'neat' ... no chilling, no lime, no salt. Most of us also prefer to have it in a snifter or at least a rocks glass, especially when drinking something higher end. Every shot we have ordered at Salsa's has come in a shot glass. Furthermore, they jigger pour the shot. Two complaints ... First, when I am drinking a $50 shot, I don't think it's out of line to be poured more than 1 1/4 oz. And this wasn't poured by a bartender, it was poured by the owner!!! I have been to several tequila bars in the state as well as the country and have never had a high end shot jigger poured. Second, the jigger is not rinsed between pours. That means my $50 shot is tainted with someone's shot of Cuervo Especial!!!!!!!! (aka rot gut)
Another complaint I have, especially as the owner, is the knowledge level (or lack thereof) about tequila that the owner had. Again, they market themselves as a tequila bar. Being a tequila 'addict', I have more knowledge than most. I have visited several distilleries in Mexico, etc. However, there is just some basic knowledge that I would expect an owner of a self proclaimed tequila bar to know. He didn't.
In the end, we probably won't go back for tequila. I hear a new place opened down on Van Ness called Mezcals and they have about 30 different tequilas. Also, check out Fajita Fiesta at the new Shaw location. Absolutely wonderful food!!!! AND .... I hope to convince them to grow their tequila selection:)
