Archive for the ‘restaurant’ Category

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Romantic Day Out in Carmichael (yes, really)

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

For partly financial reasons, we live out in Carmichael. Not really a hotbed of romantic things to do, but in an effort to save money and gas, I’ve been trying to come up with fun dates closer to home. Here are a few ideas for an inexpensive Saturday day out in Carmichael:

Breakfast at Lido café
The Lido is one of those hole in the strip mall places that actually has really good food. It’s small but they have a few booths and the wait staff are friendly. I got the cinnamon roll (which was raved about on Yelp) and it was very good, especially if you like yours really sweet. We also had the sausages which were banger-size and had a little kick to them, some toast and tea.

Soccer (football) at Ancil Hoffman park
Since my husband is English, we have fun kicking around the ball on the big open field at Ancil Hoffman, just after the entrance gate. More serious players can be found here on some days or around the back by the golf club… but we just like to dribble and steal from each other. Guaranteed to make you laugh like a kid and in our case, wheeze like old fogeys. Afterwards, you can take a nice stroll on the trail that goes around the park and Effie Yeaw nature center has a couple of good, short trails to the river. My only complaint about Ancil Hoffman is people don’t always leash their dogs.

Carmichael Library
We love our library and visit it all the time. Since the recession started, I’ve been to the library more times than in all of my previous years put together. We get movies, cds, magazines, books and childrens books (I like ‘em). Once a month they have a book sale, so that’s a nice little diversion as well.

Boulevard Coffee
A good spot for an afternoon pick-me-up is Boulevard Coffee on Fair Oaks (near Lido café). We ordered up some tea and sat at one of the cute indoor tables while reading the books we got from the library (don’t spill!). The place is kind of smallish so if there is a loud conversation going on, it can be hard to concentrate on reading. But it’s a great place if you want to have a romantic chat.

Thrift Town
It’s always hit or miss at this (like most) thrift stores. On recent visits, I’ve picked up cute thank you notes, an embroidered pillowcase, a shirt, books and a VHS tape. Watch for their 50% off all clothing sales if you really want a good deal. (not sure if that includes their vintage section or not)

For dinner, we usually head home and make something ourselves… it’s cheaper, healthier and frankly, there’s not a lot of cheap/decent places to eat in our section of Carmichael. Although I’ve been meaning to try Serritella’s again… I haven’t been there in years.

Hope you can use one or two of these suggestions next time you are in our neighborhood!

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Sac Historic House Profile: The Claremont Hotel & Spa

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

Nestled in the green hills of Berkeley, overlooking the expanse of the bay and San Francisco beyond, stands the historic Claremont Hotel. Built in 1915, the landmark hotel/resort has long been a favorite of bay area residents and visitors from further afield. It has the look and feel of an old world spa – the kind of place where, as my husband put it, James Bond would go for a little rest and relaxation. Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright called the Claremont “…one of the few hotels in the world with warmth, character and charm.”

We were lucky enough on our recent visit to stay in one of the hotel’s newly refurbished Pure rooms. The Pure rooms were designed to create an almost allergen-free guest experience and I could definitely tell the difference in our room. The mattress and pillows were encased in hypoallergenic bedding and an air filter hummed along in the corner of the room, keeping the air noticeably fresh.

According to Bruce Carlton, the Claremont’s General Manager, “From the spa to the health club, to now our guest rooms, it is important that we continue to invest in our guest’s overall well-being.” I think we as travelers are going to see more and more hotels going in this direction, especially older hotels which really do have to work harder to keep their rooms from looking (and frankly, smelling) worn out.

Our spacious and comfortable room (#254) had a breathtaking sunset view of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco. The bed was high and in great condition and the jacuzzi tub in the bathroom hit the spot after an afternoon of shopping.

The Claremont recently opened a new restaurant called Meritage. From what I could tell from the old photos in the lobby, the restaurant is where the old Garden Room used to be. I think my aunt has mentioned visiting the Garden Room when she was a young woman – perhaps she was lucky enough to see a big band leader like Count Basie, who once played the room.

