Musings by the Hairslave

What a fabulous day!  This was the kind of day that reminds me of why we live in the city.  We pretty much lived the yuppy dream .

It’s not very often that Pete and I would try to go to midtown for dinner on a Saturday, much less a second Saturday.  The parking, the crowded restaurants; we never usually think to make a reservation.  But this night was different.  We had two gallery openings to attend during the 2nd Saturday art walk. The first stop was at the Urban Hive.  This was an exhibit of work by teachers, including our neighbor, and friend, Linda Clark Johnson.

Her work for this show consisted of some rather colorful and witty collages. They were each a study for a larger piece she created in watercolor.

The gallery itself is an interesting, light filled cooperative.  They bill themselves as the “un-office”.  Studios and a “cafe style” work place are what they offer. It’s a perfect gallery space, whatever the purpose.

We then headed over to the E Street Gallery and Studios, to not only view the wonderful ceramics by our very good friend, and colleague, Deborah Pittman. But unbeknownst to me, a Clarinet (Deborah Pittman) and Violin/Viola (Randy Fisher) duet.  The gallery was small, and the temperature a little on the warm side, but Deborah and Randy are so talented, that we stayed for a number of pieces.  The work of the show itself was exquisite, of course!  That’s why Deborah is my only artist in residence at Cobalt Salon & Gallery!

For dinner, Pete had taken at stab at finding a restaurant that we hadn’t been to many, many, many times before. Pete managed to do a great job, and acquire a reservation on one of the busiest nights of the month!  He succeeded beautifully!  We had read about The Lounge on 20 in several publications, and since they had a table open at the perfect time, he grabbed it.

What a great find!  The food is good enough, our drinks were perfect, and the people watching was the highlight of my week.  The Lounge on 20 is at the corner of K St., and 20th, of course, which sites it perfectly to watch the blocked off 20th street.  Wow.  I had no idea Midtown Sacramento had become such a hot spot!  I’m not joking, it was pretty crowded, in a laid back, dare I say, mature way.  It reminded me of a waaaay less fashionable version of the promenade in Italy.  With People walking their dogs and children, while rubbing elbows with artists, neighbors, and gays (did I mention this is the epicenter of Lavender Heights?).  It was a Sacramento I haven’t seen in my 18 years here. I’ve said it before, and I don’t mind saying it again, don’t call this a cowtown.

The weather was on the warm side when we arrived, but in true Delta fashion, the evening breeze kicked in, and with our drinks in hand, we were feeling pretty fine. After consulting with the waitress, Pete ordered a Ginger Spice. He’s a sucker for anything with ginger, and a cocktail is no exception.  I ordered an especially tasty sounding drink, tequila, grapefruit juice, and sparkling wine, who’s name I’ve unfortunately forgotten.  It was so good I’ll be going back to find out what it was!

Now, I don’t generally like things with ginger.  Oh, gingersnaps are good, as is a little ginger bread, and ginger ale if I’m not feeling well, but overall, no.  Pete, on the other hand, is a sucker for anything with ginger.  That is usually OK for him, but often ginger can really screw up a good idea.  This time it was a bullseye. The sweet and sour combination of ginger liqueur, gin, and lemon juice was a perfect warm evening drink.  His second drink, however, was in a highball glass filled with ice.  We can’t remember the name of that one, but Pete says it wasn’t good, too strawberry-y, or something.

We spent quite a lot of time looking over the menu.  What with the lazy heat, the wonderful drinks, and the interesting people strolling by below us, we were happy to linger.  In fact, sitting having drinks here would be perfect any day of the week.

We both decided to go with the $25 fixed price dinner.  Pete and I both chose, and were very impressed by, the beet salad to start.  The meal comes with three courses.  Soup or salad, entree, and a sampler dessert.  It seemed like a fair deal to us.  We both enjoyed the beet salad.  It had a generous serving of beet, cut thin and arranged with an accompaniment of spicy greens, lightly dressed. Perfect on a warm summer evening.  Pete chose the chicken for his entree, and I chose the salmon.  The meats were both terrific.  My salmon was cooked very nicely, and the fish was fresh and sweet.  I liked the way it was cooked.  As a friend of Pete’s said recently, “You can tell a good cook by his salmon.”  It goes from undercooked to overcooked in about one minute.  This salmon was just the way I like it. Pete’s chicken was tasty and nicely prepared.

The veggies were another story.  Mine were kind of strange, ranging from capers, which I love, what I assumed to be vine ripened cherry tomatoes (so far, so good), and then it went a little strange, random olives, overcooked peppers, and a little too freely splashed with oil.  It was good, but strange.

Pete liked his green beans, but he said they were a little overcooked.  A shame for green beans in Sacramento this time of year.  I’m happy with them raw!

The dessert is a charming representation.  You get to chose two from the regular menu, and they come in a sample size.  That gave us four options. Pete ordered Crunchy Hazelnut Chocolate, and the Raspberry Bavaroise, and I ordered Espresso Creme Brule, and a white Chocolate Delice.  Mine were very good, Pete’s were OK.

Between food and drinks, we spent over $85.  A little higher than we’d normally go for a dinner out, but this seemed like a special night.  We decided we’d definitely be back on a more boring Friday or Saturday to see how we feel without the crowds.  This is what the K Street development needs to strive for, reasons, both epicurial and entertaining, as well as spontaneous to attract the crowds.  Overblown redevelopment plans will only work if the buzz spreads.

I’d also like to point out that The Lounge on 2o would be a fabulous place to hang with friends, but one way or the other, I’ve seen the future of Sacramento, and it’s pretty damn cool.

I’ve written about some of my favorite products in the past.  So I thought maybe I’d focus a bit with some of my favorite TIGI products.

Our best selling TIGI product just happens to be one of the products I use pretty much every day in the salon.  In the Bedhead line, Afterparty is one of the best finishing creams I’ve worked with.  It’s a light, and slightly opalescent cream.  A very small amount, worked through dry (or damp) hair to finish, creates a shiny, smooth, and moveable head of hair!

Switching to the CATWALK line, I next recommend Root Boost.  It’s a surprisingly light feeling foam, with a delivery system that puts the product right where you need it.  The roots!  Hence the name.  Spray the product freely at your roots, comb through to the ends, and style with a round brush.  You will be well pleased by the lift, volume, and light hold.  Finish with Masterpiece hairspray from the Bedhead line for a super hold and maximum shine.  This spray is also perfect for finished styles and up-do’s; giving a brilliant polish to the finished look that is fabulous under lights and in photos.

Going back to the original Bedhead product, I can’t recommend, highly enough, the Bedhead stick.  This take no prisoners wax stick is perfect for maximum hold (think spiky do’s and mohawks), and rock and roll shine.  Applied to dry hair like you’d use a glue stick, this product stays pliable, which is great for an always perfect disheveled look.

