"Mad" Miles' Favorite Restaurants

["Mad" Miles]

Dear Waccobies,

After my comments this afternoon about restaurants I was inspired to write the following.

Bon Appetit!

"M"M

***********************************************************

Miles’ favorite inexpensive but tasty restaurants
in central and western Sonoma County
By R. Miles Mendenhall


1/17/2007

These are places where I go to eat (or get take-out/take-away) and can get a good meal for between $10 and $15. The food is good, the people friendly and while the ambience might be strip mall formica and self-serve condiments (some, not all) this is where you can eat well, interestingly and not spend the normal $20-$30 that a restaurant meal costs now days.

(Dear Vegetarians, Vegans and Animal Rights Activists: You’re my Peeps. I’ve carried out many an action with you my sisters and brothers. But, please bear in mind that I’m an omnivore with carnivoral tendencies. These places may have vegetarian choices but that’s not why I go to them. Yes I’ve read “Diet for A Small Planet” and much other anti-meat commentary. I’ve been through the debate and have made my choices. Please save the preaching for someone you have a hope of convincing.)


Santa Trata Eritrean Restaurant
711 Stony Point Road 8A, West Santa Rosa
(The Stony Point Shopping Center, Next to Pho Vietnam, which is the best Pho place in the area. But I miss Cam Ranh Bay!)
575-8792

Recently I've gotten takeout from there three times in the last three or four weeks. It's great! Tell Helen Miles said Hi. I look forward to sitting down to eat there, when it’s convenient for me.

I can get a meat entree and a vegetable with Ingera bread for $11 including a dollar tip.

I recommend the Zigne (Spicy Beef Stew) and the Hamlee (Spinach). I've also had the Doro Kulwa (Chicken with garlic, onions and pepper) and the Tibsi (Lamb). Everything is really tasty and there are several more dishes that I haven't tried yet. (Yes, I have their menu in front of me!)

We really need to get them regular business so they can stick around! I’ve been jonesing for a good African restaurant in this area for years. Now we just need to add a Moroccan, and a West African to round things out!


Lola’s Taqueria
Petaluma Hills Road, South Santa Rosa

Great tacos, great seafood soups. Nice service. Excellent prices for the quality and quantity received.


Papas and Pollo
915 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol
829-9037

Cool hippy surfer beachcomber ambiance, excellent brews on tap, the chicken mesquite grilled tacos (or burritos or baked potatoes) are excellent. I haven’t tried the shrimp tacos yet, but I’m meaning to.


Su Casa
108 Calistoga Road
St. Francis Shopping Center, Calistoga Road and Highway 12 (in the back corner of the elbow, north of Safeway)
538-7937

Jose serves the best America (U.S.) breakfasts in Santa Rosa. Better than Max’s, Omelet Express and even the Russian River Pub on River Road where I eat because I live in Forestville. When I lived in Rincon Valley I was there at least once a week. He is part of the Ochoa family who own taquerias around town. And a hell of a nice guy. His Mexican food is also very, very good.


But for some of the other best Mexican cuisine:
Mexico Lindo
9030 Graton Road, Downtown Graton
823-4154

One of the only places around here that serves Mole. It was my sainted mother’s favorite Mexican restaurant because of that. Try the Fish Veracruz, one of my favorites. Mario and family are the salt of the earth, and some of my favorite west county habitants. Check out the music he has on Friday evenings. When the weather’s nice try eating on the back patio.


Taqueria Sol Azteca
1435 E. Cotati Avenue, a few block from SSU on E. Cotati towards Cotati
792-1859

I discovered this place when I was a credential student at Sonoma State. The best Al Pastor I’ve had in the North Bay.


Back to Asia!

Thai Mekong
52 Mission Plaza, Suite 111
McDonald’s Center at Mission and 12, Next to Pamposh
538-8382

B.J. upgraded his teriyaki place to emphasize his native Thai, Laotian and Cambodian dishes. The food is plentiful, fresh and tasty. When I lived in Rincon Valley I also ate there at least once a week.



Baan Thai
Larkfield Shopping Center, Old River Road north of the intersection with Mark West Springs Road / River Road

I’ve only eaten there once, recently but they do Thai right. I don’t know if you know it, but Chinese immigrants run some local Thai restaurants. I think it has something to do with a glut of Chinese places and the fact that the market will bear more for Thai than Chinese. They can cook Thai but I think I can notice subtle differences in quality between Thai food made by native Thai’s and non-natives. Something about the crispness and freshness of the flavors and avoiding overcooking the ingredients. Baan Thai is Thai food done by Thai’s at a not too exorbitant price. (Unlike excellent Thai food, made by Thai’s who charge a premium!)


And back to Latin America....
Hot Tamales, Central American Tamales and Pupusas
3020 Santa Rosa Avenue #F
568-1241

These El Salvadorian tamales are wrapped in banana leaves and have a softer smoother masa than Mexican ones. They also have more filling, compared to the Mexican style. I’ve only eaten here once. But it was very tasty and they had some of the most interesting and varied salsas of any Latino place I’ve been to lately. The tamales did not have green olives in them like I’ve come to expect from Central American tamales. That would be my one and only very minor complaint!


Ting Hau, Northern Chinese
717 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa (across anarchy alley from Russian River Brewing)
545-5204

Great Chinese food for a great price. Tell Aihe Miles says Hi and is sorry he hasn’t been around. This is a place I ignored for several years until friends introduced me to it. I grew up eating Chinese and Mexican in Taiwan, Colorado Springs, Seoul – Korea and Huntsville – AL. and at home. My mother was a fabulous cook and took lessons when we lived in Asia. Also my parents would try every Chinese restaurant in a twenty mile radius when we first moved somewhere, then take us kids back to the best ones. I lived in Taipei again for six months in ’97. I know a little bit about Chinese food. These folks do it just right. But I’ve eaten so much of it over the years that it isn’t the first style I seek out when I’m hungry. I don’t eat hamburgers and French fries very often for similar reasons. That’s the only reason I don’t eat at Ting Hau at least once a week.



