SanJoseHound's Profile
Pizza Bocca Lupo (Neopolitan style), Downtown San Jose - Review w/ Pics
Thanks for your review! We just drove to SF yesterday to try Tony's in North Beach - nice to know there is a much closer, cheaper place. My question: how is the seating? Is it all outdoors? From other reviews I've read, there is a central seating area. Are there outdoor heaters? I'm always cold. Thanks!
Croissants, kids, and other questions
Hello Vegas hounds! We'll be there starting Monday for a trade show at the Sands & we're staying at the Venetian.
Here are my specific questions:
1) Best croissant/macaron? Is Jean Philippe Patisserie my best option? I wasn't impressed with Payard in New York. We usually visit Bouchon Bakery when we're in Napa, so I'd like to try something different.
2) On Friday night we're taking our friends and their 3 kids (ages 5-13) to dinner. Can you recommend somewhere kid-friendly with great food? Caveats are: no steakhouses, burger places or beef-centric restaurants because my husband has gout. We will have a car since our friends are picking us up.
3) Our splurge meal will be at restaurant e on Wednesday and we are going to the buffet at the M on Thursday - however still need 2 more dinner recommendations. Price range is roughly $50-$60 per person NOT INCLUDING drinks. Budget is flexible & can be increased if the food merits it. Same caveats as above. Would like to stay on-strip. Taxis OK.
4) The last time we attended this show, lunches were limited to the concession stands inside the Sands and the "fast" food court at the Venetian. We tried Pinot Brasserie (Joachim Splichal) one day but due to the sheer volume of people, food quality & service suffered. It made for a very long lunch. If there are any other options please advise.
Thanks in advance for your help. Can't wait to be back in one of my favorite cities!
Macarons - Any new places?
I agree that the texture is much improved from Paulette. I also thought the flavors stood out a little more distinctly from Paulette as well.
uhockey reviews The Bay Area 9/2-9/7 Including: Meadowood, Cyrus, Saison, Atelier Crenn, Commis, Redd, Benu, Plum and more.
"Clinical duties"? You've missed your calling! The reviews were all a pleasure to read. Hope you become a regular on the Bay Area board.
Last Minute Italian in San Francisco
Barbacco question: seating is either at the bar, or communal tables? Any 2 tops? Or we will have to be social?
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Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Macarons - Any new places?
Thanks for the tip! I should check Chowhound more often, had a little extra time in SF this Monday, darn. Can't wait to try, as I love the fruitier-flavored macarons.
Last Minute Italian in San Francisco
Our schedule just opened up for this Saturday night, which I am finding out is last minute for SF. Calling directly & via Open-Table, NO availability (for desired time of 7-ish, give or take an hour) at: La Ciccia, A16, SPQR.
Seeking a place we've never been before, but other places we've liked a lot: Incanto, Perbacco, Delfina.
Is there any hope?
Or is our best bet Oliveto in Oakland? Will be coming from San Jose with our own car, so transportation isn't a problem. We liked the downstairs cafe a lot but have never dined upstairs.
Thanks Hounds!
-Carminia
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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123
Delfina Restaurant
3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
SPQR
1911 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Oliveto Cafe
5655 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
Sonoma - how to fit it all in?
Thank you for all the suggestions! I will report back after our trip. Told my husband about El Molino Central, and since he loves Mexican food he's very excited.
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El Molino Central
11 Central Avenue, Boyes Hot Springs, CA 95476
Sonoma - how to fit it all in?
Thanks! I checked out Underwood's menu and it looks right up our alley. I'm so bad with geography - is Graton close to Merry Edwards, Lynmar, Dutton Goldfield?
Sonoma - how to fit it all in?
We are having brunch at Brix. If we make it back before El Molino Central closes we'll probably stop in.
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Brix
7377 St. Helena Highway, Napa, CA 94558
El Molino Central
11 Central Avenue, Boyes Hot Springs, CA 95476
Sonoma - how to fit it all in?
Yes, we live in San Jose and are staying at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.
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Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, CA 95476
Sonoma - how to fit it all in?
