Jacalito - Lomita

We’re the only people here who don't speak Spanish, but you only need two words to eat well. Repeat after me, “mole negro”. 

A plate of half-rice, half tar-chicken will magically appear...in a less magical amount of time. The chicken is cooked just enough, and the mole makes a silky drape. A hot, fluffy flour tortilla can encase it all in a dark and bitter-sweet burrito, though you might want to opt for the corn tortillas, which they make in-house. 

The mole here is a bit more one-note than, say, Madre, but it is a delicious note at a pretty good price, and for this, all I need to say is "mas". 

Whoa Nellie Deli - Lee Vining, CA

This convenience-store-deli guards the gateway to Yosemite National Park. Last stop before you hit the park, perfect stop to fuel up on fish tacos and get a look at Mono Lake. 

The World Famous Fish Tacos are pretty okay considering they're seafood in a landlocked city surrounded by mountains and trees. The fish is pretty fresh, and the portion is substantial. The mango salsa is sweet with very ripe fruit, a bit less bland than the ginger slaw. 

The BBQ Chicken Sandwich is about what you'd expect. It's a bland breast saturated with sauce, though the chicken isn't dry and the sauce does have a nice flavor. 

A slice of Cheese Pizza placates the kids but I would recommend anything else.

I did like this deli, but I don't know if the fish tacos are fully deserving of their fame. The food is decent deli fare, and I do think it's a fun stop on the way to wherever you're going, but I don't think I would stop for the food. 

R Town Pizza - Reno, NV

Pizza just might be Detroit's best contribution to America, and you can grab a slice right in R town. 

R Town pizza slathers steamy square pies like the Normcore with Wisconsin cheese and creamy whipped ricotta. 

The red sauce carries a savory tang, spicing up the pepperoni, floating the fennel sausage, pulling together all the forceful flavors of the El Vaquero. Salty olives add an umami hit to a meaty marvel. 

Whoever thinks pineapple doesn't belong on pizza needs to try the Panopoulos. Pineapple jam supplements smoky bacon with sweetness, and Canadian bacon ties it together with its deeply savory flavor. 

Dessert is nuggets of Pick and Pull Bread encased in hard cinnamon sugar so good they negate the pizza. I would have ordered five of these and nothing else had I known. Dip in delectable caramel sauce if you'd like, but this bread is so good it's better eaten as is.

The best pizza is the pizza you like to eat. If you're aiming for a floppy, foldable New York slice, this isn't the place for you, but if you're looking for Detroit pizza, or just delicious pizza, look no further than R Town with its thick, fluffy crusts and flavor-forward toppings in any combination you may crave. 

Louis' Basque Corner - Reno, NV

Everytime I come to Reno, I fall in love with the city just a little bit more. There's always a new corner to uncover, and on this trip, we found Louis's Basque, a bar on the brewery-filled 4th street. 

The food is family style, and everyone acts like family. Be prepared to sit next to strangers and pass the communal plates. Every lunch comes with a set of staples and your choice of entree if you choose to have one. 

The Soup today is a hearty chicken and rice, 

the Salad has a simple vinaigrette, 

The Basque Beans are meaty and savory, soft from so much simmer. 

You get bread and a plate of fries as well, perfect for dipping and soaking, sopping up all the broth, lest you waste a single, savory drop of the soup or beans. 

The kiddos get some Chicken Nuggets fried to order, and I swear, these are so good we ate them all.  

Thin slices of Beef Tongue are stewed in tomato and pepper sauce, super-tender with a sharp tang to finish. 

Oxtail meat simmers in a savory brown sauce, so soft it slides off the bone. 

I love the food here, but I might love the feeling more. In a world where social standards forbid this kind of set-up, Louis keeps community alive, facilitating finding common ground through sharing starters and passing plates. It seems daunting to dine this way, but I suspect that’s why lunch comes with a glass of wine if you want it. Even if you're not feeling social, take a sip and seize the day. Say hi to those strangers and get to know your neighbors a little bit. People can pleasantly surprise you if you give them a chance, especially when you're sharing some of the best food in the city. 