That’s it. I eat at other places, with excellent food, but they won’t let me out without dropping at least $20 or more. So they don’t make this list. Maybe I’ll do another one of my other regular haunts where I go when I have the scratch.

As for all the folks above, tell them Miles sent you!

[Tars]

I can get a meat entree and a vegetable with Ingera bread for $11 including a dollar tip.

You tip 10%? What did they do to insult you?

[Lorrie]

Carrows Cares.

[Allen]

Nice list MM, thanks. Lets hope people will add their favorite places. For info., I often use the two links below when looking for restaurants in out of town places. www.chowhound.com and www.yelp.com. The below links are for San Francisco.
allen

https://www.chowhound.com/boards/show/1

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc...&sortby=rating

[Barry]

You tip 10%? What did they do to insult you?

This kicked off a discussion on tipping that I have spit off into its own Tipping thread.

Anybody else have some favorite Inexpensive Resturants you want to share with us? :dinner:

["Mad" Miles]

My Favorite Expensive (For Me) Restaurants
Where you can get a delicious meal for between $15-$35

By R. Miles Mendenhall
1/31/2007

Flavor (I quit going to Flavor a few years ago. After they got rid of their non-latino staff, the remaining staff do an excellent job by the way, but I heard some stories about the financing of the place, and I just didn't want to patronize them anymore. Foods good. Service is excellent. I like the idea. Just not comfortable there. Plus I don't live or work there, or hang out in "town" [in this case Santa Rosa] as much any more. 7/18/10)
96 Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa
573-9600

Fresh, local ingredients, many of them organic. Traditional European/American cuisine with some Latin and Asian selections. Great wine list and brews on tap. Friendly service and nice setting. I can usually get an entrée and a glass of wine and walk out after paying around $20-$30. And they’re open all day! I tend to eat around 4:00 p.m. when I’m working as a teacher. That causes me no end of irritation when places are closed between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Tell Stu I said hello.

Anatolia (Sorry! Long Gone...Still miss it.)
527 4^th Street, a couple of doors east of Tex Wasabi’s, Santa Rosa
527-7799

Lebanese Arab Cuisine. I love the lamb kababs. Big plate with rice and vegetables. Free Hummus and Pita Bread. Very nice chef/owners. When you’re jonseing for Middle Eastern food, this is the place. Also open all afternoon. If you’re into hot sauce don’t forget to ask. They don’t automatically serve it. For a change from baklava try the “Boorma” (spelled phonetically).

Annapurna Himalayan
535 Ross Street just east of B Street (The Mall), Santa Rosa
579-8471

Nepalese curries and Nan. Yeah! Lunch Buffet. Best curries for the price in Santa Rosa and I’ve tried all of them. Plus the owner, Dikendra, is very cool and down. He has hosted charity events for the homeless and other causes at his restaurant. If you want to eat in the traditional style they have a few low tables with cushions available.


Nhabee Korean (Sorry! Gone, Su was great. Very good Ethiopian place is there now.)
913 4^th Street just west of Brookwood Avenue, Santa Rosa
568-6455

Sizzling platters of Bul-Go-Gi (grilled marinated sliced beef ), bowls of mixed grain (millet and brown rice), Many little plates of various kimchee (marinated pickled vegetables, particularly cabbage). You don’t get as many varieties of kimchee as at Bear Korean in Cotati (which is also good) but Nhabee isn’t quite as expensive as Bear either. Also vegetarian, pork, chicken and fish. Glass noodles. My penchant for Korean food was established when we lived there from 1967-1969. Su, the owner is a real character and always fun to chat with. “Kam Sam Nida” (A as in Ahh) means “Thank You.”

Café Japan (Aya! Closed, See Review of Toyo, Which I'm about to write, It'll be up top of this thread 7/18/10. Chef Yo works there Wednesday through Saturday.)
98 Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa
566-7650

Jen and Yo’s careful rendition of a local student café in Japan. Very, very fresh and delicious sushi, Udon and Soba noodle soups, Hot Pots in the winter, Lots of veggie options, Bento Boxes, elaborate sake selection.

(Try the Himezen, clear but slightly sweet with citrus overtones. I wish some local package store carried bottles of it at a decent price. Asiana Market in Cotati can get it for $28 for a medium bottle [.75 Liter?]. I won’t pay that when I can get Cho Chiku Bai Nigori at Bottle Barn for just under $9 for a 1.5 Liter bottle!)

When I’ve got the scratch this is where I go for the finest Japanese food. Where else does the chef play the opening bars of “Iron Man” on chimes to let the server know the order’s up?


Shangrila Café
1706 E Cotati Ave, Across from SSU, Rohnert Park
793-0300

Great Indian food. Some of the most reasonable prices in the county. I also like Karma Bistro and Pamposh but when it comes to money for value give me these folks and Annapurna any day.


Steak Houses: 505 Mendocino in Santa Rosa is where I go. Stump Town Brewery in Rio Nido (869-0705) also has good deals and quality. I’ve been to Hunter in Northeast Santa Rosa (Gone!) and to Cattlemen’s in Montgomery Village and I would choose the first two over the latter.



Sushi: Sushi To Dai For in Railroad Square (110 4^th Street) and Sushi Tozai in Sebastopol (7351 Healdsburg Ave. i.e. 116, 324-9886) are both very, very good. For fresh, organic see Café Japan above. But there is no sushi bar there so these are the place to go if you want to interact with the chef. (Chef Yo works at Toyo and loves to talk!)


