Ambrosia India Bistro -- Monterey, CA (Indian cuisine)

When I think of Monterey and the surrounding area, I think of beaches, the ocean and seafood. When I decided to try this restaurant, I was not expecting to have some seafood and also land food, in dishes with modern and traditional touches that were a bit outside the norm. 

Located at 565 Abrego Street, this meal became a very pleasant surprise. The service was friendly and the atmosphere was calming with tropical decor, but the flavors of everything I tasted became the primary focus of my experience.



https://monterey.ambrosiaib.com


Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Chutney. The green cilantro sauce was familiar and a standard offering. This was a fresh and zesty version without too much garlic. As was the Tamarind sauce, which was nicely balanced with sweet and sour. The pickled vegetables in tomato sauce, however, was like nothing I've ever seen or tried from an Indian restaurant. It had a wonderful toothsome but flexible crunch, perfectly seasoned and packed with umami from the fermented, cooked down tomatoes. I ended up asking for extra two times during my meal, and the staff ended up kindly sending me home with a small container of this with my leftovers. These were some of the tastiest pickles I've ever eaten. 

Chicken 65. Perhaps spiced for the regional palate, these were well seasoned and fragrant, but not as spicy as I've encountered from other restaurants. The boneless chicken thigh pieces were marinated in a blend of smoked spices, lightly passed through a wet batter, then flash fried with curry leaves until juicy on the inside and lightly crisp on the outside. Served with fresh bell peppers, lemon and onion, this was a small but delightful appetizer.

Samosa (outside). These golden pockets of potato and peas included homemade pastry and fried until perfectly flaky and crisp. Served with a fresh vegetable garnish and signature chutneys, these were also a very delicious starter.

Samosa (inside). The potatoes were soft, fluffy and seasoned with fragrant herbs and spices. 

Butter Naan. The classic leavened bread, quickly fired in a tandoor oven and brushed with melted gee. This bread came out of the kitchen piping hot, had a wonderful, toasty aroma with a bit of crisp on the outside and was chewy and soft on the inside.  

Trio Lamb Kebab. This platter included lamb, three ways. The Royal Gosht kebab, which was minced lamb cooked on a skewer, tender lamb chop and Seekh Kebab, which was also minced meat. Each piece was marinated in aromatic spices and grilled to perfection.

Kandhari Prawn Curry. This was my favorite dish, besides the pickles. These were succulent jumbo prawns simmered in a creamy coconut-based curry sauce with aromatic spices. The sauce was thick, but not gloppy, it had a strong coconut flavor and included coconut milk as well as dried pieces of coconut. I wanted to drink this sauce. 

In an area without a lot of Indian people, I was very impressed with all the dishes at this restaurant. I was even more impressed with the chef, who I learned was not ethnically Indian, but was able to learn how to make Indian food and then added his own touches to create these unique and memorable dishes. I will definitely visit this restaurant again the next time I'm in the area. 

Stationaery -- Carmel, CA (elegant Californian cuisine)

For those who enjoy a challenge, finding this spot was almost an exercise in futility. Almost, but not quite, as I did find it eventually. Tucked away behind a couple of buildings on a charming walkable street, was a hidden gem of a neighborhood eatery. 

Located at 3 NE of 6th Avenue on San Carlos St, the small sign was a clue and the large blue-green windowed structure, which housed the outdoor eating area, became the destination. The service was friendly, but note that reservations are definitely recommended, especially for dinner. Luckily, I showed up early for brunch, and was able to be seated without reservations. 


https://www.thestationaery.com/

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.



Cappuccino. A well-balanced shot of espresso was artfully decorated with milk foam, one of my favorite things. I enjoyed my drink as slowly as possible. 

Biscuit + Jam. The house-made, not too sweet, slightly tart mixed berry jam included no seeds and had the perfect spreading texture. Not a necessary condiment for the well-made biscuit, but it added a nice balance and flavor to the flakey buttery treat. 

