Greek Village Inn - Sacramento, CA

Finally getting my Skordalia fix (happy dance!!!!). The wonderfully smooth garlic dip that makes me smile.

I found the Greek Village Inn during a very specific search for Skordalia or skordhalia/skorthalia. Upon walking in I was greeted to another great surprise as they had the spicy feta as featured special today. Individually each dip is great, but together they will blow your mind. The feta had just the right amount of fire to meet the garlicy goodness that is a star of the Skordalia.

Skordalia and Spicy Feta Dips

  Next was the house Avgolemono, lemon and rice soup. Very flavorful, but with all the other dishes I ordered I only had a small taste.

Avgolemono Soup

For my main I went with an old faithful Gyro plate...Greek lemon potatoes, tzatziki, olives, and feta cheese. The gyro meat was thick cut, well seasoned and tasty, while the potatoes had mild lemon bite compared to others I've had.

Gyro Platter

Overall it was a great meal and the service was great. Looking forward to my next visit.

Garlic is your friend...Eat Bright!

Sprig - Atlanta, GA

I am STARVING... as waiting for the credits to role on 'Anonymous', which was fabulous by the way, to signal that its time to go.  Immediately AP and I make a dash for the door knowing that Sprig closes at 10.  

Perusing the menu, there are a number items to catch the eye.  The waitress confirmed our ideas when asked for recommendations. We originally ordered the Kale & Shiitake Mushroom Grits...Yep, you felt it too.. absolute excitement!  That is until moments later they return to say they don't have them.  So we decided to try the Butternut squash Risotto. Sounded very interesting until it came out looking pretty plain and uninteresting. Then we tasted it and it was blah, something was missing.

Before Sage

When we brought it to their attention our waitress pointed out that they left off the fried Sage and parmesean cheese.   Unfortunately, even with the correct toppings, there was nothing stand up about the dish.

After Sage

As everyone who has read by blog knows, I'm always on the hunt for a good burger.  And after hearing that the Sprig Burger might make it into my top 4 for Atlanta, I was stoked.

That is until again, after the manager comes back to inform us that they are out of Holeman & Fitch Bread Co. buns.  So instead we order one on a gluten free bun and one they put on a H& F Hoagie bun. Then as we are sizing up our burger, we notice a key missing piece of color, tomato red.  And again they have to come back to our table to explain that they are no longer in season which we totally respect but the menu, which was listed as just redone for fall, still said burger included tomato.  That seems small, but think about how the words on the menu are all you have to go on as you build up your expectations of what you hope will be a dish that live up to them.

 
Now back to the burger...alternate bun choices were a total mistake, it of course totally took away from our BURGER experience.  Half of the experience is dependent on the taste the other is the feeling you get when you prep your burger then pick it up and take that first bite.  The gluten free bun was good for gluten free, but as expected it was crumbly and unable to really stand up to the weight of the patty.  The hoagie bun, was just funny to look at and so it sat untouched.  Now let me know forget to say that the quality of the meat and the flavor was great.  It was not bad at all, just requires me to go back again in order to better assess the burger. 

With hopes of closing this meal off on a good note we decide to try the Gooey Butter Cake, Pumpkin flavored due to season.  I know, what in the world.  It was to be a cake and cheese cake combo thing with lots and lots of butter baked in.  Which in my mind along with the word gooey in the title makes me expect moisture beyond all.  And that my friends was my mistake and that was exactly what it lacked.  You can even see it in the picture, they cake bottom is dry.  I think they had it in the fridge at too low of a temperature so it was drying out, it looked frost bitten. So after just a bite, we had to push it away.  It has so much promise just based on the title, but unfortunately the execution here left a lot to be desired.

Not going to take it off my list, but may not be rushing back next week... Eat Bright!!

Cafeteria 15L and Scotts's Seafood - Sacramento, CA

So here I am again...back at Cafeteria 15L. As I was eating my grilled cheese last time I herd the bartender say their burger is one of the best in Sac town. And as you know, I'm always hunting a good burger. I found one is Columbus, OH, Johnnies Tavern, that I visited weekly to have a Hot-fries (burger with pepper jack and side of Fries).

But I digress, I'm back now to try their Cafeteria Burger. I'm thinking goat cheese and bacon... As happy hour prepares to end, I decide to try their mac n' cheese. Served piping hot in cast iron pot, its perfectly golden on top. The flavors are mild and each bite accented with the crunchy texture from the bread crumbs.

Mac n' Cheese

OMG, this smells amazing. Of course I got the garlic fries again... and the goat cheese and special sauce are calling my name... and after I take the time to cut it and prepare for first bite...Its still quite pink. I ordered medium well + minute.

Burger with Goat Cheese and Bacon

I was sooo excited, it looked soooo good!!!

So here I am... Waiting again, hope I get the same feeling again... It doesn't, maybe it just me, but I hate when they mess up then put the same buyer back on the grill fully dressed... It like opening a present, I can't have the same excitement about what I will find perfectly wrapped gift... Plus they took my fries so their not piping hot anymore either... What had the promise of being joyful beyond all is not a disappointment.