Pasta Fresca - Reno, NV

Some genius opened a fresh pasta place right next to a children's museum. 

All organic, all housemade, this menu is a parent's dream. 

The Mortadella Panini makes a pleasant lunch, with a crust so crisp, a bread so fluffy, filled with a chunky slice of fresh mozzarella, topped with sharp greens and soft mortadella. 

There's a menu for kids, and my not-quite-two year-old ate an entire order of Ravioli 4 Cheese with marinara. Even my impossibly picky kid ate a substantial amount of spaghetti plain. 

Then, the Tagliatelle Agli Scampi was so good that my little one ate half of that as well. I love the eggy flat noodles, and the subtle chili-oil sauce brings out the savory-sweetness of the shrimp. 

Great food for kids, amazing for adults as well. Perfect pasta for a meal or snack if you're in the area.  

Charlie Palmer Steak - Reno, NV

Classy dining in a casino, delicious steak in Reno. The grandparents wanted to treat us, not realizing that the real treat is any time we spend with them. 

Well, they sure do know how to treat us - this place is so pretty! Even the basket of bread is beautiful. My kids ate all the brioche, and we tore into buttered baguettes and nuggets of jalapeno cornbread. 

The French Onion Soup is our only photo of the food due to the demands of wrangling a kid and a toddler in a fancy place. This stuff is steamy, beefy, cheesy, and hot, exactly what it's supposed to be. 

The Cowboy Ribeye arrives, and I am prepared. Eat it up, chew it well, drink all the juices, savor the fat as it coats the tongue and lingers on the tastebuds. Hubby had the NY Strip, a happy medium between meat and marble. 

The steak doesn't come with sides so we get French Fries to share, and they are just what you'd want them to be. The Lobster Mac n' Cheese was supposed to sate my shrimp-and-crab-scarfing baby, but they make it with meat that isn't all that fresh. Makes sense that it wouldn't be the best cuts, but cheese should never be fishy to any degree, and this has an aftertaste that is mildly unpleasant. 

Sometimes you just want a good steak, and Charlie Palmer will deliver. Service could be better - more patience is required, and better listening wouldn't hurt as the guy forgot my husband's drink while waiting no more than three tables. Still, it's a delicious meal made that much more enjoyable by our family, and sometimes it pays to splurge on a sure thing. 

Sorry for forgetting photos. Go to google if you want an eyeful of what we ate - those people take much better pictures than I ever will. 

Copper Top - Big Pine, CA

On our way up the picturesque 395 to see the Ottens, we came across a pit stop owned by some Ottens, this Big Pine place called Copper Top. 

A line winds around the building before they even open, as a diverse group of visitors and locals alike stand in the sweltering heat to score some sustenance straight out of the smoker. 

The Big Pine Mega Platter has a so-so scoop of Pulled Pork sitting next to slices of the tenderest, smokiest, like-liquid-in-the-middle tri tip and some salty-and-saucy, grab-by-the-bone Ribs. Chicken Sausage is full of sweet and savory juice,

and my not-even-two year-old ate an entire side of this cheese-lake Mac and Cheese. 

Great things come from my family, and if these Ottens are like all the other Ottens I know, it's hardly surprising that they'd be masters of meat. If you're trying to take a roadtrip, time it so you get to eat in Big Pine because this just might be the best stop up the 395. 

Udupi Palace - Artesia, CA

If they have Idli, I will always order it. I love these textured rice-saucers dunked in a steaming bowl of savory-sour sambar. The soup soaks into the soft grit, tomato-tang collaborating with the aftertaste-tang of fermented rice. 