Without a doubt, the best complete Beadhead line that I push, is the Superstar line.  With a really nice shampoo and conditioner, my best selling spray conditioner (never ways down even the finest of hair), a spray thickener, Queen For a Day, and the best blow dry thickening lotion on the market.  These products leave the hair in a very nice condition, and never weigh the hair down.  Even hair the texture of fine silk.

In addition to all of these terrific products, I’ll give a nod to the Dumb Blonde shampoo and conditioner.  Great for dry, over-processed, bleached, and highlighted hair.

I’m continually impressed by this product line, by the way.  Whenever I’ve decided to take a chance on one of their products, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find they really work.  Take the word of a busy stylist who doesn’t have the time most days to re-wash and style a clients hair when I have a product failure!

And one more point I’d like to make.  Yes, those products you see in the store are probably the same price as mine, they probably aren’t bad, or dangerous.  But remember, the products I sell contribute to the ambiance of Cobalt Salon & Gallery.  My renters pay the rent.  I live off of my wages, and product sales go to upkeep.  So if you’re going to spend your hard earned money, ask my opinion to get the correct product, buy it from me for the same price, and be sure that you get the best haircare, in beautiful, and well maintained surroundings.

“My job is to make hair fantasies into hair styles.”   -David Martin

Ah, Kauai.  My happy place.  These are things that Pete and I will do when we are there in June; so take that for what it’s worth.  We’re also going to spend a lot amazing amount of time sleeping and reading, that’s one of the main reasons I keep pushing to go back.  Lot’s and lot’s of napping, by the pool, on the beach, in the condo. It’s so freakin’ relaxing.  I think it’s the scents in the air.  Pete always says, “No, No” the whole time I’m planning a trip to Kauai, and then he thanks me when we get there.

This is the first in a series.(Screw that, way too much work while I’m in the islands)  I actually started it as an email to a friend of mine as recommendations on what to do while on Kauai. She will be there three weeks before Pete and I!  While I was proof reading, however, I realized it was a great pre-amble to the posts I plan from our trip!

So, our favorite place to eat in all Kauai is the sunset seating at The Beach House Restaurant.

This is the best picture I could find (can't get to mine on crashed computer), this doesn't do it justice.

Make sure and bring a camera, the staff is very helpful with sundown photos in front of the beach!  The food has always been fabulous.  Pete and I usually stay at the Prince Kuhio Resort condos when we’re in Kauai.  It’s right across the street, and we make our way to the bar every evening for dessert and a night cap!  The Prince Kuhio resorts are a real bargain.  We pay around $800.00 for a week for a studio apartment.

Brennecke’s Restaurant and Bar, right across from Poi Pu state beach park has a good view while you have your meal.  This is probably the second most popular beach on the island, so don’t try for lunch right at noon. Their drinks are really good, even the virgin ones.  Happy hour starts at 4:30.  The only reason we’re not there every evening is because it’s too far to walk!

Duke’s is always safe, and makes us feel a little touristy, in a quaint Hawaiian sort of way.  It’s in Lihue at the Kauai Marriot Resort, and not only is the food reliable, but it has a stunning ocean view.  I’m not necesarilly recommending the Marriot.  I’ve never stayed there, and it might be quite nice, but the location is probably the worst on the island.  Unless you like being near the airport, and business district.  Kioki’s Paradise Restaurant in the Poipu Shopping village is similar to dukes (because it’s owned by the same company), and very “Disney does Hawaii”, the shopping is OK, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually purchased anything here.  The galleries are nice, and Pete lusts after a hot dog at Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs every time we are here.  The hamburger joint here is good as well.

The Oasis Bar and Grill Point at the Sheraton Kauai is one of my favorite spot’s anywhere.

David's happy place, the Oasis Bar and Grill, Sheraton Resort, Poipu, Kauai.

You can sit outside a few yards from the beach and have a pretty decent lunch (well, it turns out they’re not open for lunch for some reason now, but the happy hour is worth the trip!), or even just a cool drink judging by my photo! Just find the swimming pools, and then take the beach path out to the point to your right as you’re looking at the beach.  I believe two currents meet here.  It’s a rugged sort of beach with a very exuberant surf!  This is my happy place when I meditate.  I actually “fell asleep” here while reading the second time we were on Kauai.  I don’t think you can pass out after one drink, right?

We’ve been to all of these beaches.  They’re all very nice.  Ke’e is my second favorite beach after tunnels, but Mahaulepu beach is worth the trek, the beach is one of the prettiest on the island, lots of shade, very sheltered swimming cove, and a great walk up the bluffs, the snorkeling’s not great, but it is worth the effort.

Ke’e beach is the one at the very end of the road to the North side of the island.  It’s where they filmed the harbor scenes in South Pacific.  Somewhere nearby, right across the road from the entrance I believe, is the native gardens. Pete thought the stroll was absolutely nothing, I thought it was a little hot, but it was definitely strolling, not climbing!  This is where the Napali coast starts, so when you’re in the water, and you look down the beach, that’s pretty much people free!  That’s where the Napali trail hike begins, it’s not a stroll, I don’t recommend it unless you are at least a moderate level hiker.  It is considered one of the hardest hikes in the US.  Though we’ve never done it, I hear it’s spectacular if you make the trek.

When you travel through Hanalei, and you will since it’s on your way to the North side of the island, time your trip to stop for lunch at the Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant.  It’s right across the bridge, I’m pretty sure it’s the first thing on the right when you enter town traveling west to east (and north).  If the weather is right, you should sit on the deck.  From the deck you will see people kayaking past on the river.  The last time we were there, there was a gallery connected to the restaurant that Pete and I enjoyed perusing.

Practically every town in Kauai is cute, and worth stopping in for a short time, with the exception of the Princeville area, just kinda normal high end modern resort town, and Lihue, which is sort of like Vacaville. Hanapepe Town, which is really easy to miss, Old Koloa Town, and Hanalei Town (of Puff The Magic Dragon fame) are the ones you should plan to stop and spend a few hours in.  Hanapepe for instance is an artists colony.  A quite funky one, I’m not sure how many times we’ve stopped here, but we have always found interesting shops, don’t let the run down appearance put you off.  Old Kaloa has a couple of good restaurants, a Lapperts Ice Cream shop, which we go to every day, and my very favorite shop on the island, the Island Soap and Candleworks.  I’ll be featuring there products at the salon when we return!

Though I do recommend you drive west to Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park, which is where you end up at the end of the canyon road, there’s not much to see in general on the west side of the island.  A client of mine loves the beaches all the way to the end of the road (past the base) on the west side, but Pete and I didn’t think it worth the effort.  Not much shade, not very safe swimming, and quite a long drive on rutted roads near the end.