High End: I’ve eaten at Rubix, Stella’s Café, Mosaic, K&L Bistro, Barn Diva and Underwood, in most cases only once. They were all very good but significantly more expensive than any of the above. So, sans date and more income than I’m used to, I keep going back to the places above when I can afford to splurge a little.


Vegetables: One of the problems I have by eating out is a lack of vegetables in my diet. I like meat and carbohydrates and have the waistline (or lack thereof) to prove it. But I also crave fresh, lightly cooked vegetables and unless I’m going to spend more than $30 for a meal I can’t get them along with the meat and carbs that are central to my preferred diet. Some of the places above allow for it, especially the Asian restaurants. But it is still difficult. An iceberg lettuce salad ain’t a vegetable in my book!


“Meat is Murder” commentary: Please see the opening to my “inexpensive” list.


An additional entry to the “inexpensive” list:

Recently I’ve discovered Super Pollo. (Gone! There's another Mexican place there, it's not bad. But they don't do the incredible chicken.)
1195 College, in the G&G Shopping Center, Santa Rosa
544-8280

Great grilled chicken, moist, tender and juicy with a nice spice rub. Good tacos and the rest of Mexican food. Combinations that include grilled cactus (a bit too viscous for my taste although I like the flavor) That combo is called Molcajete (sp?) and while not as cheap as the other options it was a feast. It’s a fast food setting with very good traditional Mexican choices and chicken much, much better than any KFC type jint.

A list of cuisine’s that I’d like to be able to find locally but can’t: Moroccan, West African, Eastern European, Inexpensive French and other Continental styles, Native American (except that most Latino food qualifies), Good Cajun and Creole at a reasonable price, South American (Brazilian, Argentinean, etc.), Martian Country Fare (just checking to see if you’re still reading!)


A list of places that didn’t last and I miss: Shiraz Café and Market (Persian Shishkebab), Korean BBQ on Sebastopol Road, The Old Vic, The Cock ‘N Bull, Cam Ranh Bay Vietnamese. Part of the reason I’ve written these lists is that I want the places that I like to stick around. If by promoting them I can help keep them open, well that’s only in my own interest. Restaurants are one of the hardest businesses to succeed at. Incredibly long hours and hard work with an 80% failure rate in the first year or so (at least that’s a statistic I vaguely recall). These ones that didn’t make it mostly suffered from a poor location that lacked enough traffic and sight appeal, or they were priced out of the real estate market because they were at good locations. The food was excellent and affordable so poor or too expensive location are the only reasons I see for their closing. (Just added on 7/18/10, and long gone: Cafe Japan, Nhabee Korean, Anatolia, Super Pollo, see comments after their names, above.)


Places I’ve never eaten because I can’t afford to but would like to try: The French Laundry, John Ash & Co., The Girl and the Fig, The General’s Daughter, etc., etc., etc.


Look Ma! No politics! (Well, except for that flesh eating issue…)


And remember, tell them Miles sent you…

I already received an unexpected 10% discount coupon on dinner at Baan Thai because I mentioned the previous list I put out. Since I’m doing this for free it’s nice to get some material recognition. And thank you to everyone who thanked me for the previous list. I mean, “You’re Welcome.”

By the way Baan Thai should probably be on this list rather then the inexpensive one. But it is still really good. I had the fresh duck rolls on Monday and while they didn’t send me the way they apparently did Jeff Cox (PD Food Critic) they were pretty tasty.

Bon Appetit!

[Barry]

Thanks Miles for your great comments!

You (the person reading this) are most welcome to add your own favorites or comments on restaurants already mentioned!

["Mad" Miles]

Yo Waccies,

Here're a few more additions to the list:

My Favorite Inexpensive Restaurants
By R. Miles Mendenhall
2/12/2007

Addendum:

Honey Biscuits (Long Gone!)
7981 Old Redwood Highway, Suite D, Cotati (Across the road from Zone Music)
795-9000
[email protected]

A “heart healthy” Southern Style home cooked cuisine storefront. Michelle, and Bill, prepare a few items a day and you can dine-in at the communal table or take it home. I heard about this place from a couple of women I ran into at Patisserie Angelica. I was excited because I grew up eating my mother’s southern cooking, that she learned from the Black and Mexican cooks at home in San Antonio.

When I first walked in I expressed my delight at finding a local Soul Food place. Michelle, replied, “This is fake soul food, we don’t use pork or beef and I’m from Southern Marin, Marin City! You’ll have to go to Petaluma if you want the real thing.” By that I took her to be saying that, “I’m not a Southerner” and “My food won’t give you a lot of cholesterol”.

Last Thursday she had Smothered Chicken, Cajun Pasta (Jambalaya with Penne, instead of rice) and Gumbo as a side, with a large Honey Biscuit of course. I had the pasta, gumbo and biscuit. Great food, great conversation, incredible prices. $8 for lunch, $10 for dinner, open till 8:00 p.m.

This is no fancy place. More like a lunch counter. But the atmosphere of community center, reading room and discussion salon beats the fanciest places around! She has been open for two years. Why didn’t anyone tell me earlier!

Menu varies day-by-day, week-by-week. Meatloaf on Fridays. This is from their flyer: “Honey Biscuits Café prepares quality Southern Style main dishes, side dishes, baked goods, jams and condiments. Have a taste of our Heart Healthy, lower fat and lower sugar dishes and baked goods. Please call and see what’s cooking.”


La Familia Mexican Restaurant
7981 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati (Same strip mall as Honey Biscuits)

I first drove to Cotati on "Stupor Bowl Sunday" to try the "new" Southern Country / Soul Food Restaurant I’d heard about. It was closed, so I ate my brunch at the Mexican restaurant next door. Very full menu, with lots of unusual choices not normally available in most taquerias. Posole, Barbacoa (steamed shredded lamb) and other delights. (Yeah, yeah, not for the lamb, I know!) Plus, if you’re looking for a great Sunday to take a scenic drive, pick the day of the Super Bowl, noone's out on the highways! It’s great!!



