I have eaten at Tachibana on College in Oakland so many times, I've literally lost count. Although, I'm not a huge sushi fan, I have many friends who are. I go there at least once a month. I ate there again today for lunch. I always get a spider roll and lately, I've taken to unari, which is a sweet tofu puff sort of thing with rice.
Their spider rolls are always a huge hit with whoever I'm there with. Actually, all of the sushi is a hit with my sushi loving friends.
I prefer the pork or chicken shogiyaki or the tonkatsu. For other non-fish eaters, the box lunches feature california rolls, veggie tempura, edamame and generally a salad.
I'm generally part of a large group of regulars who go there so the servers all know us. They are friendly and helpful. The dramatic classical music on the sound system strikes me as funny...yet, it really does suit the place.
If you like sushi, you'll love Tachibana as a consistently good sushi joint with friendly service.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Cocina Poblana, Emeryville
I moved to the east bay about 8 years ago and have been waiting for a good Mexican restaurant to open up. Finally, this has happened with the arrival of Cocina Poblana on Hollis Street in Emeryville.
A couple workmates and I went there yesterday for lunch. It was crazy busy! It seems I wasn't the only one waiting for this to happen. The place was jam packed with folks eating, drinking, and chatting away. There was a line to the door when we walked in to order. During the work week, you file in and stand in line to order. If you are lucky, you will find an empty table to sit at. Otherwise, you are better off taking it to go.
By the time we got nearer the front of the line, an open table was ready for us. One of my lunchmates grabbed the table while I ordered. We all got the Tacos Poblana which is two flat, crispy tacos covered in pinto beans, fragrant and cheery salsa, guacamole, and a small dollop of sour cream. My two mates both got shrimp while I got chicken. Even though the place was a dizzying madhouse full of hungry people, the wait for the food wasn't too bad. The staff at Poblana have their system of feeding the hungry masses perfected.
As one of my lunchmates put it, "whatever they cook the shrimp with, it's amazing." I say ditto on the chicken. It was awesome. Extra sit-ups were required later that night for it wasn't exactly a light lunch.
They also have an attractive looking bar. On the specials board, it featured something called an avocodo margarita. We all were afraid and stuck to plain tap water.
I have also had dinner there another night. For dinner, they have sit-down service with a wait staff and an entirely different menu. It was good, but I think I prefer the lunch menu/atmosphere.
P.S. I haven't tried or confirmed it, but the Casa Poblana van which was parked outside the front door stated "Free delivery and catering"
A couple workmates and I went there yesterday for lunch. It was crazy busy! It seems I wasn't the only one waiting for this to happen. The place was jam packed with folks eating, drinking, and chatting away. There was a line to the door when we walked in to order. During the work week, you file in and stand in line to order. If you are lucky, you will find an empty table to sit at. Otherwise, you are better off taking it to go.
By the time we got nearer the front of the line, an open table was ready for us. One of my lunchmates grabbed the table while I ordered. We all got the Tacos Poblana which is two flat, crispy tacos covered in pinto beans, fragrant and cheery salsa, guacamole, and a small dollop of sour cream. My two mates both got shrimp while I got chicken. Even though the place was a dizzying madhouse full of hungry people, the wait for the food wasn't too bad. The staff at Poblana have their system of feeding the hungry masses perfected.
As one of my lunchmates put it, "whatever they cook the shrimp with, it's amazing." I say ditto on the chicken. It was awesome. Extra sit-ups were required later that night for it wasn't exactly a light lunch.
They also have an attractive looking bar. On the specials board, it featured something called an avocodo margarita. We all were afraid and stuck to plain tap water.
I have also had dinner there another night. For dinner, they have sit-down service with a wait staff and an entirely different menu. It was good, but I think I prefer the lunch menu/atmosphere.
P.S. I haven't tried or confirmed it, but the Casa Poblana van which was parked outside the front door stated "Free delivery and catering"
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Riva Cucina
For lunch yesterday, a few co-workers and I decided on Riva Cucina. It's a relatively new restaurant located in an office complex on Heinz in West Berkeley. Although we ate inside, I was pleased to see that there was outside seating available. Something to keep in mind when in the mood for outdoor dining.
A number of my co-workers had already eaten at Riva for lunch and dinner and gave it decent marks. One of my lunch mates had eaten there before a few times. She noticed right away that we had a particular server and warned us that the last time a few people hadn't gotten what they ordered. She immediately said, "Order by number rather than entree, that server got it wrong before." One of my collegues ordered the seared scallops with a cake of eggplants, zuccini and summer squash. I shied away from tasting the scallops but the veggies were quite good.
My other co-worker got the sausage, braised lentils and vegetables with roasted potatoes. I sampled the potatoes and the sausage. Oh, that was good!
So, where was my other co-worker's dish and mine? We both had ordered number 13, the brown butter ravioli filled with spinach. But, what they brought us was some pasta with shrimp. Uh, that was definitely not right. They were surprised and embarrased that the wrong dish was brought. We dismissed our lucky coworkers politeness and ordered they eat. While the two of us hungrily eyed their dishes, we chomped on bread and olive oil. It also gave me a chance to look around the spartan room and was neither offened nor impressed with the layout.
After finally getting the ravioli, I had to say that I felt the same way about the food as I had about the decor. Neither totally put off nor was it worth any praise.
Maybe this is due to the establishement's infancy and they'll get it right as they go along. I would be willing to give them another chance.
One thing in their favor, to apologize further for their mistake, they comped us one of the entrees.
