Oh, and is it just me or is everyone else also filling up on carbs now that it's cold and wintery? (Thank you, California, for waiting until December to show any semblance of the season.)
I've been trying to have a small breakfast each morning over the past few months and, while most times I still feel a little hungry afterwards, it's often a bowl or two of cereal or oatmeal and maybe a piece of toast. All carbs! And why do I still feel hungry after two bowls of cereal?! Maybe I should be eating more, but I kinda prefer a smaller breakfast so I don't feel too sleepy by the time I actually get to work (a little less than an hour's commute).
Anyway, sorry for the personal rant. Was just thinking about that while having part II of breakfast: toasted sesame bagel with sun-dried tomato cream cheese spread from A2 Cafe here in SF.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Woe is this blog.
I swear, Mo and I really are going out and eating at places. It might not be together, and it might not be good, but we swear we're not starving ourselves. There is no truth in any rumors that claim we have yet to regain the energy to rant on about the kind of batter fish should be fried in.
For the record, I personally don't care much for the beer-battered sort. Well, if it's boys we're talking about, that's another thing.
Anyway, it's Holiday time, which means lots of eating, feeling bloated, and then eating more. I can do anything but guarantee that we'll take a moment in our digestion to write a bit about what we're digesting.
To say the least, "stay tuned."
For the record, I personally don't care much for the beer-battered sort. Well, if it's boys we're talking about, that's another thing.
Anyway, it's Holiday time, which means lots of eating, feeling bloated, and then eating more. I can do anything but guarantee that we'll take a moment in our digestion to write a bit about what we're digesting.
To say the least, "stay tuned."
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Wingstravaganza!
Wings wings wings! Oh delicious wings!
Please pardon the lag in posting about restaurants, but I know that I have had a one-track wing mind lately. I felt like I needed to do some extensive research (taste-search?) before posting my results. I’ve filtered out the no-need-to-mention-ables down to the following results:
Wing Stop
Union City and San Leandro locations
www.wingstop.com
Oh so delish, worth any waiting, AND endorsed by Troy Aikman. Not that endorsements have anything to do with where I’ll eat, especially Troy Aikman’s, but he might have some sway with others. I can see why he would say that these are the “best wings I’ve had in my life,” or so the web site claims. I’ve developed a soft spot and a constant craving for the tasty beauties and have even found excuses to pick up lunch from there (I need to run by Target quick for some display stuff!) So far I have sampled the following: mild, original hot, hickory smoked BBQ, garlic parmesan, and teriyaki. I really really really like mild, original, and garlic parmesan (only in moderation however – never more than 5 or I start feeling gross). BBQ had a weird flavor when I tried it - kind of a spicy smoky, but not in the good chipotle spicy smoky way. Teriyaki was a glorified BBQ sauce – totally not teriyaki AT ALL. Someday I will muster up the courage to try the likes of Atomic and Cajun. The fries are totally delicious and seasoned perfectly to boot (do they use a touch of sugar?!). The 10 wing meal deal is totally the right size too.
Hooters
Fremont location only
www.hooters.com
Never mind the short orange shorts or your waitress introducing herself as “your hooters girl tonight.” Hooters really does have some delicious wings and I really do go there just for the food. Yes, it’s totally targeting straight men with there gazillion flat panel TVs and hula hoop swaying ladies, but their food stands up and outshines their testosterone-tempting-ways. I’ve only had my wings in the medium sauce, but I have both breaded and “naked”. (Yes, they put naked in quotes on their menu. And right next to some busty blonde I might add.) I prefer naked as the breading tends to soak up a lot of the oil (the girls will almost always recommend breaded in my opinion). Both mild and medium are butter based sauces, so never ask for it on the side or you might end up with some congealed catastrophe. It is, however, very good on the piping hot wings so you kind of forget that you’re pretty much eating spicy orangey butter. From there, the sauces get much spicier. My last dining companion got some samurai sauce on the side for his chicken strips and it was quite tasty. Not as spicy as I had imagined, but I might change my tune if I get 10 wings slathered in the stuff. In regards to other things on the menu, they have decent sangria by the pitcher and a fully loaded bar (I had a blonde bombshell last time – YUM!). Oh and their curly fries are great!
