Cheesecake Factory (yes, again)

[see below for location & Web site]
Date & Time visited: Friday, June 24, 2005, 11:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Chicken Brochettes (Jen), Spicy Cashew Chicken (me).

Service: Very good. Friendly, upbeat server, very quick service.

Would we go back: As long as it's one of only three late-night options, you bet. The dishes we tried were firsts for both of us (from Cheescake Factory) and they were both excellent.

Cheesecake Factory

[see below for location & Web site]
Date & Time visited: Saturday, May 14, 2005, 11:30 PM
Guests: Jennfer and me
What we had: Well-Mannered Dirty Martini [me], Del Rey Margarita [Jen], Popcorn shrimp

Service: Excellent. We sat in the bar/lounge section of the restaurant on this late-night visit and were attended by one of the bar servers. She brought our drinks and a bread basket within minutes of ordering and kept our water glasses filled.

I've previously commented on the Well-Mannered Dirty Martini. Jennifer says the Del Rey Margarita was very good.

Would we go back: Of course. I'm thinking I may stop reporting the Cheesecake Factory visits.

Gordon Biersch

[see below for location & Web site]
Date & Time visited: Friday, June 3, 2005, 11:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: "Bloody Maria" [me], Chicken skewers, Chicken and shrimp pot stickers, ginger rice.

Service: Excellent.

We shared two appetizers and a side of delicious jasmine ginger rice, and were quite satisfied. My "Bloody Maria" was excellent.

Would we go back: Yes.

Tomatina

Name: Tomatina
Address: 3127 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, California 95054
Phone: (408) 654-9000
Web site: www.tomatina.com
Date & Time visited: Tuesday, May 31, 2005, 7:20 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Tomatina Garlic rolls, Caesar salad, Spicy Three Cheese pizza.

Service: Fair. When ordering to share, I'm always extra sure to tip as if we'd each had a full meal. Unfortunately, there isn't really a good way to let the server know that beforehand, so sometimes you get someone with an "oh great, half tip" attitude. I don't know that our server was thinking that exactly, but he might as well have been. When we ordered one appetizer, one salad and one pizza for both of us, he seemed visibly annoyed--though he didn't say or actively do anything to express it--and service during the meal was spotty at best. We've had much better experiences here on previous visits, so I'm chalking it up to one person having a bad night.

You must try Tomatina's signature garlic rolls. They're just amazing. Make sure to dip them thoroughly in the garlic and oil provided. The spicy three cheese pizza actually had prosciutto and parsley as well as cheese, and was very good.

Would we go back: Yes. This restaurant is located in the Mercado shopping center in Santa Clara, next to our favorite movie theater.

Palo Alto Creamery (Downtown)

[see below for location & Web site]
Date & Time visited: Monday, May 30, 2005, 11:00 AM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Eggs Benedict [Jen], Cajun scramble [me]

Service: Good as always.

The Cajun scramble consists of three eggs scrambled with onions, spicy sausage and peppers. Looking at the menu I didn't think I'd be able to finish it, but it had that particular combination of flavor that kept me eating until I cleaned my plate. Jennifer liked her Eggs Benedict very much.

Would we go back: Yes.

Palo Alto Creamery (Downtown)

Name: Palo Alto Creamery (Downtown)
Address: 566 Emerson St, Palo Alto, California 94301
Phone: (650) 323-94301
Web site: none; Google Local info page
Date & Time visited: Friday, May 20, 2005, 11:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Greek salad [me], Pot roast [Jen]

Service: Good.

The Greek salad was good, and made with "normal" lettuce instead of the oh-so-trendy "field greens", or "weeds" as Jennifer calls them. Jennifer says the pot roast was very good as well.

Would we go back: Yes. The Creamery is another of the few Palo Alto restaurants open late on Friday and Saturday nights, so it's one we tend to frequent.

California Pizza Kitchen

Name: California Pizza Kitchen
Address: 531 Cowper St, Palo Alto, California 94301
Phone: (650) 323-7332
Web site: www.cpk.com
Date & Time visited: Sunday, May 8, 2005, 9:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Thai Lettuce Wraps [Jen], Bacon-Gorgonzola Salad (1/2) [me].

Service: Good. Attentive and friendly server, quick drink refills.

Would we go back: Yes.

