dev.citrusheightssentinel.com

Tag: food

Local Food Review: Bubbie’s offers some kosher-style love

Review by Nadezdha Otterstad–
If you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast with some distinctive cultural flavor in Citrus Heights, Bubbie’s Love Bistro serves it up daily at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Antelope Road.

Bubbie’s Love Bistro offers kosher-style eating at the corner of Antelope Road and Sunrise Boulevard.

Finding this quaint little bistro one Saturday morning while out looking for a local mom-and-pop restaurant to try, my husband and I soon found ourselves coming back for more. Several visits later, we had a good taste of the various selections – from the standard scrambled eggs and omelets, to the specialty food options boasting names like “Pastromelet,” the “Hopple Popple,” “Triple Treif,” and “Matzo Brei.”

After trying a taste of two sweet cheese blintzes, filled with a homemade cheese filling and drizzled in a delicious veil of blueberry sauce and soft whipped cream topping, I was again on the lookout to satisfy my sweet tooth on a follow-up visit. Finding french toast on the menu, I couldn’t forgo two slices sprinkled in powdered sugar and topped with a generous dollop of whipped butter and honey on the side.

As we ate our meal, we were greeted by the owner, Stacie, who came out from the back and introduced herself to each table. She told us the bistro’s name and secret recipes had come from her Jewish grandmother, “Bubbie,” with the recipes eventually being passed down through the generations. Seeing her casually chat with customers and clean off tables added a personal touch to the experience.

The small-but-friendly dining area has several sit-down tables, as well as a few stools next to an open kitchen where meals can be seen being prepared. The walls tell the story of the restaurant’s history in the form of black and white pictures of the owner’s grandmother and family, and a few comic strips pinned up near the kitchen add some comic relief.

As I sipped my Meshuggenut Mocha and nibbled on my french toast breakfast, my husband was enjoying his platter of a bagel sandwich with egg, cheese and pastrami — the sandwich hot and melted, just as desired. Although the portions were large, we had enough room in our bellies for a taste of the bistro’s homemade biscuits drowned in creamy gravy, with large chunks of seasoned sausage mixed in. Definitely worth a try.

[You may also like: “REVIEW: Extreme Hummus brings Mediterranean flavor to Citrus Heights“]

Bubbie’s also offers a wide range of hot beverages, and I was impressed with the Micha Mocha (espresso, steamed milk and dark chocolate), as well as the Meshuggenut variety, which adds a shot of Almond Roca syrup to the espresso mix. Other coffee options also include cappuccino’s, Americano’s, Macchiato’s, and even an Oregon Chai Tea Latte.

With each meal at Bubbie’s we’d have to say the breakfast offerings are most memorable, while lunch sandwiches were decent, but not quite worth the $10-14 price. All things considered though, the service is personal, the food is unique, and the flavor is amazing – we’ll definitely be back.

—
Cleanliness: 4 stars. The dining area and the booth areas are swept and clean. The bathroom area is in need of some adjustments in the décor department, but cleanliness is decent.
Ambiance: 4 stars. Small diner with simple décor showing the history of the owner’s family history. Children are welcome, and booster seats, high chairs and sippy-cups are available for the littlest customers.
Customer Service: 5 stars. Very friendly owner and staff that answer any questions and accommodate any concerns.
Food: 4 stars
Affordability: Prices range from $6 for a basic scrambled egg breakfast with a few sides, to upwards of $23 for a full seafood breakfast. (See full menu and prices online at: http://www.bubbieslove.com/
Overall Satisfaction: 4 stars.

Bubbie’s Love Bistro location and hours:
7800 Sunrise Blvd #11
Citrus Heights, CA
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily

March 1, 2015
REVIEW: Extreme Hummus brings Mediterranean flavor to Citrus Heights

Review by Nadezhda Otterstad–
With Citrus Heights boasting a new Mediterranean drive-thru off Antelope Road, my husband and I decided to grab a bite to eat at Extreme Hummus and were soon coming back after being impressed with the taste, service and quality of the restaurant – as well as to get a bigger picture of the menu options offered.

A new family-run Mediterranean drive-thu has popped up behind Raley’s in Citrus Heights.

Walking past some outdoor seating as we made our way to the front door, we entered a small, new dining area and were greeted by the workers busily scooping up veggies, meats and other fixings for one of their to-go customers, at a Subway-style, watch-your-food-be-made ordering counter.

The owner greeted us and introduced himself right away, and with a friendly smile guided us through the menu’s wide selection of choices. Being a Mediterranean cuisine fan (especially a gyro fan), I dove right into ordering a lamb and beef gyro, and several minutes later, a fresh pita wrap cuddling a large portion of all kinds of vegetables and sliced meat met my face.

Taking a look around inside, I was happy to note the restaurant was kept clean, with tables cleared off in a timely manner and bathrooms well-taken care of. The inside was a bit lacking in decor, but hopefully that will change as the business gets more established.

My husband chose a sandwich that stood out on the menu with its name, “Shish Taouk,” and as a fan of large portions, his first reaction was noting the hefty amount of meat on what turned out to be a delicious, hot entanglement of caramelized onion heaped over lettuce, tomato, parsley and grilled chicken – all tied together by a creamy house sauce adding a little zing to each bite.

As hummus-lovers, we were also pleased with the eight choices of fresh hummus available, with a side of hot pita bread which we sampled and enjoyed dipping our meals in. On a later visit, we also tried their house-brewed specialty tea – a blend of four different teas and spices that produces an amazing flavor (and one the owner wouldn’t share his secret on). Definitely worth the buck-fifty.

