Noa Sushi Once Again

 Saturday, May 23

We skipped last week because I was not feeling well, and the next restaurant we want to try had no reservation until next week, so back to Noa, which has not failed to please. Our plan was for ramen, but we were sidetracked with our usual goal of trying something new, but first sake.

The long list of choices includes fruit sake. I ordered wonderful Passionfruit Sake, which arrived in a lovely brandy snifter shaped glass, and was thick and sweet - like mango juice or apricot nectar, absolutely delicious with a mild kick. Drink and dessert in one.

One of the things we like about Noa is the lovely service. Our charming server helped H choose his drink and explained menu items. We started with shrimp tempura - hot, fresh, excellent and accompanied by a giant ring of onion. H had miso clam soup - intense and flavorful broth full of clams and scallop, enoki mushrooms. I ordered beef short ribs which came with excellent miso and a generous quantity and variety of vegetables and met on a cast iron plate. All in all, great dishes to share and totally satisfying. 

As always, the restaurant was busy and had a pleasing atmosphere of people enjoying great food.

Rating 10 0f 10 for hitting the spot

$79.00 + 20%

Riccardo's Ristorante

 Riccardo's Ristorante

Sunday May 3

A beautiful spring day that began with a thunder and lightning storm. I chose Riccardo's because it is a well-known and well-established local Italian restaurant with a great menu and reputation. Though I had reserved inside (see storm above) when we arrived on the beautiful afternoon we were lucky to get a table outdoors on the terrazzo patio straight out of Italy.

We started with sparkling wine, then a basket of bread and cruet of olive oil arrived. We shared a scallop appetizer in a romesco sauce. Delish. H had a succulent halibut dish, and I had pasta in a meat sauce (H wanted meat) - we shared our dishes. Good food, beautiful atmosphere. 

For dessert we drove across the street and got a key lime pie.

A good start for what turned out to be a busy and good week. Doctors appt, Mother's Day iris garden and ramen lunch with Jo, lunch and art looking with Linda and Barbara, lunch with Corey. All in all, a good week 

$108.50 + 21.50 = $130

Food 7.5  atmosphere 9