Ingredients
1 ½ cup white sugar
1 cup Karo (corn syrup)
2 ½ tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 lb. raw peanuts
Mix sugar, corn syrup and butter. Boil to amber color. Add soda, stir lightly. Quickly add nuts, mix and then pour out on cookie sheet*. When cool, break into pieces.
*Cooks note: once the soda and nuts are added you’ll need to work fast before the mixture sets.
Cathedral Cookies
Ingredients
1 package chocolate chips
2 sticks butter
2 eggs
3 cups powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
1 pkg. multicolor marshmallows (funmallows)
¾ cup pecans, chopped
Melt chocolate chips and butter in double boiler. Don’t stir. Cool. Beat 2 eggs and add to the first mixture. Add the powdered sugar. Stir in the package of marshmallows and nuts. Roll like a pecan roll. Place in the refrigerator to cool. When set, unroll and cut into 1/2” thick slices.
Notes:
You will end up with several candy rolls.
To locate multi-colored mini marshmallows
White Shallot, San Jose CA
White Shallot
3143 Stevens Creek Boulevard
San Jose, CA 95117
(408) 246-5251
Nice French Vietnamese restaurant smack dab in the middle of a strip mall off the corner of Winchester and Stevens Creek Boulevard.
What’s impressive about this establishment is that the food is authentic AND fresh, right down to the very tasty aoli served alongside the crisp, well - salted fries. Paired with a decadent croque madame you’ve got the ultimate mid day lunch.
A few other noteworthy items:
* Escargot. Perfectly baked with an addictive parsley and garlic butter. Served with toasted French bread for mopping up all the butter left in the wells you’ll be left clambering for more! (I know I was!)
* Burger on brioche. Need I say more?
* Grilled shrimp and beef on vermicelli noodles. Presented alongside a plate of mint, cucumber, lettuce, carrots and roasted peanuts. Delish.
To sum it up, it’s always great when you come across a new “find” of a restaurant. Especially in a place you didn’t expect. White Shallot is truly a gem that should not be missed!
3143 Stevens Creek Boulevard
San Jose, CA 95117
(408) 246-5251
Nice French Vietnamese restaurant smack dab in the middle of a strip mall off the corner of Winchester and Stevens Creek Boulevard.
What’s impressive about this establishment is that the food is authentic AND fresh, right down to the very tasty aoli served alongside the crisp, well - salted fries. Paired with a decadent croque madame you’ve got the ultimate mid day lunch.
A few other noteworthy items:
* Escargot. Perfectly baked with an addictive parsley and garlic butter. Served with toasted French bread for mopping up all the butter left in the wells you’ll be left clambering for more! (I know I was!)
* Burger on brioche. Need I say more?
* Grilled shrimp and beef on vermicelli noodles. Presented alongside a plate of mint, cucumber, lettuce, carrots and roasted peanuts. Delish.
To sum it up, it’s always great when you come across a new “find” of a restaurant. Especially in a place you didn’t expect. White Shallot is truly a gem that should not be missed!
Iluna Basque, San Francisco CA
Iluna Basque
701 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94133-2720
(415) 402-0011
701 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94133-2720
(415) 402-0011
After a day of adventure in the Bay Area (oysters at Hog Island and a stop in the wine country) we stopped at Iluna Basque (San Francisco) before heading home. The ambiance is warm and welcoming as is the service.
Oh, and the food. We enjoyed a few small plates and shared one large entrée which was about right, although two small plates would have sufficed. Our selections varied from meaty and hearty to spicy and more traditional. All were delicious and well executed.
* Roasted bell pepper, mushrooms and manchego – earthy, piquant and perfectly melted manchego on top. A wonderful combination to kick start the meal.
* Baby shrimp and potato croquettes with aoli sauce
* Steak bavette, free range beef
* Country style pate with champagne and black pepper
Iluna Basque is a nice place to fill up and warm up before heading down the street to check out the scene (North Beach, Italian). One final note: the sangria was heavenly!
Paradiso Deli in San Jose California
791 Auzerais Ave
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 295-6459
Paradiso Deli is pure delight; from the food to the staff and funky interior. It's like dining at your grandma's house without the crocheted sofa covers (ok, was that just mine? And not like it's a bad thing!)