There are too many temptations on this magnificent menu, but Masala Dosa seems like a must. Munch the mochi-crunch of the paper-thin pancake, best when coated with coconut chutney, or sambar, or both. Potato cubes are cooked to a soft mash and seasoned with more spices than I can ever discern. This mix is mild but rich, cumin and turmeric seem to stand out in my inexperienced taste. 

The Paneer Bhurji Dosa doubles as a breakfast burrito, the scrambled cheese finishing like eggs with aromatic onions. 

The Special Onion Rava Masala Dosa is super crispy, even more crunchy and light than the traditional dosa batter, a lattice-work of air bubbles from frying a combination of rice flour and cream of wheat. The onion and potato filling is similar to the dosa, but the shell has a texture and flavor-profile so different, it barely feels similar at all.  

Onions & Peas Uthapam is the perfect order for kids getting used to Indian food and adults who want a simply delicious dish. The onions and peas add both sweetness and savor to this fluffier, bottom-crunchy bread. Add sambar, and I dare say it's an Indian pizza. 

Do not eat here on days you need to be functional. The carb coma is so very real and so very worth it, but if you're working in any way, you will suffer severely. The food is all fresh and so undoubtedly and hopelessly delicious that you'll never stop eating until you can't cram another atom into your bulging belly. The worst part is that you don't even feel bad because despite being rich and flavorful, this food is surprisingly light, in a way that makes you rally enough to eat all the leftovers for your next meal, thus starting the cycle of coma and satiation all over again. Yes, it's all the way out in Artesia, but it's well worth the drive. Just try not to fall asleep in the car on your way home. 

Ry Poke Mart - Lomita

A Hawaiian poke place takes over the Sampa space. 

How does it measure up to the best pizza chef in Brazil? 

The Shoyu Tuna (not pictured) and Salmon Ponzu do not. Shoyu gets a little slimy, and the ponzu is a bit overwhelming. The salmon has a slightly fishy aftertaste, not helped by the acidity of the ponzu. 

My favorite so far is the spicy mayo-slathered Firecracker, and I love the Limu, which has a clean, mildly soy coating with the signature seaweed. They have both salmon and tuna options, and I usually opt for the tuna because it just goes better with the sauce. Sides include the standard seaweed salad, crab salad, pickled cucumber, etc. All are fine, just get your faves. 

There's an option for regular (previously frozen) or to upgrade to premium (never frozen) for a fee, though I'm not sure I see enough of a difference to pay. 

We're heartbroken at the loss of Sampa, but at least we have a high-caliber replacement. For poke in the South Bay, Ali'i has my vote and Jus' Poke has my heart. Ry is a close second, with the added benefit of being the best poke near work, but I do wish the sauces were a bit simpler. Sometimes there's so much stuff the base ingredient gets lost in the shuffle. Then again, the mixes are unique in a way that makes me crave their stuff specifically, so whatever they're doing, I think it's clearly working. 

Family Yosemite Trip - Day 3 - Yosemite Valley

My second trip to Yosemite, first real view of the valley. 

Tunnel View is iconic, almost as cool as the long middle-of-the-mountain tunnel that leads to it, a perfect preview of where we're about to go. 

The valley is wonderful, but the sun is hot, and the half-mile walk to Bridalveil Falls is all we do with the kids. 

Great photos and a view at the end, watching the water shift with the wind, blowing up and aside like...you guessed it, the sheer beauty of a veil. 

Another photo op at this tented rock, though the kids cared a lot more about the squirrels. 

It's a beautiful visit overall, a lovely lodge and a fantastic time with family. I think we'll be back very soon. 

Fish Camp General Store - Fish Camp, CA

My brother Chris is the strong silent type, but when he talks you better listen. Because he is sweet and smart and incredibly kind, but best of all he is witty. He is the best at uttering a single line that sums up an entire situation, and he does it again right here. 

" At places like this, the food is either incredible or really, really awful," or something along those lines. He's more articulate than I make him sound. 

