Tom T. from Dine.com

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Tom T.

California

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Main Reviews (54) Photos (0)

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FOOD: It's an ART... No, but rather ... "It's a science." -Lem Curran

Recent reviews by Tom T. More

Restaurant Name	City	Rating
Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen	Saint Helena, CA
A real hidden gem! Cindy's takes you back to a bygone era when dinners were slow and life just seemed much simpler. From the moment you pass through the courtyard, you know you've come home. Cindy's cozy, country homestead ambiance sooth ... more A real hidden gem! Cindy's takes you back to a bygone era when dinners were slow and life just seemed much simpler. From the moment you pass through the courtyard, you know you've come home. Cindy's cozy, country homestead ambiance soothes you as you enjoy this place, from the warm, friendly staff, to the homey decor in the White Room, to the artwork-adorned Gallery loft area, culminating in the down-home goodness of their five-star dishes. You will never go wrong with a few, or even a half dozen, Oysters Pablo -- delicate Hog Island oysters, with a nice kick-bang of chipotle, dressed with spinach and Parmesan cheese. Continue your culinary journey with the ground-pounding Mighty Meatloaf, a brick of solid meaty flavor, crested with a horseradish BBQ sauce. Or set your sights on a Chinatown Duck Burger -- a lean, mean chopped-duck burger dancing in Asian-inspired flavors. It would be a crime to even think of not ending your meal without tempting your lips with the succulent richness of the Warm Pineapple Upside Down Cake adorned with velvety House-made Ice Cream. Enjoy and go home happy... less
Skates On The Bay	Berkeley, CA
OVERALL: 4.2 stars (rounded up). Skate's has upgraded their menu to include many new fine entree selections, and their prices reflect so -- on average $7-10 higher than this time last year. Yet, they seem to have more business than before. The me ... more OVERALL: 4.2 stars (rounded up). Skate's has upgraded their menu to include many new fine entree selections, and their prices reflect so -- on average $7-10 higher than this time last year. Yet, they seem to have more business than before. The menu maintained its usual high quality: both the fixed items and the daily special selections (except as noted below). SERVICE: = 5.0 stars. The service was spectacular! We did a Saturday mid-evening dinner at 7:30pm. I again highly commend the head hostess and staff for placing us in a great view seating! Our server was an exemplar of succinct, attentive service, and deserves highest praise as a new standard for service: NEVER, until now, have I had a server willingly and graciously take back a lackluster dish - marginal flavour and unspectacular in style and preparation (Swordfish Thai) - and allow me to re-order my dinner selection in an effort to provide me a positive dining experience. Both the server and manager apologized and brought out a phenomenal dish (Bacon Wrapped Kobe Meatloaf) -- succulent and flavourful, graced by a rich mushroom wine sauce, atop a delicate mound of mashed potatoes, and paired with a sweet, tangy red cabbage side. Most establishments will force you to suffer through an unhappy meal. This was an example of amazing humility on the part of the server and restaurant. Following on such a memorable meal, our server timed the dessert menu to just when we finished the entrees, and gave insightful suggestions to desserts which we might want to try (hint: avoid the Chipolte Brownies) FOOD: = 3.5 stars (rounded). 2.0 stars for the Thai Swordfish disaster, but 4.5 stars for the Kobe Meatloaf. The Beef Short Rib Pot Roast (4.0 stars) was brilliant: juicy, fork-tender beef roast, dancing in herb-accented pasta with decadent mushrooms were a highlight for our group. The Parmesan-Encrusted Sole (3.75 stars) was delicate, cooked perfect. DESSERT: = 4.0 stars. I lament the loss of their Granny-Smith Apple Tart from the menu. But, dessert is still top-notch! Be sure to save space for this dessert. I selected the delightful and exquisite Fruit Cobbler (Peach-Blueberry) topped with rich vanilla ice cream. less
Rivoli Restaurant	Berkeley, CA
Rivoli is top marks all around; the pork loin was exquisitely prepared -- tender and moist, topped with delightful marinated cherries; the lamb shank was to-die-for: not ever gamey, yet fall-off-the bone succulent like a hearty pot roast. Flavours we ... more Rivoli is top marks all around; the pork loin was exquisitely prepared -- tender and moist, topped with delightful marinated cherries; the lamb shank was to-die-for: not ever gamey, yet fall-off-the bone succulent like a hearty pot roast. Flavours were excellently paired within each dish, with sharp presentation. Service was prompt, attentive, and polite -- no need to wait for their attention: water, coffee, and tea refills were always prompt. Truly a gem along Solano Ave., and definitely a place of excellence. less
