http://www.chow.com/boards/3 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:35:22 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849148#7342127 +1 for Il Fornaio, which I believe is on Capitol a few blocks from the river. Tripeler Wed, 16 May 2012 08:11:02 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849148#7342127 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849132#7342100 In Lake Arrowhead Village Papagayo's -Mexican Belgian Waffel-breakfast,sandwiches,salads outdoor dinning lakeside Woody's Boathouse-Burgers,sandwiches,pizza,great salad bar Saddleback Inn- steaks,chicken,pasta Twin Peaks- The Grill at the Antlers- Best Dinning on the Mountain,steaks,chicken,seafood,pasta,burgers ,sushi bar Hope this helps have a wonderful weekend in the mountains the weather will be fantastic ! arrowheadguy Wed, 16 May 2012 07:08:33 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849132#7342100 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849194#7342048 The season for fresh sardines may not have started yet. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/08/FDDP1GTD71.DTL&ao=all Sardines have been a seasonal addition to the menu at Esteban in Monterey although I've not hit the right day. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/777570 Melanie Wong Wed, 16 May 2012 05:17:11 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849194#7342048 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849246#7341241 Current favorite for lunch downtown that meets your criteria is Scarlett Begonia in Victoria Court and then it is just a walk down East Anapamu Street (between 1100-1200 blocks) to the Bowl -- though Scarlett Begonia does not have a hard liquor (adult beverages?) license. Anything in the 1000-1300 block of State Street or the surrounding side streets is a pretty good choice - lunch or early dinner? Most SB restaurants try to be socially conscious. SilverGreens is one of the more stringent about this and has many loyal fans, though obviously they do not have a hard liquor license either. Hotel Canary would have a hard liquor license and does Hungry Cat which has a very good reputation for its cocktails and food, but come at a high price and inconsistent reports of service and lately for the food too. The Cat has a distinct casual LA vibe. Not sure where or if there is a hard liquor - organic and sustainable combo restaurant is downtown. But most do have beer and wine. glbtrtr Tue, 15 May 2012 21:57:01 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849246#7341241 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/578788#7340385 That would be El Oaxaqueno. It's a simple place, best to stick with the antojitos. Like many of these spots in Salinas, the recipes are not codified and the result depends on who is doing the cooking. Looks like I've not posted about it since 2004, need to post an update. El Oaxaqueño 737 S. Sanborn Place Salinas 831-754-1968 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/86646 Another Oaxacan place is to the east a bit further in the same shopping center as Mi Tierra market, called Jugeria La Tropical. It specializes in Oaxacan tortas and also tamales wrapped in banana leaf. Both places use a lot of lard, so expect some grease dripping off those tamales. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/622368 Melanie Wong Tue, 15 May 2012 16:24:22 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/578788#7340385 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849302#7339919 We are planning on spending a quick weekend in Joshua Tree en route to San Diego. The plan is to fly into PSP on Friday landing at 8pm. We're staying at the Mojave Sands on Friday and Saturday night and then will be driving to San Diego some time on Sunday. Are we better off eating in Palm Springs when we land or driving to Joshua Tree and trying to catch light night dining there? Are there any restaurants worth noting in Twentynine Palms or the JT area? We've never been to the area, so I think a Date Shake is also in order. We're still trying to decide which version of the scenic route we're taking from Joshua Tree to San Diego on Sunday. Are there any must eats along the way? Bucky Tue, 15 May 2012 13:13:38 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849302#7339919 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849193#7338727 Do they still serve "pasta chutta" before the main course? jennyfur Mon, 14 May 2012 20:54:55 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849193#7338727 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848301#7338293 Thanks for your reply! I didn't know the hotel was further away from the downtown area. Did anything about Tinto stand-out? any dishes worth going there for? creative drinks? Thanks again for taking the time to report back! shf66shf Mon, 14 May 2012 18:10:45 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848301#7338293 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849240#7338239 The space is beautiful! A rustic, elegance to the small dining room. The