My chest has been tight because of this flu and Geraldine bugged me this morning to go to the doctor, so I went. I got into see the physicians assistant, and she said I was fine, to use my inhaler a couple of times a day, and that should alleviate that symptom.
When you go to the doctor they take your vital signs, blood pressure, temperature, and they weigh you. I didn't want to look at the scale, but hell it's right there, and the medical assistant is going to announce it anyway. I weighed in at 232 pounds, which is a total loss of 18 pounds since the middle of November, which would put a couple pounds ahead of my goal.
I went to lunch with my friend Nicho after the doctor's visit. Nicho and I went through culinary school together, and we had a ball the whole two years. We also worked at the Oakville Grocery together for a year. She still works at the original store in, where else, Oakville. Nicho may possess more knowledge about haute cuisine than anyone I know.
We had lunch in old town Oakland at Borgo Italia, 499 9th St. Oakland 94607, 510 251-1008. I'm not going to do a review, because I don't want to be a food "critic." I don't mind being critical about food, wine, service etc. but it's not the job I'm looking for in this life.
I'll leave it that I like this restaurant. This is the third time I've dined here, so obviously I like it. The food is good. My gnocchi was a little underdone for my taste, and it began to all melt together on my plate. They forgot that we ordered a salad, and I had to remind the waitress. There were two waiters for fifteen tables. Our waitress Illaria, who I keep trying to get to run off with me, was overworked. Since Nicho and I were catching up time didn't matter. I don't liked to be rushed any way. Nicho's bolonase was great, and the insalata di aranci was perfect. The desserts here are great although we didn't order one. The owner/chef is a pastry chef. This restaurant has more tweaking to do before they get it right.
This part of town is a little slice of Italy. Cafe 817, a 3 star cafe, is across the street, right next to Ratto's deli which has been in Oakland for over 100 years. There are at least 5 other wonderful restaurants in this neighborhood. Go to downtown old town Oakland.
That's it for today.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Food consumption 1-16-13
Breakfast: eggs over easy, 1 medium Yukon potato boiled and fried w/s & p, herbs of Provence,
turmeric, paprika, orange juice and black tea w/agave
Lunch: 3 pieces of bread w/evoo, gnocchi w/olive oil, salad w/balsamic vinegar, nuts, Parmesano,
and oranges
Dinner: last 2 pieces of tilapia poached in white wine w/capers, wild rice, salad w/red bell peppers,
vinaigrette, white onion, radishes
Exercise: 6 miles walking
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Walking , Harold /Suzie, & Hippie Sickles
The weather is very brisk outside. A high front from the north, and winds from the east. This is the pattern that has settled in for the past 10 days, and it looks likes it's going to stay through the weekend. Yesterday I was up on the east ridge trail or the East Bay Regional Park with the dogs, and there was a puddle with shards of ice in it at 1:30 in the afternoon. It's clear as a bell outside. No rain in sight for the rest of the week. Cold and sunny. Fantastic weather for hiking, and I'll take this over rain any day.
I was up and out the door at 7:00 AM as usual with the muttleys, and I was a quarter of the way through our trail walk when I realized I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. Here I had walked 400 yards or so through the woods, and I was not aware of my surroundings. Where the hell had I been for the past 10 minutes? I was inside my head the whole time. There are wild turkeys out there, deer, owls, skunks, coyotes, raccoons, turkey vultures, hawks, eagles, bob cats, and mountain lions. It's almost as if I was walking in my sleep. Finally I became aware of the fact that I wasn't congisant of my surroundings and said to myself, "Wake the fuck up old man, and get out of your head, and in the moment."
You can go on the same trails everyday, and see something new if you take the time to look. I like to walk alone, or with the dogs. That way I don't have a conversation going on with someone. That's when I can get out of my head, look around me, and take in the beauty of these hills. I have to work at clearing my mind of all the clutter of life, the what do I have to do tomorrow, pay that bill, work on this project, and on and on. The engineers of the world will never make a computer as complex as the human brain, never. They'll try and try, but it can't happen. It won't be organic.
I had two hamsters when I was growing up, Harold and Suzie. They were golden brown and white, and were actually two males or two females because we never did get any baby hamsters.They were my first encounter with a gay couple. They would get on that exercise wheel inside their cage, and go round and round for hours. Every time my head gets cluttered like it was this morning, or when I obsess about something over and over, I think of Harold and Suzie on that exercise wheel.
I have at least two more trail walks today, and I'm going to try and look around me, and keep the hamsters in my brain from running around and around.