Vegetarian options are also available, and for those in the mood for a salad, the menu had several varieties available at a fair price –although we would have preferred our Greek salad order to be a bit larger and include a bit more meat for the added price. The salad was fresh and crispy though, full of colors from the red onion and olives, and rounded out by a must-try drizzle of specialty house Greek vinaigrette dressing.

Another great choice was a combo plate with a chicken kabob, rice, house hummus and a fresh salad, delivered hot and fresh from the kitchen. (The rice is amazing, by the way. Normally, we’re used to a cheap, pasty blob of rice thrown in with a meal, but not at this place – the rice is perfectly cooked, doesn’t stick all together, and has great flavor due to some added herbs.) The kabob was also seasoned perfectly – not too salty and not too bland – with a tender, soft texture.

To round out one of our many meals at Extreme Hummus, we couldn’t help but try a slice of baklava that was tantalizing us in full view on the ordering counter. The sweet, sticky dessert morsel is a great way to end a good meal, with an authentic Middle Eastern experience right in Citrus Heights.

[You may also like: “Local Food Review: ‘The Lodge’ deserves 4 stars for breakfast”]

For those in search of a local, healthier choice than most fast-food chains, Extreme Hummus is the place that hits the spot when it comes to flavorful, affordable and healthy food. Having visited several times now, and sampling a good part of the menu, we can definitely say this family-run Mediterranean eatery is worth a visit, and once you find the dish you like on the wide selection of options, you’ll definitely be coming back for more.

Cleanliness: Five stars
Ambiance: A bit plain inside, but on-par if compared to standard fast-food. Great for the whole family and welcoming for even the youngest kids (kids menu is available.)
Customer Service: Four stars for a friendly owner who speaks to his guests and often personally delivers food to table. Staff are knowledgeable about the menu and can explain what’s in each dish. We only had to drop a star due to the order time, especially on the drive-thru.
Food: Delicious, noticeable food quality. Great flavor. Halal certified. Have to drop a star for one trip where the food was a bit cold though — an experience a few Yelpers have also commented on.
Affordability: A bit more expensive if compared to fast-food restaurants, but a good deal when compared to other sit-down Mediterranean places. Gyros and wraps run below $9. Wraps, sandwiches, and salads, are also below $9. All hummus choices are below $7. (See full menu and prices by clicking here.)

Overall satisfaction: 4 stars
Extreme Hummus location and hours:
7820 Zenith Dr. (Off Antelope Road, behind Raley’s).
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

January 20, 2015
Citrus Heights Food Review: ‘The Lodge’ deserves 4-stars for breakfast

A small sign indicates what’s inside The Lodge on Auburn Boulevard in Citrus Heights.

Reviewed by Nadezhda Otterstad
Tucked away behind a parking lot and several trees on the northern outskirts of Citrus Heights stands a unique, peaked-roof structure, decked with blue and white trim. A sign painted above the front entrance highlights that breakfast and lunch are served inside, and another bright orange sign facing Auburn Boulevard spells out “Coffee Shop” for the steady flow of traffic passing by. Curious to check out the place, my husband and I invited grandpa to watch the kids and set off for a visit to “The Lodge.”

Upon stepping inside the front entrance early one morning, the sound and smells of breakfast cooking met us as we were warmly greeted and invited to find a seat at one of several tables inside. We made our way down to one of the well-worn but clean booths where we met Aime (pronounced “Amy”), one of the diner’s cheerful waitresses.

As we browsed the menu, aromas wafted in from the nearby kitchen and encircled the dining area, bringing back memories of homemade meals. After perusing the extensive all-American menu, we settled on a pancake order and an omelet, which came with hash browns and a biscuit on the side. A short while later, Aime delivered several hot plates, and we were pleasantly surprised by the ample size of the portions and the savory smell of home-style food.

The three-egg omelet provided enough to share between us, and the food wasn’t too hot, nor smeared in excess oil. Even the coffee tasted a little above par for comparable restaurants, and consistent refills always came our way from Aime.

While finishing our meal, customers trickled in on their own or with families, with mild chatter adding to a relaxed and happy atmosphere inside. As several customers greeted the diner’s staff by name, it seemed the Lodge is definitely a spot for regulars.

Always curious to meet the face behind a good meal, we found out after breakfast that co-owner Yunhee is the inspiration in the Lodge’s kitchen. The Korean-born chef flashed her bright smile as she shared how she prepares the food in the kitchen, praising her discovery of American breakfasts as “the best breakfast in the world.” Lee, Yunhee’s husband and Lodge co-owner, was seated at one of the stools at the front counter and said he’s in charge of shopping for the diner — additionally pointing out several walls where he had created some wood design work.

Taking us back to her cooking, Yunhee mentioned several times that one of her food prep distinctives is to always chop her vegetables by hand, rather than with a machine – indicative of her passion for good cooking. It was also clear she enjoys making breakfast on the healthier side for her customers.

The 64-year-old chef is also in the Lodge’s kitchen six days a week, so no matter what day you visit, you’ll likely have your food turn out as expected – without any unwanted surprises from a different chef’s style. The Lodge is also open until 2 p.m. to accommodate the lunch crowd, but Yunhee said breakfasts are her specialty.

Although lunch isn’t bad, we agree that home-style breakfast is their specialty, and we don’t hesitate in giving the Citrus Heights “Lodge” a solid 4-out-of-5 stars for taste, service and one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

This review was originally published on The Citrus Heights Sentinel on Sept. 16, 2014.

September 16, 2014