4 Forks :: The Happy Fork

Feb

2011

Salmerron’s El Tapatio has been serving excellent Mexican food since 1963

by bradvr · Comments (0)

For over 25 years, El Tapatio in Santa Ana has been my go to place hearty, consistent, Mexican food. Not your Baja Style or Tex Mex or overly creative spot, but traditional fare, far better then any of the chain Mexican spots. The dining room used to be tiny, but years ago they expanded into the building next door, yet still maintain high standards, fair prices, and friendly service. The decor is dated, and sometimes the music or the sports on TV are too loud, but it is most always comfortable and relaxing, however this is not a formal date place or one to impress clients (though I take mine here all the time!).

The dishes to get here are the traditional standards such as Chili Verde, Carnitas – plate or tacos, Chicken Mole, or any of the combo plates. My favorite is the crispy beef taco and chili relleno. The tortilla shell is hand formed, the shredded beef flavorful, and the chili relleno bursts with flavor (see photo). In Santa Ana we have our pick of American style mexican spots and this is one of my favorites. Other dishes to try are the shrimp diablo and the fajitas.

The secret to longevity in the restaurant business is consistency and El Tapatio is consistent. Gloria, one of the waitresses, has been there over 25 years and greets every diner with a smile and is truly happy to work there.

Location: Sameron’s el tapatio restaurant 1214 E Pomona St Santa Ana, CA 92707 (714) 835-4264

Categories : 4 Forks, CA, Fork on the Road, Home Cooking, Orange County, Southern California, The Happy Fork reviews

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Feb

2011

Anepalco’s Café humble location surprises with extraordinary Latin cuisine

by bradvr · Comments (1)

Anepalco’s Café has been hiding (from me anyway) in a tiny strip shopping center near St. Joseph Hospital in Orange for over 2 years. Shame on me for not finding it sooner. They serve outstanding and creative breakfasts, sandwiches and french press coffee. I didn’t try any juice, but it appears that offer fresh juices, hot coco and more. On my next visit I want to try the Cubano Sandwich and the name sake, Anepalco slow cooked pork Sandwich.

The pictures below are of our recent Sunday brunch. Both dishes tasted as good as they are described and as they looked – even better!
Huevos Divorciados was simply corn tortillas, ham, bacon, two eggs, red onion, avocado, covered with green sauce and “phosphorescent” red sauce, and sprinkled with cojita cheese. It had little bursts of spice and very complex flavors. The other very good dish I tried was Anepalco’s Chilaquiles. Scrambled egg served atop tortilla chips with red sauce, cotija cheese, sour cream, avocado mousse, and pico de gallo.

[Show as slideshow]

They have limited hours for lunch and breakfast. M-F 8 to 3:30 and Sat-Sun 8 to 2:00PM. Visit their website for more details. It is easy to get to and just off the 22 Fwy. Look for it on Main Street, just south of the Chapman.

Categories : 4 Forks, CA, Fork on the Road, Orange County, Southern California

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Feb

2011

Venticello Ristorante serves stand out Italian in Nob Hill

by bradvr · Comments (0)

Venticello Ristorante design is intimate and comfortable, with a kitchen staff that serves superior and innovative northern Italian cuisine. On this night we had a wonderful corner table by the window with a nice view of the bay to compliment our outstanding meal.

We were a group of four and created a virtual tasting menu featuring mushroom ravioli, roast lamb, gnocchi, pizza with arugula and panchetta. The wine list is diverse and compatible with most budgets. I found a 2004 Barberro for $ 42 which rounded out the meal. Overall, this spot is one of my new favorites in San Francisco.

Venticello is only a 5 minute cab ride from Union Square and, if the weather is nice, a great 15 minute walk. If you are walking, plan your route carefully if hills are not your friend.

The restaurant seats 115 but it’s design can accommodate various group sizes for private events and would be great for business dinners.

Location:
Venticello Ristorante
1257 Taylor St
(between Clay St & Washington St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 922-2545

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Categories : 4 Forks, CA, Fork on the Road, Northern California

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Oct

2007

Border Grill

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This place I really like – The southwestern menu is great, the atmosphere is casual and hip. The web site features information about the chefs, the restaurant, cookbooks and radio show. Also has a listing of upcoming special events at the restaurant with a recipe or two.

Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger create the “world cuisine” featured at The Border Grill and their other restaurant, Ciudad.

House made Guacamole, Ceviche, and Green Corn Tamales are all great starters. Grilled Skirt Steak, Pork Chops and Pescado Veracruzano are mouth watering.

Originally reviewed in 5/31/1998
What To Order: Ceviche

Border Grill
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

http://www.bordergrill.com
1445 4th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.451.1655

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Bar dining, Private room, Reservations, Late night, Bar, Beer and wine
Dinner: Mon 5 pm to 10 pm
Lunch and Dinner: Tue-Thu 11:30 am to 10 pm
Lunch and Dinner: Fri-Sat 11:30 am to 11 pm
Lunch and Dinner: Sun 11:30 am to 10 pm

Categories : 4 Forks, Fork on the Road, Los Angeles County, The Happy Fork reviews

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Sep

2007

Ercole

by bradvr · Comments (0)

In most American cities you will find bars that serve good food. Of course the cuisine is offered in a limited menu of, yes, bar food. As an example, one of my favorites, Joe Jost’s has 5 menu items – all good and all go really well with beer – or root beer.

Ercole’s is an institution in Manhattan Beach and populated by locals – clothing ranges from beach wear to suits. Pool tables in the back and nearly a dozen screens make for a busy atmosphere. They have a grill near the window and you can either come inside and order at the bar, or yell out your order through the ퟙto goퟘ window were the cook will gladly cook your meal just as you like it.

The meals here are Dodger dogs, and hamburgers. The hamburgers are just like your Dad used to make – thick, juicy patties, with thick cut tomato, lettuce, onions, and oozing with sauce and juices. The secret is the fresh ground, high quality meats from the butcher/grocery store next door. I am not using the word butcher lightly – when I was in the grocery store they were splitting a lamb and cutting chops right in plain site.

They server several beers on tap including my current favorite – Stella Atois!

Making one of the best burgers in LA – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Best Dish: Hamburger
What To Order: Hamburger and dodger dogs, Stella Atois (belgium beer on tap)

Ercole’s
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

1101 Manhattan Ave

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
One block north of Ocean Avenue, just South of the pier
(310) 372-1997

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less
Bar dining, Table seating, Late night, Credit cards, Bar, Casual, Non-smoking, Hole in the wall, Street Parking
Daily: 10 am to 2 am

Categories : 4 Forks, Fork on the Road, Los Angeles County, Southern California, The Happy Fork reviews

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Aug

2007

Maverick Eatery and Wine Bar

by bradvr · Comments (0)

Americana cuisine cook expertly in a fun atmosphere. Friendly service (heck, my Nephew Mike is a partner in the place), with a menu that is very conducive to plate swapping!

Creative names and ingredients make the menu irresistible – Baltimore crab puffs, and beet carpaccio salad (balsamic braised red beets with beef carpaccio), and the grilled flat iron steak are all good choices.

The wine list reflects Mikes love and knowledge of the vines. Enjoy his guidance and suggestions when selecting one of the boutique winery offerings.

The location is questionable and nearby street parking is not likely so my recommendation to take a taxi.

Get on their mailing list and get invited to their fried chicken feast, guest chef and winemaker dinners, and more!
Notable Staff: Scott Youkillis

Maverick Eatery and Wine Bar
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

sfmaverick.com
3316 17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Between Mission and Valencia
415-863-3061

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Table seating, Community seating, Credit cards, Beer and wine, Exceptional wine list, Snappy Casual, Non-smoking, Tasting menu, Prix fixe menu available, Street Parking, Catering

Categories : 4 Forks, Fork on the Road, Northern California, The Happy Fork reviews

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Aug

2007

Ma Bourgogne

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Seating is divided between a casual brasserie upstairs and a formal restaurant downstairs. The current owners have run the place for the last couple of years and luckily have kept many of the original recipes. including their method for Beef Bourgogne. The Aloxe Corton at 42 Euro complimented the bold beef dish and also recommended.
What To Order: Beef Bourgogne
Notable Staff: Nicolas Pasqua

