Saturday, February 16, 2013

Village Falafel - Cupertino

3/5 stars

So happy to see a restaurant do well in this building! Ever since Cicero's Pizza left, it was like watching a revolving door of restaurants. Glad to see one stick.

I think it's because the owner cares. I'm pretty sure all he does all day is stand at that door to greet you. Only downside is he also smokes by the door. It's smelly.

The service is great. I was there for a to-go order, but they still sat me and served me awesome FREE hummus with homemade lavish bread chips. The hummus was probably some of the best I've ever had. So fresh and seasoned perfectly.

I ordered the baba ganoush and the kebeb plate (chicken and keftah, which is basically ground beef). Both were juicy/ tender, with the keftah being my favorite. It was served with more of the awesome hummus, a small salad, pita bread, and rice (nothing special, but good when mixed with the juices from the meat). The baba ganoush was fantastic! I could've just eaten that and the hummus and called it a happyy day.

Looking forward to dining in.


(2012)

FRIENDS WITH DEATH BLURB

Mary Kate is a 17-year-old girl who can see when people are going to die.

At first, she's horrified with this strange ability, but then decides that she can use the curse as a gift. From buying cookies to skydiving, Mary Kate secretly tricks the almost-dead into fulfilling simple wishes or lifelong dreams. Then, she meets a boy who can see what she sees. When Mary Kate falls in love with him, she is devastated to see his black aura one morning - signaling his impending demise. When Death himself gives her a choice: lose the boy or lose the gift, Mary Kate can't help but wonder if Death has personal reasons for interfering.

FRIENDS WITH DEATH is a young adult Urban Fantasy and is projected to be approximately 60,000 words.

THE UNICORN TAMER BLURB

THE UNICORN TAMER is where Greek mythology meets Pokémon, a middle-grade fantasy that will appeal to fans of Carl Hiaaasen's HOOT and Brandon Mull's FABLEHAVEN.

After the mysterious disappearance of her parents, 13-year-old Emma Brown discovers a steampunk version of our dimension - a place where endangered creatures such as blue whales, centaurs, and pegasi are protected by teenagers. To get back at the Hunters who have stolen her parents, Emma races to save a unicorn foal and its fantastic cloak of invisibility and restore balance to mankind's destruction on nature.


THE UNICORN TAMER is complete at approximately 95,000 words and is the first in a trilogy.

Liberty Limo - Campbell

5/5 stars

The definition of professional. Steve drove my mom, sister, my mom's best friend, cousin, and my two best friends to wine country for a second bachelorette party. He was so courteous and attentive -- my mom still talks about Steve today. I can't wait to find an excuse to use his service again.  

The limo was clean and stocked with water and sodas. My sister even made me a CD which we blasted over his speakers. After he drops you off at a winery, he gives you his cell phone number to call so he can pick you up when you're done (he's not allowed to park at the front of the winery waiting for you -- makes sense). We didn't have to use the number ONCE. He always saw us (or anticipated our moves) and he was always there waiting for us. Door open, hand open to help us in.

Steve, you know how to run an exceptional business. Thank you.


(2012)

Four Winds Ranch Christmas Tree Farm - Los Gatos


4/5 stars
  • They have acres and acres of Christmas trees!  
  • $50 for trees you'll recognize (Noble, Douglas) and trees you won't.
  • They let you borrow their saw
  • They allow dogs! My pup had a wonderful time racing through the trees.
  • They provide twine for you to tie down your tree
  • Free cider!
  • Really nice people -- they even sell tamales sometimes
  • I love my tree. I wanted a fat and short one and he is perfect.
(2012)

Red Hot Wok - Cupertino

3/5 stars

5 stars for the service! The girls there: 1) spoke English, 2) were super friendly and personal, 3) gave me a free dessert because it was Christmas!

The food was good, but not my favorite Chinese. The chow mein was not as saucy as I like. The noodles had a sort of dry rub which was really strange to me/ different. The meat was plentiful, though, and the veggies crisp and fresh. The pineapple shrimp was tasty, however way way way overly mayo-ed. I did like how the shrimp was not overcooked.

I'll probably try them again. I'm curious about their shaved ice!


(2012)

Ridge Winery - Cupertino

5/5 stars

Husband and I got ourselves an extra Christmas present (!) and became wine club members! I'm so excited about the events. We're wine members to a couple other wineries in Napa/ Sonoma and hardly ever make it to the events because of the drive. It'll be nice to just be 15 minutes away!

Service is wonderful! Everyone I've met so far has been super friendly. The award-winning wines - zins, one of my favorite varietals - are surprisingly affordable (~$30).


(2013)

Picchetti Winery - Cupertino

2/5 stars

Husband and I got ourselves an extra Christmas present (!) and became wine club members! I'm so excited about the events. We're wine members to a couple other wineries in Napa/ Sonoma and hardly ever make it to the events because of the drive. It'll be nice to just be 15 minutes away!

Service is wonderful! Everyone I've met so far has been super friendly. The award-winning wines - zins, one of my favorite varietals - are surprisingly affordable (~$30).


(2013)

Kung Fu Tacos - San Francisco

3.5/5 stars

It was close to closing time at the San Francisco Beer Week Opening Celebration and hubby and I were in dire need of "post-drinking" food. I had high hopes for a pork belly burger, but since they were out, we found ourselves in Kung Fu Tacos' line.

We got the LAST two Asian-style carne asada burritos in the building. Woo! And even though we're die-hard Mexican fans, these Asian ones were really tasty. I enjoyed the flavor of the meat (hoisin?) and was a fan of the salsa. It melded well with the steak. The black beans were creamy and it all just came together. It was probably the best Asian-inspired burrito I've had yet.

At $9, it was expensive (burritos are usually in the $6-$7 range), but it make sense they bumped up the price for something like Beer Week.


(2013)

Brenda's French Soul Food - San Francisco

5/5 stars

Everything tasted like I thought it should taste. There's just something so comforting and fun about New Orleans food.

The traditional beignets were piping-hot-out-of-the-oven-amazing. They were huge, but incredibly light and airy. And even though you'll probably get powdered sugar everywhere, you won't care. The beignets will melt in your mouth and you'll be a happy puddle.

The joy just kept on coming. The watermelon sweet tea was refreshing and the cream biscuit tasted like it was made by someone's grandmother who's been baking for fifty years. The pork belly was lip-smacking and the gumbo was delicious. I highly recommend the grillade gravy. My hubby kept sneaking his biscuit over to soak up the sauce. Nothing disappointed. Hubby was just moaning how he wished we had bought more biscuits home.


(2013)