A grateful place to eat

I slipped into Arigato in San Rafael the other day for some Japanese take out. Arigato means 'thank you' in Japanese.

For $6.99 + tip I had the freshest quite delicious tofu teriyaki lunch box. Yes, the crab was the imitation kind in the California roll, but it was still quite tasty. The salad was fresh and with interesting adds of broccoli and carrot. And the miso soup was a generous portion. There is really no where to eat inside and I observed it was still quite popular at lunch. Definitely worth a stop if you have a plan for where to eat. I thought this trip would complete my visits to 100% of the Japanese restaurants in Marin, however a new one recently popped up, so stay tuned!

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 0
Last inspected: 6/20/2008

It's a new day!

photo credit: iStock Photo

Finally! Inauguration Day has arrived! I have no desire to blog about food when such a paradigm shift is happening. In with hope and heart and out with fear and force! Now what will WE do for our country? Let's get to work!

Waking Up

The Sleeping Lady offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. so Dad and I made it over there early one sunny weekend morning. The woman who greeted and seated us, and later served us was so very charming and welcoming that the first impression of service was highly positive. Here the emphasis is clearly on the evenings, music and night showcasing of talent as evidenced by no food menus on their website, only drink menus and music calendar! However, the breakfast experience was clearly well thought out and executed as well.

I was clearly drawn to the tofu scramble. Wow! Someone who appreciates vegetarian cuisine clearly created this medley. The tofu blocks were flavored and fried separately before being combined with sweet onions, peppers, spinach and other vegetables with eggs and cheese. I would come back just for this dish. The red potato home fries were also delightful with a nice potato-y softness and a browned outside.

Dad spied just the combo for him on the menu, pancakes with two eggs and bacon. It was right-sized for him and he loved it. I can see we are coming back other weekends already! Although perhaps I will make it back first for their evening music scene.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 4
Last inspected: 12/10/2008

Previously mentioned:
June 24, 2008

Asia's Fondue - Hot Pot cooking

Fondue Fusion has opened. Dad and I stopped by for an early dinner there a few evenings ago. We were the only customers at that hour (when they opened) and the place was immaculate and nicely decorated. Our waitress was very pleasant and helped us or offered to, every step of the way.

Although Fondue Fusion doesn't carry ice tea, they have a selection of sodas, so we had Diet Cokes served up in pretty glasses.

The menu and fresh sheet are 100% choices for what to put in the pot! So we ordered a variety of reasonably priced options, and then quickly the sauces, a special house sauce (ginger, garlic onions...) and hoinsin came out. The house sauce is really to thick to 'dip' things in, but it is delicious spread on the top!

Not long after the hot pot with a vegetarian broth came out and was put on the electric burner in the middle of the table. The bubbling broth contained pieces of tofu, garlic and onions.

Then the ingredient dishes followed quickly. The first was one of the fresh sheet, Shrimp Shumai. However, once we had them steaming on our plates, we found that these are shrimp and PORK shumai, so if you have a dietary concern, be sure to inquire about the dishes before ordering, as the menu appears to be abbreviated. That said, these were tasty.

Next came the fried tofu puffs and rice noodles (background).

We also ordered an assorted vegetables plate. There was a variety of interesting mushrooms and greens as well as taro slices included in the plate.

The oysters were so fresh they were just shucked before arriving at our table!

And finally arriving were the bean threads (mung), which have a nice texture and virtually no calories by themselves.

As you simmer ingredients in the pot, the broth becomes more flavorful. It may not be the custom for hot pots, but it would have been nice to have spoons to enjoy some of the broth with. In Japan, these kinds of dishes are served with empty bowl, we had saucers. I don't know the custom for this particular kind of Asian Hot Pot, but with such drippy ingredients I found myself wishing for bowls as the sauces started getting soupy and sloppy. However, the dish was light yet filling and the flavor was delicious. There is not currently a dessert menu, but it is being created. It is naturally low fat and wonderful for a cool evening. This restaurant is a great addition to the Marin dining scene.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 2
Noncritical: 2
Last inspected: 12/22/2008

Favorite of movie goers

The Broken Drum Brewery & Wood Grill in San Rafael is a long time favorite of those going to movies at the Rafael theater, not to mention others. It is open late and has a variety of items on the menu, and is likely to have something that will please anyone.

