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November, 2010

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San Jose Native: A Local Eat & Special Treat

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

San Jose Native: What the locals drink!

  • Name: An
  • Occupation: Art Student with an Eye on the Time
  • How long she’s lived in San Jose: More than 20 years!
  • Favorite Local Eat: Mint Mojito Iced Coffee @ Philz Coffee
  • Location: San Jose, CA (Two Philz Locations in SF too)

An has lived in San Jose since she was one years old, so that counts as a native CA’er for sure!  She told me to go to Philz and order the Mint Mojito Iced Coffee and to get a large for a whopping $4.50!  She says you will want a large if you order a small and it is only .50 cents more than the small.   Philz even charges $3 for their drip cups of coffee and An claims it’s that good.  They make a mocha type of coffee drink with a frothy top and add fresh mint.  An discovered this drink in SF one afternoon and later found out they had a location in downtown San Jose where she now goes to get her fix while parked in a free, secret spot near the MLK Library. Thanks for the tip An!

Philz Coffee

118 Paseo de san Antonio
San Jose, CA 95112

Open Weekdays 6:30am-10pm; Sat 7am-10pm; Sun 7am-9pm

Posted in Drinks, Eating Out, South Bay - Silicon Valley, Where the Locals Eat | No Comments »
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What to do with leftover Turkey? Tequila Turkey Fettuccini Recipe

Friday, November 26th, 2010


* Pictures later …  Serve it with hot sauce on the side.  I sometimes add Southwest Spices (such as Emeril’s pre-mix), cayenne pepper, and red and yellow bell peppers to make it into a “Rattlesnake Pasta” recipe like the pasta served at J Alexander’s Restaurant.

Tequila Turkey Fettuccine Recipe

  • 1/4 red onion, cut into strips
  • 1/2 TBSP minced jalapeno
  • 1 TBSP minced garlic
  • 5 oz. Turkey Breast, (or deli style, can even use chicken instead)
  • 1 oz. Tequila
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon juice
  • 1 TBSP cilantro, chopped
  • 8 oz. fettuccine pasta
  • 2 TBSP grated Parmesan
  • 2 lime wedges for garnish
  • 2 sprigs cilantro for garnish
  • 3 TBSP chopped Roma tomatoes
  • 1 tsp black pepper

In saute pan with high heat, add olive oil, onions, jalapeno and saute until translucent. Add garlic and continue to saute for 2 minutes. Add turkey, lightly mix ingredients, careful not to break turkey up to much.

Deglaze the pan with tequila, pouring around the edge of the saute pan. Add cream, lemon juice and cilantro. Toss together, then add pasta, and toss ingredients while adding Parmesan cheese.

Nest pasta on plate, pour sauce over pasta. Lay sprigs of cilantro over top, sprinkle tomatoes on top, and crack pepper around the rim of the plate.

Posted in Home Cookin', Main Dishes | 1 Response »
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GrassRoutes Guides & Oakland Dining Recommendations Online

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

I met Serena of GrassRoutes Guides (Oakland, CA) at a Food Blogging dinner in SF and quickly wanted to know when she would come down and write a guidebook about Silicon Valley/South Bay because we are not the ugly step sister of SF.  I really liked Serena’s energy and optimism about Oakland in particular.  Now we have a ton more spots to check out in our often frequented Oakland (and then some spots from her other guides on SF, Wine Country, Portland, & Seattle).  Serena told me that Eco-Tourism should not just be for the exotic travels to such locales as Costa Rica but that even urban places in the Bay Area, that are Eco-conscious, can enrich and enlighten our travels and explorations at home.

The Oakland/Berkeley Guidebook page online has lots of restaurant descriptions and suggestions for places to eat in Categories such as:

  • Do Lunch (Bake Sale Betty – Famous Fried Chix Sandwich)
  • Casual Night Out – (One pick we’ve tried is – Dona Tomas – Great Cookbook and Creative, Upscale Mexican Spot)
  • Coffee Time (Blue Bottle of course! – Don’t miss it!)
  • Dress Up
  • Farm to Table
  • International Grocery
  • Sweet Tooth
  • Imbibe (Need to add Beer Revolution & Friday at Drakes Brewery to the list (I know it is in San Leandro but it is so worth it))

Posted in Around California, Eating Out, Foodie Gifts, Oakland | No Comments »
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Two Spaces in One: Maya Restaurant in SF

Saturday, November 20th, 2010

Last night we joined three other food bloggers and two PR execs from the Bay Area for a dinner at Maya in SF.   The occasion was a reveal of a new menu and decor for the eleven year old restaurant in SOMA.   The bar is known for its large array of Tequilas including blancos (aged 0-2 months), reposados (2-11 months), and anejos (aged at least 1 year).

