Almond and Oak -- Oakland, CA (Californian cuisine)

I don't tend to follow chefs around, but Chef Rico Rivera is one chef that is worth following around. I first fell in love with his style of cooking, restraint in fussiness, and simple but elegant presentation when he worked at, now defunct, Flora. 

To my delight, the Oakland native now has his own restaurant, located at 3311 Grand Avenue. It took me a little while to try it out, but now that I have, this will definitely be one of my regular spots whenever I visit Oakland. The large space may look like something out of an old Western, but the food is all class, the service was attentive and friendly, and I was thoroughly pleased with my experience. 



https://almondandoak.com/

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Cappuccino. A well balanced and tasty brew to go with my brunch on this day.

Bourbon Barrel Aged, Midnight Awakening Imperial Stout. I detected notes of dark chocolate and dates. This thirst-quenching beer was medium bodied, with a light mouthfeel and a clean finish. It was difficult to just have one.

Fried Chicken Sandwich. I love sandwiches that are large enough to be satisfying, but also small enough that I can take the whole thing down in one sitting. Rather than a behemoth that requires a hose-down and a doggy bag where everything is a soggy mess the next day. This was the perfect size and the proportion of crunchy, juicy chicken, tangy, fresh slaw, aioli, and the house-made pain de mie bun was just right. The salad on the side was also very fresh and had just enough of a tangy vinaigrette to cleanse the palate nicely.

Pork Belly Sandwich. Once again, the perfect size and ratio of soft house-made focaccia, soft pork belly, crisp celery root and fried caper slaw, whole grain mustard remoulade, peppery arugula, aioli and a nice side helping of crunchy matchstick fries. 

Beignets. These were pieces of fried dough, covered in powdered sugar and served warm with a side of strawberry jam. They were fluffy, just sweet enough and hit that little sweet pocket right on target.

The menu is focused and thoughtful, with a nice selection for most types of eaters. I will definitely return to try out the other brunch options as well as the dinner options. 

  

Bloom Eatery & Spirits -- Santa Clara, CA (Breakfast, Brunch spot)

This small, nondescript-looking spot may not seem noteworthy upon passersby, but the bland, strip mall venue is not reflective of the incredible eats inside. Located at 202 Saratoga Ave, this is a place to get to early, otherwise, you will have to prepare to wait in a line out the door. 

Once inside, the hustle and bustle of smiling waitstaff and juice machines gave a good indication of the scratch-made type of food that is served. After this experience, I would be more than happy to get squished into a small booth to taste these flavors again. 


https://www.bloomeatery.com/

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Bloom's Breakfast Burrito. This was a hearty burrito. The warm flour tortilla was filled with marinated flank steak, scrambled eggs, grilled red onions, crispy potatoes, roasted chilies, fresh avocado, and a blend of cheddar and jack cheeses. I'm also happy to note there was no filler, such as rice; it was all hefty ingredients. This was served with a side of crema, house made green and house made red salsa, which were fresh and made for very nice complements to the meal.

Carnitas Bene. The carnitas were made from scratch and served with fresh avocado, pickled onion, two perfectly poached eggs, and house made pico de gallo. If this wasn't mouth-watering enough, all this was piled on top of a halved, freshly baked, house made English muffin. I opted for the cup of fruit over the potatoes, but I may just get the potatoes next time. The green tomatillo salsa was vibrant and the red salsa was zesty and added a tiny, but appreciated, bit of heat.

Every dish I tasted was fantastic and every dish I saw on other patrons' tables also looked fantastic. I will definitely be back for brunch or lunch to try those other offerings.

Black Tahini Hummus (Recipe)

Hummus is one of those staple items that I love to have in the fridge at all times. It works great as a snack, and is not only great as a dip, but also as a sandwich spread, an ingredient in a salad dressing, in certain desserts or spread on a plate underneath a pile of roasted vegetables or stewed meats. 

I prefer the creamy version, similar to the breakfast item served in Turkey and other parts of the world. Not only are the applications endless, but the toppings and additions can be as well. Black tahini adds a striking color base to a standard hummus, and can accentuate an eye-catching presentation to any charcuterie board or plate.