Today I'm going to make a nice healthy dessert treat for me and Geri. Some people call them pop sickles. I call them hippie sickles. They're not that difficult to make, and their good for you health. It's great for the kids and they'll never know they're eating healthy, but you should tell them.
Here is how to make this simple and healthy dessert/treat for yourself or the kids. All you need is a blender and some pop sickle holders, which you can find on line or at Bed Bath and Beyond. Don't limit yourself to the ingredients listed below, the sky is the limit.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Hippie Sickles, makes 4
Ingredients:
banana
orange juice
water
blue berries
pineapple
mango
lemon yogurt
Directions:
1) Blend each of the ingredients by color i.e., yellow fruit, blue fruit etc. cleaning the blender in
between fruits.
2) Once you've blended one group of fruits put some in the pop sickle holders filling up 1/3 or half
and put that in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
3) Add the second fruit doing the same thing.
4) Add the third fruit etc. then stick them in the freezer.
5) When you're ready to eat them place them in a bowl of warm water to 2 minutes. Much
easier to get them out that way.
With these I only did two groupings of fruit, but like I said, feel free to be creative.
Food Consumption for 1-15-13
Breakfast: 1 piece of dense brown bread with apricot marmalade, 2 eggs over easy S & P
Lunch: Small bowl of stewed beef chunks with cannellini beans
Snacks: Nuts/raisins, pineapple, orange juice, mango, banana, lemon yogurt smoothie
Dinner; 2 pieces of Tilapia with capers, small salad w/frisee and nicoise olives, wild rice & a hippie sickle
Exercise Today: 4.5 miles waking what else?
You can go on the same trails everyday, and see something new if you take the time to look. I like to walk alone, or with the dogs. That way I don't have a conversation going on with someone. That's when I can get out of my head, look around me, and take in the beauty of these hills. I have to work at clearing my mind of all the clutter of life, the what do I have to do tomorrow, pay that bill, work on this project, and on and on. The engineers of the world will never make a computer as complex as the human brain, never. They'll try and try, but it can't happen. It won't be organic.
I had two hamsters when I was growing up, Harold and Suzie. They were golden brown and white, and were actually two males or two females because we never did get any baby hamsters.They were my first encounter with a gay couple. They would get on that exercise wheel inside their cage, and go round and round for hours. Every time my head gets cluttered like it was this morning, or when I obsess about something over and over, I think of Harold and Suzie on that exercise wheel.
I have at least two more trail walks today, and I'm going to try and look around me, and keep the hamsters in my brain from running around and around.
Today I'm going to make a nice healthy dessert treat for me and Geri. Some people call them pop sickles. I call them hippie sickles. They're not that difficult to make, and their good for you health. It's great for the kids and they'll never know they're eating healthy, but you should tell them.
Here is how to make this simple and healthy dessert/treat for yourself or the kids. All you need is a blender and some pop sickle holders, which you can find on line or at Bed Bath and Beyond. Don't limit yourself to the ingredients listed below, the sky is the limit.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Hippie Sickles, makes 4
 |
| hippie sickles |
Ingredients:
banana
orange juice
water
blue berries
pineapple
mango
lemon yogurt
Directions:
1) Blend each of the ingredients by color i.e., yellow fruit, blue fruit etc. cleaning the blender in
between fruits.
2) Once you've blended one group of fruits put some in the pop sickle holders filling up 1/3 or half
and put that in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
3) Add the second fruit doing the same thing.
4) Add the third fruit etc. then stick them in the freezer.
5) When you're ready to eat them place them in a bowl of warm water to 2 minutes. Much
easier to get them out that way.
With these I only did two groupings of fruit, but like I said, feel free to be creative.
Breakfast: 1 piece of dense brown bread with apricot marmalade, 2 eggs over easy S & P
Lunch: Small bowl of stewed beef chunks with cannellini beans
Snacks: Nuts/raisins, pineapple, orange juice, mango, banana, lemon yogurt smoothie
Dinner; 2 pieces of Tilapia with capers, small salad w/frisee and nicoise olives, wild rice & a hippie sickle
Exercise Today: 4.5 miles waking what else?
Monday, January 14, 2013
AARP & Chocolate
An article, titled 10 tips for better health, written in the latest AARP Bulletin, has chocolate as one of the things we should eat more ofter for a healthier life. How could anyone disagree with that statement?
