Today I took a little break and Mike and I went on our usual Sunday excursion, this time to Sonoma square. Lately we've gotten bored with the fare on the square, and we were feeling like branching out, but didn't know where to go.
It turned out to be a gorgeous, sunny day, and there were tons of people on the square. We popped into the lobby of the Swiss Hotel, read the menu, found some familiar sounding Italian fare and had a satisfying, if fairly ordinary lunch. The wines by the glass list was Sonoma-centric, as is usually the case in this town. I am certain that the price I paid for the Bargetto Pinot Grigio (the waiter mysteriously corrected me "Pinot Gris.") would have paid for the whole bottle-- at retail. It tasted pretty cheap. Sorry, Bargetto. Food was just fine-- we ate everything, but we weren't raving about it. The plateware was embarrassingly scuffed*, and the service was relaxed. To the point of being slow. Our server was weeded, as they say, but we really didn't care. I don't want to dog the S.H., because it was a pleasant atmosphere, the food was fine, and we had a nice time anyway.
*Restaurant owners and chefs: Black marks on your plates are inexcusable! Black marks on plate rims come from plates being tossed into the same dish tubs as the saute pans and pots. Look at your plates, and if there are gray and black marks around the edges, these plates do not belong on the tables! Buy new plates, (if you're cheap, maybe you can scrub the marks off with Bon Ami) and while you're at it, buy two different colored dish tubs and never, ever let pans (or sheet pans, or anything metal) and plates (or cups, or bowls) sit on top of each other or go through the dishwasher together. No matter what you are serving at your restaurant, no matter what price level, your chef's food looks like garbage on a dirty plate. Allowing these plates out into the dining room advertises to your customers that you are lazy and to your staff that your standards are low, and they will behave accordingly. Do I make myself clear? Later we can talk about dirty windows and pepper shakers.
So, glad I got that off my chest. Back to the rest of the day in Sonoma. Next stop was the kitchen store, to comparison shop Le Creuset and other French/Dutch ovens. And to look for a kitchen timer and a new salad spinner (wore mine out). The selection was surprisingly limited in the kitchen timer department. I just want an old-fashioned, white metal timer that goes ding. Ding-a-ling. Whatever. No such thing. Ladybugs, birdies and egg-shapes, all made out of plastic, some digital. My plastic timer rang itself right off the counter and onto the floor and now it doesn't ding anymore, so I'm looking for the Studebaker of timers.
Next stop, the reason for this post: Della Santina's Enoteca "Next Door". Though the signage is a little confusing (I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to open the door, or go to the next one) this new "wine bar" half a block off the square and next to Della Santina restaurant, is such a neat find. It just opened recently, in the spot that used to house a cheese shop.
I don't know about you, but when I think of a wine bar, I think snooze. I'm not really interested in a lot of California wines, and I don't care who got what in the Wine Spectator. I don't want to sit around a bar with a bunch of yahoos comparing cellar size and which verticals of Robert Parker's 90-pointers they have in them.
When I think of an enoteca, I'm a little more intrigued. Maybe they'll have cheeses and charcuterie; maybe they'll be pouring something different and interesting. Enotecas in Italy can be such fun spots to find out about unique wines and have a bite of something savory to eat. Enoteca Next Door was just what I was hoping for. The person pouring was the owner, Ron, who greeted us from the other end of the room when we walked in. The wall behind the bar was loaded with a selection of wines from, oh, ten or eleven different countries. Grapes I'd never heard of, regions I'd never seen. Reasonable prices. Fun stuff. I chose a glass of Argentinian Torrontes, a grape I'd never heard of before two weeks ago, when I had a taste from a bottle that a foodie friend brought home from a recent trip there.
This wine is so incredibly aromatic, tantalizing and floral that you don't know whether to drink it or dab it behind your ears. I know when I say that, that you think two things: sweet, and yuck. You are probably suffering from viognier or gewurztraminer-induced backlash. I was, too. I was very suspicious of the beautiful aromas, thinking they might lead to a flabby, overly-alcoholic or insipid palate. This wine is nearly as zingy and tangy as a Sauvignon Blanc, but with more delicacy and less gooseberry, and those pretty aromas linger through the whole glass. If you find it, try it. Now. Did I mention it was $12 a bottle? That's right, t w e l v e. It tasted like $30.
Mike had another Argentinian wine, a Malbec. He said it was just what he was looking for, but I couldn't break away from my new love affair with the Torrontes long enough to care. Ron gave us a couple of tastes of some other wines, a super-fragrant (again) low-alcohol Moscato, and another weird varietal mashup white that we also enjoyed. He was friendly and informative and we enjoyed talking with him. We're not big wine shoppers, because we have access to a lot of wine at home, but we bought six bottles (two of the Torrontes) and picked up information about their wine club. I think it will become a regular stop. Especially since Mike forbade me from opening one of the bottles we bought with dinner tonight, because they were "to share with our friends".
If you are in Sonoma and looking for something different, definitely check it out.
Ron also recommended the following restaurants:
La Salette
General's Daughter
Della Santina
Cafe de la Haye
Eldorado Kitchen
Harvest Moon
The Girl and the Fig
By the way, Della Santina's Enoteca is not to be confused with Enoteca Sonoma a few blocks away, which is, in my opinion, actually a California wine bar.
PS- Grandpa, don't let on to Grandma that I was out drinking wine again today. It'll be our little blog secret.
