Bonus: BJ's Brewery Holiday Beer Dinner

There are many things this get this hombre in a holiday mood - searching Amazon wish lists, over-priced gingerbread lattes (kidding), putting up blinking lights only to find that half the string is out... But what really gets my goose cooking are the seasonal holiday brews. Pumpkin ale is a popular one, but BJ's Brewery had more to share at their Holiday Beer Dinner last week. Let's check it out!

BJ's Brewery website

They do this $30 prix fixe meal every couple of months and this time's theme was the holiday. Parking at the Cupertino BJ's is like parking on Black Friday. Get there way early to get a nearby spot. The Apple campus is right there and it's a busy place. The dinner started at 7pm, so we arrived early and sat at the bar.

The dinner was four courses served with seven beers or "four courses and 7 beers ago". Each diner got a cool etched glass like the one on the cover of the menu. The warm up beer was Sam Adams Winter Lager and it was very good.

The first course was Fritos Nachos paired with Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. This spiced ale was bold and intense with citrus and woody aromas. A nice counter to the savory and salty nachos. This was a great way to start off!

Next up was a Thai Chicken Mango Salad paired with Woodchuck Winter Chill Cider and this was her favorite. She's a fan of fruit ciders and this one fit the bill. It had a rich apple flavor with hints of vanilla and Oak. The salad wasn't dressed very well and the chicken was sort of bland. Oh well, drink up!

After a palate cleanser of Rogue's Yellow Snow IPA (not made with real yellow snow, happily), the main course of Grilled Pork Chop, White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans was served. The Annual Grand Cru brew from BJ's Brewery was paired with it. We both liked it very much as it wasn't too heavy with some fruit and spice flavors. The chop was a bit overcooked, but still tasty. The star of the plate was the mashed potatoes - who doesn't love those?

After yet another palate cleanser, you can never be thirsty here, the dessert was a Triple Chocolate Pizookie with Ghiradelli ice cream. The palate cleanser was Green Flash's Green Bullet, which was too hoppy for my tastes. But the pairing with the pizookie was Stone Coffee Milk Stout and it was perfect. You need to like stout, which is a very strong flavor, but with this rich chocolate dessert, it was great. The triple chocolate was the cookie dough (1), the chocolate chips (2) and the ice cream (3). Needless to say, we were glad to each have our own one!

I'm not going to rate each course, but overall it was a equisite night of eating and drinking. The tastings were not too much to make us loopy and we were quite full by the end. The waitstaff were all knowledgable about what they were serving and seemed happy to be working this special event. We will be looking for that cider and stout at the stores back home.

The next beer dinners are in February and March - check out their website: www.bjsrestaurants.com/beerdinners

Hindquarter Bar & Grille

Well, hello everybody and welcome again to the SC Food Blog (tip of the hat to Evan). Today we are talking ribs and one of the best places in town is the Hindquarter, downtown. Just over the bridge from CVS, across from Riverside Lighting.

Hindquarter website

We went on a Wednesday night about 6pm and it was crowded. Not "can't find a table" crowded, but we got the last parking spot in their lot (score!). There's plenty of street parking around back. We heard they extended the Santa Cruz Restaurant Week prix fixe menu, so we had to try it. You get an appetizer, entree and dessert for $25. My folks went and raved about the French Onion soup and Creme Brûlée.

The hostess seated us right away and also brought us some bread and water. After our drinks were ordered, we ordered our meals. Our sever was busy with lots of tables and was a bit slow to get back to us. Maybe more people were there for the $25 deal.

Man, Dad was right! This delectable French Onion Soup was so tasty. It was hot and all the cheese was melty. The onions were translucent and the broth was very good (not too salty). The bread on top soaked in all the soup and made for a nice texture. A++! We were both very happy we both ordered this.

Next up was my entree, St. Louis Ribs plus mashed potatoes and cole slaw. This is what the HQ is all about. Ribs and steaks. The pork melted off the bone and made my fingers all saucy. In a good way. The slaw had a peppery taste, which balanced off the cool crunch. And who doesn't like mashed taters? Everything on this plate was top notch.