Now, my problem with chocolate is I want to go to Trader Joe's, and buy one of those mega huge milk chocolate bars that weigh a whole friggin' pound. The one that's chock full of almonds. Then I'll devour half a pound in one sitting. Or I break off a piece telling myself, "I'll just have this much", then go back and forth to the cupboard till I've eaten a half pound, feel ill, and then feel guilty.
I've stated many times now that changing poor eating habits doesn't mean that I, or anyone else for that matter, have to give up any one particular type of food that they love, I have to learn to control how much I eat. In addition, loosing weight cannot be accomplished without a dedicated exercise routine. I'm an over eater. It's true that I like to overeat foods that are high in fat and sweets. And then I'm still not done. It's let's have some port, or a moscato or two after dinner, with dessert, and I keep going back to the fridge, back to the fridge. It's obsessive compulsive behavior, and that is what has to change. ThE BrAiN.
The other 9 suggestions, allegedly supported by scientific research in this AARP article are; throw a party, adopt a pet, savor your coffee, raise a glass of wine or beer, have sex, listen to your favorite music, take a nap, get in touch with nature, and change your soap. The soap thing just seems stupid to me. Lever 2000. I would have added take a couple of hits of some good California pot once in a while, travel as much as possible, change jobs/careers, eat something that you grew or raised, learn to cook, shoot your TV, learn to play and instrument/do something artistic, sing, spend less time on computers, and more time with your family.
But, I support AARP's suggestions. Back to the chocolate. Geri found a chocolate bar that's perfect for me. It's small, 1.8 oz., is 60% cacao, has almonds, caramel and a hint of sea salt. Best of all the whole bar is only 280 calories, and was designed specifically for someone on a 2,000 calorie regimen. I had half a bar last night which was 140 calories. It was melt in my mouth earthly delicious. It's also USDA organic. I bought another one and I'm waiting to see when I'll crack into it.
FYI...that picture (titled: Chronicles of a food junkie) I took when I started the new direction of this stupid/insipid blog of me mainlining a pepperoni stick titeld. I still haven't eaten that pepperoni stick.
The brand name of this chocolate is called Chocolate Fusion, and it is produced in San Leandro California, 130 Dolittle dr. Unit #2, 94577 866-515-8866, tearoomchocolates.com, by a man named Neinz Rimann, so it is a local food product, and it's the best chocolate I've had since Scharffen Berger chocolate came out. Scharffen Berger sold out to Nestles Chocolate. I counter twelve different fusion flavors at the local market here in our neighborhood.
Apparently Neinz operates a patisserie and tea shop known as the Tea Room. Since he's on this side of the bay I'm going to have to check him out one of these days. I hope I got all this information correct.
Heinz, all I can say is, magically wonderful.
That's my tip for the week folks. Go out and get some.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Food Consumption today 1-14-13
Breakfast: 1 piece of dense brown bread w/apricot marmalade, banana, fresh pineapple, black tea
orange juice
Lunch: pint of Tai style noodles, 1/3 lb. of salmon
Exercise: 4.5 trail miles
DInner: 1 piece of Tilapia pan friend w/evoo, S & P, fresh thyme, fresh lemon juice, carrot, small
salad w/olives, red bell pepper, white onions, vinaigrette, radishes. 1 glass of Albola 2010
Chianti and a 1/2 of a happy birthday cupcake.
NOTE: This blog is dedicated to the memory of Gram, Elsie Clark. Happy birthday you old bat.
Save a place for me.
Now, my problem with chocolate is I want to go to Trader Joe's, and buy one of those mega huge milk chocolate bars that weigh a whole friggin' pound. The one that's chock full of almonds. Then I'll devour half a pound in one sitting. Or I break off a piece telling myself, "I'll just have this much", then go back and forth to the cupboard till I've eaten a half pound, feel ill, and then feel guilty.
I've stated many times now that changing poor eating habits doesn't mean that I, or anyone else for that matter, have to give up any one particular type of food that they love, I have to learn to control how much I eat. In addition, loosing weight cannot be accomplished without a dedicated exercise routine. I'm an over eater. It's true that I like to overeat foods that are high in fat and sweets. And then I'm still not done. It's let's have some port, or a moscato or two after dinner, with dessert, and I keep going back to the fridge, back to the fridge. It's obsessive compulsive behavior, and that is what has to change. ThE BrAiN.
