Ohana Hawaiian BBQ

The advertisements of Ohana Hawaiian BBQ in the Nob Hill Shopping Center looks professional and tasty. However, when I ordered food at this place, the result was horrible. I ordered the BBQ Hawaiian Pork that came with the rice and macaroni salad. I also ordered a side order of Spam Musubi. The musubi was good, the sauce was slightly sweet and the saltiness of the spam and seaweed was a good combo. The meal was another story. The texture of the pork was questionable, it was mushy. When I cut the meat with a knife and fork, it was tender, but I wondered if the meat was properly cooked.

There was a brown gravy covering the meat. The gravy was there to hide the taste and texture of the meat. It didn't help or save the meal. I had about one-third of the meal and stopped. Two hours after the meal, my stomach hurt. I did not vomit, but I felt ill. Luckily I felt better after a nap and the food passed through my body. I will never go back. Once is enough for me, especially after my stomach pains and short term illness.

It's Baaaaack!

The former Yo! Philly's Cheesesteak is now called Philly Cheesesteak Express. I wonder if the owner is the same person, but with a different name. Does anyone know?

Alameda Towne Centre Sold to Highest Bidder

Is everyone shocked as much as I am for the amount of money the Germans purchased Alameda Towne Centre for? $181 million dollars. Holy cow! Harsh Investment Properties sold the shopping mall. They must be ecstatic and what a smooth operator. I bet the Germans are not as content when they purchased it in January 2011. Borders and Nine West Shoes are vacant and I didn't even mention the other stores that came and gone. The Germans should know better. You never buy a property in January when tenant vacancy rates are low due to holiday shopping.

The up and coming tenants are small shops, which is great for the community, but bad if they don't have a lot of capital to wait out the weak economy to keep their doors open. Let's hope the Easter Bunny brings prosperity and good fortune to the mall. We still need a rockin' eating place since Pearl's and Zeytini's are not doing it for me. Applebee's is Applebee's, need I say more.

Tuesday Taco Night

The waiting line for tacos at Calafia Tacqueria was long for a Tuesday night. There were plenty of people ordering food and taking it home for dinner. When I finally got to the counter, I ordered a Small Super Quesadilla with carnitas to go. The dish came with guacamole and sour cream for $5.20. The quesadilla tasted good, slightly greasy, and had ample guac and sour cream with a few green leaves and a slice of tomato. The meal was filling. I was satisfied for a $5 meal.

Earth Day

In observance of Earth Day, I decided to ride my bicycle to Washington Park. There were booths, a children's section and one food stand. I am not sure why the City of Alameda only allowed one food vendor to serve a city wide event, but nonetheless, it was only Croll's. The menu was limited with a hot grill in the back cooking hot links, sausages and wieners. I ordered a hot dog for $2.00. The hot dog had grill marks on the wiener, but the dog was barely warm. The bun was cold and I had to wonder how long the wiener sat in a tray waiting for a customer. The popular items were the slices of pizza, but the time I got to the window, pizza was sold out. Many people behind me were upset that they had to wait in line for twenty minutes for nothing.

Inspiration

There is a big wide world out there when it comes to innovative food. Places are popping up in San Francisco and Oakland, and unfortunately Alameda is being left behind in the dust. I am not sure why Alameda restaurants are too conservative. Is this island a dead zone? It is the people who live here or it is because it's the people who come onto the island and order the low level food. I feel at times the demand for the type of food people want in Alameda is "food on a plate". There is no creativity, there is no thought process, people put food in their mouths and chew.

Some may think Angela's is innovative and great food. I don't think their food is creative, but they make food they are comfortable in making and can produce on a consistent basis. Their food is simple and not technically sophisticated. You will notice a rush of customers during the happy hour time for discount deals.

Pappo use to be bad ass and now they have lost their luster. They can make a mean steak, but how difficult it is to grill a steak. I do have to say they make the best french fries on the island. Yummy!

I just remembered that there is one woman in Alameda who makes great, creative food and that person is Mona of Mona's Table. She is probably the most forward thinking chef in this town. Her food is tasty and she gets inspired from various ethnic foods and makes them her own. Her hours are limited, so be aware of the clock when you drive to Fernside.

For some reason Otaez is getting tired or perhaps lazy in their cooking. The last few times I had a meal there, I could not eat a regular entree. I ordered food from the appetizer menu because everything was heavy. Even the deep fried fish, which is usually a crowd pleaser was difficult to eat. The diabla sauce was off and it didn't taste good.

For a low key night with decent pub food, The Hob Nob is always a good place for me. I do enjoy their fish and chips, blue cheese wedge salad and their spaghetti and meatballs. I stay away from the cuban sandwich. When I go to The Hob Nob, it always surprises me to see people playing games in the dark. How are they able to read the board and the cards? With enough alcohol, I don't think anyone is checking for accuracy.

With everything being the same in Alameda, I feel that I get the most inspiration from watching cooking shows, Top Chef Masters or reading food magazines. Surfing the web for recipes also peaks my interest.

My New Default ...

With the New Zealander, Yo! Philly's Cheesesteak, and Everett & Jones Barbecue all closed, I have come to realize that I have a new restaurant that I go to for a quick meal in a pinch or if I am too tired to prepare a meal after work. The food establishment is The Frog and the Fiddle. Since I am a huge fan of BBQ and meat, my usual order is the pulled pork sandwich. The sandwich is fairly priced and the meat is juicy with lots of flavor. The onion rings rule and they are much better than the french fries. I don't eat at the restaurant and take my food home. I want to eat my food in peace.

Mama's Noodle House

In the former Kentucky Fried Chicken space on Webster Street, a new business is coming in...Mama's Noodle House. The colors are bright green and red, but one cannot tell if the noodle house will be Southern style or American. All of us have to wait and stay tuned.