7399 St Helena Hwy, Yountville, CA 94558. (707) 944-2424
http://mustardsgrill.com/

Can you believe what lovely weather we Sacramentans have been experiencing? It's been so warm that the daffodils in my courtyard have started pushing up early. My folks have been keeping me abreast of the temps in Kansas City (-5 degrees during the day) and I've heard from friends in states like Wisconsin that the current temp is -20 but it's expected possibly to drop to -40 degrees. How insane is that? It's times like these that I'm thankful that I live in Sacramento where the weather is pretty moderate. I've done my time in the Midwest (South Dakota, Illinois and Kansas) not to mention Alaska and I do not like below zero weather. Anyhow, if you're in Sacramento and want to get out and enjoy this lovely weather and soak in a little sun, take a little day trip out to the wine country and check out Cindy Pawlcyn's Mustards Grill. The casual eatery is located just off the St.Helena Highway in Yountville and has been feeding folks for about 30 years.

Mr.S's brother recently purchased a home in Napa and we went out to visit. Mr.S helped him move his treadmill from one of the bedrooms into the garage and as a thank you, he took us (Mr.S, Kidlet #1, and myself) to Mustards Grill for lunch. The small restaurant is a one story white affair with the words "Steak - Chops - Ribs - Garden Produce - Way Too Many Wines" emblazoned above the large picture windows in mustard yellow. It has a bit of a diner flair to it which I really liked- black and white checkerboard lino, specials highlighted on several chalkboard menus and lots of natural light. You walk right into the hustle and bustle and if you're lucky you get seated right away, if you're not- settle in it could be a long wait. The restaurant is quite popular with both local and out-of-towners alike. If you get stuck waiting, take the opportunity to step outside and meander through their gorgeous 2 acre garden which the eatery sources 20% of it's vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs from.

We were seated in one of the half-booths against the wall of windows. Crisp white tablecloths and linens, wood furnishings and gleaming glassware gave the restaurant a very clean, airy feeling. (My only issue during my visit, was that the linens were extremely linty and my white napkin left my black sweater looking like an avalanche of dandruff had been dropped along the front lower half of it.) The dress code is California casual (a lot of jeans and sweaters) and it's a fun place to people watch. If you're into wines, they have a large selection. Just peruse through their wine book, appropriately labeled, "Way Too Many Wines."

When it came time to order, making a decision was difficult. Everything on the seasonal menu sounded phenomenal and fresh. There was a little bit of everything on the menu- lamb, duck, ahi, ribs....I knew that the restaurant's signature dish was their Mongolian pork chops with sweet and sour cabbage slaw and house made mustard but the lobster risotto on the specials board caught my eye. Mr.S decided to give the grilled rabbit a try.

We started with some Dungeness crab cakes that were delicious. Nice and meaty inside and wonderfully crispy on the outside. We had four people so we ordered two orders so that each of us could have our own plump crab cake topped with a bit of chipotle aioli. Our server had the kitchen split the orders onto individual plates without our needing to ask. Nice touch! Mr.S's brother really enjoyed the arugula salad with molasses vinaigrette that came with the order.

My lobster risotto was outstanding. Much like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, most risotto I encounter is overcooked, undercooked, or flavorless. This one was juuuuust right! There were large chunks of meaty Maine lobster, a mélange of earthy black trumpet and chanterelle mushrooms, and a fresh garden mint and arugula salsa verde drizzled across the top. The risotto was light (definitely not creamed based like some places do it) but still exuded a lot of flavor. In fact, I prefer it prepared this way. It was quite a large portion and I couldn't finish it. I took the leftovers home, added some homemade breadcrumbs and made some scrumptious lobster arancini for dinner.



Mr.S was nice enough to swap a few bites with me and his rabbit dish was superb. Grilled flawlessly. There was no hint of gaminess, it was juicy and tender and huge in flavor. The rabbit was accompanied by a large serving of shredded Brussels sprouts and fingerling potatoes and topped with a heavenly mustard sauce. That sauce---whew! I need to learn how to make it, I'm totally in love with it. It was creamy with the perfect amount of Dijon infused through it. Honestly, each bite I had tasted even better than the previous bite, if that's even possible. Mr.S is lucky I didn't eat my lunch AND his!



Our server was a pro. Friendly, helpful and on top of everything. She knew how to balance being attentive without being bothersome. Kudos! I would most definitely visit Mustards again for some good solid comfort food. In fact, one of the things I loved about Mustards was that they confidently display a sign that states, "Sorry, Everything is Delicious,"...and everything really is! I doubt Cindy Pawlcyn and her crew could turn out a dish that's less than fabulous even if they tried.

1050 Charter Oak Avenue, St. Helena, CA 94754.
(707) 963-4444
http://travignerestaurant.com/

6401 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95831. (916) 391-7990.
http://pocketbistro.us/

If there ever was a restaurant that needed a Gordon Ramsay-type intervention, it would be Pocket Bistro. On a recent Sunday morning, I met up with a friend and her two adorable, well-behaved children for a brunch there. What followed was one of the more crappier dining experiences of 2013 for me. This wasn't a restaurant I planned to review, but after the sub par food and the even worse service we experienced, well, I just can't keep my mouth shut.

We arrived at The Pocket Bistro around 11:30 expecting a bustling eatery but what we encountered was more akin to a dimly-lit Ghost Town. That should have tipped us off right away, but we stayed anyway. Bad move. After standing awkwardly in the doorway for about 5 minutes while the waitress did everything in her power not to make eye contact or acknowledge us, the bartender in the next room came over, gave us a friendly greeting and seated us. There was only two other tables occupied in the dining room (a solo diner and a two-top), yet service was slower than molasses in January. We had to flag down our waitress to order. My friend ordered a sandwich, I went with an omelet and we got a grilled cheese for the kiddos to share. Not a complicated order at all. The only modification made was that I asked for no cheese on my omelet because I'm lactose intolerant. In a near empty restaurant, it took over 30 minutes to get our orders once they were placed. It was ridiculous. Honestly, I was amazed that my friend's kidlets remained so well-behaved as most children would have been kicking up a fuss with a wait like that.  When we got our food, my omelet was slathered with melted cheese and my English muffin was MIA. I pointed this out to the waitress, to which she gave me a look like I had two-heads, mumbled something about having told the kitchen no cheese and then walked off with my plate. About 15 minutes later, she returned with the same omelet with the cheese scraped off, now cold, and still no English muffin. (But there were jam/jelly packets and butter on my plate, go figure. Guess it was for my invisible English muffin?) To put it bluntly, the omelet set before me looked a bit like something that had been regurgitated. My friend and I looked at each other like, "WTF?" At this point, I stuck a fork in the cold omelet because I wasn't going to drag out this craptastic brunch any longer then we needed to. The omelet tasted as unappetizing as it looked. It was rubbery, dense, overcooked and looked like it had been stuffed with kitchen scraps. The accompanying potatoes had a hint of garlic flavoring, but they too were cold and tasted like they had been cooked in too much oil (they were not crispy, more like greasy and gloppy). Serving slop like this on a plate and calling it brunch should be a crime. Honestly, we would have been better off hitting up a Denny's.