Last minute Easter weekend trip to Sonoma. My husband and I are staying at the Fairmont. However we plan to drive up on Saturday morning and hit the Russian River Valley area. Where can we stop for a quick pastry and coffee (not a sit-down breakfast) on the way from San Jose? Then on to Merry Edwards, Lynmar, Dutton Goldfield and maybe one more? Joseph Swan/Siduri/other? We also need a lunch suggestion in this area. Barndiva looks interesting. Lighter fare would be nice. Must make it back by 6pm for reservation at Sante.
For Easter we're picking up my aunt in Napa and going to brunch at Brix, but we have nothing planned for the rest of the day.
On Monday: GunBun and Buena Vista. If I should swap out, let me know.
How can I fit in Fremont Diner (husband LOVES fried chicken) and El Molino Central? If one of them is open for Easter dinner then we'll be in luck. We can have lunch at the other on Monday.
Sorry my post is so disjointed. As always, thanks in advance for your advice and feedback.
-Carminia
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Buena Vista Cafe
2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Brix
7377 St. Helena Highway, Napa, CA 94558
Sante Restaurant
100 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, CA
Fremont Diner
2660 Fremont Dr, Sonoma, CA
El Molino Central
11 Central Avenue, Boyes Hot Springs, CA 95476
Macarons - Any new places?
Thanks for this great tip! Can't wait to try. Will report back.
Macarons - Any new places?
I love macarons! At the last Underground Market in SF, I was able to try ones from the Occasional Macaron. I really liked them a lot. The maker is French and works at Stanford. They are available sometimes at Tootsie's but sell out fast. You can pre-order online and pick up at Tootsie's. I don't like the ones at Cocola, which I have also seen in the Costco freezer. I've heard good things about the macarons served at Satori Tea in downtown SJ but haven't had a chance to try yet. I wonder if they are made in-house or purchased from elsewhere.
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Tootsie's at the Stanford Barn
700 Welch Rd Ste 118, Palo Alto, CA
Satori Tea Company
37 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110
ISO Good Eats in the Downtown San Jose Area
I agree with the recommendation of Mezcal. Love the moles, and how they give you a sample of the different kinds, along with your chips. They have good cocktails and its one of the few places in downtown San Jose that I actually like the food, the vibe, and the crowd. Unfortunately bbulkow's earlier comment is spot on. Slim pickings in San Jose. We live here, and usually end up driving outside of San Jose.
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Mezcal Restaurant
25 W San Fernando, San Jose, CA 95113
Macarons, Breakfast Panino, Etc. @ Tootsie’s at the Stanford Barn (Palo Alto)
I'm excited that there's a place closer to home for macarons. My husband would love that breakfast panino. We've never been to Tootsie's but may have to stop by when doing our next errand in PA. Thanks for the review.
Oenotri question - Saturday
Had a great meal at Oenotri this past Saturday, June 5. I called and was able to get reservations with no problem. At 6:15pm, the restaurant didn't seem any more crowded or busy than a regular Saturday night in Napa, but I appreciate being forewarned about the possibility. My aunt really enjoyed her meal, and since Oenotri is a 10 minute drive from her house, maybe this restaurant could be added to the rotation. Will post details of our meal on the other existing Oenotri thread.
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Oenotri
1425 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
[SF] Hayes Valley Macaron Crawl
Also, customer service at Patisserie Philippe was spectacularly bad when we went recently. Their attitude was as if we were bothering them and they were irritated I wanted to buy something from them. The man at the counter grudgingly listened to my macaron order, then turned around to make a salad for another customer. Another person had to take my order, all over again. Not spending $$ here again.
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Patisserie Philippe (moving)
655 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Oenotri question - Saturday
I will call her later with this suggestion. The menu looks like something she would be pleased with. Thanks! If I could avoid being there this weekend, I would. Guess I could always get hot food to go, from Whole Foods. I'll let you know where we end up.
[SF] Hayes Valley Macaron Crawl
I've never been to Feel Good, must add to my macaron list. I love peanut butter, and will have to try it. At the mushroom place in the Ferry Building I tried a white truffle macaron, and I am not sure truffle is a good flavor for macarons either, although I love it in all other incarnations.