Kokee State Park has the best view on the Island, if you’re there before the fog/cloud cover moves in!  I’m such a late starter that Pete and I have never seen it!  And Waimea Canyon really does resemble a miniature Grand Canyon. Most of the towns and views in this area are pretty pedestrian.  None are dangerous, just boring.

If you decide to snorkel, start at Poipu State Beach.  It’s simple to get in, it’s not deep most places, it’s very protected, and there are lifeguards.  Honestly, I snorkel about 4 hours a day. It’s the easiest sport in the world, it’s easier than swimming.  Just learn to breath through the tube normally, make sure to go to Snorkel Bobs and get the premium package, they will fit you quickly, explain how to use the lens goo (you’ll fog up without it), and tell you the good beaches for that day.  You can bring the equipment back if you don’t like it, but the best mask you can afford is absolutely essential.  Breathing is something we like to do water free. Especially salt water free.  But if you stay calm, and float gently (you don’t want to scare stuff away by Swimming) you will see a whole new world.  If you don’t forget your sunscreen for your back and legs, you will have the best day of your life after you see your first Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (that’s Reef Trigger Fish for non-natives).  The stingrays, eels, coral, octopi, pipefish, puffer fish, sea turtles, crab, parrot fish, etc. are just bonus after that!

If you’d like to see sea turtles, they are always at Tunnels beach (and as we found recently, they are also at Ke’e, Lawai, and along the point at my happy place!).  Tunnels is a beach that is rather hard to find, ask for extremely detailed instructions at Snorkel Bob’s (or somebody that likes to snorkel there), it is before Ke’e beach, off the highway, or at the parking lot near the caves.  If you get in at the eastern beach area, near the parking, you can swim west along the beach line (out near the rocky area, the tide will be very gentle if you’ve been told it’s safe and you stay within the reef.  I’ve seen Turtles every single time I’m there. But this is not a good beach to learn on, you have to go out a ways where it’s calmer, by the reef about 10 yards out, so you want to be comfortable with the feel of swimming in the ocean.  As long as you stay near other snorkelers you should be fine.  I’ve never experienced a rip tide here.  Ask a lifeguard to explain how to deal with a riptide, knowing how easy it is to escape, I didn’t worry about being out there after the first few minutes.

If you insist on doing a Luau, I think they’re all cheesy, but here’s a little advice if you haven’t made plans already.  If your resort doesn’t have a good one, you can try the Sheraton, they have a beach side Luau, the one we did at a Plantation near Lihue was fine, it’s called Gaylord’s.

Don’t forget to stop and see the Spouting Horn, and the open air market right near it, at the western side of Poipu.  We get a lot of inexpensive gifts for friends and relatives at the market.

Here’s a fabulous website about Kauai, it’s where most of the above links derived.  www.gohawaii.com. Have fun and let us know if you have something we shouldn’t miss!

Mahalo!

Ok, actually, the best vacation ever is two weeks in a condo on the island of Kauai.  But this trip is definitely tied with my “happy place” trips to Hawaii.  The advantage to this one is the fun car we could drive to our destination in.  We took the back roads to Glen Ellen for three-yes I will say it-Fabulous days!

We stopped in Glen Ellen in April.  We hadn’t been in a few years, and it had matured a bit.  With several nice restaurants, art galleries, a hotel and hamburger joint, several nice bars, and some lovely scenery.  As well as two stores: a convenience store (which we used twice…tums and toothpaste, we’re old, at least it’s not dentucream or geritol yet…), and a gourmet grocery store that Pete compared to a cross between Trader Joe’s and The Sacramento Foods Co-Op.  We instantly decided to come back for a longer visit.  And that’s what we did!  Friday after Thanksgiving, until Sunday evening…

We’ve been to Napa, Callistoga, and Yountville plenty of times before. I mean really, who hasn’t by our age.  This trip was different.  Much of that was due to the charming, and comfortable cottages, attached to our favorite restaurant and bar!  We’ve been to Calistoga at least 5 times.  As a matter of fact, we had our honeymoon there 16 years ago, before we could even legally marry.  We definitely relax better there than anywhere.  We’re noodles by the end of the week thanks to mud baths, and hot tubs.  But it’s not very “fun”.  Romantic, yes.  Relaxing, yes.  Fun, in a relaxed, romantic kind of way, yes, But just fun, no.

This trip was fun.  We had two nights in the cute little town, and we got to stay in the “Secret Cottages” in back of the martini bar! O. M. G.  I mean come on, how often do you get to try to drink the menu (36, we managed about a half, we think, and that included the first time we were there in April, so really we only managed about a third, but, you know, we didn’t really keep count, ahem….), anyhow.

That’s still a lot of drinks, and we got to walk back to our fabulous cabin.  By cabin of course I mean luxury suite.  It had everything you could want.  A gas fireplace, large TV, whirlpool tub, steam shower, and perhaps most shocking of all, a very well stocked, and affordable honor bar!

Oh! and I shouldn’t forget the restaurant. Just as enticing as last time.  The first night I had the Filet Tips and Shrimp Pasta, I’m running out of complimentary adjectives, so I have to say fabulous once again.  I’ve never, ever, seen filets served in any other way than a filet.  This was fun for being so new, and because it was genuinely tasty.  A fairly rich dish of filet pieces, good size shrimp, and pasta.  Simple, but delicious.  Pete had the Sonoma Salad and the Artichoke and Gorgonzola Ravioli, both of which he finished quite quickly!

As much as we loved the food, and drinks, we also love the little village of Glen Ellen; at least we think of it as a village.  It could be a town or city for all we know, but village sounds more exotic.  The following morning, however, we decided to take a long drive, and save the tour of the village for the next day.  We hadn’t really had a chance to do a good shake down cruise with the new mid-life car; so we wasted the gas and raped the environment a little bit to drive from Glen Ellen, through Occidental; where we bought my wonderful mother, Betty, a thankyou gift for babysitting Tweedle Dee, and Tweedle Dum, and a fresh made Christmas wreath for our front step.   From Occidental we traveled to Jenner, where we had a wonderful meal, with a million dollar view, and fairly yucky service, at an establishment named (very fittingly), Rivers End.  But I still recommend this enjoyable stop.  Food was reasonably priced for the ambiance, and respectably good.  I had a cup of mushroom soup, and the beet salad.  Both very good, view amazing.  Pete had the fish and chips, for which he substituted onion rings.  An endearing habit of which I will blog fully about, at a later date.  He seemed to enjoy the dish, and didn’t seem to mind making his own cocktail sauce.  At the table…a subject upon which Miss. Manners could talk at length, I’m sure.  Again, view, amazing.  I think it’s a must if you are ever in Jenner for lunch.  Not sure I would have enjoyed it quite as much after dark, view, none.

