Kai's Restaurant

One Friday night I had a craving for sushi and Japanese food. I knew Yume was a long waiting list and Kamakura was the same. I was too lazy to drive over to Angelfish on Bay Farm and so I decided to eat at Kai's Restaurant on Park Street. I heard several positive opinions of Kai's food, so I wasn't worried about going in.


The interiors were pleasant inside with colorful kimonos and mounted Japanese paper in frames. The floor was a nice tile or stone floor with various colors of gold, black and browns. Once you get over the cafeteria style seating, the dining room is a casual and comfortable area. It was interesting staring at the black tile wall at the back, since it was checkered with gloss and matte tiles.


The drinks ordered for the table was hot green tea and cold sake. The woman who served us was the owner of the restaurant. Unfortunately, she was not knowledgeable about the sake selection and asked if we wanted hot or cold sake. She failed to ask if we wanted sweet or dry, and milky or clear. The group didn't know what sake to order and left it to the owner where she brought out a milky white, cold, unfiltered sake. It was a sweet sake and did not sit well with me. I am not a fan of milky sake to begin with, but did not want to spoil other people's enjoyment of the beverage.


Food wise, my group wanted to order sushi, but there was none to be found on the menu. The food selection was varied, but the menu didn't have sushi or sashimi. It appeared the kitchen specialized in making rolls and teriyaki. In the end, the food that was ordered for the table was age dashi, karaage, deep fried soft shell crab and two rolls. The first dish that came out from the kitchen was age dashi with the sauce. The sauce was very light and slight in flavor. The age dashi didn't have the traditional bonito flakes on the tofu and was not served in the sauce, the sauce was on the side. The age dashi was fine, the tofu cubes were fluffy and light, unusual for this dish, but a welcomed surprise. The deep fried crab soft shell crab was brought to the table as whole pieces. It was a bit difficult to eat because the first bite was the legs which somewhat freaks me out. The taste of the crab was good and the sauce was mayonnaise, sesame oil and soy sauce. The karaage and the two rolls came out to the table last. Everyone was shocked to see the amount of sauce on the rolls. One of the rolls was unagi on top with fake crab in the middle with avocado. The roll was difficult to manage because the unagi kept on falling off when you picked up a slice. The sauce on the unagi was too sweet and thick in viscosity. The chicken karaage tasted good at first when the meat was hot, but after it cooled down, there was a strong taste of oil and not so much of chicken. The chicken was palatable to eat, but it was a boring dish. This was the only dish that did not have a sauce. The other roll was full of raw fish of hamachi, salmon and maguro that sat in a heavy mayonnaise and soy sauce mixture. The smell of the roll of the raw fish did not smell fresh. I first questioned the smell because it was a strong odor which isn't a good sign for fresh fish. Each bite I took from the roll, I could smell the fish. I then thought to myself and hoped that I was not going to get sick from poorly handled uncooked seafood. After two pieces, I stopped. I could not eat any more food even though I was still hungry. Just looking at the table and the food, it was not appetizing and so I put my chopsticks down and was done for the night.

If you are seeking fresh, raw seafood and sashimi, do not come to Kai's. If you are hungry for teriyaki and rolls, than the food is mediocre. I would not recommend this restaurant, but the owners are very nice and genuine, their personalities make up the deficiencies in the food.

Feel Good Bakery...Not So Good for Wallet

It was a warm and sunny Saturday around Alameda. I felt festive and excited since Spring is here and the long days are coming. While driving around town, I decided to make a quick detour to the Marketplace on Park Street. Inside, I noticed the fresh seafood counter, Pucci was gone and asked where they relocated. I was informed by the owner of Pappo and owner of Culina that Pucci moved inside the Encinal Market.

I then walked around the different food counters and glazed over the tempting desserts at Feel Good Bakery. I am extremely familiar with their products and have been a customer over the years since they first opened. Out of hunger or a need for a decadent dessert for that evening, I decided to buy two strawberry tarts, one plain croissant and one chocolate croissant. When the cashier gave me the grand total for my four items, I was in total shock. I first thought the cashier made a mistake and then inquired about the breakdown of the food items. The cute, adorable little strawberry tart which was a two-bite dessert at most, was $5. For $5, I could have purchased one container of strawberries and the ready to make custard for four for the same price. The plain croissant was $2.50 and the chocolate one was $3. Paying $15.50 before taxes for two tarts and two croissants I thought was a bit steep considering the quantity and size of the goods. Nonetheless, I still paid for the desserts, took them home and ate them.

The croissants were tasty and flaky. I slightly warmed them in the toaster oven before serving. I am a believer that croissants should be consumed fresh and warm. When I took my first bite of the strawberry tart, I savored the flavors in my mouth. The custard was creamy with a consistent texture and the berries were sweet and flavorful. The tart was overall a very tasty treat. I would buy the tart again in a heart beat if the size of the tart is larger or less in price.

