Himilayan Restaurant

Himilayan Restaurant is located at 810 McClelland Drive in Windsor.

Organic Tofu Tikka Masal Lunch Special--$9.99 (order it online to get this reduced price). Lunch comes with Lentil Soup, salad, white or brown rice and naan. The lentil soup is bland as is the tikka masala. I wish it was more flavorful.

2020 08 13

Chicken Nature

A friend brought me Chicken & Rice from Chicken Nature, located at 1791 Marlowe Road in Santa Rosa. She knows I love Nong Khao Man Gai's in Portland and this was a good substitute.

The chicken was very tender but the sauce from Nong Khao still is the best. The rice was very flavorful because it had been boiled in chicken stock.

2020 07 23

Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve

I'm having problems uploading to blogger, so I'm in search of a new host. Route 66 is insterrupted until I can get a new site. In the meantime, I'm uploading what I had previously written. We visited Armstrong Woods in mid August, about a week before the wildfire went through.

The Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve is located in Guerneville.

There is a free parking lot before you enter the gates. The parking lot opens at 8 am but when we arrived at 7:45 am, there were already a few cars there. If you want shade in the morning, park closest to the trailhead. If you get there late and still want free parking, you can park on the street a couple hundred yards away.

If you want to park closer to some of the trails, pay $10 at the entry booth and you can drive into the park.

The East Ridge Trail starts in the free parking lot.

It is a steep climb up from the parking lot. After 2 hours, you'll each the summit. From the parking lot, it's 2.9 miles.

If you want a less strenuous hike, turn left towards the Picnic Area after 1.2 miles.

From the summit, take a left and parallel the road until you reach the Pool Ridge Trail.

When you reach the parking lot at Gilliam Creek, turn right to the end of the road until you see the Pool Ridge Trail.

Another hour and a half later, you'll reach flat ground and the Discovery Trail.  You'll find the Colonel Armstrong Redwood Tree, over 300 feet tall.

You can't see the top of the Colonel Armstrong Redwood.

2020 08 15

Habit Burger

I don't eat hamburgers very often but when I do, I love Habit Burger.

My favorite side is the Tempura Green Beans--$3.05 and my husband's favorite are the onion rings--$2.85.

Char Burger--$3.89. This is a hamburger patty, lettuce and tomatoes. The best part is they have A1 sauce!

2020 05 09

Panda Express

Panda Express has a Family Meal for $20. You get 2 sides and 3 entrees and it's enough for 6.

One of the entrees is Chicken Egg Roll. You get 6 large egg rolls and these are quite good.

For the sides, I chose Chow Mein and Super Greens. Other options include Fried Rice and White Rice.

The other 2 entrees I chose were Chicken with Mushrooms and Broccoli Beef.

2020 05 07

Paradise Sushi

Paradise Sushi offers an All-You-Can-Eat option. It's located at 119 4th Street.

During COVID, when only takeout is available, the All-You-Can-Eat is actually 2 lunch rolls and 2 dinner rolls, with salad and a bowl of miso soup for $28.95. The salad is pretty anemic--iceberg lettuce with shredded carrots).

The dinner rolls are: 

• Red Dragon Roll (shrimp tempura, crab, avocado, topped with spicy tuna, sweet chili mayo, mango sauce, tobiko)
• Yummy Roll (shrimp tempura, crab, topped with salmon & spicy mayo lightly torched with eel sauce & sesame seeds)
• Samurai (rainbow roll topped with spicy scallops, scallion, eel sauce, tobiko)
• Chef Roll (hamachi tempura, cucumber & avocado with bay shrimp baked in mayo & eel sauce on top)
• Ocean Roll (calamari tempura & cream cheese, topped with salmon, lemon sauce, crab, scallion & eel sauce
• Dragon Roll (shrimp tempura & crab meat topped with eel, avocado, eel sauce & tobiko)
• Paradise Roll (spicy salmon & cucumber topped with hamachi, avocado, spicy mayo, eel sauce & macadamia nuts)
• Spider Roll (soft shell crab, cucumber & avocado with eel sauce & tobiko)
• Carburator (shrimp tempura & crab topped with mango, avocado, eel sauce & spicy mayo)
• Ceviche (salmon, serrano peppers, avocado, topped with 3 types of fish, shrimp, red onions, lime juice & cilantro

We ordered Dragon Roll & Carburator Roll for our dinner roll options and Ninja Roll (shrimp tempura & crab, topped with tuna, avocado, red snapper, tobiko, eel sauce & spicy mayo) & Rainbow Roll (California roll with 4 types of fish & avocado on top). 