After lunch we headed down the coast to Bodega Bay.  Neither of us felt like stopping.  We were really enjoying the spectacular weather (65 degrees was the coldest of the three days, and this day it was nearly 70), the beautiful scenery, and I must say I was really enjoying the car. We took a lot of rarely driven back roads from valley to valley, and though I had a blast driving the winding roads, Pete wasn’t enjoying it quite so much in the passenger seat!

From Bodega we headed home to “The Valley of the Moon” as all the signs proclaimed  That’s  the Sonoma Valley, in case you didn’t know.  I didn’t.  Back to Glen Ellen for our second meal at the Oyster Grill and Martini Bar, as the establishment is actually named.

Our meal was slightly different this evening, though still charming.  We didn’t really care for our server at first.  He was nice enough, but seemed “unsettled”.  After a bit we seemed to warm to him.  The martinis were constant.  We started with the cute little mini-tinis.  Half the size and price (yes we cheated, some of the drinks we tried were half size…but we’re only human!).  After two of these we went full size for the last drink of the evening.  While he was mixing the drinks (I think all the wait staff work as bartenders), he would taste one, sanitarily, and we actually saw him throw one away.  You will not find better martini’s in my opinion.

The potential downer at the table next to us, a woman so drunk she was actually slurring.  I have honest to goodness never truly heard someone so drunk they slur, but the most charming part was the f word to punctuate every point.  Pete and I turned it to fun by playing a drinking game.  Every time she said fuck, we would clink our glasses loudly, and take a drink.  We were laughing through most of the dinner.  A dinner (our third here keep in mind), that was slightly off, but not too badly.  Pete had the salmon.  It seemed a little odd to me.  It included a ton of perfectly cooked veggies, many of which I don’t care for.  And seemed to have a green salsa on it.  Pete said it was good, and daring I might add, but didn’t think I would like it all that much.  I had the cream of butternut squash soup, and a green salad.  The soup was rich and hearty, with a touch of sweetness you expect in a squash soup.  The salad was fine, with artichoke hearts, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a vinagrette dressing that was a little too much on the tart side.  Well, we don’t all have the same taste, so there’s nothing wrong with that.  By the way, one of the drunk woman’s friends apologized as she left.  It’s the little things you remember.

The next day we had breakfast at The Fig Cafe and Wine Bar, the equally enticing eatery is right next door to the Oyster Grill and Martini Bar!!! Once again O. M. G!  We literally walked out the gate of the cottages, up to the street, and turned left instead of right! The service was the best ever.  An absolutely charming woman, who actually knew how to be nice, charming, and helpful.  The food, we both had the spiced french toast, yum, was different, and delicious.  The atmosphere bright, clean, and whimsical, with figs everywhere, but discreet enough not to be cloying.

We walked around the little village we were surrounded by for a while.  Then packed up, and left for the Napa Valley at noon.  We took the Oakville Grade to the next valley inland.  The Napa Valley, which no one seems to agree on the meaning of, and drove to St. Helena, where we stopped at Tra Vigne, for take out.  Pete (and I, of course) had a hanker-in for their stunning Mozzarella Cheese “Al Minuto”.  This once-in-a-lifetime dish includes hand made “of the moment” mozzarella, and is served with grilled bruschetta and sicilian olive oil.  We stopped a little way up the pass towards the small town of Angwin for a quick lunch of cheese and toast, Napa style.  It would hold us until dinner.

From here we took our traditional route back through the Pope Valley, named for William Pope, not the Pope.  Then by Lake Berryessa, through Winters and Davis, and on in to our beloved city of Sacramento.

This was one of those very rare vacations that ended as well as it began.  Upon arriving home Pete used the remains of the Thanksgiving dinner (which had been carefully simmered, and frozen) to concoct the fabulous family tradition of Turkey and Dumplings.  This is the ultimate comfort food.  I can still remember how thrilled my step-brothers and I were, when Brenda (my beloved step-mother) made chicken and dumplings.  It was the best day ever, no matter how crappy it had seemed (that was two step-brothers, incidentally).  Pete and I shared this wonderful bounty with our great friends Richard and Lena Andaya.  They make any day better, and it couldn’t have ended our vacation on a more perfect note.

One final musing:  Though I’ve chronicled my favorite parts of this trip, there were other towns, views, shops, and nursery stops that I didn’t write about today.  I may update with more details later!

One more in the continuing reprint from Davis Life Magazine.  This is from the July, 2009 issue…

Mikuni

What a wonderful group I had the pleasure of spending my Thursday evening with!  My friends from Davis Life Magazine, and our special guests, started our Mikuni review evening at Sophia’s for drinks.  This is one of the best places in all of Davis to begin a pleasant night out.  The lounge area is quiet (before it gets really busy in the evenings), and quaintly tropical. It possesses a soft ambiance reminiscent of a tropical hideaway that’s perfect for a small group.  Comfortable cushioned rattan furniture, a beautiful fish tank for soft light, and a very sweet waitress set the stage.

My husband Pete Nowlen, our editor Cary Arnold and her husband Jon Sanchez, along with our photographer Ara Arbabzadeh, met our guest reviewers for the evening, Bill and Katherine Alger at Sophia’s. Bill is Chief Operating Officer for Woodland Healthcare, and Katherine works for Sutter Health as the Pharmacy Informatics Specialist for Sacramento Sierra Region.  We all got to know each other over cocktails.  Several of us had Sophia’s Mojitos, while others ordered a cabernet, a Tequini, and a Grey Goose Cosmo thrown in for variety. We chatted about the events of the day for a few minutes, and since we were very much looking forward to our coming sushi dinner, we decided pretty quickly to walk to Mikuni.

For those of you who don’t know, Mikuni recently took over the spot at Campus Commons that Fuzio’s vacated.  Luckily (since I happen to like the place), Fuzio’s has simply moved to another location downtown.

The first thing I noticed was the noise level.  It was somewhat busy, and loud, which is great for a newly opened restaurant. Considering their reputation in Sacramento it’s not surprising.  Not so great for my poor hearing (hairstylist for 22 years, think many blow-dries), and there are TV screens everywhere, which I hate. I’m like a magpie, distracted by shiny things. But the cheery greeting you get is welcoming enough to make up for that.  We were given a high, comfortable table near the front of the restaurant, and we put in our orders after a few minutes of discussion.  Cary had some suggestions for the table, Pete and I had some very definite ideas about what we should try, as did Bill and Katherine.

