It's more than just food at Thai Time, Belmont CA

There’s a restaurant in my neighborhood, Thai Time I’ve been frequenting the past decade or so. It’s got a varied menu which remains consistent in quality and a very friendly staff.  Oh and the bartender pours a mean cocktail.

On a recent visit the night was slow and I took a seat at the bar. Tom (the bartender) and I started chatting about pretty much nothing and we landed on the topic of me having worked at Oral B Labs (yes, the toothbrush company) and him meeting a former co-worker. Turns out that co-worker was also a frequent diner at Thai Time who visited twice-weekly and always ordered the same dish, the Mango sticky rice.

A year or so of this schedule and – poof! – Louie vanished. After some time passed and still no Louie, Tom dug out a business card and dialed the corresponding phone number. When Louie answered Tom asked why he’d stopped coming to the restaurant. Louie suggested they meet at a nearby location (other than Thai Time) where he told the full story.

Louie had leukemia and was in need of a transplant.

I worked with Louie but not on an every day basis. I remember him telling me he had leukemia and feeling sad for this guy who seemed full of life and yet was obviously clinging to life. Our company was then in the throes of moving to Boston and we were shutting things down in Belmont CA. I lost touch and moved on to a new job and new co-workers.

Along the way I heard that Louie lost his race against time. I was sad to hear he passed away but then, being so busy he faded from my thoughts. Until my recent conversation with Tom.

The thing that amazes me is that someone not really connected to Louie took it upon himself to shed just a little humanity on someone so in need. And finally it made me understand why there are always so many people hanging around the bar at Thai Time who call it “their family away from home.”

So this year, my New Year’s resolution is to bother to care a whole lot more when someone replies with “not doing so well” to my casual “how are you?” question. And of course, to make sure I check in with Tom if I plan to take a leave of absence from my favorite dish – pattaya prawns with green beans – and Thai Time.

A nod to Thai Time & Tom...
1240 El Camino Real
San Carlos, CA 94070
650-596-8400


A tribute to Louie.

Pepolino - Manhattan

On my flight to New York I had visions of the restaurants I'd try along with a little shopping on the side.  I misjudged the amount of time I'd spend in meetings (it was a business trip after all) and had to decide between food or trendy clothes.  This wasn't a hard decision!

Because the flight was slightly delayed, my luggage took eons to show up on the carousel and the taxi line seemed to stretch to forever I didn't want to think about where to eat.  Thank goodness the concierge at the Soho Grand was pretty direct about her recommendation, Pepolino down the street.  She was spot on.

The first night I ordered the insalata de medici- red beets with mixed greens, orange zest, pine nuts in a gorgonzola dressing.  Tang, zing and thinly sliced beets made this dish soar.  Next up, the fairly basic - but still delicious - housemade ravioli in tomato sauce.  Now, while the starter and main were winners it was the dessert that topped the meal.  A creamy but light ricotta cheesecake arrived and minutes later was consumed by me.  I literally skipped all the way home!

I liked my dinner so much the first night I had to return "just to make sure" the food was that good.  It was.  Second night I ordered the spinach souffle which was surrounded by two sauces; a tomato coulis and a parmesan and butter sauce. Next up, the tagliatelle with porcini and parmesan in an olive oil and pasta water sauce.  The waiter was adament about the lack of butter and he was right; a creamy dish without the heft of too much butter.

Overall, there wasn't just one thing that made my dinner at Pepolino enjoyable.  There were many things like the friendly waitstaff, the cozy ambiance and the food which was less than ordinary in the world of Italian restaurants.  Their creativity won me over and the food brought me back (a second time!)   Grazie!

Pepolino
281 West Broadway
New York, NY  10013
212.966.9983

The beet starter!

Huntley Hotel, Sushi Roku, Jinky's in Santa Monica

After a few days in Solvang where we had a chance to ramp down and de-stress it was time for some retail therapy.  We headed to Santa Monica to hang out, shop and dine.  For me it was the perfect short getaway with the holiday season gearing up and plenty of decorations and discounts to look at.

