December 28, 2011

Berkeley: Thai Delight Cuisine; restaurant review

1700 Shattuck Ave./Virginia St., Gourmet Ghetto, (510) 549-0611. L-D daily; $$. Reservations accepted. 

Featuring a pleasant atmosphere, this one-room Thai venue provides a wall lined with comfortable booths as well as a sea of tables and chairs. The extensive lunch menu at Thai Delight Cuisine is well priced, with noodle dishes and rice plates, plus an entire page of veggie options and an additional several pages of organic choices. Particularly tasty items include pad Thai, green curry, pumpkin curry, basil eggplant, and pra ram tofu (with peanut sauce on top of spinach and broccoli). If you want spicy, do request it.


More things to do in Berkeley.

Way more things to do in Berkeley. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 21, 2011

El Cerrito: Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich; restaurant review

80 North

Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich 

10174 San Pablo Ave./Central, in Peppermint Tree Plaza, (510) 528-8882. M-Sat 8-6; $4-$4.50/sandwich. Cash only.  

menu posted outside at Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich in El Cerrito, California
menu posted outside at Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich
in El Cerrito, California


This tiny strip-mall take-out spot has only one table inside plus two outside. The specialty at Banh Mi Ba Le is super delicious, cheap Vietnamese sandwiches that consist of a large crispy sandwich roll (made so crunchy by using a combination of wheat and rice flour), a choice of stuffing.  They are spiced with green chili peppers and fluffed with cucumber slices, shredded pickled carrots, pickled daikon, and cilantro.  Of the ten choices, I favor the #7 (very red barbecued pork) and the #5 (meatballs that seem more like unstuffed sausage), but bacon and tofu veggie ham are also among the possibilities. To order, just get in line and choose your filling. Several other enticing take-out items are available in a deli case, and some unusual drinks are in the fridge. Try to refrain from eating in your car because you’ll wind up with a lot of crumbs.

menu at Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich in El Cerrito, California
menu at Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich in El Cerrito, California


deli case at Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich in El Cerrito, California
deli case at Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich in El Cerrito, California


counter at Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich in El Cerrito, California
counter at Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich in El Cerrito, California


take-out sandwich from Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich in El Cerrito, California
take-out sandwich from Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich
in El Cerrito, California


More things to do in El Cerrito. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 10-31-14; 7-21-21

December 19, 2011

Berkeley: ACCI Gallery; things to do

80 North

ACCI Gallery  

1652 Shattuck Ave., (510) 843-2527. M-Sat 11-6, Sun 12-5. 

Featuring ceramics, jewelry, paintings and more, this is the place to find that perfect gift.

merchandise at ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, California
merchandise at ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, California


More things to do in Berkeley.

Way more things to do in Berkeley. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 16, 2011

San Francisco: Samovar (CLOSED); restaurant review

San Francisco

Samovar  

CLOSED  730 Howard St./3rd St., Upper Terrace of Yerba Buena Gardens, (415) 227-9400. Daily 10-8; $$. No reservations.

themed lunch plates at Samovar in San Francisco
themed lunch plates at Samovar in San Francisco


A menu of whole-leaf teas along with some sweet or savory treats are just the thing to enjoy here at Samovar in the airy, high-ceilinged interior space or outside on the sprawling patio overlooking Yerba Buena Gardens. The Upper Terrace is home to Sister City Gardens, which features flowering plants from San Francisco’s thirteen sister cities. Try the housemade Masala chai paired with a cherry-oat scone or smoked wild salmon quiche, or maybe one of the cultural tea services—the Moorish spread comes with veggie kebabs, mint salad, endamame hummus and roasted eggplant spreads, chevre-stuffed dates, and mint tea.

 
More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More tea rooms in Northern California.
 
More tea times around the world.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 14, 2011

San Francisco: "Jewish surf music" at the Contemporary Jewish Museum; things to do

 San Francisco

Contemporary Jewish Museum

Who knew that Bay Area “Jewish surf music” even existed? A delightful photo of "Hassids with surfboards" (it is also on the album cover of Meshugga Beach Party's latest album, “Let’s Go Shleppin!”) is part of the "California Dreaming" show here, running through October 16, 2012. Don't miss it . . . or the Houdini: Art and Magic show, which displays some amazing video footage and continues through January 16, 2012.

More about the Contemporary Jewish Museum, including the deli restaurant (scroll down).

 
More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

December 8, 2011

Berkeley: Origen: a Farm to Fork Restaurant (CLOSED); restaurant review

pizza at Origen: a Farm to Fork Restaurant in Berkeley, California
80 North

Origen: a Farm to Fork Restaurant  

CLOSED  2826 Telegraph Ave./Oregon St., (510) 848-9200. L Tu-F, D Tu-Sun; $$.