tables were dotted with fresh flowers from a local garden and there is a bar area where the owner was sitting on his laptop when we were there. The lunch menu was very limited the day we were there, last Tues. The water was flavored with cucmber and mint which was nice. I had the Pulled Pork sandwich which was OK, but nothing special. It came with Duck Fat fries which were pretty ordinary and I asked for a side of Aioli to go with them. Service was friendly and the wine list was very, very limited. I think they had only been open for a week. We would like to return for dinner next time after things are more established. :) syrahgirl Mon, 14 May 2012 17:51:13 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849240#7338239 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849074#7338222 With your budget, I would consider Bardessono in Yountville. The rooms are beautiful there and ours had a spacious balcony. You can walk to Bottega, Bistro Jeanty, Ad Hoc and Redd from this property. Another consideration is Solage in Calistoga. It is a gorgeous property with a fantastic restaurant, Solbar where dined in March. Have fun! :) syrahgirl Mon, 14 May 2012 17:45:45 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849074#7338222 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/726644#7338004 Happy to find this article reporting that Soto's has reopened with same butcher. That was a great meat counter last summer. Anyone have an update on the new incarnation? http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/03/15/1989483/sotos-historic-stores-new-beginning.html Melanie Wong Mon, 14 May 2012 16:36:47 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/726644#7338004 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/780198#7337365 Please, where did you end up & what did you have? Would love to hear (pun intended) about it. Stephanie Wong Mon, 14 May 2012 07:25:21 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/780198#7337365 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848828#7337232 Thanks for the shout out. You can call me a Fresno hound although I chow up and down the valley especially in Modesto, Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. Valley posts in general seem to be rare these days. Agrippa Mon, 14 May 2012 04:11:06 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848828#7337232 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848829#7336669 If Aptos isn't too far, you might visit Sanderlings in Seascape & see if that would work for you. Had a Sunday lunch/brunch there last spring with Mom & her older sister, which was enjoyed . . rather regular offerings, but nice. Parking garage under the restaurant. http://www.sanderlingsrestaurant.com Stephanie Wong Sun, 13 May 2012 19:46:05 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848829#7336669 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/705384#7334964 Thanks for the report. We'll stop on our next trip north. Bruce in SLO Sat, 12 May 2012 14:43:49 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/705384#7334964 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848698#7333913 Actually King City is the place to go for very good and authentic Mexican food, and well worth exploring if that's your interest. If not, keep going, but it would be foolish to dismiss it out of hand. Melanie Wong Fri, 11 May 2012 20:18:24 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848698#7333913 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847159#7331827 I second the Paso Robles suggestion for any future wine trips (also could try Santa Barbara county). Actually, this must be conventional wisdom for the wine loving denizens of San Diego, because every time we are in Paso there are TONS of people from SD around. goldangl95 Thu, 10 May 2012 18:24:14 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847159#7331827 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/446201#7330229 Maybe Cheeky's staff's attitude toward kids depends on when you go and how crowded they are. We were there a year ago in March with our (then) two year old granddaughter and her parents, and the server and hostess couldn't have been nicer, getting us a table in the corner away from heavy traffic and setting her up with a booster seat. But we went on a weekday, and it was after noon, and there weren't a ton of people waiting for tables. beantowntitletown Wed, 09 May 2012 22:48:39 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/446201#7330229 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/809171#7329564 yes, it is Chef Kane, same guy. It's true he's using those microwave-type machines in his kitchen. On the plus side, he's not cooking wild salmon that way - it's probably not a bad way to prepare farmed salmon marmarl777 Wed, 09 May 2012 18:05:13 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/809171#7329564 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846933#7329384 We dined at Casanova for lunch on Mon. Our third visit here. The patio was quiet as we arrived early. The