Today we drank the Australian Saloman shiraz/petite verdot mix, "Bin 4 Baan" (leftmost bottle). I haven't liked the few bottles of shiraz I've bought previously, but this one was surprisingly tasty, full with boldness expected from an Australian wine.
These past couple of weeks I've eaten out a lot, so here are some reviews before I forget their tastes:
Ray's Sushi, Hayward
Large menu with a good selection of sushi and several pages of rolls. My mom and I ordered grilled miso sea bass (misoyaki?), hamachi kama (grilled yellowtail cheek), chirashi, and their signature Ray's roll. The misoyaki arrived first--an unfortunate first mistake, but it's to be expected that serving order is rarely followed in non-Japanese higher-end restaurants. The miso dampened the rich fat of the sea bass down a bit, and the skin was delicious. Possibly influenced by our hunger.
Chirashi arrived second, with the usual egg, salmon, tuna, yellowtail, mackerl, octopus, and shrimp, as well as something close to sea bream and possibly something else I can't remember. I like to order chirashi in a new restaurant (and often in an old favorite) because it judges a lot of different aspects--its rice, its chef's knife skills, its egg, and its fish (and of those, the tuna is the most important). The rice wasn't memorably like sushi rice, and didn't have seaweed or pickled mushrooms (though not all chirashi have them). Egg was average in texture and blend of salty and sweet. Tuna was average. The sushi chefs were mostly Chinese (a couple of them conversed about their last regular visit to Taiwan) and one American.
The signature roll arrived in the midst of our chirashi, and was some sort of futomaki-esque shrimp tempura with eel, sweet special sauce, tobiko, and probably a fish or two there that I forgot. Delicious and full of wholesome rice that fills me up. I thought there was too much sauce and made the seaweed roll a bit drenched, but apparently my mother liked it to keep dipping her rice in it.
Hamachi kama arrived last--after we had to ask the kitchen if it was still coming, and if it wasn't, never mind about it. It came. The waitress who bought it put it down with her left hand and then took my mom's other plate with her right hand. Immediately I frowned, but as we were at the bar she didn't see (though I doubt she would see even if my face was directly there). I don't understand why some waiters ignore the rules about personal space, and it feels like Chinese waitstaff are the worst about this.
Ray's Sushi divided their hamachi kamas into 3 sizes, and though we ordered the smallest, it was still a struggle to finish. It wasn't as succulent as the kamachi kama we had at Koo, but then it's hard to judge at this point of our dinner. By this time we were full on our chirashi and roll, and I've gotten used to smaller portions in my resolution to eat less so I can eat more.
Our teas were never refilled, and this horrible plate crossing earned only a "Chinese restaurant" tip though the cost was less than a "Japanese restaurant" bill. (My mom and I've discussed this chicken and egg problem that makes Chinese restaurants prone to bad service, though one dollar doesn't really matter either way.) I'd probably still come back again for the value of the food, if I'm in the neighborhood.
Absinthe, Hayes Valley, SF
Came here twice in two weeks.
First time:
Warm duck confit, agrodolce cippolini onions, mixed chicories, Dijon vinaigrette
Slow-cooked rabbit, pappardelle, wild mushrooms, baby carrots, herbs
Saffron & cinnamon braised lamb shank>, Israeli cous cous, fava tendrils, preserved lemon, micro cilantro
Roasted mixed beets, toasted hazelnuts, orange oil, wild arugula, Sicilian sea salt
Second time:
Oyster shooters in spicy Bloody Mary sauce
Pork confit, braised red cabbage, Serrano ham, crispy mustard spätzle
Grilled dayboat scallops, celery root purée, Brussels sprouts, mustard oil, rosemary salt
Roasted mixed beets, toasted hazelnuts, orange oil, wild arugula, Sicilian sea salt
What can I say?--the beets were delicious and I love beets.
There needs no more description for the food than the menu--just the sight of the words makes me drool. At $85 (with tip) per meal for two, it's a level up from my usual burger and taco fare, but the service is great, and with real bread and good company, it's a dinner well spent.
Arlequin, Hayes Valley, SF
We ate at the cafe before picking up the box of wines today. Reuben, nicely toasted with thick peppery beef and sour pickles; and pizza margherita, its basil tamed in slices with a good drizzle of oil on top from real cheese. The shop also had soups, salads, and coffee available--and of course, there were a couple of tables in the cafe who had a half-bottle of wine from the adjoining wine shop next door. I'm looking forward to an afternoon to write and read at their small comfortable tables--hopefully my plan of moving to Hayes Valley would work out.
Oh yeah, when I finally decided to buy a garlic press, I bought a Shakespear set too...for $92. I don't how I'm going to finish every book, but I probably should D:
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