Restaurant Seafood Meals: California

Going out to eat is one of my favorite hobbies, especially when I fly from Hawai’i to visit family in California.

I can’t wait until it’s prudent to fly there again. Damned COVID-19 restrictions.

When I’m there, I tend to order Cal-Mex, or seafood. I usually post directly from table side to my Facebook page, then when the event pops up on my Facebook memories 1+ years later, I jump on Twitter and tweet the picture.

Here are a few. Enjoy!

Special Shrimp Omelet

Black Bear Diner (Milpitas)

Seafood Combo and Chips

The Fish Market (San Jose)

Crab Cakes Benedict

Classic Diner (Fremont)

Filet of Sole Petrale Doré

The Tides Wharf and Restaurant (Bodega Bay)

Chirashi Bowl (sashimi over sushi rice)

Satomi Sushi (Fremont)

I can’t wait to get back there.

Restaurant Seafood Meals: Hawai’i

One of my most popular Twitter post categories is meal pictures, generally posted straight from the restaurant on Facebook.

When the pictures pop up on my Facebook memories, generally 1-9 years later, I post 1-2 a day on Twitter.

As I eat breakfast out a lot, most are from diners. I have hundreds, and posting all would be ridiculous. So, I decided to concentrate on seafood entrees instead. Here are a few from Hawai’i restaurants:

Mahimahi and Eggs

Like Like Drive-Inn (closed)

Mahimahi and Eggs

New Eagle Cafe

Shrimp Enchiladas (delivered)

Los Chaparros Mexican Restaurant

Shrimp and Veggie Tempura, Ahi Sashimi

New Eagle Cafe

Real Crab Fritatta

Big City Diner Ward (closed)

Scrambled Eggs and Sea Hawaiian Style

Jack’s Restaurant

Misoyaki Butterfish

New Eagle Cafe

Next time: California seafood meals.

California Breakfasts Year-End 2019

My Thanksgiving journey to California lasted 30 days this year, a week longer than this past summer.

I did it as an experiment to see how a longer visit with family would work out. As far as I can tell, they didn’t get sick of me, and I managed to minimize the burden on them.

As usual, it gave me a chance to enjoy California’s diner/cafe breakfasts. The usual Honolulu breakfasts are enjoyable, but I always look forward to an occasional change (especially Cal-Mex dishes, which are hard to find in Honolulu).

So here we go, my restaurant meals, as posted on Facebook, all in Fremont, all breakfasts, unless otherwise noted. You’ll notice quite a bit of Cal-Mex (a favorite of mine), which is hard to find in Honolulu.

Bill’s Cafe

Mexicali Omelet (jalapeños, avocado, sour cream, jack cheese, fresh salsa), with flour tortillas and country potatoes.

Black Bear Diner

Huevos Rancheros (crispy tortillas, chorizo, refried beans, two sunny side up eggs, chili verde sauce, avocado, cherry tomatoes, jack cheese, topped with sour cream and cilantro), with fruit bowl, freshly squeezed orange juice and country potatoes.

Cabrillo Park Cafe

Carnitas Omelette (pork carnitas, onions, sour cream, avocado, salsa), with hash brown potatoes and toast.

Claim Jumper

(Lunch) New England Clam Chowder with a side of Beans and Sausage.

Classic ‘50s Diner

Huevos Rancheros with chili and country potatoes.

Texas Chili Omelet with Cheddar Cheese and Onions

Country Way, The

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs, with rye toast.

Denny’s Mission Boulevard

Santa Fe Sizzling Skillet (chorizo sausage, fire-roasted bell peppers and onions, mushrooms, seasoned red-skin potatoes, and cheddar cheese), with avocados added.

Dina’s Family Restaurant

Fajita Omelette (sautéed top sirloin, onions, sweet red and green peppers, mushrooms), with country fried potatoes and rye toast.

Popeye Benedict (English muffin, spinach, avocado, hollandaise), with hash browns.

Dino’s Family Restaurant

Breakfast Special (French toast, link sausages, over-easy eggs).

iHOP (Milpitas)

Little Elves Combo (Oh What Funnel Cake topped with powdered sugar, whipped topping and sprinkles, scrambled egg, bacon and link sausage).

Jack’s Restaurant and Bar (Newark)

Jack’s Omelet (bacon, avocado, tomato, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, sour cream), with toast.

Mil’s Diner (Milpitas)

Cajun Sausage Breakfast Special (Andouille, eggs, hash browns), and toast.

Panera Bread

Breakfast Wrap (maple glazed bacon, egg, cheese) and a bear claw.

Satomi Sushi

(Lunch) Chirashi bowl (chef’s selection of fresh sashimi served over sushi rice).

Scrambl’z (San Jose)

Chicken Apple Scramble (chicken-apple sausage, green onions, goat cheese), with grits (tomatoes, green onions, cheese).

Waffle Company (Hayward)

Nutella-Strawberry-Banana Waffle Combo (Belgian waffle, fresh fruit, Nutella hazelnut squirts, whipped cream, sausages and eggs).

First Class Cabin Meals

Hawaiian Airlines First-Class Seats

If you work hard, if you fly a lot, if you like a certain airline company, then you owe it to yourself to accept what you deserve — an upgrade to first class.

There are a few ways to do this:

If you are an upper-level premium club member, they sometimes offer you an upgrade at no extra cost. This has happened to me, but it’s very rare.

You can use your air miles to upgrade an economy class seat at the airport when you check in to your flight. But your chances are slim to none. I’ve done this.

Book a first-class upgrade when you make a reservation, using your accumulated miles. Your chances are improved. I’ve done this as well.

Book a full-fare first-class seat when you make your flight reservations. This is what I do now.

But this post is not about planning your flight in first-class, or the psychological benefits you derive.

