aha! I see it on their menu. Thanks

I'm searching for a restaurant that serves calamari that has been sauteed in a wine and tomato sauce. The last place I've had this was at Baby Joe's when they were on Broadway. Surely, with all the Italian and Sicilian families in the Bay Area, someone has this to offer.

Thanks hohokam. I did find it and had an excellent burger.

Found it:
3961 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
South West corner of 40th street and Camelback
http://www.thegrindaz.com

I read that "The Grind" serves an awesome burger but am having trouble locating it on Google maps. Is it still in Phoenix?
If not, where do you recommend?

My order from "Oregon Wines on Broadway" arrived !

I had a great couple of days (my first time) in Portland.
Dinner at Urban Farmer was delicious.
Drinks at the Hotel Deluxe were outstanding thanks to Kat.
Visited Vinopolis and purchased a bottle. Will probably shop online with them. Great selection.
Lunch at Veritable Quandary was very good.
Did some tasting at Wines on Broadway and bought a half-dozen bottles. (Evening Lands, Scott Paul and Ayoub). Very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff.
Dinner and wine at Nostrana was fabulous. The BEST !
Can't wait to return and try some more. But, I will definitely be back at Nostrana. Even if I have only one evening for dinner, it will be at Nostrana.

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Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214

Veritable Quandary
1220 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204

Urban Farmer
525 SW Morrison St., Portland, OR 97204

You Portland folks rock !
I may end up drinking dinner at MetroVino one night and either Nostrana or Urban Farmer the other.
I promise to report back.

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Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214

MetroVino
1139 NW 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209

Urban Farmer
525 SW Morrison St., Portland, OR 97204

Thanks !

I will be in Portland for a very limited time (Sunday and Monday) but I want to find;
1) A wine shop that carries Owen Roe wine as well as other Oregon wines and is open of course. I've found several wineshops online that are closed on Sunday.
2) A great place for dinner both nights. Prefer either Italian, American, Local/Organic or all of the above. Again, I've found a couple that sparked my interest that are closed both nights.

My favorite is the Kafir Lime. Have you tried any unique rums down there. Isn't Zacapa from Guatamala?

The Union Inn and Pub has VERY good food. I've had 3 dishes there so far and all were very good to excellent. Friendly service. Wide variety of beer and very nice selection of wines. A few slip-ups on the lodging makes me think they have a weak link or two but, overall a great place.

yes I am and I have been very pleased with their selections. The club has introduced me to a lot of wines I may have never tried otherwise. I also appreciate that they customize it to suit your budget, taste, etc

Valona and Crockett were two separate towns years ago. The division is roughly where the schools are. Crockett to the East of the Schools, Valona to the West. Surrounding towns include(d) Port Costa, Eckley, Selby and Tormey. all were inhabited towns, not merely plots of land as some are today.

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Valona
1323 Pomona St, Crockett, CA 94525

excuse me for interrupting but, God Bless Vera's Villa Valona ! I remember diners parking their cars along old Highway 40 for what seemed like half a mile.

slightly veering off subject here but, have you tried the goods at The Spanish Table? Great olives, spices, a few meats and I'm betting they have sardines.

CH added a ink to the Mill valley location. I'm speaking of the Berkeley store.

I'm looking forward to a visit to the Sebastapol location but, you can't go wrong with a visit to the Sonoma location. Their cafe is small but was very good last time I tried it. If it doesn't ring your bell, there are several great spots to chow within walking distance of the Sonoma Wine Shop. and it is a GREAT wine shop !

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Sonoma Wine Shop
2295 Gravenstein Hwy S, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Thank you Hounds for an awesome recommendation.
I drove about 25 miles south on I-80 West to Picante in Berkeley for lunch because of the ridiculous backup on I-80 Eastbpound.
For dinner, I headed 25 miles North to La Mixteca. It is excellent and I will be back soon. I had the tacos suadero this time. I'm hoping to take someone with me on my next trip so I can try two or three dishes. The owner, Sylvia is very sweet also.

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La Mixteca
2580 Jefferson St, Napa, CA 94558

AAnthony,
I'm interested in hearing how your trip went.
How were your meals?
Were you able to visit all the wineries on your itinerary?
What did you enjoy most?

Ole's in Alameda, about 10 minutes north of the airport.

I finally had the opportunity to try Marcellino and I was definitely not dissappointed. It was excellent all around; food, wine, atmosphere. Not easy to spot for those that have never been there. I drove past it twice but, I won't have to worry about that happening again. My stomache and taste buds will take over where my navigational skills fail.
BTW: They are still advertising Opera Night. maybe irregularly though?

If you decide to head south from Vallejo, just across the Zampa Bridge in Crockett is "The Dead Fish" with a great view from a large bar area.
The food is "good to very good" and it has a nice bar scene.

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Dead Fish
20050 San Pablo Avenue, Crockett, CA 94525

I found this new book on Italian dessert and just wondered if anyone was familiar with the Authors creations.

My Sweet Abruzzo

Recipes and Memories from Abruzzo

By Maria Capdevielle

I suggest Seghesio for great wines (particularly their Zinfandels) at affordable prices.

Seghesio Family Vineyards
14730 Grove St.
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Toll Free:866.734.4374

I have never ordered anything but the western omellete (full-size) and love it but seldom have the time to visit. I also really like their house salsa. Their pancakes are called "manhole covers" due to their size.

If you have the time, "The Alley" in Pinole serves excellent (and very large portions)breakfast. Best in the Bay Area that I've tried.

Prized wines - YES
Small lots - YES
Sold only locally - YES
I personally prefer reds; Meritage, Pinot Noir, Zin, Cab.
My intent is to buy some good wine that they would otherwise be unable to purchase without coming to Northern CA.

I'm looking to buy some wine for friends that live in various areas of the USA and I would like to take advantage of my proximity to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
I would like to purchase some wine that is available only by visiting the winery.
Does anyone know of a list of such wineries?
I am hoping to avoid having to visit each winery's website.
I can drive to anywhere from Napa to Healdsburg and fortunately, I can accomplish some of my shopping during the week and away from hordes of traffic.

I must agree. The food was very good but, the service was not.