Vietnamese

Within the last decade, Vietnamese food has certainly increased in popularity in the Bay Area. One great example of the explosive demand for Vietnamese food is the Slanted Door in San Francisco. The restaurant was originally located in the Mission District. The food was delicious, fresh and creative. The restaurant then became a huge success and the owners decided to move out of the Mission and eventually settled at the Embarcadero, Ferry Building. Even though the restaurant has been located in the Ferry Terminal for a few years now, there is still a long waiting list to get a table.

Alameda has three Vietnamese Restaurants: The Mint Leaf, Dragon Rouge and the new restaurant that took over Cafe Le's space. The three restaurants all have different vibes about them. The Mint Leaf is clean, simple and organic. Dragon Rouge is colorful, sophisticated and edgy. And lastly, Tu Tai 2 is the new kid on the block.

I've had only pleasant experiences at The Mint Leaf. The room is zen-like with the etched glass of bamboo shoots and leaves. The colors of green and brown are relaxing and reminds me of a "green" space or a spa. This is the only nice space in the Marina Village that feels relaxing. The other restaurants in the shopping center feel more like a cafeteria. The food is delicious and comes with varying degrees of hot sauces. The red, hot sauce was much too spicy for me to enjoy. I was perspiring from tasting the heat of the sauce. Pho soups were large in size and had plenty of noodles, bean sprouts and fresh basil to consume. The broth of the soup was tasty and had great flavor components. The meat dishes were also delicious. I was happy to see that the meat was perfectly cooked and tender. Plus, the vinegar sauce for the meats and rice adds extra flavor and dimension to the dish. Overall, I would recommend this establishment. The prices are not expensive and the service is knowledgeable about the menu. The food portions are generous and you get your money's worth.

Dragon Rouge serves good food and the prices reflect it. I love Bo Luc Lac which is tender cubes of beef quickly stir fryed with vegetables. The meat was flavorful and juicy. The onions and other vegetables were cooked perfectly, al dente. I was amazed how fast the food was prepared, it was less than five minutes to cook one entree. Wow! The interiors of the space is modern with Asian themes, however, someone could mistake it for a bordello type of restaurant with all of the red interiors. I am content with the food, but the prices are a tad high for what you get. I ordered one entree and one side order of steamed rice with no alcohol or drinks. The bill was over $18 which did not include tip. The prices for lunch items seem less expensive and appears to be better deals than the dinner menu. I recommend this restaurant, however, keep tabs on the spending.

A new Vietnamese restaurant in town has taken over Cafe Le's old space. I wonder what the new owner has in store since the previous owner could not make the restaurant profitable. I guess time will tell. I see a grand opening sign in front of the building. The last time I commented on this space was when the painters were changing the color in front of the building. Tu Tai 2 is the new restaurant. The interiors are lighter and brighter to improve the darkness of the room. There are no windows in the space. The new owner has decored the dining room with lots of large fountains of Asian styled Buddha statues and bonsai trees. I noticed the prices of their dishes were less expensive than Dragon Rouge. The menu is quite large with lots of options. I hope they can make a success with the restaurant. The time I tasted their food, it was simple and basic. The food was fine and nothing sexy to report. It was tame, watered down Vietnamese food. I will try other dishes to check out their cooking style.

Croll's Pizza

Saturday was Earth Day in Alameda. The City hosted a nice event at Washington Park that was full of families, older folks and people interested in preserving our planet. I was happy to see a decent attendance at the event and I am hoping everyone walked away with helpful information about recycling, mulching and recognizing our planet's limited resources.

At the event, there was only one food stand. It was a typical carnival food menu with hot dogs, sodas, nachos, grilled sausages and pizza. The pizza came from Croll's Pizza. The sign did not designate who cooked the other food items, I guess those items were heated via microwave behind the counter. I ordered a slice of Pepperoni pizza. The slice was extremely hot when I got my food. I always look at the pepperoni when I order pizza because I prefer my pizza to be well done and see the edges of the pepperoni to be slightly curled and a darker color around the edges. I think pepperoni has more flavor if baked well done. The slice I bought had the curled edges of the pepperoni and the meat was flavorful which was a positive sign that Croll's didn't cheap out on the meat. The slice however, did not have enough cheese on the pizza for me. Instead, a greasy layer of red and orange oil came off of the slice. The pizza was palatable, but I am not sure I would pay for a whole pizza.

No More Philly Cheesesteaks

From time to time, I crave a hot beef sandwich with grilled onions, peppers and cheese. When I hear the words Philly Cheesesteak, my ears perk up. I envision a beautiful sandwich full of thinly sliced juicy beef with lots of melted cheese on top inside of a fresh bun. I would be drooling like Homer Simpson over a masterpiece.


Alameda has two places that make Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Philly's Cheesesteak and More at Fernside Shopping Mall and McGee's Bar and Grill on Park Street. After consuming cheesesteak sandwiches at both establishments, I will not order them again. This town doesn't serve a proper cheesesteak sandwich.


