August 30, 2016

Woodland: Ludy’s Main St. BBQ; restaurant review

667 Main St., (530) 666-4400.  L-D daily. 

Seating in the huge interior at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ is broken up into smaller areas with plenty of semi-private booths, plus a back patio where the barbecuing is done.

interior of Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California
interior of Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California


To order, head to the center and line up.  Boot marks give you an idea of how long your wait will be.

order line at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California
order line at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California


Platters are a good deal and include hand-cut fries and excellent housemade cornbread that is close to as good as mine, plus a choice of coleslaw, barbecue cowboy beans (Ludy’s is famous for them), or potato salad.

ribs platter at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California
ribs platter at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California


More menu items include pork ribs, hot links, and a tri-tip steak sandwich--plus burgers and sandwiches, salads, award-winning chili, fish & chips, onion rings, chili-cheese fries, and buffalo wings.  Hickory-smoked prime rib is available on Friday and Saturday nights.

burger at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California
burger at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California


chicken wings at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California
chicken wings at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California


The housemade peach cobbler was topped with a mess of whipped cream and was too much to eat even when shared with six other people!  Live music is sometimes scheduled.  

peach cobbler at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California
peach cobbler at Ludy’s Main St. BBQ in Woodland, California




More things to do in Woodland. 
   
More things to do in nearby Davis.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images c2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


August 26, 2016

San Francisco: Le Colonial; restaurant review

San Francisco

Le Colonial  

20 Cosmo Pl./off Taylor & Post, 2 blks. from Union Square. 

Hidden away on a back-alley site, this authentic French Vietnamese restaurant is a branch of an upscale national chain.  Le Colonial's small-scale exterior is a surprise set behind and amid bigger surrounding buildings.

entrance to Le Colonial in San Francisco
entrance to Le Colonial in San Francisco


An enchanting tropical decor evokes 1920s Vietnam--vintage black-and-white photos of turn-of-the-19th-century Saigon adorn the walls, quiet ceiling fans gently stir the air--and, mixed with a high pressed-tin ceiling and a semi-outdoor verandah, the elegant interior dining room offers sweet sanctuary from street bustle.  This divine, romantic spot is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.

verandah at Le Colonial in San Francisco
verandah at Le Colonial in San Francisco


entrance to dining room at Le Colonial in San Francisco
entrance to dining room at Le Colonial in San Francisco


dining room at Le Colonial in San Francisco
dining room at Le Colonial in San Francisco


Exotic cocktails include a delicious fruit Mango Mojito made with rum and topped with a vibrant orchid, as well as the namesake Le Colonial made with vodka and passion-fruit puree.

Mango Mojito at Le Colonial in San Francisco
Mango Mojito at Le Colonial in San Francisco


complimentary appetizer at Le Colonial in San Francisco
complimentary appetizer at Le Colonial in San Francisco


An extensive list of appetizers includes several kinds of spring rolls--I especially liked the Goi Cuon (fresh rolls with poached prawns, rice noodles, and a hoisin peanut sauce) and the Banh Hap So Diep Chien (crispy fried wontons stuffed generously with scallops and shrimp).  

appetizers at Le Colonial in San Francisco
appetizers at Le Colonial in San Francisco


My dining partner and I stuck with seafood for our main courses.  I had a house specialty, Ca Hap La Chuoi (a tasty seabass-sweet potato noodle-shitake mushroom combo, wrapped in a banana leaf basket and steamed to perfection),

seabass at Le Colonial in San Francisco
seabass at Le Colonial in San Francisco


while he had Ca Hap Nuoc Cot Dua (delicious coconut-poached Alaskan halibut with a green papaya salad).  More mains include roasted lemongrass chicken, grilled Asian-flavored steak, coconut milk-braised pork, and wok-seared sweet-savory tofu.

halibut Le Colonial in San Francisco
halibut Le Colonial in San Francisco


An absolutely-don’t-miss side is the Xu Bruxelles (spectacularly flavorful crispy-sweet Brussels sprouts with meaty portobello mushrooms and colorful carrot chips).

Brussels sprouts at Le Colonial in San Francisco
Brussels sprouts at Le Colonial in San Francisco


Desserts include light housemade gelatos and sorbets, plus fun-to-share Le Colonial Banana Roties--carmelized banana halves on cassava cake with chocolate-peanut butter ice cream and more.

banana roties dessert at Le Colonial in San Francisco
banana roties dessert at Le Colonial in San Francisco


Upstairs, an inviting bar-lounge with a small, private balcony serves an hors d’oeuvres menu and sometimes schedules live music.  This being hilly San Francisco, you can exit there onto Sutter Street.   


   
  
More things to do in San Francisco.

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More places to explore in Northern California. 