It’s just about the meals I had on a recent Hawaiian Airlines round trip between Honolulu and Oakland. As usual, I photographed the meals and posted the pix on Facebook.

Lunch: Honolulu (HNL) to Oakland (OAK)

• (Appetizer) Macadamia nuts and sparkling water with lime wedge.
• (First Course) Chicken Kabocha (pumpkin) Cake with Togarashi (spice blend) Mayonnaise.
• (Main Entree) Corn Polenta Cake, Balsamic Vinaigrette and Roasted Vegetables.
• (Dessert) Mango Pie by Hawaiian Pie Company, and green tea.

Brunch: Oakland (OAK) to Honolulu (HNL)

• (Appetizer) Macadamia nuts, club soda with a twist of lime. 
• (First Course) Seasonal Fresh Fruits, warm Croissant with butter and jam. 
• (Main Course) Yuki Ricotta Pancakes, Maple Syrup Whipped Crème, with Chicken Apple Sausage Links. 
• (Dessert) Pineapple Vanilla Shortcake.

Next time you book a long flight, just do it.

California Summer Break Breakfasts

A couple of times a year, I make a 2 to 3 week visit to see family in Fremont, California, across the bay from San Francisco.

One of the major highlights of my California trip is to enjoy breakfasts at cafes, diners and restaurants that offer selections not usually found in Hawai’i.

You can get Tex-Mex, ethnic omelets (e.g. Greek, Italian, other European), “California” omelets, various versions of “homemade” hash, and lots and lots of different Benedicts any day of the week.

Unfortunately, one of my favorites (Wake Up America) closed since my last visit in November 2018. It happens. And, I just learned that the owners of Mil’s Diner (Milpitas) will be retiring at the end of the year. Since I’ve started visiting Fremont, about a half-dozen that I often frequented are no longer in operation.

Be that as it may, every now and then I discover a new one.

Here we go, my most recent mouth-watering, drool-inducing California breakfasts (in Fremont, unless otherwise noted):

Bill’s Cafe

California Benedict (bacon, avocado, tomatoes,
green peppers)

Black Bear Diner

Prime Rib Scramble Special (red and green bell peppers,
purple onions, Monterey Jack cheese)

Cabrillo Park Cafe

Carnitas Omelet with Tortillas, plus side of fruit

Classic 50’s Diner

Huevos Rancheros with potatoes and chili beans

Country Way, The

Eggs Benedict Special with Avocado

Denny's Mission Boulevard

Supreme Sizzlin’ Skillet (eggs, sausage, spinach, bell peppers,
onions, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, red-skinned potatoes,
cheddar cheese)

Dina’s Family Restaurant

Greek Omelet (bell peppers, onions, tomato, olives,
oregano, garlic, feta cheese)

iHOP, Milpitas

Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity Pancakes (peaches),
plus side of 4 link sausages

Jack’s Restaurant and Bar, Newark

Elena’s Omelette (spinach, mushrooms, caramelized onions,
tomato, feta cheese), plus side of sausages

Spinach Artichoke Benedict

Mil’s Diner, Milpitas

Country Fried Steak and Eggs

Panera Bread

Ham, Over-Easy Egg, Cheese & Roasted Tomato
Breakfast Sandwich, plus bear claw (missing two toes)

Scrambl’z Almaden, San Jose

Sicilian Frittata Special (pepperoni, spinach, bell peppers,
marinara sauce, shaved parmesan), side of grits

California Munching

Whenever we visited family in the East Bay Area, we made it a point to eat breakfast (and sometimes lunch) out when our grandson was in school and his parents were at work. I’m continuing that tradition. It’s a good one.

Here’s what I ordered on my most recent California vacation:

Bill’s Cafe, Fremont: Chorizo Omelet (Mexican chorizo, avocado, onions, cheddar cheese) with freshly made salsa, hash browns, and 12” flour tortilla

Classic ‘50s Diner, Fremont: Three-Egg Texas Chili and Cheddar Cheese Omelet with onions, potatoes and rye toast

Dina’s Family Restaurant, Fremont: Pork Chops and Eggs with hash browns and wheat toast

Wake Up America G-T, Newark: Salmon Benedict with fresh fruit and country potatoes

Mil’s Diner, Milpitas: Country Fried Steak and 3 Eggs Special, with country gravy, hash browns and toast

Dino’s Family Restaurant, Fremont: New York Steak and Eggs with country potatoes and toast

Jack’s Restaurant and Bar, Newark: Bananas Foster French Toast with Linguiça Sausage

Panera Bread, Fremont: Ham, Cheese and Roasted Tomato with Over-Easy Egg breakfast sandwich, and Seasonal Fruit Cup

The Country Way, Fremont: Hamburger Patty and Eggs with country potatoes and sourdough toast

Black Bear Diner, Fremont: Shasta Scramble (avocado, spinach, tomato, onion, bell pepper and jack cheese) with fresh fruit and a biscuit

Bill’s Cafe, Fremont: Mexicali Benedict (pulled pork carnitas, avocado, tomatoes and freshly made salsa) with country potatoes

Dino’s Family Restaurant, Fremont: Pancakes with fresh strawberries and a side of linguiça sausage

* * * * *

A few times, I had lunch out:

Local Cafe, Cupertino: Fish Ball Noodle Soup with Honey Lemon Iced Tea

Scoma’s, San Francisco: Fried Combo Platter (sea scallops, prawns, sole fish sticks). Condiments (l-r): ketchup, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, pickles

The Trident, Sausalito: The Trident Cioppino (salmon, crab legs, prawns, calamari, mussels, clams, vegetables, tomato broth) and Garlic Bread. Plus (below), "Breakfast Appetizer" ... Deviled Eggs with Bacon