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Hot Time, Sausage in the City
Mike and I spent today in the city. (San Francisco for you folks with a different "City"). We got a new food book a few days ago while shopping at the Fatted Calf at the new Oxbow Market in Napa: Patricia Unterman's San Francisco Food Lover's Guide. (Go there just to check out the red, non-electric slicer-- it is a thing of beauty.) I flipped through it a bit yesterday and marked some potential stops, so today as we drove out through Carneros on our way to the Golden Gate Bridge and surf shops beyond, we looked for something interesting in the neighborhood we'd be visiting. Neighborhood, or "district" is key. Today's destination was the Sunset and Richmond Districts, to visit Mollusk, Wise, and Sunset surf shops. You see, Mike is in the market for a long board, about twelve feet long, to be exact, or at least 11". These are not easy to come by. He's been talking to the guys at Wise, but he is eager to get going, now that he has his wetsuit, so we were hoping to find one.
Anyway, that put us in the outer Sunset, so on the way, we flipped through the book to see what might sound good. I love that the book is organized by neighborhoods, so you can eat where you are. We picked Old Krakow cafe and had Polish food for lunch. I've never had Polish food, besides kielbasa, that I know of. Since I'm part Polish, it was a little exciting.
The borscht, a sublime scarlet broth (no pieces), was vinegary, savory and soothing, with little meat-filled dumplings in it. I have never tasted anything like it. My immediate feeling was that I would seriously crave it the next time I got sick. Total comfort food. Mike slurped it up. The mushroom soup I ordered was creamy and mushroomy, delicious but not mind-blowing. Next, we shared a cucumber salad with sour cream, dill and scallions. Then Mike had an entree called "Hunter's Stew" a mix of sauerkraut, potatoes, pork, kielbasa and mushrooms which he devoured and I thought was just ok, and I had the "Potato Dumplings" which came in a mushroom cream sauce, not unlike the soup. My mistake. Both dishes could have been hotter. Overall, the food was all tasty, though, and the service was quick and friendly. Mike's lunch beer was pretty high-octane, so I drove to the surf shops.
Mollusk is really warm and funky, and has tons of t-shirts, books and artwork, in addition to many boards so cool looking that you'd want to take up the sport immediately just to be that cool-- if it wasn't so cold and foggy in the Sunset. They were also friendly.
On the way home, we decided to look for the high-octane Polish beer we'd had at lunch, called Okicim Porter, at a Russian market behind Wise. Found it, and several others, which we brought home.
Next stop, a particularly rich corner in the Richmond, at Geary between 20th and 23rd, where we found a Polish sausage shop (all handmade), another Russian Market, and a Russian bakery, two thanks to the book, and one thanks to the nice Russian waiter at the Old Krakow. We brought home two varieties of Polish sausage, a small loaf of black bread, and some interesting pastries for dessert.
After about 6 thin slices of black bread with butter this evening, I made braised cabbage with leeks to go under the sausages when we heated them up. Yum. After dinner, we both polished off a strange and still yummy tapioca cream horn pastry that we didn't know the name of. It was an interesting and satisfying day, and a great food adventure. I wish a) that the sun had come out while we were there, b) that I had known about that sausage shop a long time ago, and c) that Mike had been able to find/order the surfboard of his dreams. Another day.
Anyway, that put us in the outer Sunset, so on the way, we flipped through the book to see what might sound good. I love that the book is organized by neighborhoods, so you can eat where you are. We picked Old Krakow cafe and had Polish food for lunch. I've never had Polish food, besides kielbasa, that I know of. Since I'm part Polish, it was a little exciting.
The borscht, a sublime scarlet broth (no pieces), was vinegary, savory and soothing, with little meat-filled dumplings in it. I have never tasted anything like it. My immediate feeling was that I would seriously crave it the next time I got sick. Total comfort food. Mike slurped it up. The mushroom soup I ordered was creamy and mushroomy, delicious but not mind-blowing. Next, we shared a cucumber salad with sour cream, dill and scallions. Then Mike had an entree called "Hunter's Stew" a mix of sauerkraut, potatoes, pork, kielbasa and mushrooms which he devoured and I thought was just ok, and I had the "Potato Dumplings" which came in a mushroom cream sauce, not unlike the soup. My mistake. Both dishes could have been hotter. Overall, the food was all tasty, though, and the service was quick and friendly. Mike's lunch beer was pretty high-octane, so I drove to the surf shops.
Mollusk is really warm and funky, and has tons of t-shirts, books and artwork, in addition to many boards so cool looking that you'd want to take up the sport immediately just to be that cool-- if it wasn't so cold and foggy in the Sunset. They were also friendly.
On the way home, we decided to look for the high-octane Polish beer we'd had at lunch, called Okicim Porter, at a Russian market behind Wise. Found it, and several others, which we brought home.
Next stop, a particularly rich corner in the Richmond, at Geary between 20th and 23rd, where we found a Polish sausage shop (all handmade), another Russian Market, and a Russian bakery, two thanks to the book, and one thanks to the nice Russian waiter at the Old Krakow. We brought home two varieties of Polish sausage, a small loaf of black bread, and some interesting pastries for dessert.
After about 6 thin slices of black bread with butter this evening, I made braised cabbage with leeks to go under the sausages when we heated them up. Yum. After dinner, we both polished off a strange and still yummy tapioca cream horn pastry that we didn't know the name of. It was an interesting and satisfying day, and a great food adventure. I wish a) that the sun had come out while we were there, b) that I had known about that sausage shop a long time ago, and c) that Mike had been able to find/order the surfboard of his dreams. Another day.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Juno
My friend Lisa and I went to see Juno last night. A charming little movie, very funny. Despite a very specific (and common) technical fault that I promise to rant in depth about later, I really enjoyed it. Part of the way through, I realized I'd had too much water to drink and had to take a break, but I didn't want to miss anything, so I tried to pick a time when the main character wasn't in the scene to go. Hilariously odd dialogue, heart-rendingly geeky and unique characters. Weird, but in a way that I like. Highly recommended. Joe Bob says check it out.
