Anyone have the scoop?

The last few times I've been in Fairfax, I've noticed a 'closed' sign on Cafe Amsterdam's door. Anyone have the scoop on this? I've heard this is temporary, but no timing nor why...

Real Italian Chef Inside

In heavy report writing mode last week at the office, I looked up and it was nearly past lunchtime, so I stopped in after the rush was gone at Rustico on Caledonia in Sausalito. The bartender subbed as waiter as well, and was friendly as could be. The chef came out of the kitchen thinking lunch was past at 1:20 I'm sure, but then he noticed me.

As quick as a wink he wisked my breadbasket of foccacia slices away saying they were old, and do I like garlic bread? "Yes", I replied, and hearing his accent, asked if he was from Italy. "Just got off the boat!", he responded as he walked back into the kitchen, also hearing that I'd like a small Caesar to start. And in no time flat some tasty cheesy-garlic warm bread was placed in front of me. "You know we have a great meat lasagne today", he said temptingly. "I'm eating vegetarian these days", I responded with great control. (It's usually very rewarding to follow the recommendations of an Italian chef!)

And out came my well portioned and crisp Caesar salad.

And not long after I finished it, my Spaghetti Puttanesca followed. Ah! What a delight! Notice how the spaghetti is artfully swirled in a perfect pile, with no wild tendrils hanging out? The sauce was well integrated, clinging seductively to the al dente pasta. You could see well-bodied crushed tomato drops holding the pasta gently, all the way down its silken length. Imagine smoothly blended taste exploding freshly on your tongue with a finish of kalamata olive flavor. Ohh... I'll be back here for lunch again!

Previously reviewed:
December 17, 2006

Complete with butterflies

I'd overlooked this place for sometime, it just looked like a small bakery with a narrow footprint. Then I passed around the back of Debbie Does Dessert one evening, and saw what a lovely deck it opened out to the wooded path by the creek.

So Dad and I chose to have brunch there one recent weekend morning, just after it opened at 9. We had our choice of seats, and took a corner place at the back of the deck. It was so sunny and charming with bright yellow sunflowers gracing the tablecloths.

Dad tried the Crépe Compléte, a buckwheat crepe with eggs, ham and gruyere cheese, with country potatoes on the side. He loved it and asked when we would visit France, or this place again.

The woman who seemed to be the point person for everything effusively suggested Raul’s Heavenly Ratatouille Omelet, which is a very fluffy 3 egg omelet filled with Provencal vegetable ragout and gruyere. It was also served with French country potatoes and toast. The bread for the toast was made on premises and grilled. It certainly was a 'heavenly' combination! Towards the end of our breakfast, as if on cue, a lovely pale yellow butterfly with black markings fluttered and flitted around our table and throughout the deck, flying off into the sunlight when it had made its rounds. I'll have to come back some evening for the tapas!

View dining, and good too!

After some absence, I visited on old favorite, The Spinnaker in Sausalito which has one of the most fabulous dining views in the bay area. In previous visits the entrees were always fresh and fabulous, but the sides could be a little hit and miss. This time everything was 100% delicious.

The windows are floor to ceiling, and the restaurant is build out over the water which maximizes its already good vantage point. The seating is also arranged to maximize the views. I was sitting against the back wall, directly facing a bank of windows and the banquette was slightly elevated. The silhouettes of the happy romantic couples only added to the ambiance.

Remembering the crab potstickers as a special treat, I ordered them instead of the usual soup or salad starter. The ginger and cilantro Thai sauce goes very nicely with the crab stuffed dumplings.

And I had to give in to one of my favorite dishes, petrale sole dore. And not only was it delicious, but the sides were perfection. I especially liked the colorful medley of vegetables which were flash pan fried to a tender and crisp sensation which intensified the flavors.

The waiters are mostly men of a certain age, who immediately give you every confidence of flawless service. And certainly my waiter delivered on that. He was masterful - and despite my fullness, nearly had me ordering dessert! But this time I resisted. There was also a beautiful blue heron greeting people passing his way next to the restaurant. I tried to get his best side while waiting for the valet to bring my car.

They should add a dance floor

Positively peppy, the Cactus Cafe pleases again. Obviously the new management has found the right note from the music to the prompt and freshly prepared food. The charming waitresses looked like sisters and were so cute and happy and eager to please one couldn't come in in a bad mood and maintain it.

Nearly as soon as we sat, we were asked if we'd like some chips and salsa, and being hungry we said yes immediately. And in a jiffy, we had chips and two fresh salsas on the table.

The famous 'Bowls' have turned inside out into platters, although the moniker is the same as last time we visited. Dad wanted to have the Grilled Vegetable Bowl which had artichokes, summer squash and red onions among the grilled items. The platter is generously portioned and Dad enjoyed as much as he could eat of it.

