Posts Tagged ‘Foodie Must’

22 Dec
2008

Vik’s Chaat Corner Restaurant Review, Berkeley

Posted by admin, December 22nd, 2008

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley 2

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.

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Interior

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Interior 2

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Desserts

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

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Menu 1

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Menu 4

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Menu 5

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Menu 3

Dessert Menu

Picks:

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Chicken Curry


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.

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Masala Dosa

Viks Chaat Corner Berkeley Sambar

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.

Viks Chaat Corner on Urbanspoon

Restaurant.com $25 Dining Certificate for $10
Entertainment Book 2 for 1 restaurant, food coupons, and much more

Overall Rating:

Come Back?

Food Rating:
Service Rating:
Atmosphere Rating:
Value Rating:

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Fair/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:No
Attire:Casual
Hours:Tu-Fri 11-6, Sat-Sun 11-8
Parking:Street, Free Lot
Reservations:No
Prices:$4.25 - $9.99

Vik\\\'s Chaat Corner

724 Allston Way (Between 4th and 5th St)

Berkeley, CA 94710

510-644-4432

Website

Filed under: $, 2.5 stars, California, Cost, Cuisine, Dine Again?, East Bay, Go Again, Indian, Location, Rating, Restaurant, Wine Country | Tags: , , , |

8 Dec
2008

Old Port Lobster Shack Restaurant Review, Redwood City

Posted by admin, December 8th, 2008

Lobster Shack Exterior

Lobster Shack Redwood City

Lobster Shack San Francisco

Lobster Shack San Francisco

Lobster Shack focuses on bringing the New England lobster experience to the San Francisco Bay Area. It is located in a strip mall near Baker’s Square in Redwood City and also in San Francisco’s North Beach. They fly in the lobsters. They have much more than lobster on the menu, seafood appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, and seafood platters. They have BBQ’s on the weekends.

Lobster Shack Interior

Lobster Shack Interior 2

Decor, Vibe - Birch picnic tables ala New England with bouys, fishing nets. During lunch, workers from nearby were eating.

Menu Pictures

Lobster Shack Menu 2

Lobster Shack Menu 1

Picks:

Lobster Shack Lobster Roll

Lobster Shack Naked Lobster Roll

The Naked Lobster Roll ($18.75) was lobster meat on a toasted roll with sides of fries, mayo, cole slaw, and drawn butter. It has massive amounts of tender lobster on their specially baked nicely toasted and buttered buns. Perfect lobster flavor. Wish it had a bigger bun as there was so much lobster. No need to slather mayo on this beast, it dilutes the flavor too much.
Their Steamed Maine Lobster 1.25lb Dinner was only a little more $21.75. It comes with corn on the cob too.

OK:
None

Pans:
None

Lobster Shack serves up its namesake lobster extremely well. We have been here before and have sampled the steamed whole lobster and can vouch for that also.
If you have a hankering for New England style seafood, head here. Kids menu available.
Happy Hour Mon-Thur 5-7pm with $2 off Shacketizers and Draft Beer. $4 off Shack House Red or White Wines.

Also at:
532 Green Street (Near Grant)
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-829-3634
Old Port Lobster Shack on Urbanspoon

Restaurant.com $25 Dining Certificate for $10
Entertainment Book 2 for 1 restaurant, food coupons, and much more

Overall Rating:

Come Back?

Food Rating:
Service Rating:
Atmosphere Rating:
Value Rating:

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Fair/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:Beer, Wine
Attire:Casual
Hours:Mon-Sat 1130am-8pm, Sun Noon-8pm
Parking:Free Lot
Reservations:No
Prices:$5 - $40

Old Port Lobster Shack

851 Vetrans Blvd

Redwood City, CA 94063

650-366-2400

Website

Filed under: $$, 2.5 stars, American, California, Cost, Cuisine, Dine Again?, Go Again, Location, Peninsula, Rating, Restaurant, San Francisco, Seafood, United States | Tags: , , , , |

5 Dec
2008

Espetus Churrascaria Restaurant Review

Posted by admin, December 5th, 2008

Espetus Churrascaria Exterior

Espetus Churrascaria is a Brazilian steakhouse serving Rodizio style food. They focus on meats straight from the fire brought to your table continuously. You can stop the meat parade by flipping the table card to red. They have a salad and hot plate bar with lots of different options including asparagus, bean salad, eggplant, rice, beans, cod, and much more. Do not eat too much of this stuff otherwise you wonder have room for all the meat.
They have locations in San Francisco and San Mateo. We tried the brand new San Mateo location for dinner. It is all you can eat, with lunch going for $24.95 with 7 meat options. Dinner is $49.95 with 14 meat options. Kids are 50% off.