Burger is good. But now I don't have a taste for it anymore...

Pray it comes out right the first time... Eat Bright... :-(

Take 2

So as I am still hungry, I don't know what to eat... then it comes to me just get some seafood.  Something that's the total opposite of the burger, as not to be comparing them.  So I remember something i saw online, Scott's Seafood.  Its not really in my direction, but hey I'm hungry. The manager and I have a nice chat and she recommends a mix of the Boston Clam Chowder and Spicy Crab Bisque.  Its sooo warm on a cool night like tonight...she recommended the mix as to soften the bite of the bisque yet still have the creaminess greatness of the chowder.  After a bit more discussion we decided that in the future a 3:1 bisque to chowder ratio might be better so more of the spice comes through.

Boston Clam Chowder and Spicy Crab Bisque

I also had one of each of the featured oysters listed below, with the Cortes island and Eld island being my favorite.

Favorites at 12 and 3

Sometimes it takes two... Eat Bright...

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Cafeteria 15L - Sacramento, CA

Today was one of those days where I really didn't have a taste for anything, so after searching around I found Cafeteria 15L, american comfort food. Equipped to be completely open air and with great patio seating options, it definitely takes advantage of the cool fall weather.

Started with the Trio of Fries; garlic, sweet potato and BBQ with dipping sauces. The garlic and bbq were amazing, the perfect amount of seasoning. The sweet potato miss the mark though, as they brought nothing special to the combination (maybe adding some spice would help). I could have had more of the garlic instead.

Trio of Fries

BBQ, Sweet Potato and Garlic

Next up, I am waiting for my grilled cheese and tomato soup. They actually serve with fries, but I felt that was overload so going with a salad...

Salad provided a simple start, to the fresh, thick and hearty flavor of the tomato soup. The grilled cheese was thin and crisp and held well as you dipped it in the soup.

Eating for comfort is OK in moderation...Eat Bright!

Gatsby's Diner

Now its only right that I look up what spots in the area have been featured on food network. So I come to find Gatsby's Diner which was on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives back in January.

I walk in to the amazing smell of burgers, steaks and pork chops cooking on converted Japanese hibachi grills. I must say this is the epitome of an open kitchen.

I decided the seasonal 'Bacon Sherry Burger' was the way to go... 8 oz patty topped with shaved brussel sprouts, cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, thinly sliced red onion and a sherry mayo made in house, with nothing less than the house cut fries.

While I waited on my burger I totally had to have a vanilla shake. It was not only pretty, but very tasty. It was thick and creamy, but smooth enough to use a straw.

Vanilla Milk Shake

Burger looked great, fries nice and hot. I order my burger well done +minute, and it was perfect. Not a smidgen of pink, yet still very juicy. The flavor combo melded well together, with nothing really standing out. The waitress used the term 'wasabi like' to describe what the brussel spouts brought to the table, and I agree if you take the hot away.

Bacon Sherry Burger

But the hands down winner at this meal...was the fries. Its crazy how a potato is a potato is a potato, but not all fried potatoes are created equal. I could not stop myself, I ended up getting full on my fries and could not finish the burger.

Do a little homework, find something new where you are...Eat Bright!

Wayside Noodles - Sacramento, CA

Finally getting my Pho fix. I have been craving it for weeks now, and with so much time to waste til my flight decided to come catch a flick. My eyes totally lit up when I saw a Vietnamese Restaurant, Wayside Noodles, next door.

Started with shrimp spring rolls. Very cute with the tail sticking out.

Then decided on the. Tai, nam, sach... Rare steak, well-done flank and tripe. I can't say anything was amazing, just happy to get my fix...

Eat Pho...Eat Bright!

Tequila Mueso Mayahuel - Sacramento, CA

As I stop to grab a drink at the Dive Bar, a dimly lit bar with a large fish tank that features mermaids on occasion, the girl next to me mentions the "like fancy mexican restaurant down the street."

On the corner of 12th and K streets I find a cute little spot called 'Tequila Mueso Mayahuel.' As I open the door the music hits me, on the opposite side of the restaurant there is a League of United Latin American Citizens (similar to an NAACP) event going on.

I decided on the Bocaditos de Mexico appetizer, followed by the Chile Relleno de Queso. The Bocaditos is a collection of six bites showcasing the diverse flavors of Mexico. Consisting of conchita pibil, tinga de pollo, chile poblano, shrimp, napoles and requeson. I don't know what half of them are, but can't wait to try them...

First out is the chef compliment Tinga de pollo, with chicken.

Then my bites( starting at top left)... The requesson a brushetta was very nice and almost smooth in flavor, then the Napoles(Cactus), another tinga, next the chile poblano with a nice warm bite, then the baby shrimp taco and finally the shock of the conchita pibil a bit of pork marinated and finished with a bit of orange sweetness.

Chile Relleno, fried perfectly, was very good. Unfortunately, nothing to call home about but still good.

All and all, I agree it's 'fancy' mexican. The chef is creating new dishes while maintaining true to traditional flavors. 

Eat Bright!