I ventured out for the Tropical Bowl, which had succulent grilled shrimp and a chunky mango salsa which set off the shrimp very well. There is also a choice of black beans, but the both of us chose pinto, which were mellow and tasty. I'm heading here again the next time it rains it's so sunny on the inside!

Last reviewed:
October 25, 2006

This one is really hidden

The "Chinese Deli" in Mill Valley is off the main track in a little strip mall behind the Marin Theatre Company. I've seen a little sign near the theater and wondered where they were hiding the place, and finally ventured over a little bridge over a creek to find a spot that time left behind where this happening lunch spot is.

It was filled to capacity at lunchtime, and offered a variety of interesting things, including vegetarian items. The vegetarian spring roll came in a bowl. The serving style is cafeteria style, where you can see and point to the items you'd like. There are various size options.

I was quite tempted by the prospect of Singapore noodles with a little spice. These were fresh cooked and took an extra five minutes, but were well worth it. Guess what I had for dinner too? Faded and friendly, prompt and economical this is a definite find for casual dining.

I saved $55

and I only spent $145 to do it at Safeway. It was one of those Sundays, where you peruse the paper and find a coupon you think you will use ($0.75 off a dozen eggs) then you get out your scissors and examine the coupon books in earnest. Pretty soon you are heading off to the store with a handful of coupons. I did only buy a couple things not on sale (cucumber and the potato used in the Spanish omelet above). Even the Canadian wild lobster tails were on sale for $9.99 each. I even checked to be sure I wasn't devastating the Canadian lobster catch, nor eating contaminants by referring to the Canadian SeaChoice Alert Card. I have to admit that I was surprised when the cashier said 'you saved $55 today - you are a GOOD shopper!'

So Dad and I enjoyed a special Sunday dinner of broiled lobster tails (so sweet!) and a Spanish Omelet with roasted red pepper sauce. And since the omelet is so herbacious I'm going to enter this post in Weekend Herb Blogging hosted by Laurie from Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska. The Spanish Omelet has potatoes, sweet mini peppers, olives and cherub tomatoes surrounded by egg. You fry the sliced potatoes to nearly done, then add the sliced mini peppers and olives and stir fry a bit, add the fresh cut cherub tomatoes and then add the egg, and cook with a lid on, or finish in the oven. The red pepper sauce is one of my favorite easy sauces. You just blend up a bottle of canned roasted red peppers in oil, and add some red pepper flakes if you want a kick. It not only works well over the Spanish Omelet, but pairs well with roasted meats, especially pork.

I'm going to highlight sweet peppers as they are not only inside, but the sauce is essentially made of a sweet type pepper too. Peppers are true powerhouses of nutrition. Besides a big dose of Vitamin C, these peppers are also full of thiamine, vitamin B6, beta carotene, and folic acid. Bell peppers also contain a large amount of phytochemicals that have exceptional antioxidant activity. And the red ones contain lycopene, which is good for the men in your life.

We also finished off the meal with the hibiscus scented chocolate brownies with raspberries with a scoop of Ben & Jerry's Dublin Mudslide ice cream. Pure yum.

French inspiration

I've always liked Mimi's Cafe. Erika introduced it to me in the Long Beach area, and I didn't realize it was a chain at the time. I found there is one in Dublin too, and it is also delicious. So when I find that I'm anywhere near at a mealtime, well, I stop by!

Practically upon seating, a bread basket appeared. And was I ready for it! After going from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles, then across California on Hwy 46, through the beautiful (wine country) and surreal (Lost Hills oil fields), I finally crossed 101, and headed north to Visalia, picking up my Prius. I just wanted to get close to home, so didn't stop for lunch or snack - but finally stopping for dinner here in Livermore.

I started with the French Onion soup - lovely broth.

I was tempted by a seasonal special, a grilled salmon nicoise salad. It consisted of mixed greens, egg, feta cheese and diced tomatoes all tossed in balsamic vinaigrette and topped with a grilled petite salmon fillet, marinated artichokes and red bliss potatoes. Substantial, yet light, I would definitely order this again. I enjoyed the trip, but was happy to be back home.

Santa Barbara morning

The proprietor of the hotel immediately replied "Sambo's" to the question of where is the best breakfast in town. And it was only a couple blocks away from my place across from the beach in Santa Barbara. Having fond memories of meeting Erika and the twins here a couple years ago didn't hurt either.

Sambo's still had the happy sign with the boy and tiger in front, and as soon as I was seated a basket of piping hot chocolate chip muffins was placed in front of me. Nice!

