Barb S's Profile
Dinner Near the Bridge Theater
We're going to a movie tomorrow night at the Bridge Theater, and I'm looking for a restaurant for dinner for the two of us before the 8:20 show. We'd prefer to spend under $100 with wine, and it's not a night to linger over dinner. We're from Oakland, so I'm not familiar with the neighborhood. Would appreciate any recommendations.
Help with Beef Bourguignon!
Thanks to everybody for the advice....I cooked it a little longer in the oven, and then put it on the stove to simmer. Meat seems tender, and you all helped me avert a panic attack (and a frantic call for pizza delivery). In the future, guess I'll try it at 325
Help with Beef Bourguignon!
I am using Ina Garten's recipe, which I've made with success many time in the past. However, I started it last night, and ran short on time, so I cooked the bacon, beef cubes, wine, cognac, veggies, etc. and put it in the oven at 250 degrees for an hour. It usually take 2.5 hours to get to that wonderfully tender stage.
This morning I put it back in the oven to cook for another 1.5 hours. It's now been cooking for almost 3 hours, and the beef still is not tender. What can I do? Did shorting the cooking time last night and putting in the refrigerator cause the beef to toughen? Should I keep cooking it in the hopes that it will eventually cook through?
My guests are arriving in 4 hours, so if this is going to be a disaster, I need to come up with Plan B.
Smoke -- new BBQ (maybe) on San Pablo, Berkeley
We stopped by for lunch today. Tina was delightful, very welcoming and proud of her menu. We tried the tea-smoked salmon (loved that tangy sauce) and the pulled pork sandwich. Sides were the tangy cole slaw, which was a hit, and the potato salad. We were "gifted" with a slice of the chocolate pecan pie, also a winner. If there's such a thing as "healthy" BBQ, this is it.
Need a Brunch Spot for 7 in Sonoma on a Saturday
I did call, and they told me they only took dinner reservations.
Need a Brunch Spot for 7 in Sonoma on a Saturday
We have 12:00 reservations to tour the Di Rosa Reserve on a Saturday. It's located at the junction of Highways 12 and 121. We're coming from Oakland, and I've been given the job of finding a place for brunch. I tried all the likely suspects from this Board to see if we could get reservations: Fremont Diner (of course), Boon Fly Cafe at the Carneros Inn, the Creekside Cafe, Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar....most of them don't take reservations, and the others don't have anything open.
I am trying to avoid the wrath of an unruly crowd of 7 faced with a one-hour or more wait.....but I am open to suggestions. I called the Fremont Diner, and they suggested getting there at 9:00 a.m. in order to get out by 11:30. I don't think I can convince my friends to do that. They like good food, but they're not ready to leave at the crack of dawn to make it up there from Oakland. Any suggestions? Should we stop on the way up there?
-----
Boon Fly Cafe
4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa, CA 94559
Creekside Cafe
239 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, CA 95476
Fremont Diner
2660 Fremont Dr, Sonoma, CA
Looking for Healthy Home Delivered Meal
Hi,
I'm in San Francisco, and one of my closest friends, who lives in Madison Park, is having surgery next Monday. I'd love to have a good meal delivered while she's recuperating, but am looking for some advice from this Board.
She's been on a health kick lately, and doesn't eat beef (she will do turkey, chicken, fish), prefers whole grains, and is staying away from dairy. In San Francisco, we have a service called Waiters on Wheels that provides for delivery from lots of local restaurants. Do you have that up there?
The only two websites I've found are Delicious Planet and Lucky Palate. Has anyone tried these recently? I'd appreciate any ideas..... she's a great cook and loves food.
Need Turkey Sandwiches/Good Salads for Office Meeting in Fremont
I usually bring my lunch, so I'm not as familiar with Fremont take-out options as I should be.
I'm hosting a meeting for 7 people on Tuesday at my office, and since we're starting at noon, I offered to have food brought in. Any good places you can steer me to? I've tried Panera's, which is near the office, but wasn't impressed. Where can I find a good turkey sandwich on a decent roll (for the traditionalists) AND a stellar lunch salad (for those who are the healthy eaters)?