Breakfast Sammie. A vast upgrade to the typical breakfast sandwich. The artisanal B.E. English muffin stole the show. The accouterments of crispy Canadian bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, fried shallots, savory Gruyere, smokey ketchup, and creamy sambal mayo enhanced the delightfully spongy but hearty and chewy texture of the bread. The brown butter potatoes rounded out the meal nicely.

Potato Pancake. My eyes were dazzled by the colors on this plate, and my mouth was dazzled by the flavors and textures of this dish. The crispy on the outside and soft on the inside potato cake was sturdy enough to hold some umami-rich Stepladder fromage blanc, sweet stone fruit, salty Incontro Culatello, sweet basil, and an added side of two perfectly soft-boiled eggs. A fantastic brunch option.

This is on my permanent, and ever-growing list of favorite restaurants. If I lived in the area, this would absolutely be a regular destination for me. I will visit again and again whenever I am nearby. 

Shawarma House -- Garden Grove, CA (Mediterranean cuisine)

There are very few casual dining establishments that leave this type of impression on me. This one, located at 12531 South Harbor Blvd, is one of those places. Do not expect any level of atmosphere or charm. This is a bare-bones restaurant that slings amazing food over a counter and without flair. But after I took my first bite, the flavors and textures left me immediately trying to figure out how to come back for another meal. 

A bonus tip worth mentioning, is to walk two doors down this tiny strip mall and visit the Jerusalem Roastery, possibly owned and operated by the same family. https://www.jerusalemroastery.com/

https://ordershawarmahouse.com/

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Falafel. Fried to order, these bite-sized morsels were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The herbs and spices were fragrant and the last bite left me wanting more. 

Kuba. My original order did not include these, but the kitchen made a minor mistake and fried up some of these for me as an apology. What a great way to try something different. These were seasoned ground beef and almonds, encased in a thin pocket of bulgur wheat and deep fried. The meat was moist, the almonds gave a nice texture and the warm spices of clove and Baharat left a sweet aroma on my palate. Absolutely delightful. 

Cheese Sambousek. These rolls of puff pastry were stuffed with cheese and then deep fried. The cheese encased in the shatteringly crispy pastry was mixed with some of their pickled chilis and had a fantastic mix of stretchy cheesy goodness along with a bit of heat and acid. I could have just had these for my meal. 

Beef Shawarma Wrap. Finely chopped seasoned meat were encased in their house made flatbread and crisped on the grill. The only other additions were a few of their cucumber pickles. A simple, but superb execution of tender meat in a hand-held form. Perfect for on-the-go lunching or snacking. The house made sides of mild chili sauce and toum paired very nice with this wrap. 

Chicken Shawarma Wrap. Anther delicious variation of their wrap options. This was moist chicken, cucumber pickles and some of their fantastic toum, with more on the side. I would skip the fries next time, but go heavy on the toum. 

Kunafa. From the Jerusalem Roastery, this was one of my favorite versions of this dessert. The finely chopped pistachio topping was crispy, and the cheese on the bottom had just enough salty gooey-ness to balance the not-too-sweet sweetness of the drizzle of infused honey syrup. The extra sprinkle of larger pistachios were a nice finish.

If in the area again, I would make a beeline to this place for, at least, two meals or some take away items. I hope these two businesses thrive so I can enjoy them again during my next visit.

Sabroso! Mexican Kitchen -- Garden Grove, CA (Mexican cuisine)

It's amazing how different any one category of food can be depending on where you visit. There is no shortage of Mexican food in the Bay Area, where I live, but the Mexican food in Southern California is just more pleasing to my palate. Of course, opinions vary, but some of my favorite places make their own tortillas and other masa-based staples. This was one of those places.

Located at 13091 Harbor Blvd., the lively atmosphere drew me in, which was followed by friendly service and fantastic food.

https://sabrosomexicankitchen.com/

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Chips. Made from their homemade tortillas, these chips had a nice corn flavor and were thin enough to be satisfyingly crispy, but hearty enough to survive a scoop of guacamole. 

