March 30, 2012

San Francisco: AllSaints Spitalfields; things to do

interior of AllSaints Spitalfields in San Francisco
San Francisco

AllSaints Spitalfields  

140 Geary St., Union Square, (415) 762-0702.

Pop your head into this trendy shop even if just to take a look at the decor, which includes back windows (facing Maiden Lane) filled with antique sewing machines, an assortment movie spotlights hanging from the ceiling, and a wall filled with old-time spindles. Though dearly priced, the mostly black or white clothes in AllSaints Spitalfields are also pretty nice.


More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

March 28, 2012

Redding: Redding Area Trails guide; things to do

5 North

Redding Area Trails guide


With more than 200 miles of hiking, biking and riding trails, Redding could claim title to being California's trail capital. Redding Area Trails can be downloaded free, or pick up a printed copy at the California Welcome Center in Anderson. Locations of 14 major points of interest seen from the trails are noted on the guide’s color-coded trail map, including descriptions of where architecturally significant bridges, historic sites, scenic viewpoints and wildlife can be seen.






March 20, 2012

Plymouth: Taste; restaurant review

exterior of Taste in Plymouth, California
Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Taste  

9402 Main St., downtown, (209) 245-3463. L on Sat, D daily; $$-$$$. Reservations advised.

Well reviewed and operating in a comfortably renovated vintage building, this popular spot features a creative menu and impressive wine list and fills early. Warm wood accents the muted persimmon and deep-mustard walls, and large windows overlooking the quiet street bring in plentiful light. The menu at Taste changes regularly, but the unusual “mushroom cigars” (phyllo stuffed with a mix of mushrooms and goat cheese) are a long-time favorite appetizer. Entrees might include a giant braised Angus short rib paired with dramatic red beet risotto (which goes well with a Yorba Zin made with grapes from a vineyard that is just past one server’s home), or perhaps a grilled Tombo tuna with fingerling potatoes and artichoke salad. A selection of three housemade fruit sorbets—sometimes including blackberry-cabernet--makes a light ending.


More things to see and do in Plymouth.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

March 10, 2012

Emeryville: Honor Bar, Grill & Cocktails; restaurant review

1411 Powell St./Hollis St., (510) 653-8667. No reservations. D Tu-Sat; $$. Free off-street private parking.

Bucket o' Yard Birds at Honor Kitchen in Emeryville, California
Bucket o' Yard Birds at Honor Kitchen in Emeryville, California






















Where should you go when you’ve had a depressing day and you’re too down to cook? Why, here--to Honor Bar, Grill & Cocktails! Featuring a cozy, noisy roadhouse atmosphere, this casual spot will serve you up an unusual cocktail and satisfying meal. Diners seat themselves at the red-top bar--where everyone eventually shows up to place their order--but also at a choice of mostly communal high tables with stools that surround the bar. Drinks include complex cocktails such as a Guy Fawkes (gin, PX sherry, Amaro Montenegro, maraschino, acid phosphate, and absinthe) and a Bleeding Monarch (bourbon, passion fruit, orgeat, Campari, and balsamico amaro) as well as help-yourself-beers from an ice-filled bucket--you’re on the honor system to pay for them. The menu is short, but includes essentials such as BBQed Texas Mop Pork Ribs (they’re short but fall-off-the-bone tender and come with a side of cold macaroni salad just like grandma used to make), Short Rib Sliders, and a Bucket o' Yard Birds (fried chicken). Do order a side of sweetish house-pickled vegetables or a deep-fried artichoke as an appetizer. Antsy? A pinball machine awaits in a corner.

Bloody Mary topped with a salad at Honor Kitchen in Emeryville, California
Bloody Mary topped with a salad at Honor Kitchen in Emeryville, California


Weekend brunch was recently added, so now you can drag in here after a hard night and cheer yourself up with a menu that includes a trendy fried chicken and waffle with blueberry chipotle syrup, an eggs Benedict made with seared pork belly and tomato relish, and a vegetarian-friendly mushroom frittata.  Many items come with “taters,” which are way oversized tater tots that are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside and very good.  Sharing, you might have room for the tempting giant bourbon-pecan sticky bun or ricotta beignets with chocolate and berry sauces, but for sure you’ll be able to make room for the delicious crisp and warm sausage biscuit with honey butter.  As in the evening, drinks are interesting and varied, but one of the four different Bloody Marys is an easy choice (they come topped with a little salad of perhaps asparagus, cornichon, and cocktail onion).  A house punch or Painkiller #2 should also be considered, or perhaps a carafe of fresh orange juice and a bottle of sparkling wine for make-your-own mimosas.  And so that you don’t need to face the glare of morning light, they keep the Venitian blinds drawn shut, and music is hard rock-style but not too loud,