Style: White linens surrender to … creative cocktails, zebra wood tables, tasty tacos & striped dishes. Upscale Mexican cuisine is the mainstay.

Our Favorite Picks Include:

  • Their Happy Hour Deals after work!
  • Drink: Big Nose Goes to Mexico $12! (Blanco & Repisado Tequila w/ Guava Puree, Hibiscus Salt on the rim and a Lime half floating on top w/ 151 rum in it, then they light it on fire … see our photo! *not on the happy hour menu)
  • Guacamole: Chile Toreados $8.5 The house guac was good too but we liked the creative toasted Pepita (w/ pumpkin seeds on top).
  • Ceviche: Mahi Mahi $12 (w/ pica de gallo, & a sweet and spicy tomato-chili broth) It had a great sweet and spicy mix with a little kick!
  • Tacos: (Apps, Entree $14-16 for 4, OR Taco Tuesday Happy Hour – $2 each): Langosta Taco (Lobster, avocado, black bean puree, chile de arbol roullie, cilantro) & Rajas con Papas “Deconstructed Chili Rellenos Taco” (poblano, potato, queso fresco, salsa verde, crema fresca)
  • Desserts: Empanadas de platano $7 (turnovers filled with bananas, walnuts & crema fresca/ strawberry sauce/ coconut ice cream) & Capirotada agavero (Bread Pudding) $8 (agavero tequila liqueur bread pudding/ fresh blueberry tequila sauce/ raspberry cabernet sorbet)

The warm approachable decor of the new dining space is contrasted by the hipper vibe of the bar and lounge area.  You could meet your friends for cocktails and $2 tacos at Happy Hour in the bar and then have your parents to dinner in the restaurant (or even better a company meal or event in a private room when they are footing the bill).  The restaurant was comfortable with well-spaced tables but without the zing of the lounge with bar tables and chairs (although the dining tables were beautifully made from something that looked like zebra wood).  The dining room made me think of spots you might grab dinner before a show, ballet, or opera in NYC so you could definitely have multi-generational dinner with family (maybe not young kids but parents and grandparents for sure).  We loved the large red spiral plates mixed in with the over-sized white plates too. There was a touch of fun to them in the contrasting dining room.  There are dinner specials every night but the main menu entrees and tacos were our faves (mole was very good, chili rellenos, salmon).

The Guava/Tequila “Big Nose” cocktail (note: this one is not on the $5 happy hours list) was fabulous.   For my birthday, light me up a Big Nose Cocktail and serve it to me with a Banana Empanada. Then throw me in a serenity pool somewhere on the Yucatan Pennisula!

Happy Hour Specials @ Maya (Everyday, $2 tacos, $5 drinks, $3 beers)

Nice Dinner Special: $18 soup or salad/ 1/2 entree or tacos/ sorbet  +$5 margarita/ mojito/ house wine

303 2nd st. between harrison & folsom, san francisco ca 94107
415.543.2928 ~ fax 415.543.6679

- Read here for a fellow food blogger’s review of Maya from the same dinner!

Posted in Eating Out, San Francisco | 1 Response »
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Thanksgiving Foodie Supplies

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Need a gift for a Thanksgiving host or do you need to make sure your kitchen is stocked for your “Guest Thanksgiving Chef” aka your Mom is in town for Turkey Day.  Here are few beloved finds.

Decorative Pie Crust Cutters:

These make your pies look professional & cute.

Heavy Duty Brining Bags

Seriously handy if you want a moist bird. I’ve looked into alternatives to buying the Brining Bags such as using garbage bags (don’t suggest it when they say, not food safe on the box) or a cooler. One of the best alternatives I have found is the culinary bucket bought at a food supplies store.  Or, you know what, just get one of these bags and call it a day.

Oven-Proof Probe Thermometers

Convenient, especially when many folks are relying on YOUR big bird and you’ve never made one before.

Oh, Last thing - Pie Crust Beads

Are you a Store-Bought or Homemade Pie Crust Chef?

Posted in Foodie Gifts | No Comments »
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Beer Revolution: Oakland, CA

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

I will spare you the revolution metaphors, puns and bad jokes.  This place is about beer.  And not just good beer, but excellent beer.  Since the holidays are coming up, I’ll express my greatest desire: that Beer Revolution was move to within walking distance from my house.  Beer Revolution has every beer you can imagine for takeout or drinking there.  It has your IPA section, with your local Drake’s Denogginizer Double IPA, and your BrewDog Hardcore IPA out of Scotland.  It also has all your favorite Belgians and Belgian-styles, including some hard-to finds from Russian River Brewing.  There are Lambics and Guezes and everything that surrounds them.

