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Anyone try Xocolate in the East Bay- her pics of her items look scrumptious
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I have a friend who has driven in from MODESTO (65 miles) to go to the Berkeley Bowl for many years. When I lived in Modesto I would have her get me special items (goat cheese, bulk spices). Now that I am in Sonoma county, the need to go to Berkeley Bowl is not as pressing. But when I am in the East Bay I do make a side trip. It is a way cool place.
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Melanie is supernice...I'm sure the owners were thrilled to do this for her. Thank goodness for serendipity- best way to find cool places!
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Has anyone tried The Xocholate Bar in the east bay and marin? I'd like to know more.
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Chocolate for me is a necessary food group. I've got my tea and coffee bases covered. I'm looking for chowhounders take on available chocolate places in the North Bay beyond Sees candy (I know where that is). Places with dead on chocolate decadence cakes, eclairs, croissants. A locale with the best mole sauce. North Bay only please within a 40 mile radius of Petaluma. My little engine that could is not as mobile as it used to be.
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I am so glad I am back to reading posts on chowhound. I love this thread. Unfortunately now that I am a part time employee at a Java shop with a single syllable name on the East side of Petaluma, I am recusing myself from coffee related comments:)
Melanie, Windy and RWOrange, you really should be getting paid for your great posts!
I am personally looking for Coffee where pigmented folks are the clientele==> A cafe with true Latin or Caribbean flavor would be a natch...
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Why even bother when Berkeley has the fabulous Berkeley Bowl?
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From what I read and hear about slow food nation (listened to several interviews on KQED)...
The pompous and privileged "educating" the simple masses about what food is really about...AS IF
Major disconnect-- just another frivolous past time for those who want to feel superior and show how they are "in touch with the land."
I know so many working class and poor folks (especially of the 70+ age)-- that could teach some of these devotees about real slow food- the kind that grow in containers on fire escapes and in backyard gardens.
Just another bright and shiny "pruppie" (progressive yuppie) dynamic goin' on.
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I have been to celebrations in the East Bay at Lake Merritt. Sponsored by the Ethiopian Church in the East Bay (not the name). I don't remember the names of the foods-- just major yumminess going on:)
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Being a significantly melanin enhanced female-- my sense is that I would not necessarily draw positive attention:)
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Yes that is the place.. I like the hole in the wall look, but want to go with friends:) It looks like the kind of place that someone female should go with a group of LARGE friends:)
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Also for a good lunch-- Dempsey's -- the resturant faces the Petaluma river. However you have to "gasp" come in via the strip mall that has the Grocery Outlet-- on East Washington just before water street.
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Thanks rworange! As a Petaluman, I am glad someone mentioned the above places....
There are lots of places to try-- just have to get past the "it's in a strip mall" thing-- many nice surprises...
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I have driven by there often-- looks like a very locals place-- I have friends who hang out there-- more of a beer bar with live music- no comments on the food. Still want to try eating at the place further south on 116 that has the boat in the parking lot.
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I live in Petaluma.... even the East and West siders see themselves differently:)
5 minutes is different-- Penngrove teenie tiny and very country, Cotati - funky and small more like a college town- full of taverns, neat coffee houses and small resturants (very anti chain), Rohnert Park-- more chains and a few small restuarants-- but more than you realize.
Petaluma-- town of "keep Petaluma eggscentric:)"
Reminds me of the constrasting flavors of neighborhoods in Chicago- my hometown...
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also you can ask specifically to for them to not cook with MSG-- beware if you are sensitive...
they also have a nice banquet area upstairs for large parties..
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Namaste Cafe is undergoing an owner change....two families instead of the group of four. The cooks are the same except for the original head cook.
Food is spicier.... waitstaff is larger and friendlier...
New name will be Everest Kitchen
BTW folks in Petaluma might object to Rohnert Park, Penngrove and Cotati being considered a part of Petaluma (and visa versa). Each of the four communities are distinct and different...
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I just saw this in the on line press democrat- was going to post this. Chef Steve Tam's passing is a sad event. Condolences and prayers to his wife Linh, their families and the staff at Gohan.
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Saw a yellow change of ownership sign last week at my favorite Petaluma place to eat. Change in owners from four owners (one was the head chef) to two families (two are the other chefs from Namaste).
So far the food is spicier. They plan to make some changes to the menu over the next two weeks. Will keep you posted.
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Agree with the tasteless tuna. I've switched mainly to canned salmon-- more flavor, more calcium and less mercury...
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I agree whole paycheck BUT the Bakery at the Petaluma CA Whole Foods is to die for... amazing freshly baked goods that sorta masquerade as being healthy:)
The brewed coffee is so-so, the deli goods and sushi bar overpriced. I like some of the 365 brands. However I have found so many similar organic items at FAR less the WF price at the Grocery Outlet two blocks west.
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I have found my peeps-- okra lovin' types... the shorter and younger the okra- the more tender-- the faster cooked the less gelatinous...
ephemeral food in my book:)
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2 inspiring ways to prep okra-- I am a major okra fan...making my heart skip a beat..
BTW cooking whole or sliced? How big were your okra?
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bklyncupcake, your group can always split up into smaller "search parties" and sample some of the goodies at the smaller restuarants via the search engine. Could even be a bit of a scavenger hunt/ contest to find a favorite.
Happy trails and best wishes for a great visit to one of the most beautiful cities in the world...
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If you want really good Mexican food-- the Mission is your choice, not downtown or in the TL (Tenderloin). It's the 40 people size party that has me a bit stumped.
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Lawdy Miss Clawdy, a reservation for fried chicken?
That must be some fried chicken...
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so many choices-- you might want to search a few recent threads-- LOTS of recommendations on this board, a chowhounders paradise. You also might want to hone down to a neighborhood or particular community. Happy searching..
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You guys are in for a special treat... Eat Nopal is a well loved chowhounder who "abandoned" Sonoma County CA for Hawaii. He is missed in CA.
I'm going to have to visit this board just to sample his foray to Hawaii.
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Must be a cultural thing-- I grew up with mac n cheese that was never creamy. Instead the kind you could cut into squares-- soul food style-- even my son prefers it this way (he has to wait for grandma or great aunt to make him some).
Profile
Best meal I ever ate:
too many to choose
My current drink of choice:
Peet's Ethiopian Fancy Coffee
I really wish I could:
Finish my memoir cookbook
My "Go-to" dinner party dish:
too many to choose
My favorite comfort food:
Chicken and Dumplings
My top 5 favorite restaurants:
Namaste Kitchen-Petaluma, Everest Kitchen-Petaluma, Aram's-Petaluma, Hiros-Petaluma, Gohan-Petaluma
My most tattered cookbooks:
Joy of Cooking, Cooking for Two
People Reading Me
