We may do Winchester night #1 cuz we're there. Sounds like
a tad more food than we'd want before the theater but can
always do apps and salads. Will check on Smithfields - haven't
been there. And let me know if/when you hit Milagro's. I love
good Mexican food.

Thanks, Bill. New Sammy's is pretty great - can't make it for
lunch but do have dinner available one night with no
deadline. Do you know anything about the food at the
Winchester House? I think that's where we're staying. Sue

We're spending one night at the airport in Amsterdam from the U.S. on
our way to Tanzania. Could have lunch or dinner in the city, taking the
train from the airport. (Are staying at the airport Sheraton). Two of our group of five are interested in the riistafel (I know I didn't spell it right)
but I'm wondering if that is sort of touristy and passé. If we do have
dinner, it would be early because we have an early flight the next morning.
Or we could have a fun lunch (get in around l10 a.m) and have dinner
at the hotel. Help!

We will have two dinner before the theater and one dinner with no
time limits in Ashland. Also need three lunch suggestions - and one
breakfast on the way out of town.

Flying in from LA in February - spending one night at the airport
Sheraton before going on to Tanzania. Would love a great place for
lunch (we'll take the train in) or possibly early dinner? Somewhere
really good, not pretentious. Has anybody had dinner at the airport
Sheraton? Don't know whether to chance it.

We're winding up our Oregon coast trip with two days in Cannon Beach. Then have to hightail
it to Port Angeles to catch the 5:30 p.m. ferry to Victoria. Any idea where we can stop for a
quick but tasty lunch?

Yes, that was it. Had the
thai seafood stew. Yum.

Ended up lunching at Sunnyside on Hwy 89 past Tahoe City. It was good. Also had a
fine dinner last night at Wolfsen's or something like that. And both mornings wonderful
raspberry cinnamon rolls from Tahoe House Bakery.

We're going to Lake Tahoe (north) from Sacramento tomorrow - first time for us. Need to have
lunch on the way. Ideas?

I am actually going to Jamie's for the first time tomorrow for lunch with some friends at the
Zoo. (Am a docent there). Can't wait to try it.

My son will visit us in Sacto next week from Kentucky and wants a really great steak. Ruth
Chris is way expensive. Are there other places? Okay to splurge; just want to make sure
we get some mighty good beef for the money.

Thanks to all for your advice. We ended up at Hawk's. Liked it a lot but it wasn't love. Ordered
ahi which had a short rib ragu on top of the fish. It didn't quite make it. Pricey - as we knew it
would be. Would probably go there from time to time if we lived closer. As it is . . . not necessarily a keeper for me. Other recent places - my husband and I had Mother's Day at the Porch (on the
porch) - liked it a lot. Soft shelled crab - yum. Being a recent east coaster, May means that dish
to me and haven't found it on any menu until the Porch. Tonight we ate at Press Bistro for the
2nd time. We'll be back. Trying Ella's again next week - we'll see what the new chef has done.

Need a place to stop for lunch before and after a weekend at the Shakespeare Festival in June.

In August we are driving from Sacramento to Eureke CA (Night 1). Next day driving to Bandon or
Coos Bay or Florence - depending on where we can eat and where we can stay. (Night 2).
Next day is to Cannon Beach (two nights). Fifth day on to Seattle where we'll catch the people
ferry to Victoria. As we make our way up the coast we want to eat everything from fine dining
(maybe only once or twice) to local to down and dirty. Help!

I'll certainly try the powder, garlic & oil. In the meantime I'll check in with Corti Brothers to see
if they have the paste version. "Tis certainly easier.

Being new to the Sacramento area, I couldn't find Harissa paste anywhere. Ran in to Williams
Sonoma and grabbed what I thought was paste. Nope. It's powdered. Does anybody know
how much water or other liquid to add - or do I just make a paste-like consistency? And where
can I get the paste?

Hi Souvenir, We moved to Sac in October from Englewood NJ - just outside Manhattan. Have
certainly heard about The Kitchen but haven't been. Must say the sample March menu looked
delicious. (However, my husband who is a bit finicky doesn't like menus where there is no
choice M;ay have to someday go without him.) Certainly we'll try Ella's again. Didn't not
like it = just did't love it. What do you know about Hawk's in Granite Bay?

My son-in-law is turning Big 40 in May - we'd like to take him and daughter to a really great
food place that is not too stiff but pretty spectacular because you only turn 40 once. In
Sacramento or environs.

