JustErin's Profile
Cake? Like "I Dream of Cake"or "Ace of Cakes"?
I just saw that I Dream of Cake closed (I'm behind on the times...so sad!).
I'm wondering if there is a place similar? Was it possible it was personal decision vs. a business one? I love the idea of having a bakery like this available...I also understand it's a challenge to keep a place like this open and viable. I was only able to buy one cake...4yrs ago.
I have a great bakery in the South Bay I love for good old fashion tasty baked goods...but I"m looking for shape, hand painted, tasty cake surprise.
TYIA!
Erin
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I Dream of Cake
1351 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Oliveto Whole Hog Dinner....
Headed there tonight! My first year trying the whole hog and very much looking forward to it. will report back...in the meantime, if anyone has been this week and has feedback, I'd love to hear it.
The Pappardelle nere with pork heart and wild mushroom ragú, is looking especially interesting to me....
Cocktails in South Bay?
It's Friday and it's going to be 5pm soon!
Ideally looking for a great place that has innovated classic cocktails, ala, Bourbon & Branch, or at the very least pour a fantastic classic, like at the Ritz. I recognize that San Jose and the South Bay aren't as innovate in both food & cocktails...but I'm a hope springs eternal type of gal.
When I'm carving a well made cocktail, I generally head to The Grill at the Fairmont, but I'm looking for a change....anyone know of a good bartender hiding? Someplace I haven't run into already?
TIA,
JustErin
South Bay Steak?
Sigh, I miss Argentina....
So with that out of the way, any place in the South Bay? San Jose ideal but when a craving for a slab of beef hits, I try to respond. Usually the burger at the Garage in Naglee Park takes care of my craving for beef....but I'm feeling old school tonight and would like a scotch or a Manhattan with dinner...so I'm looking for a decent steak house.
If I'm feeling flush, I'll head to the Grill at the Fairmont- good cocktails and great service and a decent steak, albeit, gasp inducing $$$$.
Morton's is now in downtown San Jose....but, I dunno, a so-so chain for steak? Maybe I just need to stick to the basics and order ribeye and ignore the bill?
Anything new out there?
TIA,
Erin
Soup, Salad and Souffle...in the South Bay?
With it being cold and rainy, I'm looking for some thing soothing, comforting, yet not heavy. I can find decent salads almost anywhere (The Garage in Naglee Park in San Jose being my favorite). Soup is harder (yet if there is good ramen, why can't I find a good soup!?). Souffle is certainly the most fun and tends to require a very nice, very posh French style restaurant (Gervais). While I'm not opposed to that....I really just want a bistro-type night out with the SO on a Wed. night to chat and re-connect over something homey.
Any recommendations for San Jose/ Campbell/ Los Gatos/ Saratoga? Decent, and decently priced, glass of wine, would be the, uh, creme anglaise, on the souffle.
Thanks!
Dinner Rec's for Mt. View/ Palo Alto?
Hello!
Looking for suggestions for dinner this Friday. Here are the parameters:
Have a 8pm concert, so dinner needs to be one of those "before the show" type's, quickly in and out
Would prefer California/ European/ Mediterranean (I'm in San Jose and get plenty of great Vietnamese/ Indian/ Mexican)
Decent wine by the glass list
So, something similar to 71 St. Peter in San Jose. I considered Chez TJ but am unsure of the kitchen given the recent turnover, and more than that, seems to be more of a lingering dinner rather than, nice dinner with a timeline.
Any ideas? TIA,
Erin
Tostones in the south bay / peninsula ?
La Habana in San Jose has them....I don't know how good they are as I've never had them any where else...but they are know for having excellent Cuban food.
http://www.998cuba.com/
Good Luck!
My Hunt for a California Burrito in the Bay Area.
'Berto's! I haven't heard a reference to Roberto's in *years*! I had a slight preference to Alberto's but only because it was closer to my high school. Ah, fond memories of the orange hot sauce that could take the tarnish off a penny.
And now, I'm totally craving a carne asada burrito, 'Berto's style.
Thanks for the flash back!
Tigelleria Ristorante Chowdown Report, Campbell, Thursday 1/10
Ok...sorry for the delay but based on the lack of posting, I can only guess others felt the same: ok, not great. Some of which could have been to new resturant and working out the kinks. But ultimatly, seemed like a better place to drop in for an appetizer and a glass of wine before moving on to dinner...
