Crazy Sushi Fever
One of my children had a celebratory
event and wanted us all to go out to dinner. She was honored with choosing a
spot and she chooses well. As a group, we descended upon the restaurant, CrazySushi Fever in Atascadero a Fusion Japanese Tapas and Kitchen. They were amazingly accommodating and had a
wide variety of dishes to satisfy the 2-year-old to the 70-year-old and
everyone in between.
We ordered steamed rice and Edamame for
the little’s to sedate their appetite and boredom. Edamame is a Japanese
soybean that you eat like sunflower seeds, so it is a skill and a treat. I
spied a Garlic Edamame on the menu and ordered that for the big folks to share.
The beans were steamed and then dashed with slices of garlic and oil, it was a
hit. The chef also sent over some Salmon Skin that was dredged in panko and
then deep fried, covered with a spicy sirracha sauce and sweet eel, it was
resting on a bed of greens and disappeared very quickly. 
The reason this restaurant was
primarily chosen is because they do sushi rolls without rice. The No Rice Rolls
were all works of art and although I was set against them at first, they ended
up being my favorite. We started with the Love Love that consisted of spicy
diced tuna and avocado slices wrapped with tuna sashimi, spicy small scallop
pieces and drizzled with a chili sesame sauce. It was as delicious as it was
pretty. Next we tried the Pink Lady with crab and avocado wrapped in big salmon
sashimi and a sweet ponzu sauce. My favorite was the Cucumber Special that has
cubed pieces of salmon, tuna, albacore and gobo wrapped in a cucumber skin and
drizzled with a ponzu sauce. One of the things I like best about these rolls,
is you didn’t fill up on rice; there was room in your tummy for more raw fish.
They boys liked the What The Heck with a deep fried soft shell crab wrapped in
spicy tuna with a tasty creamy lemon sauce. The kids said it looked like a spider
and we agreed that if spiders tasted this yummy, no one would be afraid of
them. 
The non-sushi eaters tried the noodle
menu and it was big, hot and full of surprises. The CSF Nabeyaki Udon came in a
huge cast iron pot and was chocked full of scallops, mussels, shrimp, Japanese vegetables,
hard boiled egg and glorious noodles all in a broth of rich savories. We also
tried a Chicken Teriyaki bowl with the right amount of salty teriyaki flavor
over grilled chicken breast on a bed of jasmine rice and veggies.
We finished with a Popcorn Lobster roll
with langoustine pieces deep fried and sitting over a California roll with a
sweet eel sauce and a Spicy Tuna Nacho with spicy diced tuna and salsa served
on a crispy wonton. The best roll was the strangest name, Who’s Your Ex-Wife
with a deep fried spicy tuna and a crab stick, cream cheese, asparagus and
jalapeno all drizzled with a white and sirracha sauce.
We ended with strawberry Mochi for the
kids, these frozen and deep fried pockets of sweetness were a hit and the
birthday girl got a deep fried cheesecake with fresh berries and berry syrup. We
opened presents, sang an off key song and were all delighted with the meal and
the wonderful servers and chefs. It was a prefect celebratory meal.
Crazy Sushi Fever is located at 8050 El
Camino Real in Atascadero and can be reached at (805) 464-5027. They are open
Monday thru Thursday from 11:00am to 9:30pm, Fridays from 11:00am to 10:00pm,
Saturday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm and Sunday from 12:00pm to 9:00pm.
LaLocanda Restaurant
A
good chef lays the foundation for an insightful and memorable meal, a great
chef lays the memory of the meal so deep in your soul, you dream about each
morsel. I have had the pleasure of dining with many chefs, but every now and
then one comes shinning through with a skill set in the kitchen that makes me
want to dine with them every day. My current obsession is with Luciano
Bardinelli of La Locanda on Garden Street in San Luis Obispo. I was told there
was a new eatery with a classic Northern Italian flair, but I was more than
impressed and have eaten there four times so far.