(Ok, Joe Bob most likely does not say check it out, but I used to read his reviews of kung-fu and slasher films in the Chronicle's Pink Section every week, so the phrase just pops into my mind when I think about movie reviews. There is no anything-fu, and no gratuitous nakedity in this movie.)
Part of what I enjoyed about the evening was our little Cameo Cinema, the St. Helena theater. It only holds about 100 people, if that, and was in danger of closing recently. It was restored less than 10 years ago, and now has lavender velvet seats, including special double "cuddle" seats in the back rows, beautiful blown-glass sconces along the walls, and a purple velvet curtain. Vintage movie posters hang in the foyer, and the ladies room is papered with vintage black and white movie star head shots.
The owners who so lovingly renovated the theater had decided to retire, and for a long time, it looked like our wonderful little Cameo might be closed. Then some nice folks came forward and are really putting their hearts into it. It was so charming last night when they came out before the movie and made some announcements, thanked us all for coming, and asked us to pick up our own popcorn containers. St. Helena may be an up-market small town, but it's still a small town. I wouldn't see a movie anywhere else.
(Ok, Joe Bob most likely does not say check it out, but I used to read his reviews of kung-fu and slasher films in the Chronicle's Pink Section every week, so the phrase just pops into my mind when I think about movie reviews. There is no anything-fu, and no gratuitous nakedity in this movie.)
Part of what I enjoyed about the evening was our little Cameo Cinema, the St. Helena theater. It only holds about 100 people, if that, and was in danger of closing recently. It was restored less than 10 years ago, and now has lavender velvet seats, including special double "cuddle" seats in the back rows, beautiful blown-glass sconces along the walls, and a purple velvet curtain. Vintage movie posters hang in the foyer, and the ladies room is papered with vintage black and white movie star head shots.
The owners who so lovingly renovated the theater had decided to retire, and for a long time, it looked like our wonderful little Cameo might be closed. Then some nice folks came forward and are really putting their hearts into it. It was so charming last night when they came out before the movie and made some announcements, thanked us all for coming, and asked us to pick up our own popcorn containers. St. Helena may be an up-market small town, but it's still a small town. I wouldn't see a movie anywhere else.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Calling All Batter Blasters
I saw this product a few times in Sunshine Market and walked right by. Then I read the label, saw that it was organic, and thought, a) it's not that hard to make pancakes from scratch anyway and b) but this might be fun if you wanted to make a lot of pancakes. Since it would take Mike and I about ten years to eat as many pancakes as this can says it makes, I bought two cans for my friends with kids ranging in age from 6 to 1, on the condition that they chime in and tell me how the trial went. So here's the chance. Chime on in. I heard from Maggie that Molly LOVED them, but Mommy thought they were too sweet. Tyla, aka Mommy, promises to try them in the waffle iron as well. Convenient? Fun? Tasty? Acceptably nutritious for breakfast? Other comments?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Wine Country Restaurant/Food Highlights
I can't say enough good things about Uva Trattoria. Yes, it's Italian, which may be passé to you if you prefer restaurants where they play with your food before you eat it. What I love about Uva, besides the unpretentious but well-made food, is the wine list, with plenty of interesting Italian white wines for summer, and the service, which has that friendly spark that is missing from a lot of restaurants. The staff, for the most part, is perky and knowledgeable. They care. They move through the room swiftly and with purpose. We have been there three times in the last two months, and the food and the service have been excellent. Live jazz plays in their lounge next door almost every night of the week. **Uva has had a change of ownership. Though the food is mostly the same, the service is no longer as attentive and perky. We have stopped going.
A short list of some other favorites to try while you're here:
Buster's Barbecue, Calistoga- Super-casual, the best barbecued tri-tip sandwich ever. Avoid the hot sauce unless you like your head to spin and your lips to throb with pain. We get a side of the hot sauce to dip in so we can flirt with danger.
Zuzu- A tapas restaurant. Vibrant, interesting seasonal flavors in a Spanish style. Small plates for lots of sharing. Eclectic wine list.
Pearl- Unboring comfort food. Well-edited menu, gorgeous fresh oysters. Service is attentive, warm but not fawning. Always a good experience.
Bistro Jeanty- (Watch out-- site has loud French accordion music!) Traditional French bistro, some favorites include the Foie Blonde, Escarole Salad with Poached Egg, Croque Monsieur with a glass of rosé at the bar. Tomato Soup en Croute in wintertime. Don't let the Lamb's Tongue Salad scare you away. The large table in the front room is a community table, so even if you haven't made a reservation, you can sometimes still find a spot in this cozy little restaurant.
Celadon- The sometimes quirky menu has a definite global flair, with lots of intriguing choices. Fun cocktails. I do not, however, recommend having a martini here as the gin is shaken within an inch of its life. The arctic ice pack could be revived with the bergs floating past the olives. Owned by the same people that own the underwhelming and overpriced Cole's Chop House.
Bouchon Bakery- I don't want to love it, but I do. Beautiful, rich, quality pastries and breads. The cheese danish is out of this world. If you have that and a double espresso for breakfast, you'll be fueled through dinner time and then some. Except for the sugar crash.