More things to do in Emeryville.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2012 & 2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 2-3-18

March 7, 2012

San Francisco: Original Joe’s; restaurant review

entrance to Original Joe’s in San Francisco
San Francisco

Original Joe’s  

601 Union St./Stockton St., North Beach, (415) 775-4877. L-D daily; $$-$$$. Reservations advised.

If you’re wondering where everyone went, it might be to dinner at Joe’s in its new digs (it was formerly off Union Square on Taylor St.). Original Joe’s has been open only a month, yet it hustles and bustles--even in early evening. Diners can sit in the expansive cocktail lounge, in a dining room with windows to the park, or in a clubby back room filled with roomy red booths and a view of the exhibition kitchen. Menu favorites include the Joe’s hamburger (made with two patties, mesquite broiled, and served on Boudin sourdough bread), a rich chicken cacciatore, and a delicate lemony filet of sole picatta. The steaks, chops, and fish come with sides of either ravioli, spaghetti, hand-cut fries, or simple veggies. A good starter is a superb fritto misto with deep-fried calamari, lemon rounds, and olives. Service can be slow, so plan to enjoy a couple of the well-priced classic cocktails ($6); I favored the Manhattan with two brandy-drenched cherries. And I was in bliss with the rich, rich butterscotch pudding dessert, topped with caramel sauce and a huge dollop of crème.


More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

March 5, 2012

Plymouth: Amador Vintage Market; restaurant review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Amador Vintage Market 

9393 Main St., downtown, (209) 245-FOOD. W-Sun 10-6; deli pick-up daily by advance order.

salad case at Amador Vintage Market in Plymouth, California
salad case at Amador Vintage Market in Plymouth, California


Gourmet caterer Amador Vintage Market offers delicious lunch items and desserts. Dine on the spot--either inside at the cozy wine bar or outside on the boardwalk--or take it away for a winery picnic. The curried chicken-salad sandwich and hummus and chips are especially good. Cooking classes are scheduled regularly with Chef Beth.

March 2, 2012

Sunnyvale: Arka Restaurant, Bar & Lounge; restaurant review

725 S. Fair Oaks Ave./El Camino Real, (408) 733-2752. L-D daily; $$.

Featuring a spacious and colorful dining room, the contemporary Arka Restaurant, Bar & Lounge blends authentic Indian cooking with a stylish presentation. Specialties include tandoori kebabs, biryanis, curries, dosas, and uthappams, plus an extensive selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes are available. Among the many unusual items are two personal favorites--kaccha kele aur palak pakora (fried fritters of raw plantains and spinach served with a chutney) and chettinad chicken (a spicy tomato curry flavored with black pepper and curry leaves)—as well as tandoori mahi mahi (marinated with lemongrass and kaffir lime and served with roasted Portobello mushroom fritters) and shrimp vindaloo uthappam, (a pancake topped with shrimp in a spicy vindaloo sauce and red onions). Traditional butter chicken (shredded chicken in fenugreek-flavored creamy tomato sauce) is also available. Vegetarian delights include bharwan chandi kofta (paneer and dried cherry-stuffed kofta in a mild cashew-onion sauce accented with kewra and silver vark), bhindi la jwaab (stir-fried okra with onions, pomegranate seeds, and raw mango), tandoori subz kebab (a twist on the traditionally lamb-based dish), and an eggplant dosa (stuffed with smoky eggplant and peppers flavored with tamarind, coconut, and peanuts). The garlic-chili naan is thin and crispy, but next time I plan to try roomali roti, described as “light airy, handkerchief-like.” For dessert, try the classic kulfi rice pudding or the more unusual carrot payasam (stewed carrots with ghee, nuts, and a hint of green chilies); a selection of ports are available at a discounted price with desserts. A daily lunch buffet allows sampling many dishes. Cocktails go well with the cuisine, and an option is to sit at the sleek bar and enjoy appetizers there (happy hour occurs nightly from 3 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m to closing).



More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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