Restaurant Review: Original Pete's

 Wow. It's been awhile since I posted here. During the last few weeks, I've been stressing out with assignments and papers.  Luckily one of my professors moved one of our paper due dates from the week before turkey break to after.  Even though there's going to be a two papers and possibly a presentation due that week, I don't mind.  A week more is always good for me :]

A few weeks ago, after a stroll around downtown, the bf and I decided to drive to Original Pete's. They have a nice selection of sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and pasta.  Along with my mother and grandmother, I like their Penne with Chicken, Feta, and Pine Nuts.  This could be easily made at home.  Saute some chicken, spinach, tomatoes... combine them with penne pasta and toss some feta cheese and pine nuts on it.  And there's a meal for you :D
I was almost going to choose this as my entree for the night, but I noticed that they added a new sandwich.  So, I choose the Grilled Wild Salmon BLT. I love BLTs.  It's probably the top sandwich I would eat at a restaurant.  I never had one with salmon, so it was something I had to definitely try.

Grilled Wild Salmon BLT: Wild Salmon grilled to flaky perfection. Served on a soft potato bun, with Pete’s citrus aïoli, bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado. Served with my choice of a potato salad.

I thought the Salmon BLT was good and flavorful.  Was a nice, different twist on a classic sandwich.  The salmon complemented nicely with the other ingredients.  I have to try making this sandwich at home.  Original Pete's always gives me new ideas :]

The Bf's Chicken Gorgonzola Bowtie: Gorgonzola cheese, grilled chicken, bacon, mushrooms, garlic, red and green onions, basil and rosemary in a creamy sauce with bowtie pasta.  Served with garlic bread.
Original Pete's is one of those restaurants where you can get lunch and dinner ideas for home.  Speaking of homemade meals, I will be posting some meals that I've made.  Look for those soon!

Restaurant Review: Sophie's Thai Cuisine

The Chico weather report mentioned that it's finally going to start raining next week.  Even though the weather has been nice, I could sure use some under the blankets and hot chocolate weather...  After a day of studying at school, my bf and I went to a restaurant close by, Sophie's Thai Cuisine.  It was our 2nd visit there.
If you ever want a a large hot noodle soup, come here! There soups will be perfect for the cold weather. Drizzle some hot sauce on it. So good...:] On the menu, it says that all of their noodle soups are single servings. But these soups come in large portions. Perfect for leftovers :]

The soup I had on the 1st visit: The combination noodle soup with tofu. Perfect.

I didn't take a picture of my 2nd visit, but I had the beef balls noddle soup. Also perfect.

This is one of the best Thai restaurants in Chico.  If your super hungry and want something hot, I suggest getting one of the noodle soups.  Next time, I will be trying their curries.

Sophie's Thai Cuisine

305 Nord Avenue, Chico, CA 95926

Waffle Time!

Ever since my bf gave me a waffle maker last year, I've been crazy over Belgian waffles.  I had alot of pancakes but never got to experience waffles at a younger age.  I would hear stories about my mother and aunts having good homemade waffles when they were young.  But then their waffle maker broke.  That ruined everything.  Here learned that having a good waffle maker is a key for making good waffles.  From what I heard from my mother, their waffle maker was the best, but I believe mine is too.

I have a Cuisinart round classic waffle maker. It was perfectly for me.  It simple, has a nonstick baking plates, red and green "ready to bake/ready to eat" indicator lights, and has a five-setting thermostat browning control.  I recommend this waffle maker if you want one.  It makes perfectly round waffles.

One night for dinner, I made some special waffles for my bf and I.

 Blueberry Belgian Waffles topped off with sliced bananas and drizzled with honey

Hash browns on the side

-For the mix I use Eating Right's Whole Wheat Pancake mix, where you have to add olive oil, milk, and eggs.  I don't use the easy, just add water pancake mix... ick.

-I added blueberries into the mix and put the mix into the waffle maker with a thermostat setting of 4.  I like my waffles a little brown.

