Vik’s Chaat Corner is a busy Indian restaurant in the more industrial area of Berkeley. Chaat means “to lick”. Traditionally this is known as road side snacks that made people lick every last morsel.
They have have a regular menu, and add different specials on weekdays and weekends.

Sweets Case

Decor, Vibe - Warehouse with minimal decor and spartan tables. Their grocery store is next door. Lots of workers on lunch break were eating when we went there.

Menu Pictures

Dessert Menu

Picks:

Chicken Curry Special ($6.25) was a boneless chicken curry that was very spicy but tasty. It came with long grain Basmati rice. Some of the items were pretty greasy especially the Dal (Lentils). The Raita (Spiced / Flavored yogurt) helped reduce the spiciness. The small helping of Achaar (Spicy Pickle) packed a sensory punch.

Masala Dosa ($6.50) is a Crispy savory crepe made of finely ground rice and dai with South Indian style spiced potatoes. It was served with coconut chutney and sambar (Light and spicy Lentils)
The crepe was hot an crispy when we got it. The potatoes inside were flavorful but not spicy. A good vegetarian dish. The Sambar was pretty greasy.

OK:
None

Pans:
None

Vik’s Chaat Corner serves up hot delicous Indian food and very resaonable prices. It is packed on the weekends, a testamet to the good food and excellent values. They have a small kids menu.

They are moving around the corner to 2390 4th St in April 2009.

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Located in the heard of the wine country and specifically in foodie heaven aka Yountville, California.
Redd serves New American, California cusine and has been open since November 2005.
As they call it: “Updated interpretation of wine country cuisine with influences from Asia, Europe, and Mexico in a relaxed yet elegant environment.” We had a Sunday brunch there and sampled lots of fine food.

Decor,Vibe - Minimalist understated decor with a nice open patio in the courtyard.  Lots of foodie tourists eat here as expected.

Wine prices were reasonable, especially being in the middle of the wine country.

$14 for a very good glass of Tribute Chardonney.  Lots of specialty cocktails on the menu.

The mojito ($9) was strong and well-made with fresh mint and good rum.

Menu Pics:

Cocktail Menu

Wine Menu

Dessert menu

Drink Menu

Picks:

Donut Holes ($11) were the most expensive ones we’ve ever had, but where fresh from the fryer. Coated with powered sugar and dipped in one of the 3 included sauces, they were awesome.

We hesitated to order the Glazed Pork Belly Appetizer ($11) with apple puree and soy carmel, but the server really recommended it. It was very tasty, although it had quite a bit of fat as expected.  The meat was very tender and the sauce went with it well.  It could have used more greens to
balance out the flavor.

Caramelized Diver Scallops ($25) with cauliflower puree, almonds, balsamic reduction were awesome. It was a funny combination by worked very well.  They were nicely caramelized and in good quantity. Highly recommended.

Smoked Salmon ($14) with country bread, herb cream cheese, pickled onions, was a do it yourself affair with french bread and white stuff. Very fresh and also highly recommended.

OK:

The Calamari Salad ($13) was covered with lots of rice noodles and was good, not spectacular. It could have used more calamari and less noodles.

Strawberry Tasting ($9) dessert had strawberries done 3 ways, french toast, float, s’more.  The float tapicoa version was awesome, the other 2 were just fair.

Service was very good, with no need to chase down waiters or ask for refills.  The atmosphere was modern with minimalist decor.  Outdoor patio tables are available, but fill up rapidly. Yes there are excellent restaurants in Yountville outside of Thomas Keller’s empire.

After a meal, hit the Villagio Spa across the street.  They have some yummy snacks upstairs in the sitting area.

Cyrus is located in Healdsburg, California, about 90 minutes North of San Francisco or about 50 minutes northwest of St Helena. With its formal atmosphere and classic decor, Cyrus is located inside a stylish hotel.

They serve New American food with Asian and French influences.  They’ve received two Michelin stars making them a good candidate for a memorable meal. It is much easier getting a reservation here than at Michelin 3 star French Laundry.  Their menu consists of 3 ($78), 4 ($90), or 5 ($102) course dinners or a table-wide prix fix tasting menu with optional wine pairings. Additional courses available at $15 each.  Some items have supplemental costs.

Bar

Decor, Vibe - Classy contemporary interior with lots of elegant art and decorations.  Diners were mostly old folks in their 40’s and 50’s.

Menu Pictures:

Cocktails

Champagnes

Menu

Tasting Menu

Wine Pairings

Caviar Menu

Web site menu

Custom Plates

Butter and Salt

After being seated and greeted with the cool Champagne and Caviar cart, you’ll be presented with a beautiful complimentary multi-tiered selection of Canapes with each one designed to stimulate a different taste bud.  Very cool although the cold brown soup really woke our palate.

The awesome Bollinger champagne Special Cuvee ($13, 2.5oz ) and weird Rhubarberella cocktail ($12) with Hanger One Buddha’s hand citron Vodka, Shiso, ginger and rhubarb help start the evening. Frankly the little bits of rhubarb in the drink were the best part.
The wine markup is high but they have an extensive selection and lots of half bottles.

A glass of a local good chardonney was $22.

We moved onto a complimentary Amuse Bouche of Hamachi, which was tiny but very good.

The Thai Marinated Lobster with Avocado, Mango and Hearts of Palm starter was very good, although the parsley added a weird touch.

Seared Foie Gras with Cherry-Almond Doughnut was excellent but a little small.  Far too many cherries and not enough good stuff. Good thing their bread was readily available. The Foie Gras 3 ways at Michael Mina’s in San Francisco, was better than this dish.

Pea and Pancetta Risotto, Parmesan Broth starter had a very strong Pea flavor and could have used more rice but was good.

Rabbit Ballotine with Agnolotti and Chantrelles, Olive Oil Froth was wonderful.  Have not had rabbit in a while so this was a treat, especially with the tasty mushrooms.

Crispy Poussin with Potato Puree, Haricots Verts and Morels was the standout entree. The chicken was prepared perfectly and accented with the cruncy skin. A must order.

The Lamb Loin with Black Rice, Swiss Chard, Capers and Raisins had high quality lamb with no but gaminess, but was made too salty with the Vin Santo sauce. I’d pass on this or get it if you are into lamb. Just wipe most of the sauce off.

Soft Shell Crab ($28) with Smoked Soba Noodles, Oolong Broth had a beautiful look and was equally satisfying. Crispy and flavorful.

The King Salmon entree ($25) with sweet corn and spring onions, mussel-saffron sauce was also very good even though it was a small portion.

Palate cleansers of mini popsicles and table-side created soda were fun. Their creativity was evident.

For dessert, the Flowers Themed dessert had a trio of 3 different items related to flowers. Rose tea, honey lavendar cannoli, and Elderflower caviar, Moscato sorbet. Very good stuff.

The sorbet was served on a unique block of ice.  It included pineapple, muskat, and orange. Good for those looking to minimize calories. On exit, they serve you some home made candies and chocolates from their wonder cart.  You’ll also receive a printout of what your dinner was.

Candy Cart

The Candy course was outrageous.  All items tasted excellent. We were already full, so most went home.

The service was the standout component.  The minute you get up, your napkin gets arranged. Your water glass never falls below 50%. Far better service than our recent trip to Michael Mina. This can easily help raise the overall rating of a restaurant in perception. You get all this at prices similar to top tier restaurants in the city, making this an excellent value.