Le Soleil
1515 E. 14th Street (next to Luke’s Grill)
San Leandro
Their wings are only considered an appetizer, but OH MY GOD are they a delectable one! They are dusted in curry powder (the yellow kind, folks) and then fried to a perfectly crispy crunch, but always juicy on the inside. I simply cannot pass these suckers up, unless my dining companion of the moment would really like something “healthier” instead. The curry powder adds that extra something and it’s just the right amount. Even people who aren’t normally that keen on curry have liked these. I have to post a full review of this place soon!
Please pardon the lag in posting about restaurants, but I know that I have had a one-track wing mind lately. I felt like I needed to do some extensive research (taste-search?) before posting my results. I’ve filtered out the no-need-to-mention-ables down to the following results:
Wing Stop
Union City and San Leandro locations
www.wingstop.com
Oh so delish, worth any waiting, AND endorsed by Troy Aikman. Not that endorsements have anything to do with where I’ll eat, especially Troy Aikman’s, but he might have some sway with others. I can see why he would say that these are the “best wings I’ve had in my life,” or so the web site claims. I’ve developed a soft spot and a constant craving for the tasty beauties and have even found excuses to pick up lunch from there (I need to run by Target quick for some display stuff!) So far I have sampled the following: mild, original hot, hickory smoked BBQ, garlic parmesan, and teriyaki. I really really really like mild, original, and garlic parmesan (only in moderation however – never more than 5 or I start feeling gross). BBQ had a weird flavor when I tried it - kind of a spicy smoky, but not in the good chipotle spicy smoky way. Teriyaki was a glorified BBQ sauce – totally not teriyaki AT ALL. Someday I will muster up the courage to try the likes of Atomic and Cajun. The fries are totally delicious and seasoned perfectly to boot (do they use a touch of sugar?!). The 10 wing meal deal is totally the right size too.
Hooters
Fremont location only
www.hooters.com
Never mind the short orange shorts or your waitress introducing herself as “your hooters girl tonight.” Hooters really does have some delicious wings and I really do go there just for the food. Yes, it’s totally targeting straight men with there gazillion flat panel TVs and hula hoop swaying ladies, but their food stands up and outshines their testosterone-tempting-ways. I’ve only had my wings in the medium sauce, but I have both breaded and “naked”. (Yes, they put naked in quotes on their menu. And right next to some busty blonde I might add.) I prefer naked as the breading tends to soak up a lot of the oil (the girls will almost always recommend breaded in my opinion). Both mild and medium are butter based sauces, so never ask for it on the side or you might end up with some congealed catastrophe. It is, however, very good on the piping hot wings so you kind of forget that you’re pretty much eating spicy orangey butter. From there, the sauces get much spicier. My last dining companion got some samurai sauce on the side for his chicken strips and it was quite tasty. Not as spicy as I had imagined, but I might change my tune if I get 10 wings slathered in the stuff. In regards to other things on the menu, they have decent sangria by the pitcher and a fully loaded bar (I had a blonde bombshell last time – YUM!). Oh and their curly fries are great!
Le Soleil
1515 E. 14th Street (next to Luke’s Grill)
San Leandro
Their wings are only considered an appetizer, but OH MY GOD are they a delectable one! They are dusted in curry powder (the yellow kind, folks) and then fried to a perfectly crispy crunch, but always juicy on the inside. I simply cannot pass these suckers up, unless my dining companion of the moment would really like something “healthier” instead. The curry powder adds that extra something and it’s just the right amount. Even people who aren’t normally that keen on curry have liked these. I have to post a full review of this place soon!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
How to Choose?
Looks like Archie McPhee had us in mind when they came up with this one:
http://www.mcphee.com/items/11733.html
Wouldn't it be nice if they had an online version, too? Or one we could download into our cell phones?
http://www.mcphee.com/items/11733.html
Wouldn't it be nice if they had an online version, too? Or one we could download into our cell phones?
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Tsuru Sushi (San Leandro)
1427 E. 14th Street
San Leandro
http://tsurusushi.com/index.html
Quick: Much better for local sushi in comparison to Sushi Musashi. I might only go back to Musashi for korokke after going here. Tsuru also seemed to be more busy than Musashi, which I'm taking as a good sign.
Good: Everything really. Food was good and people are nice. Price is right.
Bad: I had to search for a gripe. I don't like the annoying bell on the right door and it took a while for them to refill our tea. Not deal breakers at all. Oh, they don't elaborate too much on what's in the rolls, but all you have to do is ask.
