Amber India- San Francisco

For the past 7-8 years, my brother has been dying for me to go this Indian restaurant at Santana Row in San Jose. 7-8 years later, I still haven't been to Santana Row. So I am starting a new job next week in San Francisco, and the first time I get off BART to go to an interview, I see Amber India Cuisine literally right next door on Market Street. Hmm, is this a sign? I think I might just get this job....well I did, and I finally went to Amber India Cuisine as well. Hard to distinguish all the dishes, because we had a buffet lunch here, but here is the only way to describe it: Frank and I go through the buffet line....nice, they have some pani puri chaat, some other pakora type appies, all the standards, matter paneer, punjabi channa, butter chicken, tandoori chicken, lamb rogan josh, and the list goes on....so we get back to our table, I take a sip of Kingfisher beer, put my napkin in my lap, pick up my fork, and I look over at Frank's plate and it is near empty....I say, "seriously, are you really eating that fast?" Yes, he was really eating that fast...this from a man who really doesn't love Indian food....that is really all I think I need to say. The food is high quality, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious, even at the lunch buffet. Can't wait to go there for dinner after work;)

La Fogata- Walnut Creek

So we have a new ritual this year that we started....a matinee movie and then lunch. After last week's disappointing Mexican food, we were nervous to try Mexican again.....BUT we got brave and decided to have at it again...and this time, we were pleasantly surprised. La Fogata in Walnut Creek has been there for years.....they just re-opened after a much needed remodel, and we sat in the bar section of the restaurant. Very nice atmosphere, a bunch of tv's and a newly printed menu. I ordered a margarita from the very friendly and darling waitress. I mentioned that I do not like extra sweet margaritas, so she said that she would make them herself with sweet and sour and squeeze extra lime juice in for me. Needless to say, the drink was perfect! Most excellent- the margaritas are good. Check. I had the chile relleno and carnitas taco combo. Fresh Anaheim chili in the relleno. Check. (Please don't use canned chiles, people! Although I do prefer a poblano pepper in my rellenos...) Fresh carnitas, moist and served in warm corn tortillas with fresh pico de gallo. Check check. Yes, this was a good Mexican lunch! We will be back.

Disappointment in Dublin....Casa Orozco

So this post is a week overdue because I was reluctant to write about a disappointment in an old favorite, Casa Orozco in Dublin. This used to be our standby, go-to restaurant when we wanted great Mexican food. Not sure if it is that our tastebuds have changed or that our requirements in the level of cuisine has changed....I think a combination of both. I have never really liked their chile rellenos (usually my regular mexican restaurant order), because they do their rellenos "omelette" style which I do not care for. I ordered the fish tacos, which in years past I used to love....last weekend, however, I found the tacos to be bland and quite flavorless. The rice and beans were not fresh tasting, and overall the food just wasn't great. I will just leave it at that, because I have another mexican food post to follow that is much better!!

Bottega- Michael Chiarello

First posting....let's make it interesting, shall we? Someone really should pay me to be a restaurant critic....and I have been meaning to write my first book on my favorite restaurants. But since this is 2010, a blog will just have to do.....so let's begin in Yountville. We have been to so many of the restaurants in Yountville, Bistro Jeanty being our most regular stop for lunch. We were in the mood for Italian, and I remembered that we had not yet been to Michael Chiarello's restaurant, Bottega. Bad economy and the middle of January, so I was able to call from Domaine Carneros a few miles away (where we were picking up some sparkling wine) and get a reservation. We arrived and were seated immediately- chose to share four appetizers and one entree. We had the brussel sprout salad, warm grilled octopus and polenta under glass, as well as a special that they had, a hamachi served on a large brick of himalayan sea salt (picture to follow). The presentation of the hamachi was outstanding, very "iron-chef" -esque. Only a few pieces, but they were delicious. We ordered a bottle of the Flowers Pinot Noir, amazing. Frank doesn't like brussel sprouts, but they were shredded and tossed in a dressing, and he loved them. The octopus was so tender, the polenta decadent and yummy. Our entree was a pasta served with a rabbit ragout....absolutely to die for. The entire meal was exquisite. The best part was that Michael Chiarello was running the kitchen and came out every 1/2 hour or so and made rounds to say hello to his patrons....I, of course, asked our server to meet him- picture also to follow....another Napa Valley posting to follow later this evening....