As soon as we got our bill, we paid and got the heck out of Dodge. We didn't want to hang out at this place any longer than necessary, it was putting a damper on our Sunday. I did notice though that as we left, the bistro was just as empty as when we arrived...and now we knew why. Pocket Bistro failed to deliver on anything resembling a decent meal. Since life's too short to eat bad food or to put up with substandard service, I will be avoiding this place in the future.

3621 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95817.
(916) 739-1669

I'll let you in on a little secret, you probably won't see a whole lot of BBQ joints reviewed on A Girl and Her Fork. I'm not so much of a BBQ girl. Now before you launch into a giant diatribe of how there's a hundred different types of BBQ- I know. In fact, my parents live in one of the biggest BBQ capitals of the US (Kansas City) and I used to be married to a Texan. I've been exposed to all kinds of BBQ- Carolina, Texas, Chicago, KC, Deep South, you name it....and they're ok. I'm just not gaga over the stuff like most folks. Now Mr.S. and the kidlets LOVE the stuff, especially Kidlet #1. He's a die-hard BBQ rib fanatic and in hog heaven anytime we have BBQ. So every so often, I'll cook up some ribs or pulled pork - or even better yet, get some BBQ takeout...which is how we stumbled upon T&R Taste of Texas BBQ this summer. Yeah, I'm a bit overdue in writing this review....

T&R is located in Oak Park, just past the "Welcome to Oak Park" sign. Just look for a modest, mustard colored building proclaiming "BBQ," in large red lettering. The restaurant is clean but small, much more suitable for grabbing takeout then for leisurely dining.


I had Kidlet #1 in tow so we grabbed a menu and a seat and perused the offerings. T&R's menu is simple and does a good job of covering all your BBQ basics- ribs, pulled pork, wings, hot links, chicken...and even fried bologna sandwiches. We decided on two racks of ribs, 1 hot link sandwich (for moi) and a mish-mosh of sides (tater tots, cornbread, corn, baked beans, coleslaw). Hey- go big or go home, right? We placed our order with a stoic-looking but polite gentleman at the front desk and grabbed some wood in the dining room. Some sort of baby mama drama reality TV show was playing on the TV in the background, so Kidlet #1 and I took the time to discuss the interesting artwork adorning the walls. I, myself, was kind of partial to the portraits of Elvis and Tupac...the King of Rock 'n Roll and The King of Rap hanging in harmony--love it! (Being 14, Kidlet #1 didn't really have a clue to who either of these two music legends were nor did he really care. He did recognize the painting of Tiger Woods though and excitedly pointed that one out to me.) Our order was up pretty quickly, which was good because the sultry scent of BBQ wafting from the kitchen was making our mouths water (and was beginning to permeate our clothes and hair).


When we got home, Mr. S. and I unpacked the goods while the kidlets descended on the BBQ like a pair of starved wolverines. Everyone agreed that the BBQ ribs were top-rate. In true-Texas style they were predominantly smoky flavored with a hint of tanginess and the sauce was thick and sweet. The meat was tender, moist and just fell of the bone with a poke of the fork. According to the restaurant, they slow cook their meat over a mixture of woods (apple, mesquite, hickory and cherry) to achieve their deep smoky flavor. Our ribs were smothered in a sweet molasses-type sauce, which the kidlets licked off their fingers in lick smackin' appreciation. (Yes, we did have to hose off the BBQ-sauce covered gremlins after dinner. How they are able to get BBQ sauce all over their face, hair and even in their ears, I'll never know!) The one thing I would have liked to have seen was a little more char on the ribs, I tend to like some crunchy bits on my ribs- but they were still delicious. Now the tater tots were scarfed down in seconds but not before I received the thumbs up for crispiness and being well seasoned (maybe next time we'll try out the candied sweet potato tots). The kidlets were on the fence with the baked beans though. Kidlet #2 loved the smoky flavor of the beans and dived right into the bowl, Kidlet #1 was slightly turned off as he prefers his beans to be on the sweet side. The kidlets also demolished their corn on the cobs. On the other side of the table, I enjoyed my juicy hot link sandwich with spicy mustard (I opted to get it sans grilled onions). The porky goodness hit the spot but I found the accompanying coleslaw to be a bit bland. The slaw was nice and crispy as though it had been made fresh, but it was really dry. The square of cornbread was ok and no one touched the aluminum foil package of sliced white bread that was included with our order.


Based on their reactions, I'm pretty sure the kidlets and Mr.S. would most definitely welcome more takeout from T&R. The portions were Texas-sized (big), the food's reasonably priced and the ribs were tasty-- an overall good value. Being that it's not too far from the Grid, I could see it becoming a popular place to quench our BBQ fix on family dinner nights.

If you watch, "How I Met Your Mother," you might remember the episode where the gang goes running around NYC frantically looking for "THE" burger. Upon finding it, the following conversation takes place:

Lily: This burger is so good, its like Christmas in my mouth. Meat Christmas.
Ted: Its like an angel from heaven landed in the kitchen of McClaren's... where the chef killed it and ran it through the meat grinder.
Barney: I love this burger so much I want to sew my ass shut.

Well, quite frankly, that's how I feel about the lamb burger at Broderick. If the calorie and cholesterol count wouldn't kill me, I'd be there every other day wolfing one down. Yea, it's that good!



How did I come by this burger? Purely by chance. I heard all the chatter and read all the press last fall when Broderick opened. I kept meaning to go and check out what all the hub-bub was about but I couldn't find the time. Then I got a post on my blog's Facebook page from a Kristina Becerra telling me that I really need to check out Broderick and that they serve "some of the best pub grub ever." Well, who doesn't love pub grub? So about two months ago, a friend and I stopped into Broderick after a jaunt through the West Sacramento evening farmers' market. We used the GPS to find our way over there and I'm glad we did, it's tucked in a little nook off of 6th Street and if you're not looking closely, it's easy to zoom by it. As we were walking into the building, two guys pulled up and asked us if it was a church. Pretty funny, but I could see how they could make that mistake. The building's exterior has a bit of an old mission look to it. The interior lends itself more towards a roadhouse-like vibe though. To the right is a large bar and high-top tables and to the left is a small dining room with TV. The predominant theme to the décor was black, dark wood and more black and dark wood. ☺ For this visit, we sat on the dining room side. Surprisingly there were a lot of families with small children at Broderick. My friend and I both ended up ordering the lamb burger that was shown on the table tents and a pint of refreshing grapefruit-sage kombucha. The lamb burger was amazing! The meat was cooked perfectly (nice and juicy) and the flavoring was spot on. The menu said the lamb was spiced Lebanese-style, I'm not exactly sure what that entails but my tastebuds loved it. I'm pretty sure I tasted some cumin and coriander somewhere in there...and maybe some mint? The burger came outfitted with goat cheese, roasted tomato, arugula & balsamic vinaigrette-- all on a super soft bun. The accompanying hand-cut fries were wonderful. I skipped the upgrades and just went naked on my fries. They had just the right amount of crispiness and salt/seasoning.