Napa Valley Olive Oil Company- Skip the touristy place across the street from Rutherford Grill that stores perishable products in the front windows and go all the way into St. Helena, down to the end of Charter Oak Ave. to the little white barn. Don't let the screen door slam as you breathe in the aromas of cheese, olives and dry salami. If you speak Italian, you can practice here.
Jimtown Store- On the way to Geyserville and Healdsburg, this is one of our favorite stops. Lots of neat little toys to poke around in, old-fashioned candies, hip linens and kitchen stuff, great picnic food, espresso and more things than I can name. At least one thing that will make you laugh. If you are feeling decadent, go straight to the refrigerators on the right and get yourself a container of their homemade chocolate pudding and a spoon. And then find someplace to sit while you slip into a pudding-induced reverie.
A short list of some other favorites to try while you're here:
Buster's Barbecue, Calistoga- Super-casual, the best barbecued tri-tip sandwich ever. Avoid the hot sauce unless you like your head to spin and your lips to throb with pain. We get a side of the hot sauce to dip in so we can flirt with danger.
Zuzu- A tapas restaurant. Vibrant, interesting seasonal flavors in a Spanish style. Small plates for lots of sharing. Eclectic wine list.
Pearl- Unboring comfort food. Well-edited menu, gorgeous fresh oysters. Service is attentive, warm but not fawning. Always a good experience.
Bistro Jeanty- (Watch out-- site has loud French accordion music!) Traditional French bistro, some favorites include the Foie Blonde, Escarole Salad with Poached Egg, Croque Monsieur with a glass of rosé at the bar. Tomato Soup en Croute in wintertime. Don't let the Lamb's Tongue Salad scare you away. The large table in the front room is a community table, so even if you haven't made a reservation, you can sometimes still find a spot in this cozy little restaurant.
Celadon- The sometimes quirky menu has a definite global flair, with lots of intriguing choices. Fun cocktails. I do not, however, recommend having a martini here as the gin is shaken within an inch of its life. The arctic ice pack could be revived with the bergs floating past the olives. Owned by the same people that own the underwhelming and overpriced Cole's Chop House.
Bouchon Bakery- I don't want to love it, but I do. Beautiful, rich, quality pastries and breads. The cheese danish is out of this world. If you have that and a double espresso for breakfast, you'll be fueled through dinner time and then some. Except for the sugar crash.
Napa Valley Olive Oil Company- Skip the touristy place across the street from Rutherford Grill that stores perishable products in the front windows and go all the way into St. Helena, down to the end of Charter Oak Ave. to the little white barn. Don't let the screen door slam as you breathe in the aromas of cheese, olives and dry salami. If you speak Italian, you can practice here.
Jimtown Store- On the way to Geyserville and Healdsburg, this is one of our favorite stops. Lots of neat little toys to poke around in, old-fashioned candies, hip linens and kitchen stuff, great picnic food, espresso and more things than I can name. At least one thing that will make you laugh. If you are feeling decadent, go straight to the refrigerators on the right and get yourself a container of their homemade chocolate pudding and a spoon. And then find someplace to sit while you slip into a pudding-induced reverie.
The Chronicle had a good article about picnicking in the wine country. This link is to the article about Sonoma, but there are links to Napa and even San Francisco picnic spots, with information about a bunch of good places to pick up a picnic.
In Sonoma, on the square, we often go to The Wine Exchange. (Update: what a loss! This shop is now closed!) This cool, quiet spot is a good break from the crowds, even on a weekend. We head straight for the little bar in the back and try one of the five unusual beers on tap, but they pour wines as well. Huge imported beer selection. They know what they are talking about, so this is a good place to ask wine questions and pick up a bottle or two. Cold whites, pinks and bubbles in the fridge for your lunch in the park. The tasty Basque Bakery is just a few doors down, unfortunately it's usually crowded. Nothing like a cold glass of chablis and a potato tart, though...
In Sonoma, on the square, we often go to The Wine Exchange. (Update: what a loss! This shop is now closed!) This cool, quiet spot is a good break from the crowds, even on a weekend. We head straight for the little bar in the back and try one of the five unusual beers on tap, but they pour wines as well. Huge imported beer selection. They know what they are talking about, so this is a good place to ask wine questions and pick up a bottle or two. Cold whites, pinks and bubbles in the fridge for your lunch in the park. The tasty Basque Bakery is just a few doors down, unfortunately it's usually crowded. Nothing like a cold glass of chablis and a potato tart, though...
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Car Talk
If you live in the Napa area, and your car has mechanical trouble, take it to Storck's Garage. Write this down, because one day, that little "check engine" light is going to come on, or your brakes will start squealing, and you're going to say, "Dang, what was the name of that place Tamara had in her blog?" Storck's Garage. They tell you what's going on, they do what they say they are going to do, and they don't waste your time. They are professionals.
Speaking of professionals, if you get into an accident and you end up needing some bodywork or paint done, my next recommendation is ProTones. (Sorry, they don't have their own website.) We've had two cars painted by them, and they treat every car like their own. The car was perfect and shiny, detailed down to the thank you note, lifetime guarantee, and travel cup gift they left for me in the cupholder.
On the negative side, never, ever have your auto glass replaced by Auto Craft Glass in Napa. Avoid at all costs. A few months ago, we had a small crack in our front windshield and had it repaired by them. When we went in, the shop, which is a converted house, was a little dissheveled, including cigarette butts and a beer cap on the front porch. When we returned to pick up the car, there was a four-inch-wide strip of blue tape all the way around the windshield with signs not to remove for 48 hours for curing. Mike was immediately suspicious, having installed windshields himself.
