Yummmy Dish

Congrats Emily and Brian!

2008-09-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

It was a gorgeous and tasty wedding party!

Brophy Bros Restaurant

2008-09-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

City: Santa Barbara

The freshest seafood in town! The clam chowder and steamed mussels are a MUST.

Yummmy Rambles: Our server/cook at the bar was super friendly and made our mussels right in front of us! The most plump and juicy little bivalves I've ever had. Gorgeous views of the bay.

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

French Market, Disneyland

2008-06-22T23:18:00.000-07:00

Guess the ride and character!

City: Anaheim, CA.

Address: Disneyland, New Orleans Square

Food type: American, Cajun-Creole

Price range/person: $10-20/lunch

Wait time: 5 mins in line to get food.

Service: Nice. Self seating.

Ambiance: Colorful, jazzy, pleasant. Shaded outdoor seating. Occasional performances by jazz band (just not when we were there...)

Dish Focus On:

Kid Grill Chicken, served with fresh fruit and apple juice box drink. $5.99

Yes, ordered from the kids menu. Shockingly, it seemed better than the other options. Fruit was actually fresh, and meal was much healthier than other options (lots of fried chicken, which I heard was OK). Loved the plate! Rice was kind of hard, and chicken was kind of dry.

Yummmy Factor: 2/5

Yummmy Rambles: Food at Disneyland is so expensive! Admission and parking is already close to $100 ($66 for one day/one park, $91 for one day/both parks [California Adventure] for person age 10+, and $12 parking, to be exact), so if the food is so expensive, it should at least be better! I still enjoy “the happiest place on earth,” for several reasons, but just wish the food could be kinder to all. Didn’t really get the Cajun-Creole jive. Maybe because we missed the band? Maybe because I didn't order the "adult" food. The french fries were like salted cardboard.

Paula's Pancake House

2008-06-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

City: Solvang, CA.

Address: 1531 Mission Drive

Telephone: (805) 688-2867

Food type: American, diner-style, breakfast!

Price range/person: $10/breakfast

Wait time: None

Service: Casual, friendly, sweet. Servers all wore cute, matching Danish outfits.

Ambiance: Old fashioned inside. Quaint patio seating outside. Makes you feel like you are definitely not in California.

Dish Focus On:

Danish pancake combination. Served with sausage (or bacon) and two eggs. $8.95

Oh my goodness greatness, this pancake was incredible! Light, thin, prepared to perfection. Beware of inhaling the delicate powdered sugar in your excitement to chow down! And the sausage was HUGE. I'm not a huge fan of sausage due to the high fat content, so it was OK. But, my friend sure enjoyed it.

Diced ham and scrambled eggs, served with a fresh baked biscuit (or toast), and fruit cup (or hash brown potatoes or sliced tomatoes). Topped with cheddar cheese. $8.50

Satisfying ham and eggs! Fruit was really fresh, and topped with a bit of sugar (I believe) to make the strawberries super tasty. Biscuit was served warm.

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: A delightful find in Solvang! Fantastic prices on really scrumptious and tummy warming food. Comfortable seating both outdoors on sunny days and indoors for a pleasant “mom and pop joint” feel. The Danish pancakes are heavenly! Would definitely go back… yummm….

Cesar

2008-06-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

City: Berkeley, CA.

Address: 1515 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709 (in the Gourmet Ghetto)

Telephone: (510) 883-0222

Website: http://www.barcesar.com/

Food type: Spanish style tapas, often shared. Nice place to go with small to moderate sized groups.

Price range/person: $20-30/dinner

Wait time: Variable, none when we visited.

Service: Sophisticated, suave.

Ambiance: Rustic, jovial, chic.

Dish Focus On:

Grilled asparagus with smoked salmon & caper-lemon sauce, $9.75

Cold dish with delicious fillets of smoked salmon and plump grilled asparagus. Comes out really fast!

Paella de la semana: pollo estilo andaluz (chicken, asparagus, green beans, almonds, mushrooms, jamón serrano & saffron in a chicken broth; Need 25 minutes for preparation), $19.75

Larger than expected plate of flavorful rice, mixed with various veges and mushrooms. Resembles Chinese flavored sticky rice, but with a Spanish twist. Dish is actually very shallow, but portion large enough to share among at least 3 people.

Type of seafood cake…

Marinated olives (the first dish is complimentary), $4.75
Not shown.

Yummmy Factor: 4/5

Yummmy Rambles: Location on popular street in Berkeley. Place is often busy, as a local hang out for swanky minglers. Large bar. Much attention given to small plates of food. Dishes are pricey, but presentation and ambiance make for a fun night out!

Cafe De La Paz

2008-06-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

City: Berkeley, CA.

Address: 1600 Shattuck, Berkeley, CA. 94709

Website: http://www.themenupage.com/cafedelapaz.html

Food type: Tapas, Nuevo Latino

Price range/person: $15/brunch (not including alcohol)

Wait time: None to be seated (choose your own seat and take your own menu); 20-30 mins for the food (even on a relatively quiet afternoon)

Service: Slow, relaxed, short-staffed. Seemed like there was only one server for the day.

Ambiance: Colorful, Cheerful, Casual.

Dish Focus On:

Cachapas De Jojoto - The café’s signature, Venezuelan corn pancakes

Delicious moist pancake patties, topped with special sauce and cheese. I would be fine with this as the main entree rather than an appetizer.

Chicken Scramble served with home-fries and cornbread (jalapeno)

Corn bread has a kick. Eggs are tasty and filling. Potatoes are a bit excessive.

Yummmy Factor: 3.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Not the place to dine if you are in a hurry. Service is unbelievably slow. Restaurant is very spacious with large rooms available for private parties, but it appears that the smaller room upstairs is the most often utilized. Food is decent, but not spectacular. Street parking. Not in a rush to go back soon...

Bridal Shower!

2008-06-12T22:13:00.001-07:00

Look at all the foodie food food!!!

Food from Playa del Carmen, Mexico

2008-06-12T19:19:00.001-07:00

Plain quesadillas with guacamole, salsa, and beans

Just average.

Beef with potatoes and guacamole

Meat was juicy, but cut was unusual. Potatoes were dry, but guacamole was pretty tasty.

Combination taco platter: chicken, fish, steak, sausage, and cactus

Overall good. Cactus was new to me - a bit like sour green bell pepper...

Combination fajitas: chicken, steak, and shrimp

Served with fresh tortillas and sides. Although food tasted good during dinner, my tummy didn't feel as hot that night or the next day. Shrimp gone wrong?

Chicken tacos

"Chicken" item on Mexicana flight 918

Cannot believe I actually ate this. I guess I was that hungry. "Chicken" was served with corn, something that resembled carrots, bland rice, possibly beans, and crumbled up cheese? Other "pasta" item wasn't too impressive either.

Yummmy Factor: 2/5

Yummmy Rambles: Overall, food in Playa del Carmen was not very good. Dishes in San Diego, CA were far better. Maybe we picked the wrong restaurants or the wrong city to dine in, but food was not our day's highlight. Prices were high as well. Cocktail drinks were decent. Seafood may give you stomach problems, so I recommend staying with chicken, beef, and Mexican style dishes. Male waiters tend to be very flirtatious with the women.

Firefly Restaurant

2008-04-13T20:15:00.001-07:00

City: San Francisco (Noe Valley), CA.

Address: 4288 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Website: http://www.fireflyrestaurant.com/

Food type: American, contemporary

Price range/person: $35/dinner

Wait time: Reservations recommended. Bar is open for walk-ins.

Service: Meticulous, proper, attentive.

Ambiance: Whimsical, serene, child-like elegance. Adorable paintings decorate the walls, enchanting chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and colorful candle-lit tables and settings brighten the room.

Dish Focus On:

House Bread with a black bean, jalapeño, and tomato spread.

Fantastic spread! The bread was fine, but the black bean spread made it fabulous! Wish I could buy this from the store...

Tomasa’s Rockin’ Pork Empanadas with Tomatillo Salsa, Cabbage Slaw and Sour Cream 9.25

Empanadas were good. Pork inside was prepared nicely - shredded with adequate seasoning. Slaw was tangy and very fresh - beautiful color! Portion slightly smaller than expected.

Grilled Alaskan Halibut with Warm Truffled Potato Salad, Asparagus, Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Grilled Red Onion Favetta 23.50

Meaty and tender filet of fish. Potato salad was very creamy. Asparagus and mushroom medley was cooked properly and very tasty. Sauce on top was slightly sweet and enhanced the fish nicely. An overall terrific entree.

The Fried Chicken of Your Dreams with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Peas & Carrots and a Damn Fine Buttermilk Biscuit (that you probably can’t have unless you order the chicken…sorry) 19.75

A classic, even at a finer restaurant like this. All 3 tables around us ordered this item and everyone seemed to love it. A customer beside us even asked for an extra biscuit, but the server said that there were not enough. Chicken was tender and the skin was perfectly crisp.

Yummmy Factor: 4.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Restaurant is a hidden gem in a residential area. Food entrees are creative and delicious – also take quite awhile to be served. Items slightly pricey, but ambiance and service enhance the experience. Servers clean table tops between courses and fold napkins when you step away from the table. Casual dress is fine. Street parking only. A pleasant dining experience.