Extended: Okay, so in search of an answer for dinner during this heat spell, Nancy and I went on an unintentional quest for sushi. Our favorite (Sushiya) was closed (SOB!), as was our standby (Ichiro). We ended up back in San Leandro (stupid big loop) and Nancy suggested Tsuru. This was her first sushi place, but somehow I never made it here before.
As part of our new mission to finding good chicken wings locally, we had to have theirs. The presentation was very nice - I like how they get fancy with the lemon garnish. The wings were rather hot and very tasty - hint of lemon served with a "special sauce." I think the sauce was just soy sauce with a little lemon in it, but I couldn't really tell. There are only 4 wings, though, since this is an appetizer. Good for when you don't want to overdo it, but bad for when you really want some chicken wings. I could eat a bucket of these, but that would get a little pricey.
The salad and miso soup were also good. They use my favorite kind of dressing (that mayo ginger stuff) and it's thick so that counteracts any watery bits. The miso soup was simple and not too salty. It was served at the perfect temperature for immediate consumption.
Now for the main course. We both got combination dinners, which make it easy to play it safe and get a variety of things as well. I got tekka maki, California rolls, and shiu mai. Nancy also ordered tekka maki, but she got nigiri (3 pieces) and gyoza. Then we shared negihama rolls (hamachi with green onion).
The rolls were good and firm, which makes them easy to eat. I really don't like it when you pick up a roll and it starts to fall apart - something about sushi craftsmanship or something. The California rolls were dry, but a good dry. Some places mix the crab with mayo, which isn't bad but sometimes it's too much. The tekka was fresh. There was a touch too much hamachi in the negihama rolls, but totally forgivable. The balance of flavors was still good, which is very important with the delicate hamachi and strong onion flavor. Nancy said her nigiri was good - it was sliced thin and she could definitely taste the wasabi underneath. The shiu mai was fried, which is different since they're usually steamed, but they were still good. I think there was some water chestnut in the mix because there was a little crunch, which was nice. The gyoza were good, but there wasn't anything extra special or distinctive about them. They are very similar to Sushiya's.
The combination dinner is a good portion of food as long as you don't order too many fried items. A good balance is 2 sushi-like items with 1 fried item. I think you get rice if you don't order sushi items, which might make it feel like too much food. Tsuru also serves donburi and udon, as well as your safe standards (tempura and teriyaki). Really, it's hard to go out on on a limb at this sushi place, since the sushi menu is a little limited, but it's nice that the menu is a little more focused. It makes it easier to make a decision.
Overall, I really enjoyed my Tsuru experience. I think this place will be my new local standby, rather than my usual settling for Musashi. I would still take Sushiya over Tsuru, but Tsuru comes in a close second.
San Leandro
http://tsurusushi.com/index.html
Quick: Much better for local sushi in comparison to Sushi Musashi. I might only go back to Musashi for korokke after going here. Tsuru also seemed to be more busy than Musashi, which I'm taking as a good sign.
Good: Everything really. Food was good and people are nice. Price is right.
Bad: I had to search for a gripe. I don't like the annoying bell on the right door and it took a while for them to refill our tea. Not deal breakers at all. Oh, they don't elaborate too much on what's in the rolls, but all you have to do is ask.
Extended: Okay, so in search of an answer for dinner during this heat spell, Nancy and I went on an unintentional quest for sushi. Our favorite (Sushiya) was closed (SOB!), as was our standby (Ichiro). We ended up back in San Leandro (stupid big loop) and Nancy suggested Tsuru. This was her first sushi place, but somehow I never made it here before.
As part of our new mission to finding good chicken wings locally, we had to have theirs. The presentation was very nice - I like how they get fancy with the lemon garnish. The wings were rather hot and very tasty - hint of lemon served with a "special sauce." I think the sauce was just soy sauce with a little lemon in it, but I couldn't really tell. There are only 4 wings, though, since this is an appetizer. Good for when you don't want to overdo it, but bad for when you really want some chicken wings. I could eat a bucket of these, but that would get a little pricey.
The salad and miso soup were also good. They use my favorite kind of dressing (that mayo ginger stuff) and it's thick so that counteracts any watery bits. The miso soup was simple and not too salty. It was served at the perfect temperature for immediate consumption.
Now for the main course. We both got combination dinners, which make it easy to play it safe and get a variety of things as well. I got tekka maki, California rolls, and shiu mai. Nancy also ordered tekka maki, but she got nigiri (3 pieces) and gyoza. Then we shared negihama rolls (hamachi with green onion).