First things first: we needed to try some of their signature drinks and order some of the small plates.  I had the Mikuni Cosmo, with Absolut vodka, plum wine, and cranberry juice. For me it was a little sweet, but very easy to drink.  Pete had the Pamatini: Grey Goose Vodka, pomegranate liqueur, Triple Sec, cranberry juice and a splash of Sprite; “about the same”, Pete said. Cary had the Japatini, excellent, and made with Stoli Cranberry Vodka, Triple Sec, orange juice, limejuice, and Sprite (I ordered two of these a few days later in Sacramento I enjoyed it so much), and Jon had the Key Lime Moto, which is made with Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Malibu Coconut Rum, Midori Melon Liqueur, pineapple juice, Sweet & Sour, and lime juice. It was really, really sweet, so be warned! Ara had the Wasabi Bloody Mary, made with Grey Goose Citron Vodka, Secret Bloody Mary Mix, lime juice, and wasabi stuffed olives.  Bill had a glass of Ravenswood red, and his lovely wife Katherine was talked into trying the Sake sampler by Pete and ME.

The sampler was a great idea for the table, even though Katherine didn’t care for two of the sakes (she thought they were too sweet). Since I (and Cary) don’t particularly care for sake, I got to try them in a different way. The sake sampler has four different types.  They included apple, blueberry, and two “normal” premium sakes.  Cary and I liked the two fruit infused varieties, and Pete liked the other two.  They were perfectly served in a small collection of shot glasses.  The apple infused sake tasted like a jolly rancher to me (just a little to apple-y), but I liked the blueberry quite a bit; Cary liked the apple. Katherine decided to order hot sake instead (which she originally wanted) and which she liked well enough to order again later in the evening, though she says she wishes she had tried the Sake Bomb!

Our Freaky Edamame arrived with the drinks, which for some reason seemed to take forever. The edamame is really something!  Served warm, which I think is a vast improvement over the usual cold edamame, and perfectly seasoned.  I really liked it.  It has just a tiny bite to it, lightly salted and spicy.  I could eat it all night with some drinks, but luckily our orders started arriving quickly enough. At $5.00, The Freaky Edamame is only a dollar more than the regular edamame, and well worth it.

Our next small plate was the high point of the evening.  The Black and White: perfect Albacore Tuna Toro, lightly seared and served with caviar and ponzu dressing.  O. M. G.  It’s one of the three best dishes I’ve ever tasted.  The tuna melted in my mouth.  This dish is perfectly tender, very lightly seared, with a wonderful light salty seasoning.  I could do without the jalapeños, but Ara loved them.  It’s not cheap at $13.00, but I know I’ll have it any time I’m back. (I actually did two days later.)

Our next dish was one of their party platters.  We ordered Platter F.  It included 3 sushi rolls, two types of Ngiri Sushi, or tuna on rice, and a selection of the freshest sashimi I’ve ever had. The rolls included the Fair Oaks Roll: panko shrimp, avocado, masago, sauce and onion, (very good), the Spider Roll: deep fried soft shell crab, avocado, cucumber, kaiware, sauce, masago, and onion (the crab unfortunately a little overcooked), and the Bob’s Roll: panko shrimp, cream cheese, crab mix, avocado, salmon, masago, onion and a special sauce.  One little complaint, everyone at the table agreed, cream cheese does not belong in sushi (other friends of mine said the same thing two nights later just before I did!).  The dish was, overall, worth the money at $65.00.  A better way to go may be to order the Chirashi (a large portion of sashimi over rice), and your choice of rolls, but if you aren’t sure what kind of rolls to order, the platters are great.  Mikuni has the best Sashimi I’ve ever had.  Bill thought it was “to die for”, Katherine said “fabuloso”, and I can’t disagree with either of them.

Over the next half hour or so we ordered various sushi rolls.  This included the Train Wreck Roll: panko shrimp, spicy avocado blend, and crab mix topped with chopped eel, seared tuna, roasted sesame seeds, onion, and special sauce, the Peter 2 Roll: panko shrimp, crab salad, spicy tuna, avocado, eel, seared tuna, 2 spicy dream sauces, masago and onion, and the Pimp My Roll: spicy tuna, panko shrimp, avocado, fresh salmon, and special sauces lightly torched and topped with masago, onion, and macadamia nuts.

We had quite the discussion about the merits of the sushi rolls.  Everyone agreed that all of the rolls were very good, and everyone had a favorite.  Mikuni is known for elevating the sushi roll to another level, and I think they deserve the reputation.  But in the end we all agreed that after a while they start tasting a bit the same.  They’re all very complex, with wonderful sauces, and textures, but we all enjoyed the simple sashimi better, nobody does sashimi better than Mikuni.  Bill had a wonderful quote, “The rolls were like double cheesburgers loaded with everything, whereas the sashimi was like filet migñon..”  All of the rolls we tried were around $14.00 apiece.

We followed the sushi rolls with the BBQ Albacore, the Albacore Pepperfin, and what was supposed to be Unagidon (grilled eel over rice), which Pete insisted had to be tried, but accidentally arrived as Don Don (hamachi toro with onions and wasabi sprouts over rice).  We were very confused when we first tried it, so our opinions were a little off.  We were surprised at how different the texture and presentation was from the usual unagidon, but after realizing the mistake we decided we didn’t really care for the Don Don anyway.  The texture and taste were not that pleasant.  The fish is fresh enough, but the texture overwhelms it for me.  Pete said the Unagidon was fine, not spectacular, but fine. The Don Don was $15.00, and the Unagidon $17.00

The BBQ Albacore was my second favorite dish of the night.  The pieces of tuna are lightly seasoned with Mikuni BBQ sauce, seared perfectly, and just the right size so as not to overwhelm like seared tuna can in some entrées.  Make sure to order both red and white sauce with this dish.  Cary made us try the tuna with both sauces at once, and she was right, together the sauces have the perfect balance of savory and spicy. The Davis location only has the smaller size, at $7.00, so we ordered two.

I can’t say I was as excited about the Albacore Pepperfin.  I have to confess right off that I can’t abide sesame oil, and I don’t care for jalapeños (forgive me), so my opinion on this dish is compromised.  But everyone else thought it was very good. Bill said it was one of his favorites (along with the Sashimi, the Pimp My Roll, and the Black and White) The Pepperfin consists of thin slices of albacore tuna in citrus seasoned soy dressing, topped with jalapeños. $11.25

We asked our server if he thought there was anything else we should try before dessert.  He recommended the Flaming Shrooms.  Me, not so much.  Flaming Shrooms are lightly fried overstuffed mushrooms with crab, cream cheese, and jalapeños, lightly drizzled with special sauce and finished with shaved bonito flakes and onions.  OK, we’re back to the cream cheese thing again (I didn’t read a description, so sue me), and jalapeños (again).  But overall they were just not good, and very hard to eat.  My recommendation is just don’t go there.

