Clean and Happy

Dad and I enjoyed dinner last week at Sonoma Taco Shop near the Northgate Mall in San Rafael before seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I had been here before I started blogging several times at the recommendation of friends.

It was very clean and bright, and the staff was so cheerful! The 'mild' salsa from their salsa bar was great! Cool with a fresh taste, I found myself wanting to slather it over everything.

My Vegetarian Chimichanga was absolutely delightful! The hot crisp shell housed a variety of tasty vegetables including carrots and zucchini. The cool sour cream over the top made a nice contrast of hot/cold.

Dad loved his chicken tamales covered in a mild green sauce. The cornmeal wrapping looked very fresh. This place was a hit!

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 1
Noncritical: 1
Last inspected: 3/6/2009

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

De-fuzed and Con-fuzed

A reader let me know that San Anselmo's May Lee's Asian Bistro was no longer, so I had to immediately investigate. No wonder I hadn't noticed as "May Lee's" is still the header on the sign. However, it is no longer May Lee's but simply "Chinese Kitchen" (Home Cooking). The waiter confirmed that it is not "May Lee's", and hasn't been for some time now. It is no longer billed as 'fusion' and it is rather confusing with stray ladders outside and a rather neglected interior.

That being said we had an interesting meal, mostly good there. First off since Dad had a craving for soup, we tried the Egg Flower Soup. This was a stand out! I've never had egg flower soup with so many fresh vegetables and GINGER inside. It was really tasty. The Japanese bowl was a bit confusing though.

Next up were Vegetable Potstickers. I'll let you know straight away that the bottoms were VERY tough and hard to cut. That being said, I was delighted with the interior. Instead of the standard cabbage inside, it had some chard-like green that was quite tasty mixed with marinated bits of tofu. If only they'd cooked it a bit more gently...

Next was the best dish of the evening, Walnut Prawns. At other Chinese restaurants, sometimes this dish is a bit too sweet and cloying. These were perfect. The prawns were lightly crisp with a very nice citrus glaze that tasted a bit of oranges. It was a lovely pairing with the crisp honey glazed walnuts. I'd go back just for this dish.

Here is a close up of these beauties.

Last up were the Marco Polo noodles. Ooh Whee! Perhaps Marco, being Italian, was in love with garlic as these were some of the most garlicky noodles I have ever tasted. It also made them rather 'hot'. This dish had what the menu called 'buckwheat' noodles sauteed with prawns, scallops and an assortment of fresh vegetables. And GARLIC.

I have to admit a bit of puzzlement over the 'buckwheat' noodles. I asked the waiter whether these were the dark noodles made of buckwheat called 'soba' in Japan. The waiter nodded yes. And he barely seemed to speak English. I moved the noodles to be more visible for this shot. These aren't what you think of as 'buckwheat' noodles. Japanese do sometimes use 'soba' as a more generic term for noodles, as in 'yakisoba' which uses noodles like the above. But that is a Japanese term, not Chinese to my knowledge. No matter what you called them, the noodles themselves were delicious. These had a nice 'bite', reminiscent of well crafted and cooked Italian noodles. Maybe Marco Polo brought back the cooking method too!

Although the surroundings were rather run-down, the service was fast and friendly. If you know that you are going into confusion, and are willing to risk some unevenness in the food this is a fine place to go. The county has this place still listed under 'May Lee's', another confusing item.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 1
Last inspected: 2/24/2009

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Hot spot in Oxnard

It's fun to have dinner with locals who know where to go for good food and atmosphere. The night before our business meeting our business acquaintances became friends as we dined at their recommended place, Cabo Seafood Grill & Catina in Oxnard.

They also knew to order table side guacamole right away. This dish was not only good on chips, but heavenly slathered on the freshly made, hot corn tortillas that were continually replenished.

Terry enjoyed a plate of grilled and seasoned prawns, they looked great!

Michael ordered the fish of the day, which happened to be halibut. He gave it a thumbs up, and it looked good from my place at the table.

Stanton had a lovely combination plate, enchilada and what looked like two tacos. One of them is definitely carnitas, and the other I'm not sure, either al pastor, or carne asada. It all looked very flavorful and fresh.

