Friday, November 25, 2011

Reflection of Alameda Food Scene

As each year passes, I have to analyze the food scene in Alameda.  I would have to say that not much progress has been made in the last year or so.  The most exciting new food establishment would be Doggy Style with non-traditional hot dogs with Asian fusion ingredients.  Beyond this, the restaurants play it pretty safe and are not very adventurous with ingredients. 

The most stylish restaurant in town is Spice I Am.  The dining room is slick, modern with clean lines.

Again, I have to re-iterate the fact that a stone's throw away in Oakland where all of the action is.  Plum is still red hot with delicious and innovative dishes.  Daniel Patterson pushes the limits on food and creates not so apparent food combinations and makes them work.  The Side Bar by Lake Merritt has wonderful, home style cooking that I love, and Commis Restaurant is a one star Michelin rated establishment.  To me this is insanity! 

Why can't Alamedans embrace great food.  What is wrong with people on this island?  Decent restaurants come and go on this island, but the mediocre and lower priced places are here to stay.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Cannot Resist 2 for 1

I am a sucker!  I went to buy my favorite pizza at East End Pizza Co. and ordered the Cheese Please pizza with pepperoni.  While I waited, I did my usual routine and walked down to Culina to buy a salad for the pizza since East End will not make sides.  I bought a tossed green salad and a roasted beet salad for a small fortune.  I then continued to walk down the aisle and noticed a new sign at the Feel Good Bakery.  There was a 2 for 1 sign for croissants, danishes and muffins.  I was shocked to see it and did a double take.  I then asked the counter person and asked about the 2 for 1 special.  She affirmed that if you buy a baked item, the second item is free.  For this great offer, I could not resist and bought two chocolate croissants.  Yummy!  This is the first time that I did not get robbed from buying treats at the bakery. 

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Fish Tacos

1400 has fish tacos on their menu.  The waiter claimed the tacos were delicious and I decided to go with the recommendation.  The order came with two fish tacos with lots of sliced cabbage and deep fried jalapeno pepper coins.  The fish was grilled and delicate in flavor.  The tacos came with a green sauce on the side and fresh lime wedges.  I am a fan of fresh lime so I squeezed out as much juice as I could.  I then added a few teaspoons of sauce on top.  The tacos looked great, but the taste was uneventful.  The condiments overwhelmed the taste of the fish.  The pepper coins were also overcooked and were hard to chew on.  The light meal did not satisfy my appetite.  I will not order the tacos again.

Luckily for Calafia Taqueria, they have no worries or competition from 1400.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wedge Salad

I love blue cheese crumbles and blue cheese salad dressing.  When I go to The Hob Nob, I am always checking the menu to see if the wedge salad is listed.  This salad has been a bit inconsistent the last few times that I have ordered it.  The portion sizes were at times, huge and monstrous.  Most of the time the wedge was 1/8 or 1/4 of a head of iceberg lettuce. This makes sense since the salad was an appetizer and not an entree.  However the last time I ordered this salad, the portion was one-half of a head of lettuce.  There was plenty of blue cheese crumbles, walnuts and blue cheese dressing on top. I wonder if the restaurant was trying to get rid of the lettuce?  Of course I didn't complain since I got value out of the salad.  Who knows what portion size I will get the next time.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Sweetie Station Cafe on Webster Street

While we are all waiting for Cafe Jolie to open, we can hang out at the Sweetie Station Cafe down the street.  This new place on Webster is somewhat hilarious because the cafe is very girlie.  I am not sure if teen aged boys or men would step foot inside.  The decor is pink, need I say more...

Asian tapioca drinks are quite popular here, but I don't think you can drink many of these in one week due to the high sugar levels. The restaurant also serves savory food items.  The food menu is quick and easy Asian items such as noodles and chicken wings.  I am not sure if the savory food comes out of a frozen bag or do they make the food fresh on demand?   I do know the quick stir frys are done on demand, so this could be the safer way to go when purchasing food here. 

I also recommend taking the food home instead of eating it there.  The ambiance is least to be desired, unless you are hosting a Hello Kitty party.  Meow!