Here's what you'll need: 
8 ounces (1 cup) chickpeas -- dried is the most flavorful/preferred
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup black tahini (make your own or use a prepared variety)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp and 1 tsp sea salt, separated
Water
Optional add-ins: garlic (fresh or granulated), sun-dried tomato, chili peppers/hot sauce, warm spices (cumin, coriander)
Optional garnishes: olive oil, ground cumin, ground coriander, lemon zest, ground paprika (smoked, sweet or hot), fresh parsley, zatar

Here's what you'll do: 
- In a leakproof container, add chickpeas and cover with water by 4 inches. Stir in 1 tsp salt until dissolved. Leave on counter or in fridge overnight.
- Drain and rinse chickpeas and put into a medium-sized pot. Cover with fresh water by 2-3 inches. Add baking soda. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered, until chickpeas are very soft and break apart easily when pressed with a fork.
- Drain, keeping 1 cup of the cooking liquid, and add chickpeas to a food processor or high-speed blender. Note: The rest of the cooking liquid can be made into a vegan mayo, if desired.
- While everything is still warm, process chickpeas for 3 minutes, scraping down sides with a silicone spatula periodically.
- Add tahini and 1 tsp salt, and process for 3 minutes, scraping down sides periodically. 
- Add any optional add-ins at this stage.
- Add 3/4 cup chickpea cooking liquid and lemon juice and process for 1 more minute. Taste and add more salt, if desired. If the hummus is too thick, add more cooking liquid, 1 tbsp at a time and process for 10 seconds between each addition. The hummus should look smooth and creamy. 
- Add to a serving dish, top with optional garnishes and serve with pita bread, carrots, celery, radish, apples, etc.
- Enjoy!

Homemade Black Sesame Tahini Recipe:
- Toast 3/4 cup black sesame seeds in a pan, stirring frequently, over medium heat, until fragrant. Only 2-3 minutes.
- If sesame seeds are already toasted, skip this step.
- Cool seeds to room temperature and process them in a food processor or high-speed blender for 3 minutes, scraping down the sides every 1 minute. It will look like wet sand.
- Add 3 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt, and continue to process until creamy. This may take more than 5 minutes. Scrape down sides every 1 minute or so.
- Make as much as you will use, or make extra to keep in a jar in the fridge for up to 3 months. This will separate as it sits, so stir to re-incorporate oil before each use.

Spread Kitchen -- Sonoma, CA (Inspired Lebanese cuisine)

It's wonderful to experience different cultural foods across the Bay Area. It's even more exiting to experience more specific aspects of these cultural foods. The category of "Middle Eastern" has become an amalgamation of many different things, including Persian, Turkish, Afghan, etc. I'm very happy to see this grouping begin to break into its respectable parts, with people embracing their heritage and showcasing it in the foods they grew up eating and unapologetically serving food that may not be as recognizable to the masses. 

Located at 18375 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12), this restaurant brings a proud heritage of foods to anyone willing to try something unfamiliar. There is, of course, the California touch of seasonal, local ingredients and a rock-solid expression of techniques and years of experience in the food industry.

https://www.spreadkitchensonoma.com/

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Falafel. This is a dish that has many different renditions, styles and flavors. I greatly enjoyed this version. The key is freshly frying to order, which this was. There was a crispy exterior with a fluffy, steamy interior. The chickpeas still had a bit of texture, and the balance of spices and herbs were very pleasing. 

Green Tahini. This sauce was served with the falafel and was a very nice pairing. Made with an organic tahini that was then blended with garlic, herbs, spices, lemon and salt. It was fresh and vibrant and would have paired very well with just about anything.

Fried Cauliflower with Tahini Vinaigrette. A simple dish that was also prepared with timing in mind. The cauliflower was flash fried, a bit crisp in some areas and soft in other areas. The preserved lemon tahini vinaigrette was a nice accompaniment with a complex lemon flavor that was savory, tart and rich all at once. 

Combo Dip Plate. If the option to try many items is available, I will happily oblige. The hummus was Beiruti style, with tahini, garlic, cumin, sumac, lemon and parsley. It was creamy and well seasoned. The Muhammara was a roasted red pepper, walnut, pomegranate, garlic sauce. The spices added a wonderful savory element to this dip. The Lebneh was a thick yogurt, served with dried mint and preserved lemon. I eat yogurt almost every day and it's always a treat to get homemade yogurt served with savory elements. Each dip had its own unique flavors but complemented, as well as contrasted, each other very well.

Pita. From Jerusalem Bakery, this was a thinner version of pita. I ended up taking this home and toasted them in the oven the next day for pita chips. They had a very nice wheat-y flavor.

Lavash Wrap. I opted for the lamb and beef kofta, which had a nice mix of spices, was juicy and succulent. This wrap also included house made lavosh, shredded cabbage, fresh herbs, pickled onions, pickled cucumbers, and an option for "local style" with hummus, harissa, and tahini vinaigrette. I would love to have this for lunch every day. The balance of freshness, tang and savory flavors were fantastic.

