Dolce Cafe & Bakery

This as another one of Allan Borgen's favorites, for very good reason. We've eaten here twice (both times as almost the only diners in the place, alas), with great results both times.

Our first meal was the best. I order a wonderful spaghetti bolognese and Rocio chose a delicious flank steak dish, albeit we had to exchange plates when Rocio discovered the dreaded pink center in the meat. Both dishes were great.

Our second meal was a little less appealing, Rocio with a strawberry salad which she deemed too sweet and I had a reasonably tasty but mundane (albeit quite inexpensive...making it a good deal) chicken parmesan.

But, the best parts are the desserts. Dolce specialized in chiffon based cakes, which are light and wonderful.

Dolce Cafe and Bakery is on Central Ave, a bit north of the Montclair mall. It should be much busier that it appears to be.

4.5 tarts.

Kiro Cafe

The Kiro Cafe is small breakfast/lunch place buried in an office complex on Inland Empire Boulevard, between Haven and Archibald (look for the red table umbrellas). They got a good review in the Sun, and have outside tables at which Borreguito can sit. What more can you want?

Well, a better smoothie for one. Rocio ordered what she later described as the worst smoothie she's ever had. I stuck with a can of Diet Pepsi.

On the other hand, Rocio highly endorsed her ham and cheese sandwich, on wheat. My chicken parmesan (on a garlic roll) was just OK, but we are both looking forward to popping over to the Kiro Cafe for lunch again.

Three and a half tarts.

Sprinkles!

After you've had a cupcake from Sprinkles, you really don't want to try any other.  

Five tarts.  

Sprinkles

Last saturday we went on a journey because we wanted to try those famous cupcakes of a Beverly Hills bakery; it was a perfect evening (windy but nice, in the seventies) and we left after four pm. We did not expect to find so much traffic on the I-10 but we did; still, we kept going.
It got dark quickly and it seemed forever to get to that place; Scott was using the nav system and that was very helpful. It took a long time but finally we made it, only to discover that there was a very long line outside the place we were going.
I was surprised to see the long line especially because there seemed to be only college students in it but still we endured; finally we made it to the very small store and began looking at what were our options. There were still several flavors left; banana, pumpkin, strawberry, dark chocolate, white chocolate, coconut and maybe something else. We went for banana, pumpkin, strawberry and dark chocolate; ah, and a carrot one for doggies (because we had Borreguito in the car).
It was not possible for us to eat the cupcakes immediately because we had to drive back home but when we had the opportunity we were very surprised by the freshness and delicacy of the flavors. Scott had the pumpkin one and I chose the dark chocolate; both were exquisite.
The next morning we had the strawberry one, thinking it might be not good but it was still quite good and finally we tried the last one: banana ; I can say that this one was by far my favorite.
I agree with those who praise the Sprinkles Bakery, it deserves it!

The best meal I've ever had!

Well, I can't think of any better dinner than our recent J&M Cafe "Saturday special" experience.  Every other Saturday J&M provides a special, fine dining, meal for up to 24 guests.  Be there at 6:00 sharp!

Rocio, ran away from J&M's signature wasabi mashed potatoes that undergirded the tilapia, by  choosing the flank steak entree.  That left me to either look like a copy-cat or opt for the fish.  Option number 2 turned out to be a good choice.  

There was barely the slightest hint of wasabi in the delicious mashed potatoes (not that Rocio would risk even the slightest taste to discover that), and the fish, topped by perfectly chosen and cook veggies, was spectacular.  

Of course, the soup, salad, and desserts were of equal quality.