pinotho's Profile
Slanted Door or Sam's - for a teenager
Ruth and Bear, thanks very much for steering me in the right direction. Another question: is State Bird something she might enjoy? Thanks again.
Slanted Door or Sam's - for a teenager
whcih would you pick for a pretty sophisticated teenager? This particular teenager is adventurous about food, and life for that matter. This will be her first time in San Francisco. I've noticed a certain love on this board for Sam's over Tadich, and to be honest, I am craving some good seafood. But, what would be best for the young lady? Thanks all.
Curious about Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa area
Mel's Fish & Chips is better than Betty's, IMHO. And, in this case, more convenient. Since it's on Hopper, it's pretty easy on & off from the 101. Not as much ambiance as Betty's, but a mom n pop place with very tasty fish and chip Mel's (707) 578-1954.
If NZ Sauvignon Blanc is Best Who's Second Best?
Rochioli sauvignon blanc (Russian River Valley) is among the best from CA, if not the best. Very consistent from year to year. Around $30..
Curious about Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa area
+1 for Zazu......would be my choice. The advice you are getting about Johnny Garlic's is good advice, you would be wasting your time. Maybe a lunch there. Willi's is also good, Rosso good for pizza. Have fun.
California vacation for East Coasters
in Half Moon Bay (actually just N of HMB in Princeton) there is Barbara's Fish Trap....go for the tempura fried scallops, you'll love them, and the rest of the menu too. By the way, I believe it is cash only.
Walnut Grove/Galt/Ione/Plymouth
we are going from Sonoma County to Amador County on Sunday to do some wine tasting. This will be a first for us, we've never been to this area before. Any tips from the Hounders will be appreciated. Places to eat, or perhaps places to stock up on food products, or any other tips. Thanks for your help.
fried chicken/sonoma
picked up the box lunch at Addendum on Saturday. They were busy, the line was always 8 to 10 deep. We got there around 1:00. The restaurant, Ad Hoc, is closed for lunch. But, in the back is a small building where you pickup your box lunch. We had pre-ordered, but that just means that you go to a separate window when you get there, at which point they start your order. We waited 30 mins for the food. The choices were fried chicken, BBQ chicken, or ribs. The fried chicken was very good. They are fryng small chickens, and butchering them such that you get small pieces, but you get 3 pieces of chicken, which is enough food. My order had a drumstick, a portion of thigh, and a portion of breast. It was fried dark, so when I looked at it, I assumed it would be dry, and I was wrong. It was very juicy, even with the dark crust, so I think the chicken is probably brined. Whatever, it is delicious. A piece of cornbread was OK, a little sweet, the sides of potatoes and greens were utterly forgettable, we were a party of five, and no one cared for those sides. I didn't pay the bill, but I believe the box lunch runs $18.00. Perhaps a little steep since all you net out of the deal is the chicken and a piece of cornbread. But, the chicken is great.
Baci in Healdsburg: well intentioned and adequate
David, thanks for a well written and informative report. Your efforts are appreciated.
fried chicken/sonoma
dropped by Biscuits yesterday around 4:15 and they were closed. Yelp is showing that they close at 2:00 and then reopen for dinner at 5:00.
MUST TRY!
for Mexican, you will more than enjoy Mia's on Lemmon Ave.....the brisket taco's are great, and their menu will include all the other stuff you recall from your Austin Days. Even though you will find it hard to believe, Dallas is no longer great for BBQ. Baby Back Shak is wonderful if you are willing to stay away from brisket. The ribs are truly outstanding, ham and turkey are also delicious. Beans and coleslaw also noteworthy. By the way you need to exercise some common sense when visiting because of location....go earlier in the day as opposed to later . For a good steak, you will be near Javiers, which has good food and reasonable prices, altho not cheap. Enjoy your trip to Dallas.
Scopa or Cyrus in Healdsburg?
Hi yourself, Mango. Scopa and Cyrus are vastly different restaurants. Both are good, but Cyrus is much more formal, while Scopa is more California casual. Scopa has a limited menu, sources local ingrediants, has a good wine list, but it doesn't have any depth, as that's not what they are trying to pull off. You can eat a good meal in Scopa in an hour easy. Cyrus will require a lot more time. It has a comprehensive menu, it may even be fixed price, a set menu with multiple tasting courses. Hopefully someone will log on who is more familiar with Cyrus than me. Perhaps they still offer food in the bar and a la carte menu options. I have only eaten there once. But in general, Ctrus is a Michelin starred restaurant that is a more drawn out eating experience with a luxurious wine list. As you might expect, Cyrus is much more expensive. I would guess Cyrus would run 4 to 5 times as much as Scopa. Both are good, but vastly different.
