The Englander

City: San Leandro

Food type: Pub and grill

Restaurant link: http://www.englanderpub.com/

Price range/person: $15-25/dinner

Wait time: 5-15 mins

Service: Casual, relaxed, can be slow. Server kept forgetting our beers, which ended up just sitting on the counter a few feet away from our table.

Ambiance: Lively, loud, exciting. Over 20 flat screen TVs line the walls. A sports lover's dream come true - watch EVERYTHING at one!

Dish Focus On:

FRIED CALAMARI
















Served hot. However, calamari pieces were mushy - not sure if they were undercooked, not fresh, or meant to be that way. Not my favorite.

SIDE SALAD

Normal garden salad with spinach, lettice, shredded carrots, cabbage and onions. Fresh, but nothing too special.

MONTEREY CHICKEN SANDWICH GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST TOPPED WITH CHEESE, CRISP BACON & AVOCADO SERVED ON CIABATTA BREAD



















Flavorful mesh of avocado, cheese and chicken. Although meat patty was surprisingly thin, it was adequate for the sandwich. Ran out of ciabatta bread, so I had sourdough instead. Good chicken choice!

PORK SPARERIBS WHOLE SLAB



















Enough meat for the entire table or one VERY hungry person. Tangy and YUMMMY BBQ sauce smothers rib pieces. Tasty meat dish.

Yummmy Factor: 3.5/5

YummmyRambles: Definitely a fun environment. Tons of beer and sports. So many flat screens around that it's hard to focus on one thing only. Great place to enjoy a drink after a long day at work.

LuLu Restaurant and Bar

City: San Francisco

Food type: Provençal, rotisserie and grill

Restaurant link: http://www.restaurantlulu.com/LuLu_about.html

Price range/person: $25-35/dinner

Wait time: 10-30 mins

Service: Professional, clean, slightly cold. Waiter always seemed in a rush to take away our plates, even when we were not completely done.

Ambiance: Rustic, warm, grand. Beautiful arched ceilings and lighting create an almost "outdoors" experience. Subtle blue lighting makes you feel as if you are sitting under a clear, bright sky. A majestic wood-fire oven makes a great restaurant centerpiece and gives the room a light smoky/camp-fire scent.
















Dish Focus on:

Butternut squash gnocchi with sage brown butter and parmesan.

Unbelievably amazing morsels of pasta. Looks like each piece was carefully pan-fried. Distinct butternut squash flavor in each tender nugget. Gnocchi is sprinkled with fresh parmesan cheese and toasted hazelnuts. WOW!

Grilled quail with vegetables, roasted apples and sage-honey glaze.

Quail was seasoned nicely. Too bad this poultry does not come with more meat! Roasted apples made a unique and sweet side. Veges were slightly undercooked, but some say chard should be cooked that way. Topped with roasted nuts.

Pork and mashed potatoes

















Savory thick slabs of pork. Overall, meat was tender and moist. Only a few parts on the edges were dry. Dark meat was tastier than the white meat, but maybe that is only a personal preference. Fluffy soft mashed potatoes line platter.

Warm molten chocolate cake and vanilla bean ice cream with caramel


















A perfect way to end a meal. Sweet, rich chocolate that literally melts in your mouth. Cold ice cream gives a nice contrast. Luscious to the last bite, which our waiter took from us!

Yummmy Factor: 4.75/5

YummmyRambles: Gorgeous interior with fantastic food. Parking on the street may be difficult, but it's worth it! My hair and clothes had a "camp-fire" scent when I left the restaurant. Dining family style works well to everyone's advantage. Looks like they have a great wine selection as well. Large bouquet of exotic flowers in the women's restroom. Would definitely go back again!

Basic Roll Cake

Yummmy Recipe Time!

















A big thanks to Mrs. O for sharing her secrets with us.

Ingredients

For cake
7 large eggs, separated
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup cake flour

Filling (flexible)
Cream with diced fruit (strawberries, other berries, peaches, pears), jam, ganache, whatever suits your fancy!
If you use heavy cream for filling, Clover would be a good option. You may need 1 and 1/4 cups heavy cream (beat with 3-6 tbs sugar).

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Line jelly-roll pan (12 x 16 inches) with parchment paper.

3. Beat egg whites in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 1/3 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

4. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks and remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Continue beating until very thick.

