Eat Here- Galletto Ristorante Modesto, CA

Last Friday night found me at a fascinating new restaurant. My husband had eaten there and immediately knew that I would love the food. He was right. I pretty much always love Italian, and this 1930s era ex-bank hit the spot. I apologize in advance. I have no pictures...silly me, I forgot my camera at home.
The restaurant was very busy, and even with our 7:45 reservation we had to wait a few to be seated. We were immediately greeted at the door by a mature host and hostess, instantly confirming for me that we were in the right place. We sat in the foyer on a lovely retro-styled couch, with accompanying chairs nearby. We were right next to the bank vault, which I have heard houses their immense wine collection.
Our cozy table for two was very close to the live pianist who entertained the diners with love songs. Elegant decor in rich, dark colors added to the wonderful ambiance, and fall decorations were tasteful and plenteous, something that I find very enjoyable.
We ordered coffee and coke. I believe the true measure of a restaurant is its coffee. And theirs was good. Although it wasn't hot. That could just be the traveling time, and the server didn't know the trick of putting boiling water in the cup before you put the coffee in to ensure that it arrives piping hot.
We ordered the carbonara, made with thick noodles in a cream sauce with crispy pancetta and a poached egg, and the gnocci with rock shrimp and chilies in a butter cream sauce. The carbonara was wonderful, but the gnocci was the best I have tasted. It was perfectly tender. The sauce was also delicious. Simple ingredients but together they were a masterpiece.
I would have sent my regards to the chef, but our waiter was far too busy with his other tables. My coffee sat empty for quite some time, as did my husbands drink. My only complaint, besides the inattentiveness of our waiter was that our bread arrived just before our dessert. Being absolutely starved I was a bit irritable when no bread arrived.
I ordered the tiramisu for dessert, again no refill on my coffee to go with my dessert, but I guess there were other patrons on this busy night. I suspect the tiramisu was previously frozen, but it was still delicious.
Overall, I can't wait to go back. I want to try a few of the other dishes on the menu, and I suspect they change seasonally, like the pumpkin ravioli with brown butter, sage, and shaved Parmesan. I will probably take my dad there for his birthday this week and hopefully we will get to try out a different waiter.

Galletto Ristorante 
1101 J Street, Modesto, CA 95354-0805
(209) 523-4500

Eat Here: Oasis Grille

For my birthday last week my husband surprised me and took me to a mediterranean restaurant. Back when we were honeymooning we ate at a Greek restaurant and loved it. It was our first time and we instantly fell in love with the diverse flavors and textures associated with Mediterranean food. For my birthday we went to a restaurant called the Oasis Grille, located under offices belonging to psychotherapists and psychologists on busy Main Street in Pleasanton.

We were ushered to the patio seating, which was an enclosed garden near the street. The weather was perfect and the city garden aura was a nice junction of relaxation and suburbianism. The flowers were in full bloom, overwhelming their stone confinements. Towering oak trees gave plenty of shade and purple morning glories, white roses, and fuchsia bleeding hearts filled the air with their delightful scents.

The time of day we arrived let us partake in the half-off appetizers. We went with the global cheese tray, which arrived with brie topped with glazed walnuts, feta with tomato, and basil chiffonade, and goat cheese with dried cranberries. A basket of warm flat bread with butter accompanied the cheeses. We also ordered the half-off marinated olives, which were quite flavorful. The cheeses were delicious and fresh.

For dinner we ordered the rack of lamb, medium, with mashed potatoes, and the filet mignon kabob, medium rare, with rice and satzi, a greek-style sauteed spinach with lemon.

The flat bread was, well, flat bread. My husband didn't care for it, but I was expecting it. We tend to enjoy those yeasty breads that melt in your mouth like a gluten-laden version of savory cotton candy. The rack of lamb was well done, but flavorful. The garlic mashed potatoes were not as flavorful as I was hoping, but the red pepper puree that accompanied the lamb was delicious! It was a bit spicy and added a lot of flavor to the dish.

The kabob arrived well done, but was immediately snatched up by the waiter to be corrected. A large portion of lightly seasoned rice was piled on the plate and the sauteed spinach was flavorful and satisfying. Overall, I would definitely return, but probably stick with the appetizers, which seem to be where the chef really shines.

Oasis Grille

780 Main Street

Pleasanton, CA 94566

(925) 417-8438

Eat Here-Walnut Avenue Cafe

If you find yourself in Santa Cruz on a weekday morning, you will notice, as I did, that the city does not quite wake up until about 11 a.m. I am attributing this to the fact that the city really and truly wakes up only on the weekends because of the boardwalk. But, if you are there, or anywhere near, and you are hungry for breakfast, there is a place you definately should try.

I am a breakfast person, if you hadn't noticed, and I find there is no better way to start a vacation day than with a good breakfast. I mean eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon...etc. We found this great little place; good food, good coffee (an absolute must) and not too pricey. I feasted on eggs benedict florentine, and my husband got another version. Potatoes come on the side, and the food was just delicious. The cosey cafe has a family atmosphere with an updated twist. Perfect.

Walnut Avenue Cafe

106 Walnut Avenue

Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3913

(831) 457-2307