Sure enough, removing the tape revealed that they were trying to hide some very big mistakes. The molding was the wrong molding, and was wrinkled in some areas and gapping in others, not making a seal. They had used a crowbar, or similar tool, to remove the old windshield, without protecting the surfaces of the car. So we had deep gouges in our paint all the way around the windshield, and even scratches in the dash board. It looked like the windshield had basically been put in by someone who had never put in a windshield before. I would include pictures here, but I don't want to dwell on it.As more information came out, we found that this was the second car the person had severely damaged, and the employee had been fired. But the owner of the shop (who, when he used to do all of the work himself, did a fine job, by the way) never talked to us, communicating through a teenage manager.
The happy ending to the story is that we took the car around the corner to ProTones for a repair estimate, and they were so helpful and so professional that it was a much less stressful situation than it might have been. They even picked up the second new windshield and installed it for us-- perfectly-- after repainting the car. 80% of the car had to be repainted because the damaged sections were continuous. The car is silver, so you can't just slap a patch on it. Every section that touched a damaged section had to be repainted to match. Anyway, the glass shop's insurance covered the painting.
My current dilemma is this: I just received an invoice from Auto Craft for the glass, labor and adhesive. I thought that was pretty ballsy. Why would I pay for the labor that it took someone to completely ruin my almost new car so that I had to have it repainted? If you were this guy, wouldn't you slink off with your tail between your legs to your insurance company and just write it off? I'd be embarrassed to send someone an invoice for such a total screw up. I have a check written out for the glass itself, but every time I go to put it in the mailbox, I just don't want to do it. I was without my car for a month because this jackass didn't know how to hire, train, or supervise his employees. I resent sending him anything at all. If he's already claimed it on his insurance or written it off his taxes, he gets paid twice. Bonus for him. I thought I'd just wait and see what happens, but he's probably sent it to his billing service, so they don't care. I thought about sending just a note back that says, "ARE YOU HIGH? Your employee wrecked my car. Pay for the damn thing yourself." But I thought that might be a little harsh. Tell me, would it be wrong not to pay for the windshield?
Speaking of professionals, if you get into an accident and you end up needing some bodywork or paint done, my next recommendation is ProTones. (Sorry, they don't have their own website.) We've had two cars painted by them, and they treat every car like their own. The car was perfect and shiny, detailed down to the thank you note, lifetime guarantee, and travel cup gift they left for me in the cupholder.
On the negative side, never, ever have your auto glass replaced by Auto Craft Glass in Napa. Avoid at all costs. A few months ago, we had a small crack in our front windshield and had it repaired by them. When we went in, the shop, which is a converted house, was a little dissheveled, including cigarette butts and a beer cap on the front porch. When we returned to pick up the car, there was a four-inch-wide strip of blue tape all the way around the windshield with signs not to remove for 48 hours for curing. Mike was immediately suspicious, having installed windshields himself.
Sure enough, removing the tape revealed that they were trying to hide some very big mistakes. The molding was the wrong molding, and was wrinkled in some areas and gapping in others, not making a seal. They had used a crowbar, or similar tool, to remove the old windshield, without protecting the surfaces of the car. So we had deep gouges in our paint all the way around the windshield, and even scratches in the dash board. It looked like the windshield had basically been put in by someone who had never put in a windshield before. I would include pictures here, but I don't want to dwell on it.As more information came out, we found that this was the second car the person had severely damaged, and the employee had been fired. But the owner of the shop (who, when he used to do all of the work himself, did a fine job, by the way) never talked to us, communicating through a teenage manager.
The happy ending to the story is that we took the car around the corner to ProTones for a repair estimate, and they were so helpful and so professional that it was a much less stressful situation than it might have been. They even picked up the second new windshield and installed it for us-- perfectly-- after repainting the car. 80% of the car had to be repainted because the damaged sections were continuous. The car is silver, so you can't just slap a patch on it. Every section that touched a damaged section had to be repainted to match. Anyway, the glass shop's insurance covered the painting.
My current dilemma is this: I just received an invoice from Auto Craft for the glass, labor and adhesive. I thought that was pretty ballsy. Why would I pay for the labor that it took someone to completely ruin my almost new car so that I had to have it repainted? If you were this guy, wouldn't you slink off with your tail between your legs to your insurance company and just write it off? I'd be embarrassed to send someone an invoice for such a total screw up. I have a check written out for the glass itself, but every time I go to put it in the mailbox, I just don't want to do it. I was without my car for a month because this jackass didn't know how to hire, train, or supervise his employees. I resent sending him anything at all. If he's already claimed it on his insurance or written it off his taxes, he gets paid twice. Bonus for him. I thought I'd just wait and see what happens, but he's probably sent it to his billing service, so they don't care. I thought about sending just a note back that says, "ARE YOU HIGH? Your employee wrecked my car. Pay for the damn thing yourself." But I thought that might be a little harsh. Tell me, would it be wrong not to pay for the windshield?
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Food Ephemera
This week, we went to Pearl in downtown Napa. It's a cozy, comfortable little restaurant, about 10 tables, more if it's warm enough for outside. We really like the owners, Nicki and Pete. Nicki cooks, and Pete waits on tables. Two backwaiter-helpers make the service attentive but not fawning.
The menu is short but interesting: oysters raw or baked, five or so starters and about the same number of main courses. They've honed the menu down to just the stuff that sounds really, really good, with a couple of additions each day, so even with the small menu, it's always tough to make a decision. We have friends who dine there once a week and aren't bored yet. I love the Fragrant Duck, but the Guinness-Braised Lamb Shank (a special) was delicious, and the salmon (also a special) looked great, too.