The
bistro has just ten tables with white table clothes, lacey curtains and a
serious wine rack. The chef’s daughter warmly greeted us and we mused with the
unique and authentic wine list. We ordered a bottle of Terrabianca 2009
Camipaccio Toscana that paired perfectly with our first course a Caprese salad,
with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomato and basil. The secret to Caprese is the
portions and these were impeccable. Next we had the Involtini di Melanzane
which was a brilliant thinly sliced eggplant rolled with Gruyere cheese and
ham. Surprising and delightful, I had already begun to fall in love with this
chef. Gary started with the Mousse di Cioccolato, which we all inhaled as the creamy
cocoa-ness of this fancy pudding nearly floored us.
Our
main courses were a delight and we all shared. I had the Spaghettini Carbonara,
which is my favorite Italian dish, but rarely done correctly, and here it was.
Thin spaghetti noodles are tossed with raw eggs (this makes the sauce) then
they are tossed with Prosciutto pieces fried in garlic and olive oil, then
topped with Parmesan Reggiano cheese. This is what heaven tastes like, simple
yet elegant. I need to mention that all the pasta’s are made in house, but
pasta done correctly is a rare indulgence. My companions had the lasagna that
was made with a béchamel sauce instead of cheese and was said to be the
signature dish. It was light and flavorful and an instant favorite. Gary had
the Risotto con funghi di stagione rice with savory seasonal mushrooms swimming
in perfectly done Arborio rice. The house made focaccia bread was great for
dipping and savoring each sauce. We finished with Homemade Tiramisu and
Pera al vino rosso, pears with wine. Both were authentic and amazing.
Gary
and I returned for a romantic luncheon for our anniversary and shared a bottle
of Italian Prosecco and a Prosciutto and Melon start. Moon slivers of melon
layered with a perfect prosciutto with a generous virgin olive oil pool made
this dish brilliant. We shared our meal “Lady and The Tramp” style as we
inhaled yet another perfect feast. Gary had the Wild Corvina Sea Bass with
butter and lemon sauce, Haricots verts, capers and mushrooms, while I started
with a Caesar salad. My salad was chopped and flawlessly portioned with all the
ingredients. We shared and took home a Margherita pizza that was the most
outstanding pie we have eaten here in the states. Chef Luciano came to sit and
talk with us and when he heard it was our anniversary, he jumped up and brought
us a Torta al Limone, an impeccable Lemon Tart. Gary got so excited, he spilled
his bubbly. I dream about this chef, these dishes and can’t wait to try
everything on the menu. 
La
Locanda features authentic Northern Italian cuisine, old world charm and a
wonderful wine list. This is the perfect restaurant for a romantic meal or an
amazing lunch. La Locanda recommends making reservations by calling (805)
548-1750. They are open
Tuesday
thru Sunday
for lunch from 11:30 to 2:00pm and dinners from
5:00pm
to 9:00pm, they are closed Monday. They are located at 1137 Garden Street
in San Luis Obispo.
Bunn Thai
Rarely
do new restaurants dazzle me. Seldom am I so taken by an eatery that I dine
there four times in one week. But I have found a rare treat in Bunn Thai
Bistro. They offer a Thai and Asian
fusion dinning experience with a vibrant feel that has delighted this girl’s
palate. Bunn uses organic, natural, and local ingredients and some Thailand
treats that my taste buds had so missed. I started with the lemon grass tea, a
delicacy I discovered in Thailand and have not found made correctly here. Gary
started with his Thai staple, Sticky Mango Rice and was pleased to announce it
was the sweetest version of this enchantment he had tried. We moved on to the
Bunn dip basket with toast, cucumber slices, celery, romaine lettuce leaves,
carrots and tomatoes all dunked into a warm coconut and chicken dipping sauce.
I was amazed and ready to try everything on the menu.
