The Firehouse Restaurant

Kitty and Ducky

The Firehouse Restaurant

1112 2nd Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916)442-4772

The Firehouse Restaurant @ Old Sac

Sacramento was doing their on Dine About Town week in January and we made the trip up to meet with friends and try the Firehouse Restaurant.  It's nestled in Old Sacramento which is a Midwest theme area filled with restaurants, candy and food shops, and novelty stores. The Firehouse Restaurant is quite the romantic getaway, and for wine lovers they are known for their extensive collection.

Flower Shaped Butter

Chef's Taster Sampler: Pastry with Caramelized Shallot

This was a taster sampler that was before the soup.  It was a savory caramelized shallot sandwiched between two buttery biscuit pastries.  It was definitely a nice touch for the dinner.  As it was just a sampler, I wouldn't really rate it.  It seems to be the norm for the kitchen to provide a sampler before the appetizer.  -Ducky

Dungeness Crab, Potato and Leek Bisque with Thyme and Parmesan Crisps

This was served fresh from the pot literally.  The plate came with only the centerpiece and the waiter came around our shoulders and promptly poured this liquid gold. The crab bisque is not as heavy as a lobster bisque and a little bit sweeter. I wanted to note that the Parmesan crisps were divine. -Kitty [4.5/5]

Palate Cleanser: Cucumber and Melon Sorbet

The melon flavor had a strong presence but I was really impressed that they were able to draw out the cucumber taste and fragrance. It was a refreshing cleanser and different from the usual citrus types that are frequently served. -Kitty [3.5/5] 

Plum Wine Glazed Salmon with Red Rice and Asian Pear Salad

This dish was good but did not amaze me particularly. The salmon was soft with an excellent crust. The sauce strongly resembled the taste and consistency of Thai curry which was something I did not expect. Overall a decent dish but it lacked anything that I could particularly note about. -Kitty [3.5/5]

Manzanilla Chicken with Pepper-Spanish Olive Tapenade with White Bean Chorizo and Sweet Potato Ragout

The chicken was just ehh...  It was not that special.  It just tasted like a savory chicken with some savory sauce and vegetables.  Nothing that memorable.  To be honest, as I am writing this, I don't quite remember what I even ordered for my entree.  Will not get again.  -Ducky [2/5]

Mango Cheesecake with Minted-Mango Salsa

The main component of the filling was classic cheesecake.  What made it mango was that the fruit was marbled into the dessert. It was a good cheesecake but heavier than I would have liked. Then again I am biased towards light fluffy cheesecakes rather than heavy cheesy ones. -Kitty [3/5]

Rich Chocolate Cake, Belgian Chocolate Mousse, and Dark Chocolate Ganache

The chocolate cake was a bit too rich for my taste.  I dreaded each bite, but I got through the whole thing and a part of someone else's.  It is not something I would get again.  If you like rich dark chocolate fudge, you would like this.  I don't like fudge, so I did not really like this and my score will reflect this.  -Ducky [1/5]


Overall Score: [3.5/5] A very romantic date spot! Just didn't match with our taste

Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine

Kitty and Ducky

Sol Food Puerto Rican Restaurant

901 Lincoln Ave

San Rafael, CA 94901

(415)451-4765

Sol Food @ San Rafael

A little gem is tucked away in San Rafael which is over by the Marin County area. Just off the freeway exit is Sol Food which caters in Puerto Rican cuisine. I am no expert on Puerto Rican food but I do know that this place is worth coming back time and time again.

Festive Decor: Guitars on shelves, plants and trees, lights, colorful painted walls, and groovy music included

Bistec Encebollado

(Sauteed pieces of thin steak along with onions)

[$11.95]

I wanted to try something else instead of the chicken.  The steak was quite good, but doesn't quite compare to their Pollo.  It came with plantains, beans and rice, salad, and some onions on top.  The beans and rice tasted like seasoned refried beans over rice and the onions were nicely caramelized golden brown.  I got the mixed plantains which included one fried yellow plantains and one maduro sweet plantain.  I'm not a fan of the fried yellow plantain.  It tastes like fried potatoes or other fried starches and not too special.  I will order maduros only next time I am here.  The maduros are sweet and caramelized banana-like fruits that are quite delicious. 

-Ducky [4/5]

Pollo Al Horno

(Marinated garlic and oregano baked chicken)

[$12.25/2pcs]

This is their signature dish and a must order for first timers here. Not only does it come with succulent, tasty chicken tenders but there's rice, beans, a salad with an amazing lime vinaigrette, and plantains. I chose the sweet plantains (maduros) because I am a sucker for caramelized fruits from the banana family. It may only be 2 pieces but between everything on the platter my stomach was bursting. -Kitty [5/5]

Bottle of Pique

I wanted to take a moment to mention this Bottle of Pique. This is a very light and tangy hot sauce that sits at your table side. I drizzle this all over my food because it just adds an extra layer of awesome. For people who are not too into spiciness fear not...a few drops are enough to enhance your entree's flavor but not set your mouth on fire. -Kitty

Honorable Mention: Limonada Fresca -$3.75 Fresh limeade and it comes in a jar! Carbonated excellency [5/5]


Overall Score: [4.5/5]  Definitely will come back!!