The other 9 suggestions, allegedly supported by scientific research in this AARP article are; throw a party, adopt a pet, savor your coffee, raise a glass of wine or beer, have sex, listen to your favorite music, take a nap, get in touch with nature, and change your soap. The soap thing just seems stupid to me. Lever 2000. I would have added take a couple of hits of some good California pot once in a while, travel as much as possible, change jobs/careers, eat something that you grew or raised, learn to cook, shoot your TV, learn to play and instrument/do something artistic, sing, spend less time on computers, and more time with your family.
But, I support AARP's suggestions. Back to the chocolate. Geri found a chocolate bar that's perfect for me. It's small, 1.8 oz., is 60% cacao, has almonds, caramel and a hint of sea salt. Best of all the whole bar is only 280 calories, and was designed specifically for someone on a 2,000 calorie regimen. I had half a bar last night which was 140 calories. It was melt in my mouth earthly delicious. It's also USDA organic. I bought another one and I'm waiting to see when I'll crack into it.
FYI...that picture (titled: Chronicles of a food junkie) I took when I started the new direction of this stupid/insipid blog of me mainlining a pepperoni stick titeld. I still haven't eaten that pepperoni stick.
The brand name of this chocolate is called Chocolate Fusion, and it is produced in San Leandro California, 130 Dolittle dr. Unit #2, 94577 866-515-8866, tearoomchocolates.com, by a man named Neinz Rimann, so it is a local food product, and it's the best chocolate I've had since Scharffen Berger chocolate came out. Scharffen Berger sold out to Nestles Chocolate. I counter twelve different fusion flavors at the local market here in our neighborhood.
Apparently Neinz operates a patisserie and tea shop known as the Tea Room. Since he's on this side of the bay I'm going to have to check him out one of these days. I hope I got all this information correct.
Heinz, all I can say is, magically wonderful.
That's my tip for the week folks. Go out and get some.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Food Consumption today 1-14-13
Breakfast: 1 piece of dense brown bread w/apricot marmalade, banana, fresh pineapple, black tea
orange juice
Lunch: pint of Tai style noodles, 1/3 lb. of salmon
Exercise: 4.5 trail miles
DInner: 1 piece of Tilapia pan friend w/evoo, S & P, fresh thyme, fresh lemon juice, carrot, small
salad w/olives, red bell pepper, white onions, vinaigrette, radishes. 1 glass of Albola 2010
Chianti and a 1/2 of a happy birthday cupcake.
NOTE: This blog is dedicated to the memory of Gram, Elsie Clark. Happy birthday you old bat.
Save a place for me.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
New Day, New Post
This flu is hanging on for dear life. Once it finds a host it likes, in this case me, it doesn't want to leave. You know that "friend" who invited himself over to your home for a weekend, showed up with a huge backpack, and stayed for 3 months. You had to pay the paid the bastard to leave, and by then he had infected the whole house with his bullshit drama, and ruined your entire concept of hospitality for years to come.
We had a guy like that a couple of years ago. The cock sucker never lifted a finger to help out the entire time he stayed, never stuck his hand in his pants to pay for anything, yet he had the money to get drunk at some honky tonk at least once a week. A real fucking big shot.
He parked his sorry ass in my Shaker chair in the living room all day long, and spent endless hours on line searching for lord knows what, and smoked my best weed. His favorite place to dine is the golden arches. As my old man Rocco would say, "Helpless as tits on a bull."
That's the flu, the house guest that wouldn't leave, and that's my blog for the day. I'm hoping this flu doesn't visit you any time soon, if ever.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Food Consumption Today Sunday 1-13-13
Breakfast: Coffee w/soy and sugar (just a passing phase), large glass orange juice, cereal w/soy,
banana
Lunch: Indian Lamb wrap w/rice...yum
Snacks: Yogurt and banana
Dinner: Small salad with olives, radish, onion, red bell peppers, 1/2 of grilled chicken sausage &
vinaigrette, 2 glasses of wine, 1/2 of chocolate bar for dessert (more on this in another
blog).
Exercise: 3.5 miles walking
We had a guy like that a couple of years ago. The cock sucker never lifted a finger to help out the entire time he stayed, never stuck his hand in his pants to pay for anything, yet he had the money to get drunk at some honky tonk at least once a week. A real fucking big shot.
He parked his sorry ass in my Shaker chair in the living room all day long, and spent endless hours on line searching for lord knows what, and smoked my best weed. His favorite place to dine is the golden arches. As my old man Rocco would say, "Helpless as tits on a bull."