Owners
Tommy, Sis and her husband (real names are Arna and Champ) told us how their
family has owned a restaurant in Bangkok for over 200 years, so there is a
tangible history and family pride that goes into each dish. We talked about how
to order a common Thai meal. They suggested it should have a soup, a curry
dish, a spiced salad, noodles with fish and vegetables and a couple of
stir-fries. They should be ordered communal and shared, as the harmony of
tastes and textures is as important as the guest with whom you share the meal.
The
lunch special is served from 11:00am to 3:00pm and has two entrees for only
$9.50, served in smaller portions; this is a suitable way to sample many of
their selections. I choose the Creamy Coconut Tom Yum soup that blew my mind it
was so scrumptious with mushrooms, red peppers, and chunks of tofu. Gary had
the salad and the peanut dressing was fantastic atop fresh organic baby greens,
shaved carrots and crotons.
Our
main course came; I had the Thai fried rice with chicken, brown and green
onions, eggs, Chinese broccoli, peas, carrots, cilantro and tomato. It was so
full of flavor and the rice was the perfect consistency. I also had the Kung
Pao Chicken with hormone fee chicken stir fried onions, bell peppers, dried
chili and peanuts. The Thai flavor added to this traditional Chinese menu item
tasted fantastic. Gary wanted to start his tour of the curries as they have
three on the menu. Red Curry had the long sweet burn with bamboo shoots,
broccoli zucchini, bell peppers; basil leaves and carrots swimming in a
luscious red curry coconut sauce. He also tried the Pad Thai that was extra
sweet (they have sugar on the table if you want to add more). A Thai lime wedge
enlightened this traditional dish with fried tofu, tamarind and palm sugar
sauce dusted with peanuts and fresh bean sprouts.
We
came back for dinner and had the Mar Hor a new sensation of sweet and salty
seasoning of ground chicken rolled in a ball and speckled with peanuts and
served over fresh pineapple rings. It
was marvelous. Then we tried the Corn Fritters made with whole corn kernels,
garlic and egg and seasoned perfectly. They were served with a sweet sauce and
a hot chili sauce. Surprising and wonderful. Gary started with the deep fried
coconut and banana balls with vanilla ice cream. Crushed bananas are coated in
coconut flakes and deep-fried, I had to try this and it was outstanding.
I
had the Papaya Green Salad, a super spicy dish made with shredded papaya,
carrots, tomato, green beans tossed with chili, garlic and peanuts in a spicy
lime and fish sauce and topped with grilled shrimp. This was my favorite dish
as the textures, flavors and heat inspired me.
Our main dish was Heaven On Earth, pan seared tilapia with jumbo lumps
of real crabmeat in a savory creamy panang curry coconut sauce with vegetables
and kuffir lime and basil leaves. The dish was the product of a true master in
the kitchen. This is my new weekly hang out pending I sample everything on this
menu.
The
Bunn Thai menu is vegan, vegetarian and gluten free friendly. Simply tell them
your special dietary needs and they will accommodate you (they added extra
sugar for Gary, extra heat for me). Bunn
Thai Bistro is located at 968 west Grand Avenue in Grover Beach, call them at
805-473-2824. They are open every day but Wednesday from 11:00am to 3:00pm and
4:00pm to 9:00pm.
Foodie Festivals- Bacon and Barrels, Oyster Festival, Vodka Martini Contest and More
We
are blessed with many special events that focus on food, so I picked a few of
my favorites to steer you in the right direction of the pure foodie (and
libation) activities that are happening this summer. We all have limited time
and budgets, so I wanted to bring you the ones that are definitely on my
culinary to do list.
