Davis: Hyatt Place UC Davis; hotel review

80 North

Hyatt Place UC Davis 

173 Old Davis Road Extension, on U.C. campus, (888) HYATT HP, (530) 756-9500. 4 floors. Continental breakfast; room service. Pool; fitness room.

 Hyatt Place UC Davis is a comfortable hotel in an excellent location right on the campus. The arboretum is adjacent, and it is a short, scenic walk to town.


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image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Davis: UC Davis Arboretum; things to do

80 North

UC Davis Arboretum  

Headquarters on LaRue Rd., in Valley Oak Cottage, (530) 752-4880. M-F 8-5; arboretum--daily, 24 hours. Free.

A paved 3.5-mile path at UC Davis Arboretum follows Putah Creek through this peaceful 96-acre garden. A brisk walker can do it in an hour, a moseyer should allow 2 to 3 hours. The arboretum holds more than 22,000 area-friendly plants and trees, which are arranged in a series of gardens that represent geographic areas, plant groups, and horticultural themes. Many plants are marked, so you can learn to distinguish a wild lilac from a big leaf maple, and sometimes more detailed signage explains, for instance, why you might want to plant a Western redbug (for its spring flowers and lovely summer foliage). Among the collections are the Acadia Collection, the Foothill Collection, and a lovely White Flower Garden. You can pick up a free map at the headquarters, or just begin the trail wherever you like. Themed tours are scheduled.


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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  

Davis: Tucos; restaurant review

80 North

Tucos 

130 G St., (530) 757-6600. L-D daily; $$.

At Tucos, tables both high and low are tucked in cozily among the shelves of wine bottles, and diners are entertained by perhaps by some scratchy old tunes sung by Bessie Smith. A patio out front is inviting in good weather. A long menu (for such a small place) offers an array of delights, many of which are Latin. Lunch here might begin with a shot of cucumber-melon gazpacho soup and continue on with a trio of arepas stuffed with shredded beef or with a spectacular savory Argentinean corn pudding. Portions are small so consider ordering an extra item, perhaps some fat little empanadas. In our case, we added a moist, not-too-sweet dessert of tres leches cake with strawberries. I drank sweetened iced Mate tea, while he sipped a perfect Malbec served in a European-style carafe measure. Among the dishes I’d like to try next time: bacon-wrapped Medjool dates, smoked fish spread, roasted pork sandwich Cubano, and chicken-mushroom pot pie.


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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Davis: Redrum Burger; restaurant review

80 North

Redrum Burger  

978 Olive Dr./Richards Blvd., (Richards exit, E of downtown), (530) 756-2142. Daily 10am-midnight; $. 

Formerly known as Murder Buger, this spot's new owner held a contest to rename it and, apparently, a fan of the movie “The Shining” won. Diner-style picnic tables and benches are available inside modest Redrum Burger, and more tables are outside on a small patio. Selections include fully-loaded burgers in an assortment of weights (1/4 lb., 1/3 lb., 1/2 lb., and 1 lb.) and styles (beef, ostrich, bison, turkey, veggie). Thousand Island dressing is available on the side. Hot dogs, sandwiches, shakes, fresh-cut fries, and deep-fried veggies (onion rings, zucchini spears, mushrooms) round things out.


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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Mendocino: Corners of the Mouth; things to do

1 North

Corners of the Mouth  

45015 Ukiah St., (707) 937-5345.   Daily 9-7. 

red building is Corners of the Mouth grocery in Mendocino, California

This collectively operated natural foods store is cramped, but fun to browse and a good place to pick up picnic supplies.  Located inside a recycled old rust-red church, Corners of the Mouth has an old-time hippy feel and sells nice, mostly organic produce as well as Cafe Beaujolais’ Early Bird Cashew Granola in bulk.


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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Mendocino: Heritage House (REOPENED); hotel review

1 North

Heritage House 

has reopened.  See blog post update 


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Cloverdale: Hamburger Ranch and BBQ Restaurant; restaurant review

101 North

Hamburger Ranch and BBQ Restaurant 

 31195 N. Redwood Hwy, (707) 894-5616. B-L-D daily; $-$$. No cards.

interior of Hamburger Ranch and BBQ Restaurant in Cloverdale, California

Operating inside a converted gas station, this spacious roadhouse-cafe decorates its walls with post cards from customers who have sent them in from all around the world (I recently sent one in from Fiji). Counter seating at Hamburger Ranch and BBQ Restaurant is perfect for solos, and several comfy booths are available along with a slew of tables. An expansive patio is inviting in good weather. Barbecue is slow-cooked in a wood-fired oven at low temperature to allow a deep smokey taste. Whether pulled pork, tri-tip, or ribs, each order arrives with three fat bottles of sauce—mustardy, sweet, and hot. A variety of burgers include a veggie version, and sandwiches, hot dogs, housemade pastas, and soups are also options. Fries are fat wedges and particularly delicious dipped in the house ranch dressing.

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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Berkeley: PIQ (CLOSED); restaurant review

80 North

PIQ  

CLOSED  91 Shattuck Square/Addison, downtown, (510) 540-7700. B-D daily; $.

Pronounced “peak”--as in a peak experience--and meaning Pane Italiano Qualita, this bright spot produces an array of high quality Italian bread, pizza, antipasti, and pastries. Counter service at PIQ allows for America’s quick service but Italy’s slow and delicious cuisine. Do try one of the stuffed calzones or one of the long, narrow panini made with a crisp “surf board” baguette studded with olives. The spacious, airy interior features a high ceiling and overflow seating upstairs; marble and wood counters and fixtures are imported from Italy.


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image courtesy of venue

Mendocino: Agate Cove Inn; hotel review

1 North

Agate Cove Inn 

11201 N. Lansing St., (800) 527-3111, (707) 937-0551. Unsuitable for children under 12. No TVs; some fireplaces. Hot tub. Cookies; full breakfast. 10 rooms.

Located up on a bluff at the edge of town, this comfortable inn’s single and duplex cottages are spread out on 2 acres. Two rooms are in a cozy 1860s farmhouse, as is the breakfast room overlooking Agate Cove and featuring a stunning ocean view. Breakfast entrees at Agate Cove Inn are often cooked on the kitchen’s 100-year-old Belleville wood stove, and a tray can be delivered to the room. Most rooms have an ocean view, but the Sunstone room has a little porch, bed, and bathtub--all with ocean view.


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image courtesy of inn

San Francisco: Enrico's (CLOSED); restaurant review

San Francisco 

Enrico's  

CLOSED

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