Next Stop: California Thai Restaurant

Memorial Day this year was gloomy, gray, and drizzly here in the East Bay, a perfect day to forgo an outdoor barbecue eating frenzy and find something warm to eat-- indoors.  Our solution:  California Thai Restaurant.

Don't let their font deter you.

Vanessa:  The restaurant is small with maybe thirty seats, but the space is well thought-out and is very cozy and comfortable.  When we arrived, we were the only ones there at one o'clock on a holiday Monday, though I have trouble imagining a bustling downtown El Sobrante lunch crowd on any day.  We were greeted warmly and immediately served water and small green salads.  While a local pop radio station played in the background, we figured out four dishes to order.  

I'm not sure the crispy sweet potatoes actually qualify as Thai (aside from the Thai sweet chili sauce they were served with), but they were tasty and hot, those little battered and deep-fried sticks of sweet potato.  Though maybe a touch under-salted, our ba-mee chicken noodles were generously portioned and tasty with nicely grilled chicken, tender bok choy, and lots of chopped peanuts to garnish. My favorite was the jungle curry, a brothy, vaguely sour, not-too-spicy blend of fresh vegetables, lots of basil, and chicken.  The barbecue pork and rice was totally fine, though over-marinated and not really tender;  the steamed vegetables on the plate were super fresh and cooked well, even better than the pork itself.

I have to admit that when we first sat down, I was a little skeptical about the restaurant based on menu items like crab rangoon and something that had the name "volcano" in it -- and that the menu lacked items like larb and sticky rice, which I think of as must-haves at a Thai restaurant.  But I was really happy with the freshness and the flavors, and we had plenty of leftovers to make another meal later.  It's a place that has a warm vibe, gracious service, and a view of the Rancho across the street.  What could be more El Sob?


Tony: I was happily surprised that the inside of the restaurant was totally different than the outside (though V enjoyed the font used on the outside awning for the restaurant name). Comfy as it was, I was able to hear the entire conversation of a first date between two fifty-somethings, and we were politely interrupted by a man who lost (ahem) his wedding band from his pocket, somewhere near us. El So...well, you know the rest.

When we hit up Thai restaurants, I generally defer to my dining companion for food selection. Some sort of Pad Thai noodle usually makes the cut. Go with what you know. The barbecue pork was tasty but had the slight taste of being marinated for too long. Not bad though. My standard drink is Thai Iced Tea but found Thai Iced Coffee next to it on the menu. After a bit of debate, I ordered it and found that is sweetened coffee with a float of milk topped with whipped cream. 

I should've went with what I knew.

T versus crispy sweet potatoes.

Ba-mee chicken noodles with thin egg noodles, bean sprouts, green onions, bok choy, and peanuts and sweet chili sauce on the side.

Jungle curry, a classic northern Thai-style curry that is made without coconut milk.

The pork on a bed of perfect vegetables with a hefty portion of rice.

T versus Thai iced coffee with whipped cream.

First Meal: Cafe Soleil

Welcome to our first official El Sobrante restaurant visit!

We hit up Cafe Soleil on a Monday morning.  What better way to kick off the week?

Here's the scoop.

Vanessa:  The room is much more masculine than I imagined:  brick walls, metal chairs, and concrete floors.  Concrete floors make me sad for the service staff that has to walk over them all day.  I hope they've all invested in a nice pair of supportive shoes.

Service is gracious, friendly, and thoughtful.  I ordered a Spanish omelet, which comes with a filling of chicken or beef, and when I asked for a vegetarian version, the server suggested that I add avocado in place of the meat.  A small but savvy move on her part.

I ordered mint tea and was served two packets of Stash Moroccan mint green tea, a mug of hot water, and another small pitcher of hot water.  That does not go unappreciated by this avid tea drinker.

The three-egg omelet is massive.  I ditched the toast and asked for extra hash browns, and I ended up with the equivalent of about seven shredded potatoes on my plate.  This is not a complaint;  this is a gift from the potato gods.

I did not love the jarred-tasting salsa nor the fact that it (and the sour cream) came pre-portioned in little plastic cups, but the food was hearty and tasty and enough for two meals. 

The restaurant was full of regulars, which is always a nice thing to see.  There were a couple of groups of men who looked like life-long buddies, and there was a younger group of friends who chatted amiably behind us.  I always appreciate a welcoming neighborhood vibe.  And lots of potatoes and tea.

My omelet of considerable giganticness complete with slabs of hash browns. 

Chicken-fried steak with all the trimmings.

tonyB:  From the outside I thought this would be the typical white-walled cafe. Turns out the minute I opened the door, we came upon a large, open space with about 15 tables and counter seating.  Though not as intimate as a small diner, the darker interior motif felt comfortable.  As Dr. Phil played on the big screen (next to framed Certificates of Appreciation from the El Sobrante Boys and Girls Club), I got a real sense that this is THE place the locals come for grub. For a Monday morning, there was a steady stream of patrons.

[Vanessa: I sat facing another big screen on the opposite wall where the Wendy Williams show was on.  I know nothing about her except that her wardrobe people make absolutely no effort to play down her expansive chest. It was hard not to stare.]

I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak. Usually, for me, CFS really boils down to one thing: the gravy. I have to say that my CFS gravy was good-- in fact, pretty darn good. Dotted with little bits of ham, the gravy had an almost smoky taste-- maybe a bit salty though.  Over-easy eggs with sourdough toast accompanied the CFS and was pretty standard.  Coffee was a little weak, but refills were offered frequently.  The wait staff were awesome and attentive.

Overall, for my first restaurant breakfast in El Sob in some 30-odd years, I find the atmosphere and food of Cafe Soleil good enough to make me want to come back. Soon.

[Vanessa:  Soon, but not before we hit up all the other restaurants in town!]

Cafe Soleil is on top of its social media deals.

Considering the options on the lengthy menu.