The restaurant’s name is a Catalan word meaning “from the source.” The locally-sourced menu at Origen: a Farm to Fork Restaurant changes daily and features international flavors, Catalan influences, and a small plates presentation. Chef-owner Trace Leighton says, “We do large flavors on small plates.” My meal began with a stiff 50’s-style “freight & salvage” highball made with Redemption rye, Chartreuse, and Carpano. It took the edge off. My companion and I ordered everything to share: really good potatoes bravas with aioli, pan-fried baby Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and aged sherry vinegar, a silky wilted spinach salad with beets and pecans (it definitely wasn’t wilted, but was still very good). We enjoyed a highly-seasoned, spicy paella--one variety is available each day--with shrimp, pistachios, and squash; it had a creamy consistency like a risotto. Room remained for just a few slices of the tasty Basque chorizo pizza made in a wood-fired brick oven and so most of it went home with us (it measured 9 inches and featured a soft, fluffy, chewy crust). Many items can be prepared vegan by request. A five-course prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings changes daily. Desserts include homey bread pudding, a scrumptious butterscotch-pecan blondie, and assorted artisan cheeses. Polished wood paneling and accents by Berkeley Mills provide a warm decor, and some booths offer comfy seating. My favorite touch is the soft dish towels that are used as oversize napkins.


More things to do in Berkeley.

Way more things to do in Berkeley. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 7, 2011

Christmas events in Nevada City and Grass Valley; things to do + hotel review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Christmas events in Nevada City and Grass Valley




WHAT: Victorian Christmas

WHERE: Nevada City
WHEN: December 7, 11, 14, 18, and 21; Wednesdays 5-9 PM, Sundays 1:30-6 PM
DETAILS: For Victorian Christmas this Gold Rush town’s historic district is closed to traffic and transformed into Christmas past, and enchanting melodies and costumed characters take visitors to another time and place. Enjoy tasting chestnuts roasted on an open fire, hearing strolling minstrels and brass bands, riding on a hay wagon, and more. Among the promises: Victorian singers, bagpipers, a living nativity scene, a walking Christmas tree, and, of course, Santa Claus.
MORE INFO: (800) 655-NJOY, (530) 265-2692

and

WHAT: Cornish Christmas

WHERE: Grass Valley
WHEN: On Fridays, beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 25) until the Friday before Christmas (December 23), 6-9 PM.
DETAILS: Experience an old-time Cornish Christmas at this event celebrating the traditions of the Cornish miners who settled this neighboring Gold Rush town. Visitors can taste traditional food and drink, hear period music, and dance in the traffic-free downtown streets.
MORE INFO: (530) 272-8315



NEARBY LODGING: 

National Hotel 

In Nevada City, (530) 265-4551. 

Located right in the center of all the action, on the town's main street, the National Hotel claims to be the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Rockies--maybe even west of the Mississippi. Built in 1856, it is a state historical landmark and features high ceilings, cozy floral wallpapers, and old-time furniture.


More things to do in Grass Valley.

More things to do in Nevada City.

More things to do in Gold Rush Country.
 

December 5, 2011

Petaluma: Della Fattoria; restaurant review

lunch plate at Della Fattoria in Petaluma, California
101 North

Della Fattoria 

141 Petaluma Blvd. N, (707) 763-0161. Tu-Thur & Sat 7-3, F 7am-9pm, Sun 9-3; $$.

Part artisan bread bakery and part cafe, Della Fattoria is a cozy, pleasing venue for a tasty breakfast or lunch. Breakfast items include a housemade bagel with homemade cream cheese and smoked salmon (though it is near perfect, a few garnishes—perhaps some onions and pickles—would be nice) and a crusty housemade rosemary-Meyer lemon bread toasted and topped with pureed flageolet beans, Laura Chenel chevre, roasted garlic, and olive oil. Do remember to order up a loaf of bread and a bag of granola (heavy on nuts mixed with oats) to take home.




December 2, 2011

Orinda: Szechwan Restaurant; restaurant review

exterior of Szechwan Restaurant in Orinda, California
Greater East Bay

Szechwan Restaurant 

 79 Orinda Way, (925) 254-2020. L Tu-Sat, D Tu-Sun; $$.
 
Simple, clean, and with a nice park view, this welcoming spot also has quite a few comfy booths. No MSG is used in the dishes at Szechwan Restaurant, which include tasty hot-and-sour soup, sweet-and-sour pork (cut in small pieces and not overly sweet), and Szechwan beef (deep-fried meat punctuated with bright green peas). The bargain lunch special includes tea, soup, salad, appetizer, rice, entrée, orange slices, and a fortune cookie.


More things to do in Orinda.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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