ellenm's Profile
Restaurants with "house-grown" produce
It was great. There were two of us we split the truffle fries ($6.00 enough for four people), flash fried brussels sprouts with lemon, garlic and hot pepper($8 and a big serving -enough for a meal by itself), and the tuscan bean soup ($12) I'm still thinking about the soup. .
Everything was wonderful. It's not a formal, fancy place but the food is.
Saturday Farmers Market in Santa Rosa?
The Santa Rosa Market has a blog now...and a list of vendors
www.santarosafarmersmarket.blogspot.com
It's brand new and still adding permanent information
comments are welcomed and suggestions too
Tip, Tax,...and Health Insurance Surcharge?
It is a political statement and it's the choice of the restaurant to make it.
However I will not be going back to 2223 Market in SF as they force the servers to
make a political speech about the health care surcharge. Also they have taken part in the worst kind of vicious rumor in order to make a political statement
I hope people vote with their dollars and do not eat at restaurants who are turning this into a political war hoping the diners will take sides.
El Caches taco truck (Windsor and Santa Rosa farmers markets)
nope that was my first go around -- I really liked the Windsor market though and may go back this week for the evening market.
El Caches taco truck (Windsor and Santa Rosa farmers markets)
I must have just missed you. I too had the mahi mahi special crunchy but with the green sauce and it was pretty good. I think they are saving the flor de calabaza for next week's zucchini festival.
Guerneville weekend - tips?
http://www.applewoodinn.com/dine/menu_bistro.html
this is a link for the "bistro" nights Applewood
Jonathan's is an Italian steakhouse (like Buck's if you remember that)
I too recommend Cafe Les Jamelles ..even though they are still working out some rough spots ...it is worth it.
Breakfast coffe --the Coffee Bazaar corner of River Road and Armstrong Wood Rd
Mirepoix in Windsor - pure disappointment
we brought the wine --sorry if that wasn't clear.
The pork pot pie was 13, my entree was 19 and the other two 24.
And we went to powells for dessert :) There are a couple of other items hovering in under 15 range. Friends who used to be big fans of Zazu now come to Mirepoix because of the range of choices and prices. I come for the french fries. For over the top lily gilding the cote de pork is wonderful. It's a giant pork chop sitting on a foothill of mashed potatoes, some token perfectly prepared seasonal vegetable....topped with onion rings.
And one other little note -this kitchen has no fear of frying. Almost every plate has something fried..
I'm sorry the original poster had such a bad experience. It has made me think about some places something similar happened to me and I never went back.
Healdsburg hotel and restaurant recs
Taqueria El Sombrero for a lighter lunch type. Or. El Farolito which even has that classic reputed hangover cure, menudo con pata, tripe soup with beef feet. Both in Central Healdsburg. Also for a good deal on centrally located lodging --Best Western Dry Creek -it's walking distance to everything is Healdsburg.
Mirepoix in Windsor - pure disappointment
update
party of four last night -promptly seated -
ordered fries for our starter -they are great -a triple cooking style first blanched in water cooled fully dried, then blanched in oil and then the final frying in oil right before serving....if you are french fry fanatic this is the spot for you.
butter lettuce salads
two halibuts in a potatoe crust
hanger steak
and the pork pot pie
brought a bottle --bluenose zin lovely
everything was great and the diners in the rest of the room all looked very happy
this time no dessert (we walked over to Powells for ice cream)
total check before tip -$115 they serve the same menu from 11:30-9 closed on Mondays.
Occidental Chowdown Report: Gerard’s Paella and Farmers Market
I don't know the kind of rice but it looked like a long grain and it stayed firm and not mushy with a nice saffron flavor and color
Occidental Chowdown Report: Gerard’s Paella and Farmers Market
Seafood in the paella -dover sole, shrimp (some with heads on --some not) and mussels. We didn't try the vegetarian. Both seemed equally popular and it looked like they sold out by the end of the market.
The cooking surface looked like a biig shallow wok and he had customized with some sort of metal apron.
Occidental Chowdown Report: Gerard’s Paella and Farmers Market
Gerald and his traveling paella has been written up quite a bit in North Bay papers. Usually he is catering private parties. Since he lives in the Occidental area he participates in the Market. Everything about it was just right. Especially the rice
Melanie sent back our order to make sure we got some of the crusty bottom -hmmmmgood.
He is an interesting guy and when the stand is not too busy --happy to chat about what makes the best paella.