Gregoire's Takeout

2008-04-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

City: Berkeley, CA

Address: 2109 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA. 94709

Website: http://www.gregoirerestaurant.com/

Food type: French

Price range/person: $10/lunch

Wait time: 5 mins to order; 10-20 mins for food

Service: Friendly, fun.

Ambiance: Quaint, cheerful.

Dish Focus On:

Smoked shrimp salad with mango & mint in pantofolina. $7.50

Smoked shrimp has distinct and delicious flavor. Mango and veges keep the sandwich chilled - very refreshing. Colors are gorgeous together.

Olive oil poached English sole with avocado & tomato salad on toasted white deli bread. $7.25

Incredibly tasty sandwich - combo of fish and avocados is sensational. A nice upgrade from the typical tuna sandwich.

Crispy potato puffs. $4.50

Freshly deep-fried balls of mashed potatoes. Served HOT and with a delicious dipping sauce - which changes periodically (keeps things exciting).

Other delectable sandwiches from past visits.

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: A favorite lunch spot of mine in Berkeley. Have not visited the new Oakland location yet. Menu changes monthly to keep you coming back. Side salads (always tasty), served with all sandwiches, change often as well – appears to be weekly, but not sure. Restaurant is tucked away on a small street in a busy town, but place manages to stay busy with loyal customers. Portions are perfect and leave you happily satisfied. Potato items are tasty and fun (love the roasted fingerling potato & onions) and desserts are prepared/baked fresh. The banana chocolate fold is amazing! Food served in cute brown boxes - you save $0.25 each time you re-use the box (didn't learn that until I had been there over a dozen times). Very limited seating area and parking can be difficult, but the food makes everything better! You can find Gregoire himself there at times.

Kokkari Estiatorio Restaurant

2008-04-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

City: San Francisco (Financial District), CA

Address: 200 Jackson Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: http://kokkari.com/

Food type: Mediterranean, Greek, Helenic Cuisine

Price range/person: $40/dinner

Wait time: Make a reservation! Place is often packed, even at 6:00 pm on a typical weekday.

Service: Very professional, polite, pleasant.

Ambiance: Lush, rustic, elegant.

Dish Focus On:

Olives
An assortment of olives, served alongside bread and salt. Rich and salty - maybe even a little too salty, but that's the way olives are!

Kolokithokeftethes - crispy zucchini cakes with cucumber & mint-yogurt dressing

Crispy shell coats the delicious zucchini cake. Cucumber slices and the yogurt dressing are fresh and very refreshing! Nice appetizer. The server was actually able to pronounce the name!

Garides Yuvetsi - wood oven roasted prawns with tomato & feta cheese

Succulent prawns served in a hot tomato sauce. Feta cheese is a great addition to the shrimp. A bit of the shell was still left on a prawn piece.

Arnisia Paidakia - grilled lamb chops with a lemon-oregano vinaigrette & Kokkari potatoes

Perfectly prepared medium-rare lamb chops. Server suggested this item as a house special - and the meat sure was yummmy! Side of potatoes were tasty and tangy, but nothing extraordinary.

Kokkari Sundae - Chocolate & vanilla ice cream with hot fudge, whipped cream & toasted hazelnut

Not quite the Mediterranean influence, but what a delicious dessert, especially on a hot evening. The hazelnuts were a terrific topping. Whipped cream was noticeably fresh.

Yummmy Factor: 4.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Surprisingly busy on a Thursday night! Fireplace is lit inside to enhance the warming and comfortable dining area. Full bar open, with several dining rooms in the restaurant. It always amazes me how large restaurants are on the inside, given the outward appearance! Smaller rooms are available for private parties as well. Bathroom is hidden in the basement, but is still quite pleasant. Although food was very pricey and presentation was just mediocre, the service was impeccable and the food was sensational. Hostess even brought out reading glasses for a customer who was having trouble reading the menu! Talk about full service.

Street side view

Appetizer Party!

2008-03-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you E for a lovely evening!
Appetizers based on recipes from Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook.

Prosciutto and canteloupe balls

Scallops on homemade potato chips - freshly seared sea scallop pieces with a minted pea puree (leek, shallots, garlic, mint and peas), all on top of a baked potato chip. A sprig of mint decorates each scrumptious morsel.

Mango crab snacks - crab meat, red bell pepper, cilantro, lemon juice, mango, and mayo, all on sweet batard.

Cherry tomato cups stuffed with corn and grilled shrimp, marinated in lime juice and coriander with shallots, corn, and cilantro.

Endive and Ahi tuna cubes - Yellowfin tuna steak marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, chives, and rice wine vinegar.

Strawberry and banana chocolate fondue! The perfect way to end a yummmy night...

Rick and Ann's Restaurant

2008-03-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

City: Berkeley, CA

Address: 2922 Domingo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705

Website: http://www.rickandanns.com/

Food type: American (breakast, lunch, dinner)

Price range/person: $10-15/breakfast

Wait time: 5 mins for seating, 15-20 mins for food

Service: Variable - may be snobby or very sweet, careless sometimes.

Ambiance: Casual, homey, soothing.

Dish Focus On:

1st visit:::

Down South: two cornmeal pancakes with Rick & Ann's spicy turkey sausage, salsa and two eggs scrambled with cheese.

Sausage is nicely seasoned and has good consistency - very tasty! Pancakes are superb - grainy cornmeal texture evident.

Yukon Gold Plate: vegetarian hash with sweet & white potatoes, sweet bell peppers, corn and apples, served with two eggs any style and your choice of toast, muffin or scone. (Wheat Free!)

Creative mix for hash - perfect blend of potatoes & veges (corn appears fresh). Muffin was fresh and yummmy - banana pecan. Eggs aren't bad either.

2nd visit:::

Midwest: two potato-cheese pancakes with two eggs any style, grilled tomatoes, and our house-smoked pork chop. (Need 15 minutes to prepare)

Potato pancake is tasty and very cheesy - similar to hash browns. Pork slightly dry, but applesauce side adds a nice touch. Grilled tomatoes are fresh and hot.

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sandwich: with roasted eggplant, baby spinach, tomato, pesto and provolone cheese. on a roll.

Surprisingly filling sandwich. Fresh and YUMMM! Potato salad is nice. Side of pickles: crunchy with a hint of sweetness - I normally don't even like pickles, but these were good!

Cupcakes: Chocolate peanut butter & Carrot

Chocolate and peanut butter cupcake was fantastic! However, the carrot cupcake was not made that morning - we saw them there on our 1st visit (fresh that day), but they were still being served on our 2nd visit (2 days later). Regardless, both still hit the spot.

Yummmy Factor: 4.25/5

Yummmy Rambles: Food was so good that we came back for the 2nd time within 2 days. Waitress on 1st visit was slightly snobby and rude - she forgot the salsa with one of our dishes too; waiter on 2nd visit was much nicer, more helpful - however, he charged us twice for extra salsa. Our seating at the counter enabled us to watch all food preparation – chefs are super friendly! Delicious cupcakes made daily ($3.50 each). Location in quaint area near elegant Claremont Resort in Berkeley. Street parking may be difficult. Can't wait to try more items on lunch and dinner menu. This place has GREAT catering options - the sandwiches are fabulous and delivered in meticulous packaging (boxes, served with a side, cookie, chocolate piece, and plasticware).

A special birthday...

2008-03-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

...for a special grandma - 82!!

Fruity cake

Chinese words say: Happy Birthday, Grandma! Inside, a very light, fluffy cake, with a layer of whipped cream and mixed fruit. A healthy cake?!

Longevity peach buns

A steamed treat: sweet cakey outside, with a rich red bean paste filling. Never seen the green leaf decor before, but it sure adds some nice color! Before the birthday dinner began, the birthday girl (grandma) tore up the HUGE peach bun in little pieces to share with everybody - we all had to eat a little piece of it. This appears to be a symbolic tradition, in which one can share his/her good fortune of a long life with family and friends through the sweet bun. I learn something new daily!

A LOT of food: veges, noodles, shrimp, chicken, duck, pork, beef, fish balls...

No, this is not a restaurant buffet. It's a mix of store bought and home cooked food! A whole LOT of it...

Home Cookin Yummmers

2008-03-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

A simple, yet healthy and delicious meal...

Freshly stir-fried green beans and spinach, freshly purchased BBQ pork - "Cha siu" (so not all of it was home cookin), and freshly steamed catfish.

Close up view of steamed fish, garnished with ginger and onions.

My favorite way to prepare fish. My mom does it best!

Hash House A Go Go

2008-03-02T20:25:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego

Address: 3628 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Website: http://www.hashhouseagogo.com/

Food type: Breakfast foods! (also lunch & dinner), American/comfort foods

Price range/person: $15-20/brunch

Wait time: 25-45 minutes; Coffee and water available outside in waiting area.

Service: Helpful, prompt.

Ambiance: Chic industrial feel, casual elegance.

