Mayfield Bakery and Cafe, Palo Alto

I went to see my long time friend at Los Altos hill yesterday.  She and I went to this really nice cafe restaurant in Palo Alto for lunch.   There were not many customers when we arrived before noon.  At 12:30pm the place was already packed.  We were seated at the last booth on the right of the picture below.



My friend had been here before. She was going to order the thin pizza but decided to order the samething I ordered.

Grilled California Yellow Tail, Leek Fondue,Wilted Fava Leaves, Shimeji Vinaigrette, $19

The dish was well presented with a little bit of vinaigrette taste.   It would be pefect if the fish is little bit undercooked.  I always like my fish medium rare but they had cooked it medium.  It was still ok not too dry.  I like the fresh vegetable and they were just cooked right.  Very nice combination dish.

The bread they served was just unbelievable good with thick crust.  The sourdough bread was only a slightly sour.  It's really hard to explain the fantastic taste of the bread. 

For dessert, my friend ordered the Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding with carmael sauce, Vanilla Gelato, $8.00


This is way too sweet.  If you don't like something too sweet, skip this one.

I ordered the Citrus Crème Brulee, Madeleines $8.00

I like this dessert.  This had a generous portion and citrus flavor.  It was smooth and not too sweet with a thin sugar crust on top.  It came with two pieces of madeleines, chewy and nice citrus flavor too. 

The bakery next door prepares all the desserts and bread at the cafe.  There were big slection of buns,pastries and desserts.   I bought these buns home afterward.   They each tasted differently and were really good. 

Left to right: sugar bun, brown sugar bun, hot cross bun ( Price around $2+ each)

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This place is located in Town & Country, which is closed by Stanford Shopping Mall. It would be nice to have breakfast or coffee breaks after shopping in the area. Ask for weeknight Harvest Dinners if you want to enjoy and get a better deal for a complete dinner

Mayfield Bakery and Cafe
Town and Country Village

855 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 853-9200

Stripes In The Spring

The fashion trend for this spring is all about stripes.  I always love the black and white stripes but was afraid to wear them.  After reading this article: Horizontal stripes make women look thinner, I was excited to try on all the stripes fashion that are availalbe at the department store.

After experiencing all the difference clothing, I have found only certain type of cut and width of the stripes that across the body gave the slimming effect.  Here are what I found:

Medium size horizontal stripes that are in darker color are better to wear.  It gives a depth of curve and hide area that you don't want people to notice.  I found it is important to not wear top that's fits to the body.  It should not be too loose or too clingy.  It definitely gave a curvy look with a supported bra.

With broad stripes across the top gives an illusion of a bigger bust and narrower waist.


Bold wide stripes works better on a loose garment

I love this diagonal and vertical stripes blouse which elongates the body.

I particular like the look of  a broad stripes cardigan over thin stripes top.  This cardigan is similar to what I have at home but mine has broad and even stripes across.

If you are one not into stripes but still want to keep up with the trend, layer a plain cardigan or jacket over a  top like this:

or use these cute accessories:

I bought this infinity scarf for my daughter.  She looked so chic when she wore it with her solid black long sleeve top.

There are also many colorful stripes around to have fun with this season.  Colorful stripes accessories can really make a simple outfit "pops". It's best to avoid yellow color when pair with black and white stripes as it would seem like a "bee" costume.     I hope everyone is having as much fun as I have with this trend.

Easy Avocado Tofu

Tofu was believed to help lower choleterol and also good for the skin.  This tasty recipe was given to me by a friend who is a vegetarian.  I like the fact that I can prepare this healthy snack in no time and fill my stomach with no guilt at all.

Ingredients:

Soft or silkienTofu
Avocado
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Black pepper

Direction:

Cut tofu and place sliced avocado on top.  Drizzle some sesame oil and soy sauce over.  Sprinkle some black pepper.

Notes:

For variation, sprinkle some shredded roasted seaweed or green onion. Or substitute soysauce with prepared cold noodle sauce.

Bun Bo Hue Vietnamese Deli

After our big feast at the Boiling crab.  We went and find this deli which was known for their excellent bread and sandwiches. This little Vietnamese deli was just on the back side of the Boilign Crab.