This
year is the 11th season for Avila’s Farmers Market. It takes place
every Friday (April - September) from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the Avila BeachPromenade. The focus is food, delicious and cooked right then and there for
you. But at this market, Fish Tacos are the star. Olde Port Inn has the number
one spot with fresh fish pulled from the sea, then grilled and served on a tortilla
with pico do gallo, cabbage and lime juice. This is the best meal you will eat
standing up. I also like Fat Cats Cafe and the Custom House BBQ pit. My new adoration
is hosted by Home Plate with their fresh salmon and lingcod tacos. While I did
go a bit crazy for the Mole and Chili Verde Nachos, Crab and Corn Chowder and
the Tilapia Ceviche. There is live music and dancing every week with beach side
bands that blend perfectly with the seaside rhythm. This is a fun and inspired event for the whole
family and it is the best place to take visiting friends. There is a free trolley that runs around Avila, the Port and Five Cities during the market.
It's not only free but every rider gets a Farmers Market buck to spend at any
booth.
The
Third Annual Central Coast Oyster & Music Festival will be held Saturday,
June 7 at its new location, The Avila Beach Golf Resort from 12:00 pm to 8:00
pm.
The
Central Coast Oyster & Music Festival will feature a range of amazing
oyster preparations, the best wines, brews, exclusive cocktails, and a full
lineup of knockout bands to play throughout the day under the most beautiful
settings. They have concentrated on creating an experience unlike any other to
equally highlight entertainment and art right alongside the food and wine
experience.
With
sipping on libations surrounded by ocean views under amazing art installations,
Ten chefs from across the Central Coast will go head-to-head for the “Best
Oyster of the Central Coast” Chef Award, and the audience will be invited to
taste their sumptuous efforts and have the opportunity to judge their favorite
on the official Central Coast Oyster Festival mobile application to participate
in the People Choice Award.
Prices
include a full day of live music and a Foodie Stage that includes the shucking
contests, demonstration and local chefs preparing oysters in various ways. The
Aphrodisiac Lounge brings you the most delectable raw oyster bar, oyster
shooters, sparkling wine, port, chocolates and cheeses. Purchase Tickets at www.CentralCoastOysterFestival.com. You can also ride the Free Trolley to this event. 
The
food comprises of fresh seafood including poached salmon, crab claws, and
shrimp, clams casino. Also enjoy cheese and gourmet vegetable plates, beef
empanadas, fried raviolis, assorted pizzas and pastas, and chocolate covered
strawberries.
The
bartenders include mixologist from McLintocks, Steamers, Ciopinot, NovoRestaurant, Sea Venture, Upper Crust Trattoria and more. Music will be provided
by Three Martini Lunch and this is the event to be seen and then to fad into a
blissful Martini and cuisine oblivion.
There
is always a raffle and silent auction (prizes include gift baskets, wine, hotel
stays, a TV, even a MacBook Air). This sells out every year, so if you are
a martini fan, get your tickets NOW. Proceeds benefit the Culinary Arts Program
at Arroyo Grande High School through scholarships and direct donations. Tickets
are $65 and can be purchased online at www.rosasrestaurant.com
or at Rosa's Italian Restaurant, 491 Price Street in Pismo Beach.
Bacon& Barrels at Saarloos & Sons field is July 18-19th in Los Olivos. Billed as the ultimate food festival for bacon
lovers everywhere, Bacon & Barrels is an all-day festival showcasing local
chefs’ most imaginative recipes incorporating bacon, and highlights the best
artisan and craft barrel beverages such as bourbon, beer, wine, and scotch. The
all-day event includes over 140 food and libation booths with all-inclusive
tastings from some of Santa Barbara’s hottest boutique wineries and unique,
high-end small batch whiskey, scotch and tequila from local artisan purveyors
as well as live music from popular indie bands. There will also be a selection
of craft beers to taste while enjoying a variety of inventive and unexpected
bites from participating chefs.
Named
One of the Top 5 Festivals in California by The Huffington Post, this bacon infused
culinary creations and craft barrel beverages also includes
live mixology and chef
demos from the industry’s best, including Iron Chef America Alum, Vic Casanova.
For more information on the food and drink providers and to purchase tickets,
please visit www.BaconandBarrels.com.
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