2020 05 06

Gerard's To Go

During this COVID crisis, many restaurants are offering great To Go meals. Gerard's, which closed its restaurant, offered paella to go. For $25, you can choose Valdeon or Vegan Paella. Squid Ink Seafood Paella is $30. It's a good portion and feeds 3-4. You can also order paella for one for $15-17.

Order ahead and pick up between 3-6 pm Wed-Sun.

Paella Valdeon with chicken, andouille and shrimp. The rice was not al dente but it was still very tasty. I cooked mine in a skillet on the stove top on medium then turned it on high for a few minutes to create the socarrat on the bottom. Alternatively, you can bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

2020 04 24

Ohana Hawaiian BBQ

Ohana Hawaiian BBQ is located at 2150 Santa Rosa Avenue, near Trader Joe's and Costco.

My favorite is the Kahlua Pork--$9.55. It has a nice smoky flavor and the cabbage makes me think it's healthier. Their macaroni salad is very good and I'm glad it's only 1 scoop. Just enough to satisfy my craving.

2020 03 08

Olive Garden

I hate to admit it but I love the breadsticks from Olive Garden.

The breadsticks are warm and the brushed garlic butter on top is so good. Plus, you can have as many as you want. Be careful though--they're 140 cal each.

The Zuppa Toscana is also very good. It's Spicy Italian Sausage, Fresh Kale and Russet Potatoes in a Cream Broth. It's 220 cal per bowl and gluten free.

House Salad with Italian Dressing--150 cal. Lettuce, Tomatoes, Pepperoncini, Black Olives, Red Onion and Croutons.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce--$7.99 at lunch. The pasta was a little overcooked but the meat sauce was quite good. 360 cal for the lunch portion.

2020 02 17

Parish Cafe

Had a craving for beignets and fortunately the Parish Cafe is nearby. One location is at 60 Mill Street in Healdsburg. Their beignets are cheaper than the Parish Cafe in downtown Santa Rosa.

The beignets were especially good today and we got a bonus beignet. Usually, you get 3 for $5. Light, fluffy but not hollow and covered with powder sugar.

Shrimp & Grits--$16. Creamy grits with a nice sauce and four well seasoned and well cooked shrimp. Delicious!

The special today was Catfish Benedict--$18. Slice of French toast, layered with spinach and bell pepper, breaded and fried catfish, perfectly poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. Another winner!

2020 02 09

Simply Vietnam

Simply Vietnam is located at 3381 Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa. It used to be a fast-food place but is now a sit-down restaurant. Same food though.

Lemongrass Tofu--$12. Crispy tofu with lemongrass dressing served on vermicelli rice noodles with cucumbers and fish sauce vinaigrette. The tofu was a little too crispy but otherwise I liked the dish. Pretty healthy too.

2020 01 21

Final Words on Sonoma County Restaurant Week 2020

It was another successful Restaurant Week and I'm glad it arrived before Covid 19 made an appearance in Sonoma County.

The highlights of the week were:
1. Salt & Stone--great lamb burger and chicken marsala pappardelle. Great place for lunch, especially if the weather is nice and you can sit outdoors.
2. Boon Eat & Drink--braised pork shoulder
3. Jackson's--braised short rib
4. Spoonbar--duck confit
5. Gerard's Paella--Rosa paella. So sad they're closed. Hopefully, they will appear in the Santa Rosa Farmer's Market on Wednesday nights.

Next year, unless the menu is amazing, I'll skip:
1. Bistro 29
2. Backyard--the burger was too small
3. La Gare--filet mignon was sinewy

Pascaline Patisserie

Sunday lunch was at Pascaline Patisserie, located at 4552 Gravenstein Highway in Sebastopol. They served a 3-course lunch for $15.

There are a few tables inside. Outside, there are several picnic tables.

First course was a Mixed Green Salad with House Ranch Dressing. This was a good sized salad--I was expecting just a side salad and the dressing was very good.

The Main Course was a Pascaline Shepherd's Pie. This was quite good with a creamy mashed potato topping. The meat were chunks. They tasted more like beef rather than lamb, which is in a true Shepherd's Pie. Beef would be a Cottage Pie.

Dessert was French Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce. The apples were thinly shaved and the caramel sauce was good but the crust could have been better. It was soggy.

2020 03 01

Gravenstein Grill

Saturday night dinner was at Gravenstein Grill, located at 8050 Bodega Avenue in Sebastopol.

They offered a $39 dinner.

Focaccia served after ordering. These were light and soft.

Corkage is $15 per bottle. We brought a bottle of Testarossa Chardonnay.