5. Fold half of the egg whites (3) into egg yolks (4) until you don't see any white parts.

6. Shift flour into egg white/yolk mixture (5) and gently fold it in.

7. Fold remaining egg whites into combined mixture (6).

8. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for about 12 minutes or until cake top springs back when lightly touched.

9. To remove cake from pan, invert cake onto parchment paper (You can cover the cake with another jelly-roll pan to help invert). Let cool completely.

10. Carefully peal off the parchment paper. Spread with filling. Bevel cake edge on one side only - this will be the outer most edge to create a smooth surface. Roll up from one side (non-beveled) and wrap tightly. Let it rest in the fridge for a couple hours.

ENJOY!!

Tips:
Don't over beat egg whites as the cake gets dry. But, if the cake gets dry, no worries! Just brush simple syrup or liquor (Rum, Grand Marnier) on the cake before you spread the cream.

Saul's Restaurant and Deli

City: Berkeley

Food type: New York Style/ Jewish Deli

Restaurant link: http://www.saulsdeli.com/

Price range/person: $10-15/lunch

Wait time: 10-20 mins

Service: Rushed, casual, rugged.

Ambiance: Lively, jovial, colorful.

Dish Focus on:

Mega Mushroom - pile of sauteed mushrooms grilled with cheese

A mightly triple decker. Mushrooms and cheese are perfectly blended and melted together on toasted bread. Sandwich is served hot - watch your fingers! However, sandwich was slightly too salty for my taste and left me thirsty after the meal. Potato salad is flavorful and unique.

Yummmy factor: 3.75/5

YummmyRambles: A popular and crowded eatery tucked along a side street in Berkeley. Deli and To-go section is available in the restaurant for those in a hurry. Decent selection of side salads, pastas, dips, and special desserts/cookies available. Chocolate dipped macaroons are DE-licious! Fun candies are also available near the hostess counter. Fresh and crunchy pickles are served before each meal, in place of your usual bread. Slightly on the expensive side for sandwiches. Overall a great experience!

Another sandwich option - The Maven.

















Not sure why the bread is hot pink on the edges.

Sushi Solano

City: Berkeley

Food type: Japanese

Restaurant link: http://www.sushisolano.com/Welcome.html
No information available on site yet.

Price range/person: $15-25/dinner

Wait time: None

Service: Prompt, friendly.

Ambiance: Modern, asian influence, warm.

Dish Focus on:

Combined platter with various sushi types: Eel & Avocado Roll, Hamachi (Yellow Tail) Nigiri, Spicy Dynamite Roll (Yellow tail, tuna, and salmon?)


























Upon first bite, it was instantly noted that rice was not fully cooked or prepared properly - individual hard grains could be distinguised. While fish was of good quality, the rice ruined it.

LION KING Baked salmon on top of california rolls.













Hot salmon fillets tightly wrap california rolls below. Fish slightly overcooked. Sauce on top is tasty and spicy. Seen this roll prepared better at other Japanese restaurants.

Yummmy Factor: 2.5/5

YummmyRambles: Overpriced sushi with small portions. Restaurant was clean and comfortable, food was plated nicely, service was good, HOWEVER, food was not impressive at all.

Taylor's Refresher - Addition #1

More food for your pleasure...













Dish Focus On:

MISS KENTUCKY Grilled onions & mushrooms, jack cheese, tomatoes, slaw, BBQ sauce & ranch on a toasted egg bun.













Served piping HOT. A thick and juicy chicken patty coated with mushrooms and cheese. A light slaw salad lines the perfectly toasted bun. Fantastic alternative for those not crazy for beef.

WISCONSIN SOURDOUGH A burger with grilled mushrooms, bacon, cheddar cheese, mayo & BBQ sauce on grilled sourdough













Creative alternative for a typical bunned-burger. Filling and hits the spot, but burger doesn't seem right without the fluffy bun.

ONION RINGS Thick, beer batter style













Batter is prepared just right - crunchy yet light to the bite. Not a hint of sogginess. Onion stays crisp inside the ring. A winning side. What better way to add veges to the meal!? Not really, but it's worth it.

YummmyFactor: 4/5

Beach Chalet

City: San Francisco

Food type: Modern American

Restaurant link: http://www.beachchalet.com/

Price range/person: $25-35/dinner

Wait time: 20-45 mins

Service: Attentive, courteous, professional. Server made good suggestions on wine and dish selections.