After all the saltiness from the "whole shebang", I wanted a cold drink and my friend said her colleague loves to drink Avocado bubble drink.  I decided to try it.  Oh my goodness.  It tasted so declious with a bit of rich but refreshing taste.  I asked the owner what's in it.  He said only milk, sugar and whole avocado.  That was one recipe I have to try to make at home.

We both ordered the sandwich for our kids.  I ordered the number 1 combo sandwich and it was about one foot long.  I had tried a small bite of the sandwich.  The bagguette was crunchy with really fine grain. I have to remember to come to this place again to buy more sandwiches the next time I come to The Boiling Crab.

Bun Bo Hue Vienamese 

(408) 270-7100

2060 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95122

The Boiling Crab - San Jose

When my friend mentioned that we should go to this restaurant for dinner again and I was already drooling.  We both couldn't wait for another day and decided to go that night.  This Cajun crawfish chain restaurant is owned by Vietnamese-American.  It has now grown to 10 locations in Texas and California.
It was popular in the Southern California and my friend brought me here few years ago when it open its first chain in the bay area.

The first time we went there we had to wait for 2 hours.   We decided to get there early this time and we were really happy to find that there was no line at 5:30pm.

The nautical decor was quite interesting to me and made me feel like I am at fisherman wharf.  There were already many customers inside the restaurant.  The waiter first set up the table by covering the table with butcher paper.  She then brought us bibs and a roll of paper towel  after handed us the menu.

Here's the menu.  Most seafood are $9.99 a pound and others are also within reasonable price.

We ordered our favorites: one pound of shrimp and 4 corns with the "whole shebang" which has lemon pepper, canjun spices,garlic and butter.  They were served in a plastic bag and no plate or fork were given at all. Everyone just peeled and tossed the shells on the table.

 The fish and chips were really good and portion was big for  $9.99.  They were really good.

We also ordered the fried oysters for $9.99 a dozen.  That was so delicious and I wished to get another order.

We tried the clams.  It was good but it was really salty with the "whole shebang".

We both were really stuffed after eating all these.  We couldn't resist ourself ordered some corns and shrimps to go for the family.

That was a very good dinner except I would have to remember to tell them to cut the salt in the "whole shebang" next time I come again.  We had tried their fried sweet potatoes and crabs last time.  The crab was overpriced in my opinon but was really good if you don't mind the price.

There is another Boiling Crab now open in the bay area.  This restaurant is so popular any night that unless you show up before 6p.m. It can be a 2-hour wait so plan to get there as early as possible.

The Boiling Crab
(408) 532-6147
1631 E Capitol Expy, #101
San Jose, CA 9512

Snow Ears Soup

My daughter was coughing a little lately.  I was looking for ways to ease her dried and itchy throat.  I found and tried this recipe yesterday.  Snow ears is a type of dried fungus and was believed to have calming effect with coughing and also good for the skin.  The almonds and Lo Han Guo have also the same effects too.

Ingredients:

3 Snow Ears
1 oz. North Almonds
1 oz. South Almonds
1/2 Lo Han Guo
1 lb. lean pork
2 slices of ginger root

Directions:

1. Boil lean pork with some cold water,bring up a boil then discard the water.
2. Add a pot of cold water, add all the ingredients.
3. Bring to a boil in high heat, then simmer for 2 to 3 hours.
4. Add salt to taste.

Ume Sushi Restaurant

If you like Japanese sushi rolls, this is a place to try.  There was a menu devoted to many interesting sushi rolls at this UME Japanese restuarant in Pleasanton:

The place is quite big and there is a sushi bar on the right side once you walk into the restaurant.



We were going to order the Padora but decided instead to order the Simba roll with Hamachi, cream cheese, and avocado inside with house special sauce on top.

The bento box lunch was quite well-priced with a choice of 2  for $8.95 or 3 items  for $11.95.  We chose 3 items this time since it was only $3 more to try an additional item.

Yakiniku (Sliced beef),tempura and sashimi bento

Salmon, tempura and sashimi bento

The portion of the lunch box was big and the roll was also fresh.  The next time I come,  I will try the Pandora and other rolls.

UME Sushi Japanese Restaurant

4855 Hopyard Road
Pleasanton, CA  94588

(925) 734-0996