Cool Markets:

Grace Market
7981 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati (Same strip mall as Honey Biscuits)

A Korean grocery store with many, many imported selections from Korea and Japan. It is the most comprehensive Asian market that I’ve seen in Sonoma County. And I’ve been to a few. I’m planning to go back to get some of the noodle bowl that has un-desiccated ingredients, like the kinds I used to eat at home in Taipei and had yet to find available here.


Bee Kind Honey Store
921 Gravenstein Highway, next to Papas and Pollo
824-2905
www.beekind.com/

This honey shop and bee’s honey and wax products specialty store (candy, soaps, candles, emollients, gift baskets, beekeeping supplies, etc.) has the most amazing honey tasting bar I’ve ever seen. Some thirty different honeys from around the country and the world. Truly a sight and taste to behold. Plus if the news about Colony Collapse Disorder in today’s PD is as dire as it seems, it may be the only place to try these different honeys before bees, honey and most of our crops disappear!?


Santa Trata Eritrean Restaurant Update: (Long Gone!)
I ate there again yesterday. Helen, who is clearly expecting, said that some of you have gone in and mentioned this list, and my recommendation!

Excellent... my plot to increase her business and make sure it's a success, so Eritrean food will be available for the foreseeable future, is working!!

One possible glitch though. Helen needs to hire a host, server, front counter person to take over after she gives birth in three months or so.

Required qualifications: Native knowledge of Eritrean food, with fluent enough English to explain it to customers and answer all their picky questions. And as nice a personality as Helen's (I added that one, she just mentioned the first criteria. And she didn't say "picky". She just said that people, not just waccies, people in general, ask a LOT of questions.) She's having trouble finding someone, so if you know any articulate (in English) Eritreans who are interested refer them to her.

(And you thought the housemate/employee qualifications on this board were very selective...! Has anyone ever checked the demands that some posters make against our non-discrimination laws? Just curious. I sometimes wonder when reading some posts.)


:dinner:

[Lorrie]

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! YOU GET SOOOOO MUCH FOOD:dinner:

~ Peace ~Love ~Joy
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~Lorrie

Hello, one of my clients just took over the Parkside Cafe on Santa Rosa Avenue across from the Greyhound Bus Station. They have been open since Novemeber 06. I know what your thinking...... but think again...

It is now called Dierk's Parkside Cafe and the proprietor is Mark Dierkshising and his wife Karen Brodsky.
...

[Sabrina]

Yes, Parkside Cafe is pretty nice (I live right near it, and have had a chance to try a few things. And, yes, the portions are mostly pretty large, so you can easily share dishes. I almost wish they had some 1/2 size plates for when I'm by myself!

I've tried and enjoyed: The Salmon dish (for $12.95 ? Not bad price) The salmon tastes really fresh and perfect. Also the country benedict for breakfast, yum. Also, their salads (mostly organic spring mix, etc) ....they make all their own salad dressings, and the citrus vinagarette (think that's what they call it) is awesome, made with fresh myers lemons and plenty of garlic. I had a really nice freshly made clam chowder the other day in their as well. They have quality coffee and very nice sides of fresh fruit (very fresh, no mushy old parts of fruit). Also wonderful and unique sandwitches. It's a smallish menue but, very nice options.

But I do want to try that Euretrian place that Miles mentioned. Also, there's a new Pupusas Salvadorian place, north side of Hwy. 12, across from Fairgrounds, and across E. Street from Vets building in Santa Rosa, next to the 711. It's called "Pupusas". They have several different types of Pupusas for only $1.50 each. Also the tamali's are wrapped in banana leaves, they have fried plantaine and other really interesting reasonably priced stuff, including serving breakfast.

Sabrina

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! YOU GET SOOOOO MUCH FOOD:dinner:

~ Peace ~Love ~Joy
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~Lorrie

["Mad" Miles]

Nirvana – Addendum To:

My Favorite Expensive (For Me) Restaurants where you can get a good meal for between $15-$35

By R. Miles Mendenhall

3/7/2007

Nirvana (It's been closed a couple of years now.)

420 Mendocino Avenue #100, Santa Rosa
(next to the Armed Forces Recruiting Center and across the street from the Press Democrat parking lot)
575-3608
11:30-2:30 & 5:30-9:30 p.m. Every Day Of The Week

With a name like “Nirvana” I thought it had better be good, and it is! OK here goes; this is going to be a more elaborate write-up than I’ve been doing on this list, for reasons that I’ll go into at the end.

Yesterday, I ate lunch (actually what I call Linner) at this new “Indian Fusion Sanctuary” (as its sign describes it) with my friend Ari Camarota. Our visit was arranged by email with owner and chef Neil Advani and hosted by headwaiter/host David Powers.

David said “Namasté”, with clasped hands and a slight bow when he greeted me. The new décor was striking, in umber, black and gold with a large black head of Buddha water sculpture in the middle of the dining area. In talking with David (Neil has a day job as a financial and business consultant) I learned that they’ve been open for three weeks and a day, the redecoration took three to four months.

Lunches are an all you can eat buffet, but this isn’t your normal Indian/Nepalese buffet. In perusing the menu and talking with David, my first question was, what do you guys mean by “fusion”? On the Menu the concept is expressed by listing the “Inspiration” for various offerings: The drinks are inspired by Punjab, Bombay India and California, The Garam Chai – North India, The Salads – Bombay India, Mediterranean and California, Various appetizers entrees also have their inspirations listed.

