Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Chez Papa (Potrero Hill, San Francisco)
French staff, very friendly. Prompt service. The seared Foie Gras was excellent. Bistro-style seating: i.e., you are close to your neighbor (which we enjoy if the neighbors are also fun)! There are a couple outdoor tables, if the weather is nice. The outdoor tables also have a nice view of downtown SF. The wine list is limited and wines by-the-glass are a bit pricey; I'd recommend BYOB. Corkage is a reasonable $12; free on Tuesdays! I had the Ahi cooked rare and it was perfect. There is another French restaurant next door, which also looks interesting. Two appetizers, two entrees, one dessert, one corkage, two glasses of wine = $125. We'd definitely go back.
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Cellar Cat. Yea, I know we were just there the other night. This time, Gina and I took my mother and our dog, Emma, to Sunday Brunch. Bliss! We sat outside on the ample deck. The weather was absolutely perfect, the trees were green, and the food was great. I could have sat there all afternoon, but Gina and I were headed to the beach with Emma.
Gina had the "CC" salad. Mom and I split the fruit plate and Croque Monsieur sandwich. Our split was plenty of food for two. As with dinner, a starter of pita triangles and hummus was provided. The Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich on yummy french bread with gruyere, ham, and a white sauce. There is also a Croque Madame, which adds an egg. The latter is Gina's favorite, but she's on a diet.
Cellar Cat is very dog friendly. Emma was happy to lay on the deck under our table. There is an aging house dog (golden retriever) that was also sprawled out. One of the other tables had brought a dog also. Cellar Cat does not charge for split plates. With beverages (cappucino and hot tea), the total came to $28.
Gina had the "CC" salad. Mom and I split the fruit plate and Croque Monsieur sandwich. Our split was plenty of food for two. As with dinner, a starter of pita triangles and hummus was provided. The Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich on yummy french bread with gruyere, ham, and a white sauce. There is also a Croque Madame, which adds an egg. The latter is Gina's favorite, but she's on a diet.
Cellar Cat is very dog friendly. Emma was happy to lay on the deck under our table. There is an aging house dog (golden retriever) that was also sprawled out. One of the other tables had brought a dog also. Cellar Cat does not charge for split plates. With beverages (cappucino and hot tea), the total came to $28.
Cellar Cat. Yea, I know we were just there the other night. This time, Gina and I took my mother and our dog, Emma, to Sunday Brunch. Bliss! We sat outside on the ample deck. The weather was absolutely perfect, the trees were green, and the food was great. I could have sat there all afternoon, but Gina and I were headed to the beach with Emma.
Gina had the "CC" salad. Mom and I split the fruit plate and Croque Monsieur sandwich. Our split was plenty of food for two. As with dinner, a starter of pita triangles and hummus was provided. The Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich on yummy french bread with gruyere, ham, and a white sauce. There is also a Croque Madame, which adds an egg. The latter is Gina's favorite, but she's on a diet.
Cellar Cat is very dog friendly. Emma was happy to lay on the deck under our table. There is an aging house dog (golden retriever) that was also sprawled out. One of the other tables had brought a dog also. With beverages (cappucino and hot tea), the total came to $28.
Gina had the "CC" salad. Mom and I split the fruit plate and Croque Monsieur sandwich. Our split was plenty of food for two. As with dinner, a starter of pita triangles and hummus was provided. The Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich on yummy french bread with gruyere, ham, and a white sauce. There is also a Croque Madame, which adds an egg. The latter is Gina's favorite, but she's on a diet.
Cellar Cat is very dog friendly. Emma was happy to lay on the deck under our table. There is an aging house dog (golden retriever) that was also sprawled out. One of the other tables had brought a dog also. With beverages (cappucino and hot tea), the total came to $28.
Cellar Cat. Yea, I know we were just there the other night. This time, Gina and I took my mother and our dog, Emma, to Sunday Brunch. Bliss! We sat outside on the ample deck. The weather was absolutely perfect, the trees were green, the food was great. I could have sat there all afternoon, but Gina and I were headed to the beach with Emma.