I also had a combination, a fish tostada and prawn sopa. I was SO impressed by the freshness and perfect seasonings of both. The sopa was quite rustic, with quaintly misshapen sides and varying thickness. And it was also delicious.

We decided to try the cheesecake for dessert, one, with four forks. It was TALL and big so it was perfect to share. It was creamy as well, with a kick of cinnamon in the crust. All in all this is a great place to go for a casual dining experience in Oxnard.

It's my turn to host Weekend Herb Blogging again!

I have the privilege of hosting Weekend Herb Blogging #194 which starts today! If you'd like to participate, Cook (Almost) Anything At Least Once has the rules. I'll be posting the wrap up here on Sunday evening (2nd), or Monday (3rd).

Sipping in Monterey

Last week I was away for a couple days on business, missing a post or so. On the way back from Oxnard, we stopped into Monterey. I enjoyed strolling the old wharf and stopped in a cute coffee shop Plumes, for a little rest before meeting back up again with my business companions for dinner.

The place was cute, had WiFi and was pretty busy. Seemed popular with the Mac set and the staff were quite welcoming. The mocha was smooth and tasty too. I particularly liked the cup's cover design, made so that no matter where you gripped it, you wouldn't burn yourself.

I didn't take photos, but had a great dinner with business associates in nearby Carmel, at Robata Grill & Sake Bar located in "The Barnyard". We had tempura, edamame and agedashi tofu appetizers, followed by a table full (no exaggeration) of the finest nigiri sushi around. If you are in the Carmel area and have a craving for Japanese food I highly recommend this place.

Corn cakes for breakfast

When you have corn on the cob in the CSA box and have a father who can't eat it on the cob, more creative thoughts come to mind. I remembered my mother making savory corn cakes, and thought why not for breakfast? The one above was the first one out of the pan, so it shows the pattern of the olive oil and a bit crispier edges than the rest of the batch.

I started by cutting off the kernels from the fresh corn. I thought I had all the silk pulled off the ear, but when I started cutting I had to start a new round of pulling it out from the places it had tightly squeezed itself into around the kernels.

I also chopped up some tops of green onion for it. To make it you basically mix in the chopped green onions and fresh corn into a pancake batter. My batter was a amaranth flour, whole wheat flour, unbleached flour mix of about a cup, to 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 beaten egg, 1 cup buttermilk and a little water until it was the right consistency. Then you just cook these like pancakes and serve with butter. Dad and I both enjoyed this savory corn cake breakfast.

And I also had cut off enough green onion tops to plant in a planter. You know that the bottoms are easy to replant in a pot?

Never mind about the straight rows, nature doesn't do that anyway. As they regrow their tops, they will straighten up and start listing into the sun. It's surprising how long the green regrowth will last, and it's nice to have fresh green tops just cut from the 'garden'.

Chinese Restaurants in Marin

Photo credit: iStockphoto

Chinese restaurants in Marin - It's time for an update to the list. Whee! I'm really close to having eaten at EVERY Chinese restaurant in Marin, really.

Please let me know what I've missed.

Chinese restaurants I've tried

Corte Madera
P.F. Chang's

Fairfax
China Village
Szechuan Chef

Greenbrae
Hunan First

Kentfield
Kin Wah Restaurant

Larkspur
DJ Chinese Cuisine

Mill Valley
Chinese Deli
Harmony
Lily Kai
May Lee's
Peking Wok
Young Can Wok

Novato
China House
China Palace
China Village
Dragon Cafe
FuZhou Super Buffet
Happy Garden
Ming Yen
Jenny Low's
Shanghai Garden

San Anselmo
Hot Wok
China Villa

San Rafael
Bamboo Garden
Chrysanthemum
Confucius Restaurant
House of Lee
Little Mandarin
Peking Wok
Ping's Mandarin Restaurant
Szechwan 7 Chinese Restaurant
Tsing Tao
Yet Wah
Yu Shang

Sausalito
Feng Nian
Panda Express
Tommy's Wok

Tiburon
Dynasty
Ming's Restaurant

Chinese restaurants yet to try

Novato
China Express
Garden Court

San Rafael
Combo King Restaurant
King of the Roll

Other Bay Area Chinese

Richmond
168 Restaurant

San Francisco
Golden Gate Dim Sum
New Hong Kong
Shangri-La (Vegetarian)
Superior Palace
Ton Kiang

Two cooks didn't spoil this pie!