Bowl. This was a base of seasoned saffron rice with caramelized onions and apricots. The addition of hummus, quinoa tabouleh, tahini vinaigrette, pickles, and pita bread rounded out the bowl very nicely. I opted for the juicy lamb and beef kofta. Each component could stand on its own, but together they made for a very filling and beautiful bowl of deliciousness.  

Dirty Fries. I opted for the beef shawarma protein. This was a generous portion of beef, seasoned and cooked perfectly. The potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The meat was tender and the dusting of za'tar, drizzle of tahini-yogurt sauce, feta cheese, pickled onion and fresh herbs all made this "side" a very hearty and tasty main course. 

Pistachio Walnut Baklava. The many crispy layers of phyllo dough, crunchy pistachios, walnuts, orange blossom water, and cardamom made this an exquisite version of this delightful treat. I also appreciated the restraint with not adding too much syrup, as this was not too sweet.

Tahini Brownie. An innovative version of an American dessert. This was vegan, made with ground flaxseed, vanilla extract, bittersweet chocolate, coconut oil, vegan butter, sugar, gluten-free flour (rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, whole grain brown rice flour), cocoa powder, baking powder, sea salt, tahini, sesame seeds, and maple syrup. It was chewy, dense and sweet, but not overly so, as well as savory, all at the same time. I would not hesitate to get this again. 

I would absolutely come back to this gem in Sonoma. The flavors, freshness, vibrant colors and textures all made this a stand-out small restaurant for Lebanese food in the Bay Area.

Cafe Etoile -- Berkeley, CA (French and Asian-inspired Brunch spot)

Located at 1930 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, this cafe is not necessarily situated in a quiet neighborhood, but the fast service and tasty food options would excuse any requirement for ambiance. The menu options look to be somewhat French, somewhat American and somewhat Korean. From my perspective, I would say they executed this combination with a menu that is naturally accepted by their patrons and delivers on flavor with all-around, comforting dishes. 



Cafe Etoile


Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Cappuccino. This is typically my go-to coffee beverage. This version had a nice blend of beans that were aromatic without too much bitterness. The creamy milk foam art is always a nice touch.  

Peach & Arugula Salad. The last vestiges of the summertime peaches were in this salad. Still juicy and ripe, the sweet fruit paired nicely with the savory prosciutto, peppery arugula and tart dried cranberries. The crunchy sunflower and pumpkin seeds also gave this salad a nice textural contrast. The balsamic drizzle was a nice touch, and added more complexity to this, otherwise, very flavorful salad.  

Bacon & Egg Croffle. Salty bacon and runny egg are a classic combination. The foundation of this, however, was their signature croffle; a fairly dense mashup of a croissant and waffle. The croffle was a nice base, with enough heft to hold all the toppings but still held remnants of buttery flakiness, even after getting a good press between a waffle iron. The extra toasty imprints of the waffle had a nice, extra toasted, buttery flavor and texture. The salad on the side was fresh and helped cleanse the palate between bites of rich and salty bacon and egg.

Chicken & Croffle. A nicely prepared croffle was topped with two pieces of flattened, buttermilk-soaked chicken thighs, breaded and fried until golden and delightfully crunchy. This was a very satisfying rendition of fried chicken, and a large enough portion for two to share. It was juicy, hearty, and the contrast of the sweet and spicy syrup with the creamy sriracha mayo and tangy pickled pepper woke up all the taste buds in my mouth. 

I would happily return for another round of fried chicken and peppery arugula salad. The other sandwich options on the menu also sounded delicious, and I look forward to coming back to try those other items.

Petiscos -- San Jose, CA (Portugese cuisine)

The purveyors of Adega, a fine dining Portuguese restaurant, has brought to us a more casual dining experience. Located at 399 S 1st Street, the bustling atmosphere was accentuated with high ceilings, stylish and sophisticated white walls and a blue and light-gray color scheme. One can expect consistent food quality, options for everyone and a great meal without all the fussiness. I found the service to be helpful and friendly and I greatly enjoyed my meal.

https://petiscosadega.com/

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Shrimp Turnover, outside.  The outer dough was thin and coated in a fine crumb. The fry was done perfectly, and it came to the table hot and crispy. 

Shrimp Turnover, inside. Filled with fresh pieces of snappy shrimp, the creamy sauce held everything together, and added a nice savory seafood taste to each bite.

