June 26, 2013

Fremont: The Vine (CLOSED); restaurant review

880 South

dining area at The Vine in Fremont, California

The Vine  

CLOSED  37533 Niles Blvd., (510) 792-0112.  L W-Sat, D W-Sun, SunBr; $$.  

This casual neighborhood spot is situated amid a row of antique shops.  The Vine is a great spot for lunch, with a back patio that is perfect on a warm day.  I enjoyed a “grown-up grilled sammy” made with hefty slices of nitrate-free Niman Ranch ham, melted brie, and orange marmalade that came with a side of green salad and garlic fries plus curried ketchup.  I can’t wait to return to try the sweet potato tater-tots, the cornmeal fried chicken, and the catfish. 


More things to do in Fremont.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 24, 2013

Cloverdale: Fritz Underground Winery; things to do

24691 Dutcher Creek Rd./Dry Creek Ridge Rd., (800) 418-9463, (707) 894-3389.  Daily 10:30-4:30; tour by appt. on Sat-Sun. 

pouring wine at Fritz Underground Winery in Cloverdale, California
pouring wine at Fritz Underground Winery in Cloverdale, California


This three-tier facility practices gravity-flow winemaking.  Do some tasting—the buttery RRV Chardonnay is popular and the everyday RRV Pinot Noir award-winning—and consider a picnic at one of the tables overlooking the scenic view of Fritz Underground Winery’s pond and Dry Creek Valley.  On the weekend, you can add on a tour of the underground caves. 


More things to do in Cloverdale.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 21, 2013

Boonville: Paysanne; things to do

101 North

Paysanne  

14111 Hwy. 128, (707) 937-1831. 

old-time gas pump in front of Paysanne in Boonville, California
old-time gas pump in front of Paysanne in Boonville, California


For the yummiest ice cream in town, just look for the sweet little Paysanne shop with an old-time round gas pump in front.  It’s hard to beat the Straus’ organic vanilla, but other flavors do vie.  You find cookies and popsicles and lollies, too. 


More things to do in Boonville.

Things to do in nearby Philo.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 19, 2013

Santa Nella: Pea Soup Andersen’s (CLOSED); restaurant review

CLOSED  12411 S. Hwy. 33, exit 407, (209) 826-1685. 

Designed to resemble a Swiss chalet, the Pea Soup Andersen's restaurant is famous for its thick pea soup.  The “traveler’s special” includes a bottomless bowl of soup plus housemade breads (including a dense pumpernickel) and a thick and creamy milkshake.  More substantial fare is also available.  Children get their own menu and a pea-green crayon to color it with. The gift shop sells the famous house soup by the can or case, fresh from the pea soup factory in Stockton.








June 17, 2013

Gualala: Gualala Arts Center; things to do

1 North

Gualala Arts Center  

46501 Gualala Rd., (707) 884-1138.  Free. 

interior of Gualala Arts Center in Gualala, California
interior of Gualala Arts Center in Gualala, California


Located off a back road, this extraordinary art gallery and center is well hidden in a grove of redwoods.  The environment-friendly Gualala Arts Center;features high ceilings, tall windows with views of the redwoods, and slate floors.  Inside, two main-floor  galleries display changing shows; a clay studio is downstairs and an art library is upstairs.  Outside, the nation’s only haiku trail—like its namesake poetry style, it is short and easy--leads past poems engraved into stones, and another trail leads to the river.  Additionally, you’ll find a sculpture garden and a picnic area with pizza oven. 

On the third weekend in August, the annual Art in the Redwoods festival—which has been happening since 1961--occurs to celebrate art, food, and gardens.  Arts vendor booths, an outdoor stage, and picnics are part of the fun. 


Things to do in Mendocino.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 14, 2013

San Francisco: True Sake; things to do

sake display at True Sake in San Francisco
San Francisco

True Sake  

560 Hayes St./Laguna, in Hayes Valley, (415) 355-955.

America’s first sake store, True Sake is also the first dedicated sake store outside of Japan and sells only imported Japanese sakes.  Sake bottles can be beautiful so you can enjoy just a browse here, too.  More than 220 sakes are stocked, and the staff is trained and ready to answer your questions. 


More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California. 

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 12, 2013

Davis: Mishka’s Cafe; restaurant review

interior of Mishka’s Cafe in Davis, California
80 North

Mishka’s Cafe  

610 2nd St./E St., downtown, (530) 759-0811.  M-F 7-11, Sat-Sun 8-11; $. 

This atmospheric Mishka's Cafe coffeehouse roasts only organic fair trade coffee beans in its very large roaster.  Smoothies, enticing pastries, and free Wi-Fi are also available.