Jonathon and I made a pie in a very casual way. He picked apples from his tree, and brought a pre-made pie crust. I had fresh peaches, pecan bits, tapioca, dark brown sugar, butter and almond extract. He peeled the apples while I peeled the peaches. I dumped in according to his measure, and he filled up the pie. Forgetting the butter, Jonathon carefully peeled back the upper crust to insert cut up cubes. Despite the hodge podge way we 'cobbled' the pie together, not only did those homey pie-baking smells permeate the house, the result was incredibly delicious! Hear hear for two cooks!

I'm headed for points south (strawberry country) for a business trip early this morning (got to get some shut-eye!). Glen will be watching the house and my Dad, and I may or may not get a post in on the road.

Breakfast where you don't expect it

I noticed a board behind the cash register advertising breakfast items the last time I visited Louie's Deli Cafe in Sausalito. This charming deli is within walking distance of my workplace, so I'm often getting my falafel fix there. Upon noticing the breakfast sign, I knew I'd have to put it on my to-do list for trying out. And one busy morning, on the way to work it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it.

I asked for an onion and poppy seed bagel with egg and cheese. It came to me with cheese wrapped around the egg in a melted perfect breakfast bite. The staff was very friendly too, which changed my mood from a bit frazzled to a more calm attitude to start my day.

Restaurant Inspection Results

This restaurant has no inspection history as of this posting.

Previously reviewed:
March 16, 2007

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Happy 89th Charles!

Today is my father's 89th birthday. Linda, Yalda, Olivia, Cassidy, Dad & I had a little celebration at The Garden in Novato last evening which was just delightful. This is the finale with Dad blowing out the candle on his slice of chocolate cake. Company was good, and so was the food and service. The waiter said it was birthday night as every table she was with during the evening was celebrating a birthday.

Hidden in plain view

Across from the bus center in San Rafael, housed in the old train depot, is Whistlestop and its Jackson Cafe. My father often goes to enjoy classes and companionship at the Whistlestop center in one of those Whistlestop buses you see flying about the county.

The Jackson Cafe recently expanded its hours, and the general public is welcome to enjoy the food there as well. The prices are very reasonable even for those who pay full price.

The daily special is written on the whiteboard in front of the inside entrance to the cafe. My father recalled that my mother made delicious cabbage rolls, so his mind was made up immediately.

When you go through the door there are some smiling volunteers to take your order and give you a number. As I was waiting in the short line, I noticed there were fresh jaunty flowers on each dining table.

Then you pick up a tray and pick up things to add to your meal, such as as salad at the salad bar,

or fruit and dessert. More photos of the bar can be found in my Flickr set for the Jackson Cafe.

When you have everything, there are more smiling volunteers who staff the cashier's table, and send you on your way. Your main dish is delivered to you at the table. I started with a deliciously fresh salad bar created salad.

Soon my veggie burger arrived with a bonus, potato chips. The bun on that burger was so fresh it made me wonder if they had a special arrangement with a bakery to bring ones over just-baked. It was all very tasty, and came plain so that you could add the condiments that you wish.

My Dad was mighty pleased with his cabbage rolls. He said they were spiced just right.

Although it didn't surprise him, it did me to see that the entree of the day also came with bread and a cookie. No wonder on days he eats here he's not so hungry at dinner time! The volunteers kept a watchful eye over the crowd to see if anyone needed some help, and also dropped by the several tables just to spread general cheer.