Dish Focus On:

House Hash: Mushroom, artichoke hearts, sundried tomato and fresh spinach, Tossed with crispy potatoes & topped w/ 2 eggs (scrambled), served with fruit (watermelon slice) and biscuit

Not only are portions huge, but individual food items are huge too! Largest sun-dried tomatoes ever - slightly too sour and tart for my taste. Spinach and artichoke hearts were clearly fresh and yum! Scrambled eggs were prepared perfectly, still moist on the inside. Biscuit is better warm and with the strawberry jam. Chunks of potatoes were too hard, maybe slightly undercooked? But wow, what a dish! Decor with the twig of rosemary is grandiose.

House Hash: House Smoked Fresh Salmon, cream cheese and scallions, Tossed with crispy potatoes & topped w/ 2 eggs (Over hard), served with fruit and biscuit

Superb salmon pieces - tender and warm, not too salty at all. Over hard eggs were yummmy and sides were delicious as well.

Farm Scramble: Roasted chicken, fresh corn, roasted red pepper, & mozzarella, served w/ griddled mashed or crispy potatoes and biscuit

Chicken was super moist and tender, made wonderful combo with the scrambled eggs.

French Toast: Griddled french toast dipped in banana cinnamon cream w/ pecan maple syrup


AMAZING! INCREDIBLE! The best french toast ever. Huge slabs of fresh bread, topped with whole sliced roasted bananas. Pecans, syrup and powdered sugar made the dish even better. WOWWIE!

Yummmy Factor: 4.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Insanely humongous portions on ridiculously enormous plates. Wait is long, but food experience is worth it. Homemade strawberry jam available on tables is light and terrific. Fun place for any meal, party, or EXTREMELY hungry people. One Colorado visitor even came up to our table and asked to take pictures of our food, since he forgot to before he ate his. All I can say is: Bring an appetite! And if you have any trace of a sweet tooth afterwards, "Extraordinary Desserts" is not far away! And yes, Sharon M, I have been to Hash House. =)

Aroma Thai

2008-03-02T20:03:00.000-08:00

City: Imperial Beach

Address: 757 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Food type: Thai

Price range/person: $10-15/dinner

Wait time: None

Service: Very polite, gracious, friendly. Server even opened door for us on the way out.

Ambiance: Romantic, vibrant, quaint. Adorable flowers and candles enhance table tops. Colorful pillows line seating along the walls. Lovely décor appropriate for the month of February.

Dish Focus On:

Yellow curry, with chicken and vegetables

Curry sauce nicely seasoned, with a fantastic coconut infusion. Chicken was good. Onions were slightly chewy.

Chicken Pad-thai, with bean sprouts, carrots and crushed peanuts on the side

Noodles were thinner than I've seen in other Pad-thai dishes, but they were so yummmy. Sauce was deliciously sweet and salty, bean sprouts were fresh and crunchy, and chicken was nice and tasty.

Yummmy Factor: 4.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Sweet little restaurant along the beach. Décor is pleasant – lots of red for Valentine’s day in February. Even bathrooms have colorful and fun décor! Although place was quiet on a Friday night, food was very tasty. Restaurant found purely by chance as we were exploring a new area and waiting for our movie at the South Bay Drive-In Theaters.

Extraordinary Desserts - Update #1

2008-03-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

See original January 28th, 2008 posting.

City: San Diego

Address: 2929 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 (Balboa Park)

Website: http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com/index.htm

Food type: Desserts, beverages

Price range/person: $5-10

Wait time: None

Service: Polite, friendly.

Ambiance: Classy, fresh, comfortable.

Dish Focus On:

Apricot coffee cake - To-go!

Absolutely delicious fruity cake. Nice balance of cake, fruit, sweet crumbly topping and powdered sugar dusting. And no, that is not an egg yolk, but an apricot half topping the slice. Subtle almond flavor infused in the crust. I want more!

Street-side view

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Once again, treats were impressive to the eyes and tongue. Apricot cake was $3.50, but similar apple coffee cake was $6.00 – maybe because the detail with the apple slices was more intricate. Cappuccino was flavorful, strong, and rich. Place was surprisingly empty on a Sunday afternoon (11:30 am), maybe due to more “posh” location in Little Italy.

More yummmy treats for your viewing pleasure

El Indio Mexican Restaurant

2008-03-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego

Address: 3695 India St., San Diego, CA 92103

Website: http://www.el-indio.com/

Food type: Mexican

Price range/person: $10/lunch or dinner

Wait time: 5-10 mins to order; 10-15 mins for food

Service: Mostly self-service.

Ambiance: Casual, colorful, jovial. Vivacious murals decorate the walls and fun piñatas hang from the ceiling.

Dish Focus On:

Carne Asade Tacos - Seasoned Carne Asada wrapped in two El Indio Corn Tortillas, with Guacamole and Ranchera Salsa. Served with rice, beans, and chips.

Incredibly tender and tasty slices of carne asade, wrapped in fabulously fresh corn tortillas. Tortillas were tender and smooth, not the typical grainy texture of corn tortillas. Guacamole is fresh and accompanies the meat perfectly. YUM and what a LOT of food.

Shredded Beef Taquitos, topped with Cheddar Cheese and lettuce. Served with rice, beans, and chips.

Crunchy taquitos stuffed with yummmy shredded beef. Topped with an abundance of lettuce and cheese.

Street-side view. Festive March decor evident on windows.

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Learned of this place from Guy Fieri’s show on the Food Network: “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” Looked so good on TV that we went the next day. We were not let down! Food was fantastic! Restaurant was already busy around 10:30 am, and very crowded by 11:30 am. Appears that everyone buys a bag of homemade chips and/or tortillas during their visit. Tortillas are made fresh daily and boy, are they GOOD! Aguas frescas, including a wonderful Horchata, available on fountain.

Only a hop, skip, and short drive away from San Diego's Balboa Park. Enjoy the gorgeous Botanical Garden and the exciting Natural History Museum, among MANY other museums and attractions.

Arigato Japanese Restaurant

2008-03-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

City: La Mesa

Address: 5575 Baltimore Drive Suite 110, La Mesa, CA 91942

Food type: Japanese

Price range/person: $10-15

Wait time: 5 minutes

Service: Rushed, confused.

Ambiance: Cafeteria-like, mismatched, bright. Ceiling fluorescent lights were much too bright and furniture (tables and chairs) did not match.

Dish Focus On:

Pork Cutlet Bento Box, with fried dumplings, mixed tempura, rice and salad

Couldn't tell at first if meat was pork or chicken. Tempura and dumplings adequate. Salad fresh, but there was either a stray olive or pickled grape mixed in - couldn't tell what it was (see bottom left corner of salad box).

Caterpillar roll - California roll with eel and topped with avocado

Sushi was good. Not bad, but not the best.

Oyako Don - chicken, vegetables and egg over rice

This dish was an AWFUL mistake. Upon first bite, I thought the chicken and rice were much too salty. I thought it was not mixed properly, so after mixing thoroughly, I gave it another shot. Then, I knew something was wrong. Oyako Don typically has a slightly sweet goodness, but this dish was all salt. I mentioned to the waitress that the entree was too salty. Before I could even finish my complaint, she already knew what I was going to say, as if this complaint was reoccurring. Later, another waitress came out and told me that the cooks had prepared the sauce incorrectly. It seems to me that they used salt where they should have used sugar. GROSS! So, they took away my food mishap and asked me to order a new item.

Salmon skin salad

Vegetables were fresh and crunchy, but salmon pieces were again too salty, and the skin was so thick and hard that I could not chew them.

Yummmy Factor: 2.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Initial impression upon entering restaurant was already poor – lighting was way too bright and open Valentine heart candies were sitting in a dish by the door. Seating arrangement was odd – our table was the only one in the middle of the room; other tables lined the walls. Food was inappropriately prepared (Oyako Don) and I was forced to order something new. No discount was given for restaurant’s mistake. Parking is limited. Would not go back again. Oddly enough, restaurant was full for dinner – but I’m really not sure why. Maybe this was an off night?

Shakespeare's Corner Shoppe & Afternoon Tea

2008-03-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego

Address: 3719 India Street, San Diego, CA 92103

Website: http://www.ukcornershoppe.com/

Food type: Afternoon Tea – Biscuits, petite sandwiches, sweets

Price range/person: $17.95/Complete with food and tea

Wait time: None, reservations required

Service: Courteous, relaxed, helpful.

Ambiance: Enchanting, playful, cozy.

Dish Focus On:

Afternoon Tea and snacks - Menu includes:
Assortment Finger Sandwiches: Egg, salmon, ham, cheese, cucumber
Fresh Baked Sausage Roll with Branston Pickle
Home Baked Scone with Double Devon Cream & Jam
Home Baked Cake Medley: Coffee cake, Christmas cake, Almond bar
Imported British Biscuits: Chocolate and shortbread
Pot of Tea (your choice)

Darjeeling: Light, delicate tea with a distinct floral aroma

Tea served with sugar cubes and milk. Teapot is kept on a warmer with a tea candle inside.

Scone, with few raisins hidden inside.

Scone is hot, fresh, and moist - almost like a biscuit. Devon cream and strawberry jam enhance the scone experience - YUMMM!

Finger sandwiches and sweets.

Finger sandwiches are all delicious. My favorites were the egg and salmon. Cucumber sandwich was light and refreshing. Cheese was crumbly and had a sharp flavor. Sweets were fabulous - coffee cake was my favorite.