Salsa Roja. An option to add to the chips order, I opted in and was very pleased with the delicious charred tomato, along with a tasty, but not spicy, blend of cilantro, onion and peppers. 

Guacamole. Freshly mushed with just enough chunks to give some textural contrast. This was well seasoned with bits of onion, tomato and lime juice. The sprinkling of micro greens on top was also a very nice touch.

Tamales. Two generously sized tamales filled this plate, along with addictive seasoned rice and smooth refried beans topped with queso fresco. The chicken was topped with a tangy tomatillo salsa verde and the pork with a darker red pepper salsa. Both were succulent and satisfying with a moist corn base and topped with queso fresco.

Shrimp Tacos. The battered and fried shrimp were stuffed into handmade corn tortillas. I opted for "Ensenada style", which is served with a "secret" sauce, which for me, tasted like mayo with chipotle seasonings and lime juice. Topped with cabbage, pico de gallo and queso fresco, these were hearty and delicious.

If in the area again, I would happily return to try more of their vast menu of mouth-watering options. 

Centro Bar & Kitchen -- Reno, NV (Worldly-influenced small plates)

I am amazed and disappointed that I only recently discovered this restaurant, even though it has been in Reno since 2015. Located at 236 California Avenue, this non-descript, easy-to-miss space houses big flavors on small plates, and their rotating, seasonal menu allows for a myriad of tasty dishes all year long.

I almost walked into the wrong door, but when I got into the correct place, I was welcomed warmly by the hostess and seated promptly. I was delighted to see microgreens growing in trays on a shelf in the bar area and that was the moment I knew this was going to be good. 

I tend to ask many questions about food I enjoy, and the staff and kitchen were happy to answer all my questions. I did not expect such an upscale experience, but was made to feel very comfortable in my casual clothes all the same.

https://centroreno.com/


Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.




Slow Roasted Harissa Carrots. A simple root should not be this delicious. Perfectly cooked, al dente carrots were tossed in a gentle coating of a tomato-harissa sauce. This gave it a nice savory and not spicy seasoning. The herbed labneh was thick and rich with toasted pistachios that gave this a wonderful texture, and the fresh herbs added a nice aroma. As if that wasn't enough, a light sprinkling of Ricotta Salata over the top finished the plate beautifully. 

Shawarma Spiced Chicken Meatballs. Three delightful balls of juicy, moist chicken were nestled in a bed of Lebanese-style tomato sauce, which was atop a bed of sumac-seasoned chickpea hummus. The adornments of preserved lemon, dollops of labneh, baby cilantro and a healthy drizzle of Roccuzzo extra virgin olive oil turned a simple-sounding dish into an experience.

Miso Pork Belly. These fatty pieces of pork were slowly braised in a savory miso, then seared until a bit crisp on the outside. The chilled ginger carrot puree was a vibrant color and smooth as silk, with sweetness from the carrot and a bit of savory tingle from the ginger. Their version of a nori tsukadani was very pleasantly and gently meaty. I enjoyed playing with different flavor combinations with each bite. The additions of yuzu pickled daikon added a nice acidic balance, the shiso salsa verde gave it an herby freshness, and the crispy shallots and microgreens gave this a nice crunch, aroma and a lovely presentation. 

Sticky Ribs. These were not the type of wings one would get for game night. These were fancy, but still finger-licking good. The cook on these were just right, tender enough but still had something to sink your teeth into. The coating of a sweet chili sauce was not too sweet and not too spicy, but very flavorful. I also enjoyed the pickled carrots to help cleanse the palate between bites and the mint chimichurri added a fresh, aromatic contrast to the bold flavors. I also appreciated the option to add more ribs to the plate, which I probably should have done, but did not...this time.

Centro Karaage Chicken. This dish was so good, they had to put their name on it. This was twice fried chicken thigh with crispy bits throughout the coating. The typically-ignored garnish of cabbage was turned into a refreshing slaw with a light, zesty yuzu kosho dressing. The hefty portion of house made chili crisp added an earthy, umami quality to each bite, but without too much heat. A very delicious version of Japanese fried chicken.