I’ve been eating Indian food, and Pakistani, Nepalese, Burmese, Tibetan and Indonesian curries for many years. I’ve had it in New York, England, France, Taiwan, Chicago and Southern and Northern California, and probably a few other places I’ve forgotten about. I love it, among many other cuisines, and while I’m no expert, I think I have an educated palate when it comes to Indian spicing, ingredients and traditional dishes.

I grew up eating my mother’s chicken curry, on white rice, which was served on special occasions and was accompanied by many side dishes of condiments: chopped hard-boiled egg, sweet shredded coconut, shredded carrot, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, crushed salted peanuts, Major Grey’s Chutney, etc. It was only in eating at an Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam, while on a high school band contest and tour in the summer of 1972, that I understood she was serving a Javanese style curry and not Indian!

Good Indian food has clear, distinct yet complex and balanced flavors that are not too muddled or heavy, and the oil content in the curries is as low as possible. On a previous part of this list I mention all of the local Indian restaurants that I’ve eaten at over my last ten years of Sonoma County residency.

What you get at Nirvana is some of the best. And what is unique here, I’ve never seen it before, is that the menu is set up so that you can design your own curry. The base price of the various curries is ten dollars. Everything is made fresh, and for an additional dollar to three dollars you can customize your choice with varied meat, cheese and vegetable selections. The six curries available this month (Fusion Italian, Bombay Dhansak, Moti Mahal* Tikka Masala, Makhni Dal Lentil, Aloo Mattar, Baingan and Konkan) are headed with the notice that they change monthly. Each is explained on the menu in terms of ingredients and regional origin.

* Moti Mahal is the name of my favorite Indian restaurant in Chicago, in the Wriggleyville area, where in 1986 or so my friend Sahotra Sarkar taught me that the proper way to eat a samosa is with knife and fork, not with the fingers. It is one of the many great Chicago restaurants that I miss since leaving in 1997.

Nirvana has all of the standards: various kinds of nan, tandoori, samosa, papadam, and the curries already mentioned, but with fusional, inspirational twists that I’ve only touched on here.

The most expensive thing on the menu is the Mixed Tandoori platter for $15. This is a place where two can eat quite well for around $30 including drinks. They serve wine, beer, sodas, Pellegrino flavored waters and traditional Indian beverages.

Here’s what Ari said about the food, “Readily Accessible Flavors.” And that’s exactly right, the flavors are distinct and come in unusual combinations for Indian cuisine.

The lunch buffet selections rotate every weekday. It costs $9.33 after tax. Most other buffets have perhaps six to eight choices. Yesterdays at Nirvana had twelve. As David put it, his job is to, “make sure people are happy and come back.” He will adjust drink orders and dessert offerings, beyond what is offered at the buffet, if people request.

We were provided a sampler of the Lassi choices (the signature liquid yoghurt thirst quencher of the sub-continent). The choices were: Bombay Cumin Mint Salt, which was tart and slightly salty and reminded me of the side dish / condiment Raita (yoghurt with onions, cucumbers and sometimes tomato), Kashmir Rose, which was the sweetest and had a distinct fragrance AND TASTE of Rosewater, Saffron Mango, not as sweet as the Kashmir Rose, a little tart and ripe with the taste of fresh mango. My Fave.

The menu offers unusual items such as Scallops Tamateri or Crab Lajawab appetizers ($8 and $9 respectively) As well as the interesting variations on the traditional styles of curries and stews mentioned above.

After lunch we met Kuldeep the tandoori / sous chef. He is from New Delhi, call him Deep. We congratulated him on his delicious food.

Thursday through Sunday evenings they have entertainment. Belly Dancers on Thursday, Saturday and Sundays, Fusion Live Indian Music on Fridays.

Monday evening a dinner buffet is served.

If I had any criticism at all, it would be that there is no place to put the lids aside, while serving oneself from the various buffet tureens. But David assured Ari and me that they’re working on it.

The upstairs balcony dining seats a maximum of thirty. They can accommodate large parties with sufficient notice and advance menu planning. Group discounts on food may be available if negotiated in advance.

Chef Advani has Persian influences in his family background as well as the European and American cooking interests that he has “fused” with traditional Indian. This is a very exciting place, and may be the only place like it on the planet.


I must point out the double irony of the street address (420) and the fact that Nirvana shares the same building as the Armed Forces Recruiting Center (which I helped shut down a couple of times back in 2003) and a yoga studio on the opposite side of the back lobby. A very Yin/Yang and perhaps “spaced out” combination indeed!


Mingalaba! Burmese for “May this encounter be an auspicious occasion for us.” Try that on David when he greets you with Namasté. I didn’t say it, or explain it to him, so he may be nonplussed the first time. (Unless you’ve read this, David!)


“Quid Pro Quo or No?”


A note on how I got a free lunch (OK, Linner): This meal was arranged by another waccobb.net member who having read my “Favorite Restaurants” list and having eaten at Nirvana, introduced us and set up an email correspondence between Neil and myself. Thanks Jane!

In clearing with Barry Chertov the fact that I was getting a free meal in exchange for writing this report, Barry indicated that he would prefer that there be no “quid pro quo” for mentions on waccobb. I can certainly understand that. I was not comfortable with possibly representing myself as a “reporter” for wacco, since I am not one. Yet I must admit that my low level of funds before the last two weeks EDD check arrives on Friday (today is Wednesday) was a distinct motivating factor!

So after assuring Barry that I had not made the request, and had been totally honest with Neil about my nonprofessional status, I went ahead and took Neil’s offer for a free meal for “guests” and myself

But that got me thinking about what I owed in return. What if I didn’t like it? What if my gratitude influenced my judgment? What do professional food journalists do? Do they arrive unannounced, pay anonymously and leave without letting the hosts know who they are until the review is published? Do they accept free meals when reviewing? Is there some kind of “don’t ask, don’t tell” protocol that we don’t even know about?