Yummmy Factor: 4.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: A delightful place to have traditional British afternoon tea. Seating is outdoors, on a quaint patio. A large tree runs through the seating area, making it feel like you are dining in a tree house! Plating is delicate and food is meticulously prepared. However, plates and teacups had white dust (maybe towel lint?) on the surfaces. Nearby corner shop stocked with British food and gifts. Uniquely pleasant experience (other than the slightly dusty plates). Server even had a real British accent! Shakespeare's Pub adjacent to Corner Shoppe for those who may want some heavier grub or a beer.

Madanzsae Korean Barbecue

2008-02-25T13:31:00.000-08:00

City: Lakewood, CA.

Address: 21004 Pioneer Blvd, Lakewood, CA 90715

Food type: Korean

Price range/person: $10-20/dinner

Wait time: None usually; Longer for large parties.

Service: Hurried, unorganized. Hard to get attention of servers on busy night – pushed “call” button several times, but still had to wait several minutes.

Ambiance: Jovial, lively, casual.

Dish Focus On:

Side dishes and dipping sauces - sides include kimchi (traditional Korean fermented dish), macaroni, potatoes, bean sprouts, pickled cucumbers, broccoli, seaweed, seasoned rice noodles, and spicy bean curd (I think?). Also served with plain rice noodle wrappers and daikon pickled vegetables to accompany the meat.

My favorite sides were the seasoned rice noodles, seaweed, and potatoes (which they ran out of!). Overall, all were pretty tasty.

BBQ buffet with beef rib, beef brisket, and pork belly.
Beef rib was the best of the 3 meat choices, but all were still very fatty. The pork belly looked like jumbo sized bacon. Definitely not the healthiest food option. No oil needed, as natural oils from the meat coated the grilling skillet.

Yummmy Factor: 3.5/5

Yummmy Rambles:
Some background from Wikipedia:

Kimchi, also spelled gimchi or kimchee, is a traditional Korean fermented dish made of select vegetables with varied seasonings, most commonly referring to the spicy baechu variety. Kimchi is the most common Korean side dish.

Kimchi is made of various vegetables and contains a high concentration of dietary fiber, while being low in calories. It also provides up to 80% of the daily required amount of ascorbic acid and carotene. Most types of kimchi contain common ingredients like onions, garlic and peppers all of which have well-known health benefits. The vegetables being made into kimchi also contribute to the overall nutritional value. Kimchi is rich in vitamin A, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), calcium and iron, and contains a number of lactic acid bacteria.

Restaurant has a strong savory aroma, which you will smell of after the meal (don’t wear your favorite outfit here). Dining experience is fun with the “All-you-can-eat buffet”, as you get to cook unlimited meat. Meat was overall too fatty for my taste, but some may enjoy it (hopefully not every day)! Servers bring more tasty side dishes upon request. Rice is very good (only served upon request) - slightly sticky texture and appears to be prepared with red beans? Salad with a sweet and spicy dressing also served with our dinner. Cold rice tea served with meals. Dessert is a vanilla & chocolate soft serve swirl – in a Dixie cup with a pink Baskin Robbins spoon. Flat screen TVs available – they were playing the Lakers vs. Clippers basketball game.

The Original Pancake House

2008-02-25T12:56:00.000-08:00

City: Anaheim, CA.

Address: 1418 E. Lincoln, Anaheim, CA 92805

Website: http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

Food type: Breakfast: pancakes, waffles, eggs

Price range/person: $10

Wait time: 30-60 mins, especially during peak hours and weekends. Bring a newspaper or magazine to read!

Service: Extremely friendly, helpful, timely, cheerful.

Ambiance: Casual, old-fashioned, rustic.

Dish Focus On:

Apple Pancake - Oven baked with fresh granny smith apples and pure Sinkiang cinnamon glaze.

While this pancake may look a little funny, it will do wonders in your mouth! Perfect blend of apples, cinnamon and pancake goodness. Served piping HOT and fresh. Definitely no syrup needed.

Georgia Pecan Pancakes - Filled and topped with hot toasted pecans. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Served with whipped butter and hot tropical syrup.

A plethora of crunchy pecans embedded in 6 delicious pancakes, sprinkled with sweet powdered sugar. Served with a topical syrup - homemade with citrus fruits. Didn't taste the syrup because I'm not a fan of citrus, but I hear it's wonderful!

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: The ultimate breakfast place! If you are looking for pancakes, this IS the place. Open daily from 6:00 am - 2:00 pm. No more IHOP for me. While the wait may be long (even on a rainy morning), the food and dining experience are fantastic. Creative and very original pancake entrees, with specials being the “Apple Pancake” and “Dutch Baby.” Our waitress was very friendly and eager to show off the house specials. She refilled our coffee at least 4 times. Family friendly place as well, with special toys and activities to entertain the kids. Parking lot available in the back. Servings are large, so prepare to share, take leftovers home, or be extremely stuffed. Instead of to-go “boxes,” 2 large paper plates held together by a rubber band are used – you can microwave directly and eat off the plate later. Great idea! If the pancakes only are too sweet, order something salty (eggs, bacon) to make the meal more balanced.

Monsieur Marcel

2008-02-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

City: Santa Monica, CA

Address: 1260 3rd street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Website: http://www.breadwineandcheese.com/

Food type: French, wine & cheese, fondue

Price range/person: $20-30/dinner, depends on how much wine you desire!

Wait time: None

Service: Polite yet disorganized.

Ambiance: Elegant and romantic, yet also disturbing, loud, and rowdy. Yelling from people on the streets was not pleasant.

Dish Focus On:

Salade d’endives au Roquefort - bitter belgium endives with apples, walnuts and crumbled roquefort cheese, with a homemade walnut vinaigrette

Fresh apples, crunchy endives, and creamy crumbled roquefort cheese make a scrumptious combination. Dressing is tangy and terrific. Best dish of the night.

Penne al checca (sp?) with fresh tomatoes and basil – house special of the night. Added chicken.

Fresh tomatoes and flavorful basil decorate the almost boring penne. Added chicken for only $3.50, and boy, did we get our chicken! Tons of white chicken chunks - although slightly dry, still worth the extra money. Made good leftovers.

Steak sandwich, served with fries (or salad) – house special of the night.

Hot and steamy meat, smothered with melted cheese, and served on fresh bread. Fries were thin, tasty, and had a nice crunch. No ketchup? I guess it's a French thing.

Yummmy Factor: 3.25/5

Yummmy Rambles: Place has potential. Menu has great options, food is decent, and place is easy to find. Huge wine menu available. Restaurant has mostly outdoor seating in the middle of a busy shopping street (3rd street Promenade) - not a typical indoor restaurant. While you have clean linen tablecloths and candle-lit table tops, you are still outside. When crazy shoppers and loud teenagers yell on the streets, you hear everything. While space heaters give warmth on a cold evening, they are constantly being moved around the already crowded seating area. Some guests beside us even got in a fight over a portable space heater. So, I’m not jumping to go back here quite yet. Fresh bread is served before meals - while we got 2 kinds of bread the first time, when we asked for more, we only got one kind. Biggest boo-boo: they served our hot entrees before the salad... so we couldn't enjoy the cold crisp salad before our main dishes! Who does that?

Urth Caffe

2008-02-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

City: Santa Monica, CA.

Address: 2327 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Website: http://www.urthcaffe.com/

Food type: Coffee, juices, boba, sandwiches, salads, desserts.

Price range/person: $4-6/drink; $9-12/food

Wait time: 5-10 mins to order in line; 15-20 mins for food

Service: Hurried, bustling.

Ambiance: Cheerful, bright, lively. Perfect place to “people watch.” Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Dish Focus On:

Spiced Chai Latte
A warming cup of tea latte. Cute leaf design created in foam – which was thick and creamy. Wow.
Apple carrot juice
Truly fresh and refreshing – healthy too!

Yummmy Factor: 4.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Definitely a popular and crowded café! Place was bustling and full of energy. Only stopped for the drinks, but salads, sandwiches, and baked goods look heavenly! HUGE boba drinks available. Known for their “Exclusively organic coffees and fine teas.” Coffees and teas available for purchase. A bit pricey, but perfect for an afternoon tea, snack, or break from reality!

Honda Ya Japanese Restaurant

2008-02-18T21:41:00.000-08:00

City: Tustin, CA.

Address: 556 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780

Food type: Japanese – sushi, noodles/rice, yakitori

Price range/person: $15-25/dinner

Wait time: 15-45 mins. Arrived 20 mins after restaurant opened for dinner and wait was still 15 mins. A long wait is likely, but DO IT!

Service: Courteous, prompt.

Ambiance: Casual, Asian influence. Traditional Japanese décor jazzes up the room.

Dish Focus On:

Yummmy Dish's item ranking:
(#1 - best, based on our orders only)
1. Eel
2. Crab Shumai
3. Meatballs
4. Hearts (Chicken)
5. Beef tongue
6. Nikujaga (served in pot)
7. Special Hearts (Chicken)
8. Wings (Original)
9. White meat
10. Wings (Spicy) -I'm not a big spicy fan
11. Spinach garlic (House special)
12. Beef

Nikujaga – beef, assorted vegetables in broth

Deliciously flavored broth, slightly sweet yet still savory. Tender beef slices and refreshing veges. Special house item.

