in 
American
American Saturday
23Aug
Los Olivos Cafe, Los Olivos CA
Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 08:29PM If you ever decide recreate the “Sideways” wine tasting experience you should include Los Olivos Cafe in your plans as it was host to one of the dining scenes in the movie. While Kathy and I weren’t trying to recreate the pathway of that movie (which I actually found to be irritating when I watched it a few years ago) we were staying right next door at Fess Parker’s inn and decided to walk over and check it out. The food was great and they have a little area to sit outside which, frankly, was better than the somewhat noisy interior. The wine list is huge as you’d expect and the menu has several selections using local - and it appears sustainably farmed - selections on their menu. Definitely worth a visit.
Some of the fussy reviews I saw on Yelp and Tripadvisor (and some of the conversations I overheard while at the cafe) make me wonder if an unfortunate second legacy of the Sideways movie has people coming up to California’s coastal wine country with a rod so far up their…um, “palate”… that they make the experience a whole lot more pretentious than it needs to be. I think these folks are a relatively small percentage but its humorous to watch them as they go. It’s food and wine guys: eat, drink and be happy.
Wednesday
04Jun
Lavanda Restaurant and Wine Bar, Palo Alto, CA
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 05:23PM Excellent spot in Palo Alto for a nice dinner and killer wine menu.
Wednesday
06Feb
Il Chianti in Lomita, CA
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 10:22PM Kathy and I just came back from a restaurant we’ve been meaning to try: Il Chianti in Lomita, CA. Located not far from where we live, Il Chianti is a place that we’ve driven by repeatedly. We thought it was Italian but it’s actually Italian / Japanese fusion and its wonderful. They sport an excellent wine list and a menu that makes you think quite a bit before ordering because there are so many choices.
They have a location in West Tokyo as well. The menu is organized in classic Italian format, but all the descriptions are in kanji - with english translations as a secondary line of text. Beautiful decorations inside.
Tonight we had:
- 2006 Arcano Chianti Colli Senesi organic dry red wine (fabulous)
- Ceasar salad (good)
- Tuna tartare (best part of our meal; this was a huge cake of Tartare, covered in onions and some kind of fish eggs that was served with sliced Italian soft bread pre-moistened with olive oil)
- Onion soup (basically a French Onion soup; this was done very well)
- Midnight Spaghetti (served almost udon style with tons of sauce and noodles/mushrooms floating in it)
And we didn’t even scratch the surface. We’ll need to return to try other things.
Tuesday
29Jan
Fuki Sushi, Palo Alto, CA
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 10:44PM Recommended by my business partner this nondescript little sushi spot off of El Camino Real in south Palo Alto has it going on when it comes to great sushi. If they have it be sure to get the Fire Sake which is salmon sushi lightly seared with a blowtorch yielding a zebra-like striped coloring and a slightly different taste. I plan on returning to this place; these guys know their sushi!
Sunday
28Oct
Blue Fin at the W, Manhattan
Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 10:43PM Excellent seafood if near Times Square in NYC. Ambiance is typical W, and the Sea Bass roll is worth trying out. Check out the Blue Fin online. They have a very extensive (although not cheap) wine list.
Tuesday
23Oct
Sora, Detroit Airport
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 10:51PM I’m not going to write about every Burger King I get stuck at while travelling, but I hadn’t been in the Detroit airport since they renovated it and while I had a couple hours to kill there I decided to try their onsite Japanese restaurant.
I tentatively walked in - my preconception was, “how good can an airport sushi bar be” - but I have to say it was quite respectable. Not an exceptional japanese restaurant like a Nobu or anything but hey, if you’re in Detroit and you like sushi and would like a drink then get rid of the preconception that good sushi doesn’t exist in the midwest and give this place a try. Miso soup was good, as was the sushi and they have a full line of Japanese beverages. What more could a travelling sushi addict ask for?
Tuesday
23Oct
Kyo Ya, San Francsico
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 10:29PM Went there for an important recruiting lunch and was not disappointed. One of the best in San Francisco, Kyo Ya is very traditional and worth a visit.
Tuesday
09Oct
Abigail's, New York
Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 02:47PM Had a business lunch at Abigails - great asian (or, I think, asian-fusion) cuisine. Their Pad Thai was a little veggie-heavy and out of character from what I’m used to, but that could just be due to my ignorance of Thai food in general.
Monday
08Oct
Nobu, New York
Monday, October 8, 2007 at 09:32PM When I was in New York I had to go to one of the most famous Japanese restaurants in North America: Nobu. Try one of their house specialties such as the black cod entree - the sushi is great but their entrees are really special. Had a great sake there as well - although I am less educated in sake it was very smooth and I enjoyed it.