Daughter, two grandsons 7 and 4 and I are spending one night in Half Moon Bay in a couple of
weeks just to walk the beach and smell the ocean. Which means one dinner. Obviously the place needs to be kid-friendly but Sarah and I want good food and drink - or at least wine. Ideas?

That's ironic. We just ate at Taylor's Kitchen this evening. I had bay scallops which were
delicious; Jim the rib-eye - good but a tad fatty. Loved the place - but it's definitely on
the pricey side. (They did have a scrumptious looking burger for $14 however. And
one could definitely just order salads and aps.) Freeport Bakery was closed - but
definitely have to stop by there soon.

My kids who teach nearby have told us about Opa! Opa! We used to have Greek food all the
time back on the east coast - and just haven't here. Will definitely try it. Also has anybody
tried Greek Village at the shopping center at Howe & Fair Oaks - behind Safeway? Lastly
any consensus on the kitchen at Taylor's Market?

Finally had the Nationwide burger yesterday. It could have been one of the best EXCEPT I ordered it rare (not medium rare - rare) and it was well done. Still it was mighty tasty. Will
try once more and ask them to underline rare three times. If they don't cook burgers rare,
they should tell you. Did not like the fries one bit. Didn't seem like fries.

I'll put Orphan on the list for a weekday morning. We tried OneSpeed Pizza last night. It was a total zoo but I thought the pizza was delicious. My husband was disappointed in his
fried chicken salad - told him he should have ordered pizza.

Cornish pasties - OMG. In another lifetime in San Diego I had a friend who made them and
taught me how. Don't think I've had them in years and years. We are actually trying OneSpeed
Pizza tomorrow since so many places are closed on New Year's Day. And I've had Napolitos on
my list. Have been to Lemon Grass only once since we moved here - in October. It's time to go
back. Maybe it's our bad karma, but we went back to Mulvaney's a second time and still didn't
love it. Will take Waterboy any day. It may be time to try Ella again. Also anxious to visit Press
Bistro and Tuli's. And a neighbor told me about a place called Orphans - somewhere around
C in the 20s for breakfast/brunch. Anybody been there?

Thanks, Scott. I did find them at TJ's.

Yes, at Fulton & Fair Oaks. Maybe we ordered wrong. Had a sole doree - with egg
batter. Petrale sole at that which I (being an east coaster until recently) have had only
at Tadich's Grill in SFO. It was so egg-battered that you couldn't find the fish. Service was
only so-so; we had a bad table and a bad experience. Too many better places so don't
need to go back.

Robert, we stumbled across The Wienery by accident and thought it was great. Have to go back soon. Have to get to Corti Brothers - just know I'll go nuts there with all the good stuff. Is lunch
at the Crocker a must? Also clipped an article from the Bee about hamburgers at a place
called Juno but haven't been.

My husband has decided he wants non-pareils for Christmas. Those little chocolate wafer-like
candies with little sugar beads on top (looks like sprinkles). Anybody know where I can get
them in Sacramento? Thanks

Thanks for your help so far. Can't wait to try El Rey Azteca. Love Cafe Vinoteca; haven't tried
Chinois yet but will. Lunch at Danielle's was good but brunch wasn't. Tonight we had our
first really bad meal in Sacto at Scott's. Won't be going back there. Other places in the nabe
Zinfandel Grill and Roxie's. Both okay so far for sustenance. Further afield - we've been to
Waterboy several times before we moved here with our kids and love it. Mulvaney's once -
it was okay - but we definitely need to go back. Ella's so=so; didn't like Grange much at all.
Is Casablanca okay? Tried to check out their menu online but couldn't find it. In the meantime
we are LOVING Sacramento. Chowhounds, keep those recommendations coming!

-----
Waterboy Restaurant
2000 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814

Cafe Vinoteca
3535 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95864

Azteca Restaurant
4235 E Fountain Way, Fresno, CA 93726

We live off American River Drive and Watt - and have been happy to find some nearby restaurants to sustain us between unpacking moving boxes. But now it's time to get serious. Really needing some
good Mexican food. Can be upscale or a dive but good. (I stumbled on Chando's tacos the other day - alas, had only one but it was great.) Want Chowhounds' opinions on the don't miss places in Sac.
Could also use some really good pho. And how about Couscous Royale? Looking forward to
a lengthy discourse on all things food in Sacramento with local Chowhounds. Tafttiger.