My understanding is that normally it’s the former (critic pays, is not announced) not the latter. I also thought about how Abbie Hoffman, while on the lam in Europe with his girlfriend back in the mid to late-seventies would pose as a posh restaurant critic and scam free meals at the best restaurants on the continent!

I’m not getting paid; no one has hired me to do this. I’m a volunteer doing what I like to do, eat, write and share my opinions with others. This is the first time I’ve done it this way. And I think I’d like it to be my last.

Because, I can assure you the amount of time I took in thinking about the ethical and procedural issues involved, the anxiety I experienced in wanting to do justice, by being thorough and precise, to my hosts. Yet also honest, fair minded and truthful about my experience. And the feeling of writing under a self-imposed deadline (even more than usual), were more expensive to me in time and energy, than the meal would have cost me financially, had I gone in anonymously and had asked questions posing as a “regular” customer. On the other hand, the feeling, of being “special” and being given extra attention, was nice!

So unless someone is willing to pay me to do this, I think I’ll end my para-professional career here and now as a free-meal-accepting restaurant reviewer. It’s just too complicated and I spent more time asking questions and thinking about what I was going to write, than I did enjoying the meal.

Well, I think I could make exceptions for John Ash & Co. or the French Laundry, or any other haute cuisine restaurant of that caliber. I mean, let’s not be too hasty!


And in the interest of full disclosure I suppose I should mention that Helen, owner of Santa Trata Eritrean Cafe, didn’t charge me for dinner a few weeks ago ($11 app. and I was prepared to pay) because so many of you had come in and told her “Miles sent me/us!” So thank you all for that. Which reminds me, I could really use a serving of Zigne and Hamlee on Injera right about now! And an update, she’s found someone to take over the front of the house when she has her baby in a couple of months. What do others think of her home-style Horn of Africa cuisine?



Update to My Favorite Inexpensive Restaurants (Where you can get a good meal for between $10-$15)


Red Rose Café


1770 Piner Road, Santa Rosa (just west of Covey)
573-9741
Harold and Nancy Rogers – Owners
M-Th 6 am – 8 pm, F-Sat 6-9, Sun 6-3

This is a SOUL food restaurant. I had the pork ribs, with collard greens, green beans and cornbread and it was a large portion. Very meaty and tender ribs, bbq sauce on the side as it should be. Cost me $17.65, but my pre-tip tab was $14.65 and I was getting the rib dinner. Most options are less expensive. Very tasty.

They’ve got catfish fillet, catfish nuggets, tilapia, bbq chicken, burgers, salads. They do tofu and tempeh scrambles. They do standard American (U.S.) breakfasts. Breakfast is served until 2:00 p.m. Homey service, nice décor. Low prices. They’ve been open for the past two or three months.


Honey Biscuits Update:

Michelle is closing on the sixteenth. She’s got another business opportunity to pursue. So if you don’t make it by mid-month, you’re going to be out of luck.

[Gary Abreim]

Well my wife and I ate at Nirvana for the first this Tuesday nite (no buffet).

The food is outstanding... really delicious. We were wondering when Miles would do a review....lo and behold.

Annapurna has been our favorite for India/Nepalese type food and Nirvana went to the top as far as the food goes. The decor and Buddha fountain is quite nice too...I would suggest some carpets to warm the place up.

However, our experience was not totally positive and I immediately mailed off a letter to the owner with my feedback. I do want this restaurant to succeed.

Some of my comments in the letter which I'll summarize....

"It was not a busy time since there were maybe 4 other parties having dinner at our time.

• We waited at least 45 minutes, maybe longer, before being served our 2 dishes. An extraordinary long time. The delay was not even acknowledged…a small appetizer...something... to appease our hunger would have been a nice.
• We did not find the waiters experienced or professional. Seemed like their first waiter/bus boy jobs. They were friendly; however, seemed awkward.
• The waiter was engaged in a lengthlty conversation with a customer who was picking up a to go order. It appeared the waiter might have known the customer. However, there was some issue going on and the waiter complained to the customer that he takes the brunt of complaints and is tired of it. This comment was said too loud and was unprofessional...something customers should not hear.
• The ice tea was unique and delicious. When we asked for a refill we were told that they ran out and a new batch was being made. We never got a refill.
• Finally and the most unpleasant. When we were leaving we took some of the digestive fennel-type condiments at the register which one finds in Indian restaurants. My wife and I took a taste and had to immediately go outside and spit it out…it tasted like soap. I went back in and requested that the waiter taste it too. He did not want to taste it, he said he doesn’t like that stuff. He finally did taste it and had to spit it out too. The busboy was there and he said he had tasted it earlier and had to spit it out. Both the waiter and busboy said it tasted like soap. A most unpleasant experience after such a tasty dinner.

In summary Wacco-ites, the food is really great....go! It's one of those restaurants that I want to succeed and will go back and will work with them as a customer to make the place the most enjoyable as possible. The owner Neil is a good guy.

My other regret is that I wish Neil opened his restaurant in Sebastopol. Is Sebastopol long overdue for an Indian type restaurant? I would think it would be an instant success.

Gary Abreim

["Mad" Miles]

"Hi, Is Nirvana the old Sizzling Tandoor? If so I think it is on the same side of the PD parking lot.... (not across the street)."

Nirvana is across the street from Sizzling Tandoor (and Sizzling Tandoor has added "Your Nirvana for Indian Food" to the text in both windows)

Nirvana is in the space previously occupied by the Tahini Grill.