-After its done I sliced up some bananas, threw it on the waffles.  While my bf drizzles his with plain old maple syrup, I like to drizzle mine with honey.

-And there's a perfect meal for anytime of the day.

Stay tuned for more waffle time posts! I will definitely experiment more with waffle making! :]

Samovar European Deli & Catering: European Food Delights

During summer, while I was at home I got the chance to stop by at Samovar European Deli and Catering in Mountain View.  I would always drive by it since it's Costco, Best Buy, REI, and Bed Bath & Beyond.  As I was driving with my mother to one of the stores, we both decided that we should stop in and take a look.  I figured that I could something back for my Russian bf. :]

Going into the store, we were greeted by the owners, a lovely Russian couple. We looked around the store for a few minutes until one of the owners asked if we needed any help. I told him that this was our first time in the store and I wanted to bring something back for my bf and I.  He took his time to help and guide us through the aisles, which was nice because some of the products was in Russian and I had alot of questions to ask.  My plan was to find the foods that my bf had introduced me too.  From the freezer aisle, I got some perogies, and in the desserts, it bought halva.

This little market not only sells groceries, but they are also part book store and restaurant.  Next time I come back in the area, I want to try having lunch there.  If you're in in the Mountain View Costco shopping center area and want to try European food, I recommend going here! The owners are super friendly.

Now for the food reviews...

1) Marble Sesame Halva

Halva is a Eastern Mediterranean dessert.

This was good! It was better than the previous halva tha I had, which was nut-based.  I thought that one was too dry and was bitter for me.  The marble sesame halva tasted alot better since it was sweeter.

We quickly ate this up...:D

2) Potato and Fried Onion Perogies 

Perogies are like Italian raviolis.  They are Eastern European dumplings that can be baked or fried in butter with onions, traditionally stuffed with potato fillings, sauerkraut, ground meat, cheese, or fruit.  The kind that I got was the frozen ones where all I had to do was boil them.

One night for dinner I boiled some perogies.  I added some chopped up pork and tomatoes, with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and spices. Simple and good.

Restuarant Review: Basque Norte

About a month ago, it was our 2nd anniversary for my BF and I.  Like the year before, he wanted to surprise me and take me to a restaurant where we haven't gone before.  The previous year it was Lassen Steak House, which was disappointing.   More on that restaurant later if we ever go back to it.  This year, he took me to Basque Norte.  (Yes, I know this was a little awhile ago.  But you still have to give me credit for still reviewing this.) :]

This restaurant is tucked away in the quiet part of Chico.  Upon arriving, we had to wait a little by the bar area since we didn't have reservations I noticed that they serve tapas or Spanish cuisine appetizers.  Since we wanted to be seated in the dining room, not the bar, we ordered from the dinner menu.  On the dinner menu, they have main entrees like steak, seafood, fowl, lamb, baby back ribs and ravioli.  My BF and I choose the Brace of Quail.  We never had quail before, so we both had to try it.  The main entree comes with a various of sides that was shared between the two of us.

We started off with some french bread from the Tin Roof Bakery and tomato garlic soup (both not pictured).  Then came the relish plate with carrots, pickles, califlower, red peppers (top right).  On the bottom right, we have the house dinner salad.  On the left, there was the spaghettini with ajioli sauce.

On the top left, we have the green beans with dill and onions.  On the top right, there was the basque style red potatoes.  Then, on my plate (along with the pasta and salad) there was the spicy red beans seasoned with pork sausage.

And my main entree: Brace of Quail (2 oz. Pharaoh Quail: lightly floured, lightly seasoned, and deep-fried).

Last, we have the complimentary chocolate ice cream with whipped cream.

The service good-they were friendly and pleasant.  The environment was dark and quiet.  But that was okay for me because... it was our anniversary dinner... ha. When we got there I noticed that everyone who was leaving the restaurant had take-out boxes.  That could mean a few things...  I thought that my BF and I would finish everything off the table.  But that wasn't the case.  The sides were decent and were generous proportions for both of us.  With all of the food, we each had to take some side leftovers and we both saved one of our quails to eat later.