On my second visit to Broderick, I ventured out and tried their duck burger for lunch. It was described as, "smoke pepper crusted, slathered in fig jam & garlic aioli; served with fried onion crisps and arugula." Oh hell yea! The duck burger was awesome- like a sweet and savory flavor bomb. One diner at my table thought it was a tad too spicy but I only noticed a slight bit of heat in the aftertaste. Again, the fries were cooked perfectly. (Whoever their fry guy is, he or she consistently knocks them out of the park.) I wanted to order their tasty kombucha again but was told that they had discontinued it due to lagging sales. What a bummer. Hopefully they bring it back. It was the perfect (non-alcoholic) refreshment for a hot day.

On my most recent visit, I dragged Mr.S. there. Yes, dragged is the correct word. We had just finished seeing "The King and I," at the Wells Fargo Pavillion and were absolutely ravenous. The only problem was that it was 11:30pm on a Friday night and there's not much open in Sactown. So I called Broderick and was advised that they do serve food until midnight on weekends. Score! I could tell Mr.S. was leery but he begrudgingly agreed that we could go there. Later he told me about his concerns- that Broderick was in a bit of a rough neighborhood, we walked into what appeared to be a dive bar and that he was pretty sure he would probably end up with some freezer-burned burger concoction and soggy fries. Well Mr.Skeptical was 0-3. No one stole his car, the staff was super nice and he ended up loving his lamb burger and couldn't stop raving about it for several days. I ordered the same along with a nice, cold pint of Ruhstaller. Again, the burger exceeded my expectations. I hate to mess with a good thing but one of these days I may need to deviate from their lamb burger and try their famous banh mi fries (fries topped with slow roasted pulled pork, pickled vegetables, jalapeños & house made citrus caramel sauce). They also carry several other delicious burgers (I've heard raves for the True Bleu and the Johnny Cash), sandwiches (these are the same guys who run Wicked 'Wich), a mean mac 'n cheese and several vegetarian selections...and of course there's a full bar.

The service I received on all three visits was attentive, helpful and friendly. The staff members I encountered were eager to make suggestions, happy to answer questions and willing to make accommodations/modifications for dietary needs. My only gripe with the place (and it's a very small gripe) is that it always seems to be hot and slightly stuffy in there...I wish management would crank up the AC a bit to make it more comfortable.

So if your looking to pacify a burger-craving or just want some solid pub grub, make the trek out to West Sacramento and try out Broderick's. Oh and definitely order the lamb burger! As for me, I loved Broderick's unpretentious bar food and the old school atmosphere and have a feeling those won't be the last lamb burgers I get under my belt.

5th & Junipero, Carmel, California 93923. (831) 624-2233
www.forgeintheforest.com


The last time I was at The Forge in the Forest was in the 8th grade. I was sporting big bangs, a piggyback perm and my favorite Esprit sweatshirt and Guess jean jacket. My best friend, Julie, and I were visiting her cousin Carol in Monterey and as a treat she took us to Carmel for lunch. It's been years and I've forgotten what I ate there and how it tasted but the memory of the lush green topiary that surrounds their patio is ingrained in my memory. I loved it, it was like eating in my own private little enchanted forest. So last week when Mr.S. and I were strolling about in Carmel, I suggested we pop in there for lunch. I had heard they were under new ownership, so I wasn't sure what to expect but I was excited to see the place again.


Every aspect of our lunch went swimmingly. Our host was welcoming and immediately led us to an intimate table for two on the brick patio. It was perfect, since it was located in the shade and we wouldn't be subjected to the blazing midday sun. For our meal choices, Mr.S. went with one of his favorite sandwiches- the Reuben. He never seems to get tired of those...or Club sandwiches for that matter. I was feeling a bit indecisive so I opted to get an appetizer and a salad. My appetizer, the duck empanadas with a pistachio nut chutney, was quite good. The empanadas were crisp and flaky on the outside and the duck meat inside was nice and moist. The chutney was ok...I would have liked something with a bit more kick...perhaps like a spicy mango jalapeno chutney? What surprised me though was the beet salad I ordered- it was HUGE! The salad consisted of a rainbow of roasted purple, golden and white beets (which were absolutely delicious) over a bed of mixed greens, crumbled goat cheese and juicy strawberry slices. They didn't skimp on the portion at all and everything tasted bright and fresh. I was impressed with the food. It was solid. Also, our server, Carly, did a great job. She was friendly, attentive and on top of everything.

If you're ever in Carmel, I would highly suggest stopping by for lunch at The Forge in the Forest.  The patio's really quite lovely and there appears to be a nice balance between regulars and tourists there. It's a perfect place to take a break from shopping, sip on a refreshing cocktail and people watch. There's also a big outdoor fireplace and heat lamps, so you can still enjoy eating al fresco comfortably even when the sun's not out. By the way, my fellow dog lovers will be happy to know that The Forge in the Forest is dog friendly (they even have a special dog menu), so you don't have to leave Fido at home. :)

2500 Watt Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95825. (916) 482-2175.
http://www.thehofbrau.com/
Since 1959.

"Drink for the Thirsty, Food For The Hungry," is what the colorful stained glass that hangs over the middle of Sam's dining room proclaims...and fill us up with food and drink it did. Last night Mr.S. and I decided to hit up a movie for date night. I'd been interested in seeing "Argo," for awhile, so we headed over to Century to check it out. I'm not sure if it was because it was mid-week or because a zombie apocalypse was impending but the movie theatre was practically deserted. Our movie theatre maybe had eight people in there tops. The film which dealt with the rescue of six US diplomats from Tehran, back in '79 during the Iran hostage crisis was quite intense and riveting. I would definitely recommend it. After our movie, we were starving so we tried to head over to a local eatery by Mr.S.'s home for a bite to eat and unfortunately, it was closed. It was only 9 o'clock! Ok, this is one of my major pet peeves with Sac. I love my city but why does every blasted place close early in this town? Gah! Anyhow, as Mr.S. and I were trying to decide on a Plan B, somehow we started talking about Sam's Hof Brau. Seriously, I have no idea how it came up. Eventually the conversation steered to, "Hey, let's see if it's still open!" I was curious, especially as I hadn't set foot in the place in 15+ years.