"M"M


:communication:

[Rucira]

Santa rosa needs all the help it can get, and location is everything. Nirvana opened right on the same block as 3 other mideastern restaurants and the chinese buffet. Hopefully he will continue with the lunch buffet at the competitive 8.99 price which is what the indian and nepalese restaurants charge for lunch buffet. Neil is currently seeking massage therapists , preferably cmts to come in and do table massages for him in exchange for meal gift certificates rather than cash on a daily basis, obviously he is working very very hard. He is also looking for belly dancers willing to be paid in this manner. Can we eat this much. LOL

[Rucira]

so far, my favorite restaurant does not exist . where is the real deal indian VEGETARIAN restaurant buffet. ? Govindas is serving bland dhals and non authentic foodstuffs that is not kosher krsna cuisine. WHO DARES to serve the real deal? Sizzling tandoor makes excellent rice pudding and their vegetable curry is right along with the sauces, but most of the menu is full of meat. good news , mydaughter is in culinary school, and wants to open a restaurant someday . hope i live long enough to see it. meanwhile. blessed be and hare krsna

["Mad" Miles]

Rucira,

One way in which my "review" of Nirvana is remiss is that I did not list the items available at the lunch buffet. I meant to but got distracted.

I'm not a vegetarian/vegan, as everyone knows who has read my restaurant lists. But my vague recollection is that there were several items out of the some twelve, that were non-meat. I would call before going and see what they have to offer that meets the needs of vegetarians and vegans.

Nirvana - 575-3608

I used to eat at a vegetarian buffet in the Mucha neighborhood of Taipei, Taiwan back when I lived there for six months in 1997. It was great! And an amazing price deal as well. It was run by a Buddhist couple as a part of their spiritual practice. I miss it.

"M"M

Soon to be Mad-In Quotes-Miles because of software limits on this board.

[RecycleSonomaCounty]

Sad to say, but last 2 times we went to the RedRose Cafe it was terrible. The service was extreemly slow, Salads were soggy, the food was not so good ok,, it was bad and we got the trots both times afterwards.
So we will not be returning there. Inconsistancy is a real problem for any restraunt. These people are so nice wish they could get it together.. So I have changed my mind this is no longer a favorite.

Red Rose Café
1770 Piner Road, Santa Rosa (just west of Covey)
573-9741
Harold and Nancy Rogers – Owners
M-Th 6 am – 8 pm, F-Sat 6-9, Sun 6-3

[eclectic]

Hi Gary,
Thank you so much for the feedback. We are working very hard to correct the situation. We are three weeks old and are coping with operational issues. I have made some procedural changes and staff training in this regard. Can u pls wtite to me at [email protected] or call me at 707 575 3608 and I would like to offer you a complimentary meal to make up for your experience. I assure yoiu we take every feedback very seriously and strive to be the best.
Neil

["Mad" Miles]

Hey Dere Eaters of WaccoLand!

I want to hip you all to Aioli in Forestville:

Aioli

6536 Front Street (aka 116)
South side, just west of "The Club"
F'Ville

887-2476

7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

10-6 Saturday

They've been open, oh, a month?

They're a gourmet deli: great sandwich's (Proscuitto & Fontina Panini, Roasted Chicken Breast, Ultimate Veggie, Rib Eye Steak, Italian, Curry Chicken, Reuben Panini, Grilled Veggie Wrop), salads (green bean, potato, cous-cous, mixed grains, etc.), duck confit, crab cake Wednesday's.

(Missed those this week, the first week, because I didn't leave work until six and they were closed as I drove by on my way home an hour and fricken' half later!!!??)

It's all made there, no bulk pre-processed stuff. Chef Autumn was braising the corned beef for the reuben's on the behind the counter stove top when I was there last Monday evening picking up my dinner.

Really nice people, as well as the just mentioned Autumn, we have Nicholas (chef/husband/partner of Autumn, ask him about his credentials, if you're not impressed, you're not paying attention to what's up in local haute cuisine) and counter-man Kyle.

Pretty fast service for what they're dishing up, eat there or take-away. Top chi chi cuisine at affordable prices. A foodie's deli.

Great place to pick up a WAY above average sandwich for work the next day. Or that day if you're lucky enough to work locally.

And it's in my town! (My town for the last three years.)

I'm a happy camper, when I can make it there in time.





An often hungry "Mad" Miles

[chefautie]

I would like to personally thank you Mad Miles for giving our Gourmet Delicatessen, Aioli, your stamp of approval. If anyone reading this, comes into Aioli and mentions that they saw this on the website, I will give them 1/2 off of one of our fabulous sandwiches! We love to meet the people in our community and hopefully we can meet some new ones! Thanks again Miles!

Autumn Opitz
chef/co-owner
Aioli Delicatessen

["Mad" Miles]

Autumn,

No worries, and You're Welcome!

I just finished Aioli's Duck Confit with Escarole Salad and White Bean Truffle Salad for dinner.

Totally satisfying. I only regret that I turned down Nicholas's offer of a baked apple for my dessert.

(Although a couple of chunks of Columbian Single Source milk chocolate from Chocolate Santander are no mean substitute. I got it earlier this week at Pacific Market in Sebasto.)

I'm still waiting to try your crab cakes, and to verify that you make "the best in the world".

Based on my recent experience, I'm not skeptical at all...

Nicholas told me a little bit about your experience during a week long blackout in Monte Rio with a new baby. Sounds like a good answer to my question at the end of my previous waccobb post. (See Post #1 in thread.)

(Yes, my new use of hyperlinks is a blatant attempt to inveigle the skeptical to read ALL of my stuff on this board!)

"F" On in '08!

"Mad" Miles

[Barry]

I would like to personally thank you Mad Miles for giving our Gourmet Delicatessen, Aioli, your stamp of approval. If anyone reading this, comes into Aioli and mentions that they saw this on the website, I will give them 1/2 off of one of our fabulous sandwiches! We love to meet the people in our community and hopefully we can meet some new ones! Thanks again Miles!