Now, all I’ve been talking about is Beer Revolution’s refrigerators that line the left wall.  However, that leaves out one of the best reasons to spend an afternoon into an evening there.  That reason being the rotating taps of the same amazing variety held within the coolers.  There are ten to fifteen taps being poured, with almost a guarantee of one changing while you are there.

Since Beer Revolution is in Oakland, you have more of a chance that it will be warm there.  This means that you can take advantage of their outdoor deck and their openness to bringing outside food and having a picnic, then staying for a while to see what taps will change.

If you needed another reason to come, Beer Revolution also has great events.  There are weekly “Sweet and Sour Tuesdays” where sour ales and chocolate are paired and special events like the launch of new drafts from local breweries.

If you aren’t there already, you should be.

Posted in Drinks, Oakland | 1 Response »
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Santa Clara Native: A Local Eat & Special Treat

Monday, November 15th, 2010

South Bay Native: Where the Locals Eat!

  • Name: Tammy
  • Occupation: Photo-Lab Manager
  • How Long You’ve Lived in the South Bay: More than 40 years!
  • Favorite Local Eat: Tossed Shredded Chicken Salad @ Tao Tao Cafe
  • Location: Sunnyvale, CA

Tao Tao opened in 1951 as a family style American-Chinese Restaurant but became the Chinese restaurant it is today after folks from Ming’s Restaurant in Palo Alto bought it in 1974.

Tammy told me that she has been frequenting Tao Tao Cafe in Sunnyvale, CA, a Cantonese Restaurant, since her kids were young (over twenty years now).  She can remember going to Tao Tao when they had their original place and loved the old atmosphere.  The Tossed Shredded Chicken Salad (crispy noodles, peanuts, cilantro) can be ordered for dining in or for carry-out. When she used to eat beef Tammy also loved their Tao Tao Beef which is the other really popular dish. Tao Tao’s two famous drinks are the Mai Tai and the Fog Cutter. Tammy has a good story about the time her mother, her sister, and she ordered the Fog Cutter, a Long Island Iced Tea type of drink (rum, brandy, gin, sweet sherry & juices). But you’ll have to ask her about it.  To read more about the history of Tao Tao check out this out.

175 South Murphy Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086-6113
(408) 736-3731

The Shadowbrook in Santa Cruz has been around forever, since 1947 to be exact. It is a special place that Tammy and her husband frequent for Anniversary milestones!  The Shadowbrook serves traditional fare such as steaks and seafood and you can ride on a tram-like operation to get down to the dining room.  For dinner you sit at tables that overlook the river that flows to the ocean near Capitola.

1750 Wharf Road • Capitola-by-the-Sea, California 95010
(800) 975-1511 or (831) 475-1511

Posted in Eating Out, Santa Cruz, South Bay - Silicon Valley, Where the Locals Eat | 1 Response »
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Chill Out: Santa Cruz

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Can you really judge a restaurant by eating there once? As a food blogger, love at first site only happens on special dining occasions, and then I often wonder if it was just lust.  Love at first site didn’t happen at Chill Out. In past dining experiences at Chill Out I must have wanted to make it more of a long term affair with substance to our relationship.  The first four times or so I felt like I had become familiar with Chill Out’s appearance and good offerings but I wasn’t in it for the long run.  This is because I hadn’t found my go-to menu item quickly enough to build a craving for the seldom times when on I’m on a diet.  So I decided to put more effort in this weekend with an invitation to join a breakfast birthday celebration at Chill Out.

I discovered two menu options and one dining note on my fifth visit to Chill Out.  What does this mean?  When you order too close to # 0-5 Breakfast Burrito options on the menu board, you are going to get an egg filled burrito that is too dry and straight up boring.  I like a lot of sauce and a kick of spice in the form of at least salsa and (sorry purists) sour cream and/or guacamole on my breakfast burrito, particularly because there isn’t meat inside like el pastor or even bacon to spice it up.  So I made my way to Burrito option #20 and bingo!  So choose wisely and patiently.  Then I walked out back to meet the already present party of eight breakfast-eater friends chilling at a huge picnic table and saw that our cousins had ordered these large plates filled with eggs, hash browns, a side of spicy cream cheese topping, and other stuff.  This was the discovery of desirable menu item #2 (not to be confused with #2 on the menu) that happened to be a breakfast burrito without the tortilla (for the gluten-free types)!  I already mentioned the other cool part of Chill Out that I discovered on this visit and it has to do with the ability for ten of us to sit together at a back picnic table with additional chairs for a huge, inexpensive brunch of friends and family (Note: it can get chilly out back on those cold Santa Cruz mornings).  Oh, the fresh squeezed orange juice is money too but grab your coffee from next door at Verve Coffee Roasters (featured in another BITF Review) cause’ it is also money and award-winning!

860 41st Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Posted in Santa Cruz | No Comments »
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