Overall, good/ fine/ different but not great or exciting. Felt more like appetizers or a tapas bar. While bread was fantastic, and made to order, the kitchen had trouble keeping up on getting the bread out to our table of nine...couple other tables but resturant was not full; I wonder how they'll keep up on a busy Friday or Saturday night? Same issue w/ the wine, pacing was off. We actually ordered three bottles but never got the third from the bar.
The plates of, well, not food so much as chaurterie and cheese were wonderful and varied. My favorites were the hunters salami, coppa, Gorgonzola and percino. The coppa had a wonderful clove taste/ fragrance.
Wine was interesting and since I'm not familiar w/ Italian wines, it was great to try something different.
I'd go again with a better perspective and expectation, ie, app's and wine not dinner.
Looking forward to reading other perspectives.
Where to dine in the South Bay?
Hi! I live in downtown SJ so can offer tips...but really, back to the original question, what is good to you? Ethic? hole in the wall? mid range Californian style...good is awfully subjective. If you can provide some boundaries, we'll be better able to provide on relevant suggestions.
Some of my favorites (in no paticular order and for very different reasons) are:
Gombei
Kubota
The Garage
71 St. Peter
Los Cubanos
Vung Tao
Tigelleria Ristorante Chowdown Report, Campbell, Thursday 1/10
Good Afternoon!
Group of nine met last night for Modena style chowdown. Menu & wine, below, with cost at the end. Menu listing is the restaurant's description, any misspellings are mine.
I'll save my personal and editorial comments for the thread.
http://tigelleria.com/
Tigelle is a type of small flat bread typically served w/ cheeses, meats and other relishes.
Menu
Salumi Palette (original), $18: prosciutto di Parma, toasted ham, coppa, spek and salami, served w/ a small side of crescenza (creamy slightly sour cheese).
Grilled Vegetables Pallette, $18: A selection of marinated and grilled seasonal organic vegetables, all served w/ organic hummus, sun-dried tomato spread and olive tapenade.
Paddus River, $14: Coppa Piacentin (cured ham), pancetta arrototlata (aromatic ham) prosciutto di Parma, pecorino (sheeps milk cheese), Romano, Gorgonzola.
Etruscan, $14: Porchetta (aromatic ham, finocchoilona (fennel salami), salamino carriatore (hunters salami), pecorino (sheeps milk cheese), Roamno Toscano.
A la Carte orders:
Coppa (1 order), $4
Parmesan (2 orders), $3
Nutella, $2
Dessert (I believe, all made in-house):
Tiramisu, $7: Lady finger cookies dipped in Italian espresso coffee and Marsala wine, topped w/ Marscarpone cheese and dusted w/ dark chocolate.
Sweet Chocolate Salami, $6: little known Italian delicacy, homemade w/ organic chocolate powder, dry cookie crumbs, organic butter and organic sugar.
Meringue Cake, $7: delicious meringue crumbs dinner in organic zabaglione and topped w/ organic whipping cream.
Fruit Salad, 46: organic seasonal fruits finely chopped and steeped in organic orange juice. Topped w/ walnuts and cherries.
Wine:
Veneto, La Cappuccina Soave DOC (white) $22 per bottle
Emilia Romanga, Vivante, Lambrusco (sparkling red) $12 per bottle
Nine people total, total bill including wine, with tip: $225, $25pp.
Downtown San Jose Carnitas
La Tacqueria - 15 S. First (First and Santa Clara)
(408) 287-1542
I very rarely eat at other tacqueria's any more (not that I'm an expert) but this place doesn't make the others seem worthwhile.
Very, very good carnitas, total hole in the wall, have beer...everyone in downtown SJ eats here: cops, city ee's, sw engineers and some of the locals. quick, efficient but lines start forming about 11:50'ish.
My favorite is the lengua taco's, my husband is quiet fond of the carnitas burritos...chips and salsa extra, but worth it.
Hours say open to 7pm but rarely do I see them open that late; pretty much lunch only.
Cash only.
San Jose
Huge fan of The Garage. They serve breakfest Saturday and Sunday, one of the few places in downtown SJ that does have breakfest. It's on the backside of SJSU. If you go for lunch or dinner, ribs are fantastic.
http://www.nagleeparkgarage.com/
Sugar Butter Flour... more misses than hits
I was the second half and have to agree...the pasteries and baked goods looked amazing but fell short. I couldn't even finish them and those were my "breakfest" that day. I'd love to try the almond croissant...but it had chocolate in it. I'm not sure why they made an almond chocolate croissant (and *coated* in powered sugar)...when they had plain and chocolate already.
The brioche did look promising...but again, it had chocoloate chips in it, they did not offer plain...just those with chocoloate.