There will be additional visits in my future. I will try to save room for dessert at some point, as their seasonal panna cotta sounded divine. 

Joyful Hainan Chicken & Bento -- Fremont, CA (Chinese cuisine)

This small, family establishment is a fairly newly opened sister restaurant to Joyful Dim Sum, which is just around the corner, in a small strip mall. Located at 43486 Ellsworth Street, this establishment produces delicious Chinese food with a focus on quality of ingredients. All the chicken is free-range, and careful attention is paid to all aspects of each dish. This includes re-heating instructions, if needed, to preserve the texture. This has become another one of my staple restaurants for high-quality food. 



https://joyfulhainanchickenbento.com/


Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.




Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce. Crisp, crunchy and wonderfully bitter with a sweet finish. This dish requires, perhaps, an acquired taste, but if one enjoys regular broccoli, one will enjoy this super charged broccoli. The toothsome chew of each stalk is my favorite part, which I have enjoyed since childhood. 

Soy Sauce Chicken. Tender, juicy morsels of perfectly seasoned poultry. These include the bone, which I can appreciate, as meat always tastes better when cooked on the bone. The soy marinade is just enough to enhance the flavor of the chicken without the need for anything else. I also appreciated the option to get half a chicken, a whole chicken, or a single serving in a bento box with rice and cucumber. Definitely a winner.

BBQ Pork. Another one of my favorites, the cook time on this pork left enough for some chew, without it completely disintegrating with every bite. The sauce was balanced, with the right amount of sweetness and savoriness to keep the mouth watering. I used my leftovers to make myself a bahn mi sandwich the next day. Delicious.

Cantonese Style Braised Beef Brisket. More tender meat filled this container. This brisket had enough fat and tendon to make this a very enjoyable dish, at least for my palate. The gentle soy sauce-based seasoning was also just right. 

This is definitely not the place for someone who enjoys the high-impact flavors that come with chain restaurants that fuel their food with MSG, sugar and grease. The options for single-serve or family style have also given me the option to stop by to pick up something for dinner, in a pinch. I would highly recommend anyone give this place a try.

Perenn -- Reno, NV (Bakery & Cafe)

When I first discovered Perenn many years ago, there were only two locations in the state of Nevada. Now there are more than seven locations across two states, and they're still growing. It's amazing how the quality of food and customer service remain consistent throughout all their locations. 

So far, I've been to three of those locations. This visit was at "Rancharrah", located at 7750 Rancharrah Blvd, in Reno. This space is a bit small-ish, with open seating and if one doesn't get there before 10am, a long line out the door. But with the quick service, the wait isn't too long, and the reward at the end of the wait, is fantastic coffee and food.


https://perennbakery.com/


Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Cappuccino. My favorite go-to coffee drink. This on was made with the right amount of coffee beans with the right amount of full-fat milk and foam. A great way to start the day.

Plain Croissant. The word "plain" is just to separate the beginnings of tasty delights within the category of croissant, as Perenn makes and bakes enough croissant varieties to make one's head spin. This foundational treat had layers of flaky, then moist and buttery mouthfuls. 

Breakfast Sandwich. A highly customizable dish, I opted for the croissant bun on this day, but a house made English muffin, which I'm sure would have been divine, was the other bread option. The croissant was crisp and flaky, as all their croissants, and moist and buttery on the inside. Also in the mix was sausage, egg souffle and gently melted cheddar cheese. A bit dainty in size, but perfect for the one with a light appetite, who still wants to eat well. 

Turkish Eggs. A delicious plate of sunny-side up eggs that floated in a bath of whipped garlic yogurt. The other well-crafted accouterments were tahini sauce, warmed Aleppo Pepper butter, charred tomatoes, and addictively crispy chickpeas. The mint and dill herb oil added a lovely green color as well as aroma. The grilled sourdough bread did a great job sopping up all the juices and made this a fulfilling meal.

I would happily visit any of these locations again and again. The option for takeaway and delivery also makes this an easy choice for a weekend at home.