El Rancho Steak House	Hayward, CA
OVERALL: 2.75 stars. The place is a reasonable place to grab a bite to eat. The food and service are similar to most American places. SERVICE: = 3.0 stars. The service was decent. Our server was friendly, and attentive to our needs, giving ser ... more OVERALL: 2.75 stars. The place is a reasonable place to grab a bite to eat. The food and service are similar to most American places. SERVICE: = 3.0 stars. The service was decent. Our server was friendly, and attentive to our needs, giving service that was expected. FOOD: = 2.5 stars. The food was a bit below par for the course. Chorizo Skillet: = 3.0 stars. This was supposed to be three eggs scrambled atop homestyle country potatoes in "a flavorful combination of Chorizo sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, onioons, and green peppers topped with melted cheddar cheese." Instead it was a cheesy pile of large onion pieces with ground-up meat among thick potatoe chunks. The only redeeming quality to the dish was the inclusion of fresh mushrooms. less
Spenger's Fish Grotto	Berkeley, CA
Today we sat for the lunch menu. It seems better than before the remodel. OVERALL: 3.25 stars. SERVICE: = 3.0 stars. The service was decent. Our server was courteous, and was diligent and fairly attentive. She made no mistakes and gave service th ... more Today we sat for the lunch menu. It seems better than before the remodel. OVERALL: 3.25 stars. SERVICE: = 3.0 stars. The service was decent. Our server was courteous, and was diligent and fairly attentive. She made no mistakes and gave service that was expected. The usual requests as to the water and coffee refills were handled in a timely fashion. FOOD: = 3.0 stars. The food (especially dessert) is still holds the key winning quality of Spenger's. The starter salad was abundant, made of a clean mixture of iceberg lettuce, carrot slivers, and red cabbage, under a creamy herb dressing. Pan-fried Sand Dabs: = 3.0 stars. The delicate, lightly-breaded sand dab filets were mostly fresh, but with some fishy ends. The filet ends held a faint stale fishy taint (the sign of almost FRESH fish). The entree was paired with FRESH, whole crisp green beans and red peppers, with light, rosemary new potatoes halves, in a delicate vermouth caper butter sauce. DESSERT: = 3.5 stars. The flourless chocolate cake, comes a close second to the "Chocolate Volcano" cake at Skates on the Bay (see review of 15 August 2000 ). This was a thick, dense RICH chocolate heart-stopper rested amidst a pool of raspberry sauce. less
Berkeley Thai House	Berkeley, CA
OVERALL: 3.0 stars. The Berkeley Thai House has a great, cozy atmosphere (including a fireplace) - great for a romantic dinner. The menu is of high quality, with tempting entrees and succulent flavours. Just off Telegraph Avenue, two block from the ... more OVERALL: 3.0 stars. The Berkeley Thai House has a great, cozy atmosphere (including a fireplace) - great for a romantic dinner. The menu is of high quality, with tempting entrees and succulent flavours. Just off Telegraph Avenue, two block from the UC Berkeley campus. SERVICE: 3.0 stars. The service was good. Our server was courteous, diligent and attentive. She took care of us well, making no mistakes and giving service that was expected. The vital ice water refills were handled promptly. FOOD: = 3.0 stars. The food was top notch, highly comparable to Phuping Thai in Richmond, only less pricey. The jasmine rice was freshly steamed, sweet, and beautifully fragrant. Garlic Beef: 3.0 stars. This beef dish came away excellent. The meat was lean, succulent, and juicy, with a good amount of seasoning and marinade. The meat was served with a pair of sauces: a plum sauce with hints of hot chiles, and a curry-like red sauce. Curried Pork: 3.0 stars. This was another winning combination, of well seasoned, tender pork, amongst potatoes, in a curry and coconut milk sauce base. The dish came away just right, with no undue aftertastes nor unpleasant spicy heat. The dish was well-tempered in its heat. less
Cafe Milano	Berkeley, CA
OVERALL: 3.0 stars. Overall, a good quality place. Well worth a stop to grab a bite when near UC Berkeley- across from Sproul on Bancroft. FOOD: = 3.0 stars. Tuna Salad Sandwich on Foccacia Bread: This is a well-designed sandwich, made with f ... more OVERALL: 3.0 stars. Overall, a good quality place. Well worth a stop to grab a bite when near UC Berkeley- across from Sproul on Bancroft. FOOD: = 3.0 stars. Tuna Salad Sandwich on Foccacia Bread: This is a well-designed sandwich, made with fresh red and green bell peppers, red onion, fennel, dill, light tuna, composed in a nonfat yogurt base dressing, with a hint of lemon juice to balance the flavours. It comes with a small side salad of FRESH greens in a balsalmic vinegar dressing. less