The rolls were good and firm, which makes them easy to eat. I really don't like it when you pick up a roll and it starts to fall apart - something about sushi craftsmanship or something. The California rolls were dry, but a good dry. Some places mix the crab with mayo, which isn't bad but sometimes it's too much. The tekka was fresh. There was a touch too much hamachi in the negihama rolls, but totally forgivable. The balance of flavors was still good, which is very important with the delicate hamachi and strong onion flavor. Nancy said her nigiri was good - it was sliced thin and she could definitely taste the wasabi underneath. The shiu mai was fried, which is different since they're usually steamed, but they were still good. I think there was some water chestnut in the mix because there was a little crunch, which was nice. The gyoza were good, but there wasn't anything extra special or distinctive about them. They are very similar to Sushiya's.
The combination dinner is a good portion of food as long as you don't order too many fried items. A good balance is 2 sushi-like items with 1 fried item. I think you get rice if you don't order sushi items, which might make it feel like too much food. Tsuru also serves donburi and udon, as well as your safe standards (tempura and teriyaki). Really, it's hard to go out on on a limb at this sushi place, since the sushi menu is a little limited, but it's nice that the menu is a little more focused. It makes it easier to make a decision.
Overall, I really enjoyed my Tsuru experience. I think this place will be my new local standby, rather than my usual settling for Musashi. I would still take Sushiya over Tsuru, but Tsuru comes in a close second.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
A Thing for Wings
An anonymous commenter has asked about our recommendations for wings. A wonderful suggestion *commence drooling*.
Mo and I have a definite soft spot for Asian-style chicken wings - the sort with little or no batter/breading. Just dropped right into the delicious oil, so all your mouth tastes is deep-fried chicken skin and extremely hot (watch yo' tongue!) chicken meat. Fantastic stuff.
I have a theory that since there is so little batter, one feels a little less guilty about eating it. I mean, I know I feel better after eating some of my parents' fried chicken versus a KFC drumstick. Not that I don't get a craving for KFC from time to time, but you really can't go wrong with something that goes so well with sweet 'n' sour sauce.
Mo and I will continue to discuss our thoughts on wings and where to go to get some good ones. Perhaps we will start a local search for the best wings. I used to do this with turkey dinners, so it'll be good to pick up the routine again.
I'm not going to leave the veggies out of this one: Golden Era Vegetarian (http://www.goldeneravegetarian.com/) has amazing chicken drummettes. Pick 'em up if you're in San Francisco. Golden Era also has a sister city in downtown Oakland - Golden Lotus - but I've yet to try their version. Maybe we'll make that one of our future Wing Stops (har har).
We'll keep you posted.
Mo and I have a definite soft spot for Asian-style chicken wings - the sort with little or no batter/breading. Just dropped right into the delicious oil, so all your mouth tastes is deep-fried chicken skin and extremely hot (watch yo' tongue!) chicken meat. Fantastic stuff.
I have a theory that since there is so little batter, one feels a little less guilty about eating it. I mean, I know I feel better after eating some of my parents' fried chicken versus a KFC drumstick. Not that I don't get a craving for KFC from time to time, but you really can't go wrong with something that goes so well with sweet 'n' sour sauce.
Mo and I will continue to discuss our thoughts on wings and where to go to get some good ones. Perhaps we will start a local search for the best wings. I used to do this with turkey dinners, so it'll be good to pick up the routine again.
I'm not going to leave the veggies out of this one: Golden Era Vegetarian (http://www.goldeneravegetarian.com/) has amazing chicken drummettes. Pick 'em up if you're in San Francisco. Golden Era also has a sister city in downtown Oakland - Golden Lotus - but I've yet to try their version. Maybe we'll make that one of our future Wing Stops (har har).
We'll keep you posted.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sushi Musashi (San Leandro)
1275 Washington Ave
(between E. 14th St & Callan Ave)
San Leandro
The quick and dirty: This sushi restaurant is good for a fix or take out. There are better places where the fish is fresher, but the desperate and hungry will approve. Good for sushi rookies.
The good: Cooked entres are good. Prices are affordable. Location is convenient. Good California rolls and fantastic korokke. Everything is available for take-out. Good salad dressing, but watery salad.
The bad: Service is iffy. Fish isn’t as fresh as other places. Spicy tuna is too spicy. Stingy with curry sauce. Oh, and I've had ants on my table before.