Cary wanted to have the Mochi ice cream dessert, but they didn’t have it.  We were told they did have it earlier in the week, but it was much more popular than expected so they sold out.  Good for them, not for us.  So we settled for the cheesecake dessert.  It was described like cheesecake spring rolls.  But we thought of them more like a cannoli.  A very mild cheesecake slice was wrapped in a pastry and lightly fried.  It was rather nice.  The sauces were pleasant, and the pastry not overdone.  Not bad for a simple dessert.  Katherine was disappointed that there was no green tea ice cream, but that may have been temporary also.

Overall Pete and I liked this place well enough to go to the Sacramento location the following Sunday.  Other than our small companion Sarah, who had a wonderful children’s udon, we had a very similar meal.  We had to show off to our friends Lena and Richard, and so we haven’t tried any of the more traditional Japanese dishes.  We’d normally have Miso soup, and possibly something a little different, such as their Musolini pasta: udon noodles sautéed with tiger prawns, Alaskan snow crab, asparagus and mushrooms, tossed in olive oil and garlic.  Another O. M. G.?  Maybe, but one thing I know about Mikuni, the menu is big enough, and pleasing enough, to warrant many return trips.

A nice tip from our diners, if you are on the fence about trying sushi, get a group of friends together for a sushi night.  It’s easier to get started when you are with people who enjoy sushi.  I promise you there’s something for everyone, not all sushi contains raw fish.  Tempura (battered and lightly deep fried shrimp or crab) is a very common ingredient in sushi rolls.  But the selection of sushi and sashimi is so varied that you might want some help.  Have someone along who knows what to order, or ask the servers, and I can practically guarantee you a pleasant surprise.

This is the second in a series of reprints of my food articles. All are reprinted from my original writings with permission from Davis Life Magazine.  I think this may be an early draft, I haven’t had a chance to check it yet, sooo there’s that…

Taqueria Guadalajara

Well, we’ve all heard of the best-laid plans, I’m sure.  Tonight was one of those nights.  Cary Arnold, her husband John Sanchez, photographer Ara Arbabzadeh, Davis Life writer Kaylin Adamski, and I, were planning a nice night of dining on the patio of Taqueria Guadalajara. Instead, due to an unexpected, and quite fierce, spring storm, we dined inside.  But luckily Taqueria Guadalajara’s food makes it just as pleasant to dine in out, or even at home with take-out!

I’ve had the pleasure of working next to Taqueria Guadalajara since the day they opened.  And though I now work near downtown Davis, I still love the trek to south Davis for this excellent (and well run) taqueria.

Back when Taqueria Guadalajara opened, I owned the salon right next door.  We often joked about putting in our own take-out window (as well as asking them to get a liquor license).  At least we half joked!  Between the unique style of guacamole, the fabulous Crispy Tacos, and the free pico de gallo and chips, I, and my staff and clients ate there many days.

When we arrived, we were pleased that it wasn’t too crowded yet.  On a Friday night there can often be quite a line.  But I think the weather was keeping the crowds away, lucky us!

We started with an order of Crispy Carnitas Tacos, Shrimp Ceviche Tostada, an order of Veggie Nachos, and Guacamole.  First let me say that though I very much like the guacamole at Taqueria Guadalajara, be warned it’s not the usual sort.  The guac here is really more of a pico de gallo with a very generous amount of avocado included.  It’s delicious, but not what you might expect.  As with the other pico de gallo, it’s on the spicy side.  Not too spicy, but just enough heat to get you in the mood for a cold beer, soda, or in my case well chilled iced tea!

The pico de gallo at Taqueria Guadalajara is made fresh, with nice chunks of tomato, onion, and spicy peppers.  Why is it called pico de gallo (beak of the rooster)?  I have no idea, neither does anyone I know, but it’s yummy and free.  The nachos are pretty standard fare, but the Taqueria Guadalajara pico de gallo, and guacamole make it a little different, with generous amounts of refried beans, sour cream, and cheese.  Both the nachos and guac make very nice appetizers for the table.

The Ceviche Tostada was very good, very light, and with an extremely generous amount of shrimp.  I recommend eating it quickly; it’s very “moist”.  Overall it’s a pretty simple and tasty dish.  Tortilla and ceviche, not piled high with wasted lettuce.  But, by far, our favorite among these dishes was the Carnitas Crispy Tacos.  Wow, with a bit of lime the carnitas (deep fried pork roast) are awesome.  The crispy tacos are fried to perfection (no low fat diets here, I’m afraid), and the carnitas are among the best I’ve had, and carnitas are my standard fare at Mexican restaurants.

After a short break came the next round: Chile Verde, Camaron al Mojo de Ajo (shrimp in garlic sauce), Chile Relleno, and a special of the day, Garlic and Shrimp Fried Rice. The Chile Verde was wonderfully flavorful, and nicely tender.  The verde sauce was lightly spicy and a little sour, just like it should be. It was accompanied by rice, beans, pico, and tortillas, and made an excellent self-made burrito. The dinners include your choice of corn or flour tortillas, beans (either whole or refried), and rice.  Just in case you care, the beans are vegetarian.  We ordered both corn and flour tortillas, and though I’m not sure if they’re home made or not, they were fresh and hot.

The Camaron al Mojo de Ajo is a favorite of my friend Tenaya Freitas, and she insisted we try it.  I love anything with garlic, so this was a sure bet for me.  The garlic is actually somewhat sweet, and the prawns were a very good size.  Be sure to share it with someone you love.  I thought the Chile Relleno was a little bit of a disappointment.  It arrived a little cold, but that may be because everything had to be photographed before it got to us!  Anyway, my companions all liked it.  It had a very light batter, fresh chilies, and plenty of cheese.  So maybe I was the problem and not the dish .

The special Shrimp and Garlic Fried Rice was not something I’ve seen in a Mexican restaurant before.  It’s more what you’d expect from a Chinese restaurant, with plenty of rice, shrimp, garlic, and various veggies and spices.  I’m not sure it’s something I’d order again, but if you like shrimp and garlic, it’s another good way to go.

Taqueria Guadalajara is run café style, so you can help yourself to all the fountain drinks you want with your meal; and they of course have a good selection of salsa and chips (all you can help yourself to).  They have an assortment of red and green salsas, as well as jalapenos, pickled carrots, and limes.  Several of the salsas were very good, and several were so-so.  The restaurant itself is very small, so the patio really is a very welcome addition. Complete with a fountain, beautiful custom made metal tables and chairs, and lovely shade trees, it’s a very relaxing place to hang out.