The Meritage dining room is sophisticated and yet still comfortable, like the rest of the hotel. And the large windows give diners a panoramic view. We didn’t end up eating there but we did have a couple of well-made drinks in the cozy bar. The bar was just my sort of place with wing-backed armchairs, book cases and wood paneling – oh and a piano! The pianist (George, I think) was excellent, filling the room with jazz standards and even a bit of ragtime.

The Claremont Hotel is relaxing, elegant and filled with old school charm. If you go, be sure to check out all of the gingerbread houses placed around the hotel – a perfect touch for the holidays.


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Bring On The Haggis!

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

My favorite pub this side of the atlantic… The Pelican Inn at Muir Beach, is offering a traditional Burns Night (named for Scottish poet Robert Burns) on Saturday, January 24. There will be the usual “unusual suspects” including cockaleekie soup (chicken and leeks) and the presentation of the haggis – with bagpipes and everything. Spots are limited so act fast if you are interested in what should prove to be an enchanting evening by the sea. $50 per person; includes meal and entertainment. Call (415) 383-6000 for reservations.

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The Orangery and Other London Must-See Places

Saturday, October 4th, 2008

I’m still having that strange sensation of waking up in the middle of the night and not knowing where I am. Is it our hotel in Kensington? A small flat in Lincolnshire? I struggle to adjust my eyes to the darkness… ah yes, there is our window and there is the bathroom door. We are home.

So I managed to violate most of the top tips I recommended to you while we were in the UK, but I still stand by the list as a good guideline. It’s important to be flexible when you travel and happily things worked out pretty well. Here are some London treats if you are planning a trip of your own:


Tea at the Orangery, Kensington Gardens
Queen Anne added the Orangery to Kensington Palace in 1704 as a greenhouse for exotic plants and citrus trees (hence the name). The building also doubled as a “supper house” during the summer months. The best part about Tea at the Orangery is the historic setting, manicured garden views, and the scones. All at the city’s most reasonable price for formal afternoon tea. However, occasionally slow waitstaff and the absence of tiered silver cake trays might be enough to scare away those looking for a traditional tea service. The Orangery is also a popular location for weddings and other events, so do call ahead to make sure it will be open.


Landscape with Psyche outside the Palace of Cupid (‘The Enchanted Castle’). Claude, 1664.

National Gallery
I discovered this romantic painting while visiting the LOVE exhibition at the National Gallery. Not the best work by any means to be seen at the Gallery – you’ve got loads to choose from. I always make a point of seeing the Marriage of Arnolfini by Van Eyck and Van Gough’s Sunflowers.


Leighton House
I’ve been to see the former residence of Pre-Raphaelite painter Lord Frederic Leighton a few times in the past but I made sure to stop by on this trip as the museum/house is about to undergo a long restoration and will be closed for a couple of years. Yes, years. So if you are going, please do check to make sure the house is open. The highlight of this 19th Century home is the Arab Hall, a glittery, exotic, colorful little room with a fountain in the middle and walls made up of over 1,000 Syrian tiles. Apparently when the museum has recreation parties, they burn incense and candles in the room to give it a real late 1800s bohemian vibe. Upstairs you can see how a gentleman lived in those days as the rooms are kept pretty much as they were in Leighton’s time.


Cabinet War Rooms (not pictured, obviously)
I’d never been before and I was so glad I made the time on this trip. It’s expensive but the museum really does give you a sense of how Churchill and the other folks spent their days buried below Whitehall in these tiny little war rooms. I particularly liked the copper coil cigarette lighter on the wall – man, those rooms must have been smoky!


The White Hart pub and inn, Ufford, Cambridgeshire
This was one of the great moments of the trip, driving through the Cambridgeshire countryside and listening to the Ladies in Lavender soundtrack. The sleepy and adorable village of Ufford hosts an old church on a hill (pictured – and there’s a horse pasture in front) and The White Hart. Not sure if there’s much else there! The pub and inn is a great place to go for a superb lunch of local food (they even do some butchery on site) and local beer. I get the feeling that it’s a popular place for weddings, so if you are in the market for that – check it out.

It was a great trip and we are already talking about our next adventure. Will it be Rome? Edinburgh? Or something more local like New Orleans? In this economy… we might have to settle for a picnic on the Sacramento Delta.

