Sunday, August 28, 2011

Double Snap

After finding my love for pizza at the East End Pizza Company in The Marketplace, I decided to buy desserts and bread at the Feel Good Bakery.  I purchased two cupcakes and one baguette.  The price tag once again stung, the total was $10.50.  The size of the cupcakes were smaller than the usual size of the baking pan and a baguette maximum can cost $2.00. So after doing a few calculations in my head, the bakery charged me $4 per cupcake and $2.50 for the baguette.  I can't understand on how the Feel Good Bakery can charge more for bread compared to Acme in the San Francisco Ferry Terminal.  Acme produces far superior products.

For some reason I have to kick myself in the head for getting duped, not only once, but numerous times, for buying desserts at Feel Good.  I guess when I look at the delicious items in the glass shelves, I get hypnotized and buy goodies.  My stomach is temporarily happy, but my pocketbook hurts.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Cafe Jolie Coming Soon

Cafe Jolie on Webster should be opening up for business in the next week or so.  This will be the only French American Bistro and Specialty Coffee Bar.  I can't wait.  The location is 1500 Webster between Santa Clara and Haight.  Alamedans will know it by the former Tillie's space.  It has taken one year to fix the space.
 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Everyone Loves It Doggy Style

Out with the old and in with the new.  The second Cheese steak Sandwich shop from the Yo! Philly spot has gone out of business.  That person was in business for a brief moment of time and got out of the game already.  The new shop that is coming in is Doggy Style.  I am to assume that the shop will be selling gourmet hot dogs and not grooming products or services for canines.  I love hot dogs. 

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Tea Leaf Salad at Burma Superstar

I had a hunger for garlic noodles and went to Burma Superstar on Park Street.  The garlic noodles were okay, but the main highlight of the meal was the Tea Leaf Salad.  The salad had amazing ingredients and flavors.  It was super healthy with various seeds and vegetables.  The dressing was a mound of tea leaves in a wet sauce and lemon juice.  The salad was crunchy to eat and the jalapeno peppers were not hot because the seeds were removed. After the dressing was tossed, the look of the salad looked like grass a cow would eat, not very appealing, but great in taste.

Even though I was on a quest for garlic noodles, the salad was better than I had anticipated and even better than the noodles. 

Monday, August 8, 2011

Best Burger in Town

I have consumed a lot of hamburgers over the decades.  Even though there are many hamburger places in Alameda, a majority of them are palatable and nothing beyond that.  I have been searching for a long time for a simple and delicious hamburger on the island, and I have finally landed on a eating place that serves the best hamburger in town at Scolari's.  Their cheeseburger was juicy and the meat flavor was heavenly.  It's important to be able to taste the meat and not be overwhelmed with toppings, which could hide inferior meat. The bun was able to absorb the meat juices without getting soggy and the sandwich kept intact the entire time I was eating it.  The burger comes with twice fried french fries, all for a total of $9.70.  The meal could feed two people. I would come back to Scolari's in a heartbeat.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Outdoor Dining

There are only a few places where you can dine outside for a meal.  Unfortunately, the summers in the bay area are really hot for a handful of days.  So when the heat wave is on, you must take advantage of the weather. 

Cera Una Volta is a great choice if you are seeking more than just fast food in the little alley way.  You can also people watch while sitting at your table.  Another great feature is that there are heat warmers coming down from the pergola, so it's makes your stay longer and comfortable. 

I wish Tomatina had good food to eat because they have outdoor dining in the back.  The space is quaint and cute, with a great view of the tall trees and old brick wall.

Pappo has an indoor-outdoor vibe along the front of the restaurant.  There is plenty of action going on in this spot due to the theatre and main thoroughfare of Central and Park streets.   The food is good and the dishes are safe.  Outdoor heating lamps also creates an ambiance of positive energy.

Pier 29 has a great marina view of the boats and water. The outdoor seating is at the back of the restaurant and can get breezy when the wind picks up after 3 pm daily.   If you stick to the seafood basics at this restaurant, you will be okay.

If you are short on time or need to study, go to Pauline's Cafe on Park Street and order a quick sandwich and eat in the outdoor garden in the back.  The space is quiet, spacious and you can relax.

I am not sure if 1400 is using the old beer garden that the New Zealander had for outdoor dining?

Speaking of beer garden, Speisekammer has a wonderful outdoor space in the front of the restaurant.  The atmosphere is casual, very relaxed and family friendly.  It relates to the casual German food it serves.