Freely admit, I don't like or eat chocolate, so it was a personal disapoinmnet, but what's with all the chocolate breakfest items?
I probably won't go back unless I hear of anohter promising review...Flour Flower and Riga's offer tasty enough alternatives.
Penisula Brunch w/ a couple caveats...
Good Morning!
Looking for a good Saturday breakfest/ brunch place on the Penisula (Belmont to San Jose).
Caveat: two pregnant ladies, one near the end (37 weeks), so small bites with a variety of choice; other in the early stages: I never know when the nausea will start or what will set it off. So sushi is out and, unfortuantly, so is champagne.
Heard wonderful things about the Ritz at Half Moon Bay...not sure considering our various "states" a $100 pp is worth it. Is it?
Doesn't have to be a fancy buffet...but would like more than a diner.
Any ideas? TIA!
Erin
European Style Grocery Store and/or Bakery in South Bay
For a European style bakery:
Flour Flower in Willow Glen...well, it's not totally euro but has some very good creamy dense desserts.
Riga's in San Jose on the Alameda. They even have "old world" counter service. :) The owner and his two parents _all_ help with your selection and ring you up. I think they're from Latvia or Lithowania (sp)?
I've heard great things about Cocola in Los Gatos...but I don't eat chocolate and it's a bit of my way. It's come up on chowhound several times, you should be able to find a search.
San Jose to Gilroy rec's for Steak/Seafood Dining?
I don't typically eat steak out as I can make a great steak at home...so here's what I would guess:
I've heard very strong things about Alexander's in Cupertino...I think Melanie did a post about a year ago?
I've been a big fan of the The Grill at the Fairmont in downtown San Jose. They have very good steak's, solid wine list, excellant cocktails and wonderful service. It's a chain, I recogonize, but a very good one.
McCormick & Schmidt's is a seafood place, right across from the Grill. But it's not very good for the price. If you want seafood, I'd recommend an upscale Chinese resturant; you can't beat them for freshness.
In Los Gatos is the Forbes Mill Steakhouse...can anyone speak to it?
Good luck! Please report back!
Le Papillon - reviews?
We went about a month ago for an anniversary dinner- I'm a stickler for celebrating on the actual day (on Monday, so it could have been the B-team) and it was fine at best and a waste of time and money at worst. I would *not* put Le Papillon in the same league as Manresa!
I can't remember details at this point..my husband had the, I think, pea sprout soup (fine, decent, not as *green* tasting as I'd like, nor very innovative), I had the basic mixed green salad- boring and overly dressed; I make better salads with my CSA vegetables at home. We both had fish for our mains-I had the John Dory and it was over cooked, my husband had the halibet with two sauces (which didn't have much flavor). We spilt the sorbet for dessert- coconut, pineapple and raspberry. Grainy, not smooth; only raspberry had any real favor but was a little on the sweet side (that said, I don't like sweet desserts so it can have been just me).
Tab was about $100 before tip, no wine.
The amuses were good, service excellant...but really, we would have been happier having dinner at the Naglee Park Garage.
Suburban business lunch or dinner, otherwise skip it.
What to serve for dessert?
Having a small dinner party tonight...was thinking of making ice cream profiteroles w/ chocolate sauce...but my husband, as much as he loves them, thinks they might be too much.
Here's the menu:
Appt's: cheese, fruit, bread/ crackers
Main: Leg of lamb, roasted root veg, brussal sprout salad
Any ideas? I would do something light and fairly easy as it's last minute, like a fruit salad but the season is over. Not interested in poached pears (don't like pears and poaching is too much work).
Thanks in advance!
erin
Prather or Golden Gate?
Thanks for the quick response!
I had to shop this evening...I work in SF on Fridays but live in SJ. I went to both...I bought a leg of lamb at GG based on Morton's rec and with the idea that people rarely serve lamb and it's more memorable...picked up a grass finished veal top sirloin steak for later in the week and a pork chop (because the husband *looooves* pork and I like the look of joy on his face when he eats a good piece of pork) from Prather for fun.
I'll let you know what happens....:) Thanks again!
Erin
Prather or Golden Gate?
Hosting a dinner party tomorrow night, haven't decided on what exactly...will be heading to Ferry Building to do some shopping.
I've been going to GG but read some good things about Prather. I know much will depend on what's there...but if you were going to choose, do you have a preference?
Thanks!
Erin
brittania arms, san jose
Eh...I'd pass. But it depends on what you're looking for. It's a typical sports bar with tv's and bad food. Nice selection of beers on tap. Nice patio out bad. But I don't consider it a pub. If you're looking for a place for a pint, watch some game, it's fine.
