2009 Kerner Abbazia di Novacella

color: pale yellow w/ slight greenish tint
aroma: citrus flesh and citrus peel, grapefruit, lemon, floral (lime blossom?), almond, mango?
palate: lemon/lime, nice acid, little bit of textural richness (sat on lees?), mango, slightly hot at 14%abv, rel. short finish

Cactus Taqueria

Crispy Chicken Tacos. There is really no point in ordering any other dish on the very extensive menu. These are the best example of crispy tacos I've ever tried. To start with, upon first bite you can tell all the ingredients are very fresh. The chicken has a simple spice and nice char.  The cheese is very much melted all over the chicken, tomatoes, and avocado. And the shell itself: fantastic crunch and bite.  I love everything about this dish. Stop by in the afternoon and order two for a snack or come for lunch and have three.  I always like to squirt lime juice on top and sometimes salsa, depending on my mood.

The burritos here are good, but the crispy tacos are on a completely different echelon. The soft tacos are excellent as well, but are certainly are more healthful than its friulated counterpart. If you don't mind a little extra oil dripping down your stupidly smiling face, go for the crispy. I do. Every time.

Cactus Taqueria
www.cactustaqueria.com

5642 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 658-6180


1881 Solano Ave.
Berkeley, CA

Thep-Naaree

Very friendly service. Calm, quiet and very pleasant dining experience.

Beef satay - very good, but not great
Eggplant appetizer - fresh and bright tasting thanks to the acidic sauce (lime juice?)
Basil Chicken - good spice level, good flavor, very tasty mushrooms
Prawns, Shiitakes, and Broccoli
Salmon in red curry sauce - the richest dish of the meal, it was more about the sauce than the fish
Fried banana w/ coconut ice cream - excellent fried banana w/ caramel sauce, ice cream just ok
Casava w/coconut shavings - gummy, chewy casava; very candy-like

Little Saigon

We are greeted by the exceedingly friendly owner/host and seated at one of the few tables in the small restaurant.  The fresh shrimp spring rolls with peanut sauce are light and refreshing. Next, vermicelli rice bowl with BBQ pork. The vermicelli noodles are the perfect texture and the pork is perhaps the most flavorful version I've ever tried in this dish. Fresh. Wonderful, vibrant flavors. Love the flavor and the price.  I will most certainly be returning soon. This kind of quality to price ratio is not easy to come by these days, but when you do, there's nothing like the satisfaction of a great find. Thanks to Monica for recommending this new gem.