Visiting a familiar place

Dad and I visited the Redwood Cafe, just off of Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael for breakfast a few days ago. I used to come here quite a bit when I was active in Marin Professionals. Since Marin's unemployment rate has risen to the highest rate in 5 years - at 5%, perhaps there is a reader who may find this information useful. Marin Professionals is a highly recommendable resource for preparing yourself, networking, and getting support for that next career move. And it's quite near this cafe.

The interior was just as simple as I recalled, and it was still full of choices that you have to look around the wall to see. We might term it a little morning treasure hunt. This is a very neighborhoody type place where you can be quite casual and comfortable.

Dad's treasure was a fresh vegetable omelet with hash browns. He liked it, but couldn't finish the large portion.

I found mine written in slanted letters on a white board on the wall to the right of the standard fare sign. A Greek scramble, filled with spinach, scallions and a good portion of dill. It was great, and I had home fries that had a few strands of cheddar cheese melted on the top, as well as some fresh chopped green onions. We enjoyed our food and time at this comfortable place. And Dad perked up when we sat next to a lady who seemed to be about his age, and he started flirting!

Relaxing in a space that evokes a gentler era

A first visit to the restaurant of a charming bed and breakfast type hotel was in the cards last Sunday for Dad & I. The Panama Inn & Restaurant in San Rafael has truly captured something quite special, and very different than any other place in Marin.

As soon as you walk in the door to the patio and see the profusion of green and flowering plants, it immediately has a calming effect. The hats posted along the muted green fence adds to the relaxing feel.

Behind and beside me were a profusion of flowers.

And the Earl Gray Tea came in an adorable elephant tea pot. Another sign of having entered a gentler, more gracious world. And the tea itself wasn't bad for being the bagged type. And the only service misstep here was that the waiter never did bring me the promised lemon for my tea.

Dad ordered a Portabella Mushroom & Spinach Omelet with sautéed onions and Swiss cheese. He also added bacon and chose the Whole Grain Toast. The fruit was also at its peak, and the potatoes were good as well.

I tried San Francisco Eggs. These were a delicious Benedict type dish composed of poached eggs, Dungeness crab cakes, toasted English muffin and hollandaise sauce. It all melded together to create a breakfast fit for a queen. This trip to a different world was wonderful, and particularly recommendable for those with some time to linger.

Italian films are back

I've been intrigued to see a sign recently for an Italian Buffet lunch on the window of Cinecitta in San Rafael. I was waiting for a good opportunity to check it out, which came yesterday. The buffet is reasonably priced at $8.50.

And I was pleased to see the Italian films back on the wall in HD! La Dolce Vita was playing as I enjoyed the buffet. I came rather late (2 ish - it is available until 2:30) yet the buffet was attentively kept clean and fresh food came out to replace any completed or tired dishes. There was a nice variety of authentic dishes. This was definitely not just full of pasta and pizza as there were chicken, fish and beef dishes along with others.

I had a lovely Caesar Salad (peeking out under the zucchini), thinly sliced roasted zucchini with Parmesan shavings, a nice capellini and tomato cool pasta, and a mini chicken sandwich. I couldn't tell if it were fish or chicken in it before taking it, and it was quite good with a slice of oven roasted chicken breast inside which looked like it was sliced off a whole bird. The restaurant was still pretty full of people even at the late lunch hour. It was a very pleasant experience and a wonderful mid-day break from the usual bustle.

Previously reviewed:
November 22, 2006

Homey in San Rafael

My photos lack pizazz today, but Theresa & Johnny's Comfort Food is a warm and eclectic place. With a real down home feel, and a Cajun-Southern twist, you can always count on grits as a choice. The owners seem to be very open to new ideas as well. I've seen any number of special theme nights where the restaurant is also open for dinner. Since they've added a website since I last wrote about my experience here, it would be a great place to notify people of their latest special night.

One recent morning, I enjoyed a San Rafael Scramble with Cheesy Grits. The egg dish was much better than the photo looks. Those caramelized onions are wonderfully sweet scrambled in with some cream cheese. I think the grits rating can depend on what they are eaten with. The egg dish was bland enough that the grits were too bland, a little watery and certainly not cheesy enough. The service was friendly and prompt.

Previously reviewed:
December 4, 2006

French Restaurants in Marin

There have been some comings and goings in the French restaurant scene since the last summary. Here's the updated list. If I've missed a lovely French restaurant popping up somewhere in Marin, please let me know!

French restaurants I've visited -

Corte Madera
Champagne French Bakery Cafe

Greenbrae
Cafe Z Epicerie

Larkspur
Left Bank

Mill Valley
Champagne French Bakery Cafe
La Boulange

Novato
Chez Pierre

Ross
Marche aux Fleurs

San Anselmo
Bistro 330

Sausalito
Le Garage

Still on my list -

Mill Valley
El Paseo Restaurant

San Rafael
Le Chalet Basque Restaurant

photo credit: iStock Photo

Cheerful Interior

Dad & I stopped in to Sam's Roadhouse for a late lunch the other day. It is open from 7 a.m. for breakfast, a point that I missed until then. I was also pleasantly surprised by the interior.

