Calafia in California with some Chobani

I had been wanting to try a  new restaurant in Palo Alto since seeing it on Cara‘s blog a couple weeks ago.  Go figure that it takes a blogger all the way from VA, to show me a tempting to place to eat essentially in my own backyard  

To start the evening, Andrea and I went to The Wine Room – also in Palo Alto.  Now I have to say that we had a really bad experience here before.  That is, we had NO experience.  They were supposed to open at 4p, but didn’t even acknowledge us until 430 and blew us off explaining that they were not ready to open due to an earlier private party.  Let’s just say as of 515p we left for elsewhere since they still were not open.  Why we gave them another chance on Friday night, I’m not sure, but I believe in second chances when it comes to wine  

Really the ambiance was quite cozy and lovely filled with sitting couches, dark wood, benches and small tables.  Very cute.  The wine list was ‘okay’ and a bit over-priced if you ask me.  However, the service was good and we must have ordered the biggie glass of wine because check these out! 

Supersized vino

 

We also had some mixed olives, which were marinated in a really tasty EVOO (not pictured..boo). 

Alright, onto the restaurant du jour: Calafia!  I loved how they offered an entire menu devoted to vegetarians and vegans.  How great is that?  Honestly, you should click the link above just to drool over the choices.  Go ahead, I’ll wait  

While waiting for the rest of our party, Andrea and I continued our vino slurping tasting at the bar.  The bartender was so kind and let us taste all of the Pinots they had available.  Unfortunately, I thought they were all duds.  We settled on the MacMurray Ranch Pinot, which was good, not great, but good. 

Once our hubbys and another couple arrived, we sat down for dinner and proceeded to EAT! 

We selected two appetizers for the group: 

Duck Dumplings

fresh ground duck shiitake mushrooms scallions ginger green onions sake sesame oil, with dipping sauce

Tempura Fried Vegetables(VG)

served with a most appropriate dipping sauce

No duck for me, but the tempura veggies were perfectly crisp, not too greasy, and were of a well-rounded variety of cauliflower, red onions (fave!), and zucchini. 

Like I do before visiting any new restaurant, I scope out my planned meal   Here is my entrée: 

Gluten Free Spaghetti (GF) Spinach, walnuts, English peas, pumpkin-hempseed pesto, parmesan, vegetable stock & a small amount of butter

 

Oh dear lord, this was GOOD!  I loved the crunch of the walnuts and the lightness of the GF pasta.  Excellent pesto that I’m eager to recreate. 

Zach’s entrée: 

Braised Sonoma County Lamb Shoulder (GF) (DF) Chic peas, Swiss chard, minty bacon padron pepper sauce

 

A blurry lamb-y bowl-o-food.  This meal carried the highest price tag and got the worst reviews of the evening.  Zach said it was good, but not worth the price compared to how affordable and delicious our meals were. 

Rachel’s entrée: 

Vegan Love Fest (VG) Lemony chic pea puree, grilled radicchio, grilled red onion, kalamata olive jalapeno tapanade & basil

 

Forgive the fact that the pizza looks radioactive — I assure you it was not.  Though I did not reach over and stab a slice for myself, Rachel concluded it was a perfect pizza. 

After dinner, we walked to ColdStone Creamery, which I hadn’t been to for a handful of years.  Now I know why: I can’t contain the fat-kid within.  I was dippin’ my spoon in every body’s ice cream like a Tasmanian food devil on crack.  Not good, people, not good.  Well the ice cream was good, but my behavior was assuredly not.  There was a photo, but I will spare you the disaster  

The other good highlight of my weekend was this guy: 

Blueberry Chobani

 

Would you believe I’ve NEVER had Greek Yogurt?  Well okay, I suppose I have when it’s used in place of sour cream, but never a proper cup of my own Greek Yogurt.  Thanks to Courtney, I won some coupons off her blog for 12 Chobani’s all for meeeeee!  I picked up 6 to start: 2 Blueberry, 2 Raspberry, 2 Strawberry.  Upon returning from the grocery store, I dug into the one above.  Verdict: Stupendous!  I cannot believe I’ve been missing out for so long.  I loved the thick texture and the sweet fruit bottom.  The only negative IMO, is that they are 140 calories and priced at $1.99 per yogurt cup.  Usually when I eat yogurt, I prefer a max of 100 calories, but these are too much of a WIN to squabble calories over! 

Do you eat Greek yogurt?  What brand?  And what else am I missing out on???

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