Ambiance: Elegant yet relaxed, classy, romantic. Beautiful views of the ocean from restaurant. Candle-lit tables create a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

Dish Focus on:

BUTTERMILK FRIED CALAMARI Housemade Cocktail & Tartar Dipping Sauces













Calamari served warm, almost room temperature. Too much batter. Calamari pieces were small and slightly tough. Would rather have ordered something else. At one point, a manager-like lady came over to the table and said "I'm sorry about the calamari," like it wasn't prepared to our liking, however we had never made a complaint. It turns out that the table next to us didn't like the calamari that much either, and they actually made a complaint.

ICEBERG LETTUCE SALAD Blue Cheese Dressing, Sweet 100 Cherry Tomatoes, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Candied Walnuts, Shaved Red Onion & Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese













Simple wedge of lettuce makes a surprisingly good salad. The fresh tomatoes, candied walnuts and blue cheese enhance the fresh iceberg perfectly. Hits the spot.

LAURA CHENEL GOAT CHEESE RAVIOLIS Wild & Tamed Mushrooms, Savoy Spinach, English Peas, Mushroom & Mascarpone sauce













Mushrooms and veges topped the raviolis, rather than being wrapped up inside. Pasta shells were fresh and cooked perfectly, but mascarpone cheese inside was overwhelmingly rich. Spinach and peas were light and sweet, a good contrast to the rich raviolis.

SEAFOOD LINGUINI PROVENCALPEI Mussels, Manila Clams, Bay Scallops, Salmon & Mahi Mahi and Shellfish Broth













Seafood morsels were tender and nicely prepared. Luscious whole tomatoes were juicy and tangy. A light yet fulfilling entree.

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE With a Walnut-Graham Crust and Topped with a Berry Compote













A light and mouth-pleasing treat. Berry compote was not overwhelming and cake consistency was fluffy and moist. Graham crust was so thin that walnut flavor could not be appreciated.

Yummmy Factor: 3.75/5

YummmyRambles: Quaint get-away that straddles Golden Gate park and Ocean Beach in San Francisco. The restaurant and brewery is located just above a Visitor's Center, that features historic artwork by Lucien Labaudt from the 1930's. The Park Chalet Garden Restaurant is located behind Beach Chalet, and offers a large variety of drinks, appetizers, and more casual entree selection for someone on a tighter budget. A comfortable and delightful place with great views and food to satisfy your eyes and tummy.

Bistro AIX

City: Jacksonville, Florida

Food type: Mediterranean/ French

Restaurant link: http://bistrox.com/

Price range/person: $30-50/dinner

Wait time: 15 - 30 mins

Service: Classy, professional, polite.

Ambiance: Chic, romantic, modern. Dimly lit with modern decor and furniture. Beautiful lamps and scattered artistic pieces enhance romantic mood.

Dish Focus on:

Crispy Calamari served with red pepper-feta dip


















Crispy outside and tender calamari inside. Dip is deliciously creamy with a distinct cheesy flavor. A great appetizer choice.

Crispy Chips house-made potato chips with warm blue cheese


















Unique and tasty appetizer. Blue cheese is not too pungent. Must eat quickly, as warm cheese topping tends to make the chips soggy.

Mixed Green Salad with dried tomatoes & shaved cheese, tossed in a walnut vinaigrette


















Typical salad - not too exciting. Dried tomato pieces are too hard and walnut vinaigrette is a bit on the oily side.

Grilled Tuna over whipped potatoes, baby spinach, lemon-garlic butter & chive oil


















Tuna is thick, hearty, and meaty, with an almost steak-like consistency. Outside is nicely flavored while the inside remains tender. Spinach and potatoes accompany the fish well. Fish was prepared medium - would probably order medium-rare next time. Beautiful and creative presentation.

Classic Creme Brulee a Bistro Aix favorite


















Fresh berries accompany a creamy delectable dessert. Crunchy sugar top coats the chilled custard below. Yumm.

Flourless Chocolate Espresso Torte
dense chocolate cake with just a hint of coffee flavor

A VERY dense slice of chocolate cake. Slightly too rich, possibly even for chocolate lovers. Almost like thick chocolate pudding.

Yummmy factor: 3.5/5

YummmyRambles: Exquisite food presentation and service. Warm interior that creates a fun and classy atmosphere. Love the fiery lamps that decorate the rooms. Large selection of wine to enhance your meal. Riesling (Saint M Riesling, 2004, Pfalz, Germany) was fantastic. Able to accommodate parties of all sizes. Great dining experience.