There are a lot of places in the Napa Valley to go to spend a lot more money, or feel hip and trendy, but when we just want to go somewhere really comfortable, and know that we're going to have great food and wine, this is where we go.
One thing we don't have in the Napa Valley is a decent breakfast restaurant. Many years ago, Nicki and Pete both worked at the only great breakfast restaurant the Napa Valley ever had: The Diner. I still remember the Smokey Joe omelet, with swiss cheese, spinach and crème fraîche, which I would have with homemade tortillas and salsa. (I don't remember Pete glaring through the service window as he flipped flapjacks and over-easied the eggs, but I hear that he did.) Homemade breads, scones, fresh juice, strong coffee. Potato pancakes with applesauce and sausage... Throw some fresh juice mimosas and bloody marys (maries?) on the menu and you might be able to make a decent living out of it. Blueberry walnut pancakes...
As I write this, I think of Randy and Jen in the Marshall Islands, and how it was notable when the grocery store there got ricotta. I feel lucky, and a little guilty. We are so spoiled by the choices and the quality we have in California.
Note: If you happen to pick up Gourmet magazine this month, there's a nice article about Cindy Pawlcyn and the three Napa Valley restaurants she owns. In the article, it mentions that her father was a Minnesotan potato farmer who owned a potato chip factory. Perhaps the fry issue will be brought to her attention. The article was complimentary, but it seemed the writer was a bit more fond of Mustard's than Go Fish, and I'd have to agree.
Also, Mike wanted me to note that the tonic in his gin and tonic was flat at Go Fish. I have promised not to remind Mike that gin and tonic is not a very good drink to order in a restaurant because the tonic is almost always flat, whether it comes from a gun or from a bottle. I don't know why this is, but it is. A glass of wine, or a beer on draft are always more reliable, especially when you are the sort of person who won't send a flat drink back. But the next time he orders one, I won't say a word as he sips his fizz-free cocktail.
The menu is short but interesting: oysters raw or baked, five or so starters and about the same number of main courses. They've honed the menu down to just the stuff that sounds really, really good, with a couple of additions each day, so even with the small menu, it's always tough to make a decision. We have friends who dine there once a week and aren't bored yet. I love the Fragrant Duck, but the Guinness-Braised Lamb Shank (a special) was delicious, and the salmon (also a special) looked great, too.
There are a lot of places in the Napa Valley to go to spend a lot more money, or feel hip and trendy, but when we just want to go somewhere really comfortable, and know that we're going to have great food and wine, this is where we go.
One thing we don't have in the Napa Valley is a decent breakfast restaurant. Many years ago, Nicki and Pete both worked at the only great breakfast restaurant the Napa Valley ever had: The Diner. I still remember the Smokey Joe omelet, with swiss cheese, spinach and crème fraîche, which I would have with homemade tortillas and salsa. (I don't remember Pete glaring through the service window as he flipped flapjacks and over-easied the eggs, but I hear that he did.) Homemade breads, scones, fresh juice, strong coffee. Potato pancakes with applesauce and sausage... Throw some fresh juice mimosas and bloody marys (maries?) on the menu and you might be able to make a decent living out of it. Blueberry walnut pancakes...
As I write this, I think of Randy and Jen in the Marshall Islands, and how it was notable when the grocery store there got ricotta. I feel lucky, and a little guilty. We are so spoiled by the choices and the quality we have in California.
Note: If you happen to pick up Gourmet magazine this month, there's a nice article about Cindy Pawlcyn and the three Napa Valley restaurants she owns. In the article, it mentions that her father was a Minnesotan potato farmer who owned a potato chip factory. Perhaps the fry issue will be brought to her attention. The article was complimentary, but it seemed the writer was a bit more fond of Mustard's than Go Fish, and I'd have to agree.
Also, Mike wanted me to note that the tonic in his gin and tonic was flat at Go Fish. I have promised not to remind Mike that gin and tonic is not a very good drink to order in a restaurant because the tonic is almost always flat, whether it comes from a gun or from a bottle. I don't know why this is, but it is. A glass of wine, or a beer on draft are always more reliable, especially when you are the sort of person who won't send a flat drink back. But the next time he orders one, I won't say a word as he sips his fizz-free cocktail.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Go Fish
Mike and I had our first official "date night" last Wednesday, and we decided to go to Go Fish in St. Helena. I love the atmosphere: Cindy Pawlcyn's style (or at least her designer's style) makes the place someplace I'd like to live, with all the funky art, interesting colors and finishes, and lots and lots of light.
But let's talk about fries for a moment.
We are by now familiar with the "fry-fecta," are we not? 1- Skin on, 2- crispy, 3- flavorful. Period. Excellent fries are all three. "Sean's" fries were two out of three. Surreal-y crispy (I suspect double-frying) with skins present. And absolutely no flavor. Whatsoever. I can accept this from a pub, or a diner (a diner should be ashamed to serve 2-star fries) but I cannot accept it from a restaurant which serves $12 wines by the glass and $27 entrees, with which the fries are ordered-- at an additional cost-- as a side. Perhaps it is gauche to talk about price when describing the priceless experience of dining out with one's loving companion, but when it comes to fries, a buck is a buck.
Sides aside, as I mentioned, the restaurant is a great space, a vast improvement over the three former tenants, and I've lived in St. Helena long enough to have visited all three. Our server was lovely, not to mention friendly and knowledgeable. She missed a re-mark and a check-back (restaurant folks know what this is) but I noticed later she was training a new waiter, so that is forgiven.
