October 2008 Archives

Moose A Moose Hates Candy Corn!

I'm a sucker for good tag-lines. The turn of a few well-placed words turn a Volkswagon into an lucky opportunity (Drivers Wanted? Sign me up!). Just Do It became a personal mantra for several years (along with the purchase of several pairs of Nikes that still sit collecting dust). But one of my favorites has to be Applebee's "Eating Good in the Neighborhood". Personal flair and well-coordinated chotskies aside, it connotates belonging and familiarity. Until you try to choke down microwaved appetizers. Not eating good. Bruno's on Fourth is what Applebee's can only aspire to: Good eating in the neighborhood.

Despite a menu that runs for several pages, Thai Issan needs to go back to basics. The recently-opened Sebastapol restaurant may have bitten off a little more than it was ready to chew when it comes to flavorful Thai cooking

Meals on wheels, a secret kitchenWhen the Napa Valley Wine Train rolled out of the station in the late 1980's, it wasn't exactly to a rousing welcome. In its early years pockets of tourist-averse townies railed against the idea of...

Syrah owner Josh Silvers has just closed a deal to take over the former Mixx space in Railroad Square. After months of speculation about who might go into the vacant restaurant but Silvers tells BiteClub that construction and renovations have...

BiteClub's finally gotten word on the whereabouts of former General's Daughter chef Preston Dishman. After hunting around Sonoma and Napa for the right gig without luck, Preston and his wife will be heading to San Mateo. Dishman will be the...

For months now, BiteClubbers have been lauding the breakfast-time merits of Carlos Country Kitchen, the red-checkered diner off College Avenue. Bordered by a gas station, botanica and car-repair shops just past the 101 overpass, the neighborhood isn't the most charming. There were some health inspection issues that were corrected. But hey, it keeps out the dilettantes and dabblers--though certainly not fans who pack the parking lot to overflow capacity

If you've been around town for more than five minutes, at some point you've probably stumbled into Mendocino Avenue's Tipsy Triangle anchored on three corners by the Belvedere, the 440 Club (props!) and the Round Robin. Despite looking more like a bed and breakfast than a bar, the low-ceilinged downstairs rooms are usually packed with JC students, chain-smoking patio-goers and low-brow affectionados come Friday and Saturday night. And although just about anyone on the street can point you to 727 Mendo, you'll get a confused look if you ask for the restaurant. "They serve food?" In fact, they do.

Bistro 29 in Santa Rosa: Onion soup for the soul. Now open for lunch.

Though it's hardly a newsflash, the Bay Area just isn't known for its hot dog culture. Outside of backyard barbecues, Brats, foot-longs and chili dogs were almost unheard of if you traveled north of Modesto or east of, well, Chicago....

A British foodie recently came up with 100 things every Omnivore should eat before dying. What to try is so subjective, but the list is a fun start. I've crossed out what I've eaten and left blank the one's I've...

Cafe Gratitude: BiteClub is nothing if not adventurous. I'll eat pretty much anything once, but let me say loud and clear that the foods that most concern me aren't pig's ears or cow tongue or chicken feet. It's vegan food.

BiteClubClub is feeling the pinch, as are many restaurant owners around the North Bay. You may have noticed that my coverage of new restaurants has all but fallen off the map -- opening has become almost impossible. Even for longtime...

A lot of restaurants are talking a big game about using local foods, but the reality of securing what they need in a timely manner can be a whole other story. Enter Fork & Shovel, which is hosting a kickoff...

Posh burgers can be a bit like a beautiful woman -- each delightful in their own way, but with certain charms only appreciated by the beholder. Thin or thick around the middle; dressed impeccably or bare; with pickles or without.I'm...

Luxe hamburgers are my official food of The Economic Downturn. Straddling the increasingly disparate worlds of white tablecloths versus paper plates, they're comfort food with class. A little bit PBR, a little bit Grey Goose.Gobbling upscale hamburgers made with pedigreed...