The expanded version: Both Nancy and I have eaten here a couple of times. My first experience with this place was early in my sushi eating experience, and I was introduced by my surrogate Japanese grandfather (aka my co-worker). I used to like Musashi more than I do now, but I’ve also developed my sushi palette. I would say that this place is good for sushi beginners since their basic rolls are okay, but their nigiri needs help.
I have also eaten lunch here a few times with a former colleague and we found their bento boxes affordable and delicious. Because of this, I’m going to say that their cooked entres are better than their sushi. I like their gyoza and their chicken katsu curry is nice. This is place also has the best korokke we’ve found. So far.
On this last visit, Nancy mentioned that the fish at Sushiya (Oakland) is better and fresher. She generally gets a nigiri combo plate of some sort, so if you’re more interested in nigiri style, skip this place. I’m more into maki and find it acceptable. Their spicy tuna is much spicer than I’ve had anywhere else. Almost painfully spicy. The California rolls here are good – not too wet or too dry. So far, I’ve like most maki rolls I’ve had, but they haven’t blown my socks off. Their salad is a little watery, but the dressing is good. It’s that creamy ginger type dressing that I get so excited about. I haven’t had the miso soup for a long time, but it’s pretty damn salty if I remember correctly.
My biggest gripe is the service. It’s not bad, but it’s not great. It’s not consistent either. It’s either too much attention or not enough. And this time, our waitress jumped the gun on taking stuff away. She didn’t ask if we were done with things first, which is a major no-no in my book. How do you know that I’m done with my half eaten salad, lady?
I’m sure Nancy and I will eat here again because it’s so convenient and we get cravings for their korokke. Sushi Musashi isn’t fantastic, but it isn’t bad either. There is definitely room for improvement at this establishment, but sushi rookies won’t know better and sushi cravers should overlook it if other options are available.
Kind of related, but not super directly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi
(between E. 14th St & Callan Ave)
San Leandro
The quick and dirty: This sushi restaurant is good for a fix or take out. There are better places where the fish is fresher, but the desperate and hungry will approve. Good for sushi rookies.
The good: Cooked entres are good. Prices are affordable. Location is convenient. Good California rolls and fantastic korokke. Everything is available for take-out. Good salad dressing, but watery salad.
The bad: Service is iffy. Fish isn’t as fresh as other places. Spicy tuna is too spicy. Stingy with curry sauce. Oh, and I've had ants on my table before.
The expanded version: Both Nancy and I have eaten here a couple of times. My first experience with this place was early in my sushi eating experience, and I was introduced by my surrogate Japanese grandfather (aka my co-worker). I used to like Musashi more than I do now, but I’ve also developed my sushi palette. I would say that this place is good for sushi beginners since their basic rolls are okay, but their nigiri needs help.
I have also eaten lunch here a few times with a former colleague and we found their bento boxes affordable and delicious. Because of this, I’m going to say that their cooked entres are better than their sushi. I like their gyoza and their chicken katsu curry is nice. This is place also has the best korokke we’ve found. So far.
On this last visit, Nancy mentioned that the fish at Sushiya (Oakland) is better and fresher. She generally gets a nigiri combo plate of some sort, so if you’re more interested in nigiri style, skip this place. I’m more into maki and find it acceptable. Their spicy tuna is much spicer than I’ve had anywhere else. Almost painfully spicy. The California rolls here are good – not too wet or too dry. So far, I’ve like most maki rolls I’ve had, but they haven’t blown my socks off. Their salad is a little watery, but the dressing is good. It’s that creamy ginger type dressing that I get so excited about. I haven’t had the miso soup for a long time, but it’s pretty damn salty if I remember correctly.
My biggest gripe is the service. It’s not bad, but it’s not great. It’s not consistent either. It’s either too much attention or not enough. And this time, our waitress jumped the gun on taking stuff away. She didn’t ask if we were done with things first, which is a major no-no in my book. How do you know that I’m done with my half eaten salad, lady?
I’m sure Nancy and I will eat here again because it’s so convenient and we get cravings for their korokke. Sushi Musashi isn’t fantastic, but it isn’t bad either. There is definitely room for improvement at this establishment, but sushi rookies won’t know better and sushi cravers should overlook it if other options are available.
Kind of related, but not super directly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi
Monday, May 28, 2007
Tomodachi Sushi Bistro (Hayward)
http://www.tomodachisushibistro.com/
24123 Hesperian Blvd
Hayward
Get to the Point: Didn't like it, but maybe I'm just missing something? Like one of their sake-ternative cocktails?