It's a cabin-style, self-sufficient building, painted rustic red. The inside houses a few rows of staples and several shelves of ready-to-go's, items like candy, chips, and jerky. There's also a refrigerated section, best for a beverage, and we grab some ice cold beer. 

The deli counter is staffed by a smiling woman, slinging sandwiches and pizza made to order. This Turkey Sandwich is delicious, scalloped layers piled high on a fluffy roll, customized with banana peppers, mustard, and cheese. There would have been lettuce, but we skipped it in light of the cyclospora outbreak. 

The Pizza has sausage and mushroom, and it really hits the spot. Chewy crust, an impressively even distribution of toppings over a generous heaping of cheese. It's all made with care, and it comes through in the taste. 

At a place like this, the food is either incredible or really, really awful, and at this particular place the food is just fantastic.

Family Yosemite Trip - Day 2 - Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

Take a ride on the railroad if your kids are so inclined. The regular logger steam train will set you back $20 per child and $37 for each adult, but it's an hour of history in (gradual) motion as these heavy haulers are now repurposed for people. 

It chugs along at a crawl, taking you through the Sierra National Forest, a narrated one-hour trip with a brief break in between while they refill the water. 

Here's a view of the trees and a family that isn't mine. 

A lovely ride with the family and kids at a speed where those with motion sickness need not worry. Highly recommend for those with children who love trains. 

Jackalope's Bar & Grill - Tenaya Lodge - Fish Camp, CA

It's been a long drive so for the first night, it's room service in the room. 

It's all the same food from their one kid-friendly restaurant, bar and grill fare with a couple more dollars for the convenience. 

They do some pretty good burgers, like the Jackalope Burger, which has my favorite toppings; mushrooms and blue cheese. 

The Steakhouse Burger is fun as well - same patty topped with short rib and swiss, meat-on-meaty bliss.

The Spiral Noodles and Cheese from the kid's menu becomes a family favorite. It's a generous portion for any child, and my under-2 eats the entire thing every time. 

Lunch and dinner will do just fine, but avoid the breakfast buffet at all costs. A proper entree costs a little less, and the quality is so much better. The buffet eggs are so dry they taste like powder, and the only thing worth getting is the Belgian waffle because you make it yourself. 

Opt for a bowl of Steel-Cut Oatmeal if you're looking for something hot and simple. It's an even texture and comes with cinnamon, raisins, and brown sugar. 

The Lox & Bagel is a bigger plate with plenty of smoked salmon and my latest obsession; capers. Order an extra bagel and the salmon will serve two. 

Other items include a Philly Cheesesteak with beef that could be just a little less bland and dry. 

Pulled Pork Nachos are enough for two, no other orders needed, and are surprisingly delicious. The toppings cover the top layer of chips and drizzle down to the ones beneath, plenty of tender pulled pork and gooey queso to go around.

Jack's Buffalo Wings are best with basketball and beer. Plenty of flats and drums in a pound, and the sweet BBQ sauce is a good one. 

Casarecci Short Rib Pasta is a dinner entree and not one I would recommend. The ragu is watery and thin, not what I'd expect for something that's supposed to be slowly stewed.

The Mini Pizza is a kid-pleaser, 

but the Design-a-Cupcake is a disaster. The cupcakes fall apart when you pick them up so they are impossible to frost, and all you get is frosting and sprinkles so there's not much designing to be done. 

I liked it but I didn't love it, but no one loves the resort restaurant where they have to eat. Overall the food was at least fine, and the experience was quite positive overall. 

Family Yosemite Trip - Day 1 - Tenaya Lodge - Fish Camp, CA

Welcome to Tenaya Lodge. Tucked away in the fantastically-forested Fish Camp, I found the only resort I can stand to stay at. It's a nice one, luxury and comfort in a way that is not at all ostentatious. Check-in is inefficient as two receptionists serve a multiplex, so when an entire conference of people arrive all at once, they are wholly unprepared. The rooms aren't ready by check-in time, and half of them aren't assigned. But despite the obvious hiccups, the service you do get is good as the staff seem like they genuinely want to help. Bonus for the valets who got us our car in under five minutes every time. 

