www.kamakurarestaurant.com/

So our out-of-town visitors tipped us to a sushi bar in Alameda ("The Town That Hasn't Changed Since 1950".) Kamakura, at the out-of-the-way corner of Santa Clara and Broadway.

Fascinating place, in a very friendly sort of way. Faith is the proprietress, and she keeps an eye on everything.
Prices are more than reasonable. Quality is close to the best California sushi that we've had. Beer is available; wine is from a large Franzia box from Safeway. Parking is on the street and easy.

This is very much a neighborhood place, with no reservations, and Faith welcoming many of the guests as old friends.

I was surprised to see the entire wait staff flock outside and bow and say "thank you" when the diners left, just like at a Japanese ryokan after a guest's stay. 

The sushi is very fresh and very well prepared and presented. The larger plates are interesting and very tasty.
And the prices! Four of us got out for less than $100, including tax, tip, beer, and wine. You cannot beat that anywhere!
Someone that we know, who lives at the foot of the mountain, should take his entire family. Soon!

Yosemite

This is fun and, sometimes, inspiring:


http://vimeo.com/40802206

Cavallo Point, Marin County

Cavallo Point is located on the grounds of Ft. Baker, on San Francisco Bay at the North end of the Golden Gate bridge, and just South of Sausalito. The Army left in 1970 and only the Coast Guard remains. The former military buildings have been rejuvenated and are in fine shape. Murray Circle was officer housing encircling the parade ground with powerful views out across San Francisco Bay to San Francisco itself. The housing is now hotel rooms, and the officers' mess is now the restaurant. All this is mere minutes from the North anchorage of the bridge.

Murray Circle, the name of the restaurant, is upscale with excellent service. The food offerings are a bit undecipherable, but tasty. DW#1 had a  pastrami sandwich, and I an Ahi Tuna salad; both were excellent.

Wines were from California, France, and Italy. Prices are a bit high.

Oysters cost $3/each!

And yes, the overall bill was about 25% above my normal, at $60 with wine and tip. Complementary valet parking (tips accepted) is next door at the hotel entrance building.

Experienced diners will ask "What about the fog?" Well, there was absolutely no fog today, temps were in the 70's, and breezes were refreshing. The outdoor dining deck was full. On a more-typical foggy day, I would expect no one on the dining deck, fireplaces flaming, and sweaters abounding.

But, hey! We were lucky. That green lawn below is Murray Circle.

If you wish to try it, I'm game. We'll do Dutch. :)

Mother's Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmgPODFXAQk

( How I wish I knew how to highlight a link. Oh well, cut and paste. It's worth it)

Corners Tavern, Walnut Creek

Bing Crosby's used to be here. Another time, another economy. Corners is much less fussy, quite a lot more interesting and fun.
Unusual menu (check it on the internet.) Lots of things I have never seen in a restaurant before. Crispy peppers are very crispy, and very hot; pretzel is okay, and tasty; charcuterie is sublime; smoked salmon is super; ahi tuna is great. Then, after super fries, we stopped.
Wines are good, and not too overpriced.
Next time you're in town, I shall host you! Let's do it.

The British Landed...

And now they've gone.
:(

Dow Solutions

 

Sure, I'll give DOW a boost. But, only because I love the commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-ovq79_VEc


(Or, go to YouTube and search for "Dow "Quiet Train" commercial.")

Three Corners

We've all heard of Four Corners, right? But that's in the West. Back East we have three corners: West Viginia, Ohio, & Pennsylvania! Only problem: you can't place two feet and one hand in separate States!

http://g.co/maps/bkchr

The Brits Are So Inventive (and Fun!)

http://youtu.be/J1KuYXafOAw

Nighttime Friend To All

Once again, cut and paste, or click:

http://youtu.be/CZOeWFBy75A

Sushi lovers, listen up!

You're going to love the scenes of Tokyo, and of the food. So, cut & paste already:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbV6knbeUFE 

(Or, you could just knit them:

Click to enlarge. :)

Special Relationship

Someone's going to have to tell PM David Cameron that a hot dog is eaten with one hand.

(Maybe he was hoping for a knife and fork?)

Desiderata

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

You know who you are. :)

Top of the Sonoma Valley

So, @miekow and I finally got the Healdsburg on Thursday. It's not really easy from Walnut Creek, the way Napa Valley is. Two hours vs. one hour. But, hey; we don't do this every week/month, and I hadn't been to Santa Rosa/Windsor/Healdsburg for about 10 years.

Healdsburg has a plaza downtown. Everything seems to revolve around the plaza. Restaurants, bookstores, knick-knacks, antiques, art galleries, wine tasting rooms, they're all there in abundance. We called it "Carmel without the Sea." It's in-your-face organic, sustainable, ecological, with respectful dog bowls outside the stores.

But that's okay; I'll return for more. It's fun.

Tried Bistro Ralph (see above) for lunch. Nice setting. Brick walls, stamped-tin ceiling, big peace signs in the windows, and the waitress spoke fluent French, as well as English. 

We shared a glass of local Zin (Kokomo) and tried chicken livers, calamari sandwich, and grilled brussel sprouts. All good, with hearty sauces (except for the wine) and thoughtful sides. Very rich, and very good.

Ralph suggested that we visit the Kokomo tasting room on Dry Creek Road after lunch.

About 15 minutes out of town we found the place, one of about a half-dozen tasting rooms in one location. Kokomo makes four Zinfandels, and we selected the one we had at Bistro Ralph.
A few miles further on Dry Creek Road and we were at Ferrari Carano

And yes, the gates were open onto the lush grounds, the manicured flower beds, the secluded gardens, whew! This is an impressive layout. Well worth the visit, so do it. We purchased a few bottles of a Zinfandel sold only at the winery (low production volume.)

Healdsburg is fun, and almost worth the drive. We'll do it again sometime soon. :)

Wonderfully British

http://youtu.be/FrHkKXFRbCI



Meals at Home

Sometimes, in the morning, DW#1 fries just one egg.

But in the evening, especially on Girls Day, we celebrate the food:

and I may just take a nap. :)



Creative Friday Dinner for Two

First, with a hearty salad. In this case, a soft-boiled egg, bacon, sauteed French bread chunks, bell pepper and rabbit greens, dressed with sweet vinegar and olive oil.

Followed by a generous service of Costco's finest spinach-filled ravioli rounds.





 An accompanying glass of red wine, and voila!

Yountville, oh Yountville

You may remember a recent, or not so recent trip to Yountville CA, home of the French Laundry and a few French soup places.
American Express wants you to use their card on your next visit.


http://youtu.be/S6qVPg56z9w


Enjoy :)

It's 76*F and the Cherry Tree Knows It!

On Monday, 20 Feb, we were greeted by this:

By this morning, we had this:

Not too shabby.







Our First General

Wednesday, 22 February, is the Birthday anniversary of our first President. He was also our first General.
Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

For a bit more serious review, please consider:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/02/remembering-the-indispensable-man.php

Well worth the time.