More things to do in Davis.

Yolo County Visitors Bureau

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 10, 2013

Redding: Moonstone Bistro; restaurant review

exterior of Moonstone Bistro in Redding, California
5 North

Moonstone Bistro  

3425 Placer St., in Placer Heights Shopping Center, (530) 241.3663.  Reservations taken. 

Located about 10 minutes off I-5, the well-designed Moonstone Bistro restaurant has a calming interior.  The food is locally sourced, and you are given a list of who supplies what.  A full bar provides a good selection of wine as well as craft beer on tap and in bottles.  But the food is the main draw.  The Goat Tostada was sold out by the time we got here a 1:15 p.m. on a weekday, but the Moonstone Burger and Teriyaki Mushroom Swiss Burger were both excellent.  The pommes frites are seasoned with herbs and served in a small paper bag.  I saw the Tomatillo Verde go by and it looked delicious.  No children were present, but I did see a booster chair.


More blog posts about Redding.

More information about Redding.

More ideas for exploring Northern California. 

guest post and image ©2013 John Briggs

June 7, 2013

Berkeley: Comal; restaurant review

80 North

Comal  

2020 Shattuck Ave./University Ave., downtown, (510) 926-6300.  D daily; $$.  Reservations at 5:30 only. 

Sikil pak dip at Comal in Berkeley, California
Sikil pak dip at Comal in Berkeley, California


Several spacious seating areas in Comal welcome diners in this vast venue—the front bar, the middle dining area with wood booths, and the back open-air covered dining area and beer garden with picnic tables.  Inside, industrial decor and high ceilings blend with big art by local artists.  And though a fuss has been made about the Meyer Sound system designed by this renowned audio engineering company headquartered in Berkeley, on a recent roaring Saturday night I barely heard any music. 

Though drink options here include draft beers galore and flights with selections from the library of Tequila and Mezcal (shots are served with house-made sangrita), cocktails are king.  Made with hibiscus syrup and served in a stemmed margarita glass with a cacao-dusted rim, the pretty, pink, and peppery Jack Satan is hard to beat.  But don’t overlook the addictive Comal Swizzle that is a sublime tropical combination of Tequila, pineapple, passion fruit, and lime. 

Many items on the Mexican menu emphasizing Oaxacan cuisine are designed for sharing, especially the Platos Fuertes section featuring a very popular spit-roasted whole brined chicken and a wood-grilled whole fish.  For an appetizer the guacamole is primo, but consider also a refreshing stack of jicama and cucumber sprinkled with chili powder and lime, or Sikil pak—a guacamole alternative made with a mix of grilled eggplant and habanero chiles topped with toasted pumpkin seeds.  Specialties include a variety of mole dishes such as beef and pork albondigas in a smoky adobo sauce with ancho chiles, and enchiladas with pork or turkey filling topped with clovey mole coloradito.  More popular dishes include lamb barbacoa quesadillas and rock cod tacos with avocado aioli.  Dessert brings on a satisfying arroz con leche, topped perhaps with fresh cherries and toasted pistachios.




More things to do in Berkeley.

Way more things to do in Berkeley.  

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 5, 2013

Berkeley: Live Oak Park Fair (CLOSED); things to do

face painting at Live Oak Park Fair in Berkeley, California
80 North

Live Oak Park Fair  

Free.
(Final fair was in 2014.)

Over 43 years, the Live Oak Park Fair has evolved into a first-rate juried crafts and fine art show, with live entertainment and some food booths.  It runs this weekend, June 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  A free shuttle will leave every half hour from the North Berkeley BART Station.

Live Oak Park itself--with its mature shade trees, rolling lawns, and meandering creek--is inviting to visit any time.


More things to do in Berkeley.

More annual events in Northern California.

Way more things to do in Berkeley.  

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image courtesy of the event

June 3, 2013

Davis: Aggie Inn; hotel review

exterior of Aggie Inn in Davis, California
80 North

Aggie Inn  

245 First St., 2 blks. from downtown, (530) 756-0352.  2 stories; 33 rooms.  Fitness room.  Continental breakfast.  No pets. 

Located at the edge of downtown and adjacent to the campus, this simple-but-pleasant lodging provides a few extras such as cookies, oranges, and apples in the lobby and microwaves in guest rooms.  Several of the rooms at the Aggie Inn have 20-foot-plus ceilings, and six cottage duplex units provide extra space and a private patio.  Breakfast includes make-your-own waffles and an outdoor seating option.  A path across the street leads through the university’s arboretum. 


More things to do in Davis.

Yolo County Visitors Bureau

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Popular Posts

followers