RESTAURANT TYPE = French
LOCATION: chain (Menlo Park, Santana Row)
RATING: 3.5-4 stars (good)
COST: $ (moderate)
The Lowdown:
Left Bank has dramatically improved their menu during 2006. Before 2005, Left Bank had a pretty decent menu - my favorite was the duck. But during 2005 the food drastically declined - several dishes were removed - what was left was primarily meat dishes such as pork, beef, & chicken. In fact, I was so disappointed I had vowed to stop eating at Left Bank since there wasn't anything that I loved on the menu anymore.
Dish Recommendations:
Good news is that they drastically revamped their menu in 2006!
For appetizers, the French Onion soup has gotten way better. In the past, there was too much cheese, tons of onions, very little soup, and a couple of crouton-like crackers on top. This time it was just right in terms of balance. The fondue is always good too - the cheese taste is on the stronger side so if that's not what you like you may want to pass. The salads are all pretty standard fare. The salad lyonnaise is good but I'm a little sad that they got rid of another salad that had palm hearts and I think spinach, tomatoes, and some sort of vinegarette.
Duck is back on the menu in TWO dishes for dinner - a cassoulet which boasts braised duck and pork confit, sausage, white beans, garlic-tomato sauce, and a seared duck breast with a frisee salad, leg confit, and quince compote. The rib eye and shortribs (from the old menu) are also quite good.
For dessert, I'd recommend the profiteroles, creme brulee, or sorbet. FYI - there is a difference between the desserts and petit desserts. For one, you can definitely split anything on the dessert menu as the portions are quite large. My sorbet had 2 very large scoops of sorbet with 2 palmiers. My friend had the profiteroles and likewise had 3 large pastries filled with ice cream. The good thing is that the chocolate comes on the side so it doesn't get cold in the meantime. Creme brulee has always been decent at Left Bank. They used to have a creme brulee trio with coffee, lemon, and normal I think. They only have plain now but it is still good.
Other things to note:
Reservations recommended. Santana Row parking is more difficult on the weekends. For special days like Valentines, Christmas Eve, & New Years Eve they have special holiday menus for which reservations are highly recommended if not required.
Website:
www.leftbank.com
Monday, December 18, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Peninsula Creamery
RESTAURANT TYPE = American
LOCATION: Palo Alto
RATING: 3 stars (average)
COST: $$ (moderate-low)
The Lowdown:
Let's stick around both Palo Alto and the ice cream for a bit. The Peninsula creamery is hands-down the best place to get a milkshake. There is a restaurant in downtown Palo Alto and one at the Stanford Shopping Center. I tend to go to the one at the Shopping Center because parking is much easier and I think the service is a tad better at that one.
Dish Recommendations:
Milkshakes! Need I say more? Order them extra thick and you can just eat it with a spoon if you're not a fan of drinking runny shakes in straws like me. Also highly recommend the Caribbean French Toast (thick brioche bread soaked in egg, milk, coconut, cinnamon and covered with fried bananas and syrup mmmmm). I'll even eat this dish for dinner. Omelettes aren't too bad either but most of the other main course dishes tend to be overpriced for the amount and quality that you get. Burgers aren't served with fries (those are ala carte) and cost about $8. If you want a real burger go to Taxi's in downtown Palo Alto off of University Ave - fries are ala carte there as well but the burgers are much larger and are tastier.
Other things to note:
Service can be somewhat slow. The mall location can get crowded on weekends for brunch/ lunch.
Website:
Looks like they may be undergoing a name change as the website says Palo Alto creamery coming soon!
www.paloaltocreamery.com
Downtown Palo Alto Creamers
566 Emerson Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone 650.323.3131
Stanford Palo Alto Creamery
Stanford Shopping Center
Stanford, CA 94304
Phone 650.327.3141
LOCATION: Palo Alto
RATING: 3 stars (average)
COST: $$ (moderate-low)
The Lowdown:
Let's stick around both Palo Alto and the ice cream for a bit. The Peninsula creamery is hands-down the best place to get a milkshake. There is a restaurant in downtown Palo Alto and one at the Stanford Shopping Center. I tend to go to the one at the Shopping Center because parking is much easier and I think the service is a tad better at that one.
Dish Recommendations:
Milkshakes! Need I say more? Order them extra thick and you can just eat it with a spoon if you're not a fan of drinking runny shakes in straws like me. Also highly recommend the Caribbean French Toast (thick brioche bread soaked in egg, milk, coconut, cinnamon and covered with fried bananas and syrup mmmmm). I'll even eat this dish for dinner. Omelettes aren't too bad either but most of the other main course dishes tend to be overpriced for the amount and quality that you get. Burgers aren't served with fries (those are ala carte) and cost about $8. If you want a real burger go to Taxi's in downtown Palo Alto off of University Ave - fries are ala carte there as well but the burgers are much larger and are tastier.
Other things to note:
Service can be somewhat slow. The mall location can get crowded on weekends for brunch/ lunch.
