Bistro at the Mansion

This Bistro is located in the Knickerbocker Mansion; a charming 1920 log cabin (mansion) which is also a Bed and Breakfast located in Big Bear, California. While we were in Big Bear, Mertz had taken us there for brunch. We overlooked beautiful pine trees and a tree trunk filled with holes from woodpeckers. If you look closely at the picture below; the hole to your right shows the head of a woodpecker peeking out.

As soon as we sat down, we were offered Mimosas. The bread basket contained 3 scones. They were quite edible with the sweet butter. We all had a cup of the Gumbo soup which was good. Both Mertz and Sandi ordered the Peaches and Cream; double cream Brie smoked turkey and peach chili jam. I had the Shrimp and Parmesan Grits; creamy polenta, creole shrimp with green onions and bacon. I enjoyed mine but unfortunately, Sandi and Mertz did not enjoy their sandwich. I had a quarter of Sandi's and agreed that it was "odd". We couldn't really put our fingers on what was wrong. It lacked flavor for sure.

The brunch was still fun because of the ambiance and the company. It was nice to catch up with our friend while being interrupted by the "knocking" of the woodpeckers. The Knickerbocker Mansion is at 869 Knickerbocker Rd. in Big Bear, California.

Guests at Mertz's Cabin

Consider yourself lucky if  Mertz invites you to her cabin in Big Bear. Sandi and I finally took her up on her invitation. After the 2-1/2 hour drive from Los Angeles up the mountain with the last 30 minutes of beautiful but winding roads, we were welcomed with champagne, a vegetable quiche and fabulous sourdough baguette slices which were brushed with sausage drippings, toasted and topped with feta cheese mixed with mayonnaise, bacon, tomato jam and basil.

After we relaxed and toured her cabin, we decided to do some hiking; more like window shopping in the town of Big Bear.  This was a necessity so as to burn calories and make room for the dinner she had planned for us. She took us to The Pines, a lovely restaurant overlooking the lake. Mertz and Sandi had a salad and I opted for the Salmon Vegetable Soup which looked and tasted much better than their salad. For our entrees, it was "to each her own". Mertz had the Pork Chops with sour cream sherry sauce which she said was delicious. Sandi had the Chicken Marsala and I had the Chicken stuffed with goat cheese and spinach. My stuffed chicken was much better than Sandi's marsala. The marsala sauce either didn't have enough marsala or it could have just been too "starchy". We didn't bother to order dessert as Mertz had something planned when we got home.

As soon as we got back to the cabin, she made us a nice alcoholic dessert drink. It was called Buffalo Milk which had Kahlua, Creme de Cacoa, ice, half and half, and frozen bananas. It should have had vodka but she left that out so as not to cook our brains.This was more like a milk shake; a very good milkshake. Even Sandi who is not used to drinking, drank the whole glass (she finished first). We were supposed to sip this baby while we watched television but that did not happen as it was just too good not to inhale the shake! It was a good way to end the evening. The 3 of us were so relaxed and just happy to be together!

Sandi and I thank Mertz for the invitation. We truly had a ball!!!!

Dinner, Egyptian Style

Sandi and I were invited for dinner at Fairoz and Medhat's "weekend home" in Long Beach right in front of the Pacific Ocean. It was a beautiful afternoon as we sat on the patio overlooking Long Beach.

Fairoz told us that she was making something very simple and light for dinner. Her idea of simple and light is exactly like Sandi's idea of simple and light. She served a salad with a very thin wheat pita bread which went well with the Chicken Kabob, Beef Kofta, Rice with Cauliflower and Potatoes. It was enough to serve at least 8 people (there were only 4 of us). Though we have eaten kabobs and koftas in restaurants, it is so different when it is truly homemade. I asked Fairoz how she made the potatoes as they were outstanding. She said she would show me how to make it next time. I think I might send Sandi to watch and I will be more than happy to wait for the finished product.

When we thought we could not eat anymore, she brought out some fresh fruit, again enough for a battalion and a very special treat. It was a Baklava that her daughter brought. This was Syrian Baklava which was quite different from what I have had in the past. It didn't have that sicky overly sweet taste. It was the best baklava Sandi and I ever had.

At the end of the evening we went up on the rooftop and admired the full moon and the night lights of Long Beach.  We ended up staying for 5 hours. Thank you Fairoz and Medhat for a lovely evening.

Back to Valentien

The last time we were at this restaurant was in July for Bastille Day. Sandi and I could not wait to go back for their delicious and unforgettable Steak Au Poivre with Pommes Frites in a cognac sauce. At the time, we met a couple who sat next to us and we couldn't avoid conversing with them. By the end of the evening we exchanged email and phone numbers. Since we were going to be in Bakersfield again, I called them up to see if they wanted to join us for dinner. They were happy to oblige.