I like Trails on No. 1st, next to Teske's. It's a true neighborhood pub...we've been going since they opened 9 yrs ago. Food isn't as good as it used to be but the fish & chips is decent and they have really good beers on tap. And they serve imperial pints here! :)
I'd give Trial's a try.
Lunch today in South'ish San Jose?
Thanks for the rec's...we ended up in Campbell. She's pregnant so sushi was out and she's not an adventurous eater.
Had lunch at Twist Cafe; American w/ a French flair (their description).
We both had a main salad: Oriental Chicken and Classic Cobb. Greens were good, freash, had flavor; handled my request for no cheese well (with some good natured ribbing from the French owner). Dressings came on the side, and were fine. Also had a dessert crepe: apricot w/o whip cream or butter. I was hoping the apricot would have been more like confit or preserves. More like jam. I like apricot jam (it's the only jam I"ll eat) but was hoping for something with more piazz.
Overall, solid, would go back to try more and see about the depth of their kitchen.
Twist Cafe and Twist Bistro
247 E. Campbell Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: 408.374.8982
http://twist-cafe.com/index.php
Lunch today in South'ish San Jose?
Meeting a friend for lunch...looking for a decent place *between* downtown SJ and Curtner/ Branham (I work at Adobe, she works at Xilinx).
She's not really interested in food and suggested Mandarin Gourmet... Please save me from medicore chinese and bad chains. Is there anything?
Thanks!
Erin
Dinner in downtown San Jose?
This question has popped up several times in the past month. A search on downtown san jose should pull up very recent posts.
Here's one that is pretty comprehensive:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/327847
If you have specific questions about the resturants or one like the above, please let us know! :)
In regards to vegtarian friendly, White Louts is an all veg asian resturant on Market. Excellant fresh spring/ imperial rolls.
I've heard of a new vegan resturant in downtown that opened up (a google search should find the name)...but I'm not a vegan so don't have much to report there.
Family Thanksgiving in San Jose
Can you provide more detail about what and where? It's a pretty broad question....
Tradititional? Asisan? French? Price Point? Geo- South San Jose? Saratoga? Los Gatos? Slightly north, Sunnyvale?
Downtown has some fairly tradidtional spots that would (potentially) get some response... More detail about what you're looking for and less abruptness will get a better response.
Erin
Breakfast/Brunch in San Jose?
The Garage over on 10th, behind SJSU. Simple, not fancy. Our current favorite. Lowry's on Julian by 87 (near the area) is a cafe that has decent, not great, breakfest.
Sarah's over in Santa Clara is great if you're open to a diner type breakfest...if you get seated w/ Maria, she calls you hon'. :)
The Fairmont, specifically the Fountain has a nice brunch, if you're looking for something more upscale.
Los Gatos has some more options...but I'm not fond of LG and don't make it over much...someone else might have a suggetion.
Unfortunatly, San Jose is just one sprawling suburb, you know, 'burb's aren't known for food.
Good Luck!
San Jose dinner Nov. 13
I really can't recommend PHB. If that is what Nola eating is about then, I don't think we're missing anything. The upside, very quick walk to the Arena.
There have been some recent SJ threads...here's on of the more recent ones...
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/327847
Downtown San Jose
Not a lot of late night eating in San Jose...it's a pretty suburban place. Do a search, I remember reading about late night eating discussed w/i the last couple of months.
Overall, do a search and you'll get an idea about what's happening in SJ (not much...the resturant biz is pretty stable around here).
But here goes:
Fancy-ish (and good)
71 St. Peter
The Grill
Seven (7)- resturant on the Almeda, just past the Area
Casual
The Garage (10th and something, behind SJSU) they have brunch on the weekend, great patio.
Japantown is a quick lightrail ride north.
*Gombei
*Kubota
La Taqueria on Santa Clara next to Walgreens....*great* carnitas, chips and salsa.
Drinking
Trials Pub (1st st...just north of St. James park....please don't go to the Brit...it's a terrible "pub")
Paragon (great bar, solid food)
Hope that helps!
Last Day for Shave Ice
That's the place...I'm not a shave ice expert but I really like it. I had a once a week habit last summer (as well as picking up a shuei-do or two)...trying not to outgrow my pants this summer so haven't been around as much.
I like it with the beans and milk best. I usually see high school kids working the shave counter; I assume that's why they have limited hours.
Banana Crep (across the street) does shave ice but I don't like it- I'd skip the ice completly.
If you get a chance, please do go...it's such a special little sweet shop...the ladies at the counter are so helpful (and cute and little! :)).