We walked in and a cloud of warmness enveloped us. There's a homey vibe imparted there with it's out-of-date chandeliers, dark crimson walls and old-timey red leather booths. The place feels comfortable from the get go. Mr.S. told me the place is usually packed to the gills when it's dinner time but it was relatively quiet when we got there. We got in line and I just had to stare for a second at the incredible array of meats being showcased at the carving station. Mr.S. ordered a pastrami Reuben and since I was a bit chilly, I opted for the French dip thinking the hot au jus might warm me up a bit. The gentleman behind the counter got to work immediately cutting us some thick slabs of juicy meat. (There was some finesse to his style and I was pretty impressed that he never once touched the meat with his fingers.) Moments later, I was presented with a nice fatly stacked French dip and I also opted for a side of German red cabbage. Mr. S. was served up a freshly toasted Reuben stuffed with sauerkraut and a side of Thousand Island. We dropped our weary butts in the closest booth and got to work eating. For the first few minutes, it was like a mini-food orgy...all you heard were a lot of, "Mmmm's" and other various happy eating noises. The roast beef on my sandwich was well cooked and paired perfectly with the au jus soaked sourdough bread. It was a mini moment of bliss. My side order of German red cabbage was also a winner, it had a nice balance of sweetness and tanginess and wasn't mushy in the least. The highlight though, was Mr.S.'s pastrami Reuben. Good god! He gave me a bite and I had a moment where I seriously contemplating just shoving it in my purse and running out the door. I didn't want to give it back! The meat was nice and salty, with the middle moist and the outside cooked just a tad more- just the way I like my pastrami. Slathered with the thick Thousand Island dressing, it made my tastebuds do a little carnivorous happy dance. Although I really liked my French dip, I definitely had sandwich envy.

By the time I finished my last bite of dinner, my jeans felt a tad tighter and my body felt a ton happier. Embarrassingly, I had to restrain myself from patting my belly in satisfaction. It was a fun date night...a bit unconventional in our movie and restaurant choices but definitely fun. Now with the colder weather here to stay awhile, I definitely foresee myself going back to Sam's for some old school charm, friendly service and a pastrami Reuben of my own! Maybe I'll see you there?

1815 19th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811. (916) 822-5668.
http://www.bowscollective.com/

Bows and Arrows is a shop of many faces. It's a cute vintage boutique, a charming cafe, and a lively venue for local musicians and artists all under one roof. Recently, my friend Lacy and I met up there for a late afternoon bite to eat. I'd been meaning to check the place out for quite awhile, as it's only a stone's throw from my cottage; unfortunately, the idea would always cross my mind on Mondays- when the business was closed. Gah! Anyhow, I finally made it there and it didn't disappoint.

The cafe area is in the back of the shop and offers unique sandwiches, soups, drinks and artisan popsicles. I was absolutely starving, so I ordered the cola-braised pork sandwich which came with a choice of a cup of soup or small salad. Their vegan sweet potato soup sounded enticing so I opted for the soup as my side. I contemplated for a moment about getting a Mexican Coke or some Cheerwine (yum!); but in the end, I went with a glass of white sangria and joined Lacy out in their garden. The garden/patio was super cute- outfitted with various succulents, greenery, misters and an eclectic blend of patio furniture. It was a comfortable and tranquil environment to kick back in and catch up on our girl talk.


After a few minutes of chatting, the staff brought out our orders and I have to say, both the sandwich and the soup were delicious and hit the spot! The fresh avocado-tomato salsa complemented the juicy shredded pork perfectly. Their vegan sweet potato soup was also a winner- it had just a hint of sweetness to it, making it almost dessert-like. Also, I loved how it had a smooth creamy texture, even though it wasn't cream-based. While the food was delightful, my mason jar of white sangria was just okay...it tasted more like a spritzer as it had no fruit slices mixed in. (Next time, I think I'll go with one of their beers on tap.) On a side note: I was quite enamored with their adorable, mismatched servingware but I was surprised to see that the bowl my soup came in had several chips along the rim. Though the chips may look cute and give the dish a weather-worn look, I would be worried about customers cutting themselves accidentally. The lunch turned out to be quite filling and I wished I had saved enough room to try one of their famous Fat Face popsicles. The flavors sounded intriguing (kaffir lime-avocado? hibiscus-mint? Thai tea- sweet potato?) and they looked delicious. Definitely next time!



I'm so glad Bows is in my neighborhood. It does put out a strong hipster vibe which can be a turn off for some people but if you can get past that, it's a fun place to relax and eat. I think I may also have to find time to check out their Happy Hour or Sunday brunch, both sounded intriguing. Challah French Toast? Yes, please!

2552 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. (916) 486-8766

If you're like me, when you go to buy a sandwich you want your money's worth. Nothing irks me more than plunking down $$ and getting a sandwich that looks like it was put together during the Great Depression- stale bread, skimpy produce and a few pieces of see through meat. So when my friend Sheri invited me to check out a new sandwich shop in her hood, The Dugout Deli, I was a bit skeptical (especially when I heard it used to be a Mr. Pickle's location) but I decided to give it a go. Boy, did the Dugout Deli end up surprising me! Clean store with a cute baseball theme, friendly staff, good value and most importantly a tasty sandwich. They also have several comfy booths to plunk down in and watch the game while you enjoy your chips and sandwich.

Oddly, I hadn't heard of the Dugout Deli before my visit but it could be because it isn't on any main strip; rather it's squirreled away in a small shopping center on Cottage Way. Despite it's "hidden" location, the deli seems to do a lot of business. During the two hours we were there (we're leisurely lunchers) there was a consistent flow of customers and every table was filled. Their menu offers a myriad of choices and they all sound so appetizing that choosing just one becomes quite difficult. I finally settled on the "Ryan Express" which included chicken salad, choice of produce toppings, Swiss cheese and fresh avocado. I had them 86 the cheese and opted for a sweet roll (they offer dutch crunch, sourdough, sweet roll, marble rye and wheat roll or sliced wheat). All sandwiches come with a complimentary cookie, which I thought was a nice touch of hospitality. Next time I'm leaning towards trying the "World Series Reuben." I saw one go by on the counter and it looked like a homerun.

In addition to hot and cold sandwiches, the Dugout also offers wraps, sides of potato/pasta/macaroni salads, a kids menu (includes sandwich, applesauce, juice box and cookie) and party trays (sandwiches, veggies or fruit). For the trays, they just need 24 hours notice. Can you say easy Sunday football party set-up?

