Restaurants

Risotto Rustica at Nonni's

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Fried scallops and chips at the Inn at The Tides snack bar in Bodega Bay.

When my boyfriend David and I went to the wine country in Sonoma for a little romantic weekend getaway, we made a little side trip on the way back to San Francisco: Bodega Bay. The film buffs that we are, we had to check out the schoolhouse used in the Alfred Hitchcock film “The Birds”.

With our little dachshund Homer in tow, David and I paid our respects to “The Birds” and then strolled along Bodega Bay. After a lengthy walk in the sun, we were all hungry and thirsty. So, we hopped in the car and searched for a restaurant with outside seating that would be Homer friendly.

The infamous schoolhouse from Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds."

Located across the street from the Inn at the Tides and right next to the Tides Wharf restaurant is the Inn at the Tides snack bar. The Tides Wharf restaurant is a tasty establishment, but we had my little dachshund Homer with us, so we needed to sit outside, which made the Inn at the Tides snack bar ideal. The affordable, little lunch spot serves all the Bodega Bay staples: fish and chips, clam chowder, fried shrimp, etc.

I had no intention of reviewing this tiny place. We really were just hunting for a quick snack and glass of water for Homer; however, I enjoyed the fried scallops and chips so much that I felt an overwhelming urge to share. The scallops are sauteed and then deep fried and served with fries and tartar sauce. On top of serving up an affordable, tasty dish, the Inn at the Tides snack bar allows you to sit outside and right on the wharf, BUT, watch out for the birds.

Inn at the Tides snack bar
800 Highway One
Bodega Bay, California 94923
(800) 541-7788

Mexican, Mexican, Mexican.  That’s all we get around here in Northern California.  I’m not complaining about Mexican food here.  I love Chile Verde, Carnitas, Huevos Rancheros, et al.  Our family eats so much Mexican food that we’re at least 15% Mexican by now. At least.  But this week I went Puerto Rican on your ass!

Palomilla Encebollado

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Flounder with Yukon potatoes puree and sauteed spinach at The Girl & The Girl in Sonoma.

We finally got away.

After months and months of false starts, David and I were finally able to manage to sneak out of town for a weekend in wine country. On Saturday, we were hit four wineries: Benziger, Kunde, Ledson and Jacuzzi. That’s a lot of wine … even for me.

As part of our weekend wine country retreat, we decided a nice dinner was definitely in order. We got a dinner recommendation from my good buddy Tiff (a big-time Sonoma fan) and made a reservation for dinner at The Girl & The Fig in Sonoma.

Before going into the restaurant, we strolled around Sonoma’s downtown square. It’s lovely. It was a perfect summer evening. You really couldn’t ask for better weather. Located just off the main square and downstairs from the Sonoma Hotel, is the very cute and charming The Girl & The Fig, which serves “country food with a French passion.” What does that mean? I don’t know, but it was really tasty.

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Another Fictional Fable with Food by … Sharon the Blogger Queen

Lillie was completely satisfied with her selection in accomplices.  Michael’s British accent made him seem respectable and intelligent, a direct opposite of his actual character.  He was such a slime-ball that Lillie left her new engagement ring in the car, lest he be tempted to take it someday.

Eat the Pot Stickers First

For the past three years Lillie had dreamed of her day of revenge. But now that it was coming closer, she had lost some of her poisonous anger. Bret’s love and friendship softened her and made her forget the sting that William had left her with.  She was starting to question the blackmail scheme but didn’t have the guts to back out now.  Read More »

Another Fictional Fable with Food by Sharon the Blogger Queen

“Would you like to sit inside or on the patio, ma’am?” The handsome host asked. “Outside under a heater .. Wait! I mean inside!” and she giggled self-consciously. The waiter didn’t. Read More »

Another Fictional Fable with Food by Sharon the Blogger Queen

“Would you like to sit inside or on the patio, ma’am?” The handsome host asked.  ”Outside under a heater .. Wait! I mean inside!” and she giggled self-consciously.  The waiter didn’t.  Read More »

Another Famous Ikea Icon

Another Fictional Fable with Food … by the Blogger Queen

After spending her life in Texas, Judy was shocked at the price of California real estate.  In order for her to furnish her cottage, a trip to Ikea in Emeryville would be necessary.  Besides, she loved Swedish Meatballs.

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Another Fictional Fable with Food … by the Blogger Queen

She was a Texan. Born and teethed on barbecued brisket, chicken and dumplings, and Tex-Mex food.  Judy was more than a bit cautious about trying Mexican food from California.  So far California had been weird but it was the first place Judy had ever felt like she belonged. She felt especially at home in this small wine country town called Calistoga because the weather was hot, the people were friendly in an old-fashioned way, and there were Mexican restaurants everywhere. 

She walked into Miquel’s Bar & Grill, Authentica Cocina Mexicana located on the main street of Lincoln Avenue. In Texas her favorite Mexican restaurants had breakfast tacos with potatoes and cheese, gargantuan beef burritos, and every dish was covered in sour cream.  But now that she was officially in her 40’s, she tried to order green food that crunched i.e., salads.  The menu offered a wide variety of dishes and prices like Mole De Ozxaca for $13.95; Burritos for $8.00; and Quesadillas for $5.95.  But what she needed was the Costa Rico Salad for $8.50. 

Warm Salsa

First the chips and salsa were delivered.  This was certainly not Pace Picante Extra Chunky Salsa that she was used to binging on late at night, it was more like spicy tomato soup and it was warmed, of all things!  After her first couple of bites she started getting used to it and even enjoyed it, but the tomato soup taste was resilient. 