That's the flu, the house guest that wouldn't leave, and that's my blog for the day. I'm hoping this flu doesn't visit you any time soon, if ever.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Food Consumption Today Sunday 1-13-13
Breakfast: Coffee w/soy and sugar (just a passing phase), large glass orange juice, cereal w/soy,
banana
Lunch: Indian Lamb wrap w/rice...yum
Snacks: Yogurt and banana
Dinner: Small salad with olives, radish, onion, red bell peppers, 1/2 of grilled chicken sausage &
vinaigrette, 2 glasses of wine, 1/2 of chocolate bar for dessert (more on this in another
blog).
Exercise: 3.5 miles walking
Saturday, January 12, 2013
What I Ate Today 1-12-13
Here it is:
Read the blog from today Brown Sugar Kitchen and you can see what I had for breakfast, which was 3 pieces of the best fried chicken I've had in quite a while, and a waffle that was light as smoke, coffee with cream and one sugar.
Lunch: nothing
Dinner: Big salad with black olives of Provence, red bell peppers, yellow onion, avocado, and vinaigrette dressing, the last of the leftover chili with chicken sausage.
Snacks: Banana, pistachios, orange juice
Exercise: 4.5 miles trail walk.
Read the blog from today Brown Sugar Kitchen and you can see what I had for breakfast, which was 3 pieces of the best fried chicken I've had in quite a while, and a waffle that was light as smoke, coffee with cream and one sugar.
Lunch: nothing
Dinner: Big salad with black olives of Provence, red bell peppers, yellow onion, avocado, and vinaigrette dressing, the last of the leftover chili with chicken sausage.
Snacks: Banana, pistachios, orange juice
Exercise: 4.5 miles trail walk.
Brown Sugar Kitchen
On the west side of Oakland at 2534 Mandela Parkway and the corner of 26th Street sits the Brown Sugar Kitchen, which is where we had breakfast today. Geri has been pestering me to take her there after she heard a story on NPR about the chef/owner being awarded the prestigious title of Best Chef In the Bay Area award. No small accolade indeed.
I usually don't do restaurant reviews, but what the hell, it's something to write about. First of all let me say that this was worth the trip from our neighborhood. We got there and only had to wait about 10 minutes before being seated at the counter where there is a frosted sneeze guard separating the customers from the open kitchen. The counter is my favorite place to sit in just about any diner or cafe. That's where all the action is. The place was buzzing like a bee hive. The counter was clean, and we got our set-ups there complete with a cloth napkin, nice touch, and our water was served within a few minutes. So far, we were pleasantly pleased.
The exterior of the building is painted in a rich chocolate color to match the name of the cafe, and there is a security guard out in front. This is an industrial part of town with warehouses, some that have been converted into work /live lofts, you know the scene, hip urban. Parking is no problem around there.
The Brown Sugar Kitchen is a beautiful room with great photos and original art on the walls. There's an open kitchen concept with a 4 burner stove and small flat grill/oven combo for cooking. Since we were seated at the counter we could see the four line chefs that were working. In addition to the three line chefs dead ahead in front of us was the waffle/beignet line chef working 3 waffle makers, and the deep fryer off to the left of us. Of the four line cooks three of them were women, and two of the those were twins. Now, that's something you don't see every day. This is a restaurant of matriarchs for sure. Sisters are doing it for themselves.
Once we were seated and got our water then we waited, and waited, and waited, for a good 15 minutes before Geri collared one of the wait staff to get us coffee, and once that occurred, another 5 minutes wait before we were able to order our meals. The wait staff was obviously in the weeds.
The menu is a limited menu that, by looking at the line staff, was quite easy to execute, which they did with effortless precision. I ordered the chicken and waffle combo with apple butter. Now, I know exactly what you're thinking. I'm not off my new program. If I go to a place that's famous for chicken and waffles I'm not going to get the granola and yogurt.
A batch of the chicken is breaded by one of the twins, then deep fried long enough to properly brown the exterior coating then finished off in the oven on a sheet pan by the other twin, who also cooked the pulled pork hash and fried potatoes. They work like a WWWF tag team. The other female chef cooked the poached eggs, and placed them right on top of the hash. The dish looked delicious. Everything looks delicious. Poached eggs are my favorite way to cook eggs for breakfast.
The cornmeal waffles were ladled into the waffle maker, and when they were ready they were cut in half, lightly buttered, and finished off in the oven for maybe 3 or 4 minutes with the chicken added to the plate. The apple butter that was applied was scrumptious. The house made syrup that accompanied them was delicious. I know they're whipping egg whites into the waffle batter because this waffle was as light as air.