At least the reception area has chess while you wait. 

Our room is quite roomy and has a small balcony for watching birds and bats while we breathe in the warm mountain air. 

The one restaurant we can realistically eat at serves all-American fare. (More on that later). The ingredients are good, and they do prepare them properly. I wish they had more options, but this is par for the course when you're travelling with little kids. They do have other offerings, but the per-person rate of the barbecue "experience" doesn't price out when you have a kid who doesn't eat anything, and the pizza place is a long, sticky walk away. 

The pool situation is super, and every day we choose our own adventure between indoor and outdoor, both of which are heated. There's also a hot tub around every corner. 

The indoor pool plays movies in the evenings, and I must say, Lego Batman exceeded expectations. There's even a climbing wall and an archery range, and my favorite, the nightly roasting of marshmallows around the fire pit. The kiddos sure loved their first s'mores. 

Hiccups or not, we had a blast. This resort has a whole vibe, the kind where kids can kid and adults can adult, and everyone can coexist and co-mingle as they wish...right next to America's most beautiful national park. 

Fanoos Grill - Torrance

I've never met a Fanoos I didn't like, and their party trays will feed your work family just fine. 

Their Beef Koobideh is quite flavorful, and the Chicken Kabob is well-seasoned and not the least bit dry.

It's a lovely place for the locals, one of several solid places in Rolling Hills. They're facing stiff competition from the likes of Lunasia and Ichimi-An, but if you're looking for middle eastern, you could do much worse than Fanoos. 

Sushi Sasabune - Los Angeles

This is the Brentwood location, a favorite of locals, located on a lively Wilshire strip. The lunch deals are where it's at, several pieces of sushi and fresh cuts of sashimi for a very good price, especially in these parts. We splurged on the Signature Japanese Omakase instead, and if I am entirely honest, I think we made a mistake. 

There’s sashimi for starters, triangles of tender Baby Tuna in something gooey-soy. 

Albacore is silky and soaked in bright ponzu. 

Get to the nigiri and the problems start. The just-rice falls apart immediately, long before it hits your mouth, possibly before it even hits the plate. It’s just the plain white short-grain stuff, held together with determination and a prayer, and it makes the experience extremely difficult as determination doesn't stick. 

The cuts are what you'd find in any decent omakase, starting with bluefin Tuna and Toro served side by side. Meaty then melty, 

onward to a smooth Halibut and buttery Snapper with ginger and green onion.

This Shellfish Trio is wholly unnecessary, though that tiny, buttery oyster is nice. The bland scallop and shiitake are rather noxious in a bland broth, but the dynamite mussel has a surprisingly light cream sauce which shows some skill but is again, not something I really needed. 

Yellowtail is lovely and Salmon is sweet, covered with a complementing sweet strip.

Goldeneye Snapper is tender meat, and a smooth Scallop topped with yuzu pepper is fairly fresh. 

A steaming slab of Butterfish brushed with sweet soy is served next, 

followed by Amberjack and Albacore Belly. 

A Blue Crab Handroll is second-to-last, crunchy nori encasing a stuffing of sweet crab. 

Your choice for the last piece, and mine is always Uni. It’s a pretty good one; sweet not bitter, smooth and barely briny. 

Their website advertises their claim to fame as one of the first to introduce omakase to LA. But first is first, first is not a synonym of good. Here, while their cuts are actually good, the rice is a disaster, and there’s just too much good sushi in this city for this to be overlooked. Their fish might take off in a smaller pond, but I can immediately name at least 3 better places at this price point where the sushi is substantially better. It's clearly a beloved spot by locals and lunchers alike, but I suspect they stick to the lunch specials.