I stopped into a deli-style restaurant (which I won’t name) the other day as I was in search of a roast beef sandwich. Per the sign’s instructions, I seated myself. Parched, I began to order a soda, when what I thought was the waitress informed me that the drinks were self-serve. She also directed me to the self-serve salad, sandwich and burger bar. No problem. I don’t mind putting together my own roast beast sando just the way I like it. After I got all my goodies together, I took my tray over to the register when I noticed a jar marked “tips” stuffed with dollar bills. I thought this was a great idea! After all the work I put into serving myself I figure I deserved a tip, so I took 3 bucks and made my way back to my table.
California Cuisine was my most recent dinner stop at 4641 Watt Ave. Unlike the restaurant I just mentioned, California Cuisine provides actual servers and quite good ones at that. Shannell was my waitress on this particular evening, and she did a great job. You know, personable yet not annoying. I gave her a tip that was larger than my bill. Well, I have to admit I got this meal for free, so I hope the fifty-cent piece I left seemed adequate.
California Cuisine was formerly The Waffle Inn, but to introduce a more serious dinner menu the name was changed. However, they do still serve a mean breakfast as well as lunch (try the Philly cheese steak).
With the dinner menu they have definitely upped the ante. For example, California Cuisine is likely the only restaurant in North Highlands that offers crab-stuffed mushrooms (very, very tasty) on their appetizer menu. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I tasted, and I tasted plenty.
The most expensive entree on the menu was the steak and shrimp for $15: a rib-eye steak and bacon-wrapped prawns, stuffed with crab. Yes, I loved the prawns. It sounds good and it tastes even better.
Cajun salmon, stuffed chicken breast, and some other nice items are on the menu for around $12 to $13. The jewel of the menu is a very unlikely dish. When you go, you must try the shepherd’s pie. Trust me when I tell this is not on your diet but it is worth the extra weight. However, if weight is a concern, they do offer some nice salads, particularly the chicken Caesar. But really folks, I am strongly advocating the shepherd’s pie.
So breakfast, lunch and a fine dinning experience can be had at California Cuisine. Next month, I will be coming to you with a new restaurant called A Taste of Brazil. I have considered opening a restaurant called A Taste of Tibet, but at the moment wild Yak is just a touch too expensive to import. Also, I have will finally bring you my long-promised review on Crush 29, which is not to be confused with crush the Lakers. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer team. And lastly keep your fingers crossed that this year I will finally get a food stand at the State Fair. When cream corn on a stick becomes this year’s biggest hit, you can say you read about it here first!