A number of my co-workers had already eaten at Riva for lunch and dinner and gave it decent marks. One of my lunch mates had eaten there before a few times. She noticed right away that we had a particular server and warned us that the last time a few people hadn't gotten what they ordered. She immediately said, "Order by number rather than entree, that server got it wrong before." One of my collegues ordered the seared scallops with a cake of eggplants, zuccini and summer squash. I shied away from tasting the scallops but the veggies were quite good.
My other co-worker got the sausage, braised lentils and vegetables with roasted potatoes. I sampled the potatoes and the sausage. Oh, that was good!
So, where was my other co-worker's dish and mine? We both had ordered number 13, the brown butter ravioli filled with spinach. But, what they brought us was some pasta with shrimp. Uh, that was definitely not right. They were surprised and embarrased that the wrong dish was brought. We dismissed our lucky coworkers politeness and ordered they eat. While the two of us hungrily eyed their dishes, we chomped on bread and olive oil. It also gave me a chance to look around the spartan room and was neither offened nor impressed with the layout.
After finally getting the ravioli, I had to say that I felt the same way about the food as I had about the decor. Neither totally put off nor was it worth any praise.
Maybe this is due to the establishement's infancy and they'll get it right as they go along. I would be willing to give them another chance.
One thing in their favor, to apologize further for their mistake, they comped us one of the entrees.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Zax Tavern in Berkeley
A couple of weeks ago, a coworker told me that Zax at 2826 Telegraph in Berkeley is closing August 25. A couple of the owners are moving on to other endeavours. I was crushed. My coworker and I talked about the fact that there isn't really a comparible restaurant in Berkeley where
excellent food + great wine list + genuinely friendly staff + relative affordability + pleasant decor = one kick ass dining experience
Last night, I picked up my work-weary girlfiend and ended up talking her into going to Zax even though she wasn't hungry. I could tell that all she wanted to do was to go home and get a good ole foot rub by yours truly. The restaurant wasn't overly busy and we were seated right away. I was pleased to see that we had gotten one of my favorite servers.
I knew right away what I was going to order. The risotto with asparagus, snow peas, green spring onions along with a bottle of 2005 Preston old vine zinfandel.
The risotto is very good, but I wouldn't say it is my top menu choice. I wanted to save all my favorite dishes for Saturday, their closing night where 7 of my friends (other Zax loyalists) will be dining. That being said, the risotto was absolutely delicious. The flavoring was perfect and came out just right. It wasn't gloppy or glue-y at all, but was creamy and beautifully peppered with crisp vegetables that lent a nicely textured balance.
My girlfriend got the Local King salmon. It was perfectly cooked and topped with a nice bright, tangy taragon/caper sauce. The piece of fish was on a bed of crisp seasoned new red potatoes and artichokes.
As always, the Preston zin was smooth and very drinkable.
For desert, there really IS only one choice for me. Their mocha pot de creme. Our server told us this was his last night at Zax and wanted to buy us a desert. My girlfriend also got the pot de creme. She ordered some whiskey. too. I had the Knob Creek, but she got something that I hadn't ever heard of, Blanton's. I'd had Knob Creek before and knew what to expect, but when I tasted the Blanton's, it was like a dream. Even the colour of this whiskey was nice. It was a lot lighter,very cheery and bright flavored. The whiskey when paired with the pot de creme was a perfect finish to a super dinner.
Zax isn't exactly eating on the cheap. We walked away with a $98 bill...to tell you the truth though, about half of that was due to the wine and the whiskey.
I'll miss you Zax. See you Saturday.
excellent food + great wine list + genuinely friendly staff + relative affordability + pleasant decor = one kick ass dining experience
Last night, I picked up my work-weary girlfiend and ended up talking her into going to Zax even though she wasn't hungry. I could tell that all she wanted to do was to go home and get a good ole foot rub by yours truly. The restaurant wasn't overly busy and we were seated right away. I was pleased to see that we had gotten one of my favorite servers.
I knew right away what I was going to order. The risotto with asparagus, snow peas, green spring onions along with a bottle of 2005 Preston old vine zinfandel.
The risotto is very good, but I wouldn't say it is my top menu choice. I wanted to save all my favorite dishes for Saturday, their closing night where 7 of my friends (other Zax loyalists) will be dining. That being said, the risotto was absolutely delicious. The flavoring was perfect and came out just right. It wasn't gloppy or glue-y at all, but was creamy and beautifully peppered with crisp vegetables that lent a nicely textured balance.
My girlfriend got the Local King salmon. It was perfectly cooked and topped with a nice bright, tangy taragon/caper sauce. The piece of fish was on a bed of crisp seasoned new red potatoes and artichokes.
As always, the Preston zin was smooth and very drinkable.
For desert, there really IS only one choice for me. Their mocha pot de creme. Our server told us this was his last night at Zax and wanted to buy us a desert. My girlfriend also got the pot de creme. She ordered some whiskey. too. I had the Knob Creek, but she got something that I hadn't ever heard of, Blanton's. I'd had Knob Creek before and knew what to expect, but when I tasted the Blanton's, it was like a dream. Even the colour of this whiskey was nice. It was a lot lighter,very cheery and bright flavored. The whiskey when paired with the pot de creme was a perfect finish to a super dinner.
Zax isn't exactly eating on the cheap. We walked away with a $98 bill...to tell you the truth though, about half of that was due to the wine and the whiskey.
I'll miss you Zax. See you Saturday.
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