The inside was bright and cheery with red seats and an old road sign from what looks like Novato's past.

Dad ordered a Veggie Burger with fries, and said it was great.

I tried their Roadhouse Specialty - Fish & Chips. The fish was pretty good, moist on the inside with a crisp shell, and the coleslaw was very tasty. There is also a dinner portion of fish & chips for larger appetites. I thought this was just right. The staff was also quite friendly and prompt. A nice place for a casual and cheerful lunch. They also have music on some weekend evenings.

Happy 5th Birthday Blog!

On Saturday, August 16, 2003 I began this blogging journey. What a pleasant surprise this journey has been. And how 5 years has flown by! What seemed to be a 'solitary' endeavor has brought new friends and experiences, such nice bonuses! Apparently I enjoy doing this! Many tanks to Blogger for making this easy and providing the server space to host my food and life musings.

photo credit: iStock photo

Scandinavian choices

The Lighthouse Diner in San Rafael is a clean and warm place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's bar is even friendly and well-stocked with Scandinavian favorites. I enjoyed many a Danish meatball for breakfast here, and their corned beef hash is housemade and very good. Given all the meals I've had here it was hard to believe that I hadn't already formally reviewed it.

I did remember the dense pumpernickel bread that is available here. It reminds me of the Germanic countries that I visited while a university student. Dad went for the sourdough and enjoyed it as well. "A taste of San Francisco!" he said, forgetting that he lives so close!

Jose's scramble, stuffed with veggies was just the ticket for me. It had spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, red onions and mushrooms scrambled in the eggs with (Jack) cheese.

Dad went for the standard Ham & (cheddar) Cheese Omelet, and he enjoyed the home fries as well. The Lighthouse serves breakfast 7:00-4:00 every day, except Sunday when it opens at 8 a.m.

Wild Tomato Plant

The tomato plant I've been nurturing is giving back bountifully. It's growing wild! This just taken after I'd picked a bowl of small tomatoes. Sweet Millions. You can see there is a branch growing wild and weighted down from the weight of the fruit. A matching branch was on the other side, and when I tried staking it, it broke off. It is tied upside down to the wire so that the fruit can still ripen.

Authentic Japanese Hospitality

Umi Sushi has settled into its own since my last recorded visit. Last week I enjoyed sushi with a couple friends there and the food was so delicious and artful, I knew it was time for an update. So off to San Rafael I went with my best camera yesterday evening. I was warmly greeted by Atsuko and Yoshi who own the restaurant. The authentic Japanese hospitality that awaits you there is your portal to another world. Being footloose and fancy free for the evening, I made it a slow gourmet evening of varied tastes.

First up were variations on the theme of ika, or squid. This one had buttery tendrils of squid in a sushi nest topped with mentaiko, a kind of fish egg. It was an explosion of taste and texture over the tongue.

The next ika was translucent over the squares of shiso leaf. I had this last week and fell in love.

Next were some delightful accompaniments, compliments of the house. In the top dish were pickles, and the bottom, freshly steamed green beans in goma-e dressing (a sesame seed based dressing).

There is no description of Hokee Hiraki on the menu, but here it is and pictures are once again better than words one cannot find, even using Google. This is a delicate, yet buttery white fish that is a type that Japan's northern island of Hokkaido is well known for. Firm in texture, the flesh easily pulls away from the bones. Traditionally a little grated radish mixed with soy sauce is eaten over the fish, and this dish comes authentically prepared at Umi Sushi.

Next up is an order of colorful young octopus sushi. These tendrils are tender!

Are your eyes full yet? Take a look at this colorful roll. This Hawaii Roll teams up spicy yellowtail and mango on the inside with a topping of tuna, green tobiko and bits of macadamia nuts. Another taste sensation!

Green Tea ice cream once was an unusual flavor found only in Japanese restaurants. These days it's nearly as common as vanilla, and found in all types of restaurants. Offering something traditional, yet unique Umi Sushi has a housemade ice cream with rich flavor depth and pretty presentation in its new Kurogoma (black sesame) ice cream.

Previously reviewed:
December 6, 2007

Neighborhood Surfer Favorite

One more post about a meal shared with my nieces, Erika and her daughter Collette just before I started my trip back home last week. Collette suggested we eat at Woody's Diner in Seal Beach, and it looked like a winner from the outside.

Both Erika and Collette raved about the Hawaiian Omelet they ordered. Ham, pineapple, jack and cheddar cheese were enfolded in this one, and it came with hash browns and choice of bread - which happened to include biscuits and gravy! Both Erika and I tried these.

I ordered a Cottage Scramble which included a medley of tomatoes, mushrooms green onions with cheddar and jack cheeses scrambled in. I also ordered the hash browns, which were just right, crisp on the outside and shreds moist, well-cooked and holding their definition on the inside.

Here is a shot of the biscuits and gravy with a sprinkling of bacon pieces that was Erika and my choice of 'bread'. This was very good, very rich, and probably contained more of my week's fat allowance than I want to know. Woody's was a great place to enjoy breakfast!