Vung Tau

Kitty
Vung Tau
535 East Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95112

(408)288-9055
Vung Tau @ Downtown San Jose

I have been going to Vung Tau Restaurant since I was pubescent.  I have been there back when it was still had its vintage funky decor.  Now it has been remodeled into a relatively modern and affordable fine dining venue.  But you know what? It is still hands down the best Vietnamese restaurant I have been to.  My mother who is extremely picky when it comes to Vietnamese restaurants (especially since she is well versed in cooking Vietnamese cuisine) and yet this place has won her absolute loyal patronage. Over the 10 years I have been coming here it is consistently awesome no matter what I order.

Goi Ngo Sen Tom Thit

(Mixed salad with lotus roots, shrimp, and pork with a fish sauce dressing served with fried chips)

[$12.95]

 This is a very refreshing salad that gets your palate running.  The lotus roots are slightly crunch and have a sour kick but when you eat it with the herbs, shrimp, and pork it becomes a divine experience.  It's optional whether you want to place some salad on the fried chips to eat or consume the salad as described above.  Either way this simple dish is something not to miss! -Kitty [5/5]

Com Bo Cuon Hanh

(Grilled onion wrapped with beef served with rice, greens, and pickled carrots and radish)

[$9.75]

For those who do not want to stray too far into the exotic side or are starting to dip their feet into Vietnamese cuisine I recommend this.  The beef is will marinated and both the meat and onion are well grilled. The onions a la pigs in a blanket are soft, sweet, and do not leave any spicy sensation on the tongue.-Kitty [4/5]

Canh Chua Ca Bong Lau

(Tamarind soup served with catfish, herbs, and vegetables)

[$15.70]

Warning: For the unfamiliar this soup is SOUR primarily due to the tamarind base.  If you love sour type foods this is a must!  Tomatoes and pineapples can be found to complement the sour theme of this soup.  It is also complemented by vegetables, mint, and delectable catfish. I am partial to soups like this because they offer so much flavor but still remains healthy and not reliant on creams or pureed starchy vegetables. By the way this can easily serve 2-3 people. -Kitty [5/5]

Honorable Mentions:

• Bi Cuon (Shredded pork spring roll) [$7.25] - This is an appetizer, a brother if you may to the more renowned shrimp spring roll (Goi Cuon). I personally enjoy this relative more.  Its pork filling is neither stewed, deep fried, or pulled. I can not describe it beyond than that it is Vietnamese style. Paired with lettuce and mint for filling, I really recommend giving this a try! [5/5]
• Hu Tieu Dai Nam Vang (Mung bean noodle soup featuring shrimp, crab, and pork) [$8.95] - If you're looking for a pho type dish, this one is a go to favorite. I am partial towards the sweet seafood taste and the lean pork that's served with chewy glass noodles and drinkable til there's nothing left at the bottom of the bowl broth [5/5]
• Bun Thit Cha Gio (Grilled pork and egg rolls with vegetables and rice noodle salad) [$9.25] - For those who are craving for some carbs but also prefer something light and more salad like I direct you do this dish. What you'll get is a hefty bed of lettuce and a desirable bed of noodles that are topped with Vietnamese style egg rolls, grilled pork, and mixed vegetables. Mix it all together and drizzle with the fish sauce that it's served with and let the party. start. in. your. mouth. [4/5]
• Bun Cha (Skewer grilled pork with rice noodles served with dipping sauce, greens, and pickled carrots and radishes) [$9.50] - This rice noodle salad is a little different than the others. You get a hefty plate of leafy vegetables and mint, a plate rice noodles, and a bowl filled with marinated skewered grilled pork and pickled carrots and radishes drowning in au jus.  The au jus can be a bit oily but this is also a MUST try if you can not decide what to get. [5/5]
• Com Bo Luc Lac (Cubed beef steak seared with onions, served on bed of vinaigrette dressing salad and accompanied by a plate of tomato rice) [$15.50] - Another good dish for people who prefer not to stray too far off the exotic path. Literally translated, this dish is called Shaking Beef. Why? Because they are wok searing these cubes like a game of Dungeons and Dragons worth of rolling dices. These morsels are strutting themselves with onion, garlic, and black pepper. They are walking the walk on a bed of lettuce that is dressed with an amazing vinaigrette sauce. These bad boys are also strolling down a red carpet.  And when I say red carpet I mean a plate full of tomato rice. - [4/5]
• Tom The Rang Me (Tiger prawns sauteed with tamarind sauce) [$29.50] - I admit this dish is pricey BUT you generously get ten prawns.  Not the wimpy things you find on a cocktail glass. These prawns are called tiger prawns for a reason.  They are at least as big as say...the tip of your thumb to the base of your abductus pollicis brevis muscle (that squishy part on your palm where your thumb is connected). These prawns are also seared with a tamarind sauce, giving it a tangy and savory taste. - [5/5]
• Che Dau Do (Coconut milk with shaved ice, sweet kidney beans, and jelly noodle tapioca) [$3.75] - This is a dessert (though I've grown up eating it waaay before the entrees or appetizers ever came) and it's not overly sweet. The softened kidney beans and coconut milk go hand in hand. What really wins me over with this dessert is the jelly noodle tapioca because of its lovable chewiness. [5/5]