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Sac Historic House Profile: The Huntington Hotel

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

When was the last time a hotel made you feel like putting on a vintage Givenchy gown and ordering an Old Fashioned at the bar? Never? Well…

Welcome to the Huntington.

Located in the rarefied air of Nob Hill in San Francisco, the Huntington Hotel has been charming guests since its first incarnation as luxury apartments in the 1920s. Owned by the Cope family, the hotel uses quiet sophistication and impeccable service to stand out from the other big name hotels on the block.

As we walked through the old-world inspired lobby, I could hear the doorman advising departing guests to be sure to take their coats as it was looking fairly chilly outside. At reception, we were greeted and given scented hand towels to refresh after our long car journey. The hotel staff are professional but not stuffy, discreet but not absent. I took a quick side-trip downstairs to see the famous Nob Hill spa and spotted a Sienna Miller look-a-like in a black bikini lounging by an infinity pool overlooking the city. This was another side of San Francisco… one that I don’t get the chance to see very often (if at all, let’s face it).


Our luxurious room (number 610) was too big for the furniture in it and we had ample room to do a cartwheel if overcome by the sudden urge. The mirrored wet bar, lounge area, desk, and king sized bed were impressive but it was the double sink vanity and sunny separate tub area that caught my eye. Little did I know that it had caught my husband’s eye as well and he promptly put the tub to good use. He emerged later with sighs of praise and remarked, “Such a nice bath – I’m sorry to go on about it… but I do like a good soak.”


Downstairs in the Big Four Bar, we settled into green leather chairs under the watchful eye of a portrait of actor Walter Pidgeon smoking a cigar. The bar is named after the “big four” Central Pacific railroad tycoons – Stanford, Crocker, Hopkins and Huntington who built their mansions on Nob Hill in the 19th-century. The dark polished wood, glass tables, cozy fireplace, piano and dimly lit oil lamps created the perfect atmosphere for a romantic date. Voices were kept to a low murmur as glasses clinked and wine bottles were uncorked in the background. One clue into the welcome silence was the handful of plaques around the bar/restaurant that read “No Cell Phones”. Quite right too.

The bar motif continued into the restaurant dining room, an ideal spot for proposing marriage, wooing a client, or suggesting an illicit affair. For adventurous eaters, the restaurant offers a yearly Wild Game Week – five nights of deliciously different cuisine featuring wild game such as rabbit, caribou, ostrich and quail. This year’s dates are November 4-8. For reservations, call 415.771.1140.

Though we chose to have dinner down the hill in North Beach, we did return to sample the hotel’s warm Valrhona chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and raspberry coulis ($10). I think I’ve mentioned that this is my favorite type of dessert and now I think I may have a competitor for my favorite place to get this dessert!

The Huntington Hotel has welcomed a number of famous guests over the years including Princess Grace, Claudette Colbert, the Rothschilds and the Vanderbilts.

Now it’s your turn.

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Things I’m Loving Right Now

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Mad Men (season 1) – Who knew life was so awful in 1960? This AMC television drama is highly watchable, despite beating you over the head with the fact that in the past people smoked, were sexist, were racist, had affairs, drove without seatbelts, drank during the day, and were generally depressed. Uh, did I say this was set in the past? Sounds pretty current to me. My love affair with the show may be brief as there really aren’t any likeable characters so far – but oh the costumes and the hair and the hats!

Doing the right thing – Thank you to BJ’s Brewery in Roseville (yes, I went to Roseville… it happens) for providing good customer service without my asking. My husband ordered a dish without onions, it showed up with onions, when he brought it to our server’s attention, she whisked it away, brought out a new one, and removed the dish from the final bill. It was a Saturday and yes we did have to wait quite awhile for food… however I appreciated the free meal (or rather my husband did). The sad thing is that customer service has gotten so bad in the past few years that I’m applauding behavior that really should be the standard… but anyway, because of this I will continue to visit BJ’s Brewery.

Stuff White People Like – Despite its dubious and possibly racist title, I found this blog and subsequent book to be fairly accurate and extremely funny. Judge for yourself.

Anticipating Mamma Mia – So when you’re near me, darling can’t you hear me S.O.S. What’s not to love?