Cheesecake Factory

[see below for location & Web site]
Date & Time visited: Sunday, April 24, 2005, 9:30 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Key Lime Martini, Well-Mannered Dirty Martini, Popcorn Shrimp, Chicken Piccata [Jen], Stuffed Chicken Tortillas [me].

Another very pleasant late dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Their "Well-Mannered Dirty Martini" is a particular, if expensive, favorite of mine.

Would we go back: Yes.

The Forge in the Forest

Name: The Forge in the Forest
Address: 5th & Junipero, Carmel, California 93923
Phone: (831) 624-2233
Web site: www.forgeintheforest.com (Flash)
Date & Time visited: Sunday, April 10, 2005, 11:00 AM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Reuben sandwich [Jen], Pastrami and egg scramble [me].

Service: Very good. We ate on the outside patio, under a shade plant. Drink refills were prompt as was food service.

This was a delightful place, where guests' dogs are welcome in one of the two outdoor eating areas. They even have a special doggy menu. The people food we enjoyed was quite good, and the iced tea was a special blend I'd never had before (and promptly forgot after asking the server for more information).

Would we go back: Next time we're on the Monterey Peninsula, there's a very good chance we'll visit the Forge again.

Domenico's

Name: Domenico's
Address: 50 Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, California 93940
Phone: (831) 372-3655
Web site: www.restauranteur.com/domenicos
Date & Time visited: Saturday, April 9, 2005, 9:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Caesar salad, Crab-stuffed Salmon [me], Filet Mignon [Jen], Creme Brulee.

Service: Fair. At least twenty minutes passed between placing our order and the server arriving with the table-side Caesar salad makings. After that, though, the rest of the meal went smoothly. However, a large and boisterous party next to us made the first half of our meal less than pleasant. After they left, the innate atmosphere of the restaurant became more apparent.

The crab-stuffed salmon was excellent, and Jennifer tells me her steak was among the best she'd had. The Caesar salad was, as noted, prepared tableside in the traditional manner. The vanilla Creme Brulee dessert was also very good.

Would we go back: Yes. This was a birthday dinner for Jennifer and despite the problems described above, we quite enjoyed our visit.

Santa Cruz Diner

Name: Santa Cruz Diner
Address: 909 Ocean Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060
Phone: (831) 426-7151
Web site: none; Google Local info page
Date & Time visited: Friday, April 8, 2005, 9:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Appetizer sampler, Classic Club sandwich [Jen], BBQ Chicken sandwich [me].

Service: Very good, even when dealing with the drunk at the counter. Server and manager were friendly and attentive.

Would we go back: Next time we're in town, yes.

Cheesecake Factory

[see below for location & Web site]
Date & Time visited: Sunday, April 3, 2005, 10:15 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Key Lime Cheesecake, Black-out Cake

Service: Not really applicable, as we just stopped in to pick up a couple of desserts from the to-go counter.

Would we go back: Yes.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro

Name: P.F. Chang's China Bistro
Address: 900 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, California 94304
Phone: (650) 330-1782
Web site: www.pfchangs.com
Date & Time visited: Saturday, April 2, 2005, 8:30 PM
Guests: Jennifer, Diane, me
What we had: Vegetable Lettuce Wrap, Crab Wontons, Lemon Scallops, Steamed Spinach with Garlic, Street Noodles, Beef Sichuan, Banana Roll.

Service: Good, but not great. This is a very busy place and has been every time we've been to any of their several locations. Jen's mother Diane was with us again which explains the table-busting load of food. We mostly ate family-style, sharing from each others' plates. Iced Tea refills were not prompt, and neither were water refills; our glasses sat empty for five to ten minutes between fills.

Would we go back: I'm sure we will. P.F. Chang's has a unique menu and is a good place to take guests, despite the sometimes lacking service.

Cheesecake Factory

Name: Cheesecake Factory
Address: 375 University Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94301
Phone: (650) 473-9622
Web site: www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Date & Time visited: Friday, April 1, 2005, 10:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer, Diane, me
What we had: Sour Apple Martini [Jen], Well-Mannered Dirty Martini [me], Thai Chicken Pizza, Popcorn Shrimp, Factory Nachos w/Chicken.

Service: Good. On this occasion we were with Jennifer's mother Diane and table-shared three appetizer plates. Water refills after we finished our drinks were prompt, as was delivery of our food.

Would we go back: Yes. As one of a few Palo Alto restaurants open late Friday and Saturday nights--until 12:30 AM if memory serves--we frequent the Cheesecake Factory.