The chicken was melt in your mouth, finger licking damn good, and I ate it with my fingers, the way fried chicken should be eaten. I didn't have to work hard to get this chicken into my mouth either. It was delicate, and fell off the bone effortlessly. The batter was beautifully browned and crispy. Perfection. I didn't have a heavy feeling when I was finished. I was full but not stuffed.
The beignets came in triple, three to a serving, and looked incredibly light and fluffy as well, sprinkled with powdered sugar. If we had a third person with us I would have ordered them without hesitation.
Geraldine's yogurt, banana and oatmeal granola was excellent, and I'm sure it was made in-house. It had granola, pecans, pumpkin seeds, oatmeal and brown sugar.
The coffee, yes I had coffee, was good, but no refills. The wait staff was once again, inattentive. Our policy on lousy service is simple. Bad service, bad tip. I'm tired of being burned too many times. I won't stiff you that's for certain, and I'm generous to a fault when I'm served well, but if you don't do your job, you don't get paid, simple. 10% is what you can count on. If you need more people hire them, or get out on the floor yourself if necessary. I've managed restaurants where the dish washer didn't show up, and that then became my job for the day. That's how it works. I've waited tables, and tended bar before too. All the waiter had to do was acknowledge that he knew we were there and said, "I know your here, I'm slammed, and I'll be with you asap, sorry for the wait."
Please remember, I am the son of a woman who supported her family, and worked the front of the house for 60 years. I have nothing but the highest respect for the wait staff. This is a management problem.
My review and recommendation is to #1- go to this restaurant as soon as you can, and often. #2- get there early, and sit at the counter and watch the chefs cook. #3- Get the waffle and chicken and anything else. It's all good. #4- Don't expect great service. The woman sitting next to me was a regular, 2 or 3 times a week, and she said the service this morning was normal.
Keith and Mick need to check this place out. Another great Oakland spot.
My rating:
Food: 3 joints, (you can't get no higher)
Service: 1 roach
Pricing: Pricey, but worth it.
Noise Level: Medium (there's low, medium, and high)
Brown Sugar Kitchen
2534 Mandela Parkway at 26th
Oakland, CA
510 839-SOUL (7685)
Open: Tue to Sat. 7 AM - 3:30 PM
Sun. 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
I usually don't do restaurant reviews, but what the hell, it's something to write about. First of all let me say that this was worth the trip from our neighborhood. We got there and only had to wait about 10 minutes before being seated at the counter where there is a frosted sneeze guard separating the customers from the open kitchen. The counter is my favorite place to sit in just about any diner or cafe. That's where all the action is. The place was buzzing like a bee hive. The counter was clean, and we got our set-ups there complete with a cloth napkin, nice touch, and our water was served within a few minutes. So far, we were pleasantly pleased.
The exterior of the building is painted in a rich chocolate color to match the name of the cafe, and there is a security guard out in front. This is an industrial part of town with warehouses, some that have been converted into work /live lofts, you know the scene, hip urban. Parking is no problem around there.
The Brown Sugar Kitchen is a beautiful room with great photos and original art on the walls. There's an open kitchen concept with a 4 burner stove and small flat grill/oven combo for cooking. Since we were seated at the counter we could see the four line chefs that were working. In addition to the three line chefs dead ahead in front of us was the waffle/beignet line chef working 3 waffle makers, and the deep fryer off to the left of us. Of the four line cooks three of them were women, and two of the those were twins. Now, that's something you don't see every day. This is a restaurant of matriarchs for sure. Sisters are doing it for themselves.
Once we were seated and got our water then we waited, and waited, and waited, for a good 15 minutes before Geri collared one of the wait staff to get us coffee, and once that occurred, another 5 minutes wait before we were able to order our meals. The wait staff was obviously in the weeds.
The menu is a limited menu that, by looking at the line staff, was quite easy to execute, which they did with effortless precision. I ordered the chicken and waffle combo with apple butter. Now, I know exactly what you're thinking. I'm not off my new program. If I go to a place that's famous for chicken and waffles I'm not going to get the granola and yogurt.
A batch of the chicken is breaded by one of the twins, then deep fried long enough to properly brown the exterior coating then finished off in the oven on a sheet pan by the other twin, who also cooked the pulled pork hash and fried potatoes. They work like a WWWF tag team. The other female chef cooked the poached eggs, and placed them right on top of the hash. The dish looked delicious. Everything looks delicious. Poached eggs are my favorite way to cook eggs for breakfast.
