Food Fiend's Profile
"Restaurants" Database To Be Eliminated
I'm an enthusiastic user of Chowhound (and can admit shamefully to being an infrequent contributor). I've valued the voices of posters such as rworange (and dozens of others) I've come to recognize and respect. So, responding to rwoarange's request (far earlier in this thread) for others to pipe up:
(1) I agree with almost everything in rworange's 2/12/12 post immediately above;
(2) having addresses and map to the right of the page is invaluable in trying to figure out if the posts are relevant to me, particularly when I'm perusing other Boards in my travels;
(3) the Chow Team's email to users about the removal of Restaurant pages was regretfully opaque and confusing (but I appreciate Meredith's (mudaba's) attempt to provide some --unfortunately limited-- response to concerns); and
(4) Chow should consider hiring rworange.
Local/Sustainable restaurants in SF and Oakland near BART
I'm chiming in on the Gather recommendation. It certainly seeks to hit the sustainability note, and has both charming decor and reasonable prices. We're omnivores and appreciate that Gather can mix vegan and gluten free with meat and fish dishes on the menu. We've also but enjoyed several of the vegan dishes, including the vegan "charcuterie," and the heirloom bean ragout.
The blackboard when we went on 2/25/09 said that Gather is opening for lunch on 3/2.
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Gather
2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
Benicia -- casual Sunday lunch?
Thanks for the recs. I looked into both Sala Thai and Matsuri, and they look like they're worth checking out, but both are only open for lunch Tu-Fri (dinner Tu-Su). We're probably going to swing by First St. Cafe.
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Sala Thai
15501 San Pablo Ave Ste F, Richmond, CA 94806
Matsuri
920 1st St, Benicia, CA 94510
Benicia -- casual Sunday lunch?
We're going to do the Carquinez -Benicia bridges loop tomorrow by bicycle, and I hope you might have a suggestion for lunch in Benicia. I've seen the description of Hula Hut, and we'll consider that, but I hope you can help out with some additional choices. Obviously nothing too fancy, but other than that, what's the best food to be found in Benicia for a Sunday lunch? Deli (Kinder's?), ethnic?
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Hula Hut
2032 Columbus Pkwy, Benicia, CA 94510
Italian for a Small Birthday Dinner
You encouraged me to describe the meal more fully, and I included some prices, since the Bibiana website is still under construction. (My bottom line on price/value: well worth it.) Here's the report: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/650770
Hope you have a festive birthday celebration, wherever you ultimately decide to go!
Osteria and Enoteca Bibiana -- bday dinner report
We went to Osteria Bibiana tonight for a birthday dinner (just the two of us), and it was wonderful. Creative, but well grounded in true Italian cooking. When I let drop that if was my bf's b-day, the waiter came our with a beautifully plated special dessert with a chocolate sauce "Happy Birthday" message adorning the top. Service, especially considering they're still in a soft opening, was excellent, too. (Kudos to our server from Campania!) Great wine list, including numerous selections by the glass/quartino/half-liter, which allows you to judiciously sample more! (Living up to the "enoteca" in its name.) We're visitors from the SF Bay area, but we travel in grand part to eat, and I'd be happy to go back to Bibiana. In fact, we ate so much this first time, I'm a bit embarrassed! We started with specialty cocktails ($12 ea): a Nicoletta (Hanger 1 Buddha Hand, Pinot Grigio and....I'm missing an essential ingredient or two), and a Maddalena (Vodka, Campari, Vermouth, Prosecco), both fine libations. I was pleased to see that there were enough interesting food choices that we torn among them. Eventually, BF started w/Vitello Tonnato ($12), which was prepared in a way much superior to the traditional slathering of the creamy tuna sauce on the thinly sliced veal; here, you could distinguish clearly the flavors of the veal, the tuna (thick swirls of the sauce garnishing the top of the plate), and little dabs of a chicory sauce. My appetizer was from the small plates section, the veal polpettine ($8). I'd rather describe these as polpette, as the diameter was about that of a U.S. quarter. Tasty, as was the tomato-based sauce. Good value, with probably ~6 in a "sm. plate." Our primi (primi for us, but the portions could have been entree size had we been less indulgent) were: paccheri ($18), a particularly wide and somewhat thicker rigatoni-shaped pasta in a fairly-traditional and delightful bolognese ragu. I had the risotto with green apple and Taleggio ($19), finished (I think) w/ a drizzle of olive oil -- perfectly cooked al dente w/o crunchiness, creamy w/o soupiness. (My mother was from Northern Italy, and I'm particularly picky about risotto, and fairly picky about Italian food in general.) Our mains were guancie di vitelle (veal cheeks, $26) with some lovely wild(?) mushrooms on top of a soft polenta and, as a beautiful taste and consistency counterpoint, a sprinke of hazelnuts. BF had the branzino ($25), an entire large fish, which was expertly deboned tableside. The waiter then drizzled a green sauce (like an Italian chimichurri) over the laid-out branzino, which was accompanied by expertly cooked rapini. We shared a decadent giundiuja bomba for dessert, then each a grappa, and some good espresso and French-press coffee.