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 24, 2016

Woodland: Kitchen 428 + Mojo’s Lounge Bar; restaurant review

5 North

Kitchen 428  

428 First St., (530) 661-0428.  L-D daily; $$-$$$.  Reservations recommended. 

Located on a quiet side street in the Historic Jackson Building, the sophisticated Kitchen 428 restaurant serves a refined menu in a pleasant environment of exposed brick walls and white tablecloths.  A long banquette hugs one wall, and a high open ceiling holds cooling rotating fans.  Art by local artists hangs on the walls.  Menu selections include crispy salmon-crab cakes, a baked brie platter with crostini and walnuts, an old-time iceberg lettuce wedge salad, and both a burger and a steak sandwich.  Dinner also includes more substantial entrees such as steaks, cioppino, and even a vegan stir-fry.  A menu of cocktails presents the usual suspects as well as a classic New Orleans Sazerac.

exterior of Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
exterior of Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California


interior of Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
interior of Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California


salmon-crab cakes at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
salmon-crab cakes at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California


baked Brie platter at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
baked Brie platter at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California


iceberg lettuce wedge salad at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
iceberg lettuce wedge salad at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California


Sazarac cocktails at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
Sazarac cocktails at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California


dessert at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
dessert at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California


shared cheesecake sliver at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
shared cheesecake sliver at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California


Mojo’s Lounge Bar 

Located adjacent, this atmospheric bar positively buzzes.  I like sitting at the long bar, but tables are also available and many people eat a meal here as well.  Noteworthy decorative details include a lovely pressed-tin ceiling. 

Mojo's Lounge Bar at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California
Mojo's Lounge Bar at Kitchen 428 in Woodland, California




More things to do in Woodland.   

More things to do in nearby Davis.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images c2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


August 18, 2016

San Francisco: Cafe de la Presse; restaurant review

San Francisco

Cafe de la Presse  

352 Grant Ave./Bush St., Financial District. 

This corner just might be the sunniest spot in the city, and outdoor sidewalk-side tables here are enticing on nice days.

sidewalk seating at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
sidewalk seating at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


Also on the west side of Cafe de la Presse, large windows offering views of the sidewalk make the interior room the place to be for breakfast.  Dine then on housemade croissants and lattes as well as waffles, pancakes, and oatmeal.

almond croissant and latte at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
almond croissant and latte at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


Lunch brings on a refreshing Nicoise salad, a good-old-American hamburger, and a classic croque monsieur.

croque monsieur at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
croque monsieur at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


For dinner, the sunken main dining room in the back on the east side becomes a comfortable place to enjoy a Very French brasserie dinner.  It features a brick wall, high ceiling with turning fans, and wood banquettes along either wall.

sunken dining room at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
sunken dining room at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


The establishment’s changing menu, which is the same for all dining spaces, might include a warm fingerling potato salad topped with goat cheese and olive tapenade, grilled sea bass with mashed potatoes made delicious with a sauce Vierge, and for dessert if you’re really lucky, Ile Flottante (Floating Island)—the lightest-ever meringue floating in vanilla crème Anglaise.  Recently I enjoyed a Salade de Laitue consisting of crispy romaine lettuce with hazelnut oil-Dijon mustard dressing;

salade de laitue at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
salade de laitue at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


a Steak Frites with a flavorful Bordelaise sauce, caramelized onions, and a pile of crispy French fries that were way better than McD’s;

steak frites at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
steak frites at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


plus a mildly disappointing Croissant Pudding with chocolate and toffee sauce, caramelized hazelnuts, and vanilla gelato (the bread was too compressed).

croissant pudding at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
croissant pudding at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


My companion had a tender and juicy, long-cooked, falling-off-the-bone Poulet au Citron Confit that was infused with flavor and served with braised summer vegetables and lemongrass sauce.

poulet au citron confit at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
poulet au citron confit at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


Our delicious wine was a smooth 2014 Erath Pinot Noir from Oregon.  Additional noteworthy items on the menu include Duck Foie Gras (which I was surprised to see), escargots, mussels, and a burger.  Special three- and four-course fixed-price menus are also available.  It is enjoyable to have a drink at the impressive horseshoe-shaped alder-wood bar, and 15 wines are poured by the glass.

bar at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
bar at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


International newspapers and magazines are displayed along a wall and for sale.

magazine stand at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
magazine stand at Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California


The surrounding neighborhood is filled with French cafes and has become popular with French visitors, and the ornate gate leading into Chinatown is just across the street. 

Chinatown gate seen from Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California
Chinatown gate seen from Cafe de la Presse in San Francisco, California



More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  

August 16, 2016

Woodland: Velocity Island Park; things to do

755 N. East St., right off Hwy. 5, (530) 723-6885.  $34/2 hr.+.

Though cable parks are super popular in Europe, in California the trend is taking a while longer to catch on.  This cable wakeboard park is only California’s second.  Instead of a boat, an overhead cable system is used in Velocity Island Park to tow participants.  The man-made lake here is 8-feet deep in the middle and has plenty of smooth water.  Paddle boarding is available before the cable opens.  Rentals, packages, and lessons are available.  The Black Pearl cafe dispenses snacks and meals.  

Velocity Island Park in Woodland, California
Velocity Island Park in Woodland, California


wakeboard takeoff at Velocity Island Park in Woodland, California
wakeboard takeoff at Velocity Island Park in Woodland, California






August 11, 2016

Berkeley: Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA); things to do

80 North

(This is an update of these former blog posts.)

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

The dramatic new incarnation of this museum is now open downtown at 2155 Center Street/Oxford Street. 
See more information here.