I enjoyed the beer battered Fish and Chips. The fish inside was moist, fresh and there was a generous amount of fish. If you like thicker batter, this one is for you as well. I also liked the red cabbage slaw that had a light vinegar dressing and an unidentified herb that gave it a unique taste.

Dad chose a turkey burger and fries. He commented on the 'green sauce' (pesto) favorably and enjoyed as much as he could of the generous portion. He said that he was happy that the turkey burger itself was moist rather than the sometimes dry versions he's had elsewhere. The service was prompt and friendly and we enjoyed our lunch.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 3
Noncritical: 0
Last inspected: 3/19/2008

$1.98 Organic Fresh Blueberries at United!

When I saw the United Markets ad in the Marin IJ for 6 oz of fresh organic blueberries for the same sale price as conventional, I couldn't believe it. $1.98 in January?! That's 33 cents per ounce. At that price these can't possibly be air freight. These are likely shipped via water up the coast from Chile, which is one of the most efficient means of transportation. So although not 'local', these would be pretty eco-wise from a transportation sense. I found that Safeway has a sale on FROZEN organic wild blueberries (different variety) for 37 cents an ounce, so this is really an unbelievable deal. The blueberries in the container I picked up were sweet, flavorful and there wasn't a spoiled one in the bunch. The blueberries were also a larger size than typical. The ad was silent as to the brand, but I was thrilled to see it was a major reputable brand, Naturipe Farms. That company has a very informative website. I borrow some of their notes on the health benefits of blueberries:

"Blueberries have often been recognized as the fruit with the highest antioxidant activity. These tasty super foods offer twice as many disease fighting antioxidants as spinach, more than three times as many as oranges, red grapes and cherries and more than four times as many as grapefruit, white grapes, bananas and apples. Blueberries are also thought to be helpful in improving memory function and healthy aging."

The berries freeze really easily too, you can rinse them, air dry and freeze them in the same container. I like using frozen blueberries to replace ice cubes in my filtered, alkaline water for a total health boost. Now I really have to clean a space out in my garage for a freezer!

By the way, United has these on sale through January 17th!

PS I found their price of 98 cents a liter for Tejava quite amazing too.

'we will be closed for a few days'

'...and Happy New Year' reads the whiteboard in the window at Rustico's in Sausalito. Or is it the former Rustico's? The name sign is down from above. I recently read that there is a new owner, and from the looks of it, there may be a name change or sprucing up going on. Stay tuned.

Inconsistent with Previous Experience

Dad and I went to the Lighthouse Cafe in Sausalito one morning for breakfast. I have many fond memories of enjoying breakfast there over the years, and it had been awhile, so I was looking forward to it. It is normally a very popular place with people waiting for your seat, both inside and outside. We were there early, so we got a seat immediately, and the line didn't start until later in our meal.

Dad ordered scrambled eggs with bacon. Our meals also included toast (not pictured) and we chose European wheat from the list rattled off by the waitress.

I decided to be a little adventurous, and ordered the Spanish Omelet. The omelet cover was fluffy, and it contained sauteed bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions, with salsa on the side. I requested an add of avocado and was asked whether I wanted it inside or on the side, I chose on the side. It came as a half, seed hole side down, so I sliced it tableside and arranged it. I was rather disappointed in this dish. First, the sauteed vegetables were dripping with oil and had a lot of 'grill residue', that is browned bits of sausage and other meats that had been grilled previous to the omelet for other orders. The avocado had noticeable brown parts and was a bit stringy, like it was overripe. Besides the dish itself, the service was distinctly lacking. The waiter who took our drink orders wasn't listening, as he immediately tried to pour coffee into Dad's cup after I told him that we'd like two Earl Gray Teas. He then brought out two English Breakfast teas. When I pointed that out, he brought a whole bowlful of tea bags which included Earl Gray. There was also poor management of the people waiting inside. I was sitting in the booth on the bench nearest the door. When people kept crowding in to wait in the tiny space just behind, someone was pushed into my back with force and a fork of eggs and salsa fell on my white shirt, leaving a big salsa mark. With that tiny a space, those who wait should be directed to wait outside. I also found the jams on the table to be very crumpled and when opened, looked like they were heated and cooled, and there was a strange off color film over the top. One of them was partly opened and still in the bowl. I've been here many times before and never had such a poor experience, so I'm hoping that this is just an anomaly.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 2
Noncritical: 4
Last inspected: 1/9/2009

Previously reviewed:
March 20, 2007

Nice ambiance

Dad and I were in the mood for a bit of ambiance with our Chinese lunch cravings so we thought to stop by Feng Nian in Sausalito. It is thoughtfully decorated with a muted yet friendly atmosphere that works just right.