Octopus Salad. My guess is this octopus was cooked in an emersion circulator. Each piece had a wonderful, tender but still toothsome texture and was a dream to eat. The seasoning was simple but elegant with fresh parsley, garlic, red bell pepper, olive oil and salt. 

Beef Tongue in Tomato Sauce. This was another easy-eating dish. The meat was cooked perfectly. It was tender, juicy and succulent with the savory, rich, very complex tomato sauce. I thought I could use leftovers in a sandwich the next day, but there were no leftovers to take home.

Blood Sausage. This is a difficult to find item, so I was very happy to see it on the menu. I was also pleased with the taste and texture. It was not so minerally that it would put off anyone who is not a fan of blood or liver, but it had enough to keep me satisfied and was balanced with other texture and flavor components like rice, raisin and garlic.

Meat Croquette. These had the same crispy, fine-crumb coating as the shrimp turnovers, but these were filled with finely shredded pork. Not saucy at all, but the meat still had enough fat to feel juicy while chewing. The mustard on the side added a nice tangy balance to these savory croquettes. 

Duck Rice. This dish made me think of a paella, of sorts. There were crispy bits of rice that added a very nice texture. The rice absorbed all the flavorful liquid it was cooked in, and the bits of duck, chorizo, onion and fresh herbs turned something that would normally be considered a side, into an entree dish on its own.

Cream Tart. One of my favorite foods is cream. Sounds like a silly thing, but my favorite Asian treats as a kid included whipped cream with fruit. This light and gently sweetened dessert reminded me of that but was in a form I never experienced before. I'm guessing some gelatin was used to create a texture that was creamy but still held together enough to be cleanly sliced. The blueberry syrup was also not cloyingly sweet and added a delicious tartness to balance all that cream. The sugar cookie crumb on the bottom was a nice crunchy base. I enjoyed this dish immensely. 

The vast options on the menu have enticed me to plan my next dining adventure. I look forward to trying the other offerings and also repeating the dessert offering. 

Cafe Cambria -- Cambria, CA (Mediterranean cuisine)

A surprising hidden gem in the heart of this very small town. Located at 2282 Main Street, lies some of the most fragrant and most flavorful food in an area full of American and Italian. Nothing wrong with those options, but after several meals in a row of, what seemed like, similar taste profiles, I needed something different. 

The kitschy decor and fast-casual feel led me to have moderate expectations. But I was steered astray. As soon as I took my first taste, I knew I was in for something special. At the helm was one man, who was professional and quick, as he was the host, the cook and the waiter. All the same, he answered all my questions, and his demeanor let me know he was proud of what he dished out.



https://cambriacafe.com/


Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Stuffed Grape Leaves. These preserved, fragrant grape leaves were filled with seasoned cooked rice, onion, black pepper and fresh herbs. The additional fresh parsley and lemon made this a savory and aromatic appetizer. This was a seemingly simple dish that required time and patience and care to not rip the delicate leaves and have the perfect balance of flavors during the long-stewing cooking process.

Vegetarian Platter. This was advertised as a great option for vegetarians, but I would say anyone who enjoys really flavorful non-meat, Mediterranean food, such as myself, would also enjoy this. The fresh tabouleh had a nice lemon zing, with all the aromatics of fresh parsley, tomato, onion, bulgur wheat, spices and olive oil. The falafel was, hands down, the best falafel I've ever tasted. It was a Syrian version, which I've never had, and it had such a nice crunch on the outside, a finer crumb, soft and fluffy on the inside and seasoned perfectly. The fried pita chips were thin and crisp and worked well to balance the tangy pickles and sopped up the creamy hummus. A small, but noticeable, standout item was the "toum", which was emulsified garlic sauce on the side. Other, less authentic, restaurants will just add some garlic to yogurt and call it "garlic sauce", but this was true garlic sauce, with nothing but whipped garlic, salt, lemon juice and olive oil. 

 

VIP Combo. An excellent platter of the Shish Tauke Beef Kebab (cubes of beef), Kafta Kebab (minced beef), and Shish Tauke Chicken Kebab (cubed chicken breast). Each cut was marinated with onion, herbs and spices and every bite was juicy, seasoned well, and gave us a great experience of these flavors. The yellow rice soaked up the juices nicely and the fresh salad and hummus added a nice balance to this hearty dish. 

I am definitely looking forward to coming back and trying out all the other items on the menu. This is an exemplary version of these dishes and it's surprising that the bigger metropolitan area, where I live, does not have a Mediterranean restaurant that can live up to this new standard for me.