She got the Margartita Steak with sautéed Brussel Sprouts and a baked potato. The beef had a tart, green sauce over it and it didn't taste right to her. Luckily, it was easy to brush off. I tried it and it was okay, but not a good match for the steak. She liked the potato, but was disappointed with the sprouts. They were cooked through, limp and soggy. Better to have them crispy.

Dessert was the Creme Brûlée and it had a nice crunch to the top. Any food you have to crack to get to is okay by me. I'm looking at you, Mr. Egg. Anyway, the caramelized sugar on top matched perfectly with the silky custard underneath. She was very happy and even let me try a bite.

This was because I ordered the Hot Fudge Brownie with vanilla ice cream and she wanted a bite back. The presentation on this dish left a lot to be desired, but tested great. The fudge was warm and dripping down the chocolate walnut-filled brownie. Too bad it looked like an afterthought. But the flavors were all there.

This is the main dining room and they have several other rooms off of this. Also, the sports bar is around the corner with TVs and a full bar. Check out their happy hour (4:30-6:30pm) for good deals. And their website lists daily specials and sometimes a coupon too.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 7 (but 10 for the ribs)
Service: 6
Atmosphere: 7
Value for price: 7
Overall: 6.75

Chili's Capitola Mall

If you have read some of my other reviews on this blog, you know there's high-end places like West End and Laili's and there's not so high end. This is one of the latter.

Chili's

Chili's is at the Capitola Mall and it's near the main entrance. There's a nice sports bar on one side and a sit-down restaurant on the other. My daughter loves to go there - maybe because it will usually include mall shopping too. She's a sneaky one!

One thing I love is value. And the Chili's endless chips and salsa is all about value. For $3.29, you get a never-ending supply of this appetizer. The chips are warm, thin and crispy. The salsa is smooth and not too spicy in a ranchera style. You finish one tray and they bring you another. You want some to take home and they give you a bagful. It's pretty fantastic!

Kelly's favorite dish bar none is the Chicken Crispers ($10.19) which includes fries, corn on the cob and dipping sauce. She said the corn wasn't soggy (like other places - KFC) and tasted fresh. The chicken was crunchy and meaty - what more could you want? She devoured it in record time. You'd think the chips would have slowed her down.

I got a bowl of chili ($5.29 - hey, it's named after that!), but was saddened by the shallow bowl. The flavor was okay, but not very spicy. I had trouble identifying the chunks of meat vs. peppers vs. beans since they were all just brown and mushy. The cheese did not add much taste either. This is school cafeteria food. Sad panda.

I had a coupon for a free dessert with any entree and Kelly's chicken qualified. Get on their email list to get these sweet deals, people! The Chocolate Molten Cake (normally $6.79) had vanilla ice cream on top and fudge and caramel sauce all over it. Inside was a fudgy sauce that oozed out when broken into - OMG. I'm at the age when I try to justify eating this, calculating the amount of sit-ups and how long to hit the treadmill. My daughter laughed and dug right in. Oh, to be a teenager again!

Have you seen these? There was a small touchscreen computer at each table and you could order more drinks and food from them. Also, games like Bejeweled and Zuma's Revenge to while you wait for your order. At the end of our meal, the waiter said we could slide a credit card on it and pay. It also will calculate the tip and print a receipt or email it to you. Modern tech! Is this the future of dining??

I view Chili's as a place to grab a quick bite before a mall trip, not a dining destination. Their menu is geared more towards kids and sports bar fare, instead of Mexican food. The chili was very underwhelming, but the chips and salsa were great. Without kids, I'd only come back here to watch a Niner game.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 5
Service: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Value for price: 6 (just chips = 10)
Overall: 6

Oak & Rye Pizza - Los Gatos

Today's review comes to you from the charming little town of Los Gatos, California. Only a few miles over Highway 17 from Santa Cruz, you take the first (left!) exit into the heart of its downtown. Parking is always a challenge, but I like the lot behind Pizza My Heart. That way, you can walk the length of downtown, peeking into shops and many good places to eat.

