Rants + Raves

Best chicken sandwich I ever ate

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 22:42:40 -0800

At lunch the other day I honestly had the best chicken sandwich ever. I was at a meeting at IDEO (Downtown Palo Alto’s world-famous design house) and they graciously brought in box lunches, each of which contained a sandwich and green salad. (Drinks and cookies were on the side.) I chose one labeled simply Chipotle. The white-meat chicken was moist and tender with a little bit of sauce, and the flavor exploded in my mouth. I would call it slightly spicy in that it not only tasted good, it felt good. I don’t often order chicken out because it is so easy to make well at home, but this was a revelation. Source of these lunches was (wait for the fanfare): Sprout Cafe.

Speaking of sandwiches, Quiznos, on Emerson across from the new Lytton Plaza, quietly went out of business. I guess everyone realized it just wasn’t Santoro’s (Route 1, Saugus).

Loui Loui Steak finally closed

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 22:23:22 -0800

As predicted, they lasted just to the beginning of March. Hopefully Renzo’s will open in the space soon.

Once again, among the 100 or so entries on the Restaurants Page, there is not one with the category Steak. I guess you have to hoof it over to Stanford Shopping Center for Flemings. (Or have the Steak Frites at little Cafe Epi [look under Deli] for $12.95!)

Garden Fresh (Chinese vegetarian) to replace Hahn’s Hibachi

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:36:57 -0800

Not 50 meters from Mandarin Gourmet comes another Chinese restaurant. Garden Fresh’s casual atmosphere and all-vegetarian menu will likely draw a somewhat different crowd from Mandarin Gourmet’s subtle elegance and slightly higher prices. What could be possible is that the presence of both on the 400 block of Ramona (between Lytton and University) will bring increased traffic and business for both to what is otherwise a rather quiet block. Look for an opening the first or second week of March.

Blue Chalk Cafe bites the dust (a pun you saw coming)

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 20:31:46 -0800

It lasted longer than I expected. Long ago Blue Chalk ceased to be a restaurant destination, and even longer ago a billiards destination. Lately it survived more as a nightclub and a place for private parties (a dessicated market, that). I thought the demise of the Southern menu was the beginning of the end, and the Southwest menu (from Left at Albuquerque) wasn’t really why people went there. It just gave them something to eat, and it made it easy for the owners, who also own(ed) that chain. Note that the last two of what were once twelve Left at Albuquerque locations have been closed at the same time as the Blue Chalk Cafe.

The closing was sudden and not announced in advance. It will take an ambitious restaurateur to turn so capacious and remote (from University Avenue) a space into a profitable property, so I don’t expect we will see a replacement in a similar genre for, maybe, ever. Look for alternative use or subdivision.

Paly students, tell me what you like (and what sucks)

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:23:41 -0800

This website could really use some feedback from the many Paly students who frequent downtown. Could you tell me where you like to go for food, and where you like to avoid? The top part of the page entitled Kids serves younger ages and in fact is directed at their parents, while the bottom part of that page is for kids out alone, so I’d like your help in keeping it up to date. And if I hear from enough of you I will add a separate page for teens who are out NOT with their parents. Please note that this website does not cover Town and Country, just good old Downtown Palo Alto.

Every main page ends with
Comments? Write me at PaloAltoRestaurants.
If you click on the hyperlink an email window should pop up and you can have your say.

Monique’s Chocolates is open, sort of

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:12:04 -0800

Finally, a new business has opened on Dead Street, the east side of Bryant (number 539) between University and Hamilton, previously cut off from pedestrian traffic by the Walgreens fire and reconstruction. Monique’s Chocolates features exquisite little chocolate things, all hand made on the premises. They specialize in varieties of chocolate made from beans all harvested in one area, rather like single-vineyard winemaking. Among these locations are Colombia, Venezuela, and Madagascar (this one is totally serious chocolate). There is also a house blend. Most are dark chocolates, with cacao content (mostly in the 60s percent range) posted; there are also some milk chocolates. The pure chocolate itself is made by specialty producers in Switzerland, Belgium, and other places, and the cream is local and organic.

For drinks you will soon be able to choose from multiple varieties of hot chocolate, all made directly from just the chocolate, and some good coffee made with a locally-invented press method. I am listing Monique’s on the Restaurants page under “Coffee, Tea, Juice” and under “Chocolates,” a new category I just created (for Monique’s and Shokolaat). Oh, I forgot to mention the French s’mores. These irresistable cubes contain the marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker already mixed together. If part of your pleasure was the mess on your hands, you’re out of luck. If most of your pleasure was the flavor, you’re in luck.

