Backyard, Forestville

I had a hamburger from Backyard during a Williams Selyem pickup party. It was the best hamburger I had ever had so I went to Backyard with my husband to have it again. He loves hamburgers.

Backyard is located at 6566 Front Street.

Tim's Burger--Stemple Creek grass fed ground chuck, aioli, pickled onions on Nightingale french roll--$12. This was not as I remembered it. It wasn't as well seasoned and it was overcooked. The aioli was garlicky and the pickled onions nice and sweet, so they were still good.

2014 04 27

Cafe Lucia, Healdsburg

I discovered Cafe Lucia during Restaurant Week. It's a Portuguese place in downtown Healdsburg-235 Healdsburg Ave. I went back with my husband on a sunny Saturday and sat outside.

Amuse bouche--chorizo with cheese and olives.

Tasca Tasting Plate--you can choose 3 items from their small plates menu for $16, 5 for $25 or 7 for $34. We chose baby octopus, linguica and morcela. It came with olives and walnut bread. The blood sausage (morcela) was our favorite. 

Arroz a Valencia--paella-like Portuguese classic, linguica, chicken, shellfish, saffron rice. The rice was well done--nice and al dente. Nothing worse than overcooked rice in paella. The portion is small, not quite large enough for 1 but it's only $14.

My favorite thing at Cafe Lucia are the desserts. This is a trio of Traditional for $9. Arroz doce with Madeira braised figs, malassadinhas (baby fried dough) with "vos moles," and almond ice cream sandwich with fig cake

Lunch even came with a mignardise--it was a sweet coated with coconut.

2014 04 26

Bistro 29

Bistro 29 serves a $29 3-course dinner with an amuse bouche on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Menu changes weekly. Wine pairing is additional $11.

My brother-in-law was visiting and he doesn't drink, so we went to Bistro 29 for dinner. It's located at 620 5th Street in Santa Rosa.

Amuse Bouche--Crispy Buckwheat Crepe Dentelle with Mushroom Forestiere.

1st course of Lola Rosa Salad with Spring Onion Vinaigrette, Toasted Pistachios & Chèvre.

Seafood Bourride--Local Red Snapper, Clams & Mussels with Fennel/Tomato & Saffron Broth, Grilled Bread & Piquillo Pepper Aioli.

Warm TCHO Chocolate Fondant Cake with Salted Caramel Bananas, Toasted Peanuts & Whipped Cream

2014 04 24

Fisherman's Cove, Bodega Bay

Bodega Bay is located just 30 minutes from Santa Rosa, but it seems like a world away. There are several places for lunch. On the day we visited, Fisherman's Cove (located at 1850 Bay Flat Road) was the only one open. I was hoping to try the clam chowder again at the different places but I'll have to go back another day.

Grilled oysters. They're good but expensive--$25 for 12. 

Bowl of clam chowder. This is thick and creamy, just the way I like it.

Fish & Chips--big pieces of whole fish, not just re-processed. Delicious!

2014 04 20

Yoshida

In Cupertino, my go-to Japanese place is Yoshida, located at 10700 S. De Anza Blvd. They have a $8.95 lunch that changes.

Black cod with teriyaki sauce.

Chicken udon.

Fried tofu.

California roll.

Yes, all this food, plus a salad and rice for $8.95.

2014 04 19

Wednesday Night Dinner--4/16/2014

I love the pork chops at Flavor Bistro and they make an especially good one for the Wednesday night dinners. I still don't know how they serve all this food plus a white & red wine for $18.95. I especially don't know how they can give away a gift card for $25 to the restaurant if you guess the wine varietal and get chosen in the drawing. Make your reservations by noon on Wednesday for the Wednesday night farmhouse dinner and sit at the communal table. Dinner is served family style. It's a great way to meet new friends.

Flavor is located at 96 Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa.

Caesar salad.

Lentil soup.

Baked tomatoes.

Homemade pasta.

Eggplant Parmigiana.

Citrus braised pork chops--so tender and flavorful.

Vanilla ice cream with chocolate drizzle.

2014 04 16

I'm Back!

Sorry for the lack of posts the last few months. I had a computer malfunction then went to Japan. I'll catch you up on the dinners that were missed then tell you about my trip to Japan. After that, I'll finish my Taiwan adventure. Stay tuned...

Our go-to place for Chinese food in Santa Rosa is Hang Ah, located at 2130 Armory Road in Santa Rosa. It's a pretty good Chinese place, especially since it's in the North Bay.

They have lunch specials served 7 days a week. They come with hot and sour soup.

This is my favorite lunch special--Black Mushroom Beef for $7.50. It's served with chow mein, fried rice or steam rice and vegetables of the day. The beef was very tender and the sauce tasty.

My husband ordered the Kung Po Three Combo for $8.95. It has a nice spicy sauce but not overwhelmingly hot.

2014 04 12