Crab Shumai - freshly wrapped and topped with crab

Amazingly fresh and original. Stuffing inside wrapper was light, fluffy, and hot! Likely some kind of egg? Crab topping was meaty and tasty. House special item.

Hearts (chicken) and beef

Yup - chicken hearts on a stick! Crisp yet tender meaty texture. I preferred the regular "Hearts" over the "Special Hearts." Beef on a stick was OK - slightly tough, but still flavorful.

Eel and meatballs

Two thick slabs of eel - YUMMMY! Sweet, salty, tender, and perfectly grilled. Love it! Meat balls are steamed first and then grilled to perfection. Both were tantalizingly good!

Wings (chicken)

HOT and tender wings. Available with spicy sauce. YUM!

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Fantastical! We probably had the best seats in the house – right in front of the Yakitori grilling station. We watched the chefs put together and grill fresh ingredients over piping hot coals. Each item was freshly prepared and carefully infused with flavor. Seating options: bar, booths, tables, Tatami floor mats (no shoes). My stomach was not big enough to try all that the menu had to offer – cannot wait to try the udon, sushi, and other yakitori items! House special items are indicated on menu. Yakitori items range from about $1.75 - $5.00 per skewer. Preferred Yakitori here over that from San Diego's Yakitori Yakyudori. So excited to go back again! Sake isn’t bad either. Wine/beer options reasonably priced.

The sticks from all our orders, next to an empty bottle of “Aladdin” sake – smooth, warming, and yummmy.

Our exciting dinner view - only a window was keeping me from grabbing the food...

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

Made by someone who shares my love for good food.

Oreo chocolate cheesecake - oreo cookie crust, topped with chocolate and oreo cookies.

Looks a little funny on the outside, but it's what's on the inside that counts. What a treat. YUMMMY! Love it. Thank you J.

Mario's De La Mesa Restaurant - Update #1

2008-02-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

See post from January 27, 2008.

City: La Mesa, CA

Food type: Mexican

Price range/person: $10-15/lunch or dinner

Wait time: None if you come early; 15-30 mins during busy times

Service: Once again, extremely FAST, cheerful, pleasant. Server was delightful and sweet.

Ambiance: Casual, home-like, festive. This time, Valentine's decor was brightening up the room.

Dish Focus On:

Chicken Mole - Not pictured
Surprisingly, this dish was not as spectacular as it was the first time. While the mole sauce was delicious, the chicken was not as tender and the meat was much fattier. Beans, rice, and chips still great!

Beef burrito - served with rice, beans, and topped with fresh tomatoes and sour cream.

Large burrito stuffed with shredded beef and yummmy filling. Meat is fantastically tender and tasty.

Fun educational placemats! Want to learn some Spanish?

Yummmy Factor: 4.25/5 (down from 5/5)

Yummmy Rambles: Disappointed with my 2nd visit here. Not only was the chicken in the Mole dish not quite as good, but my blended strawberry margarita didn't have enough ice - it melted too fast. Although the food is still superb, it didn't live up to my expectations from the first experience. However, I would still go back!

The Cottage in La Jolla

2008-02-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

City: La Jolla, CA

Address: 7702 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Food type: American, breakfast, "Southern California Cooking"

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

Price range/person: $15/breakfast

Wait time: 0-20 minutes

Service: Prompt, professional, pleasant.

Ambiance: Cheerful, casual, cozy.

Dish Focus On:

Carne Asada Eggs Benedicts - special for the day. On English Muffin with Poached Eggs & House Made Hollandaise Sauce

Tender slices of carne asada, fresh avocado, and perfectly poached eggs, all topped with a creamy hollandaise sauce. Superb breakfast combo! Cottage potatoes seasoned and cooked nicely.

Cottage Oatmeal Pancakes - Light & Fluffy with Whole Wheat Flour & Oats, with strawberries and bananas

Soft and fluffy pancakes. Added the bananas and strawberries to the dish. Some of the strawberries were bruised on the side and they weren't the sweetest, but I guess it's not strawberry season? Fun plating with a berry compote swirl on the side. Served with butter and syrup.

Stuffed French Toast - Our Country Style French Toast stuffed with Strawberry Compote & Marscarpone Cheese

Gigantic mounds of stuffed french toast. Thin layer of citrus marmalade (I think?) with bits of orange rind spread inside folded toast. Not a huge fan of oranges, so this wasn't my favorite dish, but my eating buddies sure loved it!

Omelettes - Various types, with Cottage Potatoes and English muffin

Didn't taste this one personally, but looks great! Yummmy filling is hidden below the fluffy layer of egg.

Yummmy Factor: 4/5

Yummmy Rambles: “The Cottage” is a beautifully remodeled historic building from the early 1900s. Gorgeous location close to the beaches. Popular place for breakfast. There may even be samples of freshly baked goodies in the waiting area outside. I had 2 pieces of their delicious coffee cake! Outdoor seating is nice, especially on warm sunny mornings. Opens at 7:30 am daily. Unfortunately, they do not take reservations, so come early! Supposedly known for their homemade granola – didn’t get to taste it this time, but I look forward to it in the future. Can't wait to try their lunch and dinner as well.

Only a short drive to the spectacular La Jolla shores, where you can enjoy adorable (and slightly stinky) seals!

La Dolce Vita Ristorante

2008-02-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

City: La Jolla, CA

Address: 1237 Prospect St., Ste. P, La Jolla, CA 92037

Food type: Italian

Restaurant link: http://www.ladolcevitaristorante.com/Ristorante.htm

Price range/person: $15-30/dinner; Prices up slightly from online menu listings

Wait time: None

Service: Humorous, friendly, fun. Server was helpful and entertaining – brought a smile to my face with his jokes.

Ambiance: Quaint, elegant, comfortable. Romantic wall paintings, candle-lit table tops.

Dish Focus On:

Calamari Fra Diavolo - Sauteed Calamari in spicy tomato sauce.

A change from the typical fried calamari. Pieces were fresh, smooth, tender, and not chewy at all.

Cannelloni de Carne - Homemade cannelloni filled with ground beef and eggplant served in a mushroom Bolognese pink sauce.
Fresh pasta stuffed with tasty savory beef. Sauce was overflowing with mushrooms. Very rich and creamy - maybe a little too rich.

Lobster ravioli with scallops in a cream sauce – house special of the night.

Six homemade ravioli in a rich cream sauce - again, maybe a little too rich. Scallops were slightly overcooked and tough. Lobster flavor not distinct, but seafood taste definitely there.

Tiramisu

Large serving of delicious cake. Creamy on the outside and moist on the inside. Yummmy way to end a nice dinner.

Yummmy Factor: 4/5

Yummmy Rambles: Fresh warm bread with a DE-licious dipping sauce served before meal. Dipping sauce is tangy and sweet, with what appears to be seasoned sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil. Sauce is so good that it is available for take-out at $8.00/lb. Restaurant is tucked away in small alley, so look carefully! Street parking tough on weekends and busy weeknights. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Place is small, but space is utilized effectively. Cabernet Sauvignon was delicious and went well with the rich pasta dishes.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2008-02-10T22:07:00.000-08:00

A FAB dinner with family. Thank you to my aunt and uncle for cooking!

What a table of FOOD...

A huge slice of sea bass. Wonder how big the entire fish was?

A concoction of savory ingredients: Ribs, mushrooms, beans, and spices.

One of my favorite Chinese dishes - Shrimp and eggs.

Until next year!

Kitima Extraordinary Thai

2008-02-10T21:42:00.000-08:00

City: La Jolla, CA

Address: 8008 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Food type: Thai

Price range/person: $15-25/dinner

Wait time: None

Service: Attentive, respectful.

Ambiance: Enchanting, colorful, precious.

Dish Focus On:

Sidewalk Noodles: A Thai specialty. Soft rice noodles meld with an abundance of chicken, spring onion, broccoli and herbs and spices.

Warming noodles to satisfy a hungry tummy. Soft flat noodles are silky, slightly sweet, and make a great contrast with the crunchy veges on the side. Finished the whole thing!

Drunken Noodles: A spicy mixture of soft pan-fried noodles sauteed in a special garlic chili sauce, with chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, and sweet basil.

Yes, this sure looks similar, but no, this is not the same entree! Although similar in appearance, taste is unique and bursting with flavor and spices. Kind of too spicy for my taste, but perfect for those who want a kick!

Yummmy Factor: 4.25/5

Yummmy Rambles: Reviews for this restaurant said that the place was often empty. So, not surprisingly, we were the ONLY customers in the entire place upon arrival. However, 3 more parties showed up before we finished eating. Décor is impeccable, with beautiful wall murals, paintings, flowers, and art pieces creating a very charming environment. Adorable pillows line the seating against the walls. Restaurant has gorgeous location right alongside the beach. Incredible detail given to check folders, table settings, decorations, and even the bathrooms! Indoor and outdoor seating available. Street parking may be difficult at times. Any dish can be made vegetarian.

What a beautiful wall!

And right by the water...