So, for a solid sandwich at a price you won't choke on, cruise out to the 'burbs and grab lunch at the Dugout Deli. They're making some mean sandwiches out there!

 Cabela's : 8650 Boomtown Road, Verdi, NV 89439. (775) 829-4100

When Mr.S. invited me to North Lake Tahoe for a family vacation, the last thing I expected was it to be "Sacramento hot" there. It was definitely a hot one; however, the weather was beautiful, the lake was bright blue and we brought along shorts, tanks and sandals. His brother graciously invited us to stay again at the same gorgeous cabin we stayed at this winter; with 5 spacious bedrooms (3 master suites) and 5 bathrooms- there was more than enough room for the eleven of us to kick back and relax. There was shuffleboard in the game room, movies (and the Olympic coverage) on the upstairs telly and a huge wraparound balcony to enjoy wine on while taking in the majestic view. During the day, we lounged on King's Beach (the kidlets even took one of those giant trikes out onto the water) and in the evening, we cooked dinner or went out to indulge in some fine dining. On Saturday, we took a jaunt out to Cabela's in Verdi (near Boomtown). Mr.S. was pretty sure that I would be bored off my rocker at Cabela's, but I had a blast. There were loads of rifles in the gun library, a huge selection of fishing gear and tons of camping gear and hunting/camo equipment throughout the megastore. They even had hollow point zombie bullets for sale. Eeep!




While we were there we shot targets in the old time shooting gallery, watched the giant fish being fed, made up stories about the various stuffed wild game (elephants, polar bears, hippos, oh my!) and then just when we were starting to wane a bit, we retired for some lunch at Cabela's Grill. Mr.S. went straight for the buffalo burger; whereas, I opted for the elk burger. The elk burger turned out to be good, the meat tasted much like your regular beef burger just denser. The accompanying coleslaw lacked flavor although it did taste like it was freshly made, as opposed to from a carton.



Anyhow, we made it out of there without doing too much damage to our wallets, although it was fun watching Mr.S. looking like a kid in a candy store. Men! ;) Also, the kidlets had a fab time. Their Grandpa indulged them a bit with purchases of camo gear and air pistols, which they couldn't wait to get back to the cabin and use in the film they were making.

Tomorrow's Monday again...Ugh! Maybe I should have bought some camo gear, then I could hide from the giant pile of laundry and other various housework that I need to attend to.

2155 Town Center Place, Suite E110, West Sacramento, CA 95691. (916) 372-2240.

Last Wednesday, I was lucky enough to meet up with one of my favorite people on Earth- Gretchen, the Wonder Woman behind those great posts we see on Sac Mod. We decided to venture out West...to West Sacramento and The Eatery for our nosh and conversation. I ended up getting there a tad early. The restaurant which was located on the far side of the Nugget stripmall had not opened quite yet but the friendly staff was still willing to seat it's early bird customers, which I thought was a nice move. I opted to take a load off on one of the chairs in the entryway, wait for G and scope out the joint a bit since I had a few minutes. Now I know you're thinking stripmall...and are probably picturing stark walls, fast food wall menus and perhaps some cheesy artificial plants. Well, The Eatery's decor is anything but that. It's tastefully decorated and exudes a charming ambiance - much like you'd find in any upscale cafe you'd find in East Sacramento (designer lighting, wood flooring, and floral pieces on the tables).

The lunch menu was pretty light, consisting mostly of sandwiches and salads. Gretchen opted to go with a mushroom and white cheddar risotto, which she allowed me to taste when it arrived. It was a good sized portion, cooked perfectly and delicious! I decided to go with the much touted about Eatery Burger, which is cooked to order. The burger was seasoned well and accompanied by fresh butter lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onions and zingy zucchini pickles. I thought the burger tasted pretty good but wasn't crazy about the bun which was cold and a bit doughy tasting...after a few bites, I ended up discarding the bun and eating the burger solo. The homemade fries were great, however, hot and crisp- just the way I like them. For dessert, I had a glass of moscato (hey, it was past noon!) and Miss G went with the S'More which was a work of art- a dense chocolate cake accompanied by a toasted marshmallow cloud and some caramel loop-di-loops. I caved and snuck a bite...the cake was so decadent and scrumptious! Wowzers, a definite winner!



The service at The Eatery seems to see-saw back and forth during our visit. Our server was nice but a bit unpolished. At the beginning of our meal, he came over to tell us about the special, which he described as, "a shrimp wrap with- mayo, shrimp and other stuff."  Yes, "other stuff." Then I listened as he told the next table the same thing. While some may be intrigued by, "other stuff," it tends to not make me want to jump on ordering it. Other small slips occurred during the meal as well, such as- I was brought the wrong wine and we were never offered a dessert menu (we inquired about the desserts after the bill had been left on our table.) But on the other hand, there were some pluses- I felt like our waiter checked back on us frequently despite the restaurant being busy, we were never rushed to vacate our table after we finished, and when the wine error was pointed out, we were advised to enjoy the port on the house (as it paired well with our dessert) and he'd be right out with my moscato. Anyhow, good service overall, just needs some fine tuning.

So, this "lady of leisure" had a nice time at The Eatery with Gretchen. If I was in the area already and wanted something more substantial than a panini at Nugget then I would probably stop in but I don't see this girl driving from the Grid to specifically eat there. It didn't wow me that much. I do hope it does well though as it would be nice to see more upscale restaurants opening up in West Sac...enough with the chain restaurants and fast food shops in the 95691.


* As a side note, I just wanted to mention this cool Dwell contest/project that Gretchen was telling me about during lunch, The contest is in regards to trying to save the Sacramento Zoo entrance as a MCM landmark. The entrance has three hyperbolic paraboloids which are rare, did you know that? I didn't! Fascinating! (Anyhow, the contest is only going on for one more week and could use your help. It'll just take a second, so vote now and vote often! You don't even have to register- just click! - Dwell Contest: Sacramento Zoo). Thank you. :)

5340 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95819. (916) 736-3333. http://www.sellands.com
Brunches- Sundays only