Gina had the "CC" salad. Mom and I split the fruit plate and Croque Monsieur sandwich. Our split was plenty of food for two. As with dinner, a starter of pita triangles and hummus was provided. The Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich on yummy french bread with gruyere, ham, and a white sauce. There is also a Croque Madame, which adds an egg. The latter is Gina's favorite, but she's on a diet.
Cellar Cat is very dog friendly. Emma was happy to lay on the deck under our table. There is an aging house dog (golden retriever) that was also sprawled out. One of the other tables had brought a dog also. With beverages (cappucino and hot tea), the total came to $28.
Gina had the "CC" salad. Mom and I split the fruit plate and Croque Monsieur sandwich. Our split was plenty of food for two. As with dinner, a starter of pita triangles and hummus was provided. The Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich on yummy french bread with gruyere, ham, and a white sauce. There is also a Croque Madame, which adds an egg. The latter is Gina's favorite, but she's on a diet.
Cellar Cat is very dog friendly. Emma was happy to lay on the deck under our table. There is an aging house dog (golden retriever) that was also sprawled out. One of the other tables had brought a dog also. With beverages (cappucino and hot tea), the total came to $28.
Friday, August 01, 2003
Cellar Cat. 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 707/933-1465. Open Wed-Sun 11:30 AM-9:30 PM. Located just south of "downtown" Glen Ellen in Jack London Village behind the Olive Press, this is a good place to rub elbows with the locals. Reservations are usually unnecessary. Live music is offered occasionally. Cellar Cat recently expanded to about 10 tables inside (plus bar seating) and about 8 outside. Most are tables for 2. There are some daily specials, plus the regular menu options. Gina and I went for dinner on a Friday night. We shared soup, salad, and one entree, and each had a beverage. The total came to $54. The Cellar Cat is about the best deal in Glen Ellen!
The most impressive thing about Cellar Cat's recent expansion is the wine list. Its breadth is truly impressive for Glen Ellen. There are no $300 Bordeaux, but there is a great selection of varietals from local vineyards (some would be difficult to find elsewhere), plus some bottles from the northwest, plus a selection of reasonably priced French bottles. Gina had a glass of Glen Lyon "Hog Wilde" chardonnay and I had a bottle of Lost Coast "Great White" beer. Upon arrival, we were presented with a basket of pita triangles with hummus -- a nice change from the usual French bread and whatever. Gina had a poached-salmon salad, which was delicious and filling, and I had the white bean soup with Andouille sausage, which was good (could have been a bit spicier). For an entree, we had our hearts set on the pork filet, but Gina's on a low-salt diet, so we opted for the grilled rib eye. Our steak was generous and was wonderfully seasoned in a thyme-shallot-cabernet-veal stock. The talented young chef, Jason, was happy to fill us in on every detail of the preparation of each dish. I was amused when an older women asked Jason to tell the chef how good everything was. When she found out that he was the chef, she remarked "you're too young to cook that well. It was awesome." This guy is obviously going places!
The dinner entrees included risotto, pasta, and fish specials, plus the regular chicken, pork, and beef menu items. The appetizer list was extensive and included a couple Thai-inspired items and a nice selection of cheese plates. I counted 15 bottles of port and various late-harvest sweeties to match with the dessert selection. We finally opted to come home for dessert, but the croissant bread pudding was a serious temptation. The ambience is bistro, but has never been noisy the half-dozen times we've been there. There is one tiny stove, which is in the seating area; I am impressed that they can move that much food through such a tiny device. The decorating theme is "cat". There are cat books, cat salt shakers, cat posters, and cat everything else. If you like cats, you will definitely want to eat at the Cellar Cat cafe!
A locally-owned Glen Ellen bistro. Friendly atmosphere, very good food, and an impressive wine list. When you visit Glen Ellen, eat where the locals eat!
The most impressive thing about Cellar Cat's recent expansion is the wine list. Its breadth is truly impressive for Glen Ellen. There are no $300 Bordeaux, but there is a great selection of varietals from local vineyards (some would be difficult to find elsewhere), plus some bottles from the northwest, plus a selection of reasonably priced French bottles. Gina had a glass of Glen Lyon "Hog Wilde" chardonnay and I had a bottle of Lost Coast "Great White" beer. Upon arrival, we were presented with a basket of pita triangles with hummus -- a nice change from the usual French bread and whatever. Gina had a poached-salmon salad, which was delicious and filling, and I had the white bean soup with Andouille sausage, which was good (could have been a bit spicier). For an entree, we had our hearts set on the pork filet, but Gina's on a low-salt diet, so we opted for the grilled rib eye. Our steak was generous and was wonderfully seasoned in a thyme-shallot-cabernet-veal stock. The talented young chef, Jason, was happy to fill us in on every detail of the preparation of each dish. I was amused when an older women asked Jason to tell the chef how good everything was. When she found out that he was the chef, she remarked "you're too young to cook that well. It was awesome." This guy is obviously going places!