We scored a great rate at the Huntley which was within walking distance of the 3rd street promenade.  If you ever get a chance to stay, check out the uber cool Penthouse bar/restaurant located at the top of the hotel.  They serve some tasty libations, whip up an eye-opening breakfast (the hollandaise was perfectly made) and have the best view of the area from...the restrooms!

A view from the top floor ladies room in the Penthouse

Our travels usually include a few dining excursions and this trip was no exception.  A few of our choices:

• Sushi Roku right on Ocean Beach.  This is not your typical sushi joint with the loud music and hopping bar.  But the food does hold up nicely like the housemade tofu three ways with white truffles, caviar and tokyo scallions.  Add a dusting of the smoked salt and you've got a unique plate which really sets the tone of this place.  Another very honorable mention is the shrimp dim sum with chili ponzu.
• Jinky's for breakfast.  An unassuming place with a flair for breakfast food which just hits the spot.  I ordered the breakfast sandwich complete with crispy bacon and eggs on sourdough toast. 
• Pourtal wine bar.  One of those trendy places where you buy a "card" and then use it like an ATM at the various wine stations.  I like the concept of trying different wines a few sips at a time. 
• The Yard - enjoyed the red wine risotto and friendly service. 

I must also make mention of the Santa Monica Pier which is a bit kitschy but a worthwhile stroll.  Enjoy!

Cafe Angelica, Wine Valley Inn, Fess Parker and Mortensen's in Solvang

We had a few vacation days to use and wanted a quick getaway.  Me?  I wanted to be able to drive to our destination so that I could take as many coats and pairs of shoes as I wanted without paying for extra baggage (after all, I have enough of that!)  The stated criteria put us somewhere on the Central Coast of California and a few hours drive from the Bay Area.

Foxen Winery, Solvang CA

Our destination(s):  Solvang, then Santa Monica.  Ok, so one isn't really all that close (about 6+ hours away from home) but broken up over a few days would work.

Let's start with Solvang which is a Dutch themed town in Santa Ynez Valley (CA) and surrounded by wineries.  Not only is the town surrounded by wineries it also contains a number of tasting rooms that are supposedly downright good.  And although we didn't have the time to check out the town more, we did enjoy our visit which included good food, nice people and a relaxing and unique experience overall.

A rundown of the places we visited:

• Cafe Angelica (Solvang) Well prepared Italian food in a cozy setting and close enough to walk from our hotel.  A+ from me.
• Wine Valley Inn  Clean comfortable rooms + free breakfast.
• Fess Parker  The first winery stop of the day.  Nice wine and nice people who recommended our next stop, Foxen.
• Foxen  Up the road and located in two places.  You purchase a tasting at one and can also taste at the other.  Fantastic wines and again, nice people to boot.
• Patrick's Side Cafe (Grand Ave, Los Olivos.) I ordered the prime rib sandwich and my friend ordered the crab melt.  Both delish and we even got to eat outside (remarkable for late November.)
• Epiphany Cellars (Los Olivos) Smaller tasting room is owned by the son of Fess Parker
• Stolpman (Los Olivos)  Although I liked the wines I felt that the $15 tasting fee was a bit steep (and it wasn't discounted with a purchase.)  I received the standard wine glass and plucked a few persimmons off the tree in front so all was well when we left with our purchase.
• Mortensen's bakery  Hands down the best stop of them all.  Danish bakery where all the items are made daily on the premises.  I liked our pastries so much I returned to the counter to buy one of almost every item in the "cookie" case.  Each and every one was devoured and delicious.  I could almost make this my final destination (but why settle?)

Overall, a memorable trip because of the places we visited and the people we met.  The food - and plethora of pastries - didn't hurt much either!


A great way to start the holiday season;  a trip to Solvang CA



Sushi Roku in Santa Monica

Sushi Roku
1401 Ocean Beach Ave
Santa Monica CA 90401
301.458.4771
Sushiroku.com

Fantastic starters include shrimp dim sum, garlicky green beans and the housemade tofu "three ways".  Loud, fun atmosphere but overall a good dining experience.



Housemade tofu + smoked salt (bottom left) A really interesting and tasty appetizer.