4 Chicks & A Restaurant

 Jack London Square's restaurant scene is constantly changing, but the addition of Noka Ramen was incredible! This was Julia's pick on a rainy Sunday evening. I wish we had just cut to the ramen, even though the appetizers were also really delicious. We had crispy brussel sprouts, shishito peppers and truffle fries with the most divine dipping sauce. The spicy ground pork ramen, though, was the highlight. It was soooo good, but we were so full that this was probably the FIRST restaurant club ever that we took home leftovers. And ramen the next day did not disappoint! Oh, and per annual tradition, we had White Russians at Forge prior to dinner. Salut! (December 4, 2022).

 Stephanie's pick of the fall was Seven Hills in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood. Seven Hills is a cute little spot that features Italian food. I can't recall any specific dish, but I am pretty sure it lived up to the hype.  Was wonderful to get the support of friends through thick and thin. (October 6, 2022). 

Dionne's pick in the Mission District was full of flavor and color!  The door and window frames are painted neon pink, tropical murals cover the walls, and plants hang above. The varied textures and spicy, sweet, and umami-heavy flavors in every dish—influenced by Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, and more. The pork belly steam bun pictured below was to die for. The night started with an incredible flashback: drinks at Blondie's!! In the late 1990s, Gail and I were a fixture there, sipping those massive dirty martinis. So thrilling to see that it has withstood the test of time and transformation in the City. Other than a minor makeover (outdoor seating), it was the same old Blondies -- with massive martinis you can sip while looking out into the street. (July 28, 2022)

 Restaurant Club makes its first appearance in Walnut Creek!!! We went to this Peruvian restaurant - chosen by Gail -- right in the heart of the shopping district. We sat outside and enjoyed fruity cocktails, vino, Yucca chips, croquettes, scallops, empanadas, kale salad (yum!), and lamb chops. Half the items were pretty good. The dessert was off and I think for the first time ever, we didn't finish (churros were ok; the tres leches was no bueno).  But anyway, it was great to get together on a warm Sunday evening. Life is plugging along. Gail is in the midst of home construction, Dionne is forever waiting for permits to start her construction, Steph's kids are getting older and she's lost about 45 pounds (!!!) and looks amazing. Julia is raising teens and this current generation's preferences dominated this conversation. Fun stuff.

 I've been wanting to try Wood Tavern on College for years! And apparently, they didn't mind having us wait even longer....great restaurant, terrible service. Took forever to get anything! But it was still enjoyable and everyone came out to Oakland for Julia's pick.