The dinner entrees included risotto, pasta, and fish specials, plus the regular chicken, pork, and beef menu items. The appetizer list was extensive and included a couple Thai-inspired items and a nice selection of cheese plates. I counted 15 bottles of port and various late-harvest sweeties to match with the dessert selection. We finally opted to come home for dessert, but the croissant bread pudding was a serious temptation. The ambience is bistro, but has never been noisy the half-dozen times we've been there. There is one tiny stove, which is in the seating area; I am impressed that they can move that much food through such a tiny device. The decorating theme is "cat". There are cat books, cat salt shakers, cat posters, and cat everything else. If you like cats, you will definitely want to eat at the Cellar Cat cafe!
A locally-owned Glen Ellen bistro. Friendly atmosphere, very good food, and an impressive wine list. When you visit Glen Ellen, eat where the locals eat!
Cellar Cat. 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 707/933-1465. Open Wed-Sun 11:30 AM-9:30 PM. Located just south of "downtown" Glen Ellen in Jack London Village behind the Olive Press, this is a good place to rub elbows with the locals. Reservations are usually unnecessary. Live music is offered occasionally. Cellar Cat recently expanded to about 7 tables inside (plus bar seating) and about 8 outside. Most are tables for 2. There are some daily specials, plus the regular menu options. Gina and I went for dinner on a Friday night. We shared soup, salad, and one entree, and each had a beverage. The total came to $54. The Cellar Cat is about the best deal in Glen Ellen!
The most impressive thing about Cellar Cat's recent expansion is the wine list. Its breadth is truly impressive for Glen Ellen. There are no $300 Bordeaux, but there is a great selection of varietals from local vineyards (some would be difficult to find elsewhere), plus some bottles from the northwest, plus a selection of reasonably-priced French bottles. Gina had a glass of Glen Lyon "Hog Wilde" chardonnay and I had a bottle of Lost Coast "Great White" beer. Upon arrival, we were presented with a basket of pita triangles with hummus -- a nice change from the usual French bread and whatever. Gina had a salmon salad, which was delicious and filling, and I had the white bean soup with Andouille sausage, which was good (could have been a bit spicier). For an entree, we had our hearts set on the pork filet, but Gina's on a low-salt diet, so we opted for the grilled ribeye. Our steak was generous and was wonderfully seasoned in a thyme-shallot-cabernet-veal stock. The talented young chef, Jason, was happy to fill us in on every detail of the preparation of each dish. I was amused when an older women asked Jason to tell the chef how good everything was. When she found out that he was the chef, she remaredk "you're too young to cook that well." This guy is obviously going places!
The dinner entrees included risotto, pasta, and fish specials, plus regular chicken, pork, and beef menu items. The appetizer list was extensive and included several Thai-inspired items and a nice selection of cheese plates. I counted 15 bottles of port and various late-harvest sweeties to match with the desert selection. We finally opted to come home for desert, but the croissant bread pudding was a serious temptation. The ambience is a bistro, but has never been noisy the half-dozen times we've been there. There is one tiny stove, which is in the seating area; I am impressed that they can move that much food through such a tiny device. The decorating theme is "cat". There are cat books, cat salt shakers, cat posters, and cat everything else. If you like cats, you will definately want to eat at the Cellar Cat cafe!
A locally-owned Glen Ellen bistro. Friendly atmosphere, very good food, and an impressive wine list. When you visit Glen Ellen, eat where the locals eat!
