Sonia's Kitchen-Cheesesteaks and Curb Appeal

I spotted Sonia's seven years ago during the first week I lived downtown. I absolutely loved the bright green and yellow paint job and how unexpected it was to see a cheesesteak place on this corner. Even though I don't eat meat, I couldn't resist checking out the place.

There is an interesting looking vegetarian sandwich option on the menu and even though I am notorious for making poor choices (like the time I ordered the seafood platter in a restaurant in Wendover, Neveda which is located in the middle of a desert) I couldn't bring myself to order a veggie sandwich at a cheesesteak place.  So I engaged the services of a carnivorous guest blogger who went to Sonia's, ordered the pepper, swiss cheese and grilled onion cheesesteak and reviewed it for me.  He said it was great.  The swiss cheese gets all melty and becomes a tasty sauce for the steak and the steak was really good.

Someday I'll order the veggie sandwich.  It can't be as bad as the Wendover seafood platter.

Trade Rite Market - The Commercial Heart of Little Portugal*

Little Portugal (an area roughly bordered by King, 28th Street and Alum Rock) sits just a few blocks from where I live and yet I had never eaten traditional Portuguese food until last week when someone brought food catered by Rosa of Trade Rite Market to a meeting. We talked about Trade Rite and he recommended their breakfast burrito claiming: "You have one of Rosa's breakfast burritos and you're good for the day."  Well this morning at 8:30 I had one.  The delicious, chewy, warm tortilla was filled with tender scrambled eggs, grilled onions, and red and green peppers. I topped it with tiny, pickled red pimentos enjoyed every bite. It is now 2 o'clock and I am still not hungry.

I was really tempted to sample the Porto Lagrima which sat on the counter with tiny cups and a Santa who seemed to be encouraging me to try it, but with an alcohol content of 20% and the time of day being early morning, I decided to take a pass.

The bakery and the connected grocery store have a big selection of sardines, imported wines, religious trinkets  and Portuguese pastries. 

I don't know what those pastries on the left side of the tray are, but I know that before vacation is over I am going back for one and a cup of Rosa's espresso.

*The spiritual heart of Little Portugal is Five Wounds Church.

Fall Color, San Jose Style

After a morning of bill paying and chores around the house, boxer and I headed out to post the bills and get some fresh air (and food). We ended up at Sabor Salvadoreno (a very clean, proud, authentic little Salvadorian restaurant) for my second try at falling in love with pupusas.  It didn't happen, although the loroco pupusa I had was puffy and tender on the inside with cheese and herbs oozing out and the outside was nicely browned and crunchy, they just didn't GRAB me. Something I might crave about once a year.  I had ordered a fish taco as a back-up and it was great.  The fish was pan seared and super flavorful.  Then we went for a walk around the neighborhood and ran into one striking flower and tree after another.  We also saw a house decorated for a birthday party with these cute owls and I thought how refreshing it was to use something made from paper instead of commercial plastic registered trademark decorations.  We topped off the afternoon with a pumpkin twister from the Foster Freeze on N.4th and Taylor Streets. And no, he didn't get any pumpkin twister.

Nostalgia Makes this Food Taste Better

I admit that my fondness for Sagar Sweets (formerly known as Nusrat Sweets) has more to do with memories than with the food.  If their sign is accurate, then I guess I started eating here shortly after it opened - in 1978.  It had been many years since I had last eaten here and although it hasn't improved with age, it is still a very lovable restaurant.  When my 29 year old was a toddler, this was one of the few places where we could eat out and relax.  Back then the restaurant had a patio which sat directly below the San Jose Airport landing pattern and the fun of watching jets fly over us and even the anticipation of jets flying over us kept my son gleefully occupied throughout the meal.  Plus, we were eating on a patio, big plus when dining with toddlers.  Sadly the patio is gone.  I had lunch here on Sunday and when I walked in the owner appeared stunned to see a customer.  But then he became quite friendly and the service was great.  The food is not fancy or real special but you get a very respectable meal for $4.95.  The lunch included a potato, lentil and spinach dish which was thick and tasty and spicy, a soupy bean dish with tomatoes and lentils, two warm, chewy and delicious roti flatbreads, a very tasty lime pickle and some sort of rayta.  Sagar Sweets is where I first acquired a taste for Indian desserts.  I topped off lunch with a dense, pink square of dessert and I was a happy camper.

Living in the southbay epicenter of Mexican Restaurants

The area I live in has a very high Mexican Restaurant to resident ratio and yet for a person who doesn't eat meat (and especially lard) there are few options.  Casa Vicky is the exception.  They have many vegetarian dishes and pastries and beans made without lard.  I've read the reviews of Casa Vicky's and I know its shortcomings (food not highly seasoned is the biggest complaint) but Casa Vicky is more than a sum of its parts.  The food is simple, fresh and homey, sort of Mexican comfort food, the beautiful old house-turned restaurant is cozy, and the people are friendly and welcoming.  Sometimes I'll just get a "craving" for the whole warm experience of sitting in and eating at Casa Vicky.  Their homemade tortillas (both flour and corn) are delicious and can be purchased (still steaming warm) to take home.  My favorite meal at Casa Vicky's is breakfast. I love their breakfast burrito made with eggs and homemade fried potatoes, wrapped in one of their warm chewy tortillas and served with fresh salsa.  Their chilaquiles with eggs are unbeatable.  They make very good cappuccinos with spectacular foam and a hint of cinnamon. Open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tofoo Com Chay

An account of my life in San Jose has to begin with the restaurant Tofoo Com Chay.  I can't recall why my daughter and I found it so difficult to prepare all our meals at home when we first moved downtown but I do remember thinking we might have starved if it had not been for this little vegetarian restaurant and it's wonderful owner Ben.  Not only did Ben feed us, he made us feel welcome.  The friendly atmosphere in his restaurant engendered a feeling of belonging, not just to the neighborhood but to a larger community of people who know Ben and love him and depend on him to meet their needs. Once you've been there, Ben will remember you always and greet you when you walk through his door as if you are just who he wanted to see.  Over the years I have taken many of my family members and friends to Ben's restaurant and he often asks about them too.  He keeps track!  I hope you'll stop by Tofoo Com Chay (388 E. Santa Clara St.) for one of his wonderful soups, rice plates or sandwiches.  He is open every day except Sunday.