Espetus Churrascaria Interior 3

Interior

Espetus Churrascaria Interior 2

Bar Area

Espetus Churrascaria Interior 1

Kitchen

Espetus Churrascaria Interior Salad Bar

Espetus Churrascaria Interior Salad Bar 2

Salad Bar

Decor, Vibe - Brand new interior with high ceilings, beautiful lights, and modern touches. Stylish bar and lounge area with separate menu. Families, couples, and lots of people in their 30’s and 40’s were dining when we were..

Menu Pictures

Espetus Churrascaria Menu 5

Wine List

Espetus Churrascaria Menu 6

Espetus Churrascaria Menu 7

Cocktail menu

Espetus Churrascaria Menu 2

Dessert Menu

Espetus Churrascaria Menu 1

After Dinner Drinks

Espetus Churrascaria Menu 3

Espetus Churrascaria Menu 4

Brochure

Food Pictures

Espetus Churrascaria Bread Basket

The cheese bread, fried plantains, and fried polenta were very good.

You are served 14 different items from the skewer; Pineapple, Shrimp, Sirlon, Lamb, Lamb chops, Sirloin with parmesan, Cubed Marinated Sirloin, Filet Mignon, Pork loin, Flank steak, Bacon wrapped chicken, chicken breast, and Ribs on a cart (You can ask for a rib). Many were cooked to medium - medium well.

The best items were:

Espetus Churrascaria Pineapple Skewer

Pineapple - lightly roasted, still juicy and a nice contrast to the meat.

Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 3

Chicken Hearts - Tender and flavorful. Many tables avoided it and missed out!

Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 5

Lamb - Slightly Gamey but tender and tasty.

Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 9

Sirloin - Very Juicy and good flavor.

Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 2

Filet Mignon - Very tender meat.

Espetus Churrascaria Caipirinha Cocktail

Caipirinha ($10) was a very good, well balanced drink with lots of fresh lime flavor. Not much punch though.

Espetus Churrascaria Panna Cotta Desert

Mixed Berry Panna Cotta ($8.95) was a huge portion and tasted average. Not very delicate or smooth. Yes we were pretty full but someone has to test dessert.

Other Average Meat

Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 4


Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 12

Ask for the Rib

Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 10


Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 8


Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 1


Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 13


Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 11


Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 7


Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 14


Espetus Churrascaria Meat Skewer 6

The service was above average then faded a little as the place got busy. Espetus Churrascaria is a fun place to dine at. It is one of those places that people need to visit at least once to try out the experience.
You will stuff yourself with lots of decent salad bar options as well as endless stream of meat. The quality of some meats was not high. As far coming back, that is a different story as prices are pretty high and I’ll remember a meat coma for a while. Vegetarians should avoid this place! Save money by coming for lunch.

Also at:
1686 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-552-8792
Online Reservations

Espetus Churrascaria on Urbanspoon
Espetus on Urbanspoon

Overall Rating:

Come Back?

Food Rating:
Service Rating:
Atmosphere Rating:
Value Rating:

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Fair/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:Full Bar
Attire:Dressy
Hours:Mon-Thur 11am-3pm, 5-10pm, Fri 1130am-3pm, 5-11pm, Sat Noon-3pm, 5-11pm, Sun Noon-3pm, 4-9pm
Parking:Street
Reservations:Yes
Prices:$24.95 - $49.95

Espetus Churrascaria

710 S B St (Near 7th St)

San Mateo, CA 94401

650-342-8700

Website

Filed under: $$$$, 2 stars, Buffet, California, Cost, Cuisine, Dine Again?, Location, Maybe Again, Other Cuisine, Peninsula, Rating, Restaurant, San Francisco, Steakhouse, United States | Tags: , , , , |