The Occidental Farmer's Market also has a samosa maker (they are quite large stuffed with patotoes and peas) sold with a cilantro chutney, "handsized" meat pies (I didn't get one but they look like 'pasties' and pot pies from Mary (you may remember her from Mary's Pot Pies on Bodegea Highway. The produce available all looked great and there were also a number of herb and flower vendors
I really enjoyed meetin kare_raisu --I love mole and he turned up with the menus from the Oaxacan restaurant in Cotati. Big thanks to Melanie for pointing out this great adventure practically in my backyard. Since Rocker Oysterfeller's is on my list I was disappointed about that but am still hoping we can have a chow event there.
It says something about the paella when I forgot to mention the bbq (which I love) --we got a small sample of the beef -good and an order of the pork --very good. Personally I would prefer a spicer sauce but the meat was tasty and tender. Also while in Occidental you can get Panizzera sausage fresh at the Boehmian market. Panizzera sausage is made in Occidental no- additives and no fillers- by a third generation Occidental sausage maker.
Mirepoix in Windsor - pure disappointment
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. I was there recently and had a great experience. Party of four. Everyone loved everything. And everything was cooked as ordered. Our orders included the duck confit. the brined porkchop, and the tuna. and french fries (which are great) for a starter.
One possibility for recent uneven experience is they are now open for lunch and they may still be working out the problems with being open an additional six hours,
And I am going again on Saturday ...so I'll report in
Help me choose - girl and the fig or K&L Bistro?
I like K and L
a particular favorite the carmelized onion tart with blue cheese and apple.
Lovely desserts
Boca Steakhouse Novato
No thank you Cynsa for being the one to bring it up Boca
we did have one prime rib I should have said we all had beef.it was good and at least as big as his head.
Stormy's was a thicker cut -- it might have the edge. I think lunch looks like a great deal and the patio would be very nice. Just in passing the Triple S one of the other "meatcentric" places we had talked about in the North Bay is closed.
Boca Steakhouse Novato
Ever since our dinner at Stormy’s and one of the hounds mentioned duck fat fries at Boca
In Novato I have wanted to go.
Last night we went -dinner for five at 6:15 -
Plenty of parking --right off the freeway. We arrived at the same time as an ambulance
A patron had fallen and needed medical assistance. I was amazed at how calm the staff was and how well they responded to the emergency.
The restaurant is large -big tables and chairs -tables are well spaced. It’s luxury rustic with giant picture of a steer on one wall. Pretty much everything except dessert is cooked over a wood fired grill in an open kitchen. There is also a patio. There is a separate bar area and an extensive bar menu.
To start we had tuna tartare -great; empanadas -also very good; lobster corn dogs -sounds like a good idea not.
They also have a jar of half sour pickles (which oddly have a jalapeño in them) but the pickles aren’t hot and they are good. They should share that recipe with some of Jewish delis around.
We all had steak --at 8 oz the grass fed filet mignon was the smallest item --(dinners come with vegetables -mixed beans -green, wax, and snow peas -it was only ok and baked potato or mashed - acceptable )
The house specialty is the “gaucho steak” for two which was enough food for a family of four for a week
Since it was the weekend, prime rib was available and it’s an enormous slab.
Another eater got the mixed grill -which we were surprised to learn isn’t a mix of kinds of meat but of cuts of beef .
Everyone order their beef -rare and all orders arrived that way. Everyone was very happy with the beef --it was definitely there is massive quantities and quite tasty. I’m not sure I could tell that big a difference between the grass and grain fed beef. It is all flavorful and tender.
The sides we ordered were charred broccolini , grilled asparagus with
Truffle Oil , sautéed mushrooms -herbs and sherry. The kitchen does a much better job with these vegetables then the ones that come with dinner. And the duck fat fries….they are long and skinny as in the McDonald’s version and although they meant it in the nicest way --that’s what someone said -it reminded them of the McDonald’s fry done in beef fat.
(I order fries whenever I can I live in the North Bay my current best fry is the Frontroom the Bar at John Ash. Oddly they used Yukon golds it’s midsize fry -handcut- with a nice crispy outside and a fluffy interior. ) you could skip the ice berg lettuce salad too.
Desserts buttter scotch pudding,seasonal berries with crème anglais, strawberry shortcake and parfait. We split them. They were all good especially the strawberry shortcake.
