nicedragonboy's Profile
Fun group dinner in Berkeley?
Ippuku might be a fun spot, though I didn't get to explore the entire space so I'm not sure there's room for a 10-12 person party. They handled our group of 8 fine though.
3 days in SF, non-fine dining experiences needed for this weekend
I had a fine breakfast at Kate's Kitchen on Haight St.
Fire at Great China?
I agree. I think they could really do good things with that space. And they'll finally have some parking space...albeit somewhat limited.
Affordable steakhouse in East Bay for tonight
I haven't been there for awhile, but I remember the espresso rubbed Ribeye being pretty good.
Affordable steakhouse in East Bay for tonight
2nd on Prime Spot, that would've been one of my earlier suggestions but I thought it might've been too casual, since it's sort of a semi-sports bar & grill.
Affordable steakhouse in East Bay for tonight
I heard Corso in downtown Berkeley did a good steak that could be shared.
Restaurants near Julia Morgan Theater in Berkeley
I recommend kiraku. great menu, small plates, so you can try a variety and reasonable prices so you don't break the bank.
http://www.kirakuberkeley.com/menu.html
waht to order at Binh Minh Quan Oakland- (Vietnamese food)
It hadn't been to BMQ in several years myself, and BMQ actually wasn't my first choice for this meal, but I thought the meal was better than I expected and handled our haphazard ordering pretty well. In particular I enjoyed the roasted catfish and the combination Banh Hoi.
waht to order at Binh Minh Quan Oakland- (Vietnamese food)
I was just there on Sunday for Mother's Day and also ordered the combination Appetizer plate, which pretty much had a little bit of everything. I believe it there were regular shrimp spring rolls, tofu spring rolls, a very stuffed chicken wing, little egg rolls, chicken salad, and something else that got snatched up before I could get any. I found it to be a pretty good deal for the variety.
Oyster Banh Mi?
Thank you for the suggestions...I think I might try that if I have time. I'll be staying very near the convention center, would anyone know of such a vietnamese place within short walking distance of that area.
Oyster Banh Mi?
Visiting your fine city for the first time in late June, coming from the SF Bay Area. And during my research of places to eat, which all the talk of Po-Boys/Seafood and Vietnamese food, I got to wondering if anyone makes a Banh Mi with Fried Oysters? If so, please point the way. Thanks!
Recs needed for on-site food catering in the East Bay
Hugh Groman Catering/Greenleaf Platters can either do full catering services or set you up with prepared platters of food.
www.hughgromancatering.com
FYI, same folks that run Phil's Sliders in Berkeley
Flavor Brigade, Oakland
I like doing a combo trip out to that area starting with a Fruitvale Mexican Crawl and finishing with Flavor Brigade palette cleanser. Sounds like a good idea for the upcoming Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Date Night - Classic California Cuisine?
Personally I'd see if your husband would reconsider Aziza. It's actually not so exotic as it sounds and the flavors that they put together can be amazing. Plus good cocktails.
Elevation 66 - El Cerrito
I'm surprised there hasn't been more about E66 on Chowhound. I'd been hearing about it for months from friends and locals in the area and finally got the chance to stop by there before a couple rounds of bowling down the street.
First off, it's a brewery, and you can see the tanks behind the counter as you walk in. Cool. They have about 5 -6 regular drafts on the menu plus a few more rotating brews. They do a really good job with all of them. With my group we got to try their Golden Ale, East Bay IPA, Choco-Nut, Red Ale. My favorite was the Choco-Nut, which my friend described as "a light Guinness on a Hawaiian vacation".
There were also a couple of other local beers available on the menu as well.
On to the food, which included a few of what you'd expect at at pub, like fish and chips and a burger, but this place is definitely aiming higher. There was also grilled calamari, seared scallops, porkbelly, chicken cassoulet, risotto and did I mention the burger was Waygu? The food was definitely better than expected.
This spot is a really great addition to the area and makes a perfect stop before or after a movie at the El Cerrito Theater next door.
Smoke -- new BBQ (maybe) on San Pablo, Berkeley
I've only been able to find them open for sure on Saturday early afternoon from 11:30am-3pm. I'm sure that's not their only hours, but that's usually the time I go and I've only found them closed once out of the last 5 times I've gone at that time.
Smoke -- new BBQ (maybe) on San Pablo, Berkeley
was in there for the first time yesterday. They were able to do a combo plate for me with the pulled pork and the brisket with some of the hot bbq sauce and the pepper vinegar sauce on top and coleslaw on the side with jalepeno corn bread added.
The portion isn't huge, just 5 oz of meat altogether, but as a lunch plate it's actually just right for those of us who have to return to the office without falling asleep. I thought the brisket was okay, (I'm a bigger fan of Double D in Oakland), but I thought the pulled pork was excellent. moist and went well with pepper vinagar. I thought the slaw was okay, though a little tart for my taste. The cornbread was excellent though. A nice portion, moist, cakey, topped with a bit of honey.
I'm looking forward to going back for the smoked salmon, and the mac & cheese looked REALLY good.
Brasa - Peruvian chicken (and more) in Berkeley
That is correct. It is very pleasant. Picnic tables and several round tables surrounding the rose garden back there.
Brasa - Peruvian chicken (and more) in Berkeley
I've been twice already and really like it. Their hours are 11-8pm I believe, though I forgot to check if it was 6 or 7 days a week.
I've tried the rotisserie chicken which comes with choice of generous sides. the rice bowl with shrimp was very good and I especially liked the beef heart skewers over fries.
And the Chicha Mojada drink (purple corn drink)is really good.
Good Eats
I'm afraid you probably won't get too many responsed to this post since it's just too general and it's a question that gets asked literally hundreds of times on this board. Maybe if you searched a little on this board with a narrower idea of what you'd like to experience you could find an existing thread, or perhaps specify a little more about your tastes, locations, etc. With hundreds of good restaurants in the Bay area in that price range within walking, driving and or BARTing distance from downtown, it's hard to give any useful reply.
Recommendations for East Bay Dinner for Birthday
Just had dinner at Hudson on College Ave in Oakland. There's a room in the back, though your party of 12 probably wouldn't be alone. Food was good and the prices were pretty reasonable to me. Try the strawberry sorbet to finish the night if you decide to go.
Recommendation for Small Chinese Banquet in Oakland
I second this recommendation for East Ocean in Alameda. They do a really good job working with people to set up banquets and I think the food is much better than Silver Dragon/Peony/Legendary.
Call them up and they are usually willing to customize a menu for an occasion. I've seen them do it for as small as a 3 table party.
unique uni
Alexander's Steakhouse had an Uni Fried Rice dish a while back that was quite good.
Also the Mendocino Uni Flan at 5th Floor is quite rich and amazing.
Best bites of 2011
Almost forgot about the Mendocino Uni Flan that I had at Fifth Floor early in the year.
Best bites of 2011
- Caesar salad with slowcooked egg at - Alexander's Steakhouse in SF.
- BBQ at Gorilla BBQ in Pacifica. Links, Brisket, Ribs
- Frito Pie w/ Pulled BBQ Pork at Smokey J's BBQ, how have I never had this before?