Knowing that I love to dine out and do it often, I'm frequently asked the question of, "Do you know of any good brunch places in Sacramento?" and for a long time I dreaded that question because quite frankly--there weren't. But lately, there's been some ch-ch-ch-ch-changes around here. This Sunday after making our W Street farmers' market haul, my friend LB and I decided to check out the Sunday brunch being held at Selland's Market. Now I've been to Selland's Market numerous times at lunchtime and am a big fan of their warm meatloaf sandwich and friendly service but I had never been to their Sunday brunch. First of all I liked that their brunch hours ran late giving late risers (or people who liked to hit the farmers' market) time to toddle in there at a leisurely pace but more important was that the food was REALLY GOOD. This wasn't just your Grandma Edna's flapjacks and a side of overcooked bacon, there were fresh quiches, eggs benedict, casseroles and all kinds of fancy breakfast pizzas to choose from. In addition, they were rockin' some yummy looking mimosas and bloody marys. I decided to go with the crab cakes benedict which came with fried potatoes. I also ordered a side of brussels sprouts with bacon...I couldn't pass them up, I'm pretty much a whore when it comes to brussels sprouts. There's not one bit of advice I could offer Selland's in regards to this dish, except maybe to offer home delivery. The crab cakes were cooked perfectly and not overly fishy tasting. I loved the toasted levain that became the perfect softness as it soaked up the hollandaise...and the hollandaise had a hint of lemon zest flavor that really set it off. My friend also gave me a bit of her prosciutto breakfast casserole...delish!  Nice and airy...I might have to get that next time.  She did comment that the bloody mary could have used a tad more vodka...it was on the weak side. (I didn't taste it as I abhor tomato juice, but as a bartender she knows her mixology.) Anyhow, in additional to the extensive brunch menu they offer, Selland's also runs a $20 Brunch for 2 Special that changes weekly. The day we were there it was 2 plates of Huevos Rancheros paired with 2 Bloody Marys. (You can check their Facebook page if you want to see what it is before popping in, they're usually pretty good about posting their specials.) So, if you're looking for a good brunch spot skip the stuffy buffet lines and give Selland's a whirl, I think you'll find it worth leaving your warm toasty bed to brave the cold for.

1409 R Street, Ste 102, Sacramento, CA 95811. (916) 452-7594

Magpie is one of those places that I really, really want to like but it just seems to fall short in one important area for me…the food. Several friends have raved about Magpie’s offerings since it’s inception and I’ve gone back repeatedly with high hopes. For lunch, I’ve tried their black rice salad and their beet salad…both salads were a flop. The black rice was hard and undercooked; whereas, the beet tasted like someone had doused it with vinegar. On my next visit, I went with the smoked trout sandwich served on an open-faced baguette…one word summed that up—“meh.” It was disappointingly average—flavorless, a bit watery and the tomatoes were missing; I could have been eating a tuna sandwich from Subway as far as I could tell. Then I went back three different times for happy hour with friends. The happy hour pour, a crisp Uvaggio Vermentino, was just $4 a glass and quite delicious; however, the happy hour “bites” selection was paltry (only three choices). The cured meat sampler with olives, red peppers and crostini ($4) that my dining companion ordered was pretty unexciting and the mussels in saffron broth was a scant portion (I think we got a total of 5 mussels and about 4 large sprigs of thyme) and to top it off the broth was quite bland ($4). Yet I was so determined to like Magpie that I even went back for dinner…yes, at times I can be a glutton for punishment. Per the waiter’s recommendation, I ordered the bean soup ($4.25/cup) and the Steelhead trout with potato, bacon, and golden beet hash ($17.50). The hash was perfectly cooked and flavored but the soup was extremely oily and the trout was forgettable (damn you, Magpie trout…you foiled me again!). Though my trout and soup fell short, I would like to note that my dining companion was quite enamored with her creamy polenta and after taking a bite I could see why. It was as smooth as Johnny Depp.

Now that I’ve covered the bad and the ugly, let me focus on the good. When I first started visiting Magpie when it opened, the service was aloof and many of the service staff seemed unfamiliar with the dishes; however, I have to say the last few times I was there the service was perfect. Both floor staff and counter staff were welcoming, eager to make suggestions and friendly overall. On one occasion I was offered a Lactaid pill (from her personal stash) by the cashier when I bemoaned the fact that there was cream in the mussel broth. On another occasion, when Mr. S. and I ducked in there to buy a box of their cookies, the girls at the counter threw in an extra one just so we could try all the flavors. It’s small touches like these that you remember. Not just is the eatery hospitable but it also takes the extra step to serve local, seasonal produce, sustainable fish and hormone-free meats and poultry. Kudos, Magpie!

Magpie also has one of the cutest décors in town. I love their exposed brick walls adorned with artistic scrolls. Minimal but stylish---thumbs up! Also, in addition to the farmhouse tables and natural light; there’s a small front patio where you can relax, soak up some rays and watch people hurry by when the weather’s pleasant.

Lastly, Magpie has killer cookies…possibly the best in town. I’ve been heartbroken by their food too many times now, so as of late I’ll stick to just nibbling on their incredible baked goods. YES, their cookies alone are worth driving over there for. Mr. S. thinks the peanut butter ones are a wee bit on the dry side but the snickerdoodle as well as their oatmeal cookies are amazing. But their piéce de résistance without a doubt are their chocolate chip cookies ($1.75). Soft and chocked full of heavenly chocolate chunks, these baked treats are a must-have. They’re also quite big and perfect for sharing…but trust me you won’t want to. You’ll exclaim, “Look Salma Hayek!” and scarf the cookie down in nanoseconds before your poor, unsuspecting boyfriend has a chance to figure out what’s going on.

So in a nutshell, if you’re near the R Street Corridor, my advice is to pop into Magpie for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and one (two? three?) of their phenomenal cookies but skip the full on meal there. Even though I love their food philosophy and that they’re a small business; I just can’t justify dropping any more dinero on pricey, lackluster food when there’s other seriously delish places to eat in Sac. One of these days I might get up the gumption to give Magpie another whirl and if I do, I hope they prove me wrong and blow my socks off.

816 12th Street, Sacramento, CA , 95814. (916) 443-9655

A few months ago, on a sleepy Saturday morning Mr. S. and I decided to check out Jim-Denny's, a Sac-town breakfast institution (it was founded in the mid 30's and moved to it's current location after WWII). Jim-Denny's is everything you can hope for in a dive; it's tiny, it's cluttered and it smells like bacon. There's only a few counters seats (heck, there's only a few seats in the whole place) and we lucked out to arrive just as a friend of mine happened to be finishing up and leaving. Having nabbed our seats, we perused the menu. Man, everything sounded amazing! My barstool neighbor to the right was a Jim-Denny's regular and was giving all kinds of helpful suggestions which made deciding which dish to go with even more difficult. I ended up going with an omelette with sausage, spinach, onions and bacon ($9). We got to watch as the cook poured a monsterous amount of food on the grease caked grill and wrangle it back and forth until it began to morph into a mouthwatering omelette. Plated, the omelette was HUGE and came with a heap of potatoes and a side of toast. It was delicious but I could only make it through about half before my stomach wimped out on me. What's crazy is that, there's an even BIGGER omelette offered called The Works ($11)! A gutbuster that includes 9 fillings, 2 cheeses and 3 eggs...Lordy! Mr. S. and I had a kickass time grubbing down with our countermates and chatting with the staff (thanks for the Thai restaurant rec!). Although we did have to pause a moment when we noticed a petite little granny a couple of seats down order a pancake the size of a hubcap (and in case you're wondering-- she scarfed  ALL of it down and a few other dishes as well-- go, granny, go!).