This restaurant is a bit on the high side for dinner prices.  I recommend going here for special occasions due to the prices.  But overall, good service and decent food.  Sometime in the future, I will come back and try their tapas. 

TNFM: Annie's Asian Grill

Yesterday was Chico's Thursday Night Farmer's Market. Having been at school most of the day, worked out at the gym, and not having much to eat, I decided to have dinner.  So what did I have?  My original plan was to try the waffle stand, but they were not there. I decided that I would have Annie's Asian Grill's Bi Bim Bop.  Say that many times...XD

This is a Korean dish that is served with mixed rice (or white) on the bottom.  For Annie's version of the dish, they put lettuce, zucchinis, carrots, onions, bean sprouts, and beef on top of the rice.  To add spice to the dish, you get a container of Gochujang, a hot pepper paste. 

This was soooo good. Everything was perfect.  Wished they still have their restaurant.  I love getting this dish in a piping-hot bowl.  But it's an extremely delicious, flavorful, and healthy dish! The Gochyjang adds a big kick of spice.  After this meal, I felt satisfied, leaving me in a good kind of full.  I will have to make this at home! :]]]

Restaurant Review: Sin of Cortez

Awhile back ago, my Bf and I decided to go out for breakfast before the school year started.  Since he picked breakfast last time, it was my turn to pick.  As I looked through the Chico breakfast menus online, I chose Sin of Cortez.  I was intrigued by the menu.  They have your standard breakfast dishes such as fruit pancakes/ french toast, scrambles, egg burritos, sandwiches and wraps for lunch. What really caught my eye is that they serve a few Asian inspired dishes like Wok Fried Rice Bowl and Crispy Noodles and Crunchy Vegetables.  Another eye catcher was the selection of healthy dishes made with tofu, brown rice,vegetables, and egg whites.
As we entered the restaurant, we noticed that they have a drive-thru window. When we entered, we were told to sit ourselves.  When I looked on Yelp, I read that this place can be busy at times, but on a weekday around noon, it was partially filled.   The restaurant's atmosphere was nice.  When we were given our menus, my eyes darted at the Zen Breakfast, which is brown rice & tofu grilled in their house made ginger-soy served with egg whites and steamed spinach.  But I decided on a breakfast wrap since I had Chinese food with tofu the night before.  This is what we ordered...

The Bf had the Rosemary Breakfast: A generous portion of rosemary potatoes served with 3 scrambled eggs and rosemary bread.  He said that this was good. 

I had the Powerhouse Egg Wrap: Egg white, black beans, scallions, jack cheese, and roma tomatoes wrapped in whole wheat tortilla, served with a side of fresh salsa.

I was laughing because it seemed like our food roles had changed for that day. This is something that my Bf would ordered (he usually gets burritos), while I would usually ordered his dish.  See what happens when there's so much to choose from...

 The wrap was big, but with a big appetite that morning I ate the whole thing.  Overall the wrap was good.  Everything in it was "right out of the kitchen" fresh and hot.  My problem was the beans and salsa. Personally, it was too much beans. As I was eating, a whole mound of them kept falling.  At the end, I felt that my whole area around my mouth was covered in beans.  For the salsa, I thought it didn't add much flavor since the wrap was covered in beans. But the rest of ingredients worked well for each other.

For my drink I ordered the Thai Coffee.  I loved this.  It wasn't too sweet for me.  According to their site, they make their own coffee.  If their drive-thru is open, I'm definitely going to use it to try more of their coffee.

Verdict: The coffee was good. If I come back, will try another of their coffee specialties.  The food was okay.  Next time I'll try their Zen Breakfast.  Overall, this is a good restaurant with an interesting hearty and healthy meals.  Go check them out!!!

Sin of Cortez website: http://www.sinofcortez.com/index.html