Krung Tep	El Cerrito, CA
My mistake: this review went to the wrong restaurant. This review belongs to Sawooei Thai Cuisine, the restaurant that sits on stilts across San Pablo Avenue from the Safeway near Moeser Lane.
Sawooei Thai Cuisine	Richmond, CA
Good food, but in an old building- do not let the looks deceive you. The restaurant sits above and in front of a motel complex, right across from the Safeway. The food had reasonable portions, albeit a bit smaller than experienced at other comparable ... more Good food, but in an old building- do not let the looks deceive you. The restaurant sits above and in front of a motel complex, right across from the Safeway. The food had reasonable portions, albeit a bit smaller than experienced at other comparable Thai places. The flavour was good, and well prepared. The atmosphere is a bit cramped, given the location and building, but overall comes away as cozy and definately Thai, down to the carved woodwork and lanterns. OVERALL: 3.0 stars less
Skates On The Bay	Berkeley, CA
OVERALL: 3.8 stars. Skates has just reopened from their two-week-long renovation. While most of the major work was behind the scenes, customers will note the improved interior, especially with the new carpet and pin-striped wallpapering, and the b ... more OVERALL: 3.8 stars. Skates has just reopened from their two-week-long renovation. While most of the major work was behind the scenes, customers will note the improved interior, especially with the new carpet and pin-striped wallpapering, and the brighter, newer restroom facilities (which got some much-needed, long-overdue repairs). The menu maintained its high quality: both the fixed items and the daily special selections. SERVICE: = 4.0 stars The service was consistent with the last visit (see review below). Today, we did early dinner, and the service was good. Our server was always courteous, diligent and attentive. She, though new, handled all our questions and requests like a well-seasoned pro, making no mistakes and giving service that was expected. The foccacia bread, ice water and coffee refills were handled promptly. She timed the dessert menu to just when we finished the entrees, and gave bright suggestions to desserts which we might want to try. I highly commend the head hostess and staff for placing us in a great view seating! The clear evening sunset and lit SF skyline were amazing as night fell. FOOD: = 3.4 stars (rounded). The food (especially dessert) remained top notch at Skates. 16 oz. Prime Rib: = 3.25 stars. This time I went for the larger 16 oz. prime rib, which came away great, but not excellent. The meat was lean, succulent, and juicy, like before. But this time there was a bit more fat, which may be due to the particular cut or the supplier. It was also well-cooked, well done (when ordered as med-well) tending towards dry. The snap peas were also a bit overcooked, but still fresh. The garlic mashed potatoes were as expected, light and creamy. 10 oz. Cowboy Sirloin: = 3.5 stars. The sirloin was excellent. The meat was tender, lean, and succulent, served with slightly overcooked snap peas, over light, creamy mashed potatoes, topped with chipolte salsa sour cream. As ordered medium, and pan-seared, it came away just right with a rosy pink center. DESSERT: = 4.0 stars. Again, I HIGHLY recommend the Granny-Smith Apple Tart. It is HUGE! Be sure to save space for this dessert. See review below for a detailed description of this fine dessert, and the heart-stopping Chocolate Volcano Cake. less

Details

Level Level 5
Points 280

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Favorite Places of Tom T. More


Chez Panisse	1517 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA	4.1/5.0 39 reviews
Hawthorne Lane	22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA	4.1/5.0 44 reviews
Kincaid's Bay House-Restaurant	70 Jack London Square, Oakland, CA	3.9/5.0 18 reviews
Aqua	252 California St., San Francisco, CA	3.8/5.0 48 reviews
Rivoli Restaurant	1539 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA	3.8/5.0 21 reviews
Scott's Seafood Restaurant	2 Broadway, Oakland, CA	3.8/5.0 19 reviews
Sawooei Thai Cuisine	1700 San Benito St, Richmond, CA	3.6/5.0 5 reviews
Fleur De Lys	777 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA	3.5/5.0 33 reviews
Everett and Jones	126 Broadway (jack London), Oakland, CA	3.5/5.0 11 reviews
Mooses	1707 Powell St, San Francisco, CA	3.5/5.0 6 reviews