Philly's Cheesesteak and More specialize in making cheesesteak sandwiches, it's in the title of their business name. Unfortunately, the end result lacks flavor and quantity of meat. When I ordered my meal deal of a cheesesteak sandwich with grilled onions, sweet peppers and grilled bell peppers, with curly fries and a soda, I was looking forward to eating it. When the plate came to my table, the bun glistened with grease and took away from the presentation of the melted cheese and grilled peppers. Of course at this moment, I thought to myself that consuming this sandwich was unhealthy, but my hunger was stronger than my common sense. The meal deal was a disappointment, both the sandwich and the curly fries lacked flavor. I had more flavor from the root beer soda I was drinking. The reason why the sandwich lacked flavor because there wasn't enough meat in the sandwich. The cook put more grilled vegetables in the sandwich and drowned out the meat flavor. The fries also did not have enough spices on them to add any dimension to the meal. The fries were boring and the ketchup didn't help. I chose the curly fries because the cashier told me the curly fries tasted better than the steak fries. I will make it easier on myself and my heart, to not eat at this establishment anymore.



At McGee's Bar and Grill, when I tried the Philly Cheese steak sandwich, the meat was supposed to be thinly sliced beef, it turned out to be loose ground beef. The meat combined with the cheese, grilled onions and green bell peppers tasted good, but the meat should have been sliced beef. I should have returned the sandwich, but I didn't. When it's game day at McGee's, the atmosphere at the bar is contagious where you want to cheer with the crowd and be a part of the camaraderie. Food sometimes takes second fiddle while you hang out with the buddies, eat deep fried foods and drink beers. I would recommend eating the hamburgers and stay away from the Philly Cheesesteak. McGee's knows how to do hamburgers.


I will have to travel to Philly to eat a decent cheesesteak sandwich because it won't be coming from Alameda.

Burmese

I am happy that I returned to the Burmese Super Star Restaurant on Park Street. The first time I went there, the food was palatable, but not memorable. A short time later, a new owner than purchased the restaurant and luckily he already owned the first Burmese Super Star in San Francisco.

The interiors of the restaurant was basically the same when the current owner purchased the establishment. The food now is much better in flavors and sauces. The service is quick and the food comes out of the kitchen like a bullet, perhaps too quick for me. The menu is extensive and there are plenty of delicious dishes to pick from. I chose three dishes of chicken basil, garlic noodles and eggplant and garlic. The chicken basil was good and the vegetables were fresh, but it was a dish I had eaten in a Thai or Chinese restaurant. There wasn't any distinction in the flavor profiles that screamed Burmese. The garlic noodles was alright, not great. I had better at The House Restaurant in San Francisco. The problem with the noodles was that is lacked moisture. The sauce was on the side and had some heat to it, so I spooned it sparingly. I felt the sauce was too hot for me to pour generously over the noodles, and that is why I ate them dry. The garlic smell of the noodles was strong when the dish arrived at the table, but it subsided after you began eating the dish. The eggplant was the best dish out of the three. The eggplant was fresh and the chili sauce was delicious. The texture of the eggplant was tender where one could easily cut it with a fork.

I have been here a few times on the weekends. The place is completely packed and the waiting line is long, so I recommend having a reservation or come early for dinner. Alternatively, weekday nights will have open tables, but don't come here on a Monday, the restaurant is closed.

Extra Helpings of BBQ

One night I was too tired to heat the grill and cook dinner. I opened the refrigerator about six times trying to decide what to make or how to concoct a meal that was quick. With all of the fuss wasted on making a decision, it was easier to buy food instead. The choice was barbecue from from Everett and Jones on Webster Street. I ordered three small plates to get a wide variety of food without over eating. The food selections were barbecue chicken, ribs and pulled pork with medium heat sauce. The sides were corn bread, brown beans and macaroni and cheese.

The barbecue sauce was the same for all of the meats. It was tasty with a little bit of heat and a smokey essence to it. As for the main entrees, the barbecue chicken was moist and tender, it was the best meat out of the three. The ribs were also good, but a bit overcooked. The edges of the meat were dry and crunchy in texture. The flavor of the ribs were tasty and satisfying and easy to release from the bone. The pulled pork meat had problems. The meat was extremely overcooked and dry. Secondly, pulled pork is either pulled away from the bone by manual labor or by using a fork. The meat in this case was cut away from the rib with a knife and roughly sliced. I do not recommend the pulled pork due to the dryness of the meat. The sauce helped in giving moisture to the meat, but the meat was tough. Hands down, Chef Edwards in Oakland doesn't have anything to be concerned with his Piggly Wiggly Sandwich; there is no competition here. His pulled pork sandwiches are what dreams are made of.

The sides can compliment a meal if you choose them wisely. The brown beans were delicious, smokey in flavor with a slight sweetness to them without being too thick or runny. The corn bread was dry and crumbled easily. There wasn't a lot of moisture in the corn bread which was probably why it crumbled into thousands of little crumbs. The macaroni and cheese was sad. The cheese flavor was bland, the look of the dish was uninspiring and it was a weak side. It would have been a safer bet to choose corn on the cob instead.

The Webster Street location is better than their small kitchen inside Scobies Bar and Grill. I know I will come here again, but choose different sides and taste other meat options. I do like my extra helpings of barbecue.