It's about time I give another review. Sushi is something I'm almost always happy to have (not so good if I happen to be feeling nauseous for any reason), but as my experiences with Japanese restaurants rise in number, it's easier to become critical of, well, everything.
I've been to Tomodachi a few times, always expecting to have something happen that will change my opinion of them. Yesterday evening was either my third or fourth time there, and I'm still not convinced that it's as good of a restaurant as all the patrons make it out to be. The place is always packed with customers - I don't usually make a note of who they are or what they look like - but these happy Asian folk seem to believe it's a great place. I feel I must be the only sour-looking Asian person there, unconvinced by the nice tatami mats and alternative sake cocktails.
Nigiri sushi is my standby, but Tomodachi only offers nigiri a la carte or in a combination with at least 6 pieces of other non-nigiri items. Too much food with the additional soup and seaweed salad. Also, a big strike for me: no ika (squid) nigiri, though there's plenty to be had if I want it mixed into an appetizer or served as a giant grilled squid steak. Which I certainly don't if all I want is one or two pieces of raw squid over some rice. Come on now.
The particular experience that comes with all sushi places is lacking here as well, for reasons that can't be well explained. Perhaps it is the sun-dried tomatoes in the rolls, the strangely creamy wasabi, or the lack of intimate eating quarters. I tend to feel the environment is conflicted about its intention to be exclusive or welcoming. We want you to be open to our sake drinks and not be scared off, Hayward folk, they seem to be saying at times. And then they retort with a little Never mind looking at the menu; we didn't bother explaining what any of those Japanese words mean.
I must admit this has come off as quite a bitter review. One of the diners in our party didn't get to enjoy the meal after being served some undercooked chicken teriyaki, and the returned item remained on our bill at the end of the night. I haven't written off Tomodachi just yet, but the experience has definitely sent me in the direction of the smaller Japanese restaurants in downtown Hayward.
24123 Hesperian Blvd
Hayward
Get to the Point: Didn't like it, but maybe I'm just missing something? Like one of their sake-ternative cocktails?
It's about time I give another review. Sushi is something I'm almost always happy to have (not so good if I happen to be feeling nauseous for any reason), but as my experiences with Japanese restaurants rise in number, it's easier to become critical of, well, everything.
I've been to Tomodachi a few times, always expecting to have something happen that will change my opinion of them. Yesterday evening was either my third or fourth time there, and I'm still not convinced that it's as good of a restaurant as all the patrons make it out to be. The place is always packed with customers - I don't usually make a note of who they are or what they look like - but these happy Asian folk seem to believe it's a great place. I feel I must be the only sour-looking Asian person there, unconvinced by the nice tatami mats and alternative sake cocktails.
Nigiri sushi is my standby, but Tomodachi only offers nigiri a la carte or in a combination with at least 6 pieces of other non-nigiri items. Too much food with the additional soup and seaweed salad. Also, a big strike for me: no ika (squid) nigiri, though there's plenty to be had if I want it mixed into an appetizer or served as a giant grilled squid steak. Which I certainly don't if all I want is one or two pieces of raw squid over some rice. Come on now.
The particular experience that comes with all sushi places is lacking here as well, for reasons that can't be well explained. Perhaps it is the sun-dried tomatoes in the rolls, the strangely creamy wasabi, or the lack of intimate eating quarters. I tend to feel the environment is conflicted about its intention to be exclusive or welcoming. We want you to be open to our sake drinks and not be scared off, Hayward folk, they seem to be saying at times. And then they retort with a little Never mind looking at the menu; we didn't bother explaining what any of those Japanese words mean.
I must admit this has come off as quite a bitter review. One of the diners in our party didn't get to enjoy the meal after being served some undercooked chicken teriyaki, and the returned item remained on our bill at the end of the night. I haven't written off Tomodachi just yet, but the experience has definitely sent me in the direction of the smaller Japanese restaurants in downtown Hayward.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Mimi's Cafe (Hayward)
http://www.mimiscafe.com/
24542 Hesperian Blvd
Hayward
I had been to Mimi's before, but only the one in Dublin. Although I've enjoyed eating there, I've never been really excited to go there. Maybe because there's an awesome Thai place in the same shopping complex, but that's another post.
And this is a new Mimi's in Southland...
