Petra Greek

Gym cheat days are the BEST.

Petra Greek
1122 16^th Street

Sacramento, CA

Friday night's spontaneous midnight trip to Petra Greek was likely one of the best life decisions I've made.  Ever.  EVER.

At 12am, huge portions of meat were still being broiled to perfection, veggies were being chopped, and flatbread warmed to the ideal temperature.  When it all came together, it was nothing less than bliss.  I wanted that damn gyro to last forever.

A packed house with a steady flow of customers indicated to me that I'd stumbled onto something special.  I'd be willing to walk through blocks of drunken douchebags for a single gyro.  That's a bold statement for an old hag like me.

Viva Cocolat

Limited time!  Eat now!

Viva Cocolat

110 Petaluma Boulevard N.

Petaluma, CA

Sometimes, chocolate is meant to be shared.  How else would I be able to justify ordering a $20 “fondue experience” immediately following breakfast?

Breakfast consisted of a Bacon and Egg Hand Pie across the street at the Petaluma Pie Company, so I was ready for something sweet.  Fully intending to pick up just a quick piece of chocolate (or two) to round out my morning, my eyeballs were accosted by a blackboard with two words in yellow fluorescent lettering: CHOCOLATE FONDUE.

Attention all chocolate shops: mentioning something is available only on Fridays and Saturdays will pique my interest.  Why?  Because I’m a sucker for marketing.  Case in point: I exclaimed “Sweet! This is available right now!” to my pseudo sister-in-law as I practically sprinted to the counter.  I didn’t have to twist her arm much.  We sat down and attempted to master a peg-jumping game which I assume was strategically placed there to take our minds off the long and arduous 10-minute wait while the fondue was being prepared.

Soon enough, an embarrassingly large platter of dipping items arrived: fresh slices of green apple, strawberries and bananas, angel food cake, marshmallows, Rice Krispie treats, and salty pretzels for a savory kick.  We dunked each into the warm, smooth milk chocolate and kept on dunking.  And dunking.  And licking our lips.  And dunking.  This continued until we were scraping the bottom of the fondue cup, realizing it was only 11:30 in the morning.

I felt customers staring at us while we sat back and rubbed our bellies.  I didn’t care.   The blackboard clearly stated this treat is only offered two days a week.  Why would I be silly enough to pass that up?

Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant

Look familiar?

Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant
24505 West Dorris Avenue

Coalinga, CA

You see them for miles before catching your first glimpse of the restaurant: cows.  Lots of cows.  I’m talking thousands upon thousands of cows.

Let’s face it: travelling up and down Interstate 5 can become a little boring at times.  Harris Ranch is a nice break from boring.

Harris Ranch supplies grocery stores and restaurants with some of the tastiest beef around.  You can try it for yourself here at the Harris Ranch Restaurant, pick out your own steaks inside of the Country Store, or grab a few on your next visit to your grocer.

I made the unfortunate mistake of scarfing down a huge breakfast before hopping on the 5 this particular morning, so my digestive track was still in full effect as I pulled up to the ranch to stretch my legs.  Lucky for me, however, I’m never too full for sweets, and I located a bakery case in the Country Store chock full of fresh-baked cookies.

Life often presents difficult decisions: White Chocolate Macadamia or Toffee?  Snickerdoodles or Macaroons?  I pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and realized I didn’t have to choose!  I bought them all!  I figured I’d munch on one now and save the rest for the long drive home.

Well, you can guess how that turned out.  Fresh-baked cookies are almost always amazing.  These were tender, chewy, and not at all skimpy on the ingredients.  Thirty minutes later all four cookies had vanished.  I figured it was my reward for sparing a cow that day.

Huong Lan Sandwiches

This Bahn Mi was worth the body check.

Huong Lan Sandwiches
6930 65^th Street, Suite 109

Sacramento, CA

One of my New Year resolutions is to LET THINGS GO.  My lunch trip to Huong Lan allowed me to practice this concept twice: first, when I had to battle a parking lot full of Asian drivers; and second, when an old lady rudely threw her entire body into me just to get a closer look at the menu above the cashier.

It was all worth it.

A few minutes later, and only $3 lighter, I was in my car, driving down Stockton Boulevard back to my office while making some very unladylike attempts to devour a #7 (Grilled Pork Banh Mi) with one hand on the steering wheel.  Delicious.