Grilled Artichoke was excellent for a starter. I had the Spinach Gnocchi which was one of my favorite dishes of our trip. A glass of local Georis Sauv Blanc was perfect with our meal. :) syrahgirl Wed, 09 May 2012 16:59:51 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846933#7329384 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845452#7329356 Well, our meal at Haute did NOT disappoint! It was a beautiful, sunny day and we dined out on the patio. The Chili Relleno was awesome and a French Mojito went nicely with our meal. My husband also very much enjoyed his meal and said this place was one of his favorite meals of our trip! We dined at Schooner's Coastal Kitchen, Casanova, California Market & Pacific's Edge @ The Highland's Inn where stayed for two nights. We also had lunch at Lokal in Carmel Valley. :) syrahgirl Wed, 09 May 2012 16:50:30 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845452#7329356 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848160#7329126 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't know that ! Thank you so very much..............I'll look at the grocery store today. dockhl Wed, 09 May 2012 15:20:22 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848160#7329126 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/843979#7328244 Where'd you wind up? Melanie Wong Wed, 09 May 2012 01:11:59 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/843979#7328244 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846019#7328220 The chinese place at Brunswick Basin is great. Asian Garden. Kanes is great in downtown Grass valley. Mostly Italian but always delish. In Nevada City try Matteos. For the money the best in the county. All housemade, local ingredients great beer selection etc.. bennyboy1 Wed, 09 May 2012 00:59:13 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846019#7328220 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847872#7325645 Thanks for the tip, Steve. The one in Morro Bay is very good as well. I believe they all offer 10% off on purchase of 6 or more btls. Also have the cloth bags or cardboard six-packs for convenience. Albertsons - Paso Robles 189 Niblick Rd (NW corner at S. River Rd) just east of 101 PolarBear Mon, 07 May 2012 23:46:06 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847872#7325645 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848027#7324496 Hello: I am taking someone close to me for dinner in Palm Springs and would love advice on where to go. I usually prefer a steakhouse but I am open to suggestions. For steak would LG's, The Falls or Chop House be the best choices? Is Copley's still good? Johannes? Circa at the Riviera? As you can see I am going in all different directions and open to any suggestions? Thanks for any advice on where you like to go in the area. shf66shf Mon, 07 May 2012 15:04:58 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/848027#7324496 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/429931#7324426 I like Antojito's Mexicano's. Mexican Restaurant. Its in Santa Nella. Easy to miss. If you go beyond the Star Bucks, its to your right. Little hole in the wall restaurant. Ive been doing this drive for years. I just discovered this place. Its my new favorite. Best meal Ive had on the 5 ever and I don't have time for a detour so this is very convenient. lmt824 Mon, 07 May 2012 14:26:05 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/429931#7324426 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/725561#7323104 The Santa Ynez area has some really good wineries. For one, I love Zaca Mesa. One the other hand, Paso Robles has a lot more wineries to choose from. SOme of the more outstanding wineries there are Turley, Alta Colina, Denner, and Shale Oak. steve753 Sun, 06 May 2012 17:20:53 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/725561#7323104 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/686965#7321107 I have leved in Rancho Cordova area of Sacramento for a little over 2 years now and through my extensive searches have discovered 3 things: 1) There's not a lot of excellent food choices in Rancho Cordova 2 Ninja Sushi has the BEST sushi ever! My boyfriend is a Navy Vet & spent a lot of time in Japan, and he swears this is the best sushi he has had in the states by far. Plus they have great specials, especially during the week. 3 Mexican food out here just does NOT compare to the Mexican food available in the Bay Area BUT Florez Bar and Grill ( 5900 South Land Park Drive Sacramento www.florezbarandgrill.com) has THE GREATEST Spanish Rice EVER!!! Their lime rice is good too but you can't leave without at least trying the Spanish Rice!!! sdysart2004 Sat, 05 May 2012 05:27:26 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/686965#7321107 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/725669#7320668 Sadly, there are no more live poultry vendors at the Stockton Farmer's Market, thanks to legislation (new for this year) that sharply curtails the sale of live animals. IIRC, the original focus of the statute was people