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Fat Apple’s (El Cerrito)
The Ravens (Mendocino)
Mendocino Café (Mendocino)

Fat Apple’s (El Cerrito)

Author: Kathryn | 1 Comment
Categories: Near and Far | Tags: Tags: ElCerrito breakfast

7525 Fairmount Ave
(Where Colusa meets Fairmount)
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Fat Apple’s on Yelp
(510) 528-3433

Fat Apple’s pumpkin pancakes are drool-worthy. They hit the spot when that craving for a sugary, nap-inducing breakfast takes hold. Surprising, they also have an excellent vegan/vegetarian option beyond the obligatory Tofu Scramble: a beans, rice, and corn-tortilla dish, with or without a poached egg on the side. This absolutely hits the spot, if you want to leave feeling great.

There are actually two Fat Apple’s: one on Martin Luther King in Berkeley, and this one in El Cerrito. The MLK outlet can get crowded, so I’d recommend the one in El Cerrito, which is less packed and also has a high-ceilinged, exposed-beam architectural charm, with an inverted-boat-hull-like vaulted wooden ceiling. They also have yummy fresh-squeezed juices.

(From Ken) There’s one brunch that I really like at Fat Apple’s, it’s the Vegan Heart Healthy (see photo). It’s essentially a plate of black beans, brown rice, corn, and tomatoes, with a dash of parley, and a choice of whole wheat toast or 3 corn tortillas. Everything tastes light and fresh. I was so hungry I probably could have eaten two plates. I used the tortillas to make little flutes.

Brunch at FatApples, El Cerrito by KAGoldberg

The Ravens (Mendocino)

Author: Kathryn | No Comments
Categories: Near and Far | Tags: Tags: Mendocino, StanfordInn, Vegan, Vegetarian

Coast Highway and Comptche Ukiah Road
Post Office Box 487, Mendocino, CA 95460
In the Stanford Inn By the Sea
RavensRestaurant.com
800-331-8884 • 707-937-5615

Sea Palm Strudel

I couldn’t resist ordering this—I’ve picked up sea palm on the beach, long, brown squishy trunks with tendril-like leaves, and I couldn’t resist the curiosity of it. I also like all sea-vegetables, and they aren’t something I prepare at home.

I wasn’t disappointed: the sea palm came wrapped in a pastry type breading, with a side of sauteed veggies. I actually liked the sea palm more than the pastry–I’m not s fan of bready type food for dinner and would have preferred a grain, but I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and would order it again, just for the novelty.

We also had an appetizer of XX which vanished in moments of arriving at the table. The bread is also excellent here and it’s possible to become quite full before dinner even arrives, which makes packing in dessert even that much more intensive.

Good thing we were staying right at the Stanford Inn–just kind of waddle home.

Mushroom with Creamy Polenta

This was my favorite meal at the The Ravens—it looks simple as the plate arrives, but the flavor of the mushrooms was phenomenal, and the polenta was perfect. All the side veggies must have come from their garden–in any case, the produce was amazingly fresh and I had to pace myself and enjoy this.

It’s such a pleasure to go into a restaurant and have so many options. The Ravens isn’t cheap, but as a vegetarian, it’s a real luxury to have so much choice.

Daily Omelet

I’ve gone long spells being vegan but I’m currently eating eggs for the protein value (also, okay, I really like them!). I had this omelet both days and again I was struck by the freshness of the ingredients.

Dessert Tasting at the Stanford Inn

I have only only one word: YUM. I was pretty adamant on day 2 that we get back to the lodge in time for the afternoon offering. I had the gluten-free fudge both days. This is SERIOUS stuff.