Anyway, I ordered the ravioli (homemade) which came along with a gigantic, delicious meatball and salad for $8.99 - a steal in my book! I think what really made the ravioli "sing" was the marinara the meatball was bathing in and which tasted like a long-simmered, perfectly spiced sauce.
My dining companions ordered the roast beef sandwich (pictured) and the lasagne. Both said the food was good and my co-worker raved about "what a cool place" Paradiso was.
In a world of seemingly "same" restaurants out there it's nice to run across a gem like this. You can't help but like the staff, and you will definitely love the food.
Milagros - Redwood City, CA
Milagros
1099 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 369-4730
I haven’t eaten at Milagros in Redwood City for quite some time and really don’t know why. My dinner last night was good all around from the selection, taste and price. The service was okay, but the quality of the food balanced this out.
What I devoured:
- Copious amounts of really tasty guacamole and thin crispy chips.
- The entire contents of the combo plate which consisted of a chicken tamale and enchilada suiza plus the standard rice and beans. The enchilada was filled with “spit” roasted chicken and corn in a creamy poblano sauce – delish.
Nice atmosphere, good location (mid Penninsula) and great food. Thumbs up!
Antica Trattoria - San Francisco, CA
Antica Trattoria
2400 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109-1603
(415) 928-5797
We stopped in on a Saturday night without reservations and sheepishly asked if there might be a place for us. The hostess was extremely gracious and recommended either the communal table or adding us to the “walk in list”. We agreed to both and returned an hour later.
When we returned, the hostess had managed to wrangle a table and we were soon contemplating all the deliciousness on the menu. We decided to start our dinner with carpaccio and then move on to the entrees. I chose the pork tenderloin on a bed of polenta drizzled with gorgonzola cream, my dining companion ordered the lamb which was perched on a rustic bed of beans, barley and vegetables. Both dishes were outstanding but as usual I was envious of the lamb which was perfectly cooked and paired with that bean-barley combo.
To wrap up our dining extravaganza we selected the torta al cioccolato. Now usually when I see a dark chocolate torte on a dessert menu the words “dry” or “too dense” come to mind. Because our dinners were so good, we decided to take a chance and were extremely happy with the results.
Overall, I have to say that while the food and experience overall was fantastic, the hostess really MADE the outing. We both felt welcomed to the place in a fashion that is hard to find and always appreciated. And while heading out into the chill of the evening we commented that our reservation skills must improve so as to visit Antica Trattoria more often in the future!
2400 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109-1603
(415) 928-5797
We stopped in on a Saturday night without reservations and sheepishly asked if there might be a place for us. The hostess was extremely gracious and recommended either the communal table or adding us to the “walk in list”. We agreed to both and returned an hour later.
When we returned, the hostess had managed to wrangle a table and we were soon contemplating all the deliciousness on the menu. We decided to start our dinner with carpaccio and then move on to the entrees. I chose the pork tenderloin on a bed of polenta drizzled with gorgonzola cream, my dining companion ordered the lamb which was perched on a rustic bed of beans, barley and vegetables. Both dishes were outstanding but as usual I was envious of the lamb which was perfectly cooked and paired with that bean-barley combo.
To wrap up our dining extravaganza we selected the torta al cioccolato. Now usually when I see a dark chocolate torte on a dessert menu the words “dry” or “too dense” come to mind. Because our dinners were so good, we decided to take a chance and were extremely happy with the results.
Overall, I have to say that while the food and experience overall was fantastic, the hostess really MADE the outing. We both felt welcomed to the place in a fashion that is hard to find and always appreciated. And while heading out into the chill of the evening we commented that our reservation skills must improve so as to visit Antica Trattoria more often in the future!
Z-pies - Placerville CA
Z-pies3182 Center Street
Placerville CA 95667
Phone: 530.621.2626
You can just TELL from the outside of this place – it’s gonna be great. The case of pies in the window, a full house of diners (even at 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon) and a name that just screams comfort food. We were not disappointed.
I ordered the salad with balsamic vinaigrette to start and for a basic salad, it rocked. Fresh greens and a tangy tart dressing bundled together. Yum.
