Author Archives: Brian

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by | May 17, 2009 · 8:05 pm

‘Nardfest ’09 aka. California Strawberry Festival

by Brian

Did you know that there are like 80 billion festivals in California every year?  Enough festivals to have one per person, per day, for about a century.  But what makes the California Strawberry Festival so special that EatMeCalifornia would do a whole post on it?  Not much, really.  Mikey and I just needed to get out.  Plus, I was upset that Mikey didn’t take me antiquing on the way home from SF last weekend.

California Strawberry Festival – In an undisclosed location near the University of Oxnard (Oxnard College)

(not as gay as it seems, yet still relatively gay)

(not as gay as it seems, yet still relatively gay)

As always, when considering an event Mikey and I ask one small but crucial question.  Will there be booze?  The answer in this case is a resounding YES.  They had strawberry beer, (which was quite nice) strawberry margaritas, strawberry wine, strawberry champagne and a whole lot of other stuff.  I would tell you about all of it, but I don’t wanna sound like that retard from Forrest Gump.  That guy was retarded, right?

Anyway… Booze?  Check.  Food?  Oh hells yeah!  Here are a couple of the delicacies that we sampled on this fine Oxnardian day: Continue reading →

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Filed under Oxnard, Ventura County

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by | May 15, 2009 · 8:49 pm

Fiamme Puts A Fresh Spin On Italian

by Brian

What do you get when you mix classic Italian cuisine with a little bit of home-grown Cajun?  The answer is Fiamme.  This new addition to the Thousand Oaks dining scene went in where the old Alessio went out.  In essence the menu has remained Italian, but the prices are better and the owners, Jerry and Liz, have added a little of bit of Cajun fun and flavor to the dining experience.

Fiamme Restaurant and Bar – On Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks

There’s something to be said for eating in a beautiful setting.  This restaurant is richly appointed and comfortable.  The red hues and wrought iron, soft chairs and softer light make it a place befitting a fine Italian restaurant.  As far as looks go, this place can compete with anywhere I’ve been in Ventura County, or anywhere else for that matter. Continue reading →

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Filed under Thousand Oaks, Ventura County

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by | May 13, 2009 · 7:46 pm

Nettie’s Crab Shack, The Phoenix, Elbo Room and No More Drinking

by Brian

This past weekend the boys of EatMeCalifornia took a little road trip.  Well, half a road trip.  See that jeep in the background of our header?  That jeep used to be Mikey’s.  Now it’s in pieces, making it’s way across the US/Mexico border.  But things tend to work out for Mikey and I, and it is for that reason that Uncle Dave came to the rescue and provided Mikey with his new ride… for free.

(Car may be slightly different than Mikey's ride)

(Car in photo may be slightly different from Mikey's ride)

So we flew up to San Fran, full of promise and looking for adventure.  Luckily Uncle Dave also has an awesome ladyfriend and it was at her suggestion that we visited Nettie’s Crab Shack, a fairly new addition to the San Francisco food scene. Continue reading →

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Filed under Marina District, Mission District, San Francisco

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by | May 11, 2009 · 6:31 pm

Why Does Every Deli Have To Be A Famous Deli?

by Brian

After some much needed R & R, Mikey and I are back, giving you more of what you need:  Lowered expectations Great food reviews.  We had an awesome trip to San Francisco and have a couple good reviews for you guys to sink your teeth into.  The good stuff will be coming up later this week.  I’ll be the first to admit that today’s review is a bit of a filler.  From the title of this post, you’ve probably figured out that this post is going to be about a deli.  I’ve been reviewing a lot of these places lately and I’ve noticed that they all have one thing in common.  They seem to think they’re famous.

I think these delis are famous in the way that reality TV contestants are famous.  Which is to say, not famous at all.  With the exception of Jerry’s Famous Deli, I think that they need to have their permission to use the word “famous” revoked.  It just sets the expectations too high, and when they don’t follow through, I’m crushed.  I think that from now on, if I go to a “famous” deli and the food ain’t up to par, I will insist that they change there name to insert name here‘s overrated deli.  But, enough of me on my soapbox, let’s make with the review already. Continue reading →

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Filed under Agoura Hills, Ventura County

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by | May 8, 2009 · 6:27 pm

This One’s For The Moms Out There…

by Brian

Because I’m a horrible son, I’m going to be out of town this Sunday.  Lucky for me, my Mom still manages, somehow, to love me.  In fact, she let me take her out for a pre-mother’s day dinner in order to make up for being such a jerk.  I decided that I’d better make it a good one, so I decided to go to Westlake’s answer to Mastro’s in Thousand Oaks:  The Grill on the Alley.

thegrillonthealley

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Filed under Ventura County, Westlake Village

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by | May 5, 2009 · 6:22 pm

The Perfect Pastrami

by Brian

For those of you who live in a cave, and tell time with a sundial, let me be the first to tell you that today is Cinco de Mayo.  Today is a day of drinking giant margaritas, ice cold cervezas and gorging on carne asada street tacos by the armload.  Of course, that is what is going to happen tonight.  Meanwhile, Mikey and I still have work to do and therefore my review this evening will have nothing to do with Mexico, Mexican food or booze of any kind.

What you probably don’t know is that Germans make up one of the largest foreign groups in Mexico.  The German people are also the reason why Dos Equis is so awesome, thanks to the import of their lager style beer.  It is in honor of that contribution, on this largest of Mexican holidays, that I give you this review: a genuine German deli.

Meats, Cheeses and so much more...

Meats, Cheeses and so much more...

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Filed under Thousand Oaks, Ventura County

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by | May 4, 2009 · 8:05 pm

Thai one on after you tie one on

by Brian

My buddy Adam, of Orochon Ramen fame, makes his triumphant return to EatMeCalifornia in this first post in a series on Asian cuisine.  As many of you know, I am not asian.  I’m not even smart like asian people tend to be.  I grew up eating meat and pototo based meals, and as a result, was morbidly obese at the age of 12.  Okay, not really, but I was husky.

Anyway, Adam is my new Asian food guru.  He promised to show me the ropes and keep me out of trouble.  To get a good baseline for Thai food he took me to one of his favorite Thai restaurants called Sanam Luang Cafe.  The real credit for this find goes to one of my former fraternity bros, Tam.  His parents grow the fabled Ghost Pepper, which is the hottest chili in the world.  Because of this, he knows everything about pretty much everything.  So thanks, Tam, for lookin’ out.

Sanam Luang Cafe – West of the 170 on Sherman Way in North Hollywood

It looks different at night... i'm told.

It looks different at night... i'm told.

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Filed under Los Angeles Area, North Hollywood

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