Nut Tree in Vacaville

 

In what used to be a cow town is now a sprawling complex of shops and restaurants. We found ourselves in the middle of Nut Tree Plaza on a sunny spring weekend.  

We headed to Fenton's Ice Cream Parlor for lunch and, of course, our ice cream treat for the week. Fenton's expanded from their crowded location in Piedmont (north Oakland) to a spacious plot with lots of parking in Vacaville. It could not have been a better additional location for them.

We started with  a small lunch, as we conspired to save room for a large desert. Each of us had our heart's desire. Mine was a Small Hot Fudge Sundae with extra nuts thrown over a bulging dish of Vanilla bean. 

After lunch we surveyed the rest of the plaza, and saw children clamoring to ride the Nut Tree Railroad. How could I blame them?

 

 Nut Tree's layout was perfect. This looked like a bonafide small track steam engine, complete with railroad crossing signs.

 

How could we not stop by the Jelly Belly outlet, right next to Fenton's? They parked their VW Jelly Belly car right near the Nut Tree RR Station:

Luckily for us, Fenton's filled our stomach amply enough to not want any beans. I think I would have burst with a purchase...


Sent from Wei's iPhone

Usagi Restaurant - San Mateo

Whenever we're in San Mateo, we stop by a rather unassuming restaurant, Usagi. It means "rabbi" in Japanese. Chef Soichi San hatched the idea of this restaurant, which features American comfort food, with Japanese and Italian flavors.

Once you walk inside, you will notice the clean and modern environment.

 

 Many families with smaller children frequent this small eatery. They like the menu, the wooden floors and the "like home" atmosphere. There's no problem from spilled food or drink, which are easily cleaned.

 My wife sampled the sausages with a curry chicken that melted in her mouth. She didn't offer me any...

She also splurged on a Hamachi and Maguro tuna salad. Note the green wasabi sauce, covering the Hamachi. Yummmm.

 

 

In comparison my linguini dish was very different. Smothered with clams and spiced with sliced dry pepper, I finished every last noodle and clam.

 

So try this restaurant, which welcomes you with a large OPEN sign on a rabbit:

Usagi

505 Second Avenue

San Mateo, CA  94401

Ph. (650) 373-2600

Note, I have no financial or other connection to this restaurant, except that it's one of my favorites.


Sent from the iPhone 5 by Wei Chong

Incongruity

Wandering about near the Martinez train tracks last week, I found this British motiffed building. Didn't make sense in an Old West town like Martinez.

But the scene present a "photo opp" for me.

The dilapidated red London Booth waited for a caller. The Union Jack boldly emblazoned itself twice on the garage door. And the English Red Crown announced petro for sale. Where was I?

Of course the street sign put everything in place: back to the future in California.

Sent from Wei's iPhone

Spanking Bright Red Fire Engines

Walking down the street in Alameda to East Ocean Restaurant a couple of weeks ago, a photo "opp" jumped out at me.

The day was crystal clear, with a bright blue sky. The sun shone from the perfect angle, photographically. And Alameda fire department decided to put out their spanking red fire trucks out on the sidewalk. In other words, the planets aligned just for me.

Couldn't help but take a few pictures of this once in a while happening.


Sent from Wei's iPhone

Another Restaurant Guessing Game

Which fast food restaurant, at which location. Hint: it's in the red & white seat covers. Where?

Ok, that was too easy. KFC/A&W on Clayton.


Sent from Wei's iPhone

Where Are the Burgers?

Another guessing game. Just where is his burger joint? The hint is this wallcovering, which is inside the restaurant on Farm Bureau Road.

Tired of guessing? Digger's.


Sent from Wei's iPhone

Flowers at COSTCO

Nami Nami Visit

In our last visit to Nami Nami, in Mountain View, we feasted on these delectables.

It's such a relaxing and enjoyable place to visit.

Try it sometime. The restaurant is on Castro Street in the middle of downtown Mountain View.


Sent from Wei's iPhone

Sons at the Golden Gate

Same scene this past Saturday, with Michael and Danny posing in front of SF's icon. Nice picture, a day before the 49ers win for the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP.


Sent from Wei's iPhone

Visit to Gate

Panorama of gorgeous view on a perfect, windy afternoon. Sometimes you just hit all the elements of a good place. Too bad I didn't have my DSLR. But this iPhone 5, with its standard camera in panorama mode just does fine to capture the expansive scene.

Sent from Wei's iPhone 5