Anyhow while we were eating, a polite young man with a video camera came in and asked us if we would be okay with him filming everyone eating at the counter. We found out later they were filming an episode of Man Vs. Food (a Travel Channel show). We had walked past the crew in the parking lot without realizing what was going on. A friend of mine forwarded two stills from last night's episode. I posted them below. I look pretty horrible, but what a great meal!

921 V Street, Sacramento, CA 95818.  (916) 447-2264

Upon entering one’s own home in Japan, the standard greeting to announce his or her return is an enthusiastic, “Tadaima!” This translates loosely to, “Hi, I’m home!” Passing through the doorway of June’s Cafe, I had to fight the inclination to call this out because it felt a bit like home. A quick glance at the paper menu stapled to the wall, had me both nostalgic and salivating simultaneously. For most, if asked what their favorite childhood meals are, the answers would range from mac ‘n cheese to spaghetti and meatballs to bacon and eggs. Growing up in a Japanese-American household, my comfort foods would be curry rice, miso soup and pork katsu…exactly what June’s menu was promising me.

June’s Café is nestled in a non-descript building in the vicinity of 9th and V streets, in what used to be Sacramento’s Japantown. A small, inconspicuous wooden sign quietly announces its existence and the pungent aroma of fried onions welcomes you. The interior offers an old school Formica counter complemented by barstools and few small tables for its patrons. The décor somehow alternates between the starkness of a government office and the clutter of a tchotchke shop. Sporting a standard obachan apron and a few bobby pins askew in her bun, June herself is both grillmaster and cashier while her husband mans the front. Under the watchful eye of a dozen waving maneki-nekos, dishes are washed by hand and coffee is promptly refilled, in true diner fashion. Like a Hindu deity, June whips about—pouring, flipping and plating each order in a blur of arms, all the while nodding a greeting to her numerous regulars. Despite the whirlwind of activity, she doesn’t miss a beat nor disappoint her audience at the counter.

The menu itself is a mishmash of Japanese, American and Hawaiian dishes. You won’t find a spicy tuna roll or kahlua pork here; however, what you will find are several good, hearty dishes. Please note there’s no rabbit food or heart-healthy meals here, June’s is all about the grease factor. Try a loco moco (a Hawaiian favorite consisting of white rice topped with a hamburger patty and a fried egg drenched with gravy) or an oyako donburi (egg, chicken, mushrooms and onions simmered together and served over white rice with a splash of soy sauce). Trust me you’ll be waddling away from the counter. On my two visits, I tried the chicken curry rice and the famous wienie royal. The curry rice was spot on…just like mom’s. A nice breaded chicken cutlet smothered with a thick helping of sweet Japanese curry atop of…you guessed it…white rice. Man, the first bite brought back a flood of memories. On my second visit, I decided to throw caution to the wind and opt for the much talked about wienie royal. The wienie royal is a dish that is best known as a carryover from the Japanese-American internment days. This odd but tasty concoction consists of a hefty serving of sliced hot dogs, eggs, onions and soy sauce fried up and served with rice. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed. For the leery, June’s also offers burgers, various teriyaki dishes and a smattering of sandwich choices. There are a few vegetarian friendly dishes but be advised all orders are cooked on the same grill so if you have any qualms about your tofu touching meat, I’d advise skipping June’s. Finally, just to make sure you don’t go away hungry, all “American” dishes come with a generous helping of homemade macaroni salad and the Japanese and Hawaiian dishes come with both macaroni salad and a bowl of piping hot miso soup.

June’s is open for breakfast and lunch. You’ll find it closed on state holidays,weekends and whenever June and the Mr. want to get away for a vacation. On average, the lunch plates run a reasonable six to seven dollars; however, plastic is not accepted so be sure to hit up the ATM before dropping by. Also, be sure to wear your stretchy pants--your gut will thank you.

5207 Madison Ave, Sacramento, CA 95841. (916) 334-8711

Growing up the daughter of a Brooklynite, all I've ever heard about is the days of Ebbet's Field, the infamous Brooklyn Dodgers, and the greatness of NY hot dogs ("none better in the world, honey!"). For nearly a century, NY has been famous for its delicious street-carters hawking it's tasty dogs and it's given us legendary wiener establishments such as Nathan's of Coney Island and Manhattan's Gray's Papaya. So it was much to my dad's surprise when we found a place in Sac that serves up tasty hot dogs, old school style--not those fancy pants Euro-dogs. Afterall, who doesn't love a great hot dog? Taking a big bite and hearing that snap of the casing...it's a throwback to a simpler time.

Wiener Works is inconspicuously tucked away in a strip mall off of Madison alongside a donut shop and Brazilian restaurant...it's your typical cash only hole-in-the-wall. Fancy-schmancy, WW is not. It's a family owned joint that's been around Sacramento for quite a number of years. It's decorated with crayola green tables and fire-engine red chairs, buzzing beer lights and a tile floor (for quick cleaning). The walls are adorned with various beverage signs, oddball dog prints and cute sayings. No need to gussy up and do your hair...if you're wearing a pair of jeans and a ball cap, you'll fit right in with most of the clientele. Although, lately I've seen quite a bit of suits during the lunch rush as word about this gem has gotten out.

What's on the menu, you ask? Plump, juicy beer-steamed beef hot dogs! Starting at around $4 for the basic, you can satisfy your hot dog fix with any number of preparations. WW offers up all your favorite condiments (ketchup, mustard, spicy mustard, relish, onions) along with a tangy kraut, healthy red cabbage and a grubbin' chili (with or without cheese). Your wish is their command! They also serve up corn dogs, bagel dogs, sausages and burgers. For those who just can't get enough, WW also touts a 14 inch dog for about $6. In addition to their mouthwatering dogs, WW has the best French fries in town, hands down. No frozen fries for these guys! Like an Army private on KP duty, there's somebody administering to transforming those piles of taters into some shoestring goodness. Now be aware that the fries come in three sizes: Tiny ($2.69), Small ($3.49) and large ($4.39). Those in the know, know that a Tiny is MORE than enough for two adult people. The serving size is crazy and you can get them sans salt if you wish. Lastly, WW is quite kid friendly and has a children's menu that includes a corndog, chips and a soda...sure to make the frazzled parent happy. BTW, drink refills are 1/2 off and there's a terrific assortment of beers to choose from.

