Food Fare 2012

Recently, we attended a food fare held in Santa Monica to support Planned Parenthood. Suzanne Goin (from AOC, Lucques, and Tavern) was the honoree. We want to share a few highlights from the evening, and we hope you enjoy!

Blue Plate Oyster

 On Sunset at the Luxe Hotel

Duck Salad

 Mar'sel

Mushroom Truffle Soup

 Border Grill

Breakfast Taco 

 Grilled Cheese Truck

Mac n Cheese Grilled Cheese

 Pinches Tacos

Carne Asada & Chicken

 Clementine 

Sloppy Joe

 Angelini Osteria

Lasagne Bolognese

 Drago Centro

Pork Ragu 

 Corn Maiden

Cheese Tamale

 Brisket Slider

Thyme Cafe and Market

 Momed

Duck Shwarma

Craft

Smoked Shrimp Slider

 Clementine

Banana Cream Pie

 Pazzo Gelato

White Chocolate and Basil

Nothing Bundt Cakes

White Chocolate

Big Sur


Deetjens
(American; 48865 California/1 Highway)

Rating: 2

Here we were thinking: Traditional Big Sur.

Give it a try: Caesar salad (actually very good), crab cakes, and the paella.

We'll pass: On the lack of bar options.


Big Sur Bakery
(Bakery/cafe; 47540 California/1 Highway)

Rating: 3

Here we were thinking: Breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.

Give it a try: Chicken salad sandwich, duck pizza, side of sautéed cauliflower, and the bread pudding.

We'll pass: On nothing

Napa Valley


Cook St. Helena
(Italian; 1310 Main St., St. Helena)

Rating: 3

Here we were thinking: A local's spot.

Give it a try: Homemade mozzarella, fazzoletti bolognese, chicken pesto pasta (special for the day), and the Monday sundae!

We'll pass: On the "spacey" waitress.


Redd
(New American; 6480 Washington St., Yountville)

Rating: 1

Here we were thinking: Very disappointed.

Give it a try: Beet raviolis.

We'll pass: On the "fishy" sashimi and the poorly cooked duck breast.


Farmstead
(Farm-To-Table; 738 Main St., St. Helena)

Rating: 2

Here we were thinking; A pit-stop in between the wineries.

Give it a try: Kale salad, beet salad, and the meatballs.

We'll pass: On the very salty potatoes.


Hopper Creek
(Breakfast/brunch; 6462 Washington Street, Yountville)

Rating: 3

Here we were thinking: Breakfast at Hotel Yountville.

Give it a try: The strawberry risotto, chicken apple sausages, and the homemade strawberry jam.

We'll pass: On nothing.


Brix
(New American; 7377 St. Helena Highway, Napa)

Rating: 3

Here we were thinking: Backyard-To-Table.

Give it a try: Banana pepper margarita, pear sale, crab salad, and scallops.

We'll pass: On the sorbet trio.

San Francsico


Yank Sing
(Dim Sum; 49 Stevenson St.)

Rating: 2

Here we were thinking: Got to try something new and different.

Give it a try: Chicken lettuce cups and chicken mushroom dumplings.

We'll pass: On the rushed service and the broccolini.


Tacolicious
(Mexican; 2031 Chestnut St.)

Rating: 3

Here we were thinking: Tacos, tacos, tacos!

Give it a try: Tuna tostadas and tacos (we recommend the shot-and-a-beer chicken and taco of the week).

We'll pass: On nothing.


Chili Pies & Ice Cream
(Sweet and savory pies/ice cream; 601 Baker St.)

Rating: 3

Here we were thinking: Something unique.

Give it a try: Green chili apple pie and a pie shake of your choice.

We'll pass: On the food coma.




Chez Panisse
(Farm-To-Table; 1517 Shattuck Ave.)

Rating: 3

Here we were thinking: Legendary!

Give it a try: Whatever looks great to you that day (we had the ginger soup, goat cheese salad, and chicken mole).

We'll pass: On nothing.


Rye
(Cocktails; 688 Geary Street)

Rating: 2

Here we were thinking: Time for an after dinner drink.

Give it a try: The Moscow Mule.

We'll pass: On the location.


First Crush
(American/tapas; 101 Cyril Magnin Street)

Rating: 2

Here we were thinking: Easy and on the lighter side.

Give it a try: Beet salad, tuna tartare, and the fish of the day.

We'll pass: On the uninspiring ambience.


Fisherman's Wharf
(Seafood; The one-and-only Fisherman's Wharf)

Rating: 1.5

Here we were thinking: Fresh off the boat.

Give it a try: Clam chowda

We'll pass: On the pigeons trying to eat your food.


Kokkari
(Mediterranean; 200 Jackson Street)

Rating: 2.5

Here we were thinking: Mediterranean, San Francisco style!

Give it a try: Greek spreads and the baklava ice cream.

We'll pass: On the halibut steak.


Rickhouse
(Cocktail lounge/bar; 246 Kearny Street)

Rating: 2

Here we were thinking: Overwhelmed by the menu of choices.

Give it a try: Any one of their "most popular" cocktails.

We'll pass: On the dark setting.