Old Spaghetti Factory, Concord

1/24/14

The good Old Spaghetti Factory; I heart you. I can remember eating here so many times with my family as a young adult, and eating at other locations across the nation as I grew up and traveled. I love this place! I want to visit all of their locations. (No, not kidding. Sounds like a fun series of road-trips.)

The really good experiences here make you forget about the less good ones, at least for a little while, and we had great service last night!! The server (Aaron, I think?) spent the night reading our minds. Before having to ask, he offered to mix water with apple juice for the 14 mo. old at the table. He also brought me extra marinara right at the moment I had said to my table I wished I had more.  At the end of the meal we were distracted by our little nephew and left our to-go food on the table. Having done this the meal before and it ruining my day, I can't describe how happy I was when the manager Heather ran out to make sure we got it. (Stupid us!) Luckily we hadn't gone far. We were walking at the speed of a toddler.

Our dinner was so nice! For the last 10 years or so I've only ordered one menu choice: the Manager's Favorite (which is combination of two of your favorites) I always pick mizithra/browned butter and marinara. This time I went with the potpourri (a combination of four house favorites, those two plus clam and meat sauce). I substituted meat for a extra marinara.

1/3/13

BUY A LARGE PORTION OF THEIR SPUMONI ICE CREAM TO TAKE HOME

I reviewed Toscana restaurant a year or so ago (also in Todos Santos Plaza) and in my review said not to waste your time there, to save your money and walk over to OSF. A man named Vahid sent me a terrible email afterward saying I must work for OSF or be paid by them. Neither of these is the case - and I can't believe I hadn't reviewed OSF before now!

I love this place. Most of my friends do not share my feelings toward it. I order the exact same thing every time and I have for years! The manager's favorite $12.79 (which is your choice of two of their pastas) - I like the mizithra cheese and browned butter for one half, and a red sauce, usually with mushroom, for my other half. A salad with creamy pesto, an iced tea, and my spumoni ice cream for dessert. Bread comes with the meal but almost always arrives with salad. I wish they'd bring it first. Our last visit they had run out of bread! Didn't get any until we were almost done eating :(

I like sitting in the caboose seats inside the restaurant but this is where the worst service can be found. That's okay with me though. You might have to go get your own straw, or hunt down a beverage refill, but I don't care.  I'm telling you now, you aren't going to OSF for the service.

The meal is inexpensive and good (well, the only items I think are good on the menu are the ones I order every time.) I try bites of other peoples and none are ever as good as my meal. Your drink is include. Dessert is included. Heck yes!

Expect a wait on certain nights of the week. They lose a star for not accepting reservations.There is a bar at the front where you could wait but I rarely go in here. It's so much food I don't want to fill up on alcohol ahead of dinner. I always have left over so I bring a reuseable tupperware container to put it in.

OSF recently made a TERRIBLE switch for their to-go containers. Changing from paper (Chinese-food style) boxes to horrible styrofoam. Why OSF?? Why???
I sipped on complimentary hot tea while we waited for the hot, fresh bread and garlic butter to arrive. It showed up with the salads so I used my extra creamy pesto dressing for the bread, in addition to the yummy butter.  Dinner was timed nicely and our plates arrived once I'd finished off my salad, and then my husband's blue cheese salad afterward. We never felt rushed and there weren't big waits in between courses.

I had to turn down the free bowl of ice cream at the end, but did steal some vanilla from my sister-in-law and some spumoni from my husband. So I left very happy. Last night was probably the best dining experience I've had there. Ever! I look forward to more :D

Eat and Run, Berkeley Pier

1/26/14

After a solid hour of non-stop eating at a festival in Mill Valley, I begged my husband to find somewhere that we could walk around and he brought me to the Berkeley Pier. I hadn't been here since 9/9/99 and forgot how long and nice the walk to the end is. We made it to the end and turned around. It was a hot day and I'd forgotten to bring a water bottle with me, so I was happy to see the Eat and Run food cart at the entrance of the pier.

My husband bought a Coke ($1) and I bought a bottle of water ($1.25). The man working had 80s music playing on a boom box and several coolers out front with the cold drinks inside. He also cooked up food inside. The guy in line behind us ordered a hot dog and the nice man working held it in his hand waiting patiently for the guy to finish a long phone call.