Italian for a Small Birthday Dinner
We went to Osteria Bibiana tonight for a birthday dinner (just the two of us), and it was wonderful. I'm sure it would work well for 4-6, too. Creative, but well grounded in true Italian cooking. When I let drop that if was my bf's b-day, the waiter came our with a beautifully plated special dessert with a chocolate sauce "Happy Birthday" message adorning the top. Service, especially considering they're still in a soft opening, was excellent, too. (Kudos to our server from Campania!) Great wine list, including numerous selections by the glass/quartino/half-liter, which allows you to judiciously sample more! (Living up to the "enoteca" in its name.) We're visitors from the SF Bay area, but we travel in grand part to eat, and I'd be happy to go back to Bibiana.
Looking for Spanish/Latin Restaurant for girls dinner.
The Suba website announces that Suba closed, and redirects website visitors to Boqueria.
Empanadas?
El Porteno looks good, but their website indicates they sell at the Burlingame and San Mateo Farmers' markets. Do you know if they also sell in S.F.? And/or does anybody have any leads on good empanadas closer to Oakland/Berkeley/S.F.?
Bellanico in Oakland
Not long was the next day. BF called at ~8:15 to see if we could get a table for around 8:45 and was told there's an hour wait.
Dumpling House (Eldridge Street) Gone or Expanding ????
Went today. Specifically, there are ~7 two-tops and one round table that seats ~6-7. If you get your food hot, it's still fabulous, but the service is seriously disorganized currently. (Serving order numbers in the nineties (with same dishes ordered) before completing orders in the seventies.) As a result, it's easy to have some food piping hot and scrumptious and other food tepid and far less appealing. You can try keeping an eagle eye on your own order until they straighten out the glitches (if ever). Nice to have the extra space, which already seems filled by extra customers.
Chinese for ~10 Berkeley/Oakland - need recs
Thanks for the suggestions. I've loved Peony's for dim sum, and it sounds like a good choice for dinner, too. As for Little Shin Shin, I have to say I'm a bit leery, since I've had both good dishes and decidedly mediocre ones. China Village appears to be another very promising choice, although I was a bit concerned when I looked it up on the older posts and noticed that the chef left in Oct. to open up his own restaurant, Sichuan Fortune House in Pleasant Hill. Ridge reports today, however (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/481024#3312096) of another good meal at China Village. Has anyone else noticed change -- good or bad -- since Oct. at China Village?
Chinese for ~10 Berkeley/Oakland - need recs
Thanks for the suggestion. Luckily, we have a pretty adventurous set of eaters, so we're pretty wide open on the food.
Chinese for ~10 Berkeley/Oakland - need recs
Our book club dinners usually rotate among the members. But for our Feb. meeting, we're reading a short story collection by a Chinese author and want to eat at a Chinese restaurant in the Berkeley/Oakland area. We're open to cuisine from any Chinese region. We're not seeking a Chinese banquet, but will eat family style, and would order for the table ahead of time. Food is more important than decor for this crowd, but we are looking for a place that has a big round table that could seat all of us (11 max). The restaurant would have to be the type that wouldn't mind having us around for 2-3 hours. (Start with nibbles on the table at 7 while everyone gathers, than dinner starting at 7:30, wrapping up ~10 PM). We're meeting on a Monday night. Looking forward to your suggestions!
Oakland: Piedmont Ave. recommendations?
So far, you've got a unanimous vote for Dopo, but I'm in the minority on Cesar; I think it's overrated (and overpriced).
I also like Xyclo, and Tropix is a solid if not terribly innovative choice.
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Tropix Caribbean Restaurant
3814 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611
So-So Dinner at COCO500
Funny, after the Festa dell'Olio Nuovo a couple of weeks ago at Coco500, I was just thinking I'd like to go there more often for dinner. (I just posted a description of the special menu at:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/465505#3216883 .) Keller's preparations allow the flavors of the ingredients to really shine. In a couple of previous visits ordering off the regular menu I had thought the same.
2007 Da Vero Estate Olio Nuovo
We loved the Coco5OO Festa dell'Olio Nuovo menu, and the execution was terrific. Here's the menu (the substitutions they made for the vegetarian in our group were equally good):
Wild nettle & ricotta pizza (really a pizzeta, ~ 3" diameter split for each couple as a type of amuse)
Italian Chicory salad, baccala, bagna cauda, olives
Ribollita soup, cavolo nero, barlotti beans
Stewed octopus risotto, green aioli, parsley
Pheasant sausage, red chief lentils, quince
Colleen's new oil cake, oive oil gelato, muscato tangerines
Your original post description of the Dry Creek Estate oil was spot-on. We had to restrain ourselve from stuffing ourselves too early with bread dunked in that oil. The oil was also drizzled over the pizzetta and the soup, and was a clear element in the salad. I'd guess it was also a component of the other dishes, but just not so clearly distinguishable.
