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.
:(