Oak & Rye website

So even though this place has "pizza" in its name, it's more like a bistro. Comfy and eclectic decor, cocktails, wine and beer, brunch on the weekends... They have a wood-fire oven for delicious pizza, but check out these small plates:

Wow, I have never had this before - Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad ($8). It's just the sprouts, romano cheese, lemon juice and olive oil but it was amazing! So light and airy like a cloud. I know this vegetable isn't everyone's favorite, but if you like them, I highly recommend this simple, yet delicious dish.

The Homemade Pretzel ($6), served with beer cheese and wholegrain mustard, was also wonderful. You could do just this and the salad above for a dinner for one! The pretzel was soft and warm, with a buttery and slightly salty taste. It was great even without the cheese and mustard.

Next up was the Chili Verde Fries ($12) with pork shoulder, pickled onions, jalapenos, smoked sour cream and cheese. This was okay, but I found the flavors didn't meld well together. Some bites were very spicy and others were just plain. I guess some effort could be made to incorporate all the ingredients in each bite. Maybe a melted sauce over it would help.

Now the main course, a pizza called Scottie 2 Hottie ($17). This beauty had tomato, basil, mozzarella, honey, Italian ham and pepperchino oil. It had a this crispy, but chewy crust, which was perfect. I really like the burnt edges too for nice flavor. The oil and honey gave a spicy and sweet experience. For $17, I would've liked a bigger serving, but I guess you are paying for the quality toppings. Still a thumbs up.

I also got the burger special ($15) of the night (Mondays are burger night) and it was glorious. They make the sesame seed brioche buns in house and it's light and chewy. The burger is very fresh with beef, brisket and short ribs mix. Cooked to perfection and served with homemade potato chips. It's worth circling that day on your calendar.

There's outdoor seating and inside is a hip, causal vibe. You can sit at the bar or indoor tables. I had a few very tasty Mama's Little Yella Pilsner in a can ($3.50) and was not disappointed. Not an everyday eatery, unless you are on Bill Gates' good side, but quite nice for a special occasion.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 8
Service: 7
Atmosphere: 8
Value for price: 6
Overall: 7.25

Rangoli India Restaurant (San Jose)

I dedicate this restaurant review to my buddy, Spencer. This is because he gives me grief about reviewing places that aren't in Santa Cruz... "It's in the name of your blog!". Well, I believe if I come across some news-worthy food, I will write it up. Location, smo-cation! So there.

Rangoli web site

After seeing this movie, (which was very good if you're a foodie by the way), I wanted to sedate my cravings. I quickly scouted the area on my cellphone and found Rangoli. It was in a strip mall at Camden & Union, which can be a bad sign, but it had some good reviews. Let's see how it does...

Walking in, we noticed the place was dark and sparse of furniture. There was a big entryway and the seating area was around back. Interesting. We were seated at a table that had a tiny, little candle. With barely any light, we couldn't make out the menu! Thank goodness for the flashlight on the cellphone.

The reviews raved about this appetizer, Crispy Honey Indo-Chinese Cauliflower ($6) and it was amazing. Like, drop everything and order this immediately. It looks like something off a Chinese menu, but had some Indian spices. Not too hot, as the honey gave it equal sweetness. These crunchy bits of cauliflower are sooooo worth the drive.

My guest hadn't had a lot of Indian food, so we decided to go with the greatest hits - Shai Paneer ($13, soft cheese cubes in gravy), Chicken Tikki Masala ($14) and Chicken Vindaloo ($14). The waiter asked how spicy we wanted them and we replied "medium". The couple across from us warned us that their medium was more like hot. Better get some Garlic Naan ($3) to go with it!

