21 - First Squeeze Cafe - Napa

1126 1st St, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 224-6762

Last Visited - December, 2008

This little juice bar saved our morning in Napa last week. I guess that's how things are at Napa downtown after Christmas, most places are closed (like a bear in winter). We were looking for a place to have breakfast and circled around for ten minutes. The streets were bare. There was an old bakery that we forgot the location for and a falafel place that opened on the edge of the street. Luckily we spotted First Squeeze Cafe after coming out an odd small street. 

There were people inside, and they were eating relaxingly over coffee. The guy at the cashier did our orders with a cheerful attitude and we sat down with our drinks. Not much to say about the place: the food came out at a decent time, the coffee was drinkable, and you pay before you eat. I guess it's the kind of place I like. 

Just a small post before some big ones. Now for a New Year's Party to go to.  

Yelp's Review

20 - Nanyang Burmese Restaurant - Oakland

6048 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618, (510) 655-3298

Last Visit: December, 2008

Burmese food is close to Thai food in my understanding. There's a bit of mango flavoring and also coconut. I went to Nanyang for a Christmas getogether this weekend with some old friends. The place is not too far from me and me and my girlfriend find it without difficulty. Right in the intersection of College and Claremont, next to Murasaki furnishings.

Two of the things I like about Burmese food are the flavored rices and the colorful salads. There are many kinds of these salads, Green Tea being one of them. With the proper ingredients, it can be quite delightful. Nanyang provides four types of rice in their flavored rice combo - spicey, brown, coconut, and red. I find the coconut rice done really well. It's exactly what it is, coconut flavored rice. Sometimes I feel like it should be a dessert. 

The entres came relatively fast. The mango noodles made a good impression with us, I didn't try it though. I realize that I can never appreciate mangos; maybe dried ones only. The grilled chicken was good, but nothing special about it. They had a fish curry dish, but I did not enjoy it so much. 

All in all, for a homey, modestly priced trial at Burmese food, Nanyang can be the place to go. 

Yelp's Review

19 - Zen Restaurant - Alameda

2315 Santa Clara ave, Alameda, CA. 94501, (510) 521 - 7070

Last Visit - December 2008

Zen is a small Japanese restaurant in Alameda off Park Avenue. The decor is actually something to talk about. Most things are red and black, and there seems to be some effort made in the setting and utensils of the restaurant. In some ways it's fusion because of the cocktail menu and their small alotment of wines. The theme is Zen, which is in some ways "non-traditional" in this sense. The places are not completely round or the glasses not in orthodox shape. 

I went there for the second time with some friends last week. We ordered the yam fries and a salad as an apetizer. The lamb came next and my friends ordered some of the wasabi shu-mai. I ordered the mentaiko spaghetti, one of my favorite dishes. All was well. I had a cranberry cosmo and my friends had some mohitos. The drinks are not too strong, which is usually the Japanese way. Desserts are pretty good, but I haven't tried many. 

I don't think this place is much of a bar, but for a small snack and conversation it's not bad. For Alameda, it's definitely a place to try some day. 

Yelp's Review