Extraordinary Desserts

2008-01-28T15:31:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego (Balboa Park & Little Italy), CA

Food type: Desserts! Beverages. Other food options available at Little Italy location, but it's still mainly about the sweets.

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

Price range/person: $5-10

Wait time: None-20 minutes; Take-out orders available (5-10 mins)

Ambiance: Romantic, elegant, soothing.

Dish Focus On:

All sorts of delectable desserts

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Original restaurant in Balboa Park is smaller and more cozy. Little Italy location is more chic and grand. Cannot go wrong with any dessert on the menu. Décor and presentation is impeccable, with fresh flowers and gold trim used as finishing touches. A great place to have small group gatherings, a girls night out, or a romantic date. Always a pleasure to make a trip here! Kind of pricey, but it's a special treat.

Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant - "The Brewery Gardens"

2008-01-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

City: Sorrento Mesa, CA

Address: 9675 Scranton Road - Sorrento Mesa, CA 92121

Phone Number: (858) 587-2739

Food type: Brewery, Fusion American, Continental

Restaurant link: http://www.karlstrauss.com/
http://www.karlstrauss.com/PAGES/Locations/Group_Events/ locations/KSBG.htm

Price range/person: $15-25 lunch/dinner; Sunday brunch buffet ~$25

Wait time: None with reservation; 20-45 minutes for brunch when busy

Service: Sweet, but slow. Drinks took awhile, but we eventually got them!

Ambiance: Jovial yet serene, casual excitement.

Dish Focus On:

Disclaimer: My pictures did not do the food justice.

My 1st platter with a freshly prepared omelette, breakfast sausage, potatoes, hot spinach & artichoke dip with chips, Ahi tuna appetizer, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, and grilled chicken with mushroom sauce.

Hot and fresh omelette with all my favorite fillings (choose from: ham, spinach, green bell peppers, olives, fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, cheese); spinach and artichoke dip was rich and creamy, Ahi tuni was cooked perfectly and very fresh, smoked salmon was thick and not too salty, chicken was tender and flavorful, shrimp cocktails were average, potatoes average, ended up not eating the sausage. Not pictured: Tri-tip, blackened salmon topped with pineapple, salads, pasta, other breads and pastries.

My dessert platter with fresh fruit, carrot cake, warm waffle topped with chocolate chips, whipped cream and chocolate.

DE-licious waffle dessert topped with my favorite sweets; carrot cake was rich and packed with walnuts, fruit was good. Not pictured: Cheesecake, chocolate cake, coffee cake, chocolate brownie, cookies, various danishes. Portions for desserts were too large for one person, so sharing is caring!

The omelette maker! He makes your eggs the way you like em.

Yummmy Factor: 4/5

Yummmy Rambles: Exciting place for a Sunday brunch. Live music, unlimited champagne and Mimosas (I was a little tipsy after the meal), one free beer, happily satisfied mouths and lots of fun! Beautiful scenery with Koi ponds adjacent to the restaurant. Location used to be that of a Japanese restaurant. Nice selection of foods, with stations for pasta, omelettes, carved meats, pastries, and other desserts. Although selection was not as grand as Vegas style buffets, there was no food shortage here. I couldn't even get to everything on the tables! A YUMMMY thanks to Mr. C-H and Miss V for the fabulous afternoon adventure.

Refreshing views from the restaurant

Colorful fish can be seen swimming in the ponds.

Mario's De La Mesa Restaurant

2008-01-27T14:03:00.000-08:00

City: La Mesa, CA

Food type: Mexican

Price range/person: $10-15/lunch or dinner

Wait time: None if you come early; 15-30 mins during busy times

Service: Extremely FAST (we got 2 dinner entrees in about 5 minutes!), cheerful, pleasant.

Ambiance: Casual, home-like, festive.

Dish Focus On:

Chicken Mole: Served with beans, rice, and choice of corn or flour tortillas

Holy Mole! Never knew that savory chocolate could be so scrumptious and mouth-licking good! I have a new favorite sauce now. Couldn’t taste a distinct chocolate flavor, but I don’t doubt that it was there. Not only was the sauce incredible, but the chicken pieces were extremely tender and well seasoned. Rice was perfect, especially with some sauce. Flour wraps were served warm and fresh. YUMMM!

Chile Colorado: Beef served with fresh guacamole, vegetables, beans, rice, and choice of corn or flour tortillas

Super tender beef that melts in your mouth. Guacamole is clearly fresh with chucks of avocado in each bite. Sides are delicious! "Chile Colorado" refers to the special red sauce flavoring the meat.

Blended strawberry margarita

Fun and fruity drink served in a unique and chilled cactus glass. Have a few!

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Absolutely tummy-boggling Mexican food. This place certainly serves more than your average tacos and burritos! Had my first experience with “Mole,” pronounced “Moh-lay,” here.

A little backgroud from Wikipedia: Mole poblano is prepared with dried chile peppers (commonly ancho, pasilla, mulato and chipotle), ground nuts and/or seeds (almonds, indigenous peanuts, and/or sesame seeds), spices, Mexican chocolate {maybe this is why I LOVED it????} (cacao ground with sugar and cinnamon and occasionally nuts), salt, and a variety of other ingredients including charred avocado leaves.

Restaurant had comfortable happy feel, with a few TVs lining the walls. Chips served as guests are seated. Colorful and educational placemats with common Spanish phrases line the table tops. Restaurant is tucked away in a charming little neighborhood, but once you make this discovery, you WILL be back. Small parking lot available in back.

The Mission - SOMA

2008-01-26T22:58:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego, CA

Food type: Breakfast foods, lunch, Chino, Latina

Restaurant link: http://www.missionsoma.signonsandiego.com/1.html

Price range/person: $10

Wait time: 15-45 mins; busy on weekend mornings

Service: Relaxed, friendly, calm.

Ambiance: Casual, bustling, comforting.

Dish Focus On:

Mission Rosemary: Crispy rosemary potatoes, scrambled eggs, sautéed tomatoes, and grilled rosemary bread.

What a breakfast TREAT! The rosemary toast is incredible – light, crunchy, thick and fresh with delicate rosemary infused throughout. The rosemary potatoes are crispy on the sides, yet soft and moist on the inside. Flavor is bursting! Didn't even need to use the ketchup. The gentleman next to us ordered an extra side of potatoes in the middle of the meal and left his plates sparkling clean. The toast and potatoes are so good that they are each available as sides. Eggs great as well! YUMMMY!

Breakfast Burrito: Stuffed with eggs, cheese and scallions. Served with beans, fresh tomatoes and salsa.

Moderate sized burritos with delicious filling in a fresh flour wrap. Beans are soft and flavorful, topped with luscious red tomatoes and sour cream.

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: The perfect breakfast place! Parking may be tricky, the wait may be long, and your food preparation takes awhile, but your tummy will be THRILLED you waited. Quaint place to enjoy a beautiful morning with friends and family, or even alone! Great coffee menu as well. Indoor and outdoor seating available. DELICIOUS! And what a deal for the price you pay. Can't wait to try the pancakes next time.

Zip

2008-01-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

City: Los Angeles (Korea Town), CA

Food type: Korean fusion, finger foods, bar

Price range/person: $10-15, depending on alcoholic orders and party size

Wait time: None

Service: Quiet, professional, friendly.

Ambiance: Chic, colorful. Decorations appropriate for holiday season (in December at least), with golden lights twinkling throughout the rooms. There are indoor and outdoor seating areas, with the outdoor area covered with a large tent-like construction. Large TV available outdoors.

Dish Focus On:

Assortment of fish-ball dumplings with seaweed, in hot broth

One of the on-the-house items we received with our meal. Tasty little fish balls in a light broth. Nothing too original or spectacular, but it does warm the stomach on a cold night.

Paper thin french fries, with a touch of sugar

Some of the most creative and delicious fries I've ever tasted. Light, crisp, thin, and beautifully seasoned with sugar and salt. You cannot stop at one bite.

Fried dumplings

A light finger food snack. Slightly on the oily side, but still a crisp, hot, and tasty little treat.

Omelette with fried rice filling, topped with gravy

A heavier evening snack. Rice inside was moist and flavorful. Egg surround was overshadowed by the rice and thick gravy.

Sake anyone?

A large assortment of flavored sake drinks available. The peach is a sweet choice!

Yummmy Factor: 3.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: This restaurant offers FREE on-the-house items (at least when we visited)! We were given scrumptious crisp french fries and a fish-ball and seaweed soup appetizer as we enjoyed our sake and appetizers. Parking is limited, valet is available. Large bar present in the restaurant. Fun place for group gatherings, dates, or late-night excursions. Lots of items on the menu were in Korean, so it'd be helpful to take a Korean speaking friend!

Urban Solace

2008-01-16T17:38:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego, CA

Food type: Modern American, comfort food

Restaurant link: http://www.urbansolace.net/

Price range/person: $10-15/lunch

Wait time: None

Service: Friendly, relaxed, attentive

Ambiance: Modern, warm, sharp. Wall near the bar is all brick, which adds a warm, cozy touch to the restaurant. Modern paintings decorate the place. Furniture is clean and sharp.

All entrees served with carefully portioned salt, pepper, and ketchup. A sharp knife accompanies the condiments.