Great cocktails -- also a Mt Veeder cab which was perfect, and one person tried the red wine flight Red Wine Flight 9.50 Three 2 oz. poursTerra Rosa, Malbec, Trefethen Double TT, Cabernet, Napa ,Paul Hobbs, Cocodrilo Cabernet Sauvignon, Happy with the liquor.
It’s not a place for a cheap date on Saturday night but at other times Boca offers a lot of bargain opportunities -the bar menu is half off during happy hour M-F
On Tuesday the wine list is half off and the last Tuesday of each month they have a wine maker offering tastings. They are also open for lunch and that menu looks pretty reasonable.
There are nods to Morrone’s Argentine background -chimichurri sauce, the empanadas but mostly it is a very comfortable steak house with a lot of pricing options. Dress is casual although if you were dressed up for a special occasion you would not feel out of place.
http://www.bocasteak.com/
Stormy's Spirits and Supper
The cosmo was just fine and it really is a double.....you get the shaker too
When we were sitting at the bar there was a big stack of glass shakers and I asked the bartender about them and he said martinis were the specialty.
Stormy's Spirits and Supper
Message
Stormy's Spirits And Supper
6650 Bloomfield Rd sort of between Petaluma and Valley Ford
Six hounds met to have prime rib "as big as your head."
Stormy's is in old town Bloomfield --there is no new town. Full bar.
We never looked at the menu so I can't tell you about other options or the wine list
we brought our own. Everyone had the same thing prime rib and everyone was
smiling laughing and very happy. We had a fried moment to start garlic fries, fried calamari , and onion rings. I liked the onion rings best. Next was a Boston style clam chowder and a mixed green salad both served family style. And then the prime rib -most ordered rare and it came that way. Sides mashed potatoes and a broccoli/carrot veg mix. No dessert for me
but the other five headed south and east were on their way for homemade pie at the Washoe House on Stonypoint Rd. The sides and etc's were just fine but the draw is the prime rib and it was tender but not mushy and had a lot of flavor. With corkage for the wines we brought including tip the cost was $48.00. This was my first opportunity to meet fellow hounds and truthfully I was having so much fun it almost didn't matter what we were eating.
The atmosphe is roadhouse. Our table was in the bar by the fireplace. It was cozy although a bit toasty. There is a larger dining room that has less charm. Thank you to Melanie Wong and "Ruby Louise" for organizing the dinner. We had so much fun we figured out a couple of other North Bay places we want to try --The Triple S Ranch, Parry's, and Rocker Oysterfellers, Valley Ford Hotel . Stormy's serves dinner Thursday thru Sunday
Want to go to Napa...
if it's pinot you are looking for you should be traveling to Sonoma County and the Russian River Appelation
Presidio Social Club (quick review)
I went last night -a group of five --cocktails, wine, apps and an extra entree -- $280 with tip free
parking and full bar. There have been a number of reviews so we stuck to the items that had been universally well received and were quite happy. We shared two orders of the cheese toasts with the tomato dipping sauce. Everyone liked the gruyere toasted cheese triangles and the tomato fondue manages a summer tomato taste. Two ordered the flat iron steak, twoporterhouse pork chops, one veal stew and a mac and cheese to share. Entrees come with a choice of sides we ordered spinach, mashed potatoes and french fries - all very good with a slight nod to the mashed potatoes. It's comfort food if your mother was a great cook.
A tiny quibble or two. The service was great up until dessert and coffee. The coffee service sucked. We were served the smallest expresso ever and of course because you could see the bottom of the cup -- it was cold. And it has taken a long long long time to get that so we didn't complain. I am 100% sure they would be responsive to any concern. According to notes on the menu -- daily specials and a happy hours are in the works.
Healdsburg recommendations
This is a site that posts menus
http://www.healdsburgmenus.com/index.php?post_cat=All
I disgree about Cyrus - it's well worth the money. Bovolo is a cafeteria style restuarant and quite expensive and I don't find it to be as good as their restuarant in Santa Rosa. On the lower end there are some great taquierias and bakeries. Tres Sombreros and the Creamery are two places to check out.
John Ash in Santa Rosa - - good food, great patio!