Mimi's is billed as an upscale family restaurant and that it is. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We've yet to eat breakfast or an actual lunch there, but the dinners and appetizers are quite delish. The selection is a little limited, but what they offer is done pretty well. Not perfect, but damn near.
I had the meatloaf dinner the first night we went. I liked the tomato flavor and that it didn't have too much of a tomato crust (Nancy would disagree with me on this one). The mashed potatoes were fantastic and like homemade. The best part was the gravy, but I have a gravy bias. Everything is better with gravy. Nice brown gravy. And they gave me extra gravy. Sweeeeet brown gravy. But now I'm off topic.
On another occasion, we shared the fish and chips. The batter was more like a breading than a tempura-style coating. Very different and a little off putting, but still tasty (again, Nancy would disagree here). We suspect that it's the same breading that they use on the chicken fingers. The fries were tasty, but not memorable (I can't pick them out from the other fries I've had this week). The tartar sauce has a touch of horseradish, and I can't decide on if I like that or not. I'm guessing not.
The bar area is much bigger at this one, which is nice that they even have a bar that serves more than beer and/or wine. The drinks are average to pricey, so plan on paying at least $6 per drink (more if you're drinking Glenfiddich). So far, I have chosen to sit in the bar area more often than the dining area because service is quicker and the bartenders/servers have been very nice. Then again, here comes another bias because I think one of the guys is really cute and I went to elementary school with another. The only cons to sitting in the bar area are that the bus boys don't come around so much and the bartenders forget to give you flatware/napkins.
Overall, I really like this Mimi's and I would recommend it. Maybe not during a busy time, but definitely try it.
Big pluses: Good food, nice people, and desserts with whiskey sauce. OH! And some recipes are posted on the web site.
Shortcomings: Limited menu, microwaved chocolate, and early last call.
24542 Hesperian Blvd
Hayward
I had been to Mimi's before, but only the one in Dublin. Although I've enjoyed eating there, I've never been really excited to go there. Maybe because there's an awesome Thai place in the same shopping complex, but that's another post.
And this is a new Mimi's in Southland...
Mimi's is billed as an upscale family restaurant and that it is. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We've yet to eat breakfast or an actual lunch there, but the dinners and appetizers are quite delish. The selection is a little limited, but what they offer is done pretty well. Not perfect, but damn near.
I had the meatloaf dinner the first night we went. I liked the tomato flavor and that it didn't have too much of a tomato crust (Nancy would disagree with me on this one). The mashed potatoes were fantastic and like homemade. The best part was the gravy, but I have a gravy bias. Everything is better with gravy. Nice brown gravy. And they gave me extra gravy. Sweeeeet brown gravy. But now I'm off topic.
On another occasion, we shared the fish and chips. The batter was more like a breading than a tempura-style coating. Very different and a little off putting, but still tasty (again, Nancy would disagree here). We suspect that it's the same breading that they use on the chicken fingers. The fries were tasty, but not memorable (I can't pick them out from the other fries I've had this week). The tartar sauce has a touch of horseradish, and I can't decide on if I like that or not. I'm guessing not.
The bar area is much bigger at this one, which is nice that they even have a bar that serves more than beer and/or wine. The drinks are average to pricey, so plan on paying at least $6 per drink (more if you're drinking Glenfiddich). So far, I have chosen to sit in the bar area more often than the dining area because service is quicker and the bartenders/servers have been very nice. Then again, here comes another bias because I think one of the guys is really cute and I went to elementary school with another. The only cons to sitting in the bar area are that the bus boys don't come around so much and the bartenders forget to give you flatware/napkins.
Overall, I really like this Mimi's and I would recommend it. Maybe not during a busy time, but definitely try it.
Big pluses: Good food, nice people, and desserts with whiskey sauce. OH! And some recipes are posted on the web site.
Shortcomings: Limited menu, microwaved chocolate, and early last call.