It was my first visit for lunch, and I was really comforted to see all the caring volunteers my father spends time with a few days a week when I'm at the office. There are classes five days a week, and there are volunteer opportunities, not only in the cafe, but also leading classes. There is volunteer information at the site. If you have retired parents or neighbors, this is one resource that would be great to bring to their attention.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 1
Last inspected: 12/4/2008

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Light and innovative

Jennie Low's left Mill Valley a couple years ago, however, the location in Novato remained. And it was just far enough to keep me from enjoying her light, innovative cooking since the closure. We decided to visit since we were in the neighborhood at Macy's Furniture the other day. (I was ordering a reclining chair for my father's 89th birthday, coming up on Monday.)

Dad and I decided to try the Vegetable Potstickers to start. I asked a question of the waiter, I'd always wondered about, "Why do some restaurants serve potstickers with thick wrappings, while others thin and delicate ones"; "Is it a regional difference?" The waiter simply said, it's just the preference of the chef! Mystery solved.

The Hong Kong Walnut Prawns sounded like a winner, and it was. The plump, fresh prawns were coated in a sweet glaze with crunchy sugar-coated walnuts on top. The half circles of orange slices gave it a festive air.

Jennie's Cantonese Noodles in original sauce were light and interesting with the curly ramen noodles as the main ingredient. The noodles made a great foil for the sweet prawns. We enjoyed the meal and the friendly service. The prices are reasonable, and there is a whole section of light and healthy choices besides the usual. It is definitely a place that once you try, you'll find yourself going back. There is a location in Petaluma as well.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 0
Noncritical: 0
Last inspected: 5/29/2009

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Conserva the fresh taste

I had the gift of being at loose ends one recent Saturday at lunchtime, and thought I'd revisit Pizza Antica in Mill Valley's Strawberry Village. It was a nice day and everyone inside and out seemed to be in a mellow mood.

What I was in the mood for was light and simple. Knowing that the portions of salads here were quite large, although it was not an option listed on the menu, I asked the waitstaff if I could have a half-order of the salad. "Sure", she said with a smile. And out came the most perfectly dressed, fresh and crisp half Caesar salad!

For the main event, I ordered the Spaghettini with Tomato Conserva, Garlic and Basil. Wow! I was a little leery since there was a bit of mental connection between something called 'conserva' and 'canned'. If that sauce was canned, I hope they have a patent on the methodology because the sauce was concentrated without tasting acidic, rather tasting like there were very fresh tomatoes in it. I was happy with my lunch!

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 1
Noncritical: 0
Last inspected: 2/9/2009

Previously reviewed:
February 19, 2009
November 6, 2008
July 12, 2007

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Will it thrive?

My friend Jo-Ann picked up this container loving tomato plant for me from one of the local Farmer's Markets back in May. Then I promptly got the H1N1 and it was left languishing in its little container until just a couple weeks ago. I noticed it was valiantly trying to grow a tiny tomato, so although very late, I potted it in a big container on my front desk. The tomato has at least doubled in size in the last two weeks, and another small one is generating itself on a leaf below.

I picked up a Plant Nanny as an experiment to see if a more even watering as the plant wants would help it. We'll keep a watch on it!

I'm afraid I was so caught up in getting to the latest of the Harry Potter series last night that I skipped a post. I will report that Harry Potter fans will love the Half-Blood Prince!

Vertical Integration

It isn't often that the service is so slow that I resort to reading the ketchup bottle, but the other night, it was. And I saw a little phrase on the back label that was new to me "*TOMATOES GROWN FROM HEINZ SEEDS". And wouldn't you know? HeinzSeed has 57 varieties of tomato seed!

And according to their site, they have been working with tomato varieties for a long time:

"The H.J. HEINZ Company began a tomato breeding program in 1936 at Bowling Green, Ohio, to improve yield and disease resistance. The program has been continuous since that time and has focused mainly on processing tomatoes adapted to the many countries where Heinz processes tomatoes."

It's one way to control quality. If only they'd go back to using real sugar...

New Bakery Cooperative

There is a new cooperative owned bakery coming to San Rafael - Arizmendi Bakery. It will be in the building in San Rafael that briefly housed the Taste of Rome. The "Tidbits" section of the Marin IJ ran an informative story about it this week. I've been to their Cheeseboard Pizza in Berkeley before but not to the bakery. The pizza was great!