Asian or dessert food trucks in Santa Rosa and environs
congratulations, Cecilia........there is a regular food truck, between Santa Rosa and Glen Ellen, that isn't marked but I feel it is a taco truck. I'll check next time I pass by and will report if they have a line on anything Asian. On SW side of Santa Rosa, along Sebastopol Road there are more than a few trucks, but all seem to be latin food. I'll ask at Simply Vietnam about Asian trucks, will let you know if anything develops.
fried chicken/sonoma
thanks, foodeye.........Freement Diner is not far away....I didn't know that they had fried chicken on the menu.
fried chicken/sonoma
are there any "fried chicken places" in Sonoma? All I can find is KFC. Would prefer Santa Rosa area, but I am certainly willing to drive for good fried chicken. Thanks in advance.
Sonoma Food and Wine Suggestions, Please
Try Woodenhead for pinots and zinfandels, as it's definitely more intimate and a boutique winery. You will be able to chat with some very knowledgeable people in the tasting room. You will take the River Road exit off of Hwy101.....west. Also, you will pass Martinelli on your way to Woodenhead, and you will enjot it if you stop and taste there, even though it will not be quite as hands on as Woodenhead. I had dinner Thursday night at the girl + the fig, and it was good enough, so go ahead and I think you will enjoy it. I have always felt like Healdsburg had the best restaurants after knocking around Sonoma county all day tasting wine. Willi's is probably the best combo of fun, setting, and food. But Scopa and Barn Diva also excel, along with plenty of others. Also, you might call Scherrer Winery and see if they'll agree to a visit, they have great pinots, chards, even some outstanding Sonoma cabernet.
Saison switches to prepaid ticket system
I agree with your sentiments.....just amazing.
John Ash & Co and Corks Restaurant ??
Two places come to mind when I think of fun, casual, and good food.
1.) Zazu - far west side of Santa Rosa - 707.523.4814. Never had anything here that wasn't delicious. Plus, they seem to always have quail on the menu. Local winemakers like this place, and they have a very fair, very interesting winelist. You need reservations for Friday, Sat, or Sunday.
2.) Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar - Healdsburg - 707.433.9191. Always good, always fun, always crowded. I think the name is misleading, in that they offer small plates that go way beyond seafood. They don't do reservations, but they are reasonable about putting you on the wait list if you call and say OK we're in the car and 30 minutes away.
You will enjoy either, I think, more than John Ash. Nothing against John Ash, it's just that Willi's is so much fun, and Zazu is such a quintessential wine country spot. Enjoy.
I thought Le Creuset didn't wear out
No, I would say that the interior coating qnd the exterior coating are very different. No photo....sorry.
I thought Le Creuset didn't wear out
unfortunately, Jay, I don't know. Just pulled the pot out one day, and they were there: chips in the lining about the size of the fingernail on your small finger.
I thought Le Creuset didn't wear out
I have a pot, I would call it the Dutch oven, probably about 5 or 6 quarts, and it has developed "blisters" in the bottom. The lining, on the interior of the pot, not the exterior, is wearing out and coming off in pieces about the size of a blister. Has anyone experienced this? This pot is old, at least 30 years old, but I thought the whole point of Le Creuset was that it was pretty indestructible. I thought that's why it is so expensive.
Lunches in Napa and Carneros
if you are planning to eat in Sonoma, then you should consider El Molina Central. Their Mexican food is outstanding. They are on the North end of Sonoma, on Hwy 12.......you can't miss it.
Mid-priced dinner in interesting/scenic area for European friends
Slanted Door should work well for you....certainly meets your criteria for location and food, and I guess it qualifies as mid-priced. It is a multiple plate type restaurant, and the food is delicious, so you can easily get carried away and start ordering lots of food. You and your friends would enjoy it.
Russian River valley day trip - picnic spot, help to narrow winery list?
Dear Lee: I'm going to chime in since there has been no mention of Woodenhead or Martinelli, and both make veyr highly rated pinots. Besides that, they taste good. Both are located on River Road, in the heart of the RRV. By the way,Woodenhead's tasting room is on the second floor, and there is a nice deck associated with it. I don't know whether it would be as "pretty" as say Rochioli, but I think a lunch on their deck would be fun.
