Backyard

Backyard is located at 6566 Front Street in Forestville.

Egg White Frittata--$15. Summer squash, swiss chard, piquillo peppers Jorge Matos cheese, crispy potatoes. The potatoes were quite good (crispy outside, soft inside) but there was too much cheese on the frittata.

Tim's Burger--$14.50. Five Dot Ranch ground beef, aioli, pickled onions Village Bakery brioche roll. Their hamburgers really are the best--the meat is well seasoned and flavorful.

2018 09 01

Nightingale Bakery

Nightingale Bakery is located at 6665 Front Street in Forestville. It's one of my favorite bakeries in Sonoma County but it's only open Wed-Sat, 11am-6pm.

They make their bread in-house and have a special every day: Rye on Wed, Cinnamon Raisin on Thur, Challah on Fri and Epi & Spent Grain on Saturday.

They make the best epi bread--$4.50. Thank goodness it's available on Saturdays when I can make it out to Forestville.

2018 09 01

Perch & Plow

Perch & Plow is located at 96 Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa.

Ahi Tuna Poke with Ponzu Sauce, Avocado, Cucumber and Crispy Rice Chips--$13

Hamachi Crudo with Yuzu Soy, Radish, Sesame Oil and Ginger--$12

Beet Salad--$10. Chioggia Beets, Estero Gold Cheese, Citrus, Garlic Bread Crumbs, Red Wine Vinaigrette.

Charred Cauliflower--$10. Coconut Curry, Harissa, Cilantro.

Bolognese--$20. Grass fed beef, San Marzano tomatoes, mirepoix, garlic, parmesan.

Fish of the Day--Salmon with heirloom panzanella, cucumber, onion, sourdough croutons, tomato vinaigrette with pesto--$25

Grilled Peach Zabaione--$9. Fresh peaches, prosecco with oat crumble. This was not good--there wasn't much flavor.

Bread Pudding--$9. Cherry compote, caramel gelato with fennel pollen. A much better dessert.

2018 08 28

Farmstead at Long Meadow

Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch is located at 738 Main Street in Saint Helena.

Cheddar Biscuits--$8.50. These were tasty.

One of the specials was Tempura Garden Beans--$13. This was more like beer batter rather than tempura. Not light at all.

Yukon Potato Gnocchi with Wine Forest Mushrooms and Creamed Corn--$23. I liked the gnocchi's, which were pan-fried and crispy on the outside. The rest of it was just okay.

12 Hour Pulled Pork Sandwich, Potato Bun, Creamy Potato Salad--$18. Tender pork but a little on the dry side.

2018 08 20

Pyeong Chang Tofu House

Pyeong Chang Tofu House is located at 4701 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland.

Their banchans aren't exciting. Kim Chee, Zucchini, Potatoes, Turnips, Cabbage, Greens and Bean Sprouts. No chap chae and no fish cake.

Squid Tofu Soup--$12.99. It's okay but I like Kong Tofu in Cupertino better. Kong has better broth flavor.

2018 08 18

SEA Thai Bistro

SEA Thai Bistro, located in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center, serves southeast Asian cuisine. They have a Happy Hour Mon-Thurs from 4:30pm-6pm.

Little Basket--Happy Hour price of $5 (regular price is $8). Crispy Egg Noodles, shallot, cilantro, carrot, tomato, cashew.

Thai Bruschetta--$14. Grilled prawns, Haas avocado, homemade peanut sauce & spicy Asian pesto sauce. It's odd to have an Asian dish on bread but the peanut sauce is quite good.

English Cucumbers & Avocado Salad--$5 during Happy Hour. Otherwise, it's $10. It's a small dish--worth it during Happy Hour but not at full price.

Pad Thai--$16. Prawns, chicken, tofu, egg, ground peanut, carrot, bean sprout & onion. 

Spicy Green Curry with Tofu--$16. Coconut milk, green bean, carrot, bell pepper, mushroom, Thai eggplant and jalapeño, basil.  

Grilled Vegetables--$12

2018 08 17

Asian Pearl

Asian Pearl is located at 43635 Boscell Road in Fremont. It's a chain with multiple locations and serves dim sum.

Steamed Chicken Feet--$3.80

Deep Fried Stuffed Taro on top, steamed Turnip Cake on bottom--$4.50 each. Okay but nothing special.

Salt & Pepper Tofu with Seaweed--$8.80. I liked this--soft inside, crispy outside.

Sticky Rice Wrapped in Lotus Leaf--$5.50.

2018 08 12