We thanked him and he thanked us. Friendly guy and cold, refreshing drinks!

Historic Life-Saving Station and G Ranch Cemetary, Inverness

9/16/13

Awww yes, the Life-Saving Cemetery of Inverness.

As you head toward the Point Reyes Lighthouse, you'll pass Drakes Bay Oyster Farm, and Schooner Creek. At this point on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. you'll see a sign directing you to turn off the main rain, toward the cemetery. While I don't think heading down random roads in an area with no cell phone coverage in search of cemetery land is always a good idea, we were in an adventurous spirit and had plenty of daylight left. We would be safe.

There is a two-car parking area and one car had taken both spots, so we put our car nearby and hiked up the (small) hill to a grove of large trees, keeping the graves shaded and mostly hidden from sight. Bright yellow flowers littered the walkway up the hill, bringing life to an otherwise very quiet place. Was it getting windier as we reached the top? Did the sun just hide behind a cloud?

A crumbly, white picket fence surrounded the small cemetary. We each laid a yellow flower at the first graves we came to. You cant actually get to the headstones - they are surrounded by personal fences, but you can read their inscriptions. It was really cool. The place was  a little beat up looking and not that well maintained, but I imagine they weren't getting a lot of complaints from the residents.

At the top of the small cemetery sat a small bench, made from a tree. We quietly reflected on our day and our lives, then turned to head back down the hill and were on our way. I thought it'd be pretty fun to stay around here and wait for another car, and hide behind a tree before jumping out and scaring them, but this area is pretty isolated and it might have been a long wait.

Chicken Ranch Beach, Point Reyes Station

9/16/13

If youre hoping to find a chicken ranch at this beach, you'll be disappointed. I was a little disappointed. But only because we didn't have any beachwear with us. We did stroll along to a bridge and along the water a little ways. Lots of kayakers were gathered on the shore - saw lots of kayaks for rent at the resort a ways down the beach. Coincidence?

The water was cool, but not freezing cold. It was an overcast day but really pleasant by the water. This would have been a great place to throw down our blanket and spend a few hours if we didn't have other plans ahead of us.

Drake's Bay Oyster Farm, Inverness

9/16/13

We didn't have the stop planned on our coastal trip, but saw the sign and wanted to make sure to get a taste. We turned off the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. onto a road that quickly turned into a bumpy, dusty path. We arrived at the oyster farm. A few weather and salt-beaten buildings including one where oysters were being sold.

Shucked oysters were $2 each. This isn't a bad price, especially when they're pretty fresh, but I have had better oysters at Metro in Lafayette and they were $1 each. (Chef's Creek variety - they were so good I still remember !) I couldn't tell you the name of the ones we were eating here but I do know they were a size small.

Sometimes smaller is better. It's kind of hit and miss with oysters. And asparagus. Only sometimes. So we enjoyed sitting on the wooden picnic benches and eating our oysters, but it would have been a much cooler experience if there was an employee out there, telling us about their farm, how the shells are raised, and what the process for farming them is.

We left wish it'd been a little bit more interactive of an experience. I can buy oysters anywhere.

Murphy's Deli, Walnut Creek

9/18/13

When I'm at hungry at home (Concord) I work on trying all the taquerias around: taco takeover goal!

When I'm hungry at work (WC) i work on trying all the little sandwich places: deli domination goal.

Murphy's Deli is definitely not a little sandwich place like the name suggests. They have one of the biggest menus (which is written, somewhat inconveniently, on their walls) of any deli I've ever been to. Hot lunches, soups, salads, wraps, sandwiches, fried food, snacks, and so much more. I really wanted to try something like the chicken tenders or jalapeno poppers, but ended up at the salad bar.

While the salad bar isn't as big as say, Fresh Choice, it has a ton of selections. I think when it comes down to it, I don't like very much lettuce in my salad. I want all the goodies that go on top, dipped in dressing. This salad bar is terrific. You pay by the weight and I had a pretty full container, including dolmas and other heavy-weight items. My total including iced tea: only $11.49! Good deal.

My lunch date and I walked over to the hot sauce station and I lathered my lunch in several different flavors and colors of spicy goodness. We then went outside where we enjoyed a nice breeze, great seating, a view of the pretty plaza, and easy bins for recycling our food waste, plastic waste, and general garbage all separately.