-----
Panera
2199 Monterey Hwy Ste 80, San Jose, CA 95125
Need Spot for Birthday Dinner Near Guernville on a Wed. for Ages 13-60
They were on my list, so I'll give them a call. Great to find out about Sophie's, we do love good wine and reasonable corkage. I will also check out Cape Fear. And promise to report back.
Need Spot for Birthday Dinner Near Guernville on a Wed. for Ages 13-60
This is a little too expensive, but thanks for the recommendation.
Need Spot for Birthday Dinner Near Guernville on a Wed. for Ages 13-60
Darn, I just assumed they were in Guerneville, thanks for the heads up! Looked like a great menu, and they could seat us too!
Need Spot for Birthday Dinner Near Guernville on a Wed. for Ages 13-60
We're coming up to Guerneville from Oakland to celebrate my friend Steve's birthday (he's there for a week), and our party of 7 includes his two kids, aged 13 and 15. For the last two years, we've gone to a Grill (?) that worked fine, but now only serves bar food. I've looked at other options, but Applewood and Farmhouse are too expensive and sedate for our group. Any other ideas? We like good food and wine, the kids are happy with hamburgers or pizza as an option, and since we do love good wine, would prefer not to drive too far.
I've seen Zazu's and Cape Fear on the Board. Would either of those work?
Good food outdoors in Berkeley-Oakland area?
Riva Cucina on Hearst below 6th has a lovely outdoor area with a fountain and a great garden.
Zeste Cafe on Addison at the Strawberry Creek Design Center is a hidden gem with
an outdoor area that is a perfect setting on a warm day.
And they're both open for lunch.
Lunch in Oakland near Fruitvale and 580?
Champ Garden is my favorite lunch spot lately. The place is a converted donut shop, so there's not much atmosphere, but the food is stellar: try the rice ball sald, the panang curry, or the angel wings. The family that owns the place is young, and while service can be slow, I've always had great food there. It's at 2012 8th at 21st, between the Park Boulevard and Fruitvale exits, so should work for you.
Need Great Meal in Tahoe After Our Walk
So my friend Marianne and I, neither of us jocks, somehow decided to walk a half-marathon this year, and picked the Lake Tahoe one which is next Saturday.
We developed our own team in training boot camp, and feel confident that we'll make it through without relying on the shuttle bus. But we are really looking for a great dinner on Saturday night as a reward for all our efforts.
I've been reading the boards, but would like to see if anyone can come up with a recommendation that would include:
1. A restaurant that isn't in a casino.
2. A place that has a good wine list, since we'll be ready to do some celebrating.
3. A place that features farmer's market produce and interesting entrees.
4. We have a car, so can do South or North Tahoe, although we're staying in So. Tahoe.
Thanks.....
Need Dinner Rec Near Market/Van Ness
I'va already tried Zuni, and they're full. We're going to a play afterwards, so we need a place that can get us in and out. I'm not a fan of Absinthe, Jardiniere is too pricey for a quick dinner, and
I've run out of ideas. Has anyone tried the Crepe Place on Gough?
Is Paul K good? What about Sauce? And as a fallback, what's the name of the Thai place on Gough. Thanks.
Cafe Intermezzo-ish place in Oakland? Breakfast in Oakland?
My favorite salad place lately is World Ground Cafe at 3rd and Jackson Streets in Oakland. It's near Jack London Square, and is a great place to get away for lunch....they have some outside tables which are really enticing on a sunny day. I'm stuck on their panzanella bread salad, which has artichoke hearts, olives, and bread in a good mix of greens. They offer the option of half a salad for around $6.00, and it's so large that I can't imagine eating the whole portion. It's a great mix of people at lunch, and I think it's one of the hidden gems in Oakland. I've tried their sandwiches, which are also good, but the salads keep bringing me back. They also have a Caesar, a green salad with blue cheese, cranberries and walnuts, and a daily salad special....if it's the chicken, go for it.