Sushi- delicious, despite the ubiquitous "special sauce" that seems to gloppily adorn everything I order. The octopus and squid nigiri sushi were the best specimens of those creatures I have had. (What's up with my fingers on this keyboard? They are flying. Could have been the outstanding dinner we had at Pearl on tonight's date. More about that later.)
Entrees were good, but not thrilling. As Mike says about sushi, he wants to be "wowed" and seldom is. Entrees didn't wow me at all. The Crispy Skin Snapper was crispy, and delicious, but the pool of root vegetable consommee in which it swam was almost flavorless except for a slight sweetness. Not bad, just plain.
I'd still go back, because I enjoy the sushi, the sake, and the space, but I'd steer clear of the pricier entrees. After three visits, I still haven't had anything that really knocked my socks off.
We had a nice date anyway.
But let's talk about fries for a moment.
We are by now familiar with the "fry-fecta," are we not? 1- Skin on, 2- crispy, 3- flavorful. Period. Excellent fries are all three. "Sean's" fries were two out of three. Surreal-y crispy (I suspect double-frying) with skins present. And absolutely no flavor. Whatsoever. I can accept this from a pub, or a diner (a diner should be ashamed to serve 2-star fries) but I cannot accept it from a restaurant which serves $12 wines by the glass and $27 entrees, with which the fries are ordered-- at an additional cost-- as a side. Perhaps it is gauche to talk about price when describing the priceless experience of dining out with one's loving companion, but when it comes to fries, a buck is a buck.
Sides aside, as I mentioned, the restaurant is a great space, a vast improvement over the three former tenants, and I've lived in St. Helena long enough to have visited all three. Our server was lovely, not to mention friendly and knowledgeable. She missed a re-mark and a check-back (restaurant folks know what this is) but I noticed later she was training a new waiter, so that is forgiven.
Sushi- delicious, despite the ubiquitous "special sauce" that seems to gloppily adorn everything I order. The octopus and squid nigiri sushi were the best specimens of those creatures I have had. (What's up with my fingers on this keyboard? They are flying. Could have been the outstanding dinner we had at Pearl on tonight's date. More about that later.)
Entrees were good, but not thrilling. As Mike says about sushi, he wants to be "wowed" and seldom is. Entrees didn't wow me at all. The Crispy Skin Snapper was crispy, and delicious, but the pool of root vegetable consommee in which it swam was almost flavorless except for a slight sweetness. Not bad, just plain.
I'd still go back, because I enjoy the sushi, the sake, and the space, but I'd steer clear of the pricier entrees. After three visits, I still haven't had anything that really knocked my socks off.
We had a nice date anyway.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Healdsburg's Bear Republic Brewing Company
Another weekend, another pub. This time, a perennial favorite: Bear Republic Brewing Company in Healdsburg.Sonoma County has a somewhat unfair abundance of fine beers. Though there are several small breweries which produce amazingly diverse and astonishingly well-made beers, in my very own, very biased personal opinion, there is no finer beer than Racer 5 IPA. I can appreciate other styles, and the skill with which they are made, but when it comes to drinking, this is the brew for which I thirst. Fresh is always best, here at the brewpub, or at the Toronado.
The Bear's space always looks to me as though it couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be when it grew up-- in the eighties. Chairs are mismatched, the space is oddly shaped and the walls are full of eclectic clutter. The music can be very good or very, very bad. That said, we've grown comfortable there and hardly notice anymore. What Bear Republic does offer, in the form of veteran barman Ryan Lindecker, is a warm, friendly welcome, to regular "tankers" as well as occasional patrons like ourselves. Prompt, attentive, knowledgeable, and above all, smiling, Ryan treats everyone like a local.
The rundown:
Overall- 5+ always worth a detour
Beer- 5+
Service- 5+
Atmosphere- 4
Burgers-5 grilled to exactly the temp ordered, could be too charred for some people's tastes, but perfect for mine. Decent bun.
Fries- 3.5 Two out of three on the Fry-fecta: fairly flavorful and crispy, but no skin. A word about potato skin: potato skin indicates that the fries came from actual potatoes, not macerated, re-formed, extruded, crinkle-cut, flavorless, or, god forbid--frozen-- potato-ish items. Often, though not always, it indicates they are hand-cut, with a french-fry cutter, just before cooking. Thin or thick, this is the only acceptable way to make fries. Real fries, skin on, even if they are not crispy, are better than McGarbage any day.
Other Parking is hardly an issue, the square is a nice little walk and shop, great bookstore nearby. Avoid the French Dip. Ketchup ever-so-slightly fermented. I have an irrational fondness for slightly fermented ketchup from my days as a waitress at an old-school seaside cafe in Santa Cruz, where the ketchup was topped up daily after sitting out on the blue plaid oilcloth-covered tables all day and would sometimes explode. This is also where I learned about real french fries, real orange juice, fresh calamari, clean pepper shakers, homemade food and "cold coffee". Grazie, Aldo.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Rogue Ales Public House SF
One of our favorite things to do on the weekend is find new pubs. We've been to just about every brew-pub and tap-house in northern California, and many in the Pacific Northwest. Usually we just rank them in our minds, but this time we made a little chart.
This weekend, Mike and I went to San Francisco to find Rogue Ales Public House. It is in the North Beach neighborhood, on the corner of Union and Powell, near Washington Park. It was an unbelievably warm and sunny day in the city. San Francisco locals, who think 65 degrees is hot weather, had all their white out and on parade.