If at 4th you don’t succeed...

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:07:59 -0800

We now have some idea what is replacing Bistro d’Asie on Emerson (sort of across from the Aquarius Theater). It’s called Cafe Baklava, and given the size of the space and the rent I’m pretty sure it will serve more than just coffee and pastries. I’ve put it in the Restaurants listing under European for now. I’ll say more when it opens.

I’m not sure what is the problem with this location. Before Bistro d’Asie there was iTapas, and before iTapas there was Left at Albuquerque. I don’t even remember what preceded Left at Albuquerque.

Loui Loui Steak changing owners, probably lots more

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:09:37 -0800

Loui Loui Steak is failing, so the owners have sold it and it will change into something different, though no one knows what yet. The name will become Renzo’s and it will probably be more Italian, not less. I do like the look inside so I hope they keep most of that. The current owners also used to own Madison and Fifth but sold that 18 months ago, and of course it’s now closed. Track record’s not looking so hot.

Loui Loui Steak remains open, perhaps for as much as a month, so if you want to take advantage of one place that won’t brand you as weird when you ask for spaghetti with your steak you might start making plans now.

Elbe morphs into sports bar

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 19:05:42 -0800

German restaurant Elbe is finally hanging up its lederhosen and converting into a sports bar. It is still tied to the adjacent Rudy’s Pub, but I guess Elbe will be where you watch people on the screen get pummeled whereas at Rudy’s Pub the pummeling is among the patrons. The kitchen at Elbe will still serve up its German fare but only on Fridays. Look for an opening possibly this month.

More on Crepevine...

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:25:31 -0800

Alert reader Kevin B. informed me that Crepevine is a chain, with eight other branches in San Francisco, Berkeley, Burlingame, and San Rafael. The menu fits mostly breakfast and lunch, with omelets, pancakes, salads, and sandwiches in addition to savory and sweet crêpes. The Berkeley location serves no wine or beer at all, but most of the others do. On Irving St. in SF they have about a dozen wines, four beers on tap, and a few beers in bottles. It’s definitely casual, with the food selections on a big chalk board above the counter. So the “vine” part of the name is mainly a pun, not a pairing. Pity.

Here comes Crepevine

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:36:02 -0800

Already we know the name of the restaurant that’s to replace Madison and Fifth at 367 University: it’s called Crepevine. Hmm, what could that mean? Let’s start with crêpes. They could be savory, or they could be sweet. Do I normally think of wine as the accompaniment to crêpes? I do not, but then again it’s been a while since I’ve been to France. Now, if I were to try to match wines with crêpes, I would base the match on the filling of the crêpes. Savory ones would get mostly white wine (no oak), of which there are many choices, especially if one looks beyond California to, say, the Loire or Alsace. Sweet ones would get either a nice dessert wine (preferably strong on acid rather than sugar) or, in the case of chocolate, a rich but not tannic red wine, like a well-fruited Zinfandel, Syrah, or Grenache. What would I match with Nutella? Warm milk, probably. (Okay, a 20-year old Hunter Valley Sémillon or just about any tawny Port.)

And next door to SliderBar Cafe comes Madame Tam

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:44:04 -0800

Gosh, we are seeing a trend of more eating places opening up. Madame Tam is soon to be occupying the showroom part of the former Gleim’s Jewelers (SliderBar Cafe occupying the former workshop part). I’m guessing it will offer some sort of Asian cuisine, so I’m listing it on the Restaurants page under Chinese, but if that changes I’ll let you know. It’s a longer way from opening than SliderBar Cafe, so expect February at the earliest.

One other new item: Monique’s Chocolates is soon to open on Dead Street (Bryant between University and Hamilton). I’ll say more when they do, even if they don’t show up on the Restaurants page.

SliderBar Cafe is related to......Mantra?

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:48:06 -0800

The new, all-American (at least from the name) eating joint to open where Gleim Jewelers used to be at 324 University Avenue is being promoted by Mantra, the fine Euro-Indian restaurant on Emerson next to Gordon Biersch. I’m astonished. Must be some joint ownership or management. I take this as a good sign for the food, since I really like Mantra. Their publicity promises Fresh, Fast, and Fun Dining. I certainly hope so. Opening is slated for February, but I think it could be sooner.