One of the options for the first course was Blue Leg Farms Newham Gem Caesar with Garlic Anchovy Dressing and Boquerones on Garlic Crostinis. This was a really good salad and the anchovy dressing did not overpower.

The other option was Asparagus and Green Garlic Soup. It had Lemon Creme Fraiche and Focaccia Croutons. This was creamy and paired well with the Chardonnay.

We also brought a bottle of Sens3S Pinot Noir.

One of the options for the Main was Liberty Duck Confit, served with Forbidden Rice Cake, Sauteed Bok Choy, Napa Cabbage & Pea Shoots, Orange Star Anise Sauce. I was wary of the Asian theme but it actually had a nice taste.

Another option for the main was Braised Sebastopol Lamb Sugo, San Marzano Tomatoes, Sebastopol Citrus, Castelvetrano Olives, Baby Spinach, Marjoram, Chive & Potato Gnocchi, Parmesan. This had so much potential but didn't quite succeed. The lamb was tender but they were shredded instead of chunks. The gnocchi was mushy. The sauce was good but the shredded Parmesan was industrial. I liked the olives the best.

Dessert options included Sebastopol Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake with DMS Ranch Whipped Cream and Candied Lemon. The cake was a little dry.

The other option for dessert was Chocolate Pot de Creme with Candied Orange Peel and Whipped Cream. This was thick and creamy.

They ran out of the Chocolate Pot de Creme and offered a Blackout Cake as a substitute. This had a layer of chocolate cake, a layer of creme fraiche, a layer of chocolate mousse and was covered with a thin ganache. I liked the pot de creme better.

2020 02 29

Parish Cafe Beignets

After lunch at Gerard's Paella, we walked next door to the Parish Cafe for dessert. Their Santa Rosa location is at 703 4th Street.

We ordered beignets--3 for $6. It's $1 more than their location in Healdsburg. The beignets were fluffy and a perfect dessert.

2020 02 29

Gerard's Paella

Gerard's Paella was a favorite but it closed in February. They opened again just for Restaurant Week.

They offered a $10 2-course lunch.

The starter was a salad which was pretty tasty.

The main was a choice of 3 different paellas. This was a Rosa Paella with chicken, chorizo and arugula. This was so good and my favorite of the 3 options. It was a personal paella but it had a nice crust on the bottom.

Another option was the Seafood Paella with squid ink rice. It was loaded with calamari, shrimp and mussel. It also had a nice aioli.

The 3rd option was a Vegetarian Paella.

It's so sad that Gerard's closed. I'm going to miss their paellas.



2020 02 29

Tisza Bistro

Friday night dinner was at Tisza Bistro, located at 8757 Old Redwood Hwy in Windsor. It's located in the Holiday Inn.

Their Restaurant Week menu was $29.

Winter Green Salad--Balsamic Grapes, Roasted Butternut Squash, Candied Pecans, Gorgonzola, Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette. This was a good salad but it was small.

Roasted Cauliflower and Parsnip Soup with Truffle Chantilly, Bacon Roasted Croutons. This was thick and creamy.

Jagerschnitzel with Buttered Spaetzle, Porcini and Wild Mushroom Cognac Sauce. This was really good this time. The jagerschnitzel was perfectly made and not greasy. The mushroom sauce was delicious!

Butter Seared Sole Filet with Asparagus and Pea Risotto, Pea Shoot Salad, Chardonnay Reduction. The sole was very good as well.

Dessert was Butter Poundcake with Strawberries in Grand Marnier Sauce and Lime Syrup.

2020 02 28

Spoonbar

Thursday night dinner was at Spoonbar, located at 219 Healdsburg Avenue, in Healdsburg.

They offered a $39 3-course dinner for Restaurant Week.

There were 2 options for the first course--Yellow Fin Tuna Crudo. Avocado, Spicy Aioli, Ponzu, Crispy Sushi Rice, Pickled Fresno Chili and Lime. This was very good. The raw tuna was fresh and the lime, ponzu with a hint of sesame oil dressing was quite good.

The other option was Winter Chicory Salad--Pickled Fennel, Pomegranate Seeds, Thai Basil, Candied Pecans, Feta, Champagne Vinaigrette and Apples. This was a huge salad.

Second course options were Pan Seared Halibut with Gnocchi, Brussels Sprouts, Bacon and Parsnip Mousseline. The halibut was very tender.

The other option was Confit Duck Leg with Creamy Polenta, Romanesco, Chicories, Poached Pear, Red Wine & Bacon Jus. The duck was so tender. The polenta was a polenta cake rather than creamy polenta.

Dessert was Chocolate & Caramel Tart--Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream, Sea Salt, Creme Anglaise.

2020 02 27