I remember when the patio was built.  We were very pleased with the addition of the custom tiles and railing.  If you’re looking for a place to walk the dog (and kids if you like) and hang for a few hours, you couldn’t do much better!  Located in the El Macero shopping center, the patio is available even if you don’t order food at Taqueria Guadalajara.  Good food, good drink, and very pleasant outdoor dining.  What more could you want on a warm summer evening?

This is the first in a series of reprints of my food articles. All are reprinted from my original writings with permission from Davis Life Magazine…

I love Indian food. When my son was growing up, the food we could always count on him eating was Indian food. Especially at 8, and if you have children, you know what that can be like. Even on a trip to Italy we managed to find fabulous Indian food. So hubby Pete Nowlen and I were very excited to try out Kathmandu Kitchen with Cary Arnold (our lovely editor), John Sanchez (her handsome husband), and Ara Arbabzadeh our photographer, for this month’s edition of Davis Life Magazine. Kathmandu Kitchen is actually Nepalese, which I’m sure is important, but truthfully I can barely tell the difference, I love both.

The most amazing thing about the evening to me was the fact that Cary and John had never tried Indian or Nepalese! Pete and I (and Ara) got the honor of teaching them the ways of the vindaloo.

We met for drinks beforehand to get everyone in a good mood (liquor is the social lubricant after all). By the time we hit Kathmandu Kitchen we were starving! When we arrived at a little after 7, on a Thursday, the place was packed. I noticed it was mostly college students, but that’s not a bad thing. A busy restaurant is usually a sign of good food! The decor is a little odd. It used to be a pizza parlor, and that’s kind of hard to hide. But the colors are bright, and it reminded me of most Indian restaurants I’ve been too.

We dove right in with two appetizer platters, the Himalayan platter, which includes vegetable pakora, samosa, momos, naan and achar ($6.50), and the Kathmandu special jumbo platter, with 4 chicken pakora, 4 meat momos, 4 shrimp pakora, and 4 chicken tikka with naan and achar ($9.95). What a great deal! Two platters were plenty for the 5 of us. The platters are served with four sauces. One is tamarind chutney, one is mint chutney, and two we didn’t recognize (good, but one was VERY spicy).

One thing I learned doing research on the Davis Wiki was about the momos. Momos are steamed dumplings filled with a savory mixture of meat or vegetables and spices. I’d never had them before (they’re not on a lot of menus). I started with a meat momo, and I can happily say it was fantastic! Great flavor, moist, and perfect size, they’re similar to pot stickers, and I like them just as much. The pakoras and samosas were very good; a pakora is a fried fritter consisting of a batter with vegetables, or vegetables and meat. A samosa is a pastry stuffed with chickpeas, potatoes and sometimes chicken or paneer, the homemade Indian cheese. I would have said samosas were my favorite Indian appetizer before I tried the momos, but they’re still a very strong second, maybe still first? We’ll see.

The chicken tikka on the appetizer platter was somewhat dry. If you like chicken tikka, don’t judge it by this. The chicken on the mixed grill platter that we had later was much better.

One thing about the platters that I really liked was the size of each appetizer. Pete and I often have to cut the pakoras and samosas to share, but on the platter everything was single serving.

Cary and John fell in love with the naan, which I have to admit is my favorite part of Indian, or Nepalese food. There’s something magical about dipping hot fresh naan in the various sauces and chutneys. Naan is a type of flat bread cooked in a clay pot in the Tandoori oven and served hot and fresh. They have 9 different types of bread, but we stuck with the plain naan. Pete and I usually order garlic naan as well, but we were doing well to cut down on the number of different dishes to choose from. The menu is very large, and tempting with plenty of choices for anyone, meat eater or vegetarian!

At the time the appetizers came we got the lassis we requested. Lassi is a yogurt drink that comes in a few different flavors. None of us had ever tried them, so we didn’t really know what to expect. We got mango and salt, and yes, I mean salt flavor! The mango was not overly sweet and did go well with the chutneys and spices, but we didn’t really appreciate them the way others might. I might be able to get used to them, however. The salt lassi was totally undrinkable to us. One of our company said if you froze it, it would make a good salt lick. Though I’m sure someone must like them, it wasn’t us. Be warned.

We also ordered two of the soups. We all tasted the multani, and the dal soup ($3.50 each). They were very flavorful and delicate. Multani is a type of chicken soup, and dal is a light, sometimes almost bland, lentil soup. Neither of these soups was bland, I didn’t even feel the need to salt, which is often the case with bean or lentil soups. I could easily make a meal of a salad and bowl of one of these soups, especially with an order of naan.

Next up were the lamb vindaloo ($10.95), and the baigan bharta ($8.95). I don’t normally like lamb, but the vindaloo was excellent. We got it medium (after this everything was ordered mild!), and though most at the table thought it was too spicy, I think it was perfect. The spice was just enough to get the endorphins pumping, but not so much that you were sorry you started. With a little raita, a type of flavored yogurt sauce which I love, and the very light basmati rice, the spice is easily managed. The lamb was very tender and flavorful.

The baigan bharta is eggplant roasted in a clay pot with green onion, garlic, bell pepper, herbs, and spices. I don’t like eggplant, never have, but it was good. It was rich and flavorful. Everyone enjoyed it with the naan. We ordered this dish as a thali, a traditional Nepalese dinner that is served with rice, dal, naan, chutney, and several vegetable curry dishes. I always order the thali; it’s the best deal other than the lunch buffet. The a la Carte comes with rice only.

Next we were served the chicken tikka masala ($10.95), the palak paneer ($8.95), and the mixed grill platter ($14.95). The masala was good, but it was a little sour for my taste, not bad, but different than I expected. The fact that it’s not as red as I’ve seen leads me to believe they use less food coloring in their recipe, which I for one am glad of. When I go back I’ll probably order it again, I can be a terrible creature of habit.

The palak paneer was exactly as I like, house made cheese (paneer) in a creamy spinach and herb sauce. I like this dish because it’s easy to eat along with the other spicy dishes. The creaminess of the sauce is very mild and soothing.

Cary especially enjoyed the rack of lamb on the mixed grill platter, which she thought was the best of the lamb. The mixed grill is a selection of marinated red snapper, prawns, chicken, lamb, and rack of lamb, which is roasted and served on a sizzling platter. Pete enjoyed the prawns (but he thought shrimp was a better description, they were on the small side), and I think John enjoyed most everything from what I remember.

We decided at this point we had had plenty to eat, and though some of the desserts seemed worth trying, none of us was hungry enough to be tempted. The kulfi, a creamy and rich ice cream made predominantly with saffron and pistachio ($3.25) sounds like a possibility the next time.