If a place has great beer, we will often overlook other deficiencies. The setting at Rogue is very pubby and comfortable, but parking was a bitch. While Rogue has a great selection of beers (42 beers on tap), friendly and knowledgeable service, a huge menu, and a fine IPA, the pints were $5.50 and we got dinged $8.25 for an average to small sized order of onion rings-- ouch! We blamed both on the touristy location.
As far as food quality goes, I tried the Kobe beef burger, since I've never tried Kobe beef. It was juicy and had good flavor, but was a little loosely composed and under-grilled for my taste. The bun was the most un-artisinal bun I have ever seen on a burger of that price and quality. Why would they make "the world's greatest burger" and serve it on the world's lamest bun? Combined with the soft burger, it made for a very mushy experience. It most definitely came out of a bag with red, blue and yellow dots on it. Fries had no skin and were unremarkable. Mike had a Cobb salad that was made from nice-looking ingredients but that he said was bland. Time to change out the once-clever paper six-pack condiment holders for some clean ones. Hidden outdoor beer garden in the back is perfect on a sunny day. Alternative music selection hit the spot.
Rogue Ale's Ratings:
(1= skip it<--->5=great)
Beer- 4+
(skip the Morimoto soba ale- the blandest beer we have ever tasted, otherwise good-great)
Atmosphere -4-5 - classic pub
Burger- 2 -a disappointment
Fries- 3- (frie-fecta= crispy, skin on, flavorful- these were one out of the three- flavorful)
Other- 3
Parking difficult, prices expensive, service friendly and knowledgeable, bathroom clean but no soap in sight (how do the employees wash their hands if they are out of soap?)
Overall, 3.5 out of 5
During happy hour, it might be a 4 or even a 5. Half-price pints might make all the food taste better! Ambitious, name-dropping menu (Neuske's bacon, Kobe beef, Niman Ranch, you know the culprits.) Based on our choices, I wouldn't venture far-- if you go, seek recommendations from the friendly staff.
Other pubs to visit:
Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa- pros: big selection of all their own very well made beers, parking ok, prices decent. Cons: no burgers and fries
The Toronado, San Francisco- king of tap-houses, freshest and widest selection of beers, just say 5, Rosamund sausages next door can be brought into the bar. Eclectic and loud jukebox, just like we like it.
Triple Rock, Berkeley- The best burger and fries anywhere, great beers
Third Street Brewing Company, Santa Rosa- nice beers, pub food
Ben and Nick's, Oakland- Family/pub atmosphere
Healdsburg Brewing Company- The world's best IPA- Racer 5. Stick with the less-ambitious food selections. Good burger, ok fries (no skin). Don't go anywhere near the French Dip sandwich. They should be ashamed of themselves.
This weekend, Mike and I went to San Francisco to find Rogue Ales Public House. It is in the North Beach neighborhood, on the corner of Union and Powell, near Washington Park. It was an unbelievably warm and sunny day in the city. San Francisco locals, who think 65 degrees is hot weather, had all their white out and on parade.
If a place has great beer, we will often overlook other deficiencies. The setting at Rogue is very pubby and comfortable, but parking was a bitch. While Rogue has a great selection of beers (42 beers on tap), friendly and knowledgeable service, a huge menu, and a fine IPA, the pints were $5.50 and we got dinged $8.25 for an average to small sized order of onion rings-- ouch! We blamed both on the touristy location.
As far as food quality goes, I tried the Kobe beef burger, since I've never tried Kobe beef. It was juicy and had good flavor, but was a little loosely composed and under-grilled for my taste. The bun was the most un-artisinal bun I have ever seen on a burger of that price and quality. Why would they make "the world's greatest burger" and serve it on the world's lamest bun? Combined with the soft burger, it made for a very mushy experience. It most definitely came out of a bag with red, blue and yellow dots on it. Fries had no skin and were unremarkable. Mike had a Cobb salad that was made from nice-looking ingredients but that he said was bland. Time to change out the once-clever paper six-pack condiment holders for some clean ones. Hidden outdoor beer garden in the back is perfect on a sunny day. Alternative music selection hit the spot.
Rogue Ale's Ratings:
(1= skip it<--->5=great)
Beer- 4+
(skip the Morimoto soba ale- the blandest beer we have ever tasted, otherwise good-great)
Atmosphere -4-5 - classic pub
Burger- 2 -a disappointment
Fries- 3- (frie-fecta= crispy, skin on, flavorful- these were one out of the three- flavorful)
Other- 3
Parking difficult, prices expensive, service friendly and knowledgeable, bathroom clean but no soap in sight (how do the employees wash their hands if they are out of soap?)
Overall, 3.5 out of 5
During happy hour, it might be a 4 or even a 5. Half-price pints might make all the food taste better! Ambitious, name-dropping menu (Neuske's bacon, Kobe beef, Niman Ranch, you know the culprits.) Based on our choices, I wouldn't venture far-- if you go, seek recommendations from the friendly staff.
Other pubs to visit:
Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa- pros: big selection of all their own very well made beers, parking ok, prices decent. Cons: no burgers and fries
The Toronado, San Francisco- king of tap-houses, freshest and widest selection of beers, just say 5, Rosamund sausages next door can be brought into the bar. Eclectic and loud jukebox, just like we like it.
Triple Rock, Berkeley- The best burger and fries anywhere, great beers
Third Street Brewing Company, Santa Rosa- nice beers, pub food
Ben and Nick's, Oakland- Family/pub atmosphere
Healdsburg Brewing Company- The world's best IPA- Racer 5. Stick with the less-ambitious food selections. Good burger, ok fries (no skin). Don't go anywhere near the French Dip sandwich. They should be ashamed of themselves.
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