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Coco500
598 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
2007 Da Vero Estate Olio Nuovo
Coco5OO is having a "Festa dell'Olio Nuovo," a five-course $55 dinner featuring just pressed virgin oil from DaVero's Dry Creek Estate on Tues., 12/4. We had made reservations, just because we really like the restaurant and w/o any experience w/Da Vero. Glad to hear the positive report on the olive oil.
berkeley breakfast
Adagia (corner of College and Bancroft, pretty much across the street from Boalt hall on the South side of campus) has brunch (i.e.,opening at 10:30) on weekends. I've enjoyed it, although it's been a while.
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Adagia Restaurant
2700 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
San Diego - Avenue 5 - anyone been yet?
Here's a recent thread:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/444125
I agree with your assessment.
Avenue 5 (SD - Banker's Hill)
Imperfect , but worth checking out. (We did tonight.) The prices, including those on an interesting wine list, are very reasonable for the quality and care that are lavished on the dishes.
The duck confit appetizer was fabulous. Frisee, candied walnuts, blue cheese and a port reduction beautifully complemented a good-sized duck leg that had a peppery note.
The wild mushroom tortelloni appetizer was also well-made, but on reflection, I'm not sure I'm crazy about the grapes in the dish.
The tortelloni made an encore as an accompaniment to to BF's wild salmon. The salmon was topped with some tasty microgreens. Although the BF noted that citrus broth was perhaps not completely balanced/ slightly to acidic, I noticed not a bite was left.
I loved my plum tart, and the chocolate decadence was equally fine.
Service was very attentive.
I appreciated finding a SD restaurant that aims high, but doesn't have aim its prices at the stratosphere.
Convoy & Environs (SD) -need suggestions
Tried the first of your many suggestions: Chopstix, which specializes in Japanese noodles. (... and with a restaurant name like that, I have to admit, it would have been a long time before I would have gotten around to trying it on my own.)
Very friendly staff. When we ordered a large beer, our server immediately offered us the M-F special (even though it was Sunday) of an add-on appetizer for $0.99!
Besides the almost free CA roll (fine) we had a delicious order of mixed tempura, a mabo ramen and Chasyu-men ramen.
Thanks again for pointing us to not just good but great eats!
Convoy & Environs (SD) -need suggestions
We are in the area a several times/year (next time in a couple of weeks), and look forward to eating our way through the neighborhood.
Gluten Free Bakery in San Francisco Area
Mariposa Cafe had a grand opening a 2-3 weeks ago. I think it was a grand opening; in any event, they were providing free samples, which we wandered over and tried since we were next door at a the Wine Mine. We thought the muffins were really tasty, and were quite amazed when we belatedly realized they were gluten-free.
Convoy & Environs (SD) -need suggestions
Thanks Cathy! I look forward to checking out as many of your suggestions as I can. (Another good reason to keep coming back here!)
Convoy & Environs (SD) -need suggestions
No, I haven't seen the restaurant inside that grocery store; we'll have to check it out. The food itself is more important than the decor.
Convoy & Environs (SD) -need suggestions
Around Convoy, not all of San Diego. (That's why I mentioned the street.) I also recognize that there's an abundance of Asian restaurants there, which was why I hope that you all can help me with your personal favorites. (Personally, I woudn't put the chains like Burger King and Carl's Jr. in the "good eats" category, especially when there's so many other fine choices available.)
How about your top 2-3, with any dishes that particularly caught your fancy?
Convoy & Environs (SD) -need suggestions
SF Bay Area 'hound would appreciate your suggestions for good eats (Asian and otherwise) around Convoy. We've been to Dumpling Inn and Emerald various times and loved both, and to Jasmine, too, but were not as favorably impressed with the dim sum (perhaps we picked badly?). I'd love to get your suggestions for other spots in the area, including any favorite dishes. Thanks!
Casual Berkeley with good wine list??
You can order wines by the glass or bottle from the wine list at Taste (20-odd choices?) without going through the dispenser routine. (Not as big a variety as from the dispensers.)
In a couple of visits, all the dishes we tried have been fine, although few really hit the hights. Lamb burger sliders come to mind, though, as particularly tasty.
Worth a trip to Alameda?
I'd beg to differ; we've only been to Pappo once (we're Oaklanders), but would happily cross the bridge to Alameda again for a meal there. (Pappo is not better than its peers in Oakland/Berkeley, but on a par.)