Website:
Looks like they may be undergoing a name change as the website says Palo Alto creamery coming soon!
www.paloaltocreamery.com
Downtown Palo Alto Creamers
566 Emerson Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone 650.323.3131
Stanford Palo Alto Creamery
Stanford Shopping Center
Stanford, CA 94304
Phone 650.327.3141
Rick's Ice Cream
RESTAURANT TYPE = DESSERT
LOCATION: Palo Alto
RATING: 5 stars (excellent)
COST: $$ (medium, on the higher side for ice cream but the quality & quantity is worth it)
The Lowdown:
As a major ice cream addict Rick's really hits the spot. Besides being home made ice cream and winning the Best of Palo Alto contest for over the past 5 years, Rick's is unique in that it boasts a lot of unusual flavors. A few examples include Saffron Pistachio, Rose, Sideways (Raspberry cabernet with chocolate chips), and computer chip (dark chocolate ice cream with grand marnier). Of course they have normal flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, green tea, sorbets, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream etc.
Dish Recommendations:
My favorites include the rose, mocha chip (dark dark chocolate and not to sweet), blueberry, coconut, and sideways. Note that some flavors such as eggnog are seasonal, and usually there are a few different flavors everytime you come in (seem to rotate).
Other things to note:
Open 11:30am-9pm Sun through Thurs
Open 11:30am-10pm Fri & Sat
Also offers catering (ice cream socials etc)
Website:
www.ricksicecream.com
LOCATION: Palo Alto
RATING: 5 stars (excellent)
COST: $$ (medium, on the higher side for ice cream but the quality & quantity is worth it)
The Lowdown:
As a major ice cream addict Rick's really hits the spot. Besides being home made ice cream and winning the Best of Palo Alto contest for over the past 5 years, Rick's is unique in that it boasts a lot of unusual flavors. A few examples include Saffron Pistachio, Rose, Sideways (Raspberry cabernet with chocolate chips), and computer chip (dark chocolate ice cream with grand marnier). Of course they have normal flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, green tea, sorbets, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream etc.
Dish Recommendations:
My favorites include the rose, mocha chip (dark dark chocolate and not to sweet), blueberry, coconut, and sideways. Note that some flavors such as eggnog are seasonal, and usually there are a few different flavors everytime you come in (seem to rotate).
Other things to note:
Open 11:30am-9pm Sun through Thurs
Open 11:30am-10pm Fri & Sat
Also offers catering (ice cream socials etc)
Website:
www.ricksicecream.com
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Thea
RESTAURANT TYPE = MEDITERRANEAN
LOCATION: Santana Row in South Bay
RATING: 4.5 stars
COST: $$$
Time to shuffle to one of my favorite places in the South Bay called Thea. Located in the upscale Santana Row, this Mediterranean hot spot is a real treat to both take in a few drinks or enjoy an elegant dinner.
The Lowdown:
Compared to Evvia, another trendy and tasty Greek restaurant in Palo Alto, Thea is less expensive for what I consider superior food and slightly better ambiance. The service is a little less attentive though.
Recommended Dishes:
First, you don't need to order bread since they give you a piping hot loaf of house bread. If you do want more bread you can order the pita bread but it really is pointless when you already are getting bread. I highly recommend the Horiatiki (Greek Salad) as it is one of the best I've had. The Kiymali Pide has a very strong lamb taste, so if that's not your style I wouldn't recommend it.
For main dishes, I highly recommend the Braised Lamb Shank, Garides, Psari Skordato (branzino), or daily fish. All are very good. For the 6-7 times I've been to Thea, I think the main dishes outshine the appetizers for the most part.
Be sure to save room for dessert! The loukamades are great - it's basically dough dropped into oil and fried like donuts. The donuts are coated in honey and a dusting of cinnamon applied on top. I used to eat these at the Greek festival every year in Portland, OR and believe me they are very good. Thea is the only restaurant I've found to serve this dessert period.
One more thing to recommend for all you non-alcoholic drink people: order the Cuban Cooler. It's apple juice, mint, lemon, and I think a touch of soda water. Very addictive and refreshing. Thea also offers an extensive wine and drink menu.
Other things to note:
- Weekends are crazybusy. Get there ahead of time as parking at Santana Row can be a zoo. Also, on busy nights Thurs-Sat, reservations are highly encouraged. Alternatively, you can always sit at the bar and order. The bar is pretty big - actually there are 2 long tables seating about 10 at each + the actual bar in the bar area.
Website:
www.thearestaurant.com
LOCATION: Santana Row in South Bay
RATING: 4.5 stars
COST: $$$
Time to shuffle to one of my favorite places in the South Bay called Thea. Located in the upscale Santana Row, this Mediterranean hot spot is a real treat to both take in a few drinks or enjoy an elegant dinner.
The Lowdown:
Compared to Evvia, another trendy and tasty Greek restaurant in Palo Alto, Thea is less expensive for what I consider superior food and slightly better ambiance. The service is a little less attentive though.
Recommended Dishes:
First, you don't need to order bread since they give you a piping hot loaf of house bread. If you do want more bread you can order the pita bread but it really is pointless when you already are getting bread. I highly recommend the Horiatiki (Greek Salad) as it is one of the best I've had. The Kiymali Pide has a very strong lamb taste, so if that's not your style I wouldn't recommend it.