Central Air – As much as we loved living in a historic 100 year old house last summer, we are happy as clams in our apartment where we crank the environment destroying a/c until I’m so “cool” that I start to crave hot chocolate. I’m not saying it’s right… but if loving you is wrong… etc…

My hair – Thanks to my fantastic stylist at Light Reflections on Fulton. I’m not going to tell you her name because it’s hard enough getting an appointment as it is.

 

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Spreading A Little Link Love

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

The new issue of Victoria magazine is calling to me from the living room, so I’m going to make this post brief. I’ll do a little link love and share some recent/not so recent finds with you.

Pomegranate Paradise from Jamba Juice – I don’t know if these things are actually “healthy” but it is from the fruit-only list, so it may not be too terrible. Yesterday was rather warm and after my walk I treated myself to this cooold drink – it hit the spot.

Instant Netflix documentaries – I’ve seen a few now but the best were Following Sean, Been Rich All My Life, and The Future We Will Create (inside the TED series).

Kiss My Face foaming handwash in Grapefruit & Bergamot – Smells a bit like Fruit Loops, but in a good way.

Personal blogs – Boho Girl, Kelly Rae, and Superhero are just a few of my daily reads.

Girls Guide To City Life (San Francisco) – Writer Anh-Minh offers good tips for visits to the Bay Area. I especially appreciated the Kezar lot parking suggestion when we last went to Amoeba Records in SF.

Cottage Girls – Antique shop on Fair Oaks and Palm in Carmichael. So cute. Bought two candelabras.

Cut out carrageenan – I used to think I was lactose intolerant until I discovered it was actually a sensitivity to the thickener carrageenan found in Ben & Jerry’s, Redi-whip, Silk soy milk, some Weight Watchers frozen meals, and other popular items (like my toothpaste!).  Read my eHow article on How To Live with a Carrageenan Sensitivity.

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Ginger Elizabeth at 18th & L

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008


*Photo courtesy of Ginger Elizabeth’s website. The macaroons are the blurry sandwich cookie on the botton shelf.

How much do I love the Parisian macaroons at Ginger Elizabeth (18th & L)? A lot.

Are they as good as the ones from Miette in the Ferry Building (SF)? Maybe even better.

Are they as good as macaroons from Paris? I think I better taste a few more, for judging purposes.

Happy Easter everyone!

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Carmelitas and Tablehopper

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

Dined at the delicious Carmelitas last night (Sunrise & F.O. Blvd) for the first time at that location. I loved the quirky décor and the attentive staff, however I was a little bit surprised by the final bill. One thing that bugged me was the lack of prices on the drink menu which resulted in us blissfully downing our $8 dollar margaritas as if they were $2 Chevy’s happy hour margaritas. Carmelitas doesn’t do happy hour on Fridays.  Otherwise the food was tasty and I’m a sucker for any restaurant that bothers to put a candle on the table.

If you do make a trip to Carmelitas, and you temporarily turn a blind eye to your heart health or potential cancer risks… you must order the churros with ice cream for dessert. Love. The. Cinnamon-y. Sugar. Goodness.

While we are on the subject of food… I’ve recently stumbled upon the Tablehopper site which not only gives great restaurant reviews for SF but also documents which celebrities have dined where. So if you want to know what Natalie Portman ate at Salt House two months ago… this is the spot.

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Mince pies and carrot cake

Saturday, December 15th, 2007

My English husband can now sigh with contentment, for the Christmas season has truly arrived. He found boxes of Mr. Kipling deep filled mince pies at Cost Plus. We don’t remember them being there last year when we were on the hunt for Christmas crackers (don’t get me started). Anyway… Sacramento British expats take heart, we have found UK junk food and not as junky food in Raleys, Longs, Cost Plus, The Tea Cozy, and in many shops in the Bay area. We are still on the hunt for Hula Hoops and cherry Bakewell tarts if anyone knows where they can be found.

In other pie related news, I just had the best slice of carrot cake in my life from The Real Pie Company on 12th and F Streets. Now, I know what you are thinking. How could I get cake at the tastiest pie place in Sacramento? Well… you haven’t tried the carrot cake. Fresh, moist cake with the perfect hint of orange zest and cream cheese frosting that tastes like sweetened cream cheese and not a box of powdered sugar, rolled up in a fairly generous slice… all yours for $3.50.

I think I need a nap now.

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