Autumn Opitz
chef/co-owner
Aioli Delicatessen

I'm just getting to this message and I thought I'd highlight this tasty and frugal opportunity!

Bon Appetit!
Barry

["Mad" Miles]

Dear Waccogourmands,

Just a follow-up, (See Post #19, This Thread)

I've had Chef Autumn's crab cakes (twice, and each order is one large crab cake with salad $12 and change.), and I can say they are the best I've ever had.

Light, fluffy, lots of crab, little filler/binder, in fact unnoticeable, delicate, sweet crab flavor, nice remoulade on the side. Scrumptious.

Now, I haven't tasted every crab cake recipe in the entire world. That is a project that I'm unfortunately not in a postion to take on. More's the pity...

But based on my recent experiences, I can attest that Chef Autumn's grandiose claim, is substantially substantiated!

"Mad" (And sometimes happy) Miles

[rekarp]

When it comes to crab cakes, there is simply no equal to K&L Bistro in Sebastopol. Last June I went to Go Fish in St. Helena, an amazing seafood/sushi bar owned by Cindy Pawlcyn. I had seen the waiter once before working lunch at K&L bistro. I asked about the crab cakes and he told me not to order them because he knew I had already had them at K&L. Considering how good everything is at Go Fish, that's a high recommendation.

Dear Waccogourmands,

Just a follow-up,

I've had Chef Autumn's crab cakes (twice, and each order is one large crab cake with salad $12 and change.), and I can say they are the best I've ever had.

Light, fluffy, lots of crab, little filler/binder, in fact unnoticeable, delicate, sweet crab flavor, nice remoulade on the side. Scrumptious.

Now, I haven't tasted every crab cake recipe in the entire world. That is a project that I'm unfortunately not in a postion to take on. More's the pity...

But based on my recent experiences, I can attest that Chef Autumn's grandiose claim, is substantially substantiated!

"Mad" (And sometimes happy) Miles

["Mad" Miles]

I've eaten at K&L and it is very, very good. No I haven't had their crab cakes.

But you haven't had Chef Autumn's from Aioli have you? So how can you make this claim?

Remember, I didn't say they were the "best in the world", she does. I said they were the best I've ever had, and that that substantially substantiated her claim.

"Mad" Miles

When it comes to crab cakes, there is simply no equal to K&L Bistro in Sebastopol. Last June I went to Go Fish in St. Helena, an amazing seafood/sushi bar owned by Cindy Pawlcyn. I had seen the waiter once before working lunch at K&L bistro. I asked about the crab cakes and he told me not to order them because he knew I had already had them at K&L. Considering how good everything is at Go Fish, that's a high recommendation.

[Holly B]

I've had K&L's crabcakes twice, and frankly, I've been disappointed both times. Greasy, heavy, not enough crab. The only place I've had them where I really feel they make a consistently good product is at Ravenous in Healdsburg.

When it comes to crab cakes, there is simply no equal to K&L Bistro in Sebastopol. Last June I went to Go Fish in St. Helena, an amazing seafood/sushi bar owned by Cindy Pawlcyn. I had seen the waiter once before working lunch at K&L bistro. I asked about the crab cakes and he told me not to order them because he knew I had already had them at K&L. Considering how good everything is at Go Fish, that's a high recommendation.

[Sonomamark]

I beg to differ: better crab cakes than K&L's are two doors away!

Alice's Restaurant's "very crabby crabcakes" are the best crab cakes I've had in Sonoma County, period, full stop, end of story.

Check 'em out!


SM

When it comes to crab cakes, there is simply no equal to K&L Bistro in Sebastopol. Last June I went to Go Fish in St. Helena, an amazing seafood/sushi bar owned by Cindy Pawlcyn. I had seen the waiter once before working lunch at K&L bistro. I asked about the crab cakes and he told me not to order them because he knew I had already had them at K&L. Considering how good everything is at Go Fish, that's a high recommendation.

[Barry]

I beg to differ: better crab cakes than K&L's are two doors away!

Alice's Restaurant's "very crabby crabcakes" are the best crab cakes I've had in Sonoma County, period, full stop, end of story.

If you are interested in checking out the crab cakes at Alice's you should do soon! They are looking to sell the restaurant! Also, be warned, when I was there last they had no prices on the menu, and when we got the bill, the prices were higher than we expected. :eek:

[rekarp]

Well there's the rub - food is not only subjective, but people have widely differing ranges of knowledge and experience. Some folks will tell you that Marie Callender's is the best and don't realize that the food is frozen and processed, almost the cheapest raw ingredients. Same with wine. To appreciate quality wine one must invest the time to learn. In general Americans don't spend enough time or money on food. They eat mostly processed food, both at home and at restaurants and might not even be able to recognize the difference in quality of food like we get at local farmer's markets and restaurants like Peter Lowells.

K&L has been my favorite west county restaurant for some time. I've never had a bad meal there. The Michellin reviewers agree with my assessment and have given it a star for two years, one of only a few in Sonoma County.

The crabcakes are almost 100% crab. They use a little potato flour to keep it from falling apart. It's just your basic dungeness crabmeat. I've had two terrible experiences at Alice's, but I've never had the crabcakes. I love Ravenous, but the crabcakes I had there were so full of fat and grease that I was ill for hours.

So who makes the best brownies?

I beg to differ: better crab cakes than K&L's are two doors away!

Alice's Restaurant's "very crabby crabcakes" are the best crab cakes I've had in Sonoma County, period, full stop, end of story.

Check 'em out!


SM

[rekarp]

In my opinion K&L is still the best crabcake around. I gave Aioli another shot today. They have a nice cake with lots of fresh crab, but not in the same league. To much fat, don't need the bell peppers. Too expensive! $13.50 for lunch at a sandwich shop. It did include salad though.

Check out the K&L crabcakes - I think you'll agree.