I think I may be beginning to like Hot & Sour Soup! This one was really tasty with just the right balance of sour and savory and chock full of good ingredients! It came with the lunch specials we ordered.

My main dish was the Honey Glazed Walnut Prawns and I chose to take an upcharge for vegetable chow mein instead of rice to accompany it. This was absolutely delicious! The battered prawns had a nice texture and there were very plump and fresh shrimp inside the batter!

Dad felt like the Broccoli Beef. The meals also came with a crisp Vegetarian Egg Roll. Dad enjoyed his dish to the last bite and said we should stop by here more often.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 1
Last inspected: 11/25/2008

Previously reviewed:
November 13, 2006

Attention adventurers

After Jason moved his original restaurant to Greenbrae, a more casual restaurant bearing his name sprung up in the original location, Jason's Burger Joint (in San Rafael). According the Marin IJ, Jason's keeping it in the family with his father Sammy taking care of the burgers.

My adventurous side was quite excited to see the most interesting burger menu ever. Besides the usual beef, chicken, turkey and even veggie, there was an outstanding list of interesting possibilities. Kobe, Buffalo, Ostrich, Salmon, Real Crab, Cod Fish, Cat Fish and Calamari to be specific. I ordered the real crab burger with fries. It was huge and hot, while the lettuce and tomato were refreshingly cool (I asked them to hold the onions). The fries were great too, bigger than normal yet not steak sized these were hot and delicious! If you'd like a good burger, or feel like trying something out of the ordinary do stop here.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 2
Last inspected: 8/12/2008

Previously mentioned:
October 26, 2008

Nautical Breakfast

Dad and I stopped by Winship Restaurant in Sausalito one morning to enjoy a late breakfast. This restaurant was designed like the deck of a ship and has one of the best nautical themes of any restaurant I've experienced. Casual, comfortable and friendly, the waiter was prompt and helpful.

On that rather foggy morning, I was delightfully surprised to find what a large pot of tea comes standard. We were in no hurry, and the time of year is a little slower for restaurants this end of town, so we had a very unhurried time sipping and talking and savoring.

Dad wanted something simple, so he chose two scrambled eggs with hickory smoked bacon and home fries. He was quite content with his choice and commented on the flavorful bacon.

I felt more adventurous, and tried the Poached Eggs on Grilled Salmon Potato Cakes. The grilled salmon cakes were nicely filled with salmon bits, but be warned, these are VERY dense. Good like gnocchi is good, but it's filling. In retrospect, although the home fries were quite tasty as well, I would have lightened this up a bit by ordering tomato slices on the side.

Even at mid-morning it was a pretty foggy day in Sausalito, but still lovely. Winships is also near the Sausalito Ferry Terminal, so it could be a fun treat to ride the ferry to and get away from this city for a bit!

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 0
Last inspected: 10/17/2008

Previously reviewed:
December 24, 2006

Remains consistently good

It's easy to find my way over to Saylor's Restaurant in Sausalito frequently. Since their menu has such a wide range of choices there's always something to fit the mood. And I've found the service reliably prompt and friendly.

On this coolish evening, it was not hard to convince me to try their signature Margarita. I tried very hard to remember how long ago my last one was, and I think I still lived in Seattle, which would make it over ten years ago. This one was great. Fabulous in fact. I could like margaritas like this.

Crab is in season, and I love it so I had to try the Dungeness crab stuffed petrale sole which was on their specials sheet (which is big enough to be a menu for most restaurants). It came with flavorful rice and freshly prepared vegetables. I enjoyed the entire plate.