I strongly recommend Vietnamese cuisine. I think it's a dining experience that is flavorful and also healthy. It is also very versatile and offers much more than simply pho. I may be biased since I have been coming here for so long but I really feel that Vung Tau uses fresh ingredients, doesn't go crazy with the salt, and keeps oiliness to a minimum.

E Tutto Qua

Kitty and Ducky
E Tutto Qua
270 Colombus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94113

(415)989-1002
E Tutto Qua @ North Beach SF

This was our 2nd stop for our 2012 San Francisco Dine About Town round. It was a rainy day and it turned out we were the only patrons there for a good part of the evening (aside from an Australian couple that had coffee there briefly). None the less this restaurant that sits between Chinatown and a couple strip clubs has earned our patronage in the future.

[Pere e Prosciutto]

Fresh Pears and Mascarpone Cheese Wrapped in Italian Ham

Prosciutto is a cured ham and I usually expect it to be salty but in this appetizer it was not at all.  It was not overly salted and the meat was pleasantly soft.  I am a fan of salty and sweet together so the blending between the ham and a ripe pear was a good match.  The cheese however was a little bit overwhelming for me. While chewing I could feel it slip and sliding in my mouth in between the harder textures of prosciutto and pear.  It is not my most favorite sensation in my mouth, but I applaud them for the creativity. -Kitty [3.5/5]   

[Carpaccio di Manzo]

Thinly Sliced Raw Beef, Capers, Shaved Parmesan With a Lemon Dressing

This was pretty much my first carpaccio ever.  I did not know what to expect.  I have had sashimi before, but never raw beef.  The dish consisted of cheese, beef, lemon dressing, and some sort of vegetable.  The beef had almost no flavor, but it was of a nice tender consistency.  The dish had a salty and sour taste to it from eating the cheese and dressing/veggies in unison.  It is something I would probably not get again next time. - Ducky [2/5]

[Spaghetti Neri]

Squid Ink Pasta with Mixed Seafood in a Garlic, White Wine Sauce

I got excited about this since squid ink pasta seemed so exotic and the last time I had it, I enjoyed it.  I don't know what sorcery was put into squid ink pasta but it gives savory life to it compared to regular pasta. Onto the anatomy!

Density: Soft enough that it's not considered al dente but still allows for a chew or two that doesn't instantly fall apart in your mouth

Sauce: A tomato based sauce that is neither chunky nor heavy....light and complementary to the seafood

Topping: Seafood.  As you can see from the picture they were not stingy.  I had a number of mussels, clams, squid, and a couple pieces of shrimp.  What I really appreciated was that none of the clams or mussels had a strong "seafood odor" taste.

Stamp of approval with this dish. -Kitty [4/5]

  

[Pacceheri Golosi]

Large Tube Pasta Filled with Prosciutto, Porcini Mushrooms, and White Truffle Oil in a Cream Sauce

This was one of the most unique tasting and delicious pastas I have ever had.  The name was a bit misleading though.  I was expecting tube pastas stuffed with prosciutto and mushrooms, but the dish was pretty scarce on the "filling".  The dish consisted of thick tube pasta swimming in a delicious truffle cream sauce with bits of mushroom and prosciutto.  The cream sauce had a very nice truffle flavor and the prosciutto and mushrooms complemented each other quite nicely.  It had a very complex taste that had me sop up all the sauce with bread after I ate all the pasta.  This was definitely something I would get again. -Ducky [4/5]

[Tiramisu]

Tiramisu, an Italian classic.  Careful however, inhaling too deeply may also allow your trachea to attract cocoa powder particles.  E Tutto Qua's tiramisu is a job well done.  The rum flavor was present but not overly powerful and does not mask the coffee flavor either. I wouldn't say it's the holy grail of tiramisu but it is certainly than your average one. -Kitty [3.5/5]

[Zabaglione con Fragole]

Italian Custard Spooned Over Fresh Strawberries

The dessert tasted like a milkshake with chopped strawberries.  The custard was more of a light cream with milk.  It was acceptable as a dessert, but not really something that special to me.  It was not overly sweet and I like desserts that incorporate fruit or fruit flavors.  -Ducky [3/5]