Foodie Spotlight: Nancy
- Blogger Profile
Favorite foods: nigiri sushi, sandwiches, potatoes, turkey dinners
Dislikes: cilantro, avocado, hominy, too much spice, salad with too much dressing
Favorite restaurants: Sushiya (Oakland), Favorite Indian (Hayward)
Picky about: tomato sauce on meatloaf, brown gravy instead of white, breading-to-meat ratio
Preferred beverage: scotch / whisk(e)y on the rocks, rootbeer, non-herbal teas
Soft spot for: appetizers, fresh Krispy Kreme donuts, fried ice cream, stuffed things
Miscellaneous info: does not cook, loves "America's Test Kitchen" (though the past few seasons have been too polished), parents own and operate a Chinese restaurant, is glad that Joanne Weir is no longer associating herself with San Francisco
Favorite foods: nigiri sushi, sandwiches, potatoes, turkey dinners
Dislikes: cilantro, avocado, hominy, too much spice, salad with too much dressing
Favorite restaurants: Sushiya (Oakland), Favorite Indian (Hayward)
Picky about: tomato sauce on meatloaf, brown gravy instead of white, breading-to-meat ratio
Preferred beverage: scotch / whisk(e)y on the rocks, rootbeer, non-herbal teas
Soft spot for: appetizers, fresh Krispy Kreme donuts, fried ice cream, stuffed things
Miscellaneous info: does not cook, loves "America's Test Kitchen" (though the past few seasons have been too polished), parents own and operate a Chinese restaurant, is glad that Joanne Weir is no longer associating herself with San Francisco
Foodie Spotlight: Mo
- Blogger Profile
Favorite foods: cheese, sushi, cream-based sauces, chicken, pasta, cucumbers, gravy
Dislikes: microwaved/burnt chocolate, watery salads, iceberg lettuce, too much tomato sauce
Favorite restaurants: Favorite Indian (Hayward), Sushiya (Oakland), Le Soleil (San Leandro), Nick's (San Leandro), Lo Coco's (Oakland)
Picky about: The simple things, like: service, salads, clam chowder, pizza, dessert
Preferred beverage: water or tea
Soft spot for: "Greasy spoons"
Miscellaneous info: Cannot resist watching Alton Brown on Food Network. Owns too many cookbooks. Believes that ice cream can make almost anything better. Would rather make up a recipe than follow one. Would cry if ever became lactose intolerant.
Favorite foods: cheese, sushi, cream-based sauces, chicken, pasta, cucumbers, gravy
Dislikes: microwaved/burnt chocolate, watery salads, iceberg lettuce, too much tomato sauce
Favorite restaurants: Favorite Indian (Hayward), Sushiya (Oakland), Le Soleil (San Leandro), Nick's (San Leandro), Lo Coco's (Oakland)
Picky about: The simple things, like: service, salads, clam chowder, pizza, dessert
Preferred beverage: water or tea
Soft spot for: "Greasy spoons"
Miscellaneous info: Cannot resist watching Alton Brown on Food Network. Owns too many cookbooks. Believes that ice cream can make almost anything better. Would rather make up a recipe than follow one. Would cry if ever became lactose intolerant.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Printable Restaurant List
Here's a printable list of restaurants in the East Bay that are sorted by area. Good for reference. Not necessarily a checklist, but might help narrow options in a pinch.
restaurant_list.pdf
(Requires Adobe Acrobat)
restaurant_list.pdf
(Requires Adobe Acrobat)
A2 Café / Rustico's
http://www.a2cafe.com/
1111 8th St
San Fran
The ready-to-go pasta salads are often over-seasoned, but it's always a good amount of food for the price you pay. Usually quick service, though anything that needs to be heated or prepared (i.e. sandwich, large salad) might cause you to wait a bit longer than you think you should - a problem for those on a break between classes. As pricey as the sandwiches seem (they aren't very large, either), they're delicious, especially right when you get them - they're hot, toasted just right, and all the ingredients are perfect. My favorite of the bunch so far: Turkey Pesto (seeded roll w/pesto, smoked mozzarella, red pepper, sun-dried tomato, spinach).
And a lil' note on something I learned from a friend: the Coppa sandwich is NOT vegetarian. Here's why.
1111 8th St
San Fran
The ready-to-go pasta salads are often over-seasoned, but it's always a good amount of food for the price you pay. Usually quick service, though anything that needs to be heated or prepared (i.e. sandwich, large salad) might cause you to wait a bit longer than you think you should - a problem for those on a break between classes. As pricey as the sandwiches seem (they aren't very large, either), they're delicious, especially right when you get them - they're hot, toasted just right, and all the ingredients are perfect. My favorite of the bunch so far: Turkey Pesto (seeded roll w/pesto, smoked mozzarella, red pepper, sun-dried tomato, spinach).
And a lil' note on something I learned from a friend: the Coppa sandwich is NOT vegetarian. Here's why.
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