The Palace Grill

City: Santa Barbara

Food type: Cajun, Creole

Restaurant link: http://www.palacegrill.com/

Price range/person: $18-25/dinner

Wait time: 15 - 30 mins

Service: Friendly, accommodating, personable. Servers go out of their way to make your dining experience pleasant - one even brought me extra muffins because I loved them so much!

Ambiance: Fun, lively, entertaining. Colorful decor and Marti Gras atmosphere makes your visit exciting and memorable.

Dish Focus on:

PENNE PASTA PONTALBA Penne Pasta, with Bronzed Diced Chicken Breast, Onions, and Red Bell Peppers in a delicious Creole-Seasoned Sauce with a touch of Cream.

Flavorful pasta with large chunks of chicken. A hearty portion able to satisfy a mighty appetite. A touch too salty for my personal taste.

Yummmy factor: 4.5/5


















YummmyRambles: Atmosphere is fun and exciting. Servers are genuinely friendly and want you to enjoy your dining experience, not ONLY the food. The BEST thing about this place are their muffins, which come with the dinner. Freshly baked, scrumptious bites of delight - muffin types include: corn, walnut, orange-cranberry, bran, and one more?? can't remember. Would go back to this place for the muffins exclusively, but the food is great as well. The CAJUN CRAWFISH POPCORN (a twist to your typical calamari) and the GUMBO YA YA are fantastic as well. Located by beach side, near tons of other fun stores and restaurants. Perfect place for dinner after a day of shopping!

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe

City: Morro Bay

Food type: Seafood, American.

Restaurant link: http://www.dornscafe.com/

Price range/person: $25-40/dinner

Wait time: 30 mins - 1+ hour

Service: Friendly, professional.

Ambiance: Elegant, inviting, classy.

Dish Focus on:

Clam Chowder award-winning recipe enjoyed for over 50 years, Served with homebaked sourdough bread & butter













Creamy and fulfilling chowder, with plenty of fresh clams. Bread is deliciously fresh and warm.

Petrale Sole delicate filets lightly floured & sauteed in butter & wine.













Fish is definitely fresh, but "poached" option leaves the filet slightly tasteless. Side of veges and rice are flavorful.

Scallop Saute butter, parsley, garlic, & a splash of white wine.













Possibly the best scallops ever. Succulent, fresh, and meaty chunks that slowly melt in your mouth. A true seafood winner.

Yummmy factor: 4/5

YummmyRambles: Wait is long, but the food is delicious, especially the scallops. Gorgeous views of the bay and Morro rock from the restaurant. A bit pricey, but nice for a romantic evening out.

Taylor's Refresher

City: St. Helena

Food type: Burgers

Restaurant link: http://www.taylorsrefresher.com/

Price range/person: $8-15

Wait time: 5-30 mins

Service: Casual, self-service.

Ambiance: Relaxed, chill.

Dish Focus on:

CHEESEBURGER - Topped with sliced American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles & secret sauce on a toasted egg bun.



























The ultimate place for the perfect burger. A soft bun with crispy edges sandwich a plump and hearty patty. Generously stuffed with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles. Cheese is smothered over the thick patty. Not your dainty afternoon snack. Available with chicken, ahi tuna, and gardenburger patties for those not crazy for beef. A wide selection of fine wines for the wine lover.














Yummmy factor: 4.5/5

YummmyRambles: As seating is outdoors, it may get quite hot on a sunny afternoon. A relaxing food stop that contrasts the more prim and proper wineries in the Napa Valley. Bring a hearty appetite. Fries make a great side. Cups are made from biodegradable material - corn!

Neecha Thai Cuisine

City: San Francisco

Food type: Thai

Restaurant link: Unavailable

Address: 2100 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115

Price range/person: $10 - 15/dinner

Wait time: 0 - 10 mins

Service: Polite, timely, professional.

Ambiance: Warm, inviting, cozy.

Dish Focus on:

Special Eggplant - eggplant, prawns, pork, chicken, Thai basil, and chili stir-fried in special sauce.













Colorful and tasty dish. Eggplant is plump and well seasoned. Meats and prawns add texture and variety to the platter.

Pad Thai - Traditional stir-fried rice noodles with prawns, chicken, tofu, eggs, green onions, and bean sprouts. Sprinkled with roasted peanuts.













A delicious noodle dish, generously tossed with tofu, chicken, and prawns. Slightly spicy. Shredded carrots, raw cabbage, and peanuts line the platter and can be mixed in with the noodles. Large carrot shreds do not mesh well with the soft texture of the noodles.