I chose a Garden Omelet with added avocado, and the pancake option rather than toast. How could one not have Sambo's golden pancakes while imagining Bengal tiger butter! It all tasted fine, although it's not the 'best' breakfast I've ever had, it was quite nice. The eggs were cooked thinly and the ingredients were wrapped up in the thin layers, almost like a Napoleon. I'd definitely come again.

Wanting to soak in a little sun and sea breezes before a very long trip, crisscrossing central California in my little Chevy Aero rental car to get my car back in Visalia and drive back to Mill Valley, I wandered down the street. I came upon Sea Landing which has all kinds of things to keep one occupied on the sea!

I'd like to come back with the twins sometime and enjoy some whale watching or sport fishing, or even watch them have fun on some rented jet skis I saw parked nearby. Everything looked in good condition.

Stern's Wharf also looked inviting across the beach.

Being early on a Wednesday morning, I had the beach practically to myself. Too bad I couldn't stay! But I'll be back.

NOTE: As I write this on Saturday afternoon, I'm smelling the freshly baked hibiscus scented chocolate raspberry gluten free brownies I've just pulled out of the oven. I substituted hibiscus infusion for the water in the recipe and scattered fresh organic Driscoll raspberries over the top just before putting in the oven. A nice tea-time treat!

French Bistro by the Bay

Interrupting the recount of recent travels, I wanted to post about Le Garage, the new French Bistro by the bay. Dad was reportedly a bit lonely while I was out, so I wanted to do a special breakfast before heading back into the hectic world. Finding Le Garage is a little tricky, it's on Liberty Ship way in Sausalito, at the far corner of a building marked "85", but no other restaurant signage. They serve a European Continental breakfast weekdays, and brunch on weekends.

What that means is that there are hard boiled eggs available, but not your typical breakfast fare on weekdays. It is also very French with your cafe au lait served in a bowl!

And who cares about typical breakfast fare when freshly baked pain au chocolat is two minutes from out of the oven when you arrive!

And hearing native French spoken when looking over this view makes one think they are in Nice!

The warm croissants aren't bad either.

Ventura Italian

Giving up on Margarita Villa, we wandered over to a promising door to Milano's Italian Restaurant. It also appeared we could enjoy a harbor view from a covered deck while being sheltered from a cold wind.

The view was very pleasant.

I started with an 'add' for $2 garden salad. If the grape tomatoes weren't wrinkled, it would have been better.

Erika & Collette shared some spaghetti with marinara sauce which was unremarkable. Colin was adventurous and tried the linguine pomodoro - garlic, sun-dried tomato, fresh tomato, basil and snow peas sauteed with olive oil. Colin being just 11, was appalled to find that it wasn't 'sauced', so the waiter kindly brought him a side of marinara sauce.

The waiter was a most pleasant and helpful young man, and Erika and I challenged him with all of our questions. Especially me trying to alter the menu items in some way to actually make something I'd like. I am not a heavy cream sauce fan, nor do I like marinara sauce on seafood. So what we figured out was trying the maple/Asian glazed salmon fillet over bow tie pasta minus the garlic cream sauce, and just having the bow tie pasta tossed with a little olive oil. The serving of salmon was positively large, and so I could happily share with the table - as everyone wanted to taste it, it looked and smelled so appetizing. The salmon and it's glaze were indeed tasty, so much so that Erika, who is a professional chef, asked what the ingredients were and the waiter brought out the handwritten recipe book. There were some unexpected things beyond the maple syrup in the list, and it is a recommendable dish. However, we thought that it would taste much better over some jasmine rice. In fact, I did not like the sauce on the pasta at all - too sweet and cloying in that context.

Having not seen each other in 20 months, we just didn't want to leave. So we ordered a dessert to share, a brownie sundae. Whoah! It was an over the top large tower, and yes, it was delicious.

This place is a little tired, but they try and are very friendly. Erika and I both thought it had great potential with a little updating. Maybe we should send over Gordon Ramsay...

After eating that sundae, the kids had a lot of energy to run off, so we drove to a different part of the beach while the twins tore up and down in the sand to the setting of the sun over a calm and blue sea.

What would you have done?

I met Erika and the twins in Ventura for dinner and catch up. We thought we'd try Margarita Villa in Ventura Harbor. It certainly looked pleasant enough.

We walked up the stairs and into the restaurant where we were instructed to sit anywhere we liked. We took a nearby table, and nearly instantly discovered that there were breadcrumbs on the 'clean' bread plates that our wrapped silverware was on, on all 4 of our plates. Checking the table ahead of us, it had gooey residue on the table not wiped up, although there were clean place settings on the table. Hmmm. Worried about the cleanliness of the place, we did something rare - we got up and walked out before ordering. Would you have, or grinned and born the questions running through your mind? Leave me a comment.