A hiker's reward

The West Point Inn near the top of Mount Tamalpais is serving a special pancake breakfast occasionally (about once a month) through the summer and fall season. It sounded so appealing, and I was doubtful my father could hike in 45 minutes each way. A quick call revealed that there is a service road used for handicapped access, so we set off for a special pancake breakfast at the Inn yesterday. The Inn was the terminal point for the "Crookedest Railway in the World" which started in the town of Mill Valley and went up Mt. Tam.

I was a little worried as we hit wisps of fog on the way, but soon we were rewarded with spectacular views of San Francisco peeking out from above the clouds.

The service road is near the East Peak, and if you need this handicapped access you'll need to call ahead (preferably 24 hours in advance) to get more specific directions and the code to open the gate.

The handicapped parking is conveniently located next to a well maintained ramp entering the building from behind into the large cozy room with a fireplace.

As you wind your way to the veranda in front of the building, you are greeted by old-timers who are friendly and funny! There is a window on the veranda where you place your breakfast order with a warm and welcoming woman. She explains that you wait for your number to be called, then flag down the server to have it placed before you. The servers were all cute kids, and I mean something like 10-12 year olds.

And out came our jumbo pancake breakfasts. It was a breakfast made for those who had actually expended the energy to HIKE for 45 minutes here, or maybe the two hours from Mill Valley proper. The melon was perfectly ripe and juicy, and we appreciated as much of the pancakes as we felt reasonable to eat (the vegetarian version proffers 4 pancakes, while the regular version adds two sausage links with three pancakes).

It was a beautiful day, and we were rewarded by lovely scenic views from our seat on the veranda. Dad kept saying how much he LOVED the trip - he usually doesn't use such superlatives. Forest scenes along the drive reminded us several times of the forests near our home town (greater Seattle area), especially the ferns at higher elevations.

And how sweet! The Inn was quite dog friendly with a watering place and shade for canine hiking companions.

The West Point Inn is run by an association of members who have work parties to maintain and improve the buildings and grounds. You are not too late for breakfasts this season as there are more scheduled on September 7th and October 12th! Reservations for breakfast are not required, and the hours are from 9 - 1 p.m. In general the veranda and picnic tables are available for public use. The Inn is open Tuesday thru Sunday - Summer 11am/6pm, Winter 11am/5pm. Refreshments and water are available for sale at the Inn as well.

Chinese Restaurants in Marin and beyond

Chrysanthemum in San Rafael

Chinese restaurants in Marin - It's time for an update to the list. I've been eating my way through China in Marin and beyond, and in honor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, here is the latest round up!

Please let me know what I've missed.

Chinese restaurants I've tried

Corte Madera
P.F. Chang's

Fairfax
China Village

Greenbrae
Hunan First

Larkspur
DJ Chinese Cuisine

Mill Valley
Chinese Deli
Fishman Village
Harmony
Lily Kai
May Lee's
Peking Wok

Novato
China Palace
Ming Yen
Jenny Low's
Panda's Cafe

San Anselmo
May Lee's Asian Bistro
Ming Garden

San Rafael
China Villa
Chrysanthemum
Confucius Restaurant
Little Mandarin
Peking Wok
Pier 6
Ping's Mandarin Restaurant
Szechwan 7 Chinese Restaurant
Three Dragons Restaurant
Tsing Tao
Yet Wah
Yu Shang

Sausalito
Feng Nian
Panda Express
Tommy's Wok

Tiburon
Ming's Restaurant

Chinese restaurants yet to try

Fairfax
Szechuan Chef

Kentfield
Kin Wah Restaurant

Larkspur
The Canton Restaurant

Novato
Bamboo Chopsticks
China Express
China House
China Village
Dragon Cafe
Fuzhou Super Buffet
Happy Garden
Royal Mandarin
Shanghai Garden Restaurant

San Anselmo
Chinese Kitchen
Hot Wok

San Rafael
Chopsticks Chinese Cuisine
Combo King Restaurant
King of the Roll
House of Lee
La China Restaurant
Tao Yuan

Tiburon
Dynasty

Other Bay Area Chinese

Richmond
168 Restaurant

San Francisco
Golden Gate Dim Sum
New Hong Kong
Superior Palace
Ton Kiang

The dishes demanded it

I didn't intend to blog about the meal at Be My Guest the other night with my friend Sachiko. But this Thai Bistro on Clement Street in San Francisco had dishes just demanding to be blogged.

Like this Garlic Edamame appetizer which just slid its juices over the tongue. If you like garlic, then this is one fine variation on a theme.

And what would Okonomiyaki served at a Thai restaurant taste like? It was great, and the Japanese pizza favored the fluffy pancake-like Osaka style.

And what a pretty presentation for a Green Papaya Salad. The grilled shrimp where just the right topping for this marinated fruit and crisp vegetable delight.

Finally there was the "Traffic Jam" with some brown rice and cool cucumber salad. The traffic jam consisted of red curry with gluten, yellow curry with chicken, and we changed the green curry with beef to substitute tofu for the beef. They were all good, and what a jam!

Previously reviewed:
October 10, 2007