Yummmy factor: 4/5

YummmyRambles: A lovely place for a quiet and intimate meal. Food is authentic and very tasty. Plenty of stores to explore in surrounding neighborhood.

The Carême Room

City: San Francisco, California Culinary Academy

Food type: International

Restaurant link: http://www.baychef.com/about_restaurants_catering.asp

Price range/person: $15-25/dinner

Wait time: 10-20 mins

Service: Slow, disorganized, disconnected.

Ambiance: Spacious, crisp, grand. Large dining room with a high ceiling.

Dish Focus on:

Fish on a bed of mashed potatoes, topped with seafood sauce; served with a side of assorted mushrooms.













Taste does not match exquisite presentation of the dish. Mushrooms are too salty, and the fish is overcooked and dry. Would not order this entree again.

Assorted Desserts
Once again, platters are beautifully presented, but the food fails to tickle your taste buds. Unique toppings, such as the crunchy spaghetti sticks and the glazed root, give height and artistic appeal, but the desserts do not have distinct flavors. The same strawberry sauce and fruit assortment are used in several dishes and flavors are redundant. Ordering more than one dessert seems almost unneccessary.

Fig pastry puff













Cheesecake with chocolate chips and fruit

















Fresh Fruit Crepe













Yummmy factor: 2.5/5

YummmyRambles: As this is a culinary art school, students prepare and serve the meals. Therefore, your experience may vary depending on the students present. Service is slow, as appetizers, bread/butter, and drinks are all served by different students. Meals come out slowly as well. However, you may stroll around the restaurant to chat with current students and watch your food being prepared in the kitchen through large glass windows - a very "hands on" experience. Desserts are prepared in the dining room so that you may observe the cooking process. Student projects may be on display in the lobby. Not the place for a quick and satisfying meal. Fun experience if you have the time or a special interest in culinary arts.

Le Soleil

City: San Francisco

Food type: Vietnamese

Restaurant link: Unavailable

Address: 133 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94118

Price range/person: $10-20/dinner; $8-12/lunch

Wait time: 5 - 30 mins

Service: Courteous, efficient.

Ambiance: Casual, modern, asian twist.

Dish Focus on:

Flaming beef and shrimp wraps (name not exact on menu)













Before table side cooking














During table side cooking

A very unique and fun dining experience. The waiter cooks the deliciously seasoned beef and shrimp in a special ceramic bowl on your table. Entree is served with fresh vegetables, authentic fish sauce, and thin rice paper wraps, which are used to wrap everything up (like an asian taco). Inexperienced rice paper wrappers may find this dish a little messy, but it is well worth it!

Yummmy factor: 4.5/5

YummmyRambles: A small, yet delightful restaurant on a busy street. Wait is usually short and food does not disappoint. Lunch menu is also available, with slightly lower prices. While there are a plethora of other restaurants in this area, this place should not be overlooked. Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner - small and large parties can be accommodated. Many interesting shops/bars/bakeries to visit on this street.

Hyde Street Bistro

City: San Francisco

Food type: French

Restaurant link: http://www.themenupage.com/hydestreetbistro.html

Price range/person: $25-35

Wait time: 5 - 30 mins

Service: Friendly, professional, courteous. Chef himself may come out to check on you.

Ambiance: Elegant, romantic, serene.

Dish Focus on:

STEAMED MUSSELS MARINIÈRE - Garlic Shallots White Wine, With Fries


















Plush mussels in tasty broth. Good, but not extraordinary. Fries make a nice side.

COULIBIAC DE SAUMON A LA GENOISE - Layers Of Salmon Filet Divided By Rice And Wrapped In A Brik Pastry Paper, Stuffed With Mushroom Mousse And Spinach















Exquisite presentation, with each entree item able to stand on its own. Very original salmon preparation, with tender fish and veges wrapped in thin pastry paper. Entree looks small, but adequately satisfies hunger. The rice is a little too rich, but still tasty.

SOUFFLÉ AU CHOCOLAT FONDANT - Warm Chocolate Cake Melting Inside With A Scoop Of Vanilla Ice Cream

Decadent artistic masterpiece, able to delight any chocolate lover. Warm cake with heavenly center. All I could ask for would be a little more ice cream.

Yummmy factor: 4.5/5

YummmyRambles: A quaint little restaurant on a busy street. Delicious food with creative food presentation. Reservations recommended. Parking is rough. A bit on the pricey end. Perfect place for a romantic night out.