Drake's Brewery--San Leandro (First Friday Event)

This past month I visited Drake's Brewery's First Friday event in San Leandro. Located at 1933 Davis Street, on the first friday of every month, they host a fundraiser for a worthy local cause. For June, it was for a local elementary school. For July, it will be for The Boys and Girls Club.

It's a $5 donation to get in and once inside, you can purchase a Drake's pint glass for $15, which includes 3 tokens for 3 full pours. Quite a bargain if you ask me. Plus, you can bring a glass from a previous Drake's First Friday event and just buy some tokens for $3.50 each. One of the other pulls for me is the good grub they usually have on hand to serve the humble philanthropists.

One of my favorite gourmet food trucks was at this past event. I've talked about them before, but I have to make another mention since I tried another dish and it was amazing.

Go Streatery
One of my all-time favorite dishes anywhere is their Braised Oxtail. Succulent, falling-off-the-bone tender and flavorful, this can be ordered over rice or grits. I chose rice as I'm not a huge grits fan, but I would think their grits would be really good as well.

My new favorite item is their Brisket Sandwich. Served on a toasted brioche bun, this meat was also ridiculously tender, moist and savory.

Bourbon Bros. BBQ
I could have called it a day after a couple pints of Drake's finest and the food from Go Streatery, but, of course, I had to try some pulled pork. With just one thing on the menu, you would expect it to be good. It was. Slow-cooked for 16 hours, this pulled pork was moist, tender and had a nice, smoky flavor. Served in a roll, they also included broccoli slaw (from a secret family recipe). My boyfriend, who hates broccoli, gobbled up every bit of this sandwich, slaw and all and enjoyed every mouthful. Nice work Bourbon Brothers.

The only drawback is the event ends at 8pm and it's a limited space. After reaching capacity, they only allow people in once other people leave. So get there early and bring a lawn chair, as provided seating is limited. For more information on Drake's First Friday Events, visit their web site:
http://drinkdrakes.com/site/?page_id=24

Ashland, Oregon 2012 (various eateries)

I did my yearly visit to Ashland, Oregon a couple weeks ago. It was a nice getaway, as usual. Much quieter, cleaner, and calmer than the fast-paced Bay Area. Of course, I went to a couple plays, since the Shakespeare Festival was going on, and I did some eating and discovered some great places.

Mix Sweet Shop
At 57 North Main Street, this has become a must-visit place whenever I go to Ashland. Freshly made sugar cones is the pull for me, but this time I tried a cream puff and it was fantastic! Coated with dark chocolate, they kept this in a chilled display so it's nice and cool on a hot summer day. It was filled to capacity with a not-too-sweet, flavorful vanilla cream and the pastry was lightly golden brown and delicate. One of the best cream puffs I've ever had.

Larry's
To keep in line with the sweet theme, I took a chance at Larry's, a cupcake place. Located at 66 N. Pioneer Street, this bakery offers an overwhelming 50+ flavors to choose from. It was difficult to decide what to try, but I ended up with Passion Fruit, Pink Champagne, Red Velvet and Lavender Meadows. Each one had a nice density, and each flavor stood out well. Very nice. They even offer gluten free and vegan cupcakes and also cater weddings and can create novelty cakes.

Standing Stone Brewing Company
At 101 Oak Street, this brewery brews their own beer in small batches and in full view using 90% organic grains. They also serve up sustainable and tasty food.

Our beer selection was the I Heart Oregon Ale and the specialty, Milk & Honey. The Milk & Honey beer was unexpectedly good. Full-bodied with a slight sweetness, it went down easy with medium hoppiness, while the I Heart Oregon Ale was light and refreshing.

Going off the daily specials, my boyfriend and I tried the Pizza and the Bison Burger. The pizza was topped with bacon, green apple, brie cheese, toasted walnuts, fresh basil, fresh garlic and drizzled with a really nice olive oil. This was a flavor combo that was surprising but absolutely worked. Every ingredient was fresh and top notch while the crust was thin and crispy with a nice wood-fire baked aroma.

All their burgers are made from 100% grass-fed cattle that are allowed to graze freely, are certified Organic and antibiotic/hormone-free. Just knowing that the bison lived a good life made me feel really good about the sacrifice he made to be my burger. The perfectly-cooked Bison Burger was housed between sliced focaccia bread and included caramelized fry onions and jalapeno aioli. The side of garlic fries was crisp and tasty as well. Hearty and delicious. The friendly wait staff and slightly industrial, but inviting atmosphere was also a plus. I will return.

Smithfields
Even though this restaurant is fairly new (established in 2011), they had me sold as soon as I read the menu. With dishes like Duck Leg Confit and Twice-baked Goat Cheese Souffle, how can I go wrong? I didn't. A bit on the pricey side, but with the attentive, knowledgeable service and high-quality food, it was worth every penny. Location: 36 South 2nd Street.

I started with the In House Charcuterie Board, which included house-made rabbit rillette, chicken liver parfait, bacon, country pork terrine, veggie pickles, mustard and crackers from a local bakery. Every bit of this was tasty. And with seven different items on one board, every combination I tried was savory, not too salty or sweet--just wonderful. That board was clean when it left the table.

Next was the Roasted Bone Marrow. I almost didn't order this, and then I saw it placed on a table nearby. A few minutes later, it was in front of me. I've never actually had bone marrow from a restaurant. Every time I had it was basically from sucking it out of a lamb shank bone or the like after preparing the meat; never just by itself. I was pleased. Served with capers, veggie pickles and charred sourdough, I could have eaten this as a meal.