Next up: z-pies… for me, chicken mushroom and for my dining companion, Indian curry chicken. Upon arrival we dug in and quickly realized the pies were screaming hot inside the flaky crust outside. No matter. They were both gone in a heartbeat.
I will say this: the chicken mushroom pie was good. The Indian curry chicken was GREAT. Tender chicken with potatoes and the right amount of spice. Oh, and did I mention the crust is divine?
If you’re travelling east for say…skiing...this is a nice stopover for dinner. Go through the lights at the Hwy. 49 junction and take the next right at the tall building then an immediate right into the parking lot.
I ordered the salad with balsamic vinaigrette to start and for a basic salad, it rocked. Fresh greens and a tangy tart dressing bundled together. Yum.
Next up: z-pies… for me, chicken mushroom and for my dining companion, Indian curry chicken. Upon arrival we dug in and quickly realized the pies were screaming hot inside the flaky crust outside. No matter. They were both gone in a heartbeat.
I will say this: the chicken mushroom pie was good. The Indian curry chicken was GREAT. Tender chicken with potatoes and the right amount of spice. Oh, and did I mention the crust is divine?
If you’re travelling east for say…skiing...this is a nice stopover for dinner. Go through the lights at the Hwy. 49 junction and take the next right at the tall building then an immediate right into the parking lot.
Italian food in Campbell, CA - Olio
Olio
384 E Campbell Ave
Campbell, CA 95008-2023
(408) 378-0335
Recently dined at Olio in Campbell on the way to Tabard Theatre in San Jose. Wow. Loved the food and atmosphere here.
We over-ordered but wanted to try out many dishes at once. Standouts were the ravioli (porcini in a cream sauce – delish) and the dipping platter (hummus, baba ganoush etc.)
On a side topic: if you like live theatre in a small, intimate setting, try the Tabard Theatre in San Jose. It’s got an old time feel with decent productions!
384 E Campbell Ave
Campbell, CA 95008-2023
(408) 378-0335
Recently dined at Olio in Campbell on the way to Tabard Theatre in San Jose. Wow. Loved the food and atmosphere here.
We over-ordered but wanted to try out many dishes at once. Standouts were the ravioli (porcini in a cream sauce – delish) and the dipping platter (hummus, baba ganoush etc.)
On a side topic: if you like live theatre in a small, intimate setting, try the Tabard Theatre in San Jose. It’s got an old time feel with decent productions!
Sushi adventures at Barracuda, Redwood City and Izakaya, San Jose
Barracuda
865 Middlefield Rd
Redwood City, CA 94063-1627
(650) 361-0105
Barracuda is a hip sushi place right smack near all the new stuff in Redwood City, California. It’s got bright lights, good tunes and a decent vibe.
What it lacks is prompt, knowledgeable service. Oh, and a little better tasting sushi. Other than that, I think this place has potential!
Seriously though, I thought the concept was refreshing. Just some details need to be polished up.
Izakaya
1335 North First
San Jose CA 95112
408.452.8751
Izakaya is easy to miss, but if you like sushi and Japanese food, this place should NOT be missed.
To get to the actual restaurant you have to enter the place next door (one of the Benihana-style places where they cook the food in front of you.) Once inside, there are few tables in the place.
The standout dish on the menu is the spinach with sesame sauce. It’s nutty, healthy and a subtle star on the menu. And the sushi is always fresh and reasonably priced. Love this place!
865 Middlefield Rd
Redwood City, CA 94063-1627
(650) 361-0105
Barracuda is a hip sushi place right smack near all the new stuff in Redwood City, California. It’s got bright lights, good tunes and a decent vibe.
What it lacks is prompt, knowledgeable service. Oh, and a little better tasting sushi. Other than that, I think this place has potential!
Seriously though, I thought the concept was refreshing. Just some details need to be polished up.
Izakaya
1335 North First
San Jose CA 95112
408.452.8751
Izakaya is easy to miss, but if you like sushi and Japanese food, this place should NOT be missed.
To get to the actual restaurant you have to enter the place next door (one of the Benihana-style places where they cook the food in front of you.) Once inside, there are few tables in the place.
The standout dish on the menu is the spinach with sesame sauce. It’s nutty, healthy and a subtle star on the menu. And the sushi is always fresh and reasonably priced. Love this place!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