Dish Focus On:

Pulled chicken salad sandwich, with pecans and grapes. Served with sweet potato french fries.

Sandwich was sufficient. Chicken was tender and flavorful, but only a few sliced grapes were in the salad sauce and no pecans were noted at all.

Sloppy Joe with crunchy onion rings, on a freshly toasted bun. Served with sweet potato fries.

YUMMMY! Perfectly seasoned beef in sloppy joe. Fried onions add unique flavor and texture to bite. Warming and soothing sandwich. Would order again.

Yummmy Factor: 4/5

Yummmy Rambles: Opens for lunch (11:30 am) and dinner. Brunch served on Sundays. Polite and quick service - our waitress said "lovely" too much, but it was her first day and she was nice. The sweet potato fries are addictive! Relatively new restaurant in the area that certainly brightens up the neighborhood. Classy and fun place to dine. A large bar is present as well, so an evening rendezvous sounds like fun!

Pacific Beach Bar and Grill

2008-01-14T15:46:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego, CA

Food type: American, grill, appetizers, bar

Restaurant link: http://www.pbbarandgrill.com/grill_home.htm

Price range/person: $10-15, depending on how many drinks ordered

Wait time: None usually; may have trouble finding a seat during popular sports games

Service: Friendly, hurried.

Ambiance: Casual, TONS of flat screen TVs line the walls playing all your favorite sports games, loud, fun. A water fountain/firepit adorns the outdoor patio. Heaters available in cold weather.

Dish Focus On:

Lumpia, Seasoned ground beef and vegetables in light crisp spring roll wrappers served with sweet & sour plum sauce and spicy Asian chili sauce

Fresh and hot fingerfoods. Just your typical appetizer food. The taquitos are better.

Seafood Martini, Lobster, shrimp, crab, crisp vegetables and a splash of Alsolut Pepar with zesty cocktail sauce

One for the seafood lover. A heap of seafood accompanies moderately sized shrimp. Olives and celery stick give color and height to the fun martini dish.

Yummmy Factor: 3.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: The PLACE to go for happy hour, which is 4-8:00 pm DAILY. Specials vary by day: Monday sushi, Tuesday Tacos...and more. $3 off all appetizers. Beers and wines are $3, frozen margaritas (sweet and tangy blended treat! Love the strawberry one) are $3.50. Street parking may be difficult, but get there early and claim your table before the big game starts (whatever sport it may be)! Indoor and outdoor seating available. Fantastic taquitos and only $4.50 during happy hour.

Bertrand at Mister A's

2008-01-14T15:08:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego, CA

Food type: Fine Modern American Cuisine with French and Mediterranean influences

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

Price range/person: $45-65/dinner

Wait time: Make a reservation

Service: Very attentive, helpful with menu items, pleasant, courteous. Carefully cleans table between dishes.

Ambiance: Romantic, grand, elegant. Gorgeous panoramic views of San Diego from the 12th floor of the building.

Dish Focus On:

(Appetizer)
HOUSE MADE SPINACH GNOCCHI AND VEAL
fresh porcini mushrooms

Gnocchi is perfectly cooked with authentic spinach flavor. Veal is meaty and tenderly melts in your mouth. Mushrooms and grated cheese accent the dish nicely. Few scattered olives add a punch to the entree. Food presented on beautiful dishes, with a delicate doily layered between the larger and smaller dish.

PAN SEARED FILET OF KING SALMON
bordelaise sauce, beluga lentils and sea beans

WOW. What a beautiful masterpiece! Looks almost as good as it tastes. Salmon is delightfully tender - flakes gently melt on your tongue. Sides of mushrooms, beans and vegetable medley are delicious. Lightly toasted (or fried?) patch of salmon skin tops the delicate dish. Skin is crunchy and light, with just the right amount of saltiness.

SPECIAL: WARM CHOCOLATE TART, served with churros, caramel ice cream on a thin wafer, and bittersweet chocolate infused with mandarin oranges.

Scrumptious warm chocolate cake with a crunchy crust. Rich chocolate oozes from the center. Twin churros are sugary and yummmy. Ice cream is decadent and presented on a delicately thin wafer. Bittersweet chocolate infused with oranges makes a great dipping sauce for the churros. I would gladly hang this plate from any room in my house.

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Entrees are works of art for the eyes and palette. Service is impeccable. Views are delightfully stunning. Dishes are tantalizing to the tongue. Desserts are beautifully presented and absolutely decadent. Although very pricey, you get what you pay for. A place to impress any guest, co-worker or friend. Portions are just right – leaving you happily satisfied. A truly impressive dining experience.

Tea Station

2008-01-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

City: Cerritos, CA

Food type: Teas, other fancy drinks, finger foods

Restaurant link: http://teastation.us/

Price range/person: $4-7 a drink

Wait time: Short

Service: Variable, dull, slow.

Ambiance: Bright, clean, mellow.

Dish Focus On:

Almond Milk Tea

Warming and delicious tea. Almond flavor is nicely infused. Served in a cute little tea pot.

Yummmy Factor: 3.75/5

Yummmy Rambles: What an expensive, but delightful drink! Definitely not the place to go for a quick ordinary cup of tea. Beverages are served like delicacies – with cute cups, saucers, and tea pots. A large assortment of flavored teas, coffees, other drinks. A fun place for large groups or hang-outs. Prepare to order pricey drinks!

Hurry Curry of Tokyo

2008-01-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

City: West Los Angeles, CA

Food type: Japanese, Curry

Restaurant link: http://hurrycurryoftokyo.com/

Price range/person: $10

Wait time: 5-15 minutes, busy during lunch hours

Service: Hurried, courteous, fast.

Ambiance: Casual, modern, crowded.

Dish Focus On:

Garden salad with special house dressing

Superb salad - fresh, tasty and just the right portion! Delicious house dressing - tangy, sweet and yummmy.

Chicken Curry - simmered juicy chicken pieces served in exclusive curry sauce

Mild curry was not too spicy. Generous amount of chicken and rice. However, chicken was rather tasteless without the sauce. Meat pieces were shredded chunks immersed in curry. Portion would definitely cause some afternoon food coma.

Chicken Cutlet Curry - Their most popular dish! Tender breast meat filet lightly breaded in panko flakes fried to golden brown and served with curry sauce.

Crispy cutlet with thin chicken filet inside. Not bad. Not shockingly wonderful.

Yummmy Factor: 3.5/5

Yummmy Rambles: Perfect place for some nice, warm, tummy filling food. A curry lover’s dream. Curry comes in mild, medium, or spicy. Dishes not extremely unique or extravagant, but satisfying. Parking is limited, but street parking is available. Delicious salads!

Yakitori Yakyudori

2008-01-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

City: San Diego, CA

Food type: Japanese, Yakitori style (lots of food on skewers)

Price range/person: $15-20/dinner; maybe more if you like good sake

Wait time: 0 minutes

Service: Prompt, friendly, professional.

Ambiance: Comfortable, simple, clean.

Dish Focus On:

Chicken Hearts

Hard to imagine you are eating chicken hearts on a stick, but they are very tasty. Firm yet delicate consistency, very flavorful, very good.

Shu-Mai

Twist on an original Chinese dish. Solid inside, appears to be mixed batter of seafood, gently fried.

Shitake mushrooms

Not a huge fan of the mushrooms. They were too dry. The topping was fun to eat though!

Chicken meat ball

Certainly does not look too appealing, but tastes great! Soft yet meaty texture with lots of flavor.

Okra

Would not order this again. The outside was dry and the inside was mushy, slimy, and made my mouth feel sticky. Could not swallow the unique vegetable.

Yummmy Factor: 3.75/5

Yummmy Rambles: Very unique place with exotic foods. There is a list of favorite items ranked for “Americans” and “Japanese” on the walls inside the restaurant. Good place to start if you have no idea what to order. More exotic foods on the “Japanese” list of course. Unique foods and reasonable price. Good place to go with friends or on first date to stimulate conversation. Items come with usually 2 skewers per order. Chicken hearts are actually very delicious. Shu-mai, beef, and chicken meat ball are good as well. Not the place if you are looking for sushi! Meals served with fresh raw cabbage.

Home Fried Teriyaki Chicken

2008-01-07T21:57:00.001-08:00

A big thanks to Miss A for the tasting!

Crispy on the outer, soft and tender lovin on the inner...

Freshly prepared chicken drums and wings. Battered up and fried in a pan. Then lightly pan fried with some yummmy teriyaki sauce. Be careful not to burn your tongue.

The Buffet at the Wynn Hotel

2008-01-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

City: Las Vegas, Nevada

Food type: International, Buffet

Price range/person: $30-40, depending on day, time of year

Wait time: 30 mins – 4 hours (YES, 4 hours, so prepare to wait in line). Nice waitresses in little dresses serve bottled water to guests waiting in line.

Service: Self-serve, except for drinks

Ambiance: Exotic, colorful, fun, charming. Beautiful flowers and bouquets adorn main entrance into buffet hall.