The cornmeal waffles were ladled into the waffle maker, and when they were ready they were cut in half, lightly buttered, and finished off in the oven for maybe 3 or 4 minutes with the chicken added to the plate. The apple butter that was applied was scrumptious. The house made syrup that accompanied them was delicious. I know they're whipping egg whites into the waffle batter because this waffle was as light as air.
The chicken was melt in your mouth, finger licking damn good, and I ate it with my fingers, the way fried chicken should be eaten. I didn't have to work hard to get this chicken into my mouth either. It was delicate, and fell off the bone effortlessly. The batter was beautifully browned and crispy. Perfection. I didn't have a heavy feeling when I was finished. I was full but not stuffed.
The beignets came in triple, three to a serving, and looked incredibly light and fluffy as well, sprinkled with powdered sugar. If we had a third person with us I would have ordered them without hesitation.
Geraldine's yogurt, banana and oatmeal granola was excellent, and I'm sure it was made in-house. It had granola, pecans, pumpkin seeds, oatmeal and brown sugar.
The coffee, yes I had coffee, was good, but no refills. The wait staff was once again, inattentive. Our policy on lousy service is simple. Bad service, bad tip. I'm tired of being burned too many times. I won't stiff you that's for certain, and I'm generous to a fault when I'm served well, but if you don't do your job, you don't get paid, simple. 10% is what you can count on. If you need more people hire them, or get out on the floor yourself if necessary. I've managed restaurants where the dish washer didn't show up, and that then became my job for the day. That's how it works. I've waited tables, and tended bar before too. All the waiter had to do was acknowledge that he knew we were there and said, "I know your here, I'm slammed, and I'll be with you asap, sorry for the wait."
Please remember, I am the son of a woman who supported her family, and worked the front of the house for 60 years. I have nothing but the highest respect for the wait staff. This is a management problem.
My review and recommendation is to #1- go to this restaurant as soon as you can, and often. #2- get there early, and sit at the counter and watch the chefs cook. #3- Get the waffle and chicken and anything else. It's all good. #4- Don't expect great service. The woman sitting next to me was a regular, 2 or 3 times a week, and she said the service this morning was normal.
Keith and Mick need to check this place out. Another great Oakland spot.
My rating:
Food: 3 joints, (you can't get no higher)
Service: 1 roach
Pricing: Pricey, but worth it.
Noise Level: Medium (there's low, medium, and high)
Brown Sugar Kitchen
2534 Mandela Parkway at 26th
Oakland, CA
510 839-SOUL (7685)
Open: Tue to Sat. 7 AM - 3:30 PM
Sun. 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
 |
Friday, January 11, 2013
Pizza and Beer at the New Parkway Theatre
Earlier today I wrote.
Tonight Geri and I are going to see the recently released faux doc movie of Alfred Hitchcock at the New Parkway Theatre in Oakland. The Parkway was a old movie theatre that was owned by these two hipsters that went belly up for some reason we never understood. It was always busy, and they had a great concept with decent food such as; pizza, nachos, burgers, sandwiches, salads and great local beers on tap. In addition to that they had couches instead of the traditional theatre seats. A very hip relaxed atmosphere.
The price of tickets at the Parkway is much less, 6 or 7 dollars, than Landmark theaters that will cost between 9 or 10 dollars. They even have a day like Wed. night where it's even cheaper, special event for kids, and holidays, and they do benefits fundraisers. The added bonus is your supporting a local business, not a corporation run by stockholders. You can enjoy a beer or some wine, sit on a nice sofa in a comfortable laid back environment, have some decent food made right there, and see a recently released movie.
9:45 PM
Well, I spoke to soon usual. The theatre is very cool. It's an old warehouse, machine shop, auto body shop, turned movie theatre. First thing that happened was they insisted I produce ID. Now, I never carry a wallet, but today I was planning on going somewhere I might need it and just happened to have it. I mean be fucking serious and she was. No ID no get in. The second fuck up the New Parkway committed was serving what they called food.
We ordered what was called the margarita pizza. There was not one nuance of a Neapolitan pizza in this mess. The bottom of the crust had little indentations all over it. Mass produced bullshit. Right up there with the worst of the worst. There was an inch of processed mozzarella cheese on it that had no resemblance to a buffalo, no fresh tomatoes and 6 overcooked basil leaves which should have been put on after the pie came out of oven, but alas. That is asking way too much of these people. The people who opened this Parkway were not foodies, and maybe they are looking at the bottom line here. Should have got the salad, and the pop corn.