The most impressive thing about Cellar Cat's recent expansion is the wine list. Its breadth is truly impressive for Glen Ellen. There are no $300 Bordeaux, but there is a great selection of varietals from local vineyards (some would be difficult to find elsewhere), plus some bottles from the northwest, plus a selection of reasonably-priced French bottles. Gina had a glass of Glen Lyon "Hog Wilde" chardonnay and I had a bottle of Lost Coast "Great White" beer. Upon arrival, we were presented with a basket of pita triangles with hummus -- a nice change from the usual French bread and whatever. Gina had a salmon salad, which was delicious and filling, and I had the white bean soup with Andouille sausage, which was good (could have been a bit spicier). For an entree, we had our hearts set on the pork filet, but Gina's on a low-salt diet, so we opted for the grilled ribeye. Our steak was generous and was wonderfully seasoned in a thyme-shallot-cabernet-veal stock. The talented young chef, Jason, was happy to fill us in on every detail of the preparation of each dish. I was amused when an older women asked Jason to tell the chef how good everything was. When she found out that he was the chef, she remaredk "you're too young to cook that well." This guy is obviously going places!
The dinner entrees included risotto, pasta, and fish specials, plus regular chicken, pork, and beef menu items. The appetizer list was extensive and included several Thai-inspired items and a nice selection of cheese plates. I counted 15 bottles of port and various late-harvest sweeties to match with the desert selection. We finally opted to come home for desert, but the croissant bread pudding was a serious temptation. The ambience is a bistro, but has never been noisy the half-dozen times we've been there. There is one tiny stove, which is in the seating area; I am impressed that they can move that much food through such a tiny device. The decorating theme is "cat". There are cat books, cat salt shakers, cat posters, and cat everything else. If you like cats, you will definately want to eat at the Cellar Cat cafe!
A locally-owned Glen Ellen bistro. Friendly atmosphere, very good food, and an impressive wine list. When you visit Glen Ellen, eat where the locals eat!
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Tub-Tim. 510 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera. 415/924-1223. Open M-F for lunch (11:30-2:30) and 7-days for dinner (5-9:30). Located in Park Madera Center behind the Qwik gas station, this hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant has good food at reasonable prices. There are some daily specials, such as pumpkin chicken and beef musamun (a personal favorite). I went for lunch with my boss on a Monday afternoon for a quick bite. The total came to $15 for two entries and soft drinks. Downright cheap for Marin!
At 2 PM, there were only 3 tables occupied out of about 10. Despite being small with a kitchen right off the dining room, the place was quiet. The lunch menu has 13 entree selections, mostly mainstream Thai dishes, like Satay, Pad-Thai, and curries, plus 4 or 5 specials. Soup is included. A selection of appetizers, salads, savory soups, and desserts are also available. I had the Chicken Curry, which was a yellow, almost Indian-style curry, and Bill had Pad-Thai prepared as a vegetarian dish. Both dishes were good, and service was fast. We both like Thai food (E-Saan in Boyes Hot Springs is our local favorite), and felt these these dishes were good and excellent values, but lacked the imagination and presentation of other Thai restaurants.
Dinner includes 20 dishes. A few inexpensive wines (BV Viognier-Chardonnay, $18, Fetzer Cab., $16, and others) and beer (Singha) are available. Corkage is a bargain at $5.
A great place for a quick bite. A great alternative to a fast-food stop near the Corte Madera mall, and convenient to the 101. Check it out!
At 2 PM, there were only 3 tables occupied out of about 10. Despite being small with a kitchen right off the dining room, the place was quiet. The lunch menu has 13 entree selections, mostly mainstream Thai dishes, like Satay, Pad-Thai, and curries, plus 4 or 5 specials. Soup is included. A selection of appetizers, salads, savory soups, and desserts are also available. I had the Chicken Curry, which was a yellow, almost Indian-style curry, and Bill had Pad-Thai prepared as a vegetarian dish. Both dishes were good, and service was fast. We both like Thai food (E-Saan in Boyes Hot Springs is our local favorite), and felt these these dishes were good and excellent values, but lacked the imagination and presentation of other Thai restaurants.
Dinner includes 20 dishes. A few inexpensive wines (BV Viognier-Chardonnay, $18, Fetzer Cab., $16, and others) and beer (Singha) are available. Corkage is a bargain at $5.
A great place for a quick bite. A great alternative to a fast-food stop near the Corte Madera mall, and convenient to the 101. Check it out!