who would pile their dog's or cat's latest litter in a box and sell them outside Target/Walmart/Home Depot, but live poultry vendors at farmers' markets were collateral damage. ricepad Fri, 04 May 2012 23:19:47 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/725669#7320668 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847612#7319077 Hey ALL- Road trip time!! We're driving to Three Rivers from LA to do the river rafting thing and then on to Yosemite..staying at the Tenaya Lodge. I need yummy places to eat please! We barely ever get days off so would love to enjoy great food and drink while we do that. Any suggestions at all? lindharaw Fri, 04 May 2012 04:43:38 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847612#7319077 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/567297#7318856 Anyone been to La Tortuga recently? 1257 Fremont Boulevard, Seaside, CA 93955 (831) 899-8429 ‎ http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=la+tortuga+seaside,+ca&fb=1&gl=us&hq=la+tortuga&hnear=0x808de4be65ff0527:0x70474dfe0823980,Seaside,+CA&cid=13915493650697684057 Melanie Wong Fri, 04 May 2012 02:17:31 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/567297#7318856 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/791950#7316654 Did a drive by last week and the building is still looking the same. Boarded up and beleagured. toodie jane Thu, 03 May 2012 05:10:01 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/791950#7316654 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/407568#7316631 Oh, should also mention that Salinas regs limit the hours that the "stationary" trucks can be in their locations. Las Glorias, Grullense, and Mister Taco are all day-time trucks, operating from about 11am to 6pm. Jaquez and Julio Valdez are night-time vendors, open from about 5pm to midnight (or when they sell out). Melanie Wong Thu, 03 May 2012 04:40:19 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/407568#7316631 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/844182#7316352 Thank you for your report -- and that the owner is paying a lot more attention to some of the previous service flaws to get this whole dining package as excellent as the food. Indeed this one is a new winner in town, especially for that breakfast/lunch time period. I gather we'll both have fun making our way through the very inciting menu. Glad you took a chance on it and (phew) glad it worked out as well for you as it did for us. Hope you continue with your reports when you get back in town. This is definitely the "Julienne" for the midday dining aficionados. So glad we now have a special place downtown for those daytime meet and greets. glbtrtr Thu, 03 May 2012 01:53:17 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/844182#7316352 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846753#7314560 Bradley left a few months ago- and was always present at the restaurant...there is a new chef at Root 246- Chef Pilar Sanchez - I think it is Sanchez... New additions to Solvang include Succulent Cafe run by married team Brian & Cynthia Champlain- breakfast and lunch with a single night a week to serve a dinner...usually at Valley Vino next door- a tasting room serving many wineries that replaced the D'alfonso/Curran tasting room- those wines can still be found there. OldJalamaMama Wed, 02 May 2012 14:19:41 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846753#7314560 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/799746#7314207 Passed through Atascadero on Monday evening, sliding into the Grocery Outlet (near 101 exit) at 8:35pm, just enough time to do a quick walk-through and buy a few items. This is a good one. I bought: Wondra flour, not sure of the box size, maybe 2 lbs? $1.99 Hain peanut oil, 32 oz, $3.49 Roquefort cheese, Vernieres vert, 3.5 oz, $1.99 (the real thing!) Dagoba lemon ginger bars, $1.49 Scharffenberger 41% sea salt almond bars, $1.99 Garlic and herb Boursin, $1.99 Pelopennese Greek wild capers, 100 g, 99¢ Other things I noted in stock: Lurpak butter Maple syrup (current season had low yields so stock up now) Amy's organic frozen entrees, including the light and lean line Dried pasta from Italy Organic sugar Specialty salts Melanie Wong Wed, 02 May 2012 08:21:18 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/799746#7314207 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847202#7314006 Bistro La Petite , formerly in Granite Bay has moved to Sutter Street in the restaurant half of The old gaslight building, upstairs.. (The other half is occupied by Lockdown brewery). They are opening on Thursday May 3rd and this is huge. Easily the best dining on the street ever. If they are anything like the Granite Bay location, this will be a destination for dining. Seriously incredible food. And the building, with a patio that overlooks Sutter street will be amazing too..... http://www.bistrolapetitefrance.net/html/menusdinnercms.php Also the person running the restaurant in the Folsom Hotel is doing some good thing with grub food. Looks like they might finally have a stable operator there. Lockdown Brewing has no food just house brewed beers and live music. Peter Yagers is no more. Again. The Steakhouse is amazing. High quality steak house fare without the Ruth's Chris?Mortons price line. Really great happy hour too, the sliders are amazing. bennyboy1 Wed, 02 May 2012 04:03:15 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847202#7314006 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/843895#7313705 Have you checked out "The Truck Stop" truck? One of my friends really likes the fish tacos. It's available for catering gigs. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845758 Melanie Wong Wed, 02 May 2012 01:22:49 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/843895#7313705 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/815156#7313642 I've stopped by the Seaside Valero's twice and struck out. The first time I was there in early afternoon and was informed that they're only available in the morning. The next time I got there around 10:30am, and no kolaches. This time they told me that they take them off the station and start putting out lunch stuff at 10:00am. So be sure to go early. Melanie Wong Wed, 02 May 2012 00:47:55 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/815156#7313642 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/777473#7309085 LuLu California Bistro, like its sister Acqua Pazza in Rancho Mirage, have an all day happy hour. If you sit in the bar area they have a limited bar menu with about half off their normal prices. And $5.00 cocktails. The Falls was mentioned above. Not sure what else is out there for HH. exSiberian Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:11:16 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/777473#7309085 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846202#7308319 Your beloved piccata dishes still get their yummy reviews, but it looks like there is some bad service action now at Chase. To be forearmed is to be forewarned. Eh Chase, wazzup? http://santabarbara.com/dining/review_read.asp?pk_restaurant=631 glbtrtr Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:31:58 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846202#7308319 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846422#7307355 FTR, it's Hap-pea and Pea-wee. ricepad Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:09:08 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846422#7307355 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845456#7305512 Thomas Hill was my first choice but it was closed when we were in town (Tuesday). Our tacos at Villa Creek were indeed good and the barman was one of the best of the trip, very informative and helpful. If we had been there longer we woud have tried it for dinner. Note: at Villa Creek they do Taco Tuesday so it is packed with lots of happy elope eating cheap tacos - good fun. PhilD Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:33:54 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845456#7305512 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845090#7302195 You're right about the noise--though I have been generally lucky with my servers. I usually request a table on the east (southeast) side of the restaurant, the longer room, where the loudness is less pronounced. Ed Dibble Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:32:11 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845090#7302195 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846103#7302023 I posted this in the other thread: I like Cantinetta Luca, Mundaka, La Bicyclette, Basil, Casanova. Carmel Belle is good for sandwiches/charcuterie/salads. I also like Pastries and Petals as a sandwich/salad place (it's a bit farther from the main Ocean Ave area). For fine dining, I like Aubergine. PattyC Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:15:19 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846103#7302023 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846107#7301405 I like Cantinetta Luca, Mundaka, La Bicyclette, Basil, Casanova. Carmel Belle is good for sandwiches/charcuterie/salads. I also like Pastries and Petals as a sandwich/salad place (it's a bit farther from the main Ocean Ave area). For fine dining, I like Aubergine. PattyC Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:53:11 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846107#7301405 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845678#7299920 hill food: The very cool roof is a "lamella." I only know this because my husband designs stuff like this. I also haven't eaten at Ideal in many years. www.modern-architecture.com caldance Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:28:27 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845678#7299920 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845905#7299726 In Plymouth: Taste 9402 Main Street http://www.restauranttaste.com/ PolarBear Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:49:38 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845905#7299726