Vida Y Vino

As someone who spent her teen years in Fremont, I've always considered that city pretty bleak for good food, bars, and nightlife. It wasn't much of an issue back then, when I was more concerned about learning calculus than cultivating my love for food, but sometimes when I go back to visit, it can be a challenge finding a decent place to eat or lounge with friends. So I was slightly skeptical when I read some great things about Vida Y Vino on yelp.com and in the general press. "A wine bistro in Fremont?! With good wine selection and food? In a shopping complex?"

So I decided on a whim to check it out for lunch with a friend (who very graciously agreed to drive over from San Jose). And we were not disappointed.

A handful of tables and tall barrels were arranged outside the bistro. As a further testament to the owner's attention to detail, each table featured a centerpiece of a flower inserted into an empty wine bottle-turned-vase.

The interior of the bistro was even more lovely. Velvety plush couches and matching cushions occupied one corner of the room, facing a black baby grand piano and other musical equipment (for their live music nights). The bar area looked rather majestic, with its marble counter, brass accents, and contemporary square bar stools. An array of wine bottles stood in an orderly line in a wooden cabinet behind the bar. And classy tables of polished wood were positioned along the wall towards the back of the space.

Looks like an elegant place to sip wine!

Live music (jazz, r&b, acoustic guitar) featured on most Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Where the action happens...

When I walked in, I was immediately greeted by the hostess, a friendly elderly woman with a soothing voice and a very warm smile. When I mentioned that I was waiting for a friend to join me, she offered me a sample of her favorite Cabernet Sauvignon to sip on as I waited. When my friend arrived, she offered him a sample as well, then proceeded to explain the daily specials.

Of course, the main test of a wine bistro is its wine list, and Vida had a great selection of wines from across the globe, available by the glass and bottle. They also had reasonably priced "wine flights" with pre-selected wines fitting an overall theme. My friend ordered the Sauvignon Blanc flight, while I decided to try the Red Eye flight (all red wines).

Red Eye flight

The wines, from left to right:
1. Santa Rita Carmenere (Chile): From what I've read, Chile is known for its production of the carmenere grape. The wine is dark with lots of ripe flavors, although it was a little too earthy for my tastes. Lovely finish, though.
2. Fleur du Cap Pinotage (South Africa): My first taste of something from South Africa! The color was interesting - ruby red body and slightly purple edges. Lots of plum and dark cherry flavors, with hints of an almost bitter chocolate.
3. C.K. Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon (California): My favorite of this trio because it was the most fruit forward. The cherry and blackberry flavors were balanced with a good amount of tannins.

Vida Y Vino also has champagne, dessert wine, sake, and beer. That kind of variety already makes it a winner in my book. And in addition to great wines, Vida has some pretty scrumptious food, including sandwiches, crepes, cheese platters, and desserts.

Ham & cheese panini - crispy warm bread and melted cheesy goodness. Served with salt and vinegar chips.

Turkey & swiss crepe - loved the diced avocado and tomato on top!

The service was also wonderful. The hostess had good wine recommendations, constantly checked on us, and was just a pleasure to talk to. I'm definitely coming back here again!

Vida Y Vino
43808 Christy Street
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 490-8466
www.vidayvino.com

St. Pat's

Just a belated photo for the past Irish holiday and associated festivities...

Gochi Japanese Fusion Tapas

The name says it all - Japanese fusion tapas. Gochi's menu consists of standard traditional items, such as onigiri, karage, and tempura, but also has a great selection of interesting dishes that mix in European elements, such as unagi-topped pizza and green tea creme brulee. So this izakaya would be a good place for both the Japanese foodie purists and the inquisitive adventurers.

Reservations are a MUST at this place. I showed up with two friends at 6pm on a Saturday, only a half hour after they opened, to find that most of the tables were already booked and all the remaining seats were occupied by walk-in guests. Luckily we only had to wait about half an hour to sit down, but I made a mental note to myself to call in next time.

And now for the food...

The ankimo (monkfish liver) was amazing. This "foie gras of the ocean" was smooth and silky, with a milder flavor than most types of liver I've tried. Served with a healthy amount of ponzu sauce and sliced green onions.

Mushroom tempura - light and crispy batter

My personal favorite for the night was the duck tataki - slices of lightly seared duck with a dash of spicy mustard on top. The meat was tender and retained a wonderful pink color in the middle. My only complaint was that the duck could've been sliced a little thinner.

Close-up shot...

...so succulent.

A more traditional dish - katsu with three kinds of dipping sauce

And you can't go to an izakaya without trying their onigiri - a neat little snack of rice in a triangular shape usually filled with a salty or sour ingredient. The one pictured here had a crispy outer layer and a salted salmon filling.

And Kirin on tap is the perfect complement to such great food!

Gochi
19980 Homestead Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 725-0542
www.gochifusiontapas.com

Plouf!

In addition to a food review, you also get to learn a new French word today - plouf! It means "splash" in French, or according to the website's more eloquent definition, "the sound a stone makes when it drops into a French stream." Try saying the word aloud. Really does sound like a stone splashing into water, doesn't it? Ah, the French language is wonderful ... which is how I got seduced into studying it for five years, I suppose.

Plouf is the name of a trendy seafood bistro on Belden Lane, tucked in between all the other little restaurants on that bustling street. I went with a group of friends for the Dine About Town event in San Francisco - $31.95 for a three-course prix fixe meal. What better time to check out a famous restaurant in the city?

My beverage for the meal was a wonderful lychee martini that was on the stronger side. I liked how they suspended the lychee over the surface of the cocktail with a skewer; usually bartenders will just drop the lychee into the bottom of the glass where it soaks up too much vodka.

First course: Veggie soup with couscous

I wasn't a fan of the soup because the flavor was about as unimpressive as its appearance. I had to add some pepper just to make it less bland.

Second course: Grilled pork loin with polenta fries, braised swiss chard,
and smokey tomato sauce

The second course was thankfully much better than the first. The pork was grilled to a nice degree, and the meat went fairly well with the tangy tomato sauce and the slightly bitter swiss chard.

Several of my friends ordered the steamed Prince Edward Island mussels, stewed in a mouth-watering broth of their choice (not pictured). Having tried one of the mussels myself, I suspect Plouf might be better for seafood dishes. But I'll test that hunch out on another night.

Dessert: Vanilla bean creme brulee

The creme brulee was a solid end to the meal - light and creamy with a hint of vanilla bean flavor. And I loved the edible cookie spoon! However, it still didn't come close to the amazing creme brulee at Chapeau.

My overall thoughts on Plouf? I was happy for my meal at the Dine About Town price, but I'm not sure I would be as keen on eating here at the normal price. Although I think I'd need to make another visit and try more of the food before deciding that.

Plouf
40 Belden Place
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 986-6491
www.ploufsf.com

Ti Couz

This is one of my favorite little restaurants in the Mission district - a super cute French shop with the look and feel of an old Parisian cafe. Ti Couz has a very comprehensive selection of crepes, from the savory to the sweet. And if you can't find something you like on the menu, you can create your own. The menu also features other French fare, including made-from-scratch soups (try their corn bisque if it's a daily special), salads, fresh seafood, plates of cheese and chacuterie, and wonderful desserts.

This is how most of their basic crepes look - simple and unassuming on the outside...

...but filled with goodies on the inside! Here's a ratatouille crepe filled with mixed veggies.

And no French restaurant would be complete without good coffee.

Ti Couz
3108 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 252-7373