For main dishes, I highly recommend the Braised Lamb Shank, Garides, Psari Skordato (branzino), or daily fish. All are very good. For the 6-7 times I've been to Thea, I think the main dishes outshine the appetizers for the most part.
Be sure to save room for dessert! The loukamades are great - it's basically dough dropped into oil and fried like donuts. The donuts are coated in honey and a dusting of cinnamon applied on top. I used to eat these at the Greek festival every year in Portland, OR and believe me they are very good. Thea is the only restaurant I've found to serve this dessert period.
One more thing to recommend for all you non-alcoholic drink people: order the Cuban Cooler. It's apple juice, mint, lemon, and I think a touch of soda water. Very addictive and refreshing. Thea also offers an extensive wine and drink menu.
Other things to note:
- Weekends are crazybusy. Get there ahead of time as parking at Santana Row can be a zoo. Also, on busy nights Thurs-Sat, reservations are highly encouraged. Alternatively, you can always sit at the bar and order. The bar is pretty big - actually there are 2 long tables seating about 10 at each + the actual bar in the bar area.
Website:
www.thearestaurant.com
Fringale
RESTAURANT TYPE = FRENCH
LOCATION: SOMA area in SF
RATING: 5 stars (excellent)
COST: $$$ (moderate)
Hello fellow foodies!
Fringale, located in the SOMA area, is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in San Francisco. The restaurant serves excellent French food, has great friendly service, and for what you get the prices are on the less expensive side.
What I've had:
Appetizers:
www.fringalesf.com
LOCATION: SOMA area in SF
RATING: 5 stars (excellent)
COST: $$$ (moderate)
Hello fellow foodies!
Fringale, located in the SOMA area, is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in San Francisco. The restaurant serves excellent French food, has great friendly service, and for what you get the prices are on the less expensive side.
What I've had:
Appetizers:
- Coriander marinated salmon with warmed potatoes
- Thoughts: This is the best appetizer in my opinion and was very nice. Salmon is seared and rolled around the outside of mild white potatoes. It is accompanied by a small greens salad with a vinegarette.
- Lobster ravioli with a sauce vierge & basil
- Thoughts: This is also very good! Portion is small but the ravioli is cooked just right and the creamy sauce is not too overwhelming or salty.
- Beef carpaccio with a mustard sauce & crispy horseradish
- Thoughts: This appetizer was just ok. The presentation is nice but it is nothing out of the ordinary taste-wise.
- Sautéed prawns in pastis with sun dried tomatoes
- Thoughts: This is also a just 'okay' appetizer. Nothing spectacular but it is not bad.
- Confit of duck leg with green lentils du Puy
- Thoughts: There are a lot of lentils! Unless you really like lentils you may want to steer away from this. On occasion, Fringale will have a duck breast specialty dish which is much better than this one.
- Roast rack of lamb with a persillade & potato gratin
- Thoughts: This was also very good. The lamb was cooked medium and was juicy and flavorful. I'm usually not a huge potato fan but the potato gratin was very good - not overly cheesy and slightly crispy on the outside.
- Loch Duart Scottish pan-roasted salmon with white asparagus & prawn coulis
- Thoughts: Similar to the coriander marinated salmon appetizer. They really cook salmon well at Fringale. Great dish for a lighter dinner, or if you're not that hungry. You'll definitely want to save room for dessert!
- Apple tart
- Thoughts: Seasonal dish - if they have it, GET IT!!! This is the best apple tart I have come across so far in the Bay Area. They bake it fresh so it is warm and flaky when you get it. The tart shell is phyllo dough and they put a dollop of vanilla gelato on top as a finishing touch. Very good apple tart ala mode.
- Pear tart
- Thoughts: This is very good as well - but somewhat sweeter than the apple tart. Also, there is a lot of cinnamon and the glaze is a bit thicker. Again, it is freshly baked right before it's brought to your table. Like the apple tart, the pear tart is a seasonal and does sell out.
- Warm chocolate Gourmand
- Thought: Similar to a chocolate lava cake - but not too sweet. I prefer dark chocolate so this is right up my alley. However, if you like milk chocolate and super sweet chocolate desserts this is not for you. Served with a scoop of vanilla gelato - cake is served warm out of the oven.
- Mme. Angèle’s Gateau Basque
- Thoughts: This is good but not my favorite. It's sort of a thicker cream on an almond crust with some fresh fruit as garnish. If you are full - definitely stick with the sorbet or apple tart.
- You can book a reservation either at opentable.com or by calling (415) 543-0573
- Fringale does participate in SF's annual 'Dine about town' event in February every year. You can sample a prix fix menu containing an appetizer, main course, and dessert.
- Parking is usually plentiful unless there is an SF Giants game. If there is a game, parking will be VERY difficult.
www.fringalesf.com
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Where to start?
Welcome! To get started food is one of my favorite things. This blog will document my dining experiences at restaurants around the Bay Area. First, I'll start out with a few of my fav places, but then I'll open it up to all kinds of restaurants with positive and negative reviews. Stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)