So the entrees were on the hottish side, but were mellowed by the rice (included) and naan. The garlic on the naan was plentiful, but not over-powering. The Vindaloo was too much, but the Paneer and Marsala were perfect. Each had wonderful flavors and were abundant in their cool containers.

We ended up packing up the Vindaloo for my brother later that night. He likes it spicy! I would hate to see what this place's version of "hot" was. Big ups for the appetizer, but some knocks against for the cavern-like interior and volcanic Vindaloo.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 6
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 6
Value for price: 6
Overall: 6 (plus .5 for the Cauliflower!) = 6.5

El Palomar Downtown

I asked my daughter where she wanted to go for dinner to celebrate the first day of the school year. It's always tough on the first day after a fun-filled, goof-off summer... El Palomar downtown was the choice, so away we go!

El Palomar

We had been coming to El Palomar for many years and consider it one of the best Mexican places in town. And we have our favorites. For Kelly, it's all about the chips, served warm with their tomato-based, spicy salsa (but not too spicy). They also like to stack the bowls for a Death Star of tortilla chips.

Kelly's other favorite food here is their Cheese Quesadilla ($8). Complete with tomatilla salsa, salsa fresca, guacamole and sour cream, you can't go wrong with this dish. Along with an extra generous side of rice, the offspring was very happy.

For me, the dish that "is" El Palomar is their sope ($13). You get two puffed-up corn tortillas filled with either meat or guac, cabbage, salsa and topped with sour cream. Major yum! I love crunching through the sides, digging for the delicious treasures inside. Along with rice and beans, I can't not order this! (Please pardon my poor, emotional-filled grammar...) I got one chicken and one guac.

Our server was friendly and attentive. Our waters were filled continuously. Our meal was perfect. The Palomar main room has a nice, tall ceiling and the place is pleasantly decorated. The cantina next door is a fun place for happy hour and appetizers. It's no wonder this place is a downtown favorite. Ole!

Scores out of 10:
Food: 8
Service: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Value for price: 8
Overall: A solid OCHO

Boulder Creek Brewery & Cafe

So I had reviewed Surfrider Cafe earlier this year that's down in Santa Cruz. They feature beers from the Boulder Creek Brewery up Highway 9. Now it's time to try the food there!

BC Brewery webpage (FB)

Walking in, there's the bar and huge brewing vats on the left and the main dining area with tables and booths on the right. My guest and I sat in one of the booths in the back. We were looking for a light lunch and some good brews.

Our waiter said he'd be right back after dropping off some menus. "Right back" was more like five minutes, which is a lifetime if you are thirsty! There were some Trivia Pursuit cards on the table, so we tested each other's useless knowledge until he came back. I chose the Red River Blonde ($5.50) to drink and she got a guest cider ($6).

When the drinks came, we ordered our food. The Four By Four cheese dip ($8.95) looked good with its secret recipe of four onions and four cheese, served with ciabatta bread. And we got the Santa Cruz burger ($9.50) with avocado, mushrooms and cheese. We paid a little extra to get garlic fries on the side.

So this dip was amazing! Caramelized onions were hiding in all the creamy cheeses... cheddar on top and cream cheese and mozzarella inside. Not sure of the other ingredients, but man, was it tasty! We were fighting over each bite!

The burger was good too and the fries were busting out all over. Big chunks of garlic and parmesan gave a strong, but wonderful flavor. The burger was well cooked and juicy and the bun was soft and chewy. I mixed some of the garlic chunks in with the cheese dip to knock it out of the park. Ooof!

Now the bad news... our waiter was distracted and slow the whole time. I asked him for the check and he said "okay, be right there....". Then we proceeded to help several other customers. It's not like we were hiding in the back, we were right on his path through the restaurant! I would forgive one mix up, but he was slow to give us menus too. No excuse for that.

This is the only brewery in Boulder Creek and the beer and food is good. Worth the drive up. But expect some slow service.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 8
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 7
Value for price: 7
Overall: 6.50