If you decide to visit, you'll probably see me hunkered over with a ball cap lowered over my eyes and going in for a giant bite of my ketchup and chunky onion dog (hey no flack, that's what I like). Be sure to say hi, but keep your fingers out of my fries!

2968 Freeport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818, (916) 443-3237

Last Sunday was the perfect picturesque, sunny Sacramento day. I was excited to check out Dad's newest venture--Dad's Kitchen and engage in some springtime patio dining.

Upon walking in, I encountered a small, clean waiting area complete with hostess stand however sans hostess. I stood waiting for about 5 minutes at the counter, then sat down on a barstool for another 5. A few other patrons walked in, stood around looking puzzled then wandered towards the back. Finally a curly haired waitress came to the front but instead of a greeting, I got a dirty look and an abrasive, "Are you waiting for a take out order?" Obviously this person was never taught the Golden Rule of, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you," when she was in elementary school. I responded politely that I wasn't and stated that even though my party wasn't here I would like to go ahead and be seated if possible. What I got in response was a flippant remark and a gesture which I loosely translated to mean "follow me." As I entered the dining room, I happened upon one of the people in my party I was waiting for; looking around the waitress had flat disappeared, so we took the initiative to seat ourselves outside. Luckily, once we were outside the service improved vastly. The waitress that was assigned to our table was cheerful, sweet and helpful. (Thank god!) She apologized for not knowing some things as the restaurant was new but was quick to get answers for us. She even asked Allie, another waitress, about the BFD crawfish for us (thank you!). Our drink orders were brought out promptly and my friend and I never felt rushed as we waited for our other two dining companions.

Please note that Dad's serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Breakfast is available before 11am on weekdays and before 2pm on weekends (great, if you like to sleep in like me). The breakfast menu consists of various breakfast sandwiches and the standard breakfast fare (omelets, steak & eggs, and eggs with sausage/ham/or bacon). There are also biscuits and gravy and corned beef & hash for the more adventurous. On weekends only there are additional dishes available: a scrumptious French Toast covered with a spiced rum banana fosters sauce, as well as Eggs Benedict and Eggs Florentine. I opted for the Eggs Benedict and it was divine. Served on a huge open-faced flaky homemade biscuit and topped with two poached eggs and the most delicious thinly-sliced black forest ham. It comes with Hollandaise sauce which I asked for on the side and was used up by one of my dining companions who ordered the same dish. The portion was so huge that I had to actually take half home. My friends ordered the corned beef and hash and the Eggs Florentine and from the happy sounds emanating from their direction I think they were quite pleased with their choices as well. We were curious about the Dad's Breakfast Tater and requested a side order to share. The taters are quite large and reminiscent in taste of a Japanese croquette. It comes with a spicy dipping sauce which didn't do much for my palate, I liked it plain better. We all decided to forgo our caffeine fixes and indulge in some freshly squeezed OJ, which I thought was quite tasty but a bit pricey at $4 a pop. There are numerous other beverage choices ranging from mimosas, strawberry bellinis, wine, beer (MKF!) and cider. Whoever chose the drink menu did a nice job, there's a little of something for everyone.

Overall, I thought my meal at Dad's was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. Our waitress was friendly, the backyard patio setting was relaxing and the prices fair (ranging from $5- $15 for the breakfast plates). I would definitely return. I am docking it one star however for the extremely rude waitress that I encountered when I first arrived. After all, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

16525 Bucks Lake Rd, Meadow Valley, CA 95956, (530) 283-2262

True you won't hear any dueling banjos ala "Deliverance," when you stroll up to the Buck's Lake Lodge but after eating there you'd wish you had. At least upon hearing the opening chords, you would have been warned to flee this disaster of a dining establishment.

Last year a friend invited me to go camping up at Buck's Lake with her. For those who are unfamiliar with the area, it's in the mountains up past Quincy. We usually park our gear at the Haskins campground and spend most of our time lounging at the lake or going for nature walks with the dog. My friend T has a tradition of liking to forgo the usual campfire fare and eat at the Lodge on one of the nights during our outing. Last year, we went up there and had a good time. Although the grub was nothing extraordinary it hit the spot and was a nice change of pace.

The B.L. Lodge is a no-frills joint specializing in over-priced prime rib, burgers and various standby seafood dishes like shrimp scampi. The decor is very reflective of Garrison Keillor's "Lake Wobegon" - wood paneling with a smattering of government issued looking chairs, Little House on the Prairie-ish curtains and a lot of dusty cabinetry. There's a separate bar area that serves up their infamous house drink appropriately named a "Tree-Smacker," a nefarious concoction of various liquors presented in a glass that has to be at least a foot high. After drinking one of those, you do wake up the next day feeling like your head has been smacked against a tree several times.

Anyhow, this year after arriving I found out that both the restaurant and the accompanying convenience market had been sold. After surveying the scene and grabbing dinner there, I determined...hmmm, how can I put this delicately...the new owners are the suck. The bare shelves in the market should have been a dead giveaway as to show how attentive they are to their business, but high on mountain air I failed to register it until later.

At the Lodge, we were seated immediately upon entering then we waited...and waited...and waited. Finally a server approached our table, "Great! We can get some water and even order perhaps!" was what went racing through my naive mind. In reality, the server opened a cabinet behind me to get some wine and ended up smacking the back of my chair several times in her attempt. Whack! Whack! Whack! Hmmm....after three unsuccessful attempts to get the cabinet door open because it kept banging into the back of my chair and stirring up a dust whirlwind Grapes of Wrath-style(ever heard of Pledge and a dustrag?), the server took a step back and actually glared at me. I glared back; finally she inquired whether I'd move so that she could get into the cabinet. It only took her 15 minutes and three door whacks to finally figure this out. After about twenty minutes from the time we were seated had passed we were able to finally place an order. I wish we hadn't. The salad was just large chunks of lettuce with dressing, nothing much else. I had opted for the chicken soup and in my opinion, they would have been better off serving some Campbell's from the can than this swill. T. said her prime rib was okay but in my opinion it had an odd hue to it. My scampi consisted of 4-5 prawns the size of a baby's fist drenched in butter, it was completely devoid of any flavor. The side of "rice pilaf" was just plain white rice. Eager to finish this horrendous meal and escape back to our campground where we could knock back some wine to forget this experience, we tried valiantly to flag down a server. After about a good ten minutes, someone was able to locate her and get our check. For a second or two, I thought it was after her bedtime and she had gone home. The servers working that night all looked like high school students. ABC would have had a field day at this dive, as these youngsters were serving booze to all the customers...a big no-no in the state of California.

That night some bears perused our campground in an effort to find some grub. Had I been a bear I would have been searching the campgrounds too because if the Buck's Lake Lodge was my only other viable food option, I would opt to starve.