Tadich Grill

Some years ago a dear friend surprised me with a lunch stop at Tadich Grill in downtown San Francisco.  She had been dying to see my reaction as it seemed so "me" at the time.  After all Tadich has great food served by grumpy Croatian men, I am a grumpy Croatian man, therefore it was a match made in heaven. 

In addition to great food Tadich also has the designation of being the oldest restaurant in California, open for 161 years.  The menu is a collection of pasta, fish, steak, and the occasional salad.  All I know is that the minute I step through the door I am transported back in time to my grandfather's house.  The smell of garlic, red wine, meat, and seafood making its way through my being.

I have been to Tadich several times and my goal is always to try something new.  They are known for their scampi, a dish they make to order.  Copious amounts of seafood piled high in a sauce of white wine, butter, and garlic.  Having already had that I opted for a Spanish based seafood dish with crab, shrimp, rice, and a ton of paprika.  It was wonderful, a great ending to the calamari and clams I inhaled as a starter. 

If you are in The City you have to go to Tadich.  Lunch time may be busier than dinner so plan accordingly.  They do not make reservations, so prepared to belly up to the bar and have a couple of drinks while you wait. 

~Salud

 

Friday is Beerday!

I just had a lovely conversation with a gentleman who recently opened a beer and wine shop in a nearby dodgy part of town.  I frequent this area often going from my home to any worthwhile eating establishment in Portland.  As we drove by my wife caught the sign on the outside of his store, it read "99 beers."

He had me at 99.

We walked in and browsed the local micro-brews and whatever else he had lying around.  I am a bit of a beer geek so there was not much to get excited about.  We got to talking with the owner and my wife and I realized he really did not know much about beer.  He pulled out his order sheet and we started making recommendations and circling beers that we would like to see there.  We purchased a few, and promised to come back to purchase what we encouraged him to order.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Which brings me to one of my favorite beers.  What is lacks in complexity it more than makes up in obscurity.  Karlovacko, Croatia's version of Miller Genuine Draft.  A smooth lager with a little bite, a great beer to enjoy with a variety of foods as it is so darn agreeable.  Those of you on the west coast can find this fine Pivo at your local Bevmo.  You Oregonian's can now find Karlo at Belmont Station and perhaps at my new BFF's beer store.

Stay tuned on that, and  Zivjeli!