Zibibbo still offering 1/2-price wine on Mondays

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:24:49 -0800

Though no longer open on Sundays, Zibibbo still offers their amazing wine deal on Mondays. You can buy any bottle for 50% off, and from 4-7 p.m. you get Happy Hour prices of 50% off wines by the glass (only at the bar).

There are hundreds of wines on the list, but consider these examples:

- – an Aglianico blend from southern Italy: Monday price $22.50 a bottle; I found it a bit grapey but it had been open a long time (by the glass at the bar) and was warm; get a fresh bottle and enjoy it with the pizzas, sea bass wrapped in prosciutto, or the duck confit salad
-
- – legendary Rafanelli Zinfandel, the quintessential Dry Creek Valley zin: $34; this wine is impossible to buy, and is the one wine to serve to first-time visitors to California from other countries
-
- – Stags’ Leap Winery Petite Syrah (they use the “y”): $39.50; you pay almost this retail, if you can find it
-
- – a 2001 Rioja: $45; takes you back to a very traditional style of winemaking

The restaurant was busy, busy, busy last night, not what I expected for a Monday. We had a threesome of appetizers (you can choose any three for $15), one small plate “of the Mediterranean,” and one large plate. Highlight was the small plate: goat cheese half-wrapped in grape leaves and grilled with a balsamic reduction and grilled fuyu persimmons. (Who thinks up these combinations? This one was a winner.) We also loved the beets with a little goat cheese, enjoyed the cod croquettes and marinated wild mushrooms, and didn’t really need the roast chicken on a bed of greens but gobbled it down anyway.

I've been a little worried about Zibibbo. I am no longer. Service and food were without fault, and it was nice and warm and pleasant to be in.

Caffè del Doge in the Caltrain station opens, at long last

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:36:08 -0800

After a year of delays, mainly permit-related, Caffè del Doge Venezia finally opened inside the downtown Palo Alto Caltrain station building on Friday, as previously announced. The menu is the same as the University Avenue location except that some of the coffee drinks come in only one size, not two. Part of the lobby keeps its long rows of wooden benches while the part near the serving area has some small tables. It’s always been a very pretty building inside and remains so with the addition of the food and drink service. You will find ready-made sandwiches and desserts as well as a plenitude of beverages.

Hours are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, at least for now.

Madison & Fifth is “sold”; yeah, and out

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:28:54 -0800

The mistakes that kept Madison and Fifth from ever really catching on have finally caught up to it, and it closed its doors this week. Though the sign on the door says “SOLD. Reopening TBD” I would not hold my breath for a rapid restart. I think a lot of people wanted to feel good about going there but not enough did. Prices were too high given the inconsistent quality of the food. And if there’s one thing that consistently leaves a happy impression it’s having enough to drink. But the exorbitant prices for wine by the bottle and glass as well as corkage inhibited that. (I don’t know about the cocktail prices.) There was also a detached impersonality that perhaps reflected the New York attitude, but out here people don’t pay for abuse, no matter how much coolness it’s supposed to convey, not in these times.

If the restaurant reopens, I do hope the new owners keep the bright, exciting decor (and lower the bar a few inches). And please change the phony name.

Sidewalk re-opens; is there hope for Dead Street?

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 11:35:11 -0800

With construction nearing completion on the building on the southeast corner of University and Bryant, the sidewalk is open once again, enabling people to walk from University to the east side of Bryant between University and Hamilton. Recall that when the building that housed Walgreens on the ground floor and the San Jose Mercury News on the upper floors burned, that side of Bryant lost its pedestrian access and several businesses closed. Among them was Zucca European, a restaurant I liked a lot, and its successor the aptly if cynically named Dead Street Cafe. Plus San Francisco’s Naked Fish canceled plans to move in.

Now all that remains is internal work on the building and fitting out for the tenants, and walking around that corner is unimpeded. If the economy continues to improve (by measures few of us can detect personally) I am hopeful that that block will come back to life. For starters I’d like to see more business at Rangoon, the lovely little Burmese/Chinese place at 565 Bryant close to the corner of Hamilton that through some miracle has survived. I suspect it will be some time before anyone has the courage (or the cash) to gamble on 541 Bryant again. Perhaps with the advent of springtime...