For my entree I had the Anderson Valley (a nearby farm) 14 oz. Lamb Porterhouse. I cannot emphasize enough how perfectly cooked this lamb was. Grilled with a slight char on the outside and medium rare on the inside. It was heaven in my mouth. That lamb must have been loved when it was alive to produce such a nice flavor and texture. Not gamy or tough at all. The side of sugar snap peas were prepared well also. They tasted like they were sauteed in the lamb juice and then sprinkled with lemon zest and almonds.

For dessert I had the Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding with picked huckleberries and vanilla custard. It had a nice crispy crust on the outside and a soft, dense, creamy custardyness on the inside. The pickled huckleberries and pear went very well with it. Overall, it was a very memorable meal and was a great ending to a great weekend.

Brown Sugar Kitchen--Oakland (Soul food)

Memorial Day weekend was a big eating weekend for me. One of the places I visited was Brown Sugar Kitchen at 2534 Mandela Parkway in Oakland. This is definitely a popular place, and they do not accept reservations. But, in my opinion, the food is worth the wait. After a one-hour wait, my friends and I were seated and greeted warmly by our server.

One of my favorite items here is their Cornmeal waffle. It's not like a typical waffle, which is usually thick and fills you up after three bites. This one is light as a pillow inside but has a nice crispy cornmeal texture on the outside. This is not a carbo-load type of waffle. It may not be for everyone, but it is one of their most popular items. They also serve them with homemade apple cider syrup, which is absolutely a winner in my book.

Something I never thought to try was their BBQ Shrimp & Grits. The presentation was unexpected, as it came in a huge bowl that almost looked like soup. The creamy grits were on the bottom, with this ridiculously savory and amazingly delicious sauce on top covering about 12 shrimps. My eyes grew wide after one little taste. I could have drunk a bucket of that sauce. The flavor was so complex and well balanced, I could only decipher a few ingredients. Sadly, this is not a dish that I can easily reproduce at home. Oh well. I'll just have to enjoy it here over and over again.

Lucky for me, we finished our breakfast right as noon was rolling around, and I decided to take home a couple lunch items. Below is their Oyster Po-boy sandwich. Four giant and super fresh oysters were lightly coated with cornmeal, fried till just done and encased in a toasty roll with a slightly sweet, vinegar-based coleslaw (my favorite kind, as I do not enjoy mayonnaise-based coleslaws). The oysters were very hearty, were not rubbery or chewy and tasted like they just came out of the water.

On the side, I ordered the mac & cheese. Nice, toasted, buttery breadcrumbs were placed atop some creamy, macaroni noodles. The cheese sauce tasted like it had at least three different kinds of good-quality cheeses. Nothing processed here. A very nice side. 

One would not expect to find a hidden gem of a restaurant in this industrial part of Oakland, but I would say Brown Sugar Kitchen is a destination spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Also, since they incorporate the local, sustainable ingredients mindset, it also makes me feel good about supporting them. Just make sure you're not in a rush.

Buffalo Bills Brewery--Hayward (American cuisine)

While in Hayward the other week, I visited one of my favorite breweries. Buffalo Bills Brewery, located at 1082 B Street, not only creates excellent brews that you can find bottled in grocery stores, but also serves their frosty beverages with some good eats. Their specialties include pizza and sandwiches.

Even though they had a change of ownership recently, which included some changes to the menu, I found the beer still tasted the same and the food they offered was delicious. I was disappointed they no longer offer the Buffalo club sandwich, as that was one of my favorites, but the sandwich I ended up ordering was pretty tasty.

I did, however, like the change they made with their beer glasses. For the perfect pour, their extra long beer glasses come with a pint line to allow room for the head of the beer without any overflow, while also preventing patrons from balking at a pour that might be just shy of a full pint. I am someone who can appreciate this, as I've had skimpy pints at other establishments. Below is their Ricochet Red and Hayward Hef, plus a little taste of their Strawberry Ale. Not my kind of ale, but a free sample is always appreciated.

For my entree, I picked a hearty meat pizza. Their pizzas are a medium crust that's crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. If you like a super thin crust, this pizza isn't for you. However, if you don't mind a thicker crust, you will definitely be satisfied with the fresh cheeses, sauces and real meat toppings. Nothing processed here. For about $10, the value is great for the portion size.

One of my other favorites at Buffalo Bills is their sandwiches. They now make their own potato chips that are served with each sandwich. I love these potato chips. They're thick cut and fried to a really crunchy consistency. I love crunchy things so I'm a big fan of these chips. Below is my Pesto Chicken sandwich served on a Ciabatta bun with a sun-dried tomato spread. It was a nice piece of real chicken breast. Good portion size as well.

There aren't many places in Hayward that I think have great food, but Buffalo Bills has been keeping people happy since 1983 and they are still going strong. I would highly recommend paying them a visit if you are in the area or in need of a pre- or post-movie meal, as there is a movie theater right across the street.

Corn Salad (Recipe)

When the weather is warm, I have little desire to turn on the stove or the oven. So, for a side dish, I made a cold corn salad using leftover boiled corn from the previous day. This is a very refreshing salad that can also be put into sandwiches or over lettuce salads. Here's what I did.

I started off making the dressing. In a medium bowl I whisked together 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice, 1 tsp. honey, 4 tbsp. olive oil, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper. I then cut the corn kernels off two cobs of leftover, already cooked, corn. I then diced about 1/4 of a red bell pepper, and roughly chopped a handful of fresh cilantro. I threw everything into the bowl with the dressing and tossed with a spoon. I love the crunch and sweetness of fresh corn on the cob.