Overall I have to say I enjoyed the evening. The service, while not overly friendly was good, but the lighting was kind of harsh. Not necessarily a date night sort of place. As a businessperson I feel compelled to complain about the bathrooms. Everyone agreed that they were some-what scary, think frat house. But it was a very busy evening. Maybe they’re better most of the time. The prices were very reasonable for the amount of food we consumed. The beers were large (they say the Taj Mahal is the most popular) and food delicious enough that I’m sure Pete and I will be back. I think we even managed to snag the newbies.

Kathmandu Kitchen is located at 234 G St., in Davis, (530) 756-3507, www.kathmandukitchen.com.

Well, I was very excited about my new position as an ISO advisor, but now not so much. I think since I was recruited in the early spring, I have had two classes, more if you count the backstage work at the show (which I loved), but absolutely no teaching scheduled. In the mean time, my work has increased quite a bit, part of the problem is I’m just too busy to be included in classes that are scheduled within just a few weeks, or days.

However, I have to say I love the new ISO wet line. Between the Bouncy Curl créme, and the absolutely awesome Tamer foam. I am a big fan.

I have to admit to being a bit of a snob at first. The products are all priced quite a bit lower than my next favorite line, and the packaging is rather dull, but these products do what they say they do. Oh, not all of them. I don’t really like the daily foam. But the daily shape, and daily finish, are among my top 10 finishing sprays. I don’t really care for the color care line. Sorry, but fragrance is a big part of the package, and all of these products smell like baby powder. Honestly, no one wants their hair products to smell like baby diaper. Anyone who has a child, or younger sibling knows baby diaper smell. Ick.

On the other hand, every single product from the Bouncy line is fantastic. They are light, fresh scented, and moisturizing, just what curly hair needs. The shampoo and conditioner are fine, but the styling products are the true asset. The Bouncy spray is pretty good for styling, or actually better, refreshing naturally curly or permed hair, but the Bouncy créme is the best. It can be used on damp or dry hair. Apply a moderate amount (enough to coat all of the hair), and comb through for best results. Dry with a diffusor, or scrunch and allow to dry naturally. Then scrunch a smaller amount through dry hair to define curl and decrease frizz.

But hands down, my favorite line is the Tamer line. It took me a while to warm up to these products. I tried the Tamer foam first. It actually feels like snot (not a great first impression), and you have to use a lot, and comb it through extremely well. In the end it magically disappears, but it took 3 or 4 uses before I didn’t feel I was going to have to re-wash my clients hair. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a better straightening product. And I’ve tried dozens and dozens. The gel is a lighter version of the same, and I even like the shampoo and conditioner.

As I said, I really like this product line, and whole heartedly endorse the company. Always keep in mind, however, I endorse many different lines. One persons favorite product will be totally useless to their best friend. Try lots, you will only look more stunning for it.

Husband Pete and I eat out a lot. I mean A LOT. Like almost every meal. Pete is a vegetarian, sort of, kind of, well he’s really just picky. No red meat, nor pork, only free range poultry and seafood. I’m a meat-a-terian, just about anything but smoked meats and cheeses. I love french food, but you can’t find that much these days, Mexican runs a very close second. Pete loves Italian and Asian (and Mexican, thank goodness). Our tastes are not only different, but almost incompatible (luckily we’re not!). We both tend to work late. We don’t cook. Don’t get me wrong, we’re both excellent cooks, we just don’t seem to have time to shop (or clean-up).

So I thought I’d list some of our favorite restaurants.

Our go-to’s are first. We literally eat at these restaurants once (or more) a week.

Ink-a neighborhood bar, comfort food. and consistently excellent. Very yummy drinks. Pete likes the mac and cheese, and the vegie burger, I like the meatloaf and the chicken picatta.
Tres Hermanas-THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN TOWN. PERIOD. Killer margaritas. My favorite is the carnitas, Pete goes for the shrimp fajitas.
Centro Cocina Mexicana-not traditional Mexican, Regional, different, and excellent. We’ve been going here since the day it opened. Once a week minimum. The pescado mojo de ajo (fish with garlic, usually salmon) is great, we usually have some kind of taco.
Roxy’s-our new favorite. We’re still searching for favorites.

The next are the change-ups. When we get bored with the usual we head for one of these.

33rd St. Bistro-a little inconsistent, but usually very good. Great Mojito’s! (avoid the salmon)
Cafe Morocco- my one and only favorite Moroccan restaurant. Small and yummy, I recommend the Chicken Sumac. (I don’t care for the belly dancing on certain nights but that’s just me.)
Ettore’s-cafe style, not a plus, but good food.
Ella Dining Room-pricey, a little pretentious, but very nice. Try the home-made Gin and Tonic. Too, Die, For!
Sal’s-cheap, good, and the best salsa bar in town. (no bar, boo hoo)
Il Fornaiio-this is our birthday destination. Regional, so you never know what’s going to be on the menu (a plus?).
4th St Grill-really a Bar and Grill (but that is a plus!). Usually very good, the only reason we don’t go here more is the location. At J and 4th it’s not convenient.

I stand by my choices! Give them a try, you’ll be happy you did.

David

In response to Cary’s question about restaurants, I thought I’d post a quick review. It’s about our new favorite, Roxy’s on Fair Oaks Blvd., in Sacramento.

Pete and I have been there a few times now, and every time we’ve been very happy. But last night I had what Pete calls a food-gasam. I know not the best visual, but it is quite appropriate. It’s only happened to me a couple of times. Once was a special beef stew I was served at Harlow’s, on J. ST. It was unexpectedly delicious. You know what I mean. It’s so good you lick the plate, and you have to tell the chef how amazing it was.

Well Roxy’s reached that point for me last night. Pete had the salmon salad, which is almost always what he has. It’s a chop style salad, with a very tasty cut of Salmon overlaying the top. Doesn’t come with tomatoes, so that’s double bonus points from Pete. It always tastes fresh , I cannot stand fishy tasting fish! We keep coming back for it., so you know it’s good. I’ve had chicken pot pie (very good), steak (excellent) and a couple others I don’t remember too well (I think a really good beef salad, but I’m not 100% on that one). Last night I had the Port Spareribs. It was so tender I ate it with my fork, and the port wine glaze was so mouthwatering good there wasn’t enough. The spareribs tasted like pork spareribs, not “port” spareribs. O.M.G.!! (okay, O.M.F.S.M., Laurie), melt in your mouth food-gasam! It came with some very good vegetables, cooked perfectly, string beans and carrots, and some OK cheesy mashed potatoes. They were cheddar mashed, I don’t particularly like cheddar, sue me. So as a whole I was extremely happy with my meal.

With a full bar, very nice paintings, and a snazzy western elegance, what more do you need!?