There's really something for everyone here. I love that it's close to where I work. I'll be back!

PS - Ask them about "Belly" at the register. It was a quick registration and you earn points when you eat there and other participating places. The girl in front of me was getting a free soda and told me she loves the rewards.
 
 
 

BurdgeCooper, Los Angeles

9/18/13

I've been very happy with this company for several different legal printing needs. We have our office business cards run though them and standardly receive very professional service. Their billing system is clear and they even enclose an envelope for return payment.

Their website is easy to navigate when making a purchase. It also maintains a blog and the legal section tells you more than just about who they are and what they do. It has general guidelines for legal announcements and suggested wording for legal invitations.

They lose a star for not bundling items when shipping together. Having to pay freight twice for a paper and envelope order isn't very economical for the customer.

Leo T. Cronin Fish Viewing Area, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA

9/9/13

Fishay, fishay!

Stop the car! I must see the fishies!  Even though it was a pretty inconvenient stop to turn around, my driver happily did so at my request. We went back to where the sign had caught my eye "Fish Viewing Area".  I didn't know what this place was, but I liked it.

It's exactly what it says it is. No tricks. It's an area to view fish! Most specifically, spawning (endangered) coho salmon. Hells yes. From November through February the Laguanitas Creek will see salmon and ask that park visitors be quiet as they view and not make sudden movements. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

West Marin is a beautiful area and this is one of the healthiest creeks for salmon spawning. It's a really great spot to stop, whether or not you see fish. There is a great trail you can walk down under a shaded path along the creek.  Marin Municipal Water District has implemented a variety of environmentally friendly habitat improvements to this area. They also maintain a bulletin board in the parking lot with information about the fish, their preservation, and volunteer opportunities related to the same.

So glad we turned around and went back to check this out!

Mr. Lucky's, Walnut Creek

9/19/13

Been in here lots of times for drinks and once for lunch.

I wouldn't wait in line to come in, but there usually aren't lines anywhere during 5:00 happy hour and that's when I prefer to do my social drinking. Ultimately I'm to the point that i'd rather make my own drinks at home. At least there I can overly garnish my Bloody Mary, rather than sit and stare at a lonely olive in disappointment.

I like the drinks here - service is generally good. There are several booths for sitting, an island that stretches the length of the bar, and then the bar itself. There's also a nook at the front with seating and standing room. I was invited to a Happy Hour hosted by Certified Reporting Services and this was the perfect spot for us.

The appetizers at that party were all really good. We enjoyed the poppers a lot. So I guess I knew they had a menu, but I had never really looked at it until the other day. I had wandered Walnut Creek trying to find a spot for lunch, and ended up here.  Lunch was kind of a hiccup - they were very busy and I felt like it took a while to get my menu, but maybe I was just being hungry and impatient. The food came out fast. I ordered an Italian Chopped Salad. They forgot the salame on it, but it had plenty of tuna and I prefered the tuna anyhow. I did get my iced tea comped for the error though. It was pretty good. The dressing was great and it was not ovredressed, but it seemed like a lettuce and tuna salad more than "Italian". Maybe it had ONE peppercini chopped into it? And a little bit of olive I think...? It was kind of boring. Perhaps I'll request more toppings next time.

They don't take Discover cards.  :(

Ike's, Walnut Creek

9/23/13

Dear Ike's:

Please accept my apologies. I have changed my mind about you and wanted you to know.

You've taught me the definition of Halal, provided me with caramel apple pops, and given me more lunch choices than I ever thought possible.

I'm not a vegan, yet I enjoy your vegan chicken and veggie sandwiches. I still don't like getting messy while I eat your saucy sandwiches, but I do like licking the sauce off my fingers in between bites.

Your free chips make me smile. Hotter than Jalapeno, is it? That's my favorite chip bag.

I was convinced that I didn't like you, Ike's. But when I had to decide where the office will order food from for my birthday party at work this week, I picked you.  We've ordered for the office before and the food was ready on time, and everything was correct!

I haven't had the same thing twice - this Wednesday I'll try "Nacho Girl" with hot peppers added and extra lettuce.  Indeed, it will be a happy birthday party! I'm happy already!