As an aside, went to Patisserie Philippe this Saturday and almost chipped a tooth on a fresh from the freezer Earl Grey macaron. Yikes! They should warn people.
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Patisserie Philippe (moving)
655 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Oenotri question - Saturday
Thanks for the info! We're in the area for work that weekend, and staying with my aunt who lives in Napa. She loves Trancas Steakhouse but that's where we took her last time we visited. Guess there's always her favorite Italian place, Bistro Don Giovanni...
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Trancas Steakhouse
999 Trancas St, Napa, CA 94558
Bistro Don Giovanni
4110 Howard Ln, Napa, CA
Oenotri question - Saturday
No reservations available for this Saturday night 6/5 on OpenTable. I will call the restaurant later today to check availability. My question is: what are the chances of getting seated with no more than a short wait? We're taking my 79 year-old aunt to dinner. She likes to eat early so I anticipate arriving there before 6:00 PM.
Can't wait to try their pizza, and I see that as of today, they have porchetta.
Thanks for your help,
Carminia
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Oenotri
1425 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
Berkeley/Oakland restaurant, walk-in, no res for Friday
Thanks for the suggestions! That's an important point - knowing this group's inability to deal with time, I'm guessing dinner will probably be on the later side... definitely after 7:00pm and in reality probably 8:00pm or later.
Berkeley/Oakland restaurant, walk-in, no res for Friday
Thanks Robert! I definitely want to try Dopo, so I hope that works out. I really appreciate the suggestions.
-Carminia
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Dopo
4293 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611
Berkeley/Oakland restaurant, walk-in, no res for Friday
We'll be with a group of people who are bad with time management, etc. so we are unable to make an actual reservation. There will be 5 of us, including a relative from Seattle that loves Italian food. Can you suggest places for dinner that are not impossible to get into without a reservation? We understand that being a Friday night there will be a wait. What are our best bets? If I don't come up with a viable alternative we"ll end up going to my brother in law's pick, Jupiter. Budget-wise I'm sure they're looking for "cheap" but I'm willing to put in the difference so we have more choices. The East Bay Hounds have never let me down... so please jump in with your suggestions. Thanks a lot.
-Carminia
NICE Bar suggestions in SF?
Have res @ Bourbon and Branch on Thursday - hope they don't make fun of me :) I read the rules carefully and have told the people we're going with, no frou-frou, no cosmos... I am there to be educated =P
Visiting SF with 3 "food obsessed" daughters in May.
My husband & I went to Perbacco for dinner this past Saturday (4/17/10) and loved it. As mentioned, it has a hip, "buzzy" vibe but the food was excellent. Save room for dessert! Their menu is updated online, so it gives you a good idea of what to expect. Have fun!
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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
So bummed... La Ciccia closed this week
Thanks everyone - had an excellent meal at Perbacco last night. Parked for free on the street, right around the corner (thanks walker for the tip!) I mention this because most people seemed to opt for the valet parking for $10. Loved the atmosphere at Perbacco - warn, friendly & just buzzy enough, but I didn't have to strain to hear my husband talk. Maybe I've been eating at too many places with smaller portions, but the portions were pretty substantial at Perbacco. Luckily we shared the Ricotta mousse w/lambrusco marinated strawberries - the portion size was so large even our neighbors at the next table exclaimed over it. My only regret is eating macarons 2 hours earlier, which slightly curbed my dinner appetite. Guess I'll have short ribs for breakfast! Thanks again Hounds.
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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
So bummed... La Ciccia closed this week
Thanks Melanie - is there a a place for macarons that you would recommend, in the city? I've read the numerous macaron threads and there doesn't seem to be a consensus (other than Miette is bad) but then again that's the beauty of chowhound...
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Miette
2109 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA
So bummed... La Ciccia closed this week
Changed the res to Perbacco. Hoping there will be macarons left at Patisserie Philippe if we go in the afternoon, before they close.
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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Patisserie Philippe (moving)
655 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103