I spied the other folks around us and their food looked equally disgusting. The hamburger was pathetic. I don't give out stars, I give out joints, and I wouldn't even this place a roach. Zero joints, don't eat there period. Life is too short. I go by the old Michelin rating system of 3 stars, but use marijuana joints instead. Another gimmick of mine.
It's late so I won't go into further details, other than do say, don't eat the food. It's easy to park around there if you get there early, unless it's first Friday, then completely forget it. we parked directly across the street. The picture screen was full size, and the audio was very good.
The chairs, couches and tables were all comfortable. The beer cost 5 dollars and was good, although there was about a 1/2 inch of emptiness at the top of the pint. Obviously, they're not Irish.
I loved the movie. I mean Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren and Scarlet Johansson. Some great shots and angles in there.
The price of admission was 6 dollars.
That's it. I'm going to bed. The Fashion Police are on.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Food Consumption for 1-11-13
Breakfast: orange juice, black tea w/lemon & agave, cereal w/soy, fresh pineapple
Lunch: Greens and 2 chicken sausages
Snacks: Nuts/raisins
Dinner: Horrible Pizza and good beer at the New Parkway Theatre, Hitchcock
Exercise: 3.5 miles walking
You can't win them all.
Tonight Geri and I are going to see the recently released faux doc movie of Alfred Hitchcock at the New Parkway Theatre in Oakland. The Parkway was a old movie theatre that was owned by these two hipsters that went belly up for some reason we never understood. It was always busy, and they had a great concept with decent food such as; pizza, nachos, burgers, sandwiches, salads and great local beers on tap. In addition to that they had couches instead of the traditional theatre seats. A very hip relaxed atmosphere.
The price of tickets at the Parkway is much less, 6 or 7 dollars, than Landmark theaters that will cost between 9 or 10 dollars. They even have a day like Wed. night where it's even cheaper, special event for kids, and holidays, and they do benefits fundraisers. The added bonus is your supporting a local business, not a corporation run by stockholders. You can enjoy a beer or some wine, sit on a nice sofa in a comfortable laid back environment, have some decent food made right there, and see a recently released movie.
9:45 PM
Well, I spoke to soon usual. The theatre is very cool. It's an old warehouse, machine shop, auto body shop, turned movie theatre. First thing that happened was they insisted I produce ID. Now, I never carry a wallet, but today I was planning on going somewhere I might need it and just happened to have it. I mean be fucking serious and she was. No ID no get in. The second fuck up the New Parkway committed was serving what they called food.
We ordered what was called the margarita pizza. There was not one nuance of a Neapolitan pizza in this mess. The bottom of the crust had little indentations all over it. Mass produced bullshit. Right up there with the worst of the worst. There was an inch of processed mozzarella cheese on it that had no resemblance to a buffalo, no fresh tomatoes and 6 overcooked basil leaves which should have been put on after the pie came out of oven, but alas. That is asking way too much of these people. The people who opened this Parkway were not foodies, and maybe they are looking at the bottom line here. Should have got the salad, and the pop corn.
I spied the other folks around us and their food looked equally disgusting. The hamburger was pathetic. I don't give out stars, I give out joints, and I wouldn't even this place a roach. Zero joints, don't eat there period. Life is too short. I go by the old Michelin rating system of 3 stars, but use marijuana joints instead. Another gimmick of mine.
It's late so I won't go into further details, other than do say, don't eat the food. It's easy to park around there if you get there early, unless it's first Friday, then completely forget it. we parked directly across the street. The picture screen was full size, and the audio was very good.
The chairs, couches and tables were all comfortable. The beer cost 5 dollars and was good, although there was about a 1/2 inch of emptiness at the top of the pint. Obviously, they're not Irish.
I loved the movie. I mean Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren and Scarlet Johansson. Some great shots and angles in there.
The price of admission was 6 dollars.
That's it. I'm going to bed. The Fashion Police are on.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
 |
| My one pizza meal for the month a sad disappointment |
Food Consumption for 1-11-13
Breakfast: orange juice, black tea w/lemon & agave, cereal w/soy, fresh pineapple
Lunch: Greens and 2 chicken sausages
 |
| Horrible |
Snacks: Nuts/raisins
Dinner: Horrible Pizza and good beer at the New Parkway Theatre, Hitchcock
Exercise: 3.5 miles walking
You can't win them all.
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