January 13, 2012

Orinda: Siam Orchid; restaurant review

Greater East Bay

Siam Orchid 

 23-F Orinda Way, (925) 253-1975. L M-F, D daily; $$. Reservations taken.

exterior of Siam Orchid in Orinda, California
exterior of Siam Orchid in Orinda, California


Loctated in tree-lined strip mall, quiet Siam Orchid has a full bar. Lunch specials include a flavorful soup with fresh spinach and garlic, a spring roll, and a tasty salad. Pad Thai, eggplant with chicken, and stir-fry dishes in general are particularly good. Several delicious hot sauces spice thing up.


More things to do in Orinda.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

January 9, 2012

Albany: Aangan; restaurant review

mango lassi at Aangan Indo-Nepalese Cuisine in Albany, California
80 North

Aangan   

856 San Pablo Ave./Solano Ave., in Albany, (510) 524-2220.

With a cozy combination of brick and colorfully painted walls, original paintings featuring scenes of Kathmandu, and cheerful repeat-print patterned tablecloths made from Nepalese fabric, this cheery one-room venue is welcoming and friendly. Aangan Indo-Nepalese Cuisine appears to be a recycled lounge, with some tables set on the raised former stage. On the two times I dined here, it seemed like many people at different tables knew one another. 


dining room at Aangan in Albany, California
dining room at Aangan in Albany, California


Nepal’s Himalayan cuisine is influenced by both India and China.  You can choose the degree of spiciness, and spicy here means just that. Delicious full-flavored choices on the menu include vegetarian steamed momos (similar to potstickers) filled with a finely-chopped veggie mixture and served with a tasty dipping sauce that includes powdered berries from Nepal, aloo tikki chat (potato pancakes with garbanzo beans and both tamarind and mint chutneys), keema roti (a crispy bread stuffed with spiced lamb), tasty yellow fish curry, and satisfying spicy okra with potatoes. Goat stew and a vegetarian platter are also options. A thick mango lassi can serve as both drink and dessert, but kheer (rice pudding) and kulfi (Indian pistachio ice cream) are also available.


More things to do in Albany. 

More things to do in nearby Berkeley.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.   

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 11-1-23

January 6, 2012

Muir Beach: The Pelican Inn; restaurant review

1 North 

bangers and mash at the Pelican Inn in Muir Beach, California

Pelican Inn


Just had a pleasant lunch of bangers and mash at the Pelican Inn.  Fish & chips are also good, and local oysters are available on weekends. An additional charge is made for bread, which comes from the nearby Zen Center and is available Thursday through Sun only.

 
More things to do in Muir Beach.
 
More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

January 4, 2012

San Mateo: Champagne Seafood Restaurant; restaurant review

101 South 

Champagne Seafood Restaurant  

88 E. 4th Ave./San Mateo Dr., downtown, (650) 343-6988.  Dim sum M-F 11-2:30, Sat-Sun 10-3, D daily; $.  Reservations advised (not taken for 2).

taro puffs at Champagne Seafood Restaurant in San Mateo, California
taro puffs at Champagne Seafood Restaurant in San Mateo, California


In a very large, high-ceilinged room with a frenetic atmosphere, delicious dim sum is served only via menu at the Champagne Seafood Restaurant.  I do miss selecting from carts, or at the very least trays, but a full-color menu with images--on which you can check off the menu items you desire--helps with the selection process.  Diners are greeted by white tablecloths, and a small wall of fish tanks in the back adds to the ambiance and promise of fresh fish.  Favorite menu items include shrimp-and-chive dumplings, deep-fried crispy taro puffs, and thin-noodle soy sauce chow mein.  For dessert, don't miss the egg-custard tarts. 

January 2, 2012

San Francisco: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; things to do

San Francisco

There's always something new at the SFMOMA.



“The Last Century” by Sam Taylor-Wood




"Exploded Views (Improv)" by Jim Campbell




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