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TOQUE
OF SAN FRANCISCO |
Summer
in The City
June 2006
By Carol and Joe Davis - Dining Detectives |
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The
San Francisco Bay Area has a diverse population and with it
comes Cuisine
from around the world. We had the opportunity recently to dine
at Italian, Asian, Cuban, Indian and French Restaurants as well
as those that feature California Cuisine.
All had the finest in seafood, meats and fresh produce. Dungeness
Crab is a
San Francisco tradition and there had been no better place to
dine
on this delicacy than Spenger’s in Berkeley. |
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Click
on Images for Captions |
Spenger's
We always love to dine at Spenger’s for
fresh seafood. We recently had the opportunity to attend a Special
Event called Crab Psychology 101. It was fitting that the event
take place at Spenger’s since John Spenger
originally founded the restaurant as a Crab Stand in 1890. The
fun focus of our class, which was led by Spenger’s
Executive Chef, Romero Miraflor, was to learn about
Dungeness crab, determine crab-eating habits and to decide whether
we were a “Picker” or a “Piler” and
enjoy a fabulous Crab Feast. We learned that Pickers break up
the crab, detach, or pierce the crab shell with a sharp instrument
and proceed to eat it “bite by bite” with loud exclamations
of joy! A Piler however, scoops out and digs out all the crabmeat
from the shell quietly accumulating a heap of the delicacy to
enjoy silently only after the pile is completed. The whole Dungeness
Crab we feasted on that evening was fantastic! We all were in
agreement that no matter how you eat it that crabmeat is very
flavorful and a sweet and delicate meal.
Spenger’s
Fresh Fish Grotto
1919 Fourth St
Berkeley, Ca 94710
510-845-7777
www.spengers.com
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St
Regis Hotel
We had a terrific time at the Variety Children’s
Charity of Northern California’s. www.Varietync.org festive
Black Tie Event and Auction which was aptly named “Chef’s
Best” at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco.
KGO’s Gene Burns was the celebrity host who introduced
each chef, as they demonstrated how to make each course. We
feasted on a five course dinner prepared by St. Regis Chefs
from around the world. San Francisco’s Executive
Chef John Jackson prepared a fabulous Blue Fin Tuna
Cured Tableside on Himalayan Salt with Foie Gras and Jerusalem
Artichoke Terrine with Long Pepper Spiced Tomato Gelee. The
Phoenician’s Executive Chef Paul Carter
treated us to a delicious Citrus Monkfish, Sauterne and Petit
Vegetable Nage. The Entrée prepared by The St. Regis’
Beijing Executive Chef Marco Mazzei was a fantastic
Grilled American Waygu Beef Filet Mignon with Celeric Truffle
Puree, Sweetbreads, and Porcini Stew. Dessert was a delightful
Blood Orange “Creamsicle” prepared by San Francisco’s
Executive Pastry Chef Bridget Labus. It was
a fabulous Dining Experience. We enjoyed the silent auction
where we won the bid on a signed copy of Anthony Bourdain’s
Les Halles Cookbook.
St
Regis Hotel
125 Third St.
San Francisco, Ca 94103
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3
Blocks off Restaurant (3bo)
In the North Bay we found a new fantastic destination
restaurant called 3 Blocks off (3bo).
The Cuisine is California and the portions are very generous
and the flavors are exquisite, taking advantage of the freshest
ingredients. Chef De Cuisine, Ryan Schroeder
prepared the most outstanding cuisine we had had in quite some
time! We particularly enjoyed the Figs and Cambozola with Grilled
Ciabatta. It was sweet and mild and the flavors of the figs
blended perfectly with the flavor and texture of the creamy
cambozola. The Chilled Pink Gulf Prawn Antipasto Fresco had
fabulous prawns along with pickled green beans, mozzarella cheese
and tiny cherry tomatoes. We decided to have a pasta course
before the entrees and are we glad we did ! The Sweet English
Pea Ravioli with Truffled Gulf Prawns in local sheep’s
milk Silk Cream was outstanding. It had a delicate sweet, almost
lemony flavor and was truly ultra gourmet. We will admit that
one of our dining assistants who hates peas wouldn’t even
have a taste, which worked out fine…as there was more
for us. The entrees are called Big Plates for a good reason.
They are sizeable portions with impressive presentation. Our
favorite was the Brined Pork Chop with Polenta Stuffed Baked
Apple and Ginger Ale Carrots, Port demi-sec. You won’t
find better pork or preparation anywhere. The Butterscotch Brioche
Bread Pudding dessert topped with White Chocolate Lavender Gelato
was fabulous. It was lighter than most and got high marks from
even those who don’t normally like bread pudding. The
Meyer Lemon Custard Cake with brown sugar sauce was served warm
and just melts in your mouth. It had a sweet lemon taste and
not tart at all. 3bo is worth the drive from
anywhere in the Bay Area.
3
Blocks off Restaurant (3bo)
220 Western Avenue
Petaluma, Ca. 94952
707- 778-8211
707-778-8219 Fax
www.3blocksoff.com
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Mantra
Restaurant and Lounge
Palo Alto has a new addition to the dining scene
called Mantra Restaurant and Lounge, which
features California Cuisine with East Indian and French influences.
Executive Chef Robert Ciborowski who was formerly
at The French Laundry makes great use of their
Indian Tandoori Clay oven and Madras spices. We loved the Mantra
Bread Basket. It consisted of fresh made to order spicy minced
lamb filled Naan, Onion Infused Kulcha bread and fresh Paneer
Wheat Parantha. Our favorite starter was the Yellow Fin Tuna
“Ribbons” with soy beans and Yuzu Gelee, fresh Wasabi
and Toasted Orange Oil. The entrée that we highly recommend
is the Prosciutto Wrapped Swordfish with golden pineapple puree
and sautéed tart dried cherries. The flavor of the swordfish
was enhanced by the subtle sauces. For dessert have the Petite
Lemon Tart with Ginger Crème Fraiche, Satsuma Orange
and Cranberry Chutney. It was the perfect finish to an excellent
meal. Mantra is located off University on Emerson and the food,
service and ambience created a delightful evening..