We had dinner in the Frontroom last night --the less formal part of the dining area and is part of the bar. You can order from the bar menu or the full dinner menu. I was drinking blood orange cosmopolitans and the others were drinking wine. We had french fries at the bar while waiting for one of our party. They were good --crispy/crusty outside and tender inside. Flavored with spices and garlic -the $6 portion was big enough for three people. I had the pork carnitas quesadilla ok but not great. The others were much happier -pears in zin salad and the lamb sandwich and the tuna tower (raw ahi with avacado salad) and pizza margharita -thin crust and tasty sauce. The wine list was a big hit. They had a number of half bottles and the wine drinkers had half bottles of Merry Edwards -Sauvignon Blanc and a Raffinelli zin and were delighted. My dining companions like the trend to more half bottles being available.
Mombo's Pizza (Santa Rosa) - Review
Mombo's also has an outpost in Sebastopol in the Fiesta Market Shopping Center. I'm a NY PIe person but they do not sell by the slice and sometimes that's all one needs and Mombo's fills that bill nicely. NY Pie also has another location on Yalupa and I think they deliver. Plus I understand they are looking for a west side location.
Michael Mina or Cyrus
I have been to both fairly recently and add my vote for Cyrus.
At Michael MinneaI had the duck duck dish and was underwhelmed. The people who were the happiest got the kobe beef dishes (big supplemental charges) and only the person who got the chocolate dessert was happy with their choice --out of nine people. The people who ordered lobster dishes both the pot pie and the brandy sauce thought the lobster meat was tough and over cooked. I think the ingredient three ways in an interesting culinary concept but doesn't always play out in practice.
Elegant lunch restaurant rec for San Rafael area needed
Our version of the fries or whatever were similar to the McDonald Fry. Long and skinny but hot and with a softer interior. I'm trying to replay our experience to see if the full bar may have fuzzed up the rest of the meal. Because of the reviews we stayed away from things that had been slammed universally. (anything Cubano) We split an Asian chicken salad and the steak and were very happy. It's such a lovely comfortable room and there was no trouble hearing or lingering.
It seems from reading other people's experiences like the little girl with the curl --either very very good or awful. I thought Chef on board might be the difference but there must be more.
Elegant lunch restaurant rec for San Rafael area needed
I had avoided it because of the earlier uneven reviews and then it was featured on one of the KQED shows.
http://blogs.kqed.org/food/?p=205
The revews were so good it seemed worth a visit. And it was.
I'm partial to the full bar so that's always a plus with me.
I always order french fries --it's my test dish. We got an order with drinks and they were good --thin and crispy.
I guess the place has good and bad days and it might be worth checking to make sure Maria is on site when you are going but I stand by the recommendation.
Elegant lunch restaurant rec for San Rafael area needed
I recommend Maria Manso World Cusine
http://www.mariamanso.com/
It has gotten mixed reviews on this board and you should check them out as well but I think it fits the bill as a special place for lunch.
russian river dining suggestions?
Pignoli in Occidental is very nice. The winter menus included wonderful short ribs. If you are willing to drive a bit
Mosaic in Forestville is worth the trip as are Stella's and the Farmhouse Inn.
Mosaic Forestville
I had dinner there last night and it was great.
We split an appetizer and salad and the entrees are huge -
we waddled out. The bill for two -- 116.
Everything was great -- I had a coffee encrusted filet mignon served in a chcolate cabernet sauce with a bluecheese compound butter and
truffled mashed potatoes. I would call it lily gilding of the finest variety. All of the dishes had layers of flavors that popped.
The grilled shrimp appetizer served in a macadamia sauce was wonderful but the evolved waldorf salad was fabulous. As well as serving dinner there is a wine lounge and a lovely back patio.
They serve brunch (lunch) on Sunday and we are planning on going soon. There is a great respect for ingredients and the service is efficient and helpful.
I have also seen the chef and his staff at a number of commuity events in the area -supporting the Russian Riverkeeper and Community Gardens. They brought real Mozzarella di Bufala with heriloom tomatoes .......
The dress is West County Wine Country Casual
Mosaic Restaurant
(707) 887-7503
6675 Front St
Forestville, CA 95436
SFO chow - again
There is a food court in the South Terminal that is before security --there is pizza, Mexican, burgers and Japanese.
It's fast and not too expensive and not all that difficult to park and enter. If you are leaving from a different building there is a bus to all terminals.
The South Terminal Concourse E
very easy parking in the short term garage first or second levels near C entrance (follow signs for Frontier Airlines) About five dollars for the first hour --
This area never seems very crowded and the food court always seems to have plenty of seats