MacArthur Park: a trip back in time in more ways than one

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 11:53:32 -0800

It had been a couple of years since I had been to MacArthur Park for any reason, and quite a few since I had gone there for dinner. So I was quite curious how it was now that founding chef Faz Poursohi (of the fabulous Faz Sunnyvale restaurant) and his business partner Chuck Frank had bought and revived the restaurant. Dining there on this Sunday was a trip back in time, in two main ways.

First, the building, decor, and music are the comfort food of ambiance. You know how much I adore Julia Morgan’s architecture, reflecting a 1918 sensibility of welcome to our returning WWI troops and their families. All the exposed beams in the high ceiling and balconies exude craftsmanship we rarely see now. White dominates the color scheme, from the wood to the linens. This day it was set off by the green and sparkles of holiday decorations. Background music (a little louder than I preferred) was pure classical Christmas music, old favorites by original artists. Norman Rockwell would have been inspired. All in all, the experience was the opposite of edgy.

Second, Faz has brought back not only his famous ribs (still imported from Chicago, where he got his start) but also a traditional menu. Although the macaroni and cheese did not appear on the menu that night, the meatloaf did. The bread was fresh baked and warm, and it was good. My companion enjoyed the butternut squash soup, served in a right-sized bowl – not too small, not too large, while I started with portobello mushroom slices in a cast-iron skillet with a shallots and white wine reduction; no unpronounceable ingredients there. This dish came with grilled toast points (there’s an expression that should take you back), which I found superfluous to the superior bread in the basket. Our mains were the whole Maine lobster and, for me, the lamb chops, eight riblets served with potatoes au gratin and green beans. My dish arrived no longer hot, and the lamb either slightly past medium rare or just naturally not that tender. There were other service lapses, such as when the waiter brought me a steak knife for the lamb chops while I was finishing my appetizer and the busboy took it away when he cleared my appetizer. I think our waiter was not quite on top of things, though he was friendly.

For dessert, we ordered both the turtle pie and the mud pie, and got approximately three times as much food as we needed. But both were nicely made and attractively served. I was delighted that the drink menu accompanying the dessert menu included not only an Italian amaro (a bitter) but my all-time favorite one, Ramazzotti, so we had one of those. You wouldn’t believe how difficult it is to find Italian digestivi even on the menus of fine Italian restaurants, much less an amaro like this one. Although we did not order off the wine list (having brought a special bottle of our own) I thought the selections were remarkably well chosen, and there were several I would have ordered. Pricewise, I found the inexpensive wines overpriced and the expensive wines underpriced. (I’m not considering the library wines.)

Appetizers and desserts were mostly in the $7-9 range; our entrees were in the upper $20s, though there are considerably less expensive entrées. Because Sunday was a fairly light day, all the diners were clustered in the right half of the restaurant, which was a good idea. All in all our evening did not push the envelope, and frankly I think we paid a lot for a quality level that did not quite match. But it was non-stressful and comforting, which feels good once in a while.

Caffè del Doge opens in the Caltrain station December 11

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:02:49 -0800

The long-awaited opening of Caffè del Doge inside the cleaned-up Caltrain station at the foot of University Avenue is scheduled for noon on Friday December 11. From noon-5 p.m. they are offering free samples of some of their goodies. I’ll be curious to see how many people take advantage of this. Palo Alto is the second busiest station on the Caltrain line, after downtown San Francisco, but it’s not a place people hang out (unless they are drunk or homeless). Candidate customers are Caltrain commuters and those taking the Marguerite Shuttle to Stanford, but most of these people are in a hurry. The large numbers who take the buses at the adjacent transit center are more patient but not likely to be customers of a high-end coffee place. And those on the northbound side have to take one of the tunnels to the Caffè del Doge side; none of these are very pleasant, especially in the morning before they have been washed and deodorized.

The ideal success scenario has people coming to Caffè del Doge well in advance of their train or bus expressly to enjoy the coffee, or even coming after dinner somewhere else and not taking transit. Hours have not been set, but I suspect it won’t be open in the evenings, or past rush hour anyway.

Evvia reopens tomorrow

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:11:09 -0800

Evvia has completed the repairs from the fire damage it sustained in September and will reopen tomorrow (Thursday November 19). You will find the room laid out as you remember it, only fresh and sparkling. Being closed for seven weeks can be devastating for a restaurant. In Evvia’s case I suspect they will be back in high demand almost immediately, and fortunately available to reap the benefits of the upcoming celebratory season.