A new exhibit at Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA), "Berkeley Eye:  Perspectives on the Collection," runs through December 11, 2016.  It draws from the University of California, Berkeley's extensive art collection and is presented in thematic groupings.

Berkeley Eye:  Perspectives on the Collection exhibit at the Berkeley Art Museum in Berkeley, California
Berkeley Eye:  Perspectives on the Collection exhibit at the Berkeley Art Museum in Berkeley, California


Among the standouts are Andy Warhol's 1964 "Race Riot," Alexander Calder's 1926 "Circus Scene," and Richard Serra's 1972 "Circuit" litograph.  Some of my other favorites are:

"The Finding of Moses," 1924, James Ensor

detail from "The Finding of Moses," 1924, James Ensor, in exhibit at Berkeley Art Museum in Berkeley, California
detail from "The Finding of Moses," 1924, James Ensor, in exhibit
at Berkeley Art Museum in Berkeley, California


"Berkeley #4," 1953, Richard Diebenkorn

"Berkeley #4," 1953, Richard Diebenkorn, at Berkeley Art Museum in Berkeley, California
"Berkeley #4," 1953, Richard Diebenkorn, at Berkeley Art Museum
in Berkeley, California


"Typewriter," 1965, Robert Arneson

"Typewriter," 1965, Robert Arneson, at Berkeley Art Museum in Berkeley, California
"Typewriter," 1965, Robert Arneson, at Berkeley Art Museum
in Berkeley, California




Way more things to do in Berkeley. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California. 

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 9, 2016

Woodland: The Burger Saloon; restaurant review

5 North

The Burger Saloon  

601 Main St., (530) 668-2747.  L-D.

exterior of The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California
exterior of The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California


Consisting of one huge open room with brick walls, a big bar, and plenty of tables, plus another smaller room with just tables, The Burger Saloon might better be called The Burger Barn.

interior of The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California
interior of The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California


Since I was dining here solo, I was able to sit down immediately at the bar and skip the usual wait.  I secured myself a seat by the wall, where I could sit back and observe the crowd.  I found the natives to be friendly and helpful and talked a bit with a chatty local who sat next to me.

bar at The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California
bar at The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California


The menu offers an enormous variety of burgers—everything from the relatively tame Sophisticate with brie and roasted garlic to the Humongous Fungus with marsala mushrooms, Swiss cheese, crispy onion strings, and roasted garlic aioli, to the Gluten-Free sandwiched between butter leaf lettuce used in place of buns.

gluten-free burger at The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California
gluten-free burger at The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California


But still I ordered the relatively boring Classic Cheeseburger with aged cheddar and house sauce and was quite pleased.  The deal here is your first pick the style you want, then pick the meat, and then pick the bun.  I specified certified Angus beef on a whole wheat bun with a side of sweet potato fries.  All are served stabbed with a steak knife.

Classic Cheeseburger at The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California
Classic Cheeseburger at The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California


The menu is rounded out with housemade soup, bacon mac ‘n cheese, and deep-fried pickles.  I washed it all down with a tasty, rum-soaked Endless Summer cocktail, but draught beer is also an option.  

Endless Summer cocktail at The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California
Endless Summer cocktail at The Burger Saloon in Woodland, California




More things to do in Woodland.   

More things to do in nearby Davis. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images c2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 4, 2016

San Francisco: Adolph Gasser Photography (CLOSED); things to do

San Francisco

Adolph Gasser Photography  

CLOSED  181 Second St./Howard St., South of Market, (415) 495-3852.  Shop and parking lot open M–F 9am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun closed. 

The full-service Adolph Gasser Photography store with lab services is sponsoring an art exhibit in its free parking lot across the street.  Titled “City at Large III,” it is a display of black-and-white images wheat-pasted to the brick exterior walls around the lot.  The striking images include a giant one of the Golden Gate Bridge on its 50th anniversary in 1987, when it was loaded with pedestrians taking advantage of the opportunity to walk across.  But I was drawn in by the series depicting the now-deceased Brown twins who we used to spot around town, always dressed identically.  This exhibit will be on display at least through February 2017, and perhaps longer.  Almost as interesting as the show to me is the fact that this free parking lots exists in San Francisco--it is a concept as old as the much-missed Brown twins.  

exterior of Adolph Gasser Photography store in San Francisco, California
exterior of Adolph Gasser Photography store in San Francisco, California


City at Large III photography exhibit at Adolph Gasser Photography store in San Francisco, California
City at Large III photography exhibit at Adolph Gasser Photography store
in San Francisco, California


City at Large III photography exhibit at Adolph Gasser Photography store in San Francisco, California
City at Large III photography exhibit at Adolph Gasser Photography store
in San Francisco, California


City at Large III photography exhibit at Adolph Gasser Photography store in San Francisco, California
City at Large III photography exhibit at Adolph Gasser Photography store
in San Francisco, California


Brown twins in City at Large III photography exhibit at Adolph Gasser Photography store in San Francisco, California
Brown twins in City at Large III photography exhibit
at Adolph Gasser Photography store in San Francisco, California



More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California. 

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  

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