I couldn't remember ever tasting one of Saylor's desserts either, so I had to try one of those as well. After some deliberation, I decided to try the Chocolate Sour Cream Cake. Wow. It was as dense and moist as could be while still maintaining a cake like quality rather than becoming a brownie or lava type cake. I could only manage a few forkfuls of this delightful dessert. I needed a companion with another fork! There is also music on weekends (Friday & Saturday nights) and a large selection of tequilas.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 3
Noncritical: 7
Last inspected: 10/22/2008

Previously reviewed:
November 4, 2007
August 6, 2007
September 27, 2006

Perpetual Christmas

Being curious about Sam's Place in Novato, I stopped by for a late breakfast the other day. The decor is decidedly Christmas themed, with old Christmas signage, posters and lots of greenery hanging around with lights. There are also old LP covers of Christmas music artfully stapled/glued to the tops of the divider on the booths in front of the kitchen. The music is decidedly country mixed with very old songs like "King of the Road".

The table tent described their special in detail. It looks like quite a deal - 3 itmes for $4.99. I did resist however.

I chose the Omelet Wrap, which was very tasty indeed. The omelet had feta cheese, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and spinach wrapped in the fluffy omelet, wrapped in a tortilla. The presentation was pretty and it was easy to eat in the wrapper. The accompanying home fries were also delicious, although I put in and order for hash browns. Oh well. Even if not quite accurate, the service was prompt and friendly without disturbing the morning quiet time.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 0
Last inspected: 12/23/2008

Not again!

Echoing Cookiecrumb's comment on the post a couple days ago where I kept running into closed restaurants, this recession IS getting sad and scary. I had Chopsticks in San Rafael on my list to try, and when Dad said he wanted Chinese for lunch, I thought it was time.

And when we got there, a sign was posted on the door that they closed as of January 1, 2009 due to losing the lease. The bright spot is that the Chew family hopes to open elsewhere in Marin. Losing a lease isn't necessarily because of a recession, however there are just too many closings for any reason recently.

Celebrating Daniel's 40th Mediterranean style

My friend Daniel had a milestone birthday yesterday - 40! He invited a group of his friends and fans to La Mediterranee in Berkeley to celebrate.

Eight friendly and accomplished men, and two similar women were at the table enthralled with Daniel's amusing stories about living in Budapest and travels in Europe with Peter. Daniel embarrassed most of us with glowing introductions.

In one of those happy happenstances, all the veggie types ended up on my end of the table. Four of us banded together and ordered the Mediterranean Mezza, Vegetarian. This feast consisted of ten generous dishes, and there was plenty left to take home. The first thing to arrive was a large basket of whole wheat and plain pita bread.

Next came two dishes of Baba Ghanoush and Hummus. Simon, who lives nearby and comes to this place frequently said that there must be a new chef training as some of the dishes weren't quite up to standard. For example the Baba Ghanoush was lacking a characteristic smoky taste. It was still good.

Next was the smooth Levant Sandwich which consisted of cream cheese, herbs, cucumbers, lettuce, feta cheese and tomato rolled in Levantine bread.

Blocks of feta cheese with black olives arrived next.

This Armenian Potato salad is usually more lemon and herb-y according to Simon, but it tasted good as it was as well.

We all agreed that this Tabuleh was excellent, with lots of green fresh bits.

These Dolmas are not to be missed, with their delicious interiors of rice, nuts and currants and scented with exotic spices.

The Grecian Spinach and Feta Fillo were fabulous!

And there were Cheese Karni Fillo as well!

We were served a kind of mushroom and cream cheese tart which I couldn't find a description of on the menu. By this time I could only manage a little cut from a larger piece, this was one filling mezza! The others at the table seemed to have ordered various types of kababs over rice, and the plates were clean, indicating that the carnivores enjoyed their repast as well.

Many of us enjoyed hot, sweet Moroccan Mint tea and Baklava. The Baklava triangles were quite large, and were accompanied by a thick rich whipped cream. Of course Daniel's was accompanied by a flaming candle as we sang Happy Birthday. La Mediterranee is recommendable for a comfortable, casual meal, even with the new chef. Another day with another chef might bring it over the top!

NOTE: I forgot to add that one of the guests last night, Jack Passion, is the World Title Holder for a "Natural Full Beard" and a rock musician, a very interesting person.