Last night I brought a bottle of  French champagne which the 4 of us enjoyed but what Sandi and I enjoyed more was the bottle of Chardonnay Bernard and Bee brought. I rarely drink white wine since I prefer red. This Chardonnay was unlike any other I have ever tried; it was crisp and very smooth, no hint of bitterness which I find in most chardonnays.  It was Grgich 2013 "Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay" from Napa Valley. A movie called Bottle Shock  came out in 2007 about Steven Spurrier, a sommalier in Paris played by the great Alan Rickman who proved that California wines are better than French wines in the "Judgment of Paris", a blind wine tasting event. The 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay crafted by Mike Grgich was voted the finest white wine in the world as the news shocked everyone after it was published in Time magazine. FYI, 30 years after the 1976 blind tasting, Mr. Spurrier conducted another competition in 2006 and California won again!

Fast forward to the food. We had to limit our French bread and salted butter intake since we decided to have appetizers. We were all intrigued by the Artichoke Pancake; caramelized red onions, fresh goat cheese, tomato confit and baby spinach. Sandi and I split one.  Bernard had the Pumpkin Ravioli which had a lot of flavor and was aldente and Bee had the Artichoke Pancake. It was delicious. Sandi and I split a cold soup made with coconut milk and strawberry. We just had to try that one. That was a total winner. It was creamy, savory with just the right amount of tang from the strawberry; a perfect summer soup.

For our entrees, three of us had the Steak Au Poivre with Pommes Frites with extra cognac sauce on the side. Jeramy Brown, the owner came to make sure everything was perfect. He is a "hands-on" kind of guy. I have been to restaurants wherein the owner/manager just walks around like strolling in a park with no regard to anything else. Bee had the Basque Style Ling Cod with piperade sauce with pan fried chickpeas. She enjoyed the very fresh fish. I had a bite of the chickpeas and they were nice and crunchy.

Dessert was a no-brainer for me and Sandi. It had to be the Chocolate Souffle with the vanilla ice cream. Bee and Bernard shared the seasonal Sorbet with strawberries with a nice sauce. Though the sorbet looked good and refreshing, Sandi and I  were quite happy with our souffle.

It was a wonderful evening spent with new friends in this still very good restaurant. Jeramy, keep up the good work. To the Barmann's, we look forward to our next gastronomic adventure.

Valentien is located at 3310 Truxton Ave., Suite 160 in Bakersfield, California.

Friends of the Vine

This charming place has been around for about 15 years. I have never been there even though my friend Amy talked about it and how we should go wine tasting there. I asked her if they serve food since I can't live on wine alone. She was not sure since she hasn't been there in a long time. The owner, Fred is a close friend of her son Bryce. Some of Amy's paintings decorate the wall and she informed me that they are all for sale! The place has a bar, a few seats around the room and a nice sofa with a table. It looks like someone's living room. Oh, and there is a variety of wine that you may purchase.

Sandi, Amy, Kaela, Lynn and I met there last Thursday. We all had a nice glass of wine and some hors d'oeuvres. We had a cheese plate which included a variety of cheeses, crackers, walnuts and apples. We also had to have some meat; prosciutto which came with cheese, apples and sliced baguette.

Fred came by several times to make sure everything was fine; he had to or Amy would have called Bryce to report his friend. Kidding aside, Fred couldn't have been more warm and friendly. When you go to "Friends of the Vine" you leave there making a new friend. You do feel like you just left your friend's house. Thank you Fred for everything and we'll see you sooner than you think.

Friends of the Vine is located at 221 Avenida del Norte in Redondo Beach, California. They open at 4 pm till 11 on Tuesday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday they are open till 12:30 am. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

The Pan

I had to put a new roof on our house six months ago, our roofer Andrew from American Roofing who by the way did a great job, told me about the restaurant, The Pan in Gardena. He informed me that you usually have to fall in line as it is always crowded because the food is very good and prices are reasonable.

The one time Sandi and  I  made it there was on a Tuesday and we felt so lucky since there was no line. We quickly found out that they are closed on Tuesdays. We also thought of going there with Amy and Nako after our workout at the gym but it was never convenient since we are done by 7:15 a.m. and The Pan does not open till 9 a.m. on weekdays. We all think that is too late for a restaurant to open especially if they serve breakfast.

We finally made it there this morning before it opened. There were 4 people ahead of us so that was a good sign. The place is not big, It is charming inside and has an additional enclosed patio. The menu looked exciting; so exciting that we had to strategize on what to order to make the most of it. Sandi and I did our usual mode of ordering; two entrees to split. We decided on the Original Loaded Hash Browns: 2 eggs cooked any style, sausages, green onions, bacon, jack and cheddar cheese over hash browns topped with chili aioli sauce and choice of toast.

We chose "Best Ever" Banana Pancakes, something we never order but it sounded too good. These pancakes were filled with banana cinnamon puree, topped with bananas, walnuts, whipped butter and powdered sugar. They were super delicious. We both loved them.

The servings were big. Even I could not finish 1/2 the pancakes ( I almost did). I had no trouble with 1/2 of the hash browns. That too was delectable. I didn't even have to add ketchup to my potatoes as it was tasty. The aioli sauce had a bit of a kick which made it more exciting.

We can't wait to go back to try the Chorizo Scramble and the Lemon Pancakes. They are open from 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday till 9 p.m. On the weekends, they open at 8 a.m till 10 p.m. The Pan's address is 16601 S. Western Avenue in Gardena, California.

I thank Andrew for telling me about The Pan.