Dish Focus On:

Platters with: Shrimp ceviche, king crab legs, pork dumpling, california roll, grilled asparagus, tandori chicken, mushrooms, steak

And more with: shrimp cocktail, sushi, seaweed and cucumber salad, sticky rice with chicken wrapped in lotus leaf, cheese ravioli, smoked salmon, cheeses, veges, lamb, rabbit cold salad

Yummmy Factor: 4/5

Yummmy Rambles: Prepare to wait in line. They are not kidding when they say the wait is long. However, good company makes the time pass. Exciting assortment of foods – all kinds to please everyone! Disappointed that there was no sea bass, but there was plenty of seafood to make up for it. A feast for the eyes, mind and tummy! Must try: cheesecake with green tea cake bed, mac and cheese (who knew?!?), shrimp cocktail, lamb, seaweed and cucumber salad, crème brulee… bring an appetite!

Blue Fin

2008-01-07T20:35:00.001-08:00

City: Newport Beach, CA

Food type: Japanese

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

Price range/person: $30-50

Wait time: 30 mins – 1 hour. Make a reservation or come early!

Service: Polite, clean, nice.

Ambiance: Modern, fresh, sharp.

Dish Focus On:

Salmon Skin Salad

Deliciously fresh and unique salad. Perfect combination of cherry tomatoes, sliced raddishes, greens, and tasty salmon skin. Surprisingly large pieces of salmon meat are mixed in. A treat for the tongue!

Assorted Rolls: Caterpillar roll and Soft Shell Crab Roll

Rolls are finely prepared. Rice is not overwhelming. The caterpillar rolls has egg inside - different but tasty change from the norm. Nice presentation.

Chilean Sea Bass - Broiled Chilean Sea Bass with truffle oil ponzu sauce.

Fish melts in your mouth and leaves you wishing you had more. Flavorful assortment of mushrooms and veges hidden below the filet of fish. Sensational dish!

Green Tea Creme Brulee, with vanilla bean ice cream

Beautiful presentation - almost too cute to eat. Sweet delight to end a fantastic meal.

Yummmy Factor: 5/5

Yummmy Rambles: If you like Japanese food, this IS the place to go. A bit on the pricey side, but worth every dollar. Restaurant opens for lunch and dinner, and there may be a line outside even before the place opens up. Food is pleasant, fresh, and very tasty. Beautiful presentation and clean atmosphere.

Special treats from a lovely wedding

2008-01-07T20:15:00.000-08:00

Yummmers! Congrats to the crazy couple!

A candy buffet - my dream come true...

Tiramisu delight

Chicken breast stuffed with mashed potatoes, garnished with mushrooms and spinach

Prime rib, a little on the rare side, with fresh veggies

Yummmy Thanksgiving Joys

2008-01-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

Pictures (very much delayed) for your enjoyment...

Purple yams!

A delicious turkey, with a head

Shrimp and snap peas

Scallops with broccoli

The Englander

2007-10-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-07T22:34:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-07T20:36:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-09T22:11:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-09T11:56:00.001-07:00

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

2007-09-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-04T21:32:00.001-07:00

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.

Marnee Thai

2007-09-03T23:50:00.001-07:00

City: San Francisco

Food type: Thai

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

Price range/person: $12-20

Wait time: 10 mins - 1 hour

Service: Timely, chaotic/rushed at times.

Ambiance: Festive, lively. Colorful art pieces and paintings fill walls. Fresh orchards decorate table tops.

Dish Focus on:

SPICY ANGEL WINGS - Deep fried chicken wings (and some drumsticks) sautéed with chili-garlic sauce and topped with crispy basil.

HOT (but not too spicy) chicken wings and drumsticks, fresh from the grill. A sticky sweet sauce coats the chicken, which remains tender and meaty under the crispy skin. The best part of the dish are the fried basil leaves that garnish the platter. A definite winning appetizer.

PAD SE – EW - Fried rice noodles with soy bean, broccoli and egg. Choice of chicken, beef, pork or prawns

A delicious noodle dish with hearty pieces of meat and broccoli. The sauce is slightly sweeter than normal, making it absolutely perfect. YUMMM!

BASA FILLET - with garlic and black pepper sauce.

Tender fish slightly fried and topped with a thick garlic and black pepper sauce. Fish is cooked perfectly. May be too much garlic for one or even people alone.

Yummmy factor: 5/5

YummmyRambles: Best Thai restaurant around. While the wait may be long outside, since there is minimal waiting space inside, the food is well worth the wait. Very busy restaurant, so arrive early or be prepared to stand around for a bit. Gets hectic inside, especially when the owner herself takes table orders. Take her food recommendations because she won't let you down. Slightly crowded place, so you'll be able to see what everyone else is eating as well. A must try! Not ideal for large parties over 6 people.

Levende Lounge

2007-09-03T20:11:00.001-07:00

City: San Francisco

Food type: Asian/International Fusion

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

Price range/person: $15-30

Wait time: 5-15 mins

Service: Professional, friendly, timely.

Ambiance: Relaxed, chill, trendy. Walls decorated with intriguing paintings and a flat screen TV plays live nature scenes.

Dish Focus on:

Mini maine lobster & shrimp cakes - roasted corn/jalapeno-lemon vinaigrette/lobster nage

These small cakes are full of seafood flavor and leave you wanting more (like the whole plate). Served with fresh sweet corn and a tasty sauce. Not spicy at all.

Indian spiced mini lamb burgers - onion chutney/cumin yogurt sauce/pickled cuke

A perfectly seasoned lamb patty on a warm and toasty bun. The flavors are distinct and mesh well together.

Bluenose bass ceviche - serrano/yellow tomatoes/fried plantain, lotus, tarro & tortilla chips

A beautifully presented dish that not only pleases the palate, but your eyes as well. The chips are crispy and make a great base for the tangy ceviche. A very fun platter to enjoy.

Stawberry-buttermilk panna cotta - strawberry coulis/crispy cinnamon kataifi

A smooth, creamy and light custard, sprinkled with a crunchy topping and served on a bed of strawberry sauce. The crunchy topping contrasts the soft custard nicely. May be a little too much creaminess for one person alone.

Yummmy factor: 5/5

YummmyRambles: Ice cold water is served with fresh cucumber slices instead of the normal lemon wedge - love it! Beautiful flower arrangements around the restaurant and in the restrooms (the ladies' room at least). Cocktails look and taste good. Large couches and booths enable the restaurant to live up to the name: Levende "Lounge." Food served family style, which works the best so that you can try more dishes. Valet or street parking. Nothing to do in immediate area outside the restaurant.

Sam's Chowder House

2007-09-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

City: Half Moon Bay

Food type: Seafood

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

Price range/person: $25-35

Wait time: 20 mins-1 hour+

Service: Professional, nice, but slow paced. Waiter assigned to too many tables and was not able to check in regularly.

Ambiance: Casual, elegant. Exquisite beach front views from the restaurant.

Dish Focus on:

Manhattan Clam Chowder - Tomato-based little neck clam chowder with potatoes, vegetables, and herbs.

This is a hearty soup with plenty of thick clams and fresh vegetables. Broth is tasty, but not too thick and filling like typical chowders. Served with your favorite soup crackers. Bowl is large enough for two.

Escolar with herb roasted new potatoes, lemon, fresh herbs, and baby spinach.

Light, healthy selection of fresh, tender fish served on top of tasty potatoes and lightly cooked spinach. The lemon is not too strong and helps to bring out the flavor of the fish. Combination with the "mango salsa sauce" keeps the dish fresh and cool. While escolar is commonly associated with gastrointestinal problems, no problems resulted from this entree.

Sea bass with vegetable medley and chickpeas.

Fish was meatier and tougher than most sea bass selections. The vegetables were tasty, but the chickpeas overwhelmed the entree. Combination with the "black olives, capers and tomato sauce" made the dish too heavy on a hot summer evening. Going with a lighter sauce choice might make the entree more enjoyable.

Yummmy factor: 4/5

YummmyRambles: The estimated hour long wait was less than one hour. The bar and gorgeous beach side views kept customers entertained. Bread served before the meal was flavorful, but not warm. The waiter also forgot to charge us for the clam chowder, so our bill was less $$$ than expected.

Zachary's Pizza

2007-09-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

City: Berkeley

Food type: Italian

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

Price range/person: $10-15

Wait time: 20 mins - 1 hour+

Service: Friendly, professional

Ambiance: Casual, fun, relaxed. Walls are covered with colorful posters uniquely designed by Zachary pizza lovers.

Dish Focus on: SPINACH & MUSHROOM - Zachary's "Pride and Joy"A blend of cheeses, special spices, fresh spinach and mushrooms.

This is not your average pizza. With a crispy yet hearty crust, lined with mushrooms, spinach and chesse, and all topped off with a thick layer of fresh tomatoes, this Chicago style pizza will be sure to satisfy a hungry stomach. Not only are your tables set with the typical chili flake and parmesan cheese toppings, but a glass jar of oregano is also present for those who want to add a unique flavor to the sprinkle fest. Classic red lollipops for dessert are delivered with the bill.

Yummmy factor: 4.5/5

YummmyRambles: This would be a great place for a first date or weekend outing. While the wait may be long, the atmosphere makes it enjoyable. Street parking may be difficult, so carpool if your party is large. Leftovers make a great next day meal.