Mantra
Restaurant and Lounge
632 Emerson St.
Palo Alto 94301
650-322-3500
www.MantraPaloAlto.com
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Pizzaiolo
Gourmet Wood Fired Pizza is the hot new cuisine
in Oakland. Pizzaiolo’s Executive Chef-Owner Charlie
Hallowell who came from Alice Water’s
Chez Panisse has created a small, high energy, loft
like restaurant that is highly touted and for good reason. We
loved the Pizzaiolo Rocket, Speck and Parmesan Pizza with its
thin crust and fresh ingredients. The Jerusalem artichoke Soup
with Tuscan Olive Oil was also delicious. If you want pasta
you will be pleased with the Fettuccini with asparagus, cream,
black pepper and Parmesan. This is fun casual dining.
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, Ca. 94609
510-652-4848
www.pizzaiolo.com
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La
Taza de Café
Cuban and Latin American Cuisine are also the
rage in Oakland. Executive Chef “Don” Diego
Escobar brings his talents from Habana to this new
upbeat dining establishment. This is a great place to start
out with a Champagne Mojito made with Cristalino Cava and a
fresh mint twist. We loved the Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo which
is sautéed prawns, garlic, onions, dry sherry lemon butter
sauce. You’ll also enjoy the Chops de Cordero which are
fabulous Grilled lamb chops, dark rum mint reduction served
with horseradish mashed potatoes. No Latin meal is complete
without Platatons. Try the Maduros sweet fried plantains. They
were fantastic. Flan is a perfect finish. La Taza de
Café has it all ….Tapas, Sangria, Live
music, and patio dining. A very festive evening!
La
Taza de Cafe
3909 Grand Ave
Oakland, Ca. 94610
510-658-2373
www.Latazadecafe.com
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Grasing’s
Coastal Cuisine
We always make time to enjoy Grasing’s
Coastal Cuisine when we go to Carmel By The Sea .Here
one can savor the bounty of California’s coast while enjoying
Central Coast wines. Executive Chef- Owner Kurt Grasing
uses fresh local ingredients which makes the difference. We
loved the butter lettuce salad with Blue Cheese, Candied Walnuts
and Marinated Peas. The Mushroom Ravioli with Saffron Sauce
was excellent. Save room for the Warm Apple Bread Pudding with
Crème Fraiche, Ice cream and Strawberries! Next time
we’ll have to try his other restaurant Kurt’s Carmel
Chop House
www.carmelchophouse.com
which features Steaks and Chops.
Grasing’s
Coastal Cuisine
6th & Mission St
Carmel, Ca. 93921
831-624-6562
www.grasings.com
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Michael
Mina Bellagio- Las Vegas
For a true elegant dining experience nothing
quite compares to a Michael Mina restaurant.
On a recent trip to Las Vegas we couldn’t help ourselves
and dined at Michael Mina Bellagio. It is known
for innovative seafood, fabulous meats and small dishes with
incredible tastes. The Signature Trios are an excellent way
to taste seafood or meat prepared three ways. Our First Course
was fantastic. It was the Crab Stuffed Prawns with Chilled Soups.
The three different preparations which consisted of Asparagus
Vichyssoise, Tarragon Lemon, Carrot-Ginger Orange Coriander
and Tomato Gazpacho, Avocado, Chile Lime were equally delicious.
The incredible Entrée Trio was Olive Oil Poached Rack
of Lamb- Tortellini. All three preparations which included Watercress,
zucchini, white anchovy, Basil, pine nut, garlic and Nicoise
olive, parsley, pearl onion were fabulous tastes. Heather
Debor, the Pastry Chef, sent out a Sampling of Michael
Mina Signature Desserts. Our favorite was the Chocolate Dessert
which was the Gianduja Semifreddo, praline crunch caramel Mousse.
It was awesome. The Panna Cotta was excellent. It was made with
coconut, mango and passion fruit. The Old Fashion Root Beer
Float had Sassafras Ice Cream, root beer sorbet and came with
warm chocolate chip pecan cookies. It reminded us fondly of
our misspent youth. Michael Mina restaurants are now in other
cities as well, including one in San Francisco.
Michael
Mina Bellagio- Las Vegas
3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
702-693-8199
www.michaelmina.net
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Mon
Ami Gabi
Another great restaurant in Las Vegas is Mon
Ami Gabi which is in the Paris Hotel.
We had a terrific time at this high energy French Bistro. They
have all types of casual French cuisine but our favorite is
the Steak Frites. For dessert save room for the crepes. Wine,
Steak, Las Vegas… a great concept.
Mon
Ami Gabi
The Paris Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada
702-944-GABI
www.leye.com
Until
we eat again….
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Other
Great Toques by the Writers:
Summer
in The City
Springtime
in San Francisco
Years
End
Where
to Dine in this Great City
More
Where to Dine in San Francisco
Dining
Dectives
It
has been a “better” year...for the San Francisco
Dining Scene.
Le
Colonial is certainly the place to "see and be seen.
San
Francisco Grand Opening Gala The Onmi Hotel
The
Dynamic San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant Scene
Until
we eat again…
Joe@DiningDetectives.com
Carol@DiningDetectives.com
See
our reviews on the web….
www.DiningDetectives.com
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