Now that I think about it, I should probably stop criticizing Asian drivers...

Nena's Mexican Restaurant

One day, I may learn about portion control.

Nena's Mexican Restaurant

445 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 120

Stockton, CA

Eating one of Nena’s warm, soft, chewy, pillowy flour tortillas right off the press makes you feel like snuggling underneath a blanket…a blanket made of Nena’s warm, soft, chewy, pillowy flour tortillas.

Arguably the best Mexican restaurant in Stockton, Nena’s holds the secret to nearly three decades of success: classic recipes with bold flavors, relaxed atmosphere, congenial staff, and, with the recent move to the downtown waterfront, sweeping views of the Delta.  On weekends, crowds spill out onto patio seating and servers adjust umbrella shading or space heating to suit your needs.

What’s good here?  Everything’s good here.  Most recently, I was extremely pleased with my Taco Vampiro, chock full of steak, chorizo, cheese, onions and cilantro wrapped in a corn tortilla that had been dipped in red enchilada sauce and pressed into finely chopped red chilies.  The fiery flames were quelled by the crema and Cotija cheese topping my crispy Pork Chimichanga.

On morning occasions, it’s all about the Chilaquiles.  Sadly, I’ll usually put away half a basket of chips and salsa before my entrée arrives; so when my platter of (more) tortilla chips sautéed in red sauce and mingling with eggs and cheese appears, I am silently kicking myself.  After further carb-loading with another fresh tortilla, I may as well call it a day.

Tip well and, if you’re a regular, accept a kiss on the cheek from Nena herself.  She’s the one dressed to the nines with amazing shoes…every time.

Rio City Cafe

Even better than it looks!

Rio City Cafe

1110 Front Street

Sacramento, CA

With a sepia-toned Instagram filter, any photo taken in Old Sacramento may very well trick the casual observer into thinking it was taken during the height of the gold rush - so long as Round Table Pizza isn't in the background.

In Old Sacramento you can buy taffy out of barrels, take horse-drawn carriage rides, and enjoy events like the annual Jazz Festival.  Plenty of scrumptious cuisine is also available, and I chose Rio City Cafe for a recent Sunday brunch with some pals.

We came for bottomless mimosas and bellinis, but stayed for the gorgeous weather.  Dining riverside in Sacramento can be a treat, and the view from the restaurant's cafe this particular morning was spectacular.  Sunlight bounced off the water and onto the H Street bridge, glistening in all its glory and capturing our attention until we noticed a boater violently bludgeoning something inside his boat.  We crossed our fingers and hoped it was a fish as our waitress approached.

Even that little episode couldn't deter me from my goal: a meal of gargantuan proportions.  I looked down and stared at my Crab Cakes Benedict with just the right amount on hollandaise sauce atop two crispy cakes.  English muffins sopped up the sauce, lightly garnished with tomato and green onion, and all the while my home fried potatoes and onions were largely neglected until then.  A side of fruit was completely ignored.  Sorry, melon slices!  I had to save precious stomach room for more bellinis.

Soon enough, I felt borderline comatose and the bludgeoning boater was nowhere to be found.  The next order of business was to stroll around Old Sac to work off some of the calories…or to find some taffy for dessert…

Petaluma Creamery

Taste tested four times.  Thumbs up!

Petaluma Creamery
621 Western Avenue

Petaluma, CA

The worst thing about sampling at Costco is that there’s always someone watching you.  The best thing about sampling at Petaluma Creamery is that there’s no one  watching you.

That’s right.  No one’s there watching you remove lid after lid from sample containers.  No one’s counting the toothpicks you’re tossing after each cube you eat.  And no one’s raising an eyebrow when you try a particular variety a third time “just to make sure you like it”.

Once inside the creamery’s retail store you’ll spot a large, refrigerated case with dozens of cheeses – everything from basic White Cheddar to unique varieties like spicy Smoked Firehouse Cheddar and mouth-watering Pesto Jack.  Go ahead: loosen your belt and sample cubes of every flavor if you happen to have skipped breakfast like I did.  Move to the right to taste spreadable cheeses and squeaky cheese curds.  Discover new favorites, then take home a few pre-packaged mini slabs or a log the size of a battering ram.

When you think you’ve had your fill of dairy, give your palate a break with a fresh-baked cookie or thick, luscious fruit tart wedge.  Life is about balance, right?