Kind regards,

Amy
xoxox

5/6/13

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING NUMBER OF OPTIONS FOR VEGETARIANS (&VEGANS)

WOW. I can't believe the selection here. I'll have to come back in winter and give it another try. A hot sandwich on a hot day in a hot restaurant isn't for me in the summer months. But I'll give it another try down the road!

I can't remember the name of my sandwich but it was something catchy. Nifty spifty? It had halal chicken smothered in avocado and veggies. It was actually really messy but very good.  I added jalapenos after the fact when I had some time to read that they're free upon request. Yumm.

At work, I'm walking distance from two other sandwich shops that are both half the price. It was a good sandwich but unless I'm going out with friends, I don't see myself jumping to spend $11.11 for it.

Service was great - there was a high-energy guy with a great smile calling out names for food and finding the right people to give it to. He was really nice when I asked for the jalapenos, even though he was so busy. We had to ask for napkins too. Oddly, they aren't on any tables which is weird since the sandwiches are so saucy.

My favorite part was the sourdough bread. Definitely some of the better of the sourdoughs I've had a sandwich place. It was really, really good. Even late in the afternoon when I finished my giant sandwich, it was still good and crunchy and fresh! (Not soggy - even with all the sauce and avocado! Amazing!)

Jon's Pitstop and Delicatessan, Martell

9/24/13

We always set off on our camping trips after dark. It's not intentional, it just seems to happen that way every time. I have a secret spot I like to camp outside of Jackson, off Hwy. 88, and we usually stop at Jon's on our way up there for last minute snacks and bags of ice.

They are open 24 hours selling gas, drinks (including alcohol) and even fresh popcorn. This is great for people who never know what time they'll be getting on the road.

Their coffee station has an extra-caffeinated brew, as well as a variety of syrups you can pump in with instructions on creating great, popular flavors like vanilla mocha. I imagine extra caffeine is necessary when working a late shift at a 24hr spot. Service is friendly, so if they're tired in there, they don't let on.

A fridge-deli contains potato salads, macaroni salads, deviled eggs and other homemade goodies. I prefer making a stop down the ChexMix and Sunfower Seed aisle, but the food doesn't look bad if you want something fresh.

Ice is sold in 8lb bags. A few of these will fit in a medium-size cooler. Unless its full of beer cans, in which case you prob only need a couple bags. And your camping cooler should always be full of beer cans.

PiPi Campground, Pioneer

9/24/13

My husband probably would have preferred a swift kick to the crotch over the painful realization that you are allowed to shoot rifles in this forest, and we had left all of ours at home. We aren't hunters, but do enjoy shooting outdoors. Nothing's less fun than counting the seconds between shots at the range.

This campground seems small to me, but I don't do a lot of camping in numbered sites that you have to reserve. I like wilderness camping where youre required to obtain a fire permit and you dig a hole each time you need a restroom break.

The bathrooms here are clean and pretty frequent. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit.

Reservations are made online and the $22 fee has a $9 processing charge. You have to make them several days in advance (even moreso if there's a specific site you want). We couldn't book for Friday night so we made a Saturday night only reservation. It's first come, first serve if you don't have a reservation but they put something on the site saying the days its reserved. So we pretty much saved ourselves the processing fee for one night. I wrote the host a check upon arrival. I love writing checks.

The friendly camp host called off a puppy that was looking mischievously at me and it went back to its own site. There are signs saying leashes are required, but I think well-behaved dogs that are obedient are the most important thing. The host sells wood and you can get a large amount for $20.

There is drinking water available but you should probably bring your own food and drinks. No other food sold here but it's not all that far of a drive from the nearest town. 30 minutes perhaps?

I stayed here in February 2010 and again Sept 2013. The only difference was the water level. The river was moving a lot faster and higher in Feb. The first time I stayed here was because the road to my regular spot was snowed in. It wasn't a bad spot to return to, but I imagine there are lots of other campgrounds in this area to check out as well, if you like camping somewhere you can see other people.

Note: The greatest thing about this place is that it's handicap-friendly. They have pathways to the water and all around that are pedestrian and wheelchair friendly. How awesome is that! Handicamping. We enjoyed walking on these pathways. We noticed they have better tree coverage above you. Which was great for us, since it was raining the last day of summer, but would also be nice for shade on the hot summer days.