Ma Bourgogne
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

www.mabourgogne.com
133 bd Haussmann
Paris 75008 France
8th Arondishment, Metro Miromesnil
01.45.63.50.61

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 to $20
Table seating, Credit cards, Bar, Casual, Smoking section, Romantic Spot, Prix fixe menu available, Street Parking

Categories : 4 Forks, Europe, Fork on the Road, The Happy Fork reviews

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Aug

2007

L’ As Du Fallafel

by bradvr · Comments (0)

I love Fallafel and I love L’ As Du Fallafel! You can grab a fallafel or a shawarma pita at the window or grab a seat in the informal dining room. Prices are less at the take-out window, but all of their prices are fair. The Fallafel sandwich has freshly fried fallafel, tasty hummos, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Shawarma is a distant 2nd, but if you must… du Fallafel is located in the “Jewish Gay” area, just North West of Hotel de Ville and if you are looking for mezza style foods this may not be the place, so try some of the nearby places with the spreads showcased in their windows.
What To Order: Fallafel Special – fallafel with aubergine

L’ As Du Fallafel
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

34, Rue Des Rosiers
Paris 75004 France
Near Hotel de Ville
01.48.87.63.60

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 or less
Counter, Table seating, Credit cards, Beer and wine, Casual, Hole in the wall, Speedy Service

Categories : 4 Forks, Europe, Fork on the Road, The Happy Fork reviews

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Jul

2007

D’Amato’s Restaurant

by bradvr · Comments (0)

Sometimes you just luck out and dine with the right people at the right time at the right place with the right server. Tonight it all came to together a wonderful spot in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. A suburb of Detroit. What could have been an ordinary Italian meal turned out to be a extraordinary experience. Apps included perfectly done flash fried calamari with zesty marinara sauce and a dish of bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella. The later was served on fresh, hearty hand cut toast with a touch of olive oil, basil and garlic. A tasty white wine flight completed the first courses.

By now we already appreciated the professionalism and guidance of our waiter Brad, but he kicked up the service throughout the rest of the meal with intuitiveness and guidance seldom experienced by me. Let me explain. A friend and I were discussing the idea of one of us getting the lamb chops with basil pesto risotto, creamy basil sauce and marinated oranges and the other getting the chili rubbed Ahi tuna with basmati rice and arugula salad. Almost forgetting to order salads, we decided to order family style and choose the arugula salads with Laura Chanel chevre and an order of the green beans with a salad of mixed greens. Our waiter Brad surprised us with stealthily serving small plates of each salad to each diner. Additionally, he produced plates with equal portions of lamb chops and ahi on each.

Featuring a great wine list with a selection of half bottles, and varieties by the glass, D’amato’s is a great space with great food and wonderful service. Enjoy!

Alternate spellings: Damatos D’amatos

What To Order: Featured wine flights – a great value

D’Amato’s Restaurant

This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

http://www.damatos.com/
222 S Sherman Dr
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Near 11 Mile and Washington
(248)584-7400

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Table seating, Patio, Reservations, Credit cards, Exceptional wine list, Snappy Casual, Smoking, Entertainment, Catering
Dinner: Mon-Wed 5 pm to 10 pm
Dinner: Thu-Sat 5 pm to 11 pm
Dinner: Sun 4 pm to 9 pm

Categories : 4 Forks, Fork on the Road, Northeastern U.S., The Happy Fork reviews

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Jun

2007

Taco Adobe

by bradvr · Comments (0)

For the last few years, Taco Adobe has become one of my favorite Mexican eateries. Sure they serve the expected American-Mexican dishes but the true finds are Southwestern dishes found under House Specialties and on the daily specials board.

My favorites always include seafood – calamari tacos, grilled halibut, snapper vera cruz, shrimp tacos.

Taco Adobe

This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

1319 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
North of 17th Street, just West of the 5 Fwy
714-543-2411

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $10 to $20
Patio, Table seating, Credit cards, Bar, Casual, Limited parking

Categories : 4 Forks, Fork on the Road, Orange County, The Happy Fork reviews

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