She needed to use the Senoritas Room before her salad arrived.  The small room was bright, clean enough, and available.  However, as she was washing her hands before returning to the table, she heard the toilet gurble.  To her horror, the water was rising as her toilet paper swirled around the top like a synchronized swimmer.  She stood there motionless and waited for the slush. Nothing.  She had clogged the toilet and the paper had not gone down.  She had two choices: 1) Tell the waitress or 2) Return to her seat and let the next poor sucker deal with it.  She chose to ignore and retreat.  She felt guilty on the way back to her booth, but by the time she sat down her guilt had been completely erased thanks to the salad being brought to her table. 

Costa Rico Salad

Her Costa Rico saladwas fresh and colorful, although not overly decorated like many other Napa Valley restaurants had been doing since her arrival.  At her favorite restaurant in Texas, the only decoration was a handy-wipe towelette on the side of the plate. 

The chunks of cabbage and mango were rather large and the shrimp were very shrimpy when compared to the Jumbo Godzilla Shrimp she’d get in Texas.  There was just about three tiny pieces of avocado and that was disappointing considering it would be the only fat on the plate.  The dressing was light and orangy with a little kick. 

The waitress came over and checked on her once or twice.  A nice bit of attention.  Just then a loud air horn blared.  Her eyes darted, she slid her back against the wall and slipped her hand in her purse.  Her gun was accessible if required but so far it was not. What was happening?  Her transfer orders were not approved yet but she was always on duty.

MIquels Bar & Grill

1437 Lincoln Avenue

Calistoga, California  707-942-6868

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Another fictional fable with food from Sharon the Blogger Queen …

Sasha could not resist a man with an accent, especially British.  That’s why she was willing to overlook their first date.  After all, she was able to forgive Hugh Grant for soliciting oral sex from a prostitute named Divine Brown, so she could give Michael a brake for showing up one hour late for their first date.  Yes, she was sure this would be the lovable story relayed to their future grandchildren someday from their quaint living room in Notting Hill.

This time Michael chose the restaurant: Abyssinia Restaurant which kind of sounded like “I’ll be see’n ya!” so naturally she had a sense of doom.  Plus it was Ethiopian food so she wasn’t sure what she was getting herself into.  They had a window seat for lunch and since it was pretty much empty, they could have sat anywhere in the plain little restaurant situated between a Taqueria and a Pizza place.  The aroma was lively and different which put her somewhat at ease.  Michael had shown up early this time and looked marvelously English with his messy hair and leather shoes.

Since Michael chose the restaurant and had obviously been well-traveled (because he’s British), she asked him to order but specifically elected to avoid the steak tar tar.  They started off with an appetizer called Sambusa for only $5.00.  It was a fried pastry shell with whole lentils, onions and green peppers.  She took one bite and lentils came raining out of her cone like an exploding gumball machine.  She blushed and avoided eye contact until she could regain her pale color. Michael made this groaning noise after his first bite that made her feel uncomfortable and slightly intoxicated.

Watch out for Falling Lentils!

For their main course, Michael decided that they’d split the  Abyssinia Combo for one person, since the Sambusa was a pretty heavy appetizer.  It was only $12.95 which kept their bill small.  This was only their second date and Sasha was unsure of the bill paying protocol but she brought lots of cash just in case.  The large platter was draped with Injera, a spongy crepe with mild little flavor.  There were two more Injera’s on a side plate.  This was when Sasha first noticed the absence of cutlery.  “Oh my stars, we’re eating with our … hands?” she asked, trying not to let her voice shake.  Michael looked at her stunned and replied “Yes. Would there be a problem, love?”  She paused and thought for one second and replied “None at all.”  She accidentially mimicked his British accent and was embarrassed by her slip.

Finger Food for Fun

The platter featured: Yebeg Key We’t (lamb cubes stewed with awaze and onion); Yebeg Alecha (stewed lamb strips with garlic, onion, turmeric and ginger); Doro We’t (Spicy Chicken stew with a hard-boiled egg); Miser We’t (Lentils stewed in red-pepper sauce and Ethiopian spices); Tikel Gomen (Cabbage, carrots, and potatoes cooked with ginger); and tomato salad.  She watched Michael as he tore a piece of Injera off and pinched it between his fingers to use as a picker-upper for the various piles of food.  There was a spicy lentil dish, a fresh salad made of romaine lettuce, a hard-boiled egg, and a chicken leg.

This is how you eat Ethiopean Food

She was wearing a white blouse and had just had her nails done. It was an absolute dating nightmare. She could not get the hang of picking-up her food with the torn pieces of Injera so it was only a matter of moments before she dropped the first of many bites on her top.  He seemed amused and looked at her as if she was a funny child. She excused herself to the bathroom to wash the lentils from her fingernails and that’s when she noticed the stripe of lamb stew running down the middle of her chin. 

While Sasha was in the Ladies Room, Michael asked the waiter to split the check which arrived promptly when she returned to the table.  Good news: Her share was only $11.80 including tip. Bad news: Michael had forgotten his wallet and asked if she wouldn’t mind taking care of this one and he’d pick up their next date.  “Pfft, next date?” she blurted. Then he dipped his napkin in his glass of water and gently wiped a spot of egg off her face.  “Just